“What you are to me.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and sniffle a little. “When you came to my apartment that first time and we…had sex…why did you do that?”
“Because I wanted you. And I didn’t know any other way to have you. I knew you were too good for me, but I went for it anyway.”
“And the other times?”
“Because I was…fuck, I was addicted.To you. Once wasn’t enough for me. I feel like I will never get enough.”
I swipe at my eyes, then set the drawings down and launch myself into his arms.
“I’m so glad you did,” I whisper and press my lips to his.
* * *
Two weeks later
“So how is it, being boyfriends with Sem?” August asks as I sit down next to him at the picnic table. Today we’re at the park with our classes, letting the kids run around outside. The heat is overbearing, and I’ve found solace in some shade.
“Amazing,” I say with a small smile. I bite into my sandwich and sigh. “He’s a very attentive guy.”
August glances at me. “So, no more Colin?”
“Oh, no. Colin is old news. We’re just friends. I guess I had this idea in my head of who I wanted, but it turns out I was wrong. Sem…he’s…perfect. For me. He’s everything I want.”
August doesn’t look convinced, but I ignore him. I know it’s surprising, but I couldn’t be happier.
“You in love with him?” he asks.
I glance at him and feel my cheeks heat. “How could I not be? I’m not sure how he feels about me, but sometimes the way he looks at me…I feel like he could. But I don’t want to push him. He’ll open up when he’s ready.”
August nods and then pulls me into a hug. “Happy for you, man.”
“Me too. Hey, you going to tell me how things are going with Emery?”
August side-eyes me and shakes his head. “Nothing new to report. Just the same old. He enjoys being an annoying shit to me, and I do my best to ignore him.”
“Can’t ignore him forever.”
“Don’t remind me. My mom’s already rented a cabin for us to spend a week in this January.”
“And that’s a problem because?”
“Because I’m going to be trapped in the mountains with him. I’m not sure I can fake it for that long. He bugs the shit out of me.”
I snort and then elbow him. “I would love to be a fly on the wall for that.”
August glowers at me, and I smile. “You can call me anytime, and I’ll talk you off the ledge. It’s only a week. You can manage.”
“Not sure I can. You know what he did the other day?”
I arch an eyebrow. “Tell me.”
August lowers his voice and then leans closer to me. “I found him in my room. On my laptop.”
My eyes widen. “What was he doing on there?”
“He was looking at my browser history.”