“Why would he do that?”
“No idea. I didn’t ask. Just grabbed my laptop and tried my best to not strangle him.”
“Sounds like you should delete your history then. Don’t want him finding all your filthy porn sites.”
August grabs my bag of chips and tears it open. “Thanks for that, friend. You’re a real help.”
He stuffs one into his mouth and chews as I pull him into a hug. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t like him. But you’re a good man. One of the best. You’ll get through this.”
“Not sure if I can. My mom and his dad always make excuses for him because of his past, but I think it’s all just a fucking joke to him. I can’t imagine it was really that bad.”
I nibble on my bottom lip. “August, you know kids in foster care have it rough, right? I mean, we work with them. I don’t think Emery is making it up.”
August runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “Damn, you’re right. I just wish I knew. But no one talks about it. Maybe if I knew what he went through I’d have some sympathy, you know?”
“Maybe one day you’ll find out.”
August shrugs. “Maybe. All I can hope is that once our parents marry, I’ll never have to see him again.”
We sit in silence for a moment, and my phone dings.
“Who is it?” August asks.
“Colin,” I say and then glance up at my best friend. “Remember all those days ago when he asked me to work on that vlog with him. Apparently, the dean approved it, and he wants to know if I’m still interested in helping.”
“You want to?”
I shift in my seat and glance over at the kids playing on the playground. “Kind of. I need to talk to Sem about it first.”
“You think he’d stop you?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t want him to feel insecure about me spending time with Colin, especially since he knows how I felt about Colin before.”
“Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.”
That evening as I sit on the kitchen table watching Sem cook for me, I internally go over what I’m going to tell Sem.
“Why you looking at me like that?” Sem asks, turning to face me.
“Look like what?” I ask.
“Like you’ve got something to say.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop reading me.”
Sem bites his lower lip. “Can’t help it. I spent months memorizing you.”
My feet hit the ground as I move toward him. Plucking the spoon from his hand, I set it on the counter and climb up him.
“God, I like you,” I mutter, pressing a kiss to his mouth. “Let’s fuck.”
Sem pushes his tongue into my mouth, and we make out for a few minutes before he pulls away.
“You’re trying to distract me,” he says, pressing his forehead against mine and breathing heavily.
“No, I’m just horny watching you in the kitchen.”