Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 64929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Much later.
Like never.
“What… part are you struggling with?” I asked.
His body sagged into the seat, relief clear on his face when I told him I wasn’t trying to get out of helping. But evidently asking for help was easier than admitting what he needed me to actually do because he turned the color of an overripe tomato and his mouth clamped shut again.
Not sure how to respond, I just looked at him. I wasn’t going to start listing shit off to try to guess. That would get weird quick — if we weren’t there already. Finally, Adrian looked down at the table and started picking at his napkin.
“I…” He took a deep breath and started again. “I haven't managed to do anything else on my own.”
Another deep breath had my stomach turning in knots. What was he going to say? “I want to try— I mean, I need to see how it all feels.” He was quiet for another moment then peeked up at me before his eyes went back to his napkin, which was lying on the table shredded to pieces. “I’ve never had anything… and I don’t know how to…”
Adrian was clearly floundering, but I just sat there, stunned.
Finally, something stupid just popped out. “You mean the tail?”
I shouldn’t have asked, because the thought of him naked in front of me with the tail plugging his ass — of seeing it wag when I called him a good boy — had me shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
I didn’t know why it was so appealing. This was my fucking brother. But I suddenly, desperately, hoped that was what he meant. Adrian started pushing around the little pieces of trash scattering the table. He was quiet for so long I started to think that he wasn’t planning to answer at all. Right as I started to open my mouth, he glanced up at me again and nodded.
He looked vulnerable and scared, like he was so afraid of what I’d say that he could hardly think. “Okay,” I said, like it was the most normal thing in the world for my brother to be asking me to help him act like a pup… and playing his master, to boot. “You wanna, when we get home?”
Waitresses always had a perfect sense of timing, and ours popped back up then with our plates in hand before he could reply. From the look on Adrian’s face, I wasn’t sure if he was relieved or afraid that the longer this went on, the weirder it would get.
“Careful. Plates are hot,” she said, as though she hadn’t just interrupted a tensionladen moment.
I should’ve been relieved at the reprieve, but I was annoyed. It gave Adrian a chance to rethink it, to back out, and I didn’t want that to happen. “Thanks,” I said, offering her a smile.
“Sure thing,” she replied. “Need anything else?”
“Not me.” I glanced at Adrian, quirking a brow. “You?”
“I, um, need another napkin.” Adrian pointed to the mess, slightly embarrassed.
“No problem, honey.” The older waitress smiled indulgently. “Here, let me help.” She gathered the little pieces efficiently and seemed to magically produce more napkins out of the apron that was wrapped around her waist. “And don’t you worry about it. I’m sure he’s just as nervous about your first date too. Why, the tension between you boys could be cut with a knife. Just relax and get to know each other.”
Adrian gave her a shy look before he shot a quick glance at me. I was waiting for him to correct her, but he just shifted in his seat and looked down at his dinner. “Thank you.” I gaped. What was I supposed to say to that? Our first date?
Why had I left it up to Adrian to correct her? Why hadn’t I done it?
I couldn’t help but think that if we were dating, it really would’ve been our first date, but we weren’t — but then, Adrian hadn’t told her otherwise. Too embarrassing, maybe? She was right about one thing, though. We did need to get to know each other. “Thanks,” I echoed weakly, thrown off my game by the comment more than I wanted to admit.
I waited for her to leave then looked at Adrian, having no fucking idea what to say. Adrian either realized I was stunned silent or had no idea what to say either because he looked at me awkwardly then gestured to the plates. “Do you want to try some of the steak?” He managed to give me a teasing grin. “I know it’s medium, even if I’m not sure of everything else.”
Not ready to admit I had no idea what to say, I nodded and started focusing on the food. My brother and I had been getting along lately, so this shouldn’t have been awkward. But there was something more, some electric tension I couldn’t shake, and I had no idea what to do about that either.