Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I don’t know. On one hand, it feels more important than ever to get the degree and find a good job, so I can make sure Owen’s future is secure. But on the other hand, he needs me to be there for him, not working two or three jobs to pay for tuition and studying all the time.”
“Well, at least you have some time to think about what you want to do,” he said.
“Thanks to you. I’m so grateful for the way you took us in, and for everything you’ve done for Owen and me. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
He smiled at me and said, “You don’t have to keep thanking me, Logan. I’m just really happy you’re here.”
“Me, too.” We both got up, and I began to wipe down the high chair while he brought the dishes to the sink. After a minute, I said, “It’s funny, this conversation started because you brought up anal sex.”
We both grinned at that, and after another pause I said, “I do want to try bottoming, by the way. That’s what I always imagined when I…when I thought about…” I sighed and muttered, “It really is hard to talk about sex.”
“I know.”
“I’ll probably chicken out tonight anyway. Or maybe he won’t even want to sleep with me. In fact, he might have forgotten he invited me over. We didn’t exchange numbers, so it’s not like I can confirm our plans. Oh god, how awful would it be if I went over there and found him on a date with someone else? That would suck so bad, and—”
“Take a breath, Logan.” Lark dried his hands on a dish towel and turned to me. “I’m sure everything’s going to be fine.”
“I hope you’re right.” I attached the clean tray to the high chair and said, “I need to calm down. I’ve been overthinking this for a week, and it seems to be reaching its peak.”
My brother grinned at me. “You’ve always been an overthinker, even when you were little. I remember when I’d try to get you to be my partner in crime, but you’d always say, what if we get caught, or what if this, or what if that?”
I grinned, too. “You were always so much braver than me. Also, your proposed crime sprees were usually candy-related, do you remember that? You were fixated on that big bowl of candy at the reception desk in our church office, and you always wanted me to cause a distraction so you could stuff your pockets. But I was too afraid of getting in trouble.”
“I’d forgotten about that, but it figures. I’m still candy-obsessed.” As we left the kitchen, he said, “Just so you have one less thing to worry about, I’ll drive you tonight. Parking sucks everywhere in this city, and good luck getting a Lyft on a Saturday night. Then just text me when you’re ready to come home, and I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks, that’d be great.”
Lark glanced at me and asked, “So, what are you going to wear on your date?”
“This.” I was wearing my usual outfit of jeans and a T-shirt under a baggy flannel shirt.
“Dude, no! There’s mashed up banana on literally everything you’re wearing.”
“Okay, so I’ll put on clean clothes, but they’ll look exactly like this. That’s all I have.”
“Let’s go look in my closet,” he said. “I’m sure I have something more date-appropriate.”
“I don’t want to get dressed up. This is just supposed to be casual, and I guarantee Lucky will be wearing a T-shirt and jeans.”
“You can, too. But maybe we can find you a T-shirt that actually fits, instead of these XXL shirts you hide in.” That didn’t sound like the worst idea.
To get to the second floor, we had to pass through a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs, then another one at the top, which we affectionately referred to as our own, personal Panama Canal. Right after Owen and I moved in, Dylan had done an incredible job babyproofing the house. Then he refused to let me reimburse him for any of it by calling it a baby shower gift.
We found him sitting on the floor in my room, reading to Owen from a big picture book. The baby was watching him with wide eyes while chewing on his terry cloth bunny. He was dressed in a new, yellow T-shirt that said, “I love my guncles” in rainbow letters, along with rainbow-striped jogging pants.
I said, “That’s an adorable outfit.” When the baby looked at me, I smiled at him and told him, “Your guncles are awfully good at spoiling you.” Owen flashed me a big, drooly smile before going back to trying to chew the bunny’s ear off.
“That’s our job,” Dylan said. He was wearing a new, yellow T-shirt too, which said “Favorite Guncle” in rainbow letters.