Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“I got pizza, and it’s veggie because that’s my favorite and I deserve it tonight. You can eat it. Green stuff isn’t bad for you. You need more colors in your diet. Bar foods and appetizers aren’t a food group. But I was nice and got you chicken wings because I know you like them. We also have brownies because I love brownies. Do you like them?” He set everything on the table and turned to me.
“Yeah,” I replied, still trying to wrap my brain around everything he said. “And I eat colors and vegetables. I’ve been eating them even more lately.”
“Yes, but you act like it’s torture.”
“Do not.”
“Do so,” he countered. “You’re like a big kid with your food. I don’t know how you have a body like that without eating better.”
My pulse did this strange, stumbling thing.
Callum’s eyes went wide. “Not that I’m checking out your body or anything, but, you know, it’s hard to miss a lumberjack.” He turned away, began opening boxes, and then went straight to the cabinet where I kept the plates and grabbed two. He moved around the space as if it were his, familiar with it, which I guessed he was. Callum had eaten with us and hung out with us how many times by now?
“I’m not a lumberjack,” I finally managed to say, my voice slightly more raspy than usual.
“Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.” He faced me again and playfully rolled his eyes.
There was my sarcastic Callum. Shit. Not mine. He wasn’t mine. Why had I thought that?
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Good. Let’s eat. I’m very angry about men right now, so it’s not the time to test me.”
I laughed. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.” He handed me a plate, and I got two pieces of pizza and some chicken wings.
He was already taking a bite of his as he sat down. “You don’t even get what I went through today.”
Concern ate at me. “What happened? Is there something I can do?” I took the chair across from him.
“Pig out with me and let me vent.” He didn’t give me a chance to respond before he continued. “So…I decided I needed to hook up. It’s been a while, and it’s slim pickings in these parts.” It felt like something heavy sat on my chest, but Callum kept going, obviously unaware I felt weighed down for no reason. “I got on an app and met this guy. I paid for a room. Do you know how hard it sucks to have to get a hotel room to have sex? Well, it does, but I did it, and I skipped dinner, just to be safe, and got all ready for him—a lot of work goes into this, thank you very much. I mean, I eat well and take my fiber daily and know my body really well, so it likely would have been okay, but yeah, I went through all that, and he didn’t show! He stood me up.”
“Wait. Why did you have to skip dinner to have sex?”
Callum froze mid-bite, holding a piece of pizza at his lips, then lowered it slowly. “Oops. I guess I forgot who I was speaking to for a moment. This conversation is now over. How’s the…weather.”
“You were just in it. Why are you changing the subject? That’s not like you.” A low voice deep inside me reminded me how much I liked that I knew him.
He looked unsure, but said, “If you think about it, you’ll figure it out. And I don’t have to skip my meal. I was being proactive, and this is not the conversation we should be having over dinner. My fault, but I’d like to fix that now.”
The truth slammed into me like a battering ram, at first making me feel stupid for not putting two and two together, and then I was fidgeting in my seat because…well, because that’s not something I’ve ever had to think about.
“Oh my God! You shifted!”
“I didn’t shift,” I replied even though I obviously did.
“Don’t worry. Your butt is safe around me. It feels pretty fucking good, I’ll have you know. Please don’t get all bottom-shamey or weird.”
He stood and walked away, looking out the window with his back to me. I could tell I’d struck a nerve without meaning to.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t know why I did. I was just frustrated, and we’re friends, and I don’t know anyone else here the way I do you.”
My heart was beating like crazy then, like I was running a marathon while all these random thoughts collided in my head. That I was talking sex with Callum. That I felt…weird at the thought of him having sex with someone, and not because it was with a man; just that he was having it with someone, anyone. That he trusted me and felt comfortable with me. It was all making my brain spin, and I didn’t know what to focus on, so I chose him. “I would never shame you, bottom or otherwise. And I know my butt is safe with you.” That was something I’d never imagined myself saying. He chuckled softly but didn’t turn to look at me.