Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“I think so.” Throwing caution and common sense to the wind, I did my best to look relaxed as I took a sip of the berry tea I’d made us. “We’ve been close since high school, but we’re moving into a more interesting phase of our lives. Like the loft.”
Eli looked pleased, which might’ve made Ender nervous based on the way he sucked in a breath. “I’m glad to see that you’re not completely blind to the changes in your relationship.”
I was mostly blind because I was still very confused about what he seemed to think he was seeing, but telling Eli that felt like it would be a strategic mistake. “Thank you.”
Now what?
My brain was working overtime trying to sort everything out, but Ender’s showed signs of being stuck. “I was looking at the lingerie. The new line is very pretty.”
Eli and I both nodded, but I wasn’t sure what was going on. “This feels like he’s trying to convince everyone in high school that he’s straight again. Tell me I’m reading this wrong.”
Ender appeared to decide that his tea was fascinating, so I focused on Eli who was frowning and studying Ender again. “I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
That was frustrating.
“Tell me about the men your friend usually dates.” Eli swept his hand toward Ender, making me suddenly realize I’d gotten distracted during the introductions.
Eli seemed to have a curious ability to fuck up everyone’s brains.
“Ender. I’m sorry. He’s Ender and I’m Leif.” I chuckled when Eli cocked his head. “The slightly weird names were what bonded us as friends when we met in high school.”
Kids hadn’t exactly been rude, but we’d stood out in a sea of Chrises and Matts.
“I can see that.” Eli probably understood it as well, but he didn’t focus on that. “Were you always just friends?”
That felt like I trick question but I found myself nodding slowly. “Yes, Ender’s always had a thing for big jocks.”
I was not a big jock.
I was tall and lean and more into chess than anything that resembled a high school sport. I’d filled out over the past few years and was now actually going to the gym regularly, but it would never turn me into some kind of bro dude guy like Ender usually lusted after.
“Because he actually likes large men or he likes the commanding energy they can bring to a relationship?” Eli asked the mind-blowing question as Ender seemed to want to dive into his cup.
“I…” Thinking about the question had my brain grinding to a halt for a few seconds. “I don’t know anymore. Before I would’ve assumed it was the large stature and muscles, but now I don’t know.”
Ender’s face was flashing between red and white as his body tried to decide if he was in shock or just embarrassed, but watching the color change like he was a live-action mood ring gave me a moment to think.
“He’s always attracted nice guys, and just as they get started, things fizzle out.” How had I not noticed the pattern?
“Yeah, too nice to do dirty things to you, it’s the hardest part of dating. You find a guy who looks like he could bend you over the kitchen table and fuck you into next week and they turn out to be subs too.” Eli said the craziest things like he was just talking about his plans for the rest of the day.
It was so hard to sort out it took me running through it several times in my head before I realized what he’d said. “He wants a dominant partner?”
As Eli nodded, Ender carefully placed his cup down on the coffee table we’d finally been able to save up for and leaned back against the couch. I thought he just needed to breath for a second until he tugged the blanket on the back of the couch over his head.
Ah.
Eli smirked but didn’t seem to find Ender’s hiding strange enough to comment on…probably because he knew stranger people. “I think so. It goes with who he’s been picking to date and how he watches the puppy shoots much more intently than you guys do the other ones.”
How had I not noticed that?
I knew I was stuck on that issue, but it felt too important to let go. “I didn’t…”
Tea.
Breathe.
Thoughts.
“When are the puppy shoots usually done? I know I’ve seen a handful of them but I can’t remember him treating them differently.” Pieces weren’t coming together into a real picture yet, but it felt like we were getting closer.
“When you’re working.” Ender’s helpful response was slightly muffled but he got the point across. “You usually have your headphones on so you don’t notice what I’m doing.”
“Thank you.” Well, at least some of that was cleared up.
Eli seemed more confused than ever, though. “Where do you work that you don’t notice what he’s doing?”