Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Teague is standing very close to Liam. Yes, Liam notices. His whole body notices. “You’re reading it wrong.”
“Is it a code or something? I saw a bottle of mayo—or maybe it was relish?—that had an expiration day of C1. What in the ever-living crap is ‘C1’? Why’s it have to be a riddle?”
Liam can even smell Teague’s vexingly appealing deodorant. Again. “It isn’t a riddle.”
“Then what is it?”
Liam points at the number fifteen. “This isn’t the month. It’s the day. The month is here,” he says, jabbing a finger at the seven. “Zero-seven, for July. So 1507 is July 15, with the year right next to it. The C1 on the other bottle you mentioned is likely hexadecimal, which converts to 193, if my math is right, which probably refers to the day of the year—the 193rd day—which is roughly the middle of July as well.”
Teague turns his face to Liam, astounded. “You’re smart.”
Liam gazes back at him.
Their faces are always too close. Is this another one of his clever social skills? Standing too close to someone? Making them feel like the only human being that exists on the whole planet?
“Why do they have to beat around the bush like that?” asks Teague, a touch quieter. “Isn’t it better for the customers to just … get the date without all the confusing math?”
Liam finds himself disarmed utterly by their close proximity. “I … I don’t know.”
“Why’s it so difficult to just …” Teague’s lips are parted as he thinks. Liam’s eyes drop to them, lost in the sonic landscape of Teague’s smooth, melodic voice. “… say whatever it is … clearly?”
Liam tries to repeat himself, yet those three simple words—I don’t know—seem utterly unable to come out. His throat chokes them right back down, not daring to free them.
“Isn’t everyone tired of …” Teague’s handsome face contorts. Is it growing even closer to Liam’s? “… playing games?”
It’s suddenly too much.
Liam takes a step back, heel kicking against something. “I said I don’t know,” he answers somewhat tersely. “I guess you’ll have to … to write them a fucking letter or something.” He slaps the jar back into Teague’s palm, startling him, then turns and leaves.
Liam pushes through the swinging doors, nearly crashes into a stack of boxes, trips over his own foot and barely avoids falling flat on his face—damn his nervous clumsiness—then manages at last to slip into the employee bathroom where it’s silent. He locks the door, sits on the cold, blank toilet seat, and stares emptily at the featureless wall across from him.
His heart drums frantically in his chest, out of control.
Isn’t everyone tired of … playing games?
Liam aggressively rubs his head, as if to dislodge Teague’s voice from his sticky brain. But even being freed from the voice, he’s still trapped with the image of Teague’s face so close to his own. Teague’s funny-shaped lips parted and plush. The intensity of his warm chocolate eyes. How the flush of Teague’s cheeks seemed to burn like furnaces the closer their faces grew.
What in the hell is happening?
Liam keeps the door locked long after he’s relieved himself and washed his hands and taps away on his phone to his only solace this summer.
TongueTiedInKnots
I need someone to make me smile. Is your lightning-farting butt a Zeus reference?
Liam is surprised to find the message quickly read, followed by the dancing dots of a reply.
Hate2LoveU
It should be! Are you feeling down, Fireball?
Liam smiles. Already, he feels a dozen times better. He gives a few breadcrumbs about his day without saying too much—feeling overworked, underappreciated, and dealing with an infuriating jerk in the workplace—and then apologizing in his usual way for sounding so whiny.
Hate2LoveU
You don’t sound whiny at all. You want to hear whiny? Let me introduce you to my dad. He complains about his life all the time. And also about my life. He thinks I’m worthless.
Liam stiffens up, surprised. How could anyone think this guy is worthless? To Liam, he’s like a shining knight in a sea of bitter darkness, leading him safely to the other side of the underworld of his day-to-day life.
TongueTiedInKnots
Don’t let him bring you down. You’re not worthless. In just our short time getting to know each other, I know you’ve got a big heart and a good head on your shoulders.
Hate2LoveU
Don’t forget the lightning-farting ass!
Liam laughs out loud, grinning, then leans back against the wall next to the mirror, typing away.
TongueTiedInKnots
You make jokes, but I know you’re a good guy.
There’s a pause after the message is read. Liam can imagine in a thousand ways what this Hate2LoveU might look like as he feels Liam’s message, letting him touch him. Liam sure does hope it’s touching him. He wants him to feel good in the same way he helps Liam feel good.
Hate2LoveU
You’re not a bad one either, Fireball.