Page 47 of This I Promise You
“So! What’s on the agenda next?”
* * *
We’re back in Easton’s car and I gotta say that it’s a piece of shit, but it’s kinda charming in a way, too. He’s embarrassed by it, I can tell, but I think it’d fit him more if it were to get fixed up a bit. I can sense money is an issue and I don’t want to comment on anything that might be a trigger. So I keep my thoughts and opinions to myself.
I’m having a really good time, I actually am. As far as dates go, this is pretty mild. Nothing crazy has really happened, but he planned this and I’d follow him anywhere today. He seemed to really like the farmers market deal or whatever the hell it was. Can’t say I’ve ever been to one myself, though it did remind me of First Fridays back in Kansas City, where all kinds of vendors and artists would set up booths in the Crossroads Arts District and sell their work. Maybe I’ll go back next week and get him some of those soaps.
“What are you looking at?”
Shit. I guess I have been staring at him. But fuck me sideways, I can’t stop looking. His profile might be cuter than his front and that’s a tall order. His nose is small and peachy from the cold. I just want to bite it—
What the actual hell, Paul?!I sit back in my seat and stare straight ahead without answering Easton. Who even am I right now, this is not me. This is not who I am. I don’t think gross cutesy things like that. He just, he justdoes somethingto me. First holding hands andcanoodlingin public, now this.
But also…I feel like my head hasn’t been clearer. Like an intense shift happened after the panic attack and masturbating again and spendinggoodtime with Easton. I can feel it. I haven’t felt so calm, so peaceful as I am when he’s around. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since we “made up” and now—fuck, now I’m thinking about kissing him again. It seems that’s all I want to do now. To just be…close to him.
I look over at Easton again and he’s gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles have gone white. I decide to lean over and peck him on the cheek. I don’t pull away as he snaps his head in my direction and I kiss him full on the lips.
“What—” Easton starts.
“Eyes on the road Mr… Shit, I don’t actually know your last name.”
Wow. I’m on a date with the boy and I don’t even know his last name.
“Belle. Easton Nicholas Belle. But—”
“Nice to meet you. Paul Donovan Acre here.” I touch my chest.
“Paul—”
I place my finger on his jaw and move his attention back to driving. “Eyes on the road, Mr. Belle.” Then I kiss him on the cheek once more before I sit back in my seat.
“Fine! But what was that for?” he asks with surprise drawn all over his face. But he’s relaxed and smiling and I’m puffed up with pride because mission accomplished.
I shrug. “I wanted to kiss you. So I did. You got a problem with that, Belle?”
“Uh, no. No problem.” He smiles big, like really big. “Not at all.”
“Good.”
He’s silent for a second before we come to a stop at a traffic light. “Do it again.”
The biggest smile stretches across my face to match his and I waste no time doing as he requested. It’s a little more teeth than lips because neither of us can seem to stop smiling, but I don’t mind. I like his teeth too.
“Another one,” he says, mirth eclipsing his entire demeanor. So I do.
I’ve become a different person. Stay tuned on whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing. The jury’s still out.
Mr. Belle pulls into the only empty parking spot on the side of this building, but I’m so confused. Where are we and what are we doing?
“Uh, when are you going to grace me with the oh so very coveted explanation as to what the fuck is going on?” I place my elbow on the center console and lean into him. I truly, honestly have never been the touchy-feely one, but I can’t help it.
He leans closer to me. “Trivia Night.”
“Gesundheit,” I say and laugh because him saying “Trivia Night” is about as foreign to me as if I’m supposed to decode a sneeze.
“It’s Trivia Night.” The confused look in his eyes says it all. “And was that German?”
“Hmmm, yes, yes it was. And you said Trivia Night, but I still have no idea what the hell that means.”
