Page 74 of This I Promise You
“Just when I couldn’t be more amazed by you, Paul Donovan Acre, you go and surprise me again.”
I hum, nestling into him, kissing his neck.
He smiles. “Can I?” He’s tracing his fingers along my waistline, awaiting my reply.
“Sure.”
Waking up to a half-naked, half-sleepy horny Easton might just be the highlight of my entire existence. His hand creeps into my underwear and grabs ahold of me. I groan, eyes rolling back into my head.
“Wake up, bitches! It’s beach day!” Huxley yells, busting into the room with her hands covering her eyes. “Y’all better not be fucking.”
“Ha ha,” I deadpan and Easton scoots away from me. I’m going to kill her.
“Are you decent?”
“Yes, Huxley. We are clothed.” I roll my eyes.
“Kinda.” Easton follows it up and grins at me.
I kiss him on the forehead and move to sit up, making sure to keep the blanket over my hips.
“Good.” She uncovers her eyes just as Devina comes in with an iced coffee for me and a sugar-free Monster for Easton.
“Joh-eun achim-ieyo!” Devina says, what I’ve learned to be “good morning” in Korean.
“Oof, cinnamon?” I ask, grabbing for it like a child.
“Duh,” Devina says, feigning offense and hands each of us our drinks.
“Youtryingto kill A?” Easton gives me the side-eye.
“No—” I try, but Huxley barges over to me. I completely forgot Aidan is allergic to cinnamon.
“Make sure you keep the cinnamon away from Aidan.” Easton looks at Huxley. “He’s allergic.”
“Got it.” Huxley nods and keeps on without losing a beat. “Well, drink up, bitches. It's beach day and I don’t want to waste a single second of sunlight. Mom and Dad will be in tonight to cook for us and then we have a bonfire after that. Lots to do. Chop-chop!” And then she’s gone with Devina trailing after.
After Easton and I both shower and shave—him shave, me trim since I refuse to shave my beard completely on account of looking like a twelve-year-old with tattoos, plus Easton seems to like it—we make our way down to the kitchen. It smells of bacon and biscuits and gravy and various other breakfast items I’m not familiar with. I could have a protein smoothie or I can have a good ol’ Southern breakfast with a little Korean flare. I’m going to have to hit the gym hard AF when we get back to school. Maybe I can find a local gym here and get a one-week pass or something.
We sit and eat, waiting for Aidan and Tyler to get down here. The house gives offGrace and Frankiebeach house vibes. It’s so homey and cozy. I could live here till I die if they’d let me.
Aidan and Tyler finally grace us with their presence and holy shit that dude looks like a vampire. He’s taller than Aidan, skinny with dark shaggy hair. He’s cute though, and he and Aidan look great together. Easton told me they’ve been dating since high school. I’m sure Aidan has told him about me and all that shit that went down when we first met. I hope he doesn’t hate me. I really don’t want to make this vacation awkward.
Easton jumps up first. “Ty! I’m so happy you came.”
“Hey East!”
Easton gives him a quick hug and turns to me. “Ty, this is my boyfriend, Paul. Paul, Aidan’s boyfriend, Tyler.”
I stand and offer my hand. He takes it, beaming. “Hey, Paul! Good to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Uh-oh,” I say, stealing a glance at Aidan and then Easton. He gives me a “yikes” face, then looks away. I look back to Tyler. “Uh, I’m really sorry. I didn’t know Aidan had a boyfriend when—”
“Dude, it’s okay.” He chuckles and shrugs. “Shit happens.”
“Okay.” I nod quickly. “Okay, cool. Good.”
“Awwwww,” Huxley and Devina chime in in unison. Their elbows are resting on the island counter, their hands cupping their adoring faces.
