Page 13 of Dreams and Reptiles

Derek’s face lit up with a mischievous grin. “How convenient that he’s right next door. In that case, I won’t stay too long, unless you need help with anything? I just wanted to pop in and see everything.” His gaze traveled to the window again, and we watched as two sets of headlights turned down the drive toward Kendall’s house. “Well, now. It appears he’s off shift.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And he’s got company.” I sighed. Maybe I’d spooked Kendall with my forwardness. Maybe he’d found someone since Pride. Maybe I’d have to be satisfied being friends with my neighbor. Disappointing, but this move, this life change, was about Francis. About me finally exploring my artistic side while creating a safe place for others to do the same.

Derek’s phone buzzed. His eyes bugged out, and he cleared his throat. “Oh, hey, uh… I gotta run. Unless you need me to stay? Or pick up anything? Tonight? Tomorrow, I’m going to pick up Mom so she and Auntie Pretzel can go spend a few days at the spa in Colusa. I don’t have anything scheduled, so I can help out while they’re partying on my dime.”

“On our dime.” I laughed and started pulling out what I needed to make shrimp fried rice. “I want to spoil the two of them as much as they’ll let me. Yeah, if you want, come on over. The A/V stuff is all getting set up tomorrow. We can test it out, have a movie marathon like the old days.”

Derek pushed on my shoulder and grinned.

“What?”

He did it again. When he went in for a third shove, I stepped back, and he threw his arms around me.

“I’m just so freaking happy to have you back.”

I laughed along with him, patting his shoulder. I wasn’t back, not totally yet, but maybe I was emerging. I didn’t know if I’d ever be the same Francis. I kinda didn’t want to be. The New Francis was a bit more hopeful, humble, and he was going to take better care of himself. “Yeah, yeah. You just missed me entertaining you with my trials and travails.”

His phone buzzed again, and this time when he looked at it, he gasped, and his cheeks turned red.

“Who is blowing up your phone, Cousin?”

He held the screen against his chest. “Um. So. Ah,” he laughed nervously. “It’s Arnie. And Rog. They just finished their shift. They’re helping Kendall with something real quick, and then they, uh… Yeah.”

“Derek! Are you going to be the filling in that fire boy sandwich again?”

Derek shrugged, and his bashful grin lightened my mood even more.

“I don’t know what I’m doing. They’ve called a few times since Pride, said they wanted to take me out. Together. I’ve never gone out with two guys at the same time before.”

“Have you gone home with two guys before?” I asked. Derek and I went out together a lot in the Before Times, and other than a couple of short-term boyfriends who were not good enough for him, he’d been pretty shy when hit on. I worried he might be getting in over his head. But then, who was I to give advice on that type of thing after what I’d been through?

He shook his head. “It’s weird, right? Like, I’m not used to guys like them paying attention to me, much less simultaneously.”

“All right, then,” I said. “I’m not surprised at all that they’re paying attention to you. You’re a great catch. And we’re practically twins, which means you’re a snack.” The words that used to fall right off my tongue felt odd now. I didn’t have that Francis Liang confidence anymore, not after what happened. Maybe it was a good thing. I’d be less likely to put myself out there for guys who weren’t a good idea for me.

“Well, uh, wish me luck? I guess? Oh my God, am I really going to do this?”

“Do you feel safe with them?”

“Yeah, actually. They’re really nice guys. Silly, funny, kinda awkward? But they seem… eager. I haven’t ever had anyone be eager about seeing me, you know? So many guys act like they’re doing you a favor, and then they bench you.”

I couldn’t relate. You’d have to actually talk to someone to either date or get benched.

“You can always call me if you get a bad vibe or you’re not feeling it,” I finally said. “I’ll come get you, doesn’t matter what time.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll be over tomorrow afternoon, ’kay? Want me to bring pizza? There’s a great place in town called Knots and Pies. Arnie and his sister Ophelia own it, and she runs it.”

“That sounds great,” I said. “Go have fun. Text me when you get home, or at least let me know you’re safe.”

He snorted. “I should be safe. They’re firefighters.”

We looked at each other, and I knew we were both thinking the same things. We’d hung out with firefighters in the past who got a little freaky when they were off duty.

“Yeah. Text me. Better yet, share your location with me.”

He giggled and waved as he headed out, spinning his keys on his finger.

I shook my head as he did a spin before stepping out the front door.