Page 437 of Seasons of Love
Most days, we’d do a couple of hours of work after dinner until we all collapsed together on the couch in a tangle of limbs watching a TV show before going to bed.
Some days we didn’t even pretend to be interested in whatever was on TV and just went straight to the bedroom.
Sex with Griff and Mal was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. We had amazing chemistry and somehow were able to read each other perfectly.
Despite my initial fears, I hadn’t for one second felt like an extra or an addition to their relationship.
Maybe it was because Mal and I had our own dynamic from working together. We had our inner jokes, and I loved to tease him and work him up throughout the day. The payback was always so worth it.
I also had a great relationship with Griff. Maybe it was because we were the same age, but we just had an amazing connection, and I couldn’t imagine not being around him. He was like the sun that shone brightly on everyone around him.
It had only been a few weeks, but walking through the door to the house I’d called home for most of my life now felt strange.
I put that thought aside. I knew I was already in way too deep with Griff and Mal. Entertaining the thought that our relationship could be permanent was as scary as the possibility that it wouldn’t last.
My footsteps on the tiled floor must have given me away because before I could turn around the corner to the den where I’d heard voices coming from, I was attacked by Jessie.
I kneeled because, for all her excitement, she was an old girl, and as much as she’d be happy to jump at me, I knew it was easier if we were on the same level.
“Girl, we need to talk about your stinky breath,” I said as she ran her slobbery tongue over my chin.
She barked.
“I don’t care if you disagree with me. No dog’s gonna want to kiss you with that breath.”
“I don’t know. She’s pretty adorable.”
My head snapped up to the sound of my best friend’s voice.
“Zak. What the hell, man?” I gave Jessie a parting kiss on her head and stood up to pull him into a hug. “What are you…when did you get…how long are you staying?”
“Calm down, Oprah. Nice to see you too.”
We walked to the den, where my uncle and Gabe sat watching a game.
“What did I tell you about letting strangers in?” I asked my family.
“Dude, he knew about the birthmark on your butt cheek. He can’t be that much of a stranger,” Gabe said, and my uncle snorted.
Jesus fuck.
“Speaking of strangers. When were you going to tell us you moved out, son?” my uncle asked.
Zak looked at me with a face I knew all too well. It was as if the questions were bubbling up under the surface, ready to come out.
“I haven’t moved out,” I protested.
“Could have fooled me,” my uncle said.
Wait, was he upset?
Gabe got up and left toward the kitchen, and Zak followed him. I took that as their way to give me some time, so I went around the U-shaped sofa and sat next to my uncle.
“Hey, Uncle Frank, is everything okay? Does it bother you that I've been staying with Mal and Griff?”
He turned the game off and looked at me.
“A little…no, really, it doesn’t bother me. I just miss you, that’s all.”
