Lee shifted closer to me and I wrapped my arm around her. She nuzzled into my side, “Do you see him now?”
I knew who she meant and stiffened. She noticed and snuggled closer into my side, nuzzling my arm with her cheek, until my body slowly relaxed.
“He has his own wife and family. I see him occasionally, but I don’t acknowledge him as anything other than the man who donated his sperm.”
Lee stretched up and kissed my cheek. I frowned at her. “What was that for?”
She smiled softly. “For being Kyle Carter. For enduring what you have and becoming the best man I know.”
I couldn’t answer her. I squeezed my eyes shut to stop the tears that threatened to fall. She’d know how much her words meant to me if she looked into my eyes. Fuck, she was making me feel things; I was losing control.
Lee
I wanted to ask Kyle a million other questions, but I didn’t. I could tell it was a huge deal for Kyle to tell me what he had. It was a huge deal to me. More of the pieces of the Kyle Carter jigsaw slid into place.
He was brave and he was proud. He didn’t like to show weakness; I don’t think he liked to feel weakness. I loved him for doing this for me. He’d exposed himself to ease my pain. He was incredible.
“Hey Kyle, you wanna go shoot some pool…Whoops sorry.” I jumped up from the step to see Derek at the kitchen door, grinning mischievously. Kyle stood up slowly and stretched. “Never mind, I can see you guys are busy,” Derek grinned, waggling his eyebrows.
I moved away from Kyle and walked inside quickly. No we’re not; I was just going to bed.”
Derek raised his brow in surprise.
“She means alone asshole,” Kyle said, as he went to the sink and rinsed his cup.
“Whatever you say dude, I can smell the sex vibes from here though.”
I blushed and ducked under Derek’s arm, heading for the stairs.
“Goodnight princess,” I heard Kyle say, just before Derek cried out in pain.
“Ow, dude? What the fuck?”
I chuckled. “Goodnight Kyle.”
Chapter Twenty-six
Kyle
I stalked around my room like a mad man. I was nervous and she was late.
“Dude, what the fuck are you wearing?” I turned around to see Derek bent over in my doorway sniggering.
“If you tell anyone about this, I’m gonna kick your ass,” I warned.
This was the most degrading moment of my life. I blushed like a fucking girl.
“Couldn’t you have gone as someone manlier,” he suggested. “Like Batman or Arrow?”
I looked down at the green tights I had on and cringed. “Fuck you. Her favorite book as a kid was Peter Pan.”
Derek staggered over to my bed, holding his stomach. “You are so pussy whipped dude. And you’re not even gonna get your dick sucked for this.” He wiped his eyes. “This is a whole lot of effort you’re going to for a girl who’s just a ‘friend.'”
I glared at him. “Ha ha. You think you’re fucking hilarious don’t you? Keep talking dude and we’ll see how much Cam likes the sex tape you made with Julie Wilson in junior year.”
Derek’s face paled and I knew I had the fucker’s silence. “You’re a cunning bastard.”
I snorted. “I do what I have to.”
Derek rose and walked to the door. “Fine I’m going, I’m going,” he muttered. He stepped into the hall and jumped in the air, clicking his heels together. “I wish I was a boy. I wish I was a real live boy.”
I lunged for him, but he was faster. “That’s Pinocchio you asshole,” I growled, chasing him down the stairs.
“Dude, I didn’t realize you were such a fan of Disney?” Derek shouted. I caught him on the bottom step and tackled him down, just as the door swung open.
“Oh my god,” Cam laughed, as she stood in the doorway. “Kyle what the hell are you wearing?” she asked, through fits of laughter.
I climbed off a laughing Derek and shifted around awkwardly. “Surprise,” I muttered. I focused my attention on the motive for this ridiculous outfit.
“Kyle? What are you doing?” Lee asked, as she moved away from the doorway towards me. Thank fuck she wasn’t laughing at me. I didn’t think my male pride could take it.
She touched my outfit with an awestruck look on her face. “Why are you dressed as Peter Pan?”
I shrugged, ignoring the smart-ass comments coming from my roommates. “You said you’ve never been trick or treating. I thought we could go?” Lee gazed up at me, with glassy eyes and a huge smile.
“Dude you are twenty two years old. You cannot be serious?” Derek piped up from behind me. Lee’s smile fell and I wanted to kick him.