Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
The way his face had contorted into a deep frown when I slipped out of my leg braces—like I was some sort of freak. Jesus Christ, why couldn’t we just get each other off and then never have to see each other again? Maybe he thought my legs would be an issue or, more likely, I’d lost my appeal. He’d certainly said I was hot in a nerdy kind of way after we’d traded photos online. Maybe I should’ve warned him beforehand. But it was only sex. Did he need my résumé? Just once, I wanted someone to look at me straight on and not have a reaction. Like Elliot did.
There were times over the years when I felt sorry for myself, that my limbs felt useless, but eventually, and with the help of my rehab team, I realized that my struggles were my own and I needed to fight for my place in the world.
Finally dried off and back in boxers, I padded toward my bedroom, the scent of butter hitting my nostrils.
I smiled when I stepped into my bedroom and saw Elliot, who was on his side of the bed with the remote control in his hand and a bowl of popcorn beside him.
“Get over here,” he said, patting the bed.
I sighed as I slipped under the cool covers. It was so comfortable with him, always had been. I pushed away the melancholy always niggling in the pit of my stomach. We obviously couldn’t live together forever, and soon enough, one of us would have someone steadier in our lives—likely Elliot before me. We’d both had mad crushes on one person or another, as well as superficial relationships that seemed promising in the beginning but in the end only lasted a few weeks. I actually had a real boyfriend my junior year of high school, when I was dealing with my diagnosis and endless neurological appointments. It was a bit much for him, we eventually parted ways, and Elliot thought I could do better. His usual sentiment.
Elliot hit Play, and we watched our latest Netflix obsession while chowing down on buttery goodness. He didn’t bring enough napkins, though, and when I started licking the salt off my fingers, I felt him staring at me with a strange look on his face.
“What?”
“Damn, if that’s how you suck cock, the boys are gonna line up.”
“You ass,” I said with a laugh. “Maybe I should’ve left my braces on tonight and shown him my other skills instead.”
He frowned, the glower and protectiveness returning.
“Stop it,” I told him. “It was only another stupid guy. And you haven’t brought home any winners lately either.”
Elliot rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Unlike me, Elliot has had his share of men to choose from, as far as hookups were concerned.
“Fuck.” My toes curled in an uncomfortable position, giving me that pins-and-needles feeling. It normally happened if I didn’t stretch my muscles well enough. I sloppily set the bowl of popcorn on the nightstand, then threw back the covers and tried desperately to knead my foot.
“Is it a cramp? Let me help,” Elliot said, not even waiting for me to give him permission. Not that I’d ever pass up a foot rub. “That’s it. We’re heading to the campus gym in the morning, and you’re getting on the treadmill. You’ve been slacking.”
“Yes, Dad,” I said through a groan as the muscle finally relented. The relief was immediate. My physical therapist had warned me that I needed to keep active and strong, or my condition was likely to make getting around even worse.
“Please, I’m too young to be your dad. But I can be your Daddy,” he said before reaching for my waist and tickling me.
I squirmed, trying to roll away from him, but he still had hold of my foot. “I will kick your ass if you don’t let me go.” He knew I hated being tickled, so his effort was only halfhearted, but the simple threat of it sent me into a tailspin.
Once we resituated ourselves, the covers back in place, Elliot took a big gulp of his ice water, then passed me my cup. After the salty popcorn, it felt good going down. We watched two episodes back-to-back before deciding we’d had enough.
We set the bowl and cups in the dishwasher, then took turns in the bathroom before returning to bed and cutting the lights.
We slept together a couple of nights a week. It was comforting and safe having someone beside me, and he obviously felt the same, so it was no big thing.
Elliot kissed the back of my head, his heavy arm encircled my waist, and I fell asleep instantly, curled in his warmth.
3
Elliot
“Hey, Mom,” Morgan said into his cell, which he’d set on the table near the door. He bent to slip into his braces and sneakers. We didn’t share any classes, but today we’d be walking to the campus gym together.