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“Alec said he’d be there?” I’m surprised he didn’t mention it earlier. We didn't specifically make plans to see each other later, but we implied it.
Madyson’s mouth pinches again, and she gives a curt nod. “You should invite Lars.” She lets out a nervous laugh as I stare at her in confusion. “So you have a friend there.”
Alec hasn’t told Madyson we are sleeping together. Either because he’s upset with her or what we’re doing isn’t important enough to mention.
Insecurity isn’t something I’m used to.
I text Alec as soon as I leave Madyson’s office.
Me: karaoke???
Alec: k
Me: Pink Titanium?
Alec: sure
Me: see you there
Alec: can’t wait
That conversation did not make tonight any clearer, but it should be fun. I can’t expect to keep Alec to myself or assume he wants to have sex every night.
För fan I helvete! I’ve never been insecure, possessive, or jealous over a lover. I shut down the part of my brain telling me I’ve never been with anyone as charming Alec.
Chapter twenty-four
Alec
My phone buzzes while I’m in the middle of a tat, and I’mcompelled to check it. Von references karaoke. Weird. I don’t picture Von singing in front of a crowd.
I text back, but my mind isn’t on our conversation.
Instead, I try not to fuck up this tattoo while my mind races with possibilities for a queer youth facility in my hometown. Reality is sinking in.
Mads texts, informing me I’m going to karaoke tonight at Pink Titanium. I close her text and pull up Von’s. His texts make so much more sense now. I thought his texts were a cryptic way of planning another date. He’s not the uptight, practically mute dude I first met.
With him, I can be a better version of myself. A man who can be in a relationship and isn’t afraid of being thrown away. I never imagined being with someone could be so easy. I’ve only experienced drama and this is so good it’s unnerving, but I won’t sabotage it with what-ifs.
He gives me the crazy idea that maybe being someone’s partner wouldn’t be so terrible. That I’m glad I decided to trust him.
After my client leaves, I check in with Em. He’s been on edge this week and glued to his phone desperately waiting for something. He won’t give me details, but I’ve convinced him to shake off his sullen mood and join me for karaoke. I told him he can make fun of Von’s English and get drunk. He grumbles but agrees.
I haven’t texted Mads back to let her know I’ll be there. My feelings about my ex get tangled with the worst moments in my life, which is not her fault. But she has to learn boundaries. I don’t have the perspective to separate my emotions from what she did.
“Rideshare will be here in two minutes,” I call to Em. He reluctantly pulls his coat on.
The door to the shop bangs open and Mads says, “Jayce is in the car and you’re coming with us.” She stops dead in her tracks. “Emmett.”
At the same time, Em whispers, “You came after all.”
My mouth is moving as I’m processing their reaction to each other. “Mads, relax. I’m going with Em.”
Emmett visibly shakes when he realizes Mads isn’t there for him.
“Fuck this,” Em barks and stalks past an open-mouthed Mads, banging the door shut on his way out.
“You and Em know each other how?” I prompt.