Page 167 of Burn Bright

Idk your coat closet didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

Ben

*I* can barely fit in there.

Harriet

Motel? I could put in $50.

Ben

Save your money, Fisher. I have much higher standards for our first time.

Harriet

In the back of Harold?

Ben

I said HIGH standards.

Harriet

Oof with the Harold slander.

Ben

No offense to Harold the Honda, but he ranks below the motel. I’ll likely pull a muscle trying to maneuver you in there.

Harriet

So there will be a lot maneuvering on your end?

Ben

…yeah, what kind of sex have you had?

Harriet

The kind where *I* was doing the maneuvering.

Ben

Thank you for the visual and the urge to wring your past hookups’ necks.

Harriet

You’re welcome

Ben

I need some space to work with you. Our best bet is going to be my place. Just give me some time and I can figure out logistics. Maybe we can risk it if only one of my brothers is home…and asleep.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Ben

Tonight is a big no again. Tom won’t go to bed. He’s been up playing guitar forever. I’d think he’s cockblocking me, but he’s just hyper-fixated on his new song. I’m not sure he even knows what time it is.