Page 42 of Catching Kyle

I marvel as he speaks. This man—he knows himself so well. It’s like his mind is a freaking snake and he’s got a flute, charming the snake and making it dance however he likes. And the way he says it out loud… he’s so damn smart. I can’t describe what’s going on inside my head like he can.

“But I still haven’t been able to land an agent. Hearing you come in and so clearly break down my writing weaknesses—which, thank you so much, by the way—was illuminating. To say it was because I was single made sense, but it went against everything I knew about myself. For years, I thought that being away from a relationship was making me a better writer. Now I had to be in one? And hearing this news after I had a horrible run in with my ex at the bar?”

My heartburn worsens. Hesawhis ex. Does he still like him?

“But I was able to work all that stuff out with the help of my support network, mostly my sponsor,” he says. “And you didn’t deserve me running out on you like that.” He shrugs. “In short, I took my insecurities out on you, and I’m sorry. Hope that all makes sense.”

I exhale through my nose. Make sense? I woulda never guessed this was how he felt if he didn’t say it so plainly.

“Well you clearly have a talent with words,” I say. “Because you made something really complicated make total sense. Thanks for explaining. And you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thanks,” Michael says, blushing again. “You’re welcome.”

Goddamnit. I have to look away from his gorgeous face before I say or do something I regret.

“And you have a way of critiquing,” he says. “Your feedback was spot on. I went and applied it to my writing and—holy shit—you were right. I shared it with a couple of writing friends, and they said it was the best of mine they had ever seen.”

Pride swells in my chest. “I was just being honest. And for all that you’re doing for me, you deserve my honest help. I can’t wait to see your next installment.”

He leans forward and starts eating again. “You’ll be getting it soon. Can’t wait to hear what you think.”

I resume eating as well, finally feeling satisfied, both in terms of hunger and my feelings. I’m glad that Michael and I are good again, and I’m glad that he’s happy. As long as all this is going well, it will be a little easier to finally get a girlfriend. And, I have to say, I’m happy he’s truly single.

I lean back into the couch and rub my belly, contented. “Glad you’re doing good,” I say. “’Cause when I saw your latest video, you looked so sad. You had me worried.”

Michael nods, chewing, and then he freezes entirely.

And that’s when my body goes as still as stone, as cold as ice.

He looks at me with wide eyes, mid-chew.

I want to sink into the couch and disappear.

I may have just revealed that I watch his videos.

Chapter 17

Michael Cunningham

Iswallowthefoodthat feels like cement in my throat, unable to fathom what I just heard.

“What did you just say?” I ask, gripping the armrest of Kyle’s couch.

Kyle’s as pale as a ghost. “I said I can’t wait to read your next installment.”

“No,” I say, firm as ever. “What you said after that.”

Kyle audibly swallows. But says nothing.

“You referred to my video,” I say, leaning forward on the couch. “What video?”

He runs his tongue along the inside of his lip and looks around.

“What video, Kyle?” I ask.

My heart is nearly beating out my chest. My latest video—if that’s what he really said, which I’m nearly 100% sure he did—is of Greg fucking me. And he’s right: I did look sad in that video. But the only way for him to have known about that…

He leans forward, pulling on his beard, staring into space. Saying nothing.