Page 65 of Perfectly Us

The dots move as he types back a response. They stop for a bit, then start moving again. A few minutes later and a message still hasn’t come through. Is he struggling with what to say? Obsessing over every word?

Shiloh:Idk what I feel tbh. It’s confusing. I know I like you, Alex. I like kissing you. And honestly, lately I’ve started feeling… different… when I’m with you.

Me:Different how?

Shiloh:Like maybe I want to do more? Idk.

I can relate to what he’s going through, like questioning things, but living in such a sex-driven society and not knowing where you fall in all of it seems so lonely.

Me:I wish I could hug you right now.

Shiloh:I’ll gladly take one of your hugs.

Me:Next time I see you I’m gonna hug you so super hard. Prepare yourself.

Shiloh:lol can’t wait.

Even through text, talking to Shiloh makes me feel better. Do I have that effect on him too? I hope so.

Chapter Fourteen

Shiloh

“Shit!” Dad yells from the garage, followed by the sound of something crashing.

I rush in there to see him on his ass on the floor, boxes all around him. I step around the mess and hold out a hand to help him up. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He holds up a rolled-up sleeping bag. “I knew I had one in here. You don’t have to use it if you don’t want to. I know it’s nothing fancy.”

“It’s perfect. Thanks.” I take it from him and wipe off a layer of dust from the top. Other than being a little dusty, it’s practically brand-new. “You sure you’re okay with me going?”

It’s a little late to turn back now though. I just got off work, and Alex will be here within the hour to ride with me to the campground.

“Of course.” Dad follows me back into the house. “I used to camp all the time when I was a teen. Made a lot of good memories. Just… make sure you and Alex are careful.”

“We will be.” I place the sleeping bag on the living room floor next to my backpack full of clothes and anything I’ll need for our overnight trip.Wait.My face heats as his meaning becomes clear. “Oh. You mean…”

He nervously laughs and ruffles the back of his dark hair. “Yeah, I know this is awkward, kiddo, but bear with me.”

“Dad, it’s really not necessary.” I wave a hand in the air. “We don’t need to havethe talk. I’m nineteen. I know how it all works.”

Kind of. I’m a virgin, but I’ve watched a ton of porn.

“Well, this is the first time you’ve dated anyone. I should’ve talked to you before now. All I’m going to say is, if you have sex, use protection. Be safe about it.”

I cringe. Embarrassed doesn’t even come close to how I feel. Talking about sex with my dad is at the top of things I never want to do.

“Okay.” I take a step back, wanting to get as far away from this conversation as I possibly can. “Are we done now?”

“Hey, this isn’t easy for me either. Just know if you have any questions or anything, I’m here. And if you need condoms or—”

“Oh my god. Dad, stop.”

He laughs again, which makes me laugh too. It’s just so awkward. I almost tell him that I’m not interested in sex, so this whole conversation is pointless… but I’m not so sure about that anymore.

My heart races a little differently when I’m with Alex now, and I get hot, like a furnace is on full blast inside my chest. That heat spreads all throughout my body and makes me ache in familiar places. Places I usually only ache when I’m alone in my room, hand shoved down my boxers.

I can’t explain when it happened or why. But something’s shifted in the way I see him.