Chapter 10 #3
I’ve been debating reaching out to her, to let her know what happened.
But then I remember we haven’t spoken since the break up and David moving in with her, and doubts overtake me.
What if David told her something terrible about me?
What if she’s always known? What if it was her who pushed David to break up with me and move in with her?
Yeah, it’s better if I mind my place. Even if I miss the only friend I’ve had.
Tyler’s expression is very skeptical, and he tries to school it when he notices me looking. “Yeah, maybe.”
Look at him, trying to make me feel better. Makes me happy and sad at the same time.
“So, business, huh?” he switches topics. “Not the major I’d have pegged you for.”
“And you’d be right,” I agree. “I picked it because I thought it’d be useful, and to be fair it is.
” Or it hopefully will be when—if I ever open up my own massage business.
“But I disliked most of it. Honestly, I only stuck around for David before dropping out halfway through the second year. Plus, I needed to work more hours.”
Tyler nods. “Makes sense. What made you decide on massage therapy?”
“Oh, you know…I just wanted free access to hot guys.”
Oh. God. What possessed me to say something like that?
Tyler laughs, loud enough to make me jump.
“Great idea, except you’ll also have access to some wrinkly old men,” he bursts my bubble.
I curl my shoulders inwards and let out a sigh.
“Probably more than the hot ones.” When that gets another laugh out of him, I say, “Jokes aside, I didn’t get into this for some pervy reasons.
” Would be a nice perk, though. “I just like helping people.
And my mom always said I was good with my hands.
Well, when it comes to cooking and massage.
My manual skills didn't help when my dad tried to teach me how to fix cars, though, much to his disappointment.”
“Well, I can fix cars and do maintenance, but I can’t cook for shit. And last time I tried to give Blake a massage when his calf started cramping, he accused me of attempting to break his leg, so there’s that.” He shoots me a grin. “Guess we’re a good match.”
I know he means a good match as far as roommates go, but damn if my chicken brain doesn’t interpret it in a completely different way.
“Yeah,” I croak out. “Guess we are.”
“Oh, I just realized…” Tyler snaps his fingers and grabs his phone. “Since you mentioned getting tested, I need to book myself in too. I’m due soon.”
“You? Why?”
He glances at me, curious, then gives me a sheepish smile. “Well, I’m a bit of a manwhore. So it kinda comes with the territory.”
I ignore the reminder of his sexual activity, focusing on the other part. “Okay? But don’t you, you know, use protection?” What the fuck did I ask that for?
“Jesus, who do you take me for?” he asks, laughing, but he looks a bit horrified. “You think I stick my dick in any hole without wrapping up first?”
My eyes go wide as all the blood from my face rushes south. God, I never expected to hear such words from Tyler. Especially not when they only trigger more imagery of him sticking his dick in my holes specifically.
“Oh?” I manage to squeeze out. “But why do you need to test then?”
He looks more confused than I feel. Then, very slowly, he says, “Jamie, you can still catch some nasty shit.”
“Huh?”
“Have you only ever sucked dick with a condom?”
Jesus Christ. I’m seriously about to die. I can’t believe he just asked me how I suck dick.
“No, of course not,” I mumble, semi-coherently.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but you can still contract an STI from that.”
“Wait—really?!” How the fuck did I not know that? I was sucking random guys off in filthy bathrooms for God knows how long and this never even crossed my mind. “Oh my God.”
“I didn’t mean to make you freak out,” Tyler says, apologetic.
“I just wanted to clear up some misconceptions, so you know better next time.” His hand finds my shoulder and squeezes gently.
Very bad idea right now. “Whenever you want to clarify something, just ask, and hopefully I’ll know the answer.
And if I don’t, I’ll Google extensively. ”
I let out a watery laugh. “Thank you. And thanks for, um, not making me feel like a sheltered idiot.”
He pulls back, as if I slapped him. “You’re not sheltered, or an idiot.” I probably don’t look very convinced, because he doubles down. “It’s not your fault, Jamie. It’s hard to know this stuff when no one teaches you, or when you have an asshole for a boyfriend.”
I lick my lips, letting the warmth of the validation wash over me. “I guess... Thanks again.”
“Anytime.” He squeezes my shoulder once more before letting go.
I instantly miss his touch. I’m not supposed to miss it.
I’m not supposed to get used to this, any of this.
I’ve lived here for a few days, yet I’m already so attached, already plummeting to the ground with alarming speed and no parachute.
It’s probably too late to turn around now, but I have to try.
I know what I need to do. The exact opposite of what I want to do. If every fiber of my being is drawn to Tyler by some invisible thread, then…I have to pull back. I have to pull back hard, until the thread snaps. Until everything breaks.
I just have to hope it’s not too late to come back from this.