Chapter 16 On the Couch
Past curfew.
Older Brother told me to stay.
Jiang Yan suddenly leaned in and whispered, “What’s your deal with my cousin?”
I pretended to watch TV. “Just friends. He’s Older Brother’s friend.”
He studied me. “Better be.”
Middle of the night.
Older Brother kicked me off the bed in his sleep.
I was almost out,
wide awake now.
Thirsty,
I went to the living room for water.
The light was on.
Jiang Huai sat on the couch, phone in hand.
He looked up. “Can’t sleep?”
I nodded. “You?”
“Jiang Yan snores. Gives me a headache.”
I drank,
didn’t go back right away.
Sat down.
Jiang Huai turned to me. “A You, I didn’t expect you today.”
I looked away. “Missed Older Brother. Came to see him.”
He smiled. “Only that brother?”
My face burned as he went quiet, moved closer, draped his arm over my shoulder, and leaned to my ear. “I missed you bad.”
His breath hit my neck,
hot.
Tingles everywhere.
I shivered,
tried to push him away.
Couldn’t.
He rested his head on my shoulder. “Not even a little?”
“Not once?”
I opened my mouth to lie.
Nothing came out.
Next morning,
I woke on the couch.
Still in Jiang Huai’s arms.
I used to think sleeping held was weird.
But after Jiang Huai…
It felt good.
Safe.
Like something full inside my chest.
The more I thought,
the more wrong I felt.
I didn’t know what he did to me.
Turned a straight guy into this.
I pushed his arm off,
sat up.
Met Jiang Yan’s eyes.
He’d been watching.
I panicked. “It’s not what you think. Don’t tell Older Brother.”