Chapter 32 #2
“Look, dude, you just need to hang in there for a bit. Okay? I promise we’ll make it worth your while.”
I’ve never considered genitals to be sentient, but my cock must have developed consciousness, because it actually listens.
Granted, it doesn’t go soft, but it wilts enough for me to relieve myself and to let me pretend I’m calm and composed, and not a strong breeze away from coming in my pants. If only it was always this cooperative.
When I head back to the ice cream stall, I see Jamie is still waiting his turn, although there are only a couple of people in front of him. I go to join him when someone’s hand sneaks up my back.
“Well, hello there, stranger,” a familiar, female voice purrs. “Long time no see.”
I turn around, huffing a laugh when I instantly recognize the face I haven’t seen for almost two months.
“Sarah. Hey.” My gaze shifts to the ice cream cup in her hand. “Last time I checked, weren’t you lactose intolerant?”
“Not for ice cream.” She grabs the cup with both hands like she’s afraid I’m gonna confiscate it.
I shake my head, chuckling. “Oh, you’ll regret this in a few hours.”
“Lactase tablets are a thing, you know?”
“Uh-huh. How you going?”
“Pitiful. Tinder is a wasteland right now. Which is why I’m here alone.” She stabs the spoon into the ice cream, shoving a huge chunk in her mouth as if trying to get rid of a bitter taste.
My question was more in the general sense, but I’m not surprised she specifically commented on the dating scene. Her bad luck (and taste) when it comes to men is the main reason why she was happy to ‘help me out’ occasionally.
“None of your girlfriends are available?”
“Too busy riding their boyfriends’ dicks. I’d be third-wheeling everyone.” She pouts, and I can’t help but notice how different it is from when Jamie does it. On him, I always find it cute. I want to pinch his lip. Bite it. Kiss it.
As for Sarah, I just find the gesture exaggerated and funny.
“You need new friends. Ones who still abide by the almighty rule, chicks before dicks.”
She scoffs. “Yeah, tough luck. Finding good friends is even harder than finding a half-decent boyfriend.” Her annoyed expression turns suggestive, and she reaches out, trailing a perfectly manicured, blood-red nail down the centre of my chest. “On the other hand, being ditched by everyone means I’m available to drop by for a ride any time. ”
Ah. I was wondering when she’d bring it up. I did go dark out of nowhere, after all. Not that she ever had any claim on me, but I’d hate for her to think that I’ve been ignoring her. Despite the nature of our relationship, I do consider her a friend. It’d be hard not to after all this time.
I stop her by gently catching her wrist. “Yeah, about that…”
Her eyebrows flick up, expectant, and then her gaze shifts somewhere to the left.
“Think we have an audience.”
“Huh?”
I follow the direction, a smile already forming when I see Jamie, a cup of ice cream in each hand. Then I zero in on his face, and my smile vanishes.
He just stands there, his expression one of utter devastation as he stares at us. He looks like he’s about to cry.
Oh shit. This doesn’t look good. Not only is he seeing me with a random chick, I’m also practically holding hands with her while she’s trying to feel me up.
I resist the urge to drop Sarah’s hand like a hot potato. That would only make everything look worse and like I’m hiding something.
Instead, I hold Jamie’s gaze while I slowly guide Sarah’s hand off me. I summon a soft, relaxed smile as I gesture for him to come close.
The following seconds feel like a small eternity as I wait for his next move.
A part of me is already bracing to chase after him if he takes off.
Because I can tell he’s considering it. His chin trembles, his chest rises and falls fast, and I notice the subtle twitches of his limbs, as if his body is stuck between fight-or-flight.
The relief that floods me when he takes a step forward is so strong it makes me dizzy.
He’s still wary as he joins us, distrust etched in his features. It kills me, but I try not to take it personally. Jamie’s been through a lot, it’s natural he feels suspicious. Instead, I vow to spoil him so much he’ll never be consumed by doubts ever again.
“Hey.” I touch his elbow. “I want to introduce you to someone.”
Sarah speaks before I get to do the introductions. “Oh, I didn’t realize you’re here with a friend!” Annoyance returns to her expression. “Now that makes me feel depressed.”
Jamie’s shoulders go stiff, then droop. He doesn’t say a word, but I know dejection when I see it.
Fuck no, that just won’t do.
“Actually…” I snake my arm around his waist, pulling him flush to me. Then I grab one of the ice creams from him, uncaring if it’s meant for me or not. “I’m here with my boyfriend.”
Jamie’s head snaps up.
The ice cream Sarah just scooped up drops to the ground with a splat.
“Your…what?”
Suddenly, it’s not only about making sure Jamie knows there’s nothing to be worried about.
I want to brag.
My chest puffs out.
“This is Jamie.” I press a kiss to his hair, hearing the slight hitch of his breath. “Jamie, this is Sarah. She’s a…uh…” What do I say so it doesn’t sound completely terrible?
“One of your booty calls,” Jamie finishes for me, voice flatter than a pancake. “I gathered.”
I can’t suppress a wince. Not that he’s wrong.
“Holy shit, a boyfriend?!” Sarah yelps, suddenly with the program. Her eyes jump between us with unconcealed disbelief, then with dawning realization. “No wonder I haven’t heard from you for ages!”
I suppose it’s good that Jamie hears it from Sarah’s mouth directly. I really haven’t been seeing anyone since we had sex for the first time.
Sarah’s deceptively dainty fist connects with my shoulder.
“And how come I didn’t know you swung both ways? We could’ve had so much fun!”
Okay, now I need her to stop talking, though.
“Oh crap. Sorry! That was inappropriate.” She steps back, hands slightly raised in surrender.
Then she turns to Jamie with a lopsided smile.
“I didn’t mean to get my paws all over your man.
I had no idea he was taken. I don’t do taken men.
” There’s a slight pause. “Unless they’re into it.
You bi, Jamie? Do you think three’s a crowd? ”
Now I really need her to stop talking. She’ll scare him away, and I’ll never live it down.
Despite my worries, it seems like her babbling got Jamie to relax a little. He doesn’t feel as tense under my hand, and definitely doesn’t look like he’s about to cry anymore. He’s still a little guarded, though.
“Sorry, 100% gay.” He mirrors me by wrapping an arm around me. “And I’m too jealous to share.”
I already knew Jamie wanted me for himself, but hearing him say it again does something to me. Who knew that the good ol’ ball and chain would turn my crank.
To be fair, everything Jamie does turns my crank.
There’s a possibility that I’m biased.
“Turns out, so am I. Jealous, not gay,” I clarify, earning a small chuckle from Jamie.
“Damn. Worth a shot.” Sarah sighs. “But I get it. He’s cute.”
“That he is. Isn’t that right, little bunny?”
Oops, that just slipped out. Judging by his spooked expression, he didn’t expect me to use the endearment in front of another person either.
“Aww, you even do nicknames,” Sarah swoons, then groans. “God, I’m sooo single. And friendless.”
“You don’t have friends?” Jamie asks, all business now.
“None that’d give me the time of day.” She’s pouting again. I find it even funnier this time.
Jamie, on the other hand, has a very solemn look going on.
“Would you…like to tag along?”
Sarah’s jaw drops, and I’m pretty sure I don’t look much better.
“I mean…” Jamie looks at me. “We haven’t seen the rest of the markets yet. Might as well go together.”
As nice as it is of him to offer, this is still our date and we shouldn’t—
“Yes!” Sarah agrees. “Only if it’s not too weird?”
“Nah.” Jamie shrugs. “As long as you keep your paws to yourself. Nice nails, by the way.”
“Oh thanks!” She flashes her manicure. “I did them myself. Took me four fucking hours and probably gave me carpal tunnel, but I’m pretty proud of them.”
“You should be,” Jamie tells her. “We passed a stall with some family brand of cosmetics earlier. Pretty sure they had nail polishes as well. Wanna have a look?”
“Yeah! You remember where?”
“I think so…”
We start in the direction that we came from.
I walk next to Jamie, with Sarah on his other side, talking his ear off.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we were able to nip a potential blow up in the bud, but this is our date.
Why does Jamie have to go and get all chummy with someone he just met? Damn him for being so soft-hearted.
I sigh wistfully. It’d be easier if that soft-heartedness wasn’t one of the things I love about him so much.
In a display of possessiveness, I place a hand on the small of his back, as if I were guiding him. In reality, I’m making sure he remembers I’m here.
It works. Jamie’s attention steers away from whatever Sarah is babbling about and turns to me. His initial surprise is quickly replaced by a radiant smile that I can’t help but return tenfold.
“Okay, don’t kill me, but I have to ask…” Sarah starts, gesturing wildly. “How did this happen?”
I refrain from answering, letting Jamie decide how much he wants to share. While I was one of the main characters in that story, I feel like it’s not mine to tell.
Jamie glances towards me, chuckles, then turns to Sarah.
“Long story short, Tyler was having a migraine. So I gave him a massage and sucked him off.” He shrugs. “He liked it.”
Well, that’s one way to tell it. No lies detected.
Sarah stops abruptly, staring at us. Her laugh is so loud that people around turn their heads.
“Pwahaha! I bet. And I bet he felt loads better afterwards.” She giggles at her own joke. “Great seduction technique, I must try it.”
“I doubt you need any techniques. You must be fighting guys off with a baseball bat.”