I was calling you earlier when your name and number flashed up on my cell’s screen. But instead of it being you, it was Chris.”“You still have my number programed into your phone?

Touch me. Kiss me. I want you. I’ve never done it just for my pleasure, just for fun.

Eager?” “Just a little,” I breathed.

Do you remember how your mom would wrap the presents so well it’d take at least five minutes to find where you could rip the paper?”I snorted. “Yes, and they were wrapped so much it was like unwrapping a hundred packages from morning ‘til lunch. It was Mom’s way of extending Christmas.”“I loved that—it always built the excitement. Just when you thought you had it, you had to unroll it. I miss her—she was like a second mother to me.

I knew,” he breathed, pressing his forehead to mine, “when I developed a crush on you.” My eyes flashed open. “But we drifted apart,” I whispered.He shook his head. “I was scared of how you’d react, that my feelings would complicate things, ruin our friendship. That is why we didn’t hang out much as we got older. We didn’t drift apart. I pushed you away.

Have a drink, Coughffles.” “Stop it with the names!” I laughed and coughed.

He disowned me,” I murmured. “Kicked me out and told me to come back when I changed my choice.”“He seriously used those words? That it was a choice?”I nodded. “You can’t change it. Your sexuality is like your DNA. You can’t cut off your finger so it’s no longer there, because it is you. You’re born with it—you just discover it when you mature.

I’m not leaving him, Sam! And I’m not waiting for the others to help.

Now,” he murmured huskily into my ear, licking the skin below my lobe. I shivered. “It’s your turn.”“Tease.

Gee, you don’t sugarcoat things, do you?” “At least if I’m at a club, I won’t have you pressuring me.”“No, you’ll have heaps of strangers instead.

Colt, you’re going to be a nurse, not a cop. If anything happens, I’ll pay the fines for you.”“Still don’t need it.”“Why?” She paused for a moment, thinking. “Because you’re still trying to get into Daddy’s good books?”“Shut up,” I muttered, blowing my frustrations into another balloon—it grew between my palms. This had nothing to do with my father.“From what you’ve told me of the guy, he’s a jerking dick, Colt. I don’t know why you’re seeking his approval.