Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Ansel laughed. “I thought the same thing when I was taking his class. He’s got the beadiest little eyes.”
“Yes!” Lars chuckled with him and their camaraderie lifted some invisible weight from Ansel’s shoulders.
“What are you studying now?”
“The test was on Poe.”
“Ah, one of my favorites. ‘And all I loved—I loved alone,’” Ansel quoted. “Listen, if you want help, I did okay in that class before...” He trailed off because they both knew what happened and neither of them needed a reminder.
It was too nice just having a conversation about meaningless things with his brother. There was no need to bring up the past. Especially since there was nothing either of them could have done to change it.
“Showoff,” Lars said with a smile in his voice. “But thanks. I might take you up on that offer. I suck with anything that isn’t math or science.”
The exact opposite of Ansel. He’d excelled in English, Creative Writing and Art. Basically anything that allowed him to express himself without fear.
Or, at least, less fear. There had always been an undercurrent of angst no matter where he was.
“No problem, just give me a call. Whenever.”
As hard as it had been to accept his brother suddenly showing up out of nowhere, now Ansel found himself basking in the connection. It was so refreshing, that link and the safety that went with it. After all this time, he wondered how he’d ever lived without it.
Tam came up behind him and squeezed his shoulder. “We’re on in ten,” he said, meeting Ansel’s eyes in the mirror.
Ansel nodded at his friend and the understanding in his gaze. “Okay, Lars. It’s showtime so I’d better let you go and finish getting glammed up.”
“Sure, okay.”
“It was really nice to hear from you. I hope you’ll call again soon. Or, you know, visit. Anytime. You know where I am.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I do. And I will.”
“Great. Then, I guess I’ll see you. Or talk to you. Soon.”
“Definitely. Bye. And break a leg. Or whatever the saying is.”
When he hung up, Z, Lirim, and Tam surrounded him with their friendly eyes and happy smiles. Like they could feel what he felt, the lightness. The relief. And it made him happy to think that a little bit of his joy was touching them too. God knew, they all deserved some happy in their lives.
* * *
“I told my friends about us,” Ansel said over the phone.
Fitch held back his shock, but only because Ansel’s voice was so tentative. “You did? When?”
“They interrogated me after we hung up yesterday.”
He couldn’t interpret Ansel’s tone. “And?”
“That’s okay, right?”
“Of course it is. I’m kind of relieved, to be honest.”
“Really?”
“After our last conversation I got the impression you were keeping it a secret. And—”
“That’s not your style.” Now there was the Ansel he knew. The teasing laugh eased the pressure under his sternum.
“I guess I’m predictable.” Fitch fluffed the pillow behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.
“Maybe a little. But that’s not a bad thing. You’re steady. Steady is good. Trust me.”
“As long as it’s not boring.”
“No way, Grumpy Bear. You’re far from boring.”
“So, how’d they take it?”
Ansel’s chuckle made him smile. “I think they were more surprised than I am, really. They’ve known me a long time and I’ve never dated anyone before. They acted like it was the second coming of Jesus.”
Fitch’s grin grew at the pleased annoyance in Ansel’s words. “They seem like a handful.”
“More than, but I love ‘em.”
“Sounds like me and my sister. She is the biggest pain in my ass, but I’d do anything for her.”
“I got that impression the night we met, but I think you’d pretty much do anything for anybody. You’ve got a kind heart.”
The pressure under his sternum came back, but this time it wasn’t unpleasant. It was warm and soothing.
“Thanks.” His voice came out gruff so he cleared his throat and adjusted his position on the bed. “So, how long have you known them? The guys.”
“Feels like forever.” Ansel paused. “I met Z when I was still on the streets with Ray. We sometimes crashed in the same shelter when the weather was bad. Lirim was already at Prism Center when I joined, he showed me around and I eventually brought Z in. Tam was the last to join, actually he’s still living there. We’ve been through some shit together, you know, stuff that bonds people like family.”
“I’m glad you all found each other, Angel. That you weren’t alone.”
“Yeah, me too. What about you? Do you have any friends you’re super close with? I’ve only ever heard you talk about your family.”
“I have a few, but no one I’m as tight with as you are with your friends. Really, we only ever talk when one of us wants a wingman or there’s a big game.”
“Oh, well, that’s still nice.”