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)
But later, Ansel had acted differently. Whenever he called to check in, he was rushed. When Fitch called, it felt like he was interrupting. The knots of anxiety he’d thought had faded came back and had been twisting his insides for days. More reasons why he’d completely forgotten about his own birthday.
He worried that bringing up the living situation was too much and now Ansel was trying to back away without hurting him. Hard to believe after the night they’d shared, but the fear and jealousy were still there. And the most frustrating thing was he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. The tighter he held on, the quicker Ansel would disappear. So he ate his breakfast, listened to his sister, and counted the minutes until sunset when he’d be able to look into his lover’s eyes again and know for sure.
“You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said all morning,” Meg complained.
Fitch looked up, chagrined. “Sorry, got a lot on my mind.”
She checked her phone. She’d been doing that since he’d sat down. “We can go now if you’re done.”
He pushed his plate away and tossed some cash on the table.
“You want me to drop you off somewhere or take you back to campus?” he asked as they climbed into his truck.
“I’m spending the day with you, big bro. You think I’d ditch you just because you ignore me? Nope, sorry, I love the crap out of you. You can be as surly as you want.” She stuck her tongue out at him, then buckled her seat belt. “We can go to your place, unless you want me to take you to the art museum. They have this new show by a local lesbian artist. She makes lifelike molds of vaginas. It’s awesome.”
He shook his head. “My place it is.”
With Meg’s laugh lightening the mood, he drove home, trying his best not to get caught up in his own misery. Ten minutes and thirty jokes later, they pulled into his driveway. Meg got out first, head down, phone in hand, thumbs flying over the keys as she typed out yet another text.
“You know, you could have invited Tara since you can’t seem to go five minutes without her.” He rolled his eyes and unlocked the door.
“It’s not Tara.” Her voice held a hint of glee and he turned to raise an eyebrow at her while he flipped the lights on.
“What’s going on—”
“Surprise!”
He spun at the sound of welcome from behind him and was caught by the happy faces of all his friends and family. Meg shook him by the shoulders and kissed him on the cheek, laughing.
“We totally got you. We got him, Ansel!” She pushed past him to where Tara stood.
Stunned, Fitch didn’t move as he took in everyone surrounding him. Dozens of people, his parents, his cousins, aunts and uncles, Rob and the gang, even some people from work. And in the corner near the fireplace, Ansel stood with Ange, Lirim, Tam, and Z.
Ansel had thrown him a surprise party. Those glittery green eyes focused on him, and all of Fitch’s stupid fears disappeared. There was nothing but warmth and acceptance there. The knots loosened even as his heart rose to his throat. He wanted to go to him, to kiss him, to thank him, but before he could move, he was cornered by his guests.
One after the other, they came up to him with congratulations and birthday wishes. Somehow, he managed to force his way through the crowd into the kitchen.
“Happy Birthday, Fitch. You don’t look a day over forty,” his friend Rob said, shaking his hand.
“Funny, jackass.” He laughed, pulling a soda from the cooler. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course, man. We’re friends, even if you didn’t tell me you were gay. Or bi, or whatever.”
The mouthful of soda went down the wrong pipe and Fitch coughed until Rob swatted him on the back.
“You could have, you know? My wife’s cousin is gay and he’s a real cool dude. I wouldn’t have judged you or nothing.” From his tone, he sounded slightly offended.
“It’s not like that. And I was going to tell you, but it all happened so fast, I just haven’t gotten the chance.” He turned to Rob. “How’d you find out?”
“Didn’t know for sure until just now, really.” Rob smiled and took a drink of his own soda. “Your guy, Ansel, he called me up out of the blue. Said he’d gotten my number from your sister and was planning a party for you. He introduced himself as your friend, but I’m not stupid. Soon as I saw him, I had a feeling. I don’t think everyone knows, but it’ll be hard to keep it a secret when they catch a glimpse of you two together.”
“It’s not a secret.”
“It won’t be for long, in any case. He’s a cool guy. Worked real hard putting this together for you.”