Page 74 of Just for the Plot

“You can’t say things like that, because if I don’t fact-check, then I could say some pretty dumb shit on the streets, and is that what you want?”

“I think no matter what, if you’re uncertain about something, you should fact-check it.”

“Excuse me for believing the baseball player.”

He chuckles. “Not a smart move.”

“Clearly,” I huff as his hand falls to my hip, catching me off guard. He pulls me in closer to him and then to my utter freaking surprise, he leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Night, Bower.”

My…my breath catches in my lungs from the feel of his lips on my skin, from the warmth of his body so close, wrapping me up into what feels like a comforting blanket that I never want to leave.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Good night, Bennett.”

Then he closes his eyes, but keeps his hand on my hip, holding me close enough that if I wanted to, I could lean forward and press my head to his chest, but not too close that he’s forcing me to be with him.

A comfortable distance that has my mind screaming with questions.

Questions I don’t think I should be answering.

CHAPTER 13

BENNETT

OC:What are your thoughts on vibrators? As a man, would you use one?

Graydon:Why is this something you’re texting us?

OC:Because we’re in a sacred group together, the Gladdy Daddies if you don’t recall, which means it’s a safe place and we can talk to each other about these types of things.

Bennett:I’m all for them.

OC:See? A confident man, talking about things that he’s not ashamed to talk about.

Graydon:I’m not ashamed to talk about them. I just don’t want to talk about them with you.

OC:Why not?

Bennett:Maybe because—and I mean this in the nicest way possible—you tend to make a big deal about things, and if Graydon were to say he likes playing with a vibrator on himself, you would probably wave a flag around with the news printed all across it.

OC:DOES HE LIKE TO USE A VIBRATOR ON HIMSELF?!? Did he tell you that? I will fucking flip my shit if he told you that.

Graydon:I did. Bennett and I have a separate thread that doesn’t include you and we discuss use of vibrators without you.

OC:I am dead inside.

I laugh to myself asI slip my socks on, getting ready for the game tonight.

Bennett:He’s kidding, we don’t. We just talk about sexual positions.

OC:I’m not kidding, I will not be able to handle the demise of the Gladdy Daddies. It *will* be the death of me.

Graydon:Then get your shit together and stop asking us about things I don’t want to talk to you about.

OC:To be fair, I wasn’t aware vibrators were off-limits with you. I did hear you have sex six times the other night when I stayed the night at your place.

Graydon:And didn’t I say to never fucking talk about it?