Page 57 of American Love Story

“Okay.” That was the only thing that Patrice could manage to say.

I cleared my throat and thought of Justin. “His mom was a professor, too, but his dad was a local artist; they didn’t run with my and Brad’s parents’ circle. He was out to his family, and they were so great. I loved going to his house.” I sighed thinking how weird it was to be in a house where the adults actually seemed to get along.

“Anyway, Brad was obsessed with Justin and did everything he could to get his attention. When he realized we were dating, he made it his mission to fuck with me.”

“What did he do?” Patrice’s voice was heavy with dread.

“Typical Brad, he ‘accidentally’ asked in front of my parents if I was bringing my boyfriend to my family’s annual holiday party.” I shook my head. “Needless to say, it did not go over well with my dad. He acted like it was no big deal and then as soon as everyone left, my dad iced me out and didn’t talk to me for months. When I confronted Brad, he just said he didn’t realize it was a big deal. He’s always been like that. A vicious little prick.”

“Your dad didn’t speak to you for months?” He shook his head, confused. “I can’t say things were perfect for me coming out, but I, at least, was able to tell my mother on my own terms. That motherfucker, no wonder you can’t stand him.”

I lifted a shoulder, surprised at how little I felt about Brad. “My mom was better about it. It’s hard for her to go against my dad, but she did her best to be supportive. Brad’s like that. Sneaky and mean. That’s why I was worried about that meeting with your chair. I would not be surprised if he’s behind it.”

He sucked his teeth and looked out the window at that. “I’ll be fine. I figured it was because I’ve been making noise with all the stuff I’m doing in town.”

I almost didn’t say anything to that, but then I figured, fuck it. “I hope they don’t interfere with that. What you’re doing with the Justice Center is great.”

His eyes softened at my words and something in my chest cracked just a little. “I’ll be fine. I also won’t put up with bullshit. They knew exactly who I was when they hired me. If they thought they were going to do a “diversity hire” and then make me invisible, they have another thing coming. And Brad better not try me. I didn’t like him before, but after hearing what he did to you, I don’t give a fuck if he was fifteen, that shit’s just evil. Why are you grinning?”

“You’re really pissed,” I said in an amused voice.

He just shook his head and grabbed the hand I had resting on my thigh and kissed it. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to.

I’d probably have to sit down and think about the reasons why seeing Patrice enraged on my behalf felt like the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me, but for now, I’d take the feeling and the moment.

chapter sixteen

patrice

We got back to Easton’s after a reasonably stressful drive in the snow, and I was still processing all that had happened on our non-date. We walked into his penthouse, and Easton went over to the fireplace while I ruminated about the conversations we’d had this afternoon. The new sides to Easton I’d seen. That shitty story about Brad outing him, and what he’d said when I’d asked about what he was reading. I was still thinking over the words he’d used and must’ve been pulling a face because I heard a scoff from somewhere in the big room.

“Wow, I know I messed up the date, but I didn’t know you’d be that upset.” He was trying to be funny, but I could tell he was also wondering if my mood had shifted somehow. I was being weird, standing by the door with my coat still on. I shook off my brooding and went to hang my stuff by the door, then walked up to him. He was standing by the fireplace, looking unsure and like he was regretting all the things he’d shared today.

When I finally got to him, I wrapped an arm around his waist and used my other hand to smooth out the worry lines in his face. I wanted to tell him that nothing had ever felt this solid for me, that no man had ever gotten this close. “Your romantic date planning is…interesting.” He huffed even as he pressed closer to me. He loved getting close enough that he had to tilt his head up to look at me. I twisted my mouth to the side, trying not to grin atthe redness creeping up his neck. “You got me feeling some type of way, Mr. Archer.”

“Oh. What way is that then?” he asked, hooking his leg with mine. The utter delight in his voice made me shake my head. Easton could shrug off the bad like that. He shed it like old skin. I didn’t know how he was able to stay like this, like he was untouched by the shit I knew very well he came in contact with constantly. The things that I now knew had been done to him. He was resilient and strong, so fucking strong. He kept opening his heart, even when he knew it could be trampled.

I placed my hand under his chin and I brought his face up for a kiss. As we grazed our tongues together, the thought that kept trying to edge out my usual doom and gloom creeped in again.Maybe this could work.Maybe we had enough here to go on, to build something. I took both his hands in mine as we kissed, our fingers intertwined between us as we tasted each other. Moments like this with Easton shut the world out, and that would never stop being a revelation for me.

I was so lost to kissing him that I almost didn’t hear my phone going off. The only person who ever called me was my mother and the guys, but they all had ringtones I recognized, so I figured it was the wrong number. I almost just let it ring, but Easton pulled apart, his face adorably annoyed.

“What if it’s something important?”

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, “More important than this?”

An eye roll was his response as I got my phone out of my pocket. When I saw Ari’s number, my heart immediately started pounding, remembering the last time he’d called me. I instantly dismissed the thought; he couldn’t have been stopped again.

I lifted a shoulder at Easton who noticed my concerned expression. As soon as I took the call I knew something was wrong. “It’s Ari.”

“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart pounding already. There was some shuffling on the phone and when Ari spoke, it was obvious he was trying not to cry.

“I’m so sorry to bother you again, Patrice.”

I closed my eyes, glad to hear that he at least did not seem to be physically in distress, but I was still concerned about how upset he sounded. “You don’t have to apologize, I’m glad you called.”

I looked at Easton who was standing right next to me, his shoulders tensing at my words.

There was more sniffling and I heard muffled yelling in the background.