Page 487 of Face Off

“He spent last Tuesday eating cereal on your kitchen floor because Lyric posted a picture with another guy.”

I shrug like it didn’t break my heart seeing him there. “He likes the floor.”

“He was drunk.”

I try not to wince. “He also likes my mezcal.”

“Ryan.”

I retrieve the spatula and resume stirring before the eggs burn. “He has his own life, mi hada.”

“He’s barely in it.”

“That’s his choice.”

“He needs you.”

“He needs boundaries.”

“He can have both.”

“No, mi bebé. You don’t understand what you’re asking. Briggs is a lot.”

“So are you.”

“Careful.”

“He’s nothing like you, baby. His strength isn’t internal like yours. It’s like, for everyone else, ya know?”

“You’re right, not like me. I know how doors work.”

She folds her arms. “Briggs knocks.”

“After he enters.”

“We’ll establish rules.”

“He doesn’t follow rules.”

“He follows yours.”

“Only when he thinks I might physically remove him.”

“That sounds effective.”

I turn off the burner and face her. “He will walk into our bedroom while I’m eating your pussy and commentate.”

Charm rolls her eyes. “He is not that invasive.”

I laugh because she has no fucking idea what she is inviting into our future. Briggs has entered my apartment while I was showering, sleeping, writing, fighting with someone on the phone, and once while I had a woman bent over the arm of my couch.

He asked whether we wanted tacos.

“He absolutely is.”

“We’ll lock our bedroom door.”

“He knows how to pick locks.”