Connect Us ✔

Chapter 44

Miki jumps on my bed and sniffs at me while Felix stands in the kitchen, humming softly and washing the dishes. Of course I told him he doesn't have to. Of course he cleans up anyway. In the meantime, I'm busy trying to get along with this dog. I've never had a pet. When I was a kid, I wanted a dog. My mother never allowed it. Having three children was already too much work. And when Maddie came, that topic was off the table anyway. Four children are enough. My mother was already overworked by that.

I take a sip of my beer. Miki watches me curiously. Then she tries to reach the bottle. I raise a brow and hold it away from her. "Who does she belong to?"

"My family," he says from the kitchen. "Actually, I would even go this far and say she belongs to me. When I was living at home, I was always the one who took care of her the most. But my brother was so sad when I wanted to take her with me. So I let them keep her." Felix walks out of the kitchen, drying his hands with a towel. "I was just taking her for a walk when you texted me. Does she bother you?"

"No. She's... cute, I guess." Miki makes herself comfortable on my lap and breathes loudly as I pet her. "Are you with your family while I'm with Blair?"

I see him nod in the corner of my eye. "Mhm." And for a second I picture that stupid scene: how he explains to his family that he just came home so his boyfriend could... well, I don't want to think about it right now.

"Did you... talk to him yesterday?"

Felix carefully sits down next to me on the bed and looks at my hand as I pet Miki's small head. Her fur is incredibly soft, which soothes my nerves a bit. "I'm so sorry, Oscar," he says. "Look, Blair and I have rules. And these rules have always worked for us. And one of these rules is that we talk openly about everything, especially if it's about us."

I look at him. "Was he mad at you?"

"A little. But only because I didn't tell him." Felix sits cross-legged on my bed. "He was more... worried, I think."

"Worried?" I ask. "Why worried? It's not like I'm gonna hurt you or something." My brows furrow. "What the hell does he even think?"

"Topic change?"

I sigh. "Fine."

For a brief moment, it's quiet. He watches my hand move slowly through Miki's fur, his gaze distant. Then he stands up. "I'll do the laundry quickly, okay?"

I take a deep breath and wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. Miki tilts her head at me, looking as confused as I am. This boy's doing something to me I can't explain. And he hasn't even touched me. I'm freaking nervous. I'm even more curious. I feel like there's something about him that's different from any other guy I've met. Like, ever. And I want to know. I finally want to know what it is.

I finish my bottle, lean against the wall on my bed and check my phone. A few messages in the dance group chat. A message from Maddie. Maddie!

Hi oscar, she writes. Do you have time tomorrow?

of course!

wanna come over?

i can pick u up if u want

but i have training at 8

Maddie answers immediately.

Can I come anyway?

sure!

Thank you ❤️