Boyfriend by Christmas

Chapter 12

I wake up to soft laughter from Garrett. I wipe my eyes and sit up next to him, my neck barely able to straighten after a night of lying on his shoulder. "What are you laughing about?"

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," he says. "I can't believe we fell asleep like this."

"Me neither. So much for that movie."

"I'm sure it sucked anyway," he says with another laugh. "How is your neck?"

I groan. "So sore. Your shoulder isn't all that comfortable to be honest."

"I'm sorry. I should have moved up to the top bunk. I woke up in the middle of the night but you seemed so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you."

I shrug. "It's okay. A little neck pain never killed anyone. I don't think."

"Probably not," he says. "Still. This probably shouldn't have happened."

"It's no big deal. I sleep next to Niyata all the time. We're friends. It's whatever."

Garrett looks like he wants to say more but he bites his tongue. I'm assuming his argument has to do with his being a guy, but that wouldn't be relevant because Niyata is gay so it's no different. Both cases present the possibility of something more happening. I've never had those kinds of feelings for Niyata, though. Garrett, on the other hand...

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. Garrett's cousin Ronnie walks in without waiting for an answer. He grins when he sees the two of us in bed together. "Wow, really? Couldn't go a night without getting some? I'm just glad I couldn't hear you through the walls."

Garrett throws a pillow at his cousin. "It wasn't like that, man. We were watching a movie and fell asleep."

"Right," he says. "That's why your girl looks like a cherry tomato right now, then?"

"I do not!" I say even though I can tell my cheeks are hot. "Seriously, nothing happened. I'm not even his girl."

Ronnie rolls his eyes. "Trust me, we all know that already. I thought maybe my sweet little cousin here just made the moves or something."

"I'm taller than you by six inches."

"Still little," Ronnie says. "And a little late for family time, man. You gotta get downstairs and help with Thanksgiving prep. The kids are driving me crazy. And we can't start the game until the table is set, you know?"

Garrett sighs and leans back, hitting his head against the wall. "Fine. We'll be down in a bit."

Ronnie leaves, closing the door behind him. "Sorry about him," Garrett says. "He's ten years older than me but acts like he's twelve."

"S'okay," I say. "After yesterday, nothing can faze me."

He laughs. "Well, today should be better. You're no longer fresh meat. At least, not as fresh as yesterday. You shouldn't be attacked. Hopefully."

"That's reassuring," I joke. I decide to be the first to climb out of the bed. That way I get first claim to the bathroom. I grab my backpack and race through the door, sticking my tongue out at Garrett as I do.

"That's dirty," he says. "Please don't take too long. They really do need our help downstairs. The troops will mutiny if we don't start playing football soon."

"I won't be long!" I say. My sister Magenta takes forever in the bathroom. I learned to be quick to counteract her hour long showers. Plus, I'm only going to change. I'll probably end up showering after dinner, but it's kind of pointless to shower now just to get sweaty in a little bit.