Twelve Boyfriends

Chapter 16

I open the door to Java Joe's and see Peter sitting at one of the smaller tables. It's a round, wooden table, and it sits against the window. I have always been drawn to light. I don't know why. Ever since I was little, I used to wake up at eight o'clock in the morning and sit in front of the giant sliding doors that had glass windows. The light made me feel warm and relaxed, yet also awake and alive. It does something to me, and it's something wonderful.

I sit down next to him. He's got two lemon scones on the table, along with one coffee and one tea. I hate coffee, so the tea is for me. The light from the sun warms the surface of my skin, making me feel relaxed and awake.

"Explain." I order.

"A hi would be nice."

Hah.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Hi. Explain."

He rolls his eyes. He looks around and then leans in towards me, as if he's about to tell me some pathetic secret about how he has a fetish for cheese.

"That guy that I walked away with last night?" He asks me.

"Yeah?" The one who whispered in his ear. I remember.

"Well, he wanted to take me back to his place. We've been talking for a couple months now and-"

"WAI WOAH WOAH. YOU'RE-"

"Shhhh! We're in a coffee shop for christ's sake!"

"Sorry, sorry." I can't believe what I'm hearing. "You're gay??"

He nods.

"If you're gay, then why did you kiss me? And why were you such a jerk?" I'm so confused. Why would he kiss me if he's gay?

"I needed to find out if I was really gay. So, I acted like an asshole and kissed you to find out if I'm really gay."

Wow.

"So I was the one who made you go gay???" No. NONONONONONO. I will not be responsible for someone changing their interests.

"So you're saying you weren't attracted to me at all??" I ask, a bit frustrated.

"I was more attracted to your new boyfriend, Jordan. He's a hottie."

"Boyfriend?"

This is all too dramatic.

"Yea. Everyone thinks you guys are dating. Everyone is talking about how you spent the night at his house. Speaking of which, tell me the whole situation with that one dude! Did he hurt you?" He asks me.

"Not really. He just bruised my arm. He thought I was, quote on quote, looking at him."

"And?"

"I needed to go to the bathroom, and he offered to take me. Next thing I know he's got me pinned on the guest bed. Thank god for Jordan-He saved me. He came in and punched him straight in the face. Griffin never came back."

He raises his eyebrows, exhaling. "Wow. How could you even stay in that guest bedroom after what happened?" He asks.

I bite my lip. "Yeah...I didn't."

"You slept with Jordan!?" He says loudly.

"No! No. God no. He gave me his bed, and he slept on the floor."

"Whew. You freaked me out there. I mean I know you guys are practically dating but seriously."

I hit him on the shoulder with a newspaper. "What's that?" He laughs.

"What's what?"

"You read the newspaper? Seriously?"

"So what? I like to stay informed." I state.

He giggles. "You crack me up." He continues our conversation. "So why didn't you just go back home?" He asks.

"If I would have gone back, my Mother would have blockaded my room door and kept me in there for an eternity until all men were incinerated by the earth's core. Then and only then would she let me out, but only to date aliens."

He laughs. "And she let you spend the night at a guy's house?" He asks, surprised.

"Actually, yeah. I'm pretty surprised myself. She talked to his Mom and everything, so it was all good."

"Well that's good. I'm glad we're both caught up. I'm mostly glad that now I won't have a mark on my face from your rage bitch ultra-slap."

I laugh so hard I almost spit out my tea.

"Oh my God. Jordan!"

"What? What?"

"I just left his house. I totally forgot to call him."

"Yes! Yes princess! Call your sweet Prince Charming so that he shall worry about his darling Maia no more."

"Do you want me to smack you again?" I threaten him as the dial tone rings.

"I'm good. Mouth closed."