Home in Nevada [SAMPLE]

✨Chapter Two | The one where Jeff's past collides with his future.

It's nearly dark when we finally pull up to my parents' house. I park in the long driveway and step out, stretching my legs with a groan.

​"Dude, this drive sucks," I complain, kicking at the gravel.

​"It wasn't that bad," Lucy says, rolling her eyes.

​"Yeah, because you weren't the one driving," I shoot back.

​Lucy laughs. "Oh, like that makes such a difference."

​"Uh, yeah, it does."

​I grab her bag from the trunk just as the front door swings open.

​"Jeffrey!"

​Mom's standing there, wrapped in a ridiculously oversized lounge robe, flinging the door wide open. It's endearing and kind of embarrassing all at once. She hurries down the steps and plants a wet kiss on my cheek. I can't help but grin; I love her anyway.

​"Hey, Mom," I say, hugging her before turning around. "This is Lucy."

​Lucy gets the same enthusiastic hug and kiss, and the surprised look on her face makes me chuckle. She flips me off playfully behind Mom's back.

​"Lucy! Oh, I've heard so much about you. We're so glad to have you here!" Mom gushes, grabbing our bags and leading us inside.

​I find it funny that my parents are letting Lucy stay overnight in my room. They never let me have a girl over before, but Jamie was always an exception. Guess they're pretty oblivious. They know about Lucy's sexuality and seem pretty cool with it.

​Later, Lucy comes out of the shower in her pajamas, looking different without her usual makeup. Still hot, though.

​"Quit staring at me like that; it's gross," she snaps.

​I laugh. "Come on, now's our chance to get hot and heavy in my parents' house."

​She grimaces and gags. "Ew, no. Not interested. Like, at all. Keep that disgusting thing in your pants."

​"Wow, disgusting, huh?" I tease.

​"Yeah, fucking gross, Jeff. I bet you never once thought it was gross when you made out with Jamie. I bet you never thought it was disgusting."

​I drop the shirt I'm trying to put on, my hands suddenly feeling useless. "What the heck, Lucy?!" I bend down to pick it up again. "Stop bringing that up!"

​Lucy's smirking, far too pleased with herself. "I'm just saying... I bet you didn't think it was gross."

​I sigh, sitting down on the bed next to her. "So, if one day you meet a guy who, for some reason, really connects with you—both physically and psychologically, and you're just drawn to him like crazy—but you still think all other guys are gross... What does that mean?"

​Lucy rolls her eyes. "I see where this is going."

​"No, seriously," I insist. "I'm asking what you would do in that situation. What does that mean?"

​She gets more serious, locking eyes with me. "That would probably mean I'm bi, dude. Just because you're bi doesn't mean you're attracted to everyone, Jeff. You probably just have different standards for guys or something. I mean, God, you're kind of a manwhore with women. It's ridiculous."

​I fall silent. Her words gnaw at me, making me feel sick.

​"You okay?" Lucy's voice softens. "Jeff?"

​I bury my face in my hands, and she moves closer, rubbing my back. "Aw, my poor baby, it's okay," she coos.

​"Cut it out," I say, shoving her away. She laughs softly.