Uniquely Us by A.M. Arthur

Author:A.M. Arthur [Arthur, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Briggs-King Books
Published: 2017-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Thursday passed as it always did, with one minor exception: instead of breaking for lunch at noon, Taro broke at 12:15. No attacks, no fits, and only a handful of butterflies to speak of, and they went away after a few minutes of food prep, because the prep was practiced and familiar. Numbers on a clock shouldn’t hold so much power over his life, and it was time to challenge the goddamn clock.

To challenge himself and his goddamn OCD.

He did the same again, breaking for the day at 4:45 instead of five on the nose, which gave him fifteen minutes of unscheduled time before he technically should begin dinner prep. But why wait? He had ingredients out and on the counter when his phone rang.

His heart leapt, hoping to see Dell’s name on the screen. Cris’s name never used to disappoint him, but today…it kind of did. “Hey, Cris, what’s up?”

“Hey, Taro. I know it’s last minute and you hate last-minute invitations, but we’re having a kind of dinner celebration at Chet’s tonight, and I want you there.”

Taro’s insides quaked with nerves. Two last-minute invitations in two days? He wasn’t sure he could manage that without meds, but the hopeful cheer in Cris’s voice prevented him from saying no immediately. “What are you celebrating?”

“I’ll tell you at dinner. And I want you to bring your new guy. So we can celebrate whatever it is you guys are, too.”

Oh God, what if Dell isn’t ready to tell other people about us? How can I possibly act calmly around him if he’s at dinner, too, and we can’t touch?

“I’ll be there, but I can’t promise my friend,” Taro replied, proud of his steady voice, when his insides were trembling.

“Fair enough. See you in half an hour.”

Taro resisted the urge to bang his forehead against the wall as he called Dell to see what they should do.

“Hey,” Dell said in a sunny tone. “I didn’t expect to hear from you tonight.”

“We have a minor emergency.” He briefly explained the invitation. “I’m assuming you’ll be there anyway, so I’ll understand if you’d rather we pretend nothing’s going on. I can tell Cris my guy wasn’t available on short notice.”

Dell didn’t respond right away. “I don’t like the idea of lying to my uncle.”

Hope tickled at his heart. “Then we don’t have to. It’s only Chet, Cris and Jake. They’ll be supportive of us.”

“I know.” Dell let out a soft, breathy sound. “I’m proud to be with you, Taro. Although this will, for sure, out me to Cris. And the others, if he’s mentioned your conversation at the diner.”

“I doubt he would have done that. Our conversations are considered sacrosanct. Like attorney/client privilege, only without the crimes.”

“Okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes, let’s tell the people we love most about us.”

Taro’s heart fluttered. “Yes, let’s. Thank you.”

“Of course. Text me when you get here, so I can be sure to answer the door and let you in. That way we can present a united front.”

“That sounds like an excellent plan.

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