Project Hero

by Briar Prescott

I’m the guy who looks like the boring neighbor that lives across the hall from you and later turns out to be a cannibal with a freezer full of body parts in his spare bedroom.

I had a bit of a different goal in mind. Namely, I was in love with Falcon Asola, and I would finally make him notice me.

I have to face the facts. I’ve turned into a stalker. I can already see the restraining order in my future.

“I’m too sexy,” I deadpan. “People find it hard to resist me, which let me tell you, makes walking down the street a real challenge.”

“Sure,” I say. “I’ll just eat that chicken alfredo myself then.” Andy glowers at me. “You evil bastard.” I grin as I watch him pull his sneakers on. “It’s my grandma’s recipe with extra cheese.” Andy shakes his head. “Keep talking. But just remember, people have gone to hell for less, and God is always listening.”

“I think it makes perfect sense. First of all, exercise is good for you.” He gasps. “You take that back.”

You’re a good person, Andy Carter, and as far as I’m concerned, that makes you a hero in my book.”

Only you haven’t done that in forever, my brain helpfully reminds me. Nah-uh, we went to a bar just last week, I counter. It wasn’t just the two of you, and you haven’t missed him that much, have you? My brain snarks back. I frown at the thought but dismiss it immediately. I’ve been busy. That’s all. I almost start laughing because I’m arguing with myself. How very normal and not at all creepy and weird.

The thing is, I want Andy. Have for a while now. There’s something about him that pulls me in and refuses to let go, so the offer to have some no-strings sex is extremely hard to resist. Especially because I’m not so sure I should.

“Are you gonna come up?” Law asks, and now his tone is decidedly more serious. I whirl around. “You can see me?” I ask like the moron that I am. “I have windows, you know?” he says, and the smile is back in his voice.

table. I’ve been a bundle of nerves ever since last night when I finally got Law to agree to the whole sex plan, which has resulted in some fairly ludicrous thoughts forming in my brain: I’ll trip over my feet and fall face first into Law’s lap, injuring his dick—among other things—after which we’ll be forced to spend an awkward night in the ER, and then Law will never want to see me again, because penis injuries are no joke.

Kissing should definitely be Law’s major. And minor. And his future career. He should just walk around and kiss all day long because he’s that good. But not other people. Just me.

“I’ve got a Snickers body,” I say. “Not in the sense that I look like a Snickers bar. Just that I eat too many Snickers and it shows.”

“I see somebody I’m very attracted to. Somebody I want to touch. Somebody I want to kiss. Somebody I want to see with my hands all over him.” He slides both of his palms over my chest and stomach. “We wouldn’t be here if I didn’t find you hot as fuck,” he says.

Well, shit. I’m in love with Andy Carter.

“But you love Boston. You said it felt like coming home when we first moved here.” Andy nods before I’m even finished talking. “I do love Boston, but the home thing? That’s all you. You’re my home. With you by my side, I’d move to Timbuktu, if I had to.”