Like Real People Do (Breakaway #1)

by E.L. Massey

“Nah, just told him you were willing to kill someone for the privilege of seeing him skate again. He’s very anti-murder, so.” “How decent of him.”

“No—that’s not. It’s normal? For him? Hawk started whining and shit, and then he was like, ‘oh hey, I’m gonna go have a seizure now, no big deal, see you later,’ and then he just left to some back room, and I— Fuck. Should I be telling you this? Am I, like, violating his privacy? Jeff. I’m freaking out.” “You are a little bit. Deep breath, okay?” “Okay.” Jeff pauses for a minute. “That wasn’t a deep breath. That wasn’t even a breath. Work with me, Alex.” “Oh. Right.” Alex breathes.

“My therapist says your first response to something isn’t really your response. It’s society’s response—or the way you’ve been trained to respond from your environment? But your second response, after you’ve had a minute to think about, you know, how you really feel, that’s the one that matters.” Eli isn’t sure where he’s going with this. “Okay?” “So. Can I give you my second response?” “Yes?” Alex laboriously holds his hand out, and it takes a moment for Eli to understand that he wants to see the picture again. He sighs but gives the phone back to Alex.

Cody makes a judgmental noise. “Why? He’s not exactly my type, but I do have eyes. I’ve seen the photosets on Tumblr. His ass is a national treasure.”

Por qué todos mis nietos deben enamorarse de gringos? Ay, al menos él es lindo.”

“Sé que no parece, pero en realidad está bastante ansioso por este viaje. Si lo dejo enfocarse en cuidarme, le ayudará a no obsesionarse con otras cosas.”

“I was so lonely before you. Except I didn’t even realize I was lonely. I thought that was the way I was supposed to be.”