Like Real People Do (Breakaway #1)

by E.L. Massey

“Kuzy just sent me some screencaps of gossip articles, pretending to be jealous.” “Jealous about what?” “About how you and I have some sort of epic hidden romance. I know this is what you were trying to avoid, but it’s also—” He shrugs a little helplessly. “It’s also what?” “It’s nice. That people think, you know. That.” “What?” “That someone would want me. That someone like you would want me.” The look on Eli’s face—a little embarrassed, a little pleased—makes Alex feel like he’s just been punched in the stomach. And suddenly he’s angry. “I need you to do me a favor and never say anything like that ever again,” he says. Eli laughs, but it’s self-deprecating. And Alex just can’t handle it anymore. It’s not graceful. There’s a dog in between them, and Eli’s mouth is half-open because he’s about to say something else, but Alex just— Kisses him. In an awkward half lunge with one hand braced on the floor and the other moving to turn Eli’s face into his, and it’s— It’s not graceful. But it is good. At least until Eli shoves him away. “What are you doing?” he says, standing with none of his usual grace. Alex stands, too, because it seems like the thing to do. “I don’t know,” he admits. And it occurs to him now how horribly, horribly stupid that was. “I’m sorry. Fuck. I’m sorry. But your face.” “My face? What does that even—” Eli paces into the kitchen and leans both hands on the island, and Alex follows because of course he does. “You drive me crazy,” Alex says. “All the time. A...