Colin (Unexpected, #6)

by Cora Rose

I prop my feet up on my desk and pull up a book on my phone to read while I wait for that light next door to turn on. There is nothing better than reading about double penetration and rimming to keep my mind off the fact that I’m going to die alone.

He’s so quiet. How does he move without making a sound? Did he train in the art of guerilla warfare in the rainforests somewhere? Are there even rainforests in Britain?

What the hell is going on? Is it because he was in my room last night? He did touch my knee when he came. Maybe he thinks we’re married now.

God, my dick should not be hard talking about Revolutionary War torture techniques, but it is.

I am going to remember that while I am rejected quite often, I am worth it. I will be worth it to someone. One day.

“Did you know Paul Revere was an amateur dentist and an artist?” Ethan asks suddenly, and I blink over at him. Okay, is he trying to get me to suck his dick again? Because that’s how you get me to suck a dick. I am a total whore for historical facts.

“I’m sorry. Forgive me. You have every right to sail off into the sunset with that scary man. I’m just a jealous knob.”

“I had a hamster once,” I tell him as he hands me a sunflower seed. “Is he still alive?” “Nope.” I reach in and hold out the seed to the hamster who sniffs his way over to it. “How did he die?” Well, he bit me, clinging on with those pointy teeth of his and I accidentally flung him into the fireplace. While it was on. He burned to a crisp.

I reach out my finger and pet his back, but he turns his tiny little head and snaps his teeth into my skin. Little bugger. I gasp and peel my thumb away, the nerves firing in pain, and stare down at the little rodent. It looks pleased with itself. Well, you’ll meet your unfortunate end, you little twat. Hamsters always do. It’s never a nice, peaceful end either.

“If you keep this up, you’re going to make me fall in love with you.” The bowl clatters noisily to the countertop, and I feel my breath quickening. “Please don’t,” I say gently. “That’s not what this is. It’s not what it can ever be.” He looks at me for a moment and then nods, moving his eyes back to the sink, scrubbing at a plate. “I know. It never is. It’s okay.”

I don’t know how he managed to get an invite to this clusterfuck of a dinner, but I am going to sabotage him for it. I am going to change all his settings on his work computer to Japanese and watch him struggle. I’m gleeful at the prospect.

I move to Dorito’s cage and see the hamster scrambling about. “Yeah, you little shit. Die already,” I hiss, and Dorito glowers up at me as if to say not today, fucker. I feed him a sunflower seed as a reward for standing up for himself, and he thanks me by biting me fiercely. Ungrateful little rodent.

“What do you want?” I ask, hope blooming in my chest. Does he actually want me? No one ever wants me. Please want me, Ethan.

“I told myself that I’d never fall for someone again…and then you walked into my life…. I am utterly and completely wrecked for you, Colin. Entirely fucking gone for you.”

“I would never leave you, Ethan. I would stay forever. If you let me.”

“Is that what you were thinking about, standing here, lost in space? How ridiculous I am?” he asks. My eyes meet his, and I let out a shaky breath. “No, Ethan. I was thinking about how much I love you.”

“It seems I’m in love with you too. I mean, that must be it. I’m infuriatingly obsessed with you. I want you all the time. I never want to let you go. It’s maddening, really. But yes, it feels like love.”

“Yes, laugh away, Colin. As long as you save those smiles for me, I suppose I can live with it.”

“Ethan Fox,” I say, my voice stern, my hands on my hips. “What on earth did you do?” “I did a wretched thing,” he says, looking glum and a little bit pouty. I arch an eyebrow at him. “Did you even get a hamster?” “I did,” he says and holds up a small travel carrier. “But I also got a dog.”

“Yes, but Daniel expects us there on time. Honestly, what kind of parents would we be if we showed up late and got the shite seats?” “Okay, fine. Fine. Let’s go. We’ll be there an hour early though…” “Yes, but the seats, Colin.”