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“Um…is that really a question? I’ll always say yes to s’mores.” I stand, reach out my hand, which she takes, and pull Mom to her feet.
“He likes s’mores,” she tells Perry.
“And Sour Patch Kids,” he says.
“He tries to pretend it’s just me, but they’re his favorites too.” I nudge his arm with mine, and he grins but takes a step away. My body feels cold without it. I miss Perry’s touches. Those are my favorites.
We head outside. It’s already dark, but Mom turns the outdoor lights on.
“Me and Dad did all the work in the back ourselves,” I tell Perry proudly.
“It took years to be able to afford it,” Mom adds. “We’d do one thing at a time, but now it’s the perfect place for us to have outdoor family gatherings.” It’s not a lot—more rock, the homemade firepit, outdoor chairs, and walkways made with pavers to a fountain on one side and another little seating area on the other.
“That’s awesome. My mom and I used to take on projects together all the time.” Perry sits down. “I swear there’s nothing she can’t fix or do.”
“You sound like you’re very close.” Mom gives him that knowing look of support that only a mother can give.
“We are. She’s my best friend…well, she and Theo.”
“Aw, you guys are so cute!” Katie gives us a thumbs-up. Are friends supposed to be cute…?
Perry clears his throat. “My brother, Ty, too. Even though we didn’t grow up together, we’re close. I know he’s always got my back, and I have his.”
“Family is the most important thing in the world,” Dad adds. “I don’t know what I would do without Carrie and the kids.”
“We try so hard to give them the things Tom and I never had. Theo will be the first in either of our families to graduate from college.” Mom’s chest puffs out with pride. “It’ll be perfect because he has one year left, and then it will be Katie’s turn. She started school late.”
Because helping both of us at the same time will be harder on them, which means if I take less classes, then I’m going to fuck up their plan.
Perry’s arm suddenly rests along the back of my chair, and just feeling it, feeling him closer helps ease the stress knotting up my insides.
“What do you do again?” Perry asks Dad, seamlessly changing the subject.
Dad gets the fire going while he talks, and Mom passes out s’mores supplies.
As we all continue to laugh and talk, my mind drifts to school. I’m thinking about that quiz I probably failed and how stupid I feel when I fuck things up. My mind starts spinning about money and Katie going to school—Katie who is a whole lot smarter than me. Before I know it, Perry is giving a stretch I’m pretty sure isn’t real and says, “I’m getting a little tired.”
“Oh. I’m sorry,” Mom says. “We didn’t mean to keep you up. I can get the air mattress out for you, and we’ll put it in Theo’s room. I’m sorry we don’t have an extra bed.”
“No worries. I can crash anywhere.” Perry nods for me to go with him. We say good night to Dad and my sisters before grabbing our bags and going into my old bedroom.
Mom insists on helping us blow it up and putting a sheet and blankets on it for Perry.
“We’re so glad you’re here with us.” Mom hugs him, then me, squeezing me a little longer than normal before she lets herself out.
“You okay?” Perry takes my hand.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I lie down on the bed and pull him with me. We’re both dressed and still have our shoes on, but I want to be close to him. “You’re not sleeping on the air mattress, are you?”
“That’s up to you. I’ll sleep wherever you want me to.”
I nuzzle in closer, breathing him in. “My bed. The door locks. Dad put a new knob on when I was thirteen and Mom walked in on me jerking off.”
“Yikes.”
“I’ll never forget the look on her face.”
He chuckles, then pushes up on his elbows and looks down at me. “They’re great, Theo. Your family are fucking awesome. They just want what’s best for you and will one hundred percent support you if you tell them you’re having a hard time.”
