Page 4 of Two’s Better

Longing stirred. That was what I wanted. Exactly that. Unrealistic as I was beginning to think it was, I wanted it to be everything. For a moment, I remembered that night again—A.K.A. the Glitch that heralded all the other Glitches—me and Uzezi confessing our desires over the phone in the intimacy of the darkness, and how that intimacy had nearly had me blurting out something reckless.

That feeling I’d felt that night—the safety and the trust and the teasing warmth in my lower belly; the way my skin had tingled with it, the air thick with a tension that had felt positively electric—that was what I wanted; it felt like I’d been endlessly chasing that high since it happened. But for me to get that, I had to meet someone who was on the same wavelength as I was, someone I completely loved and trusted and wanted with my whole being and who felt the same way about me. But I was tired of putting myself out there, vulnerable and full of hope, only for my desires to get dashed time and time again. Either I got with the program, or I remained alone forever, waiting for a person—and a moment—that didn’t exist.

I tried to lighten the mood. “It might be easier for you because you’re a guy who wants to take it slow; you’re practically a unicorn.” Uzezi managed a small laugh. I grinned, then sobered. “If only I had someone like you, right?” I said, but the admission felt a little too strange. “Unfortunately, it seems there are only so many Uzezis in the world,” I added in a rush.

Uzezi was smiling that slow smile at me, the one I was sure drove all the people whose eye he caught wild. “Aw. That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said about me.”

“Get out of my bed. I want to sleep.”

Uzezi laughed but took that as his cue to say his goodnights. I dutifully walked him to the front door. He lived with Prince and their third housemate, Dayo, on the street just behind the house I shared with Fiona and Bernice, my third housemate.

On the stoop, he turned to face me, tucking his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “If it makes you feel any better, I also think there are only so many Ofures in the world, cause look at me. If it were so damn easy, I’d also have found the one by now.”

“Huh.” That was true. There are only so many Ofures in the world. That statement should not make me feel as good as it did. “That does make me feel a little better.”

“Wow, okay. Enjoy my pain, will you?”

“Guy, if you don’t get out of this place—”

Uzezi laughed, stepping backward onto the pavement and blowing me a dramatic kiss. “Goodnight, Fure. Love you.”

I grinned and reached out to catch it, then pressed my clenched fist just as dramatically to my chest. “Goodnight, Uzi. Love you, too.”

2

If only I had someone like you, right?

She’d obviously meant it as a joke, I told myself for what must’ve been the millionth time, yet the words refused to stop replaying in my head, because how many times had I had the exact same thought? How many times had my friends joked that all I needed was someone exactly like Ofure, except in a sexual and romantic capacity?

“Uzezi!” Prince yelled sharply. “Get your head in the game!”

“I’m focused, I’m focused.” I turned my attention back to the game we were playing. We finished our raid in record time, and I paused so I could catch a break.

Prince went on his phone, distractedly grabbing a slice of pizza from the box between us.

“Prince?”

“Yes, boss?”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Ask away.” He didn’t look up from his device, speaking with his mouth full.

I wrinkled my nose. “Have you ever had sex?”

I’d asked just as he’d been about to swallow, because he promptly started to choke. Not for the first time, I was really fucking grateful for my friendship with Ofure, because we could talk about shit like this without it being awkward. Trying not to laugh, I patted him hard in the back. Prince shoved me off, grabbing his drink for a quick guzzle. His eyes were red. If it weren’t for his dark skin, he’d probably be as red as a ripe tomato.

“What the fuck?” he wheezed, still struggling to catch his breath. “What kind of question is that?”

“Guy, I’m serious,” I said, forcing my expression to match the words. “Have you ever had sex before?”

“Of course I’ve had sex,” he replied, affronted.

“Don’t get so defensive. I’m asking because I haven’t. Had sex,” I clarified after a beat.

Prince stared at me. Then he laughed. When I didn’t laugh along, he sobered up. “Nah, you’re messing with me. What? What about that girl in first year? What was that her name—?”

“Esther.”