Page 52 of Joey

“Haven’t you?” She smirks.

“I have, actually. All three of us go there at least once a year. When was the last time you went? Maybe we’ve met each other before and didn’t know it?”

“Never mind that. What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean, Joey. With Wald. And Huck. And you, for fuck’s sake.”

“Oh, that whole thing back there?” I motion to the living room with my head.

“Don’t play dumb. It’s not attractive on you.”

I step farther into the room and close the door. “Well… I mean, I don’t know what to say. If you wanna play around with Wald and Huck, be my guest.”

She glares at me. “I’m supposed to be your girlfriend.”

“Yeah, just don’t flirt with them in front of the Kane people and I think we’re all good.”

“So you’re OK that Wald kissed me?”

“I’m only OK with that if you’re OK with that.”

“Joey, stop it.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop playing games with me.”

“This whole thing is a game, Brooke. Every fucking bit of it.”

She glares at me in silence for a few moments, then says, “I’m not going to.”

I shrug. “Totally up to you. I’m not telling you to mess around with Wald and Huck. But I will warn you that Wald is gonna try. Probably Huck too.”

“Again, you’re OK with that?”

“Do you want me to not be OK with that? Because that’s the impression I’m getting.”

“I’m with you.”

“You are,” I say. “But… you know. It’s fake. So do whatever you want.”

“But I’m sleeping in here?”

I groan, close my eyes for a prolonged moment, then shake my head. “I’ll take the couch. That make you feel better?”

“I’m so confused.”

“About what? Because honestly, I’m the one who’s confused. You’re playing a part, Brooke. And can I just say, I think you’re doing a really good job. And I really fuckin’ appreciate you helping me out like this. And that house hunt was fun. I kinda love that place and you can stay there as long as you like, because of course, it will be half yours. But I… I’m not looking for a girlfriend. OK? That’s not really how I operate. I just want my kid back.”

“What do you mean, that’s not how you operate?”

“We…” I shrug. “Huck, and Wald, and I we’re…”

“Gay?”

“No. Not exactly.”