“I don’t think she even saw my dick; you were sitting on me.” He rubs his eyes and leans back and stares up at the ceiling. “She’s never going to look at me the same.”

I frown, thinking about how awkward and tense family gatherings are going to be. Monica wears her feelings on her face and has zero filter so I worry about something slipping out of her mouth even unintentionally. “I don’t think she’ll tell mom and dad.”

“I don’t either.” He agrees but I can tell he wants to say something else.

“What is it?”

His full lips form a frown and I can see the emotions all over his face. He’s hurt. “I’ve just known Monica since I was three years old. Almost twenty-seven years.” He winces. “And in thirty fucking seconds, everything changed.” He lets out a deep breath before his eyes meet mine. “I wasn’t ready for her to find out and obviously not the way she did.”

“She’s not going to be angry forever. She’s not going to ignore you forever. If I have to, I’ll talk to her. She’ll listen to me.” I’m still processing everything myself but I want to be there for James if he’s starting to spiral over our very unconventional relationship. Could he possibly want out now? Is he thinking that he never wants to have this conversation again so better just to end it?

“Yeah.” He says, not giving up anything and I contemplate pressing him to open up but I stay silent, knowing he’ll talk to me when he’s ready. He runs his hand over his jaw, scratching the stubble before he stands and stretches his arms to the ceiling. He extends his hand to me and I take it wanting nothing more than to be close to him after one of the toughest afternoons I’ve ever had and all of the doubts racing through my head in response. He leads me to the bedroom and drops to the bed instantly letting his eyes flutter closed. He holds his arms out and I climb onto the bed and into his embrace, letting my head rest just beneath his chin.

“Everything is going to be fine, J.” I whisper as he begins to stroke my back.

“Eventually.” He murmurs.