"No! No, they're perfect. It's just—I never saw them before. They're—nice. Really, really nice."
Avery eyed him speculatively. "Thank you."
Colby's fingers tingled. He wanted to touch her badly, but sensed such a move wouldn't be terribly welcome. He had to tread lightly with Avery. There was a lot of hurt in her life and he wasn't going to jeopardize their friendship because he was horny.
"You okay, Colb? You look like you're gonna hurl."
"I'm good.... Really good. I'm fantastic."
"You only babble when you're nervous. What's up?"
"You have really nice breasts," he blurted. Shock at what he'd said made his mouth drop open. He couldn't move, couldn't speak.
Avery raised an eyebrow, her pale face showing little of her thoughts. Her fingertips tapped his slack jaw, closing his mouth. "Okay, Cleatus. Thank you for the assessment. I believe we covered this already."
"I—uh—thought it bore repeating." It took a moment, but he got himself pulled together.
"What is wrong with you tonight? You're acting all weird, like a guy.... One too many root beers. You're cut off, dude."
I want kiss you. I want to hold you close and make love to you.
He didn't say any of those things aloud, but he was sure Avery could read it in his expression. If nothing else, she'd notice the happy dance going on behind his zipper. Avery always knew when the guys were sporting boners. It was uncanny and disconcerting.
"Are you on something? I've never seen you like this, Colb. It's freaky."
"No. I'm sorry." Colby sighed.
He had so much to say and had no idea how to say it. A firm believer that actions spoke louder, he pulled his flagging courage together and kissed her. It was a quick kiss, hardly thought out. Their noses collided, their teeth clicked. He held her awkwardly, bent over to reach her, their chests close, their hips at least six inches apart. Embarrassed by his actions, he shoved her away, backing off a step or two so she couldn't hit him. Avery stared at him.
"What was that?"
"I think it was a kiss."
"You think? I thought I was being mauled by a polar bear or something."
"Sorry."
"That's all you've got? That sucked, Colb. Seriously. Got game?"
Chuckling, he ducked his head. "Not so much."
"You don't get the hot chick at Game Junkies if you bring it like that." She shook her head in mock sympathy.
"I don't want the hot chick at Game Junkies. I—I want you."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I want you. In every sense. Perky boobs and all." Colby dodged, flinching away from her, afraid she would laugh or hit him. He wasn't sure which would bother him more.
"You're serious?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
She punched him hard in the gut. "Took you long enough to admit it, you asshole! What does a girl have to do to get your attention, doofus?"
He shrugged, grinning shyly. "Show me her tits?"
Avery punched him again, harder. Her fists pummeled him. Colby grabbed her hands as the blows landed faster and harder. One fist nearly collided with his testicles. To prevent serious injury, he grabbed Avery, turning her so her back was to him, clutching her arms to her sides.
"Will you stop that," he begged. "That hurts!"
"I know it hurts! I want it to hurt. Now you want me? Now you're interested? Do you know how long...?"
"How long what?"
Tears sprang to her eyes, falling on his hands and arms. "Do you know how long I've been in love with you? And asshole doesn't even notice. Doesn't even see...."
"I did. I thought you didn't want me. I thought maybe everything with your dad and Mr. Polk...."
"Don't say that bastard's name!"
"I just thought with all that, you might not want—me. I love you, Avery. I think you're smart and beautiful...." He eased his grip on her and she stopped struggling.
"You have a funny way of showing it. You don't talk to me like a girl. You don't treat me like a girl."
"And would you like that? I hold doors for you, I help you out of the car. I buy you coffee and game time. What do you want me to do, that I don't already do, Ave? Tell me and I'll do it."
She took his face in her hands, pulling his mouth close to hers. "Kiss me. And I don't mean that lame excuse for an oral hygiene exam. A real kiss."
"I can do that."
"Prove it, Thatcher." Avery stepped closer. "Let's see what you've got."
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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