“I’m warming it,” I explain and lift my foot up from the water, leaving out the part about wanting the heat a lot more than my ankle needing it.
I didn’t expect him to walk over, toothbrush still hanging out of his mouth, and press his fingers to the swollen area. I try not to let the pain cross my face too much.
Lo pops the toothbrush from his mouth and points to me. “Bed rest for you,” he orders before turning and spitting into the sink. He rinses and squishes with water.
“You feel okay?” I ask, watching him wipe his lips on the towel.
When he returns his attention to me, his eyes land on the bath. “I could use a bubble bath,” he says, a smile playing at his lips. Another moment where I should say no and not submit to his teasing and playfulness.
But the words just don’t come, and he’s already shedding his pants down to his black boxer-briefs and hopping right into the waters. The Jacuzzi is large enough for seven people, so it’s not that awkward.
He lets out a loud moan as he sinks into the waters. I can’t help but smile.
“Just don’t come any closer,” I warn. “I’m naked.” I flush at the words.
It’s his turn to smile, a mischievous one that I do not like.
“Lo,” I warn again.
He raises his hands from the water, coming in peace. “I’m staying right here.” Good. “It’s you that we both should be worried about.” I frown. He may be right about that. I scoot a little further back, avoiding his silly smile. I press my body firmly to the porcelain tub.
After a moment, Lo clears his throat and plays with the bubbles, running them between his fingers. “So…last night, did he use a condom?”
“Yeah.” I nod, giving into his question even though I have no desire to talk about last night.
“You know because college guys are different,” Lo says, still fixated on the bubbles.
“They’re hornier,” I agree. It’s my very own sexual playground. Maybe that’s why Lo looks so concerned.
“They drink more,” he adds, “and may forget to use one. You can’t let that happen, okay?”
For the past week, I’ve been so neurotic about Lo being in college, surrounded by parties every night where the liquor never runs out （most of the time）。 I never thought he’d have fears about me.
Against better judgment, I scoot forward a little and nudge his foot with mine. At least, I hope it’s his foot. I can’t really tell through all the bubbles. “I’ll be fine,” I say confidently, “I’m always the one in control during sex. I call the shots.” It helps that I don’t drink since I usually need to drive Lo home afterwards. Last night we had Nola drop us off with the intention of going home at a reasonable hour without the cop lights flashing in the background. Oops.
“Do you even realize how small you are?” Lo asks in disbelief. “Honestly, Lil.”
I splash some bubbles in his face. “I’m big enough.”
“You’re ridiculously skinny and five foot five. I’m big.”
My eyes drift down. Unintentional. At least I hope so. He’s already smiling again and my cheeks burn. “Can we move on?” I ask, partly whining. “I just don’t know what you want me to say.” He won’t tell me to stop, so there’s no use in revolving around this topic like some vomit-inducing carousel on a playground.
“No, I don’t want to move on,” he says roughly. “And I want you to convince me that I shouldn’t be nervous whenever you run off with a guy who looks like he could snap you in half.”
“If I can convince you, you’ll drop this subject for at least the rest of the year?” I ask, already thinking of what I could say…or do.
“Deal.”
“Fine,” I reply. “Then you act like the horny college guy—”
“Not difficult.”
I roll my eyes. “And I’ll show you just how in control I am.”
He stares me down. “You do realize you’re naked.”
Oh…shit. I forgot.
“Which makes this even better,” he tells me. “More realistic, right?”
Right. But my heart has started to thud in my chest, also reminding me that this is real, but maybe it’s not. We are still kind of pretending. Good God. Alice in Wonderland had an easier fucking time discerning reality than me.
I give him a nod, and before I can process anything else, Lo reaches into the water and grabs my hurt foot. I don’t know where this is going. Maybe he’s worried about my ankle again. He gently takes it in his hands and then kisses the heel sweetly.