"After a while, he asked me why I didn't like him. It was after he downed a glass and was filling it back up again," he mumbles, and I sigh. "I told him that wasn't true, I would have stood up to him if I wasn't in that damn chair, but I couldn't really defend myself." It was now that I understood why Kent really hated that time in his life. It wasn't because he was consumed by the thought of him never walking again. It was feeling powerless. "He said that's what Cali had said, so if I didn't feel that way, then she must be a liar," he whispers, and I watch this guilty look spread over his face. "He was drunk, I didn't want him to go to wherever she was and take it out on her... so I told him that I had lied, that I hated him and to fuck off," he huffs out and runs a hand through his hair. "He threw his glass at me." "Oh, baby," I whisper, standing up and going over to him. That was terrible, worse than the stories of his mother and father getting into domestic disputes. He gladly l

They look like a celebrity couple; Astrid is dressed in a glamorous white gown with an elegant updo, while Barry is tall and impeccably dressed in a smart suit. I wonder if they ever wear anything else. "My family," his mother beams as she enters the room, heading to Kent first to kiss his cheek. He awkwardly accepts it and gives her a light hug. "And Juls, I'm so glad you could come," she whispers, giving me a hug too, and I try to return it amicably. "Nice to see you," I reply kindly, and she nods before moving to Cali, who awkwardly gives her mom a quick hug. She whispers something to her mom, who just nods and gives her another hug. Barry is less warm, more of a handshaker but only with strangers. He just nods at the three of us with a smile. "Lunch smells good," he says as an opening line, and I feel hot anger run up my spine. Stay calm, Juls. "Let's sit." I engage in mind-numbing conversation with them through the appetizer, soup, and main course. His dad asks pointed questi

"Just be naked when he gets back from class today," she shrugs, and I elbow her. "What? It's a great plan—" "We live with his friends! That's a terrible idea," I insist, and she laughs. "Help me, what does Kent like?" "You know more about him than any of the rest of us, Juls," she reminds me, and I groan. "What kind of candy does he like?" "Kent doesn't do sweet; he's a steamed broccoli, black coffee kind of guy." "Ew," she mumbles, and I nod. "Get him a dumbbell; better yet, have him bench press you!" "Not funny," I answer, and she sighs, rolling her eyes. "Why does this matter? Kent likes you the way you are; you're the only girl he's ever dated. I'm sure he just wants to take you to dinner and hang out with you." "Because he does so many nice things for me, you have no idea," I mumble. "He always thinks of creative, adorable things to give me or do for me, and I can't think of one thing to get him. I literally forgot this was happening today, and now I'm screwed." "Make him

We do, and I sit across from him, presents and candles between us on the table. Before I can take a bite, Kent speaks his mind. "You're too far, come around to this side," he whispers, touching the chair on the perpendicular edge of the table. I smirk, getting up and moving. I guess that stuff was in the middle of the table, too hard to hold hands and all. I've come to understand that Kent's love language was physical touch. It didn't matter where we were, and I noticed it before we even started dating. He wanted to sit next to me, hold my hand, or hug me. Sex was so huge for him because it was so physical. Mine was probably acts of service or possibly quality time. There was nothing quite like when Kent wanted to spend time with me and only me. "What are you thinking about over there?" He teases, and I shrug. "What my love language is," I shrug, and he laughs, poking his fork into two noodles and eating them a second later. "Oh shit, that's delicious," he mumbles, and I laugh.

We head inside, and I take a deep breath, walking into our house. My family's house always makes me feel happy, like I'm somewhere safe and full of love. Mom's burning some cinnamon candle, and I can hear noise from the kitchen. "What's that smell?" Kent asks, and I laugh. "Mom loves scented candles, it's probably some clearance one that she picked up from somewhere," I explain, unsure where the nearly offensive candle was. Kent hated strong scents; he claimed they gave him headaches. "Sorry." "It's okay, just... don't go burning anything like that at our place," he says, and I chuckle, reaching for his hand. "Hello?" I call, bringing Kent to the kitchen, and mom gasps, hopping up from the stove and running over. "Juls," she whispers, squeezing the life out of me. "I'm so glad you could come." "Me too, I missed you," I whisper, and she pulls back, rubbing my arms in that aggressive mom-like way. "And I missed you, oh! You're so beautiful and smart-" "Okay, mom," I mumble, and s