When You Least Expect It

My phone is ringing as I'm leaving my evening class, Vic's nickname flashes across my screen. Since he brought Marlin home, he's been calling and texting me like a nervous new father. "He's not eating.", "He won't come out of my closet.", "How often do I feed him?" It's quite comical.

"Well hey there stranger." I joke.

"He threw up in my shoe." I can't help the laugh that bubbles out of my lips. "I think he's broken." he adds.

"He's not broken." I smile, "He's adjusting, he's just as nervous as you."

"I bought some toys after work today. I was hoping he'd finally come out of the closet."

I find that information so endearing. "His life has been uprooted, he's in a strange place and he's found comfort in your closet. He'll come out when he's ready."

I hear his sigh through the phone, "What are you doing?"

"Just got out of class." Pushing the unlock button on my car as I approach the parking lot, "I now have the pleasure of doing homework."

"That sounds awful, you should come over and keep me company."

"Why is that?"

"I'm lonely."

My heart zings at his confession. We've been hanging out a lot and I enjoy his company. A lot. Knowing that he's calling me, asking me to hang out, its become something I've looked forward to. Fact is, I get lonely too.

"Do you want me to grab some food?" I ask while sliding into my car, placing my bag on the passenger seat.

"We can get some take out when you get here."

"Oh! Chinese?" I ask hopeful.

"Again? Didn't we just have that?"

"And?" I joke.

"Just get your sexy ass here." he growls and I love that, I feel that to my core.

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

After hanging up, it only takes a couple minutes until I'm pulling into his driveway. He's already waiting for me at his door, and it's only been like a day or two since I've last seen him. My heart swells at seeing his smile when I walk up to him. He's wearing sweats and a college tee, looking relaxed and sexy as hell. He takes my bag from my shoulder and moves aside for me to enter.

"How was your day?" he asks.

"Long." I sigh, "Thursdays always are. My classes are spread out."

"That sucks, I remember those days." he moves to the sofa and begins unloading my backpack, "C'mon let's get this crap done so we can enjoy the night."

With Vic's help, my homework is done a lot faster than if I was at home, by myself. "Thank you. I'd probably be up doing that all night."

"You're smart but I'm here if you ever need help or a tutor."

"I appreciate that, so food's on me as a thank you." I pat his leg and stand up, to move to the kitchen. I know he keeps his menus in a drawer with some other miscellaneous crap. I pull out the chinese menu.

"You don't gotta buy."

"Shut up. What do you want?"

His sigh let's me know he's giving in. "Kung Pao Chicken."

I make a call into the local Chinese place for delivery and then plop next to Vic on the couch. "15 Minutes." Vic reaches forward and grabs the remote, turning on the TV. Having hung out with Vic more over the last few weeks, we both found we love crime shows, so when he settles on Cold Case Files, I curl up on his couch.

A few minutes into the show, we hear a door creak open. Both of us glance at each other wide eyed, and then suddenly Marlin appears at the top of the couch between us. His fluffy tail flicking back and forth, he moves to Vic and nudges him in the head. My mouth drops open in shock and surprise. Marlin came out!

Vic ever so slowly raises his hand to pet Marlin, and when he doesn't move away, Vic looks at me in shock. "Oh my gosh!" he whisper-shouts. I nod frantically in return, giddy and happy.

"Hey guy." Vic talks to him. "About time you come out." Marlin meows at him, like he knows what he's saying. They have a cute moment and then Marlin lays down. The moment the doorbell rings, Marlin skitters off. Vic shrugs, "Well that was short lived."

"But he's getting comfortable!" I get up to get the door.

After paying the delivery guy, I place the food on the counter top. Vic moves behind me, placing a hand on my hip and I can feel his heat while he reaches for the plates to my right. I freeze, liking his hand on my hip way too much. Dammit.

"You alright?" his voice is close to my ear, it makes me shiver.

"Uh, yeah." I maneuver myself over to the sink to wash my hands, and away from him.

"You want a beer?" he asks from behind me.

"Yeah, sure." I clear my throat.

"I got em..c'mon." I turn and watch him walk back to the couch. I need to shake this off. I release a long exhale, grab my food and follow him.

We eat our food and watch TV in contentment. This is becoming my favorite thing to do anymore and that scares me.

Hi Friends,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday!

I have been working my tush off on getting Labeled ready for publication so this story has taken a slight back seat. There's something amiss as well. I cannot put my finger on it exactly but I'm struggling and therefore my writing and the updates are too. I think the story is going in a different direction than I had originally anticipated. Not necessarily a bad thing but it's throwing me off. We shall see where this goes!

Please do not hesitate to point out any inconsistencies, you guys are my alpha readers and literally my second pair of eyes when it comes to reading. Feel free to message me.

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