Read Online Something Beautiful by Jenna Jones - Free Book Online Page B

Dune closer, bit his lip and took a deep breath. "You don't have to see Gavin if you don't want to."
     
    Dune pulled back to give him an odd look. "Why do you think I'm thinking about Gavin?"
     
    "Aren't you? I would be, in your shoes."
     
    Dune sighed. "Okay. You've caught me. I'm thinking about him -- trying to figure out what I should do. Part of me wants to prove how well I'm doing without him. Part of me remembers what it was like when it was good."
     
    "Oh," Micah said.
     
    "You think I shouldn't go back to him."
     
    "I think," Micah said slowly, "that you know what's best for you."
     
    Dune rolled his eyes and rocked his head in frustration, then kissed Micah's cheek and hugged his friend. "I don't know what's best for me in this case."
     
    Micah blinked a few times. "That's a first. I don't think I've ever heard you say you don't know something."
     
    "Remember this occasion and mark it well. The man who broke my heart is back."
     
    "If he broke your heart," Micah slipped both arms around Dune's waist and hugged him back, "then you should stay far, far away -- and when you do see him, show off how wonderful your life has been without him. Make him green with envy and regret every moment he's spent away from you."
     
    "That's your advice, is it?"
     
    "Yes." He nodded firmly. "That's what I think you should do. I've learned all kinds of things since you first met me, you know. I'm not the naive kid I used to be."
     
    "That's true," Dune said softly. "You're all grown up now. All done with school, a new job, an apartment to find..."
     
    "Unless you meant it about me moving in with you."
     
    "I mean it, if you still want to," Dune said. "What do your parents think about it?"
     
    "I haven't exactly brought it up yet. They haven't said anything about me moving out. I think with Shiloh moving back on campus they find the house too lonely."
     
    "Maybe you ought to stay with them for a few more months."
     
    "I'd rather be with you," Micah said and swallowed hard. "If I'm with you I can be myself. You know?"
     
    "I do. But if your parents need you --"
     
    "They don't need me," Micah said with a scowl. "They just want to know where I am and what I'm doing. That's why I left out so much on the blog -- I knew they'd be reading it. My real journal is a lot more detailed."
     
    "With sexier pictures?" Dune asked and chuckled.
     
    "There are some pretty fucking sexy pictures," said Micah with dignity. "I took some great ones of Stuart."
     
    Dune blinked. "What? You took -- what?"
     
    "I took some pictures of him. Um. Without clothes. You know, artistic."
     
    "Wow," Dune said. "I don't know what I find more unbelievable -- that you did that or that he let you."
     
    "I just asked," Micah mumbled. "He's gorgeous, Dunie." He squeezed his arm around Dune's waist. "But not as gorgeous as you. I could take pictures of you, too. With or without clothes."
     
    "I'll pass for now, but thank you." He patted Micah's hair. "Think it over, about whether you want to move in with me or stay in Walnut Creek a while longer. No need to rush."
     
    "Okay," Micah said, and then kissed Dune lightly. "But I think I'll stay wanting to live with you. I like being with you. I told you -- you're my laughing place."
     
    Dune smiled. "I know, honey. And I'll be around to be your laughing place for a while longer." He sighed. "It's getting late. You probably ought to head home."
     
    Micah nodded and then kissed Dune again. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
     
    "Okay."
     
    "I love you, Dunie."
     
    Dune smiled again, much less wearily this time. "I love you, too."
     
    "Good night," Micah said, and got into his car.
     
    The drive home was uneventful -- most of the traffic was headed the other way -- and the house lights were still on when Micah pulled up. He sighed: another evening of explaining where he'd been and who he'd been with, even though he'd told them before he left. It was so irritating, to be grilled constantly about his