Page 64 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

Yeah, actually… come help me put some of these plates away in the kitchen.

Landon raised an eyebrow. OK, so it was a terrible excuse, but he was going with it. We’re going to clean up for a minute and then come back to finish the game.

Zhong and Ash both acknowledged him, so Dustin picked up a few plates and wandered into the kitchen.

What was that all about?

Dustin peaked back toward the living room. Yeah, Zhong and Ash weren’t missing them at all.

But Dustin did need to share a bit about his relationship with Zhong if he wanted to continue things with Landon. Hopefully he’d take it the right way.

I’ve told you before that Zhong’s my best friend. We’re really close.

If you’re about to tell me that you fuck sometimes, no judgment, responded Landon quickly, though it seemed a little forced.

Actually, kind of the opposite. He’s asexual. I mean, we’ve actually tried it a few times. But for him it’s like watching mating habits of the sea cucumber on the Nature Channel.

Landon raised his eyebrow. So you identify as a sea cucumber?

He couldn’t help but laugh. Uh… no. It was just the first bizarre animal I could think of. I don’t even know if they mate. At any rate, he doesn’t experience sexual attraction, but he really likes physical contact, so I cuddle with him a lot. People always used to think we were dating in college, and we still have a really close friendship. It’s not romantic but… There was a time when it could have been. Or maybe it was and he just didn’t realize it. Either way, he’s important to me. And we spend a lot of time together.

Dustin drew in a deep breath before he said the next part. I never quite know how to say this part. I wanted you to meet him first, and it looks like it went well. So… I just want you to know that he’ll never compete with you for the type of relationship that we might have. But I won’t let him be pushed out of my life, either.

Dustin waited, nervous about how Landon would respond. All of his exes had been jealous of his time with Zhong and he hated that.

That’s really sweet, actually. I wish I had a good friend like that.

Thank goodness. If you wanted to snuggle with him, too, I’m sure he’d be delighted. It was always the first thing he said, whenever anyone mentioned his relationship with Zhong. But now that it was Landon… He wasn’t sure if he wanted Landon all to himself, or if he wanted Landon to share in everything that he had.

He could envision Landon’s blond tresses tangled with Zhong’s messy black hair while they relaxed on the couch, waiting for him to join them. The image felt glowy and warm.

Riding on that thought was the pathetic need to have Landon near him all the time, even when Dustin wasn’t doing anything, or just hanging around. Which, he supposed, including cuddling with Zhong.

He wanted Zhong to enjoy spending time with Landon, but only if Landon was Dustin’s. Because Zhong kind of belonged to Dustin, too.

What a confusing mess of emotions.

He started putting dishes away to give himself a moment. Landon pushed in beside him, putting away a bowl and bumping him intentionally on the shoulder.

Watch it, brat. He gave Landon a soft swat on the ass.

Make me.

It was a good thing Zhong and Ash weren’t waiting for them.