Page 59 of The Best Bad Decision

I was hoping they’d say yes but they just stood there watching me.

Since logical neighborly norms weren’t working, I decided to guess what Casimir would do and headed down to let them wring gossip out of me. They stayed quiet as they studied me, but we all knew they had to do something soon.

I wasn’t sure what was beyond weird but we’d find out if they kept staring at me.

Still nothing?

As I stopped in front of them, I waited to see what would happen. I hadn’t started the strange situation, so I wasn’t going to try to fix it.

Ten seconds of silence felt a lot longer than it actually was.

Finally, Gerald sighed. “We’re not trying to be rude…but the Reddit people said we might be rude.”

Okay, so they could get weirder.

What would Casimir say?

Hell, what would Brandon say?

“I’m not sure we should use Reddit as the litmus test for manners.” Or logic. “It takes a lot to offend me, so please don’t worry about that.”

Most of the time that was just because people were too confusing for me to take them seriously.

Gerald and Paul both sighed in unison which I knew would’ve delighted Casimir. I just did my best to look patient as they worked up to whatever was on their minds.

Paul took the lead that time. “We want to make sure you’re not just…getting to know Casimir because he’s not…he’s not the butch kind of gay.”

Wasn’t that how people described lesbians?

Could that phrase be used for men?

Did they think I was dating Casimir because he was on the more feminine side of the scale?

I was starting to see why they’d gotten told they were offensive, but I shook my head and didn’t mind the crazy. “No, I really didn’t know him that well until after the divorce was well underway but we’ve got a lot in common.”

Beyond BDSM, but I had to admit I was glad that was working out.

That had them exchanging confusing looks like they were having a silent conversation. It wasn’t a short one either, but after a few moments, Gerald made a frustrated huff and decided it was his turn. “Men and women aren’t the same, Atlee.”

Huh?

Did they think I didn’t know that?

“It’s okay to be lonely but you can’t mess with people’s hearts. Casimir…he’s sensitive.” Paul’s helpful additions weren’t as clarifying as he seemed to think they were. “He appreciates how logical you are but there’s more to a relationship than just being a good partner.”

Was there?

Casimir said I was a good partner?

How was I supposed to respond to any of their comments?

What were they actually worried about?

“I’m glad he appreciates how logical I am.” It seemed like we were all on the same page with that, which actually felt good. People never actually seemed to like that about me in the past. “I appreciate his vibrant personality and the fact that he’s male.”

When they both blinked, I decided to keep trying on that part. “It’s actually one of the things I like best about him.”

For a variety of reasons.