Read Chalk Butterfly: Part One (First Time Erotic Romance) for Free Online Page B

it,” Elijah teased, filling up a blue ice tray and stowing it
in the freezer.
     
    “You know I don't trust technology ,”
Alexander said with a pout. “Landlines are much more romantic than
cell phones.”
     
    “Check your messages then,” Elijah said
back.
     
    Alexander scowled. He strode across the room
and stared down the machine. “You don’t have to deal with her.”
     
    “True, but she’s a lovely woman.”
     
    “Guh.” Alexander groaned and pressed the
blinking button, bracing himself. The machine read off the number
and the time the call was placed, beeping loudly.
     
    “Hullo sweetie, it’s mum,” came the pleasant
voice of Natalie Price. “Are you there, Alexander? You aren't
answering your mobile and you know I can't figure out to leave
messages on that contraption. Where are you this afternoon? You
don’t work on Wednesdays, and I’d hate to think you’re stressing
yourself. Now, I’m just calling to check up. I know you think I’m
silly for it, but I worry. You know me.”
     
    “Oh, mum,” Alexander sighed, smiling despite
himself.
     
    “Please call me back and let me know you’ve
been taking your vitamins. You know what the doctor said. And dear,
tell that darling Elijah I said hello. I don’t understand why you
two don’t date.”
     
    “What?” Elijah squeaked.
     
    Alexander went beet red. “She’s got crazy
notions, my mum,” he explained, punching in the delete button as
quickly as he could. “She met you, and well, I don’t know!”
     
    Elijah reddened a bit, too, smacking himself
across the forehead. “I’m doomed, I’ll never get a girlfriend,. No
wonder Liz won’t give me the time of day, if she thinks… bah.”
     
    “She just despises you, is all,” Alexander
said. He placed a hand on Elijah’s shoulder, smiling wide and
comical. “It isn’t that she thinks you’re gay.”
     
    “Oh, thanks. Now that’s enough on my
nonexistent love life. Maybe call him tomorrow,” Elijah decided,
stocking the rest of the food into the freezer. “You don’t have to
break down and explain everything to him on the phone either, maybe
wait until you meet?”
     
    “If we meet. If I call. If, Eli,” Alexander
said. He sat down at his small kitchen table and toed one of his
shoes off. It was an uncomfortable process, but far better than
using his hands, and less embarrassing than walking around with
Velcro-snapped sneakers. “I almost feel dishonest, not telling him.
I mean, he didn’t ask, but still.”
     
    “You shouldn’t label yourself, Alex. You
shouldn’t always be thinking about it,” Elijah said. He sat at the
other end of the tiny table and Alexander sighed.
     
    “I have a disease, Eli. Lately, it’s always
on my mind. I can’t shut it off. Everything I do, even right now,
I’m tense, watching for obstacles. I don’t know what I’d do without
you helping me here. I’d be eating nothing but TV dinners and
peanut butter sandwiches.”
     
    “I don’t think you’d get the peanut butter
jar open, I barely could,” Elijah said sheepishly. “The thing is,
this isn’t who you are. I see so much more than just someone with
EB, some patient, some victim. You’re independent, intelligent and
a good friend. There, how was that for a self esteem booster?”
     
    Alexander smiled, kicking off his other
shoe. “Good show,” he said. He flashed Elijah a fond look. “Want to
go watch something sappy?”
     
    “Sure, I’m in the mood to indulge my
feminine side,” Elijah said and Alexander rolled his eyes.
     
    ***
     
    “Just spit it out, man.”
     
    Daniel groaned, setting down his glass at
the bar.
     
    “For the fifth and final time, nothing’s
wrong,” Daniel replied, turning to his friend and co-manager, Owen
Fox, with a sigh.
     
    Owen downed what was left in his own drink
and signaled for another from the bartender. “I didn’t say anything
was wrong, you’ve been grinning like a complete fool all day.”
     
    “Really abusing