Twisted Deceit (Deceit #3)

Chapter 32

It took my brain too long to wake up, and it didn’t help matters that I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep to begin with.

I was curled up against the corner of the giant, oversized chair, a blanket wrapped around my shoulders and knees pulled up to my chest. Some sort of show was playing on the TV, one I didn’t pay much attention to.

It took me even longer to figure out what woke me.

Rubbing at my eyes, everything only became blurrier as my sight adjusted to my surroundings. The room was darker, too, than before.

I hated wintertime.

Dawn’s soft voice was too low for me to hear, and it sounded like she was at the door.

Oh. That made sense on what woke me up, then. Which was probably a good thing. If I slept too long, then I’d have trouble sleeping tonight. And tomorrow would…well be just another day.

Yawning, I burrowed more into the soft backing of the chair, letting sleep cling to me a bit longer. But then, a voice I knew well reached me. It was a bit louder, or possibly closer.

“He’s eighteen, right?”

Dawn confirmed before he went on again. “I understand your concern, but I promise I won’t lead him on. I had a feeling he did, but I won’t draw attention to it. I have a girlfriend. “

“I just want to make sure you are aware. He's...young at heart. And after you give him that….well…”

“I’m not worried, Dawn. My lifestyle tends to show my care like this. He’s not the first shy boy to have a crush on me because of who I am. I’m just good with his type, I guess you could say. Plus, I work with kids all day long. It makes me more likable.”

“Just…be careful.”

I didn’t catch whatever else was spoken, as it was too low. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be mad at Dawn or not. She meant well, and it wasn’t like I’d ever want to date a man. Or woman. Or anyone. I knew that part of a relationship wouldn’t work for me. Just the idea of sex turned me away. Even though my dick sometimes thought it needed to be touched.

“Koda, honey?” It took too much effort to open an eye, seeing Jasper kneeling before the chair. But just as quickly, I shut it again. “I got you something. Remember, I told you, you needed a reward for how amazing you were today.”

Oh. Right.

I opened both eyes, and turned my face towards Jasper a bit more. The glow from the TV made him look like an angel for a moment before I blinked and it went away.

“I was just going to leave this with your aunt, but she said you needed to wake up anyway. But you look like you could do well with an early night anyways.”

I agreed, so I nodded. I was tired. More so than I thought. Who knew a day where I pushed boundaries could make me so worn out.

“I won’t stay long, since I have to get Grams some dinner. But as I said, I picked you up another stuffie.”

He handed it to me, and it took a moment to get my arms to work with me. The material was just as soft as the one before he had gotten me. The bottom was weighted, too. The only difference was that this one was black instead of white.

I motioned ‘thank you’, before pulling it up against my cheek and letting the softness sooth something in me that I didn’t know was there.

I blamed it on the tiredness and the events of the day.

“Of course.”

I rubbed the soft fur against my cheek a few times before I forced myself to pull it away.

What was it with this man that made me feel...so…childish?

“You are too precious for words.” I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear those words. Jasper cleared his throat. “I’ll see you later, alright? I’m going to try to get a hold of my girlfriend.”

Before I thought about moving, my hand grabbed a hold of Jasper’s. His skin was warm, but it had to be freezing outside.

I opened and closed my mouth, not sure if I could get the words to work with me, or if I even should.

“She….she….” I huffed, letting go of his arm.

“She talked to you on the porch over summer,” he prompted. When I nodded, he went on. “Not surprised she told you something. Something she didn’t want me to know, I’m assuming.”

I nodded, then signed ‘sorry.’

“Then don’t tell me. She’ll let me know when she’s ready. Or she already has and I’m just too dumb to get the hint.” He gave me a sad smile. “But thank you, anyway. Keeping something like that is tough, and then wanting to tell me…”

I wasn’t expecting that.

Jasper’s fingers folded a piece of hair back behind my ear, leaving a warm trail behind the touch.

“I figured she’d be breaking up with me. And it’s probably for the best. She’s not exactly what I’m looking for to settle down with anyways. But she was nice, I mean. Not all relationships last, but if I can get it to end on a good note, then I can’t ask for more.”

I kind of wanted to know what he was looking for to settle down with. But I mentally swiped that thought away. I knew I wasn’t what he wanted, as he’s made that clear more than once.

“Thank you for being such a great friend, though. It means a lot.”

I wasn’t so sure friends gave each other cute stuffed animals or tried to move pieces of hair off their faces. But sure. Whatever. I could go with that label.

I’d take Jasper as a friend, since I knew – maybe- that he wouldn’t ever be more than that.

“Did you name the white bear yet?”

I shook my head, wide eyed. I could name it?

“Most…. uh…people name their stuffies. You don’t have to, of course. But if you name them, text me?”

I nodded, still wide eyed.

I never thought to do that. But now that the idea was there, I would have found names.

“Alright. I need to go,” but he didn’t seem like he wanted to. I tilted my head to the side, trying to read him like everyone seemed to be able to do with me. “Yeah. I gotta get home. I’ll see you later.”

I watched as he stood, and even then, he still lingered for a moment. I waited until he bid Dawn bye before I made my way towards the kitchen.

Thankfully, Dawn was cooking tonight, since I had no energy to do so.

“I’m trying to figure Jasper out. One minute, he wants to make sure I know he’s only a friend for you, but then he brings you such cute things.”

“Just friends.” I managed to speak through a yawn. “He’s okay for a friend.” Considering I never wanted them.

“He’s great for that, yes.” I felt like a but was coming.

“His girlfriend…. leaving him.” I settled in.

“Long distance is hard, or so I’ve heard. Just know he’s not…right for you to date right now though.”

“No.” I shook my head too fast. “Dating means sex. No thanks.”

Dawn spluttered out a laugh. “Alright. Glad I can skip the safe sex talk with you.”

I huffed, folding the stuffed animal against my chest between my arms. I did not need that talk. That was like ten years too late.