Gemotions

Liam stared at the cover art, his stomach plummeting. It was a caricature of him, exaggerated but unmistakably him, grinning with his signature goofy smile. The book lay open on the coffee table, a scene playing out that was clearly lifted from their argument last week about the leaky faucet. He sank onto the couch, the cushions suddenly feeling hard and unfamiliar.

He felt a sudden, sharp pressure in his chest. His partner, Chloe, a librarian, had always been a voracious reader, but she never mentioned writing. He ran a hand through his hair, dislodging a few strands. He began to leaf through the pages, his heart pounding.

“Chloe!” he barked, his voice strained. She was humming in the kitchen, oblivious. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to regain his equilibrium. The book felt heavy in his hands.