Page 7 of Where the River Meets the Skye

“I know how important saving sex for marriage is for you, okay?” Skye said. “But you need to remember something. What you just said there, about not being able to choose who you give yourself to, that’s wrong. You do get to choose. You didn’t give yourself to them. They took it. What they did was cruel and despicable, and you didn’t deserve that. No one does. But you still get to choose who you give yourself to now. So if saving sex for marriage is still important to you, then hold on to that. And if your future wife doesn’t understand that, then she doesn’t deserve you.”

River sniffled and Skye handed him a tissue. He blew his nose and wiped his tears. “Stay with me?” Skye could tell his roommate was a little embarrassed by the request, but he didn’t mind one bit.

“Always.” River snuggled up next to him and Skye held him. It wasn’t long before they were both drifting to sleep.

PRESENT DAY

River rarely talked about what happened. Occasionally he would let Skye know he was having a rough day, or had scheduled an appointment with his therapist—who he was now seeing on an as-needed basis—because he was struggling, but he hadn’t given Skye any more details since that night ten years ago, and Skye hadn’t asked him to share more, either. But River knew if he wanted to talk, or just climb into Skye’s bed and cuddle, or cry, Skye was there; would always be there if River needed him.

River sniffled and Skye wiped his tears and pressed a kiss to his hair. His sobs diminished but he didn't pull away. “You know you can stay,” Skye told him. His friend let out a shaky breath and clung to him. Skye felt River’s nose against his neck. He rested his cheek against River’s head and held him tightly as they drifted back to sleep.

The following morning when Skye woke, River was still next to him, sound asleep. They had separated during the night but River had stayed in his bed.

He looked so peaceful, and Skye hoped his dreams had been happier after he came to join Skye in his bed.

He stroked a finger over River’s lightly stubbled cheek. River twitched, his eyes fluttering open, and Skye found himself staring into those gorgeous blue orbs.

“Morning, handsome.” Skye traced his thumb down River’s jaw and over his chin, and River let him, the feel of River’s stubble under his fingertips sending shivers down his spine. There weren’t many people who River felt comfortable enough with to let them get this close to him. But Skye was lucky enough to be one of them. “You’re gonna be okay.” River nodded.

Skye couldn’t imagine the kind of fortitude it took to deal with everything River had to deal with every day, doing his best to live and be happy despite his past, despite his scars. To know he was loved and worthy, and that life could still be good, but he was determined to keep reminding his friend how strong he was, and that when he couldn't be strong anymore, he could lean on Skye.

“What do you say we start the day with a delicious breakfast cooked by yours truly?”

River nodded again. “Bacon and eggs sound good? Maybe hashbrowns?” Another nod. “You wanna shower while I cook?”

River’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Actually I was gonna go for a run, if you want to join me.”

Skye pressed a soft kiss to River’s forehead. “You’re so sweet, angel. But I would rather have my wisdom teeth yanked out and put back in.”

River laughed and slid out of bed. “Breakfast when I get back?”

Skye nodded, and River headed to his own room to change, Skye assumed. He could still smell River’s scent on the side of the bed he’d slept on even after he was gone. Watermelon and coconut. The smell of River.

He found himself burying his face in the pillow River had used before he realized what he was doing. What the actual hell? He shook his head and climbed out of bed, making his way to his own bathroom. If River was going running first then Skye had time to shower before he started breakfast.

After he stepped out of the shower he tried to tame his blond waves, but it was no use. They’d always been unruly, so he just let them be and they fell over his forehead and almost into his light green eyes. Since it was the weekend he decided to forgo shaving until Monday.

When he emerged fifteen minutes later with a towel wrapped around his waist, River was gone. Skye sauntered back to his own room and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt before he made his way to the kitchen. He turned on the Keurig and made himself a cup of coffee. He didn’t need to start breakfast until River was in the shower.

He heard the sound of the front door opening and closing a few minutes later and his roommate meandered into the kitchen wearing joggers and a tank top that showcased those luscious biceps. Sweat clung to his skin, shirt plastered onto his back and chest, hair damp. He looked beautiful. He looked happy.

River gulped down water and then headed to his room. Minutes later, Skye heard the sound of his shower running. He pulled out the griddle, then grabbed the eggs and bacon out of the fridge, along with a couple of potatoes, and got to work.

When River emerged again he was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He sat down on a stool at the bar overlooking the sink, his dark hair still damp from the shower and tousled from being towel dried. It was adorable.

Skye reached over the sink and handed him a plate of freshly cooked bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns, like he’d promised. Then he set a cup of coffee with a little bit of cream and no sugar in front of River, just the way he liked it, and River gave him a soft smile.

“You work today?” Skye asked.

“Yeah, noon to four, and then I’m hanging out with Anna. You?” River took a sip of coffee before starting in on his breakfast. Anna was the girl River had been dating for the past several months. She was kind, caring, but didn't take shit from anyone. There was nothing wrong with her, honestly, but for some reason Skye felt himself bristling at the mention of her name. She had been spending more and more time at their condo lately, and the last time she was over Skye had hid away in his room after half an hour of watching her and River cuddling and kissing on the sofa. He just couldn’t stomach it anymore. When he brought it up to Nick and Jenna, they told him he was jealous. What the fuck did they know? Skye wasn’t jealous. Why would he be jealous? River was his best friend. He just didn’t like to watch PDA, that was all.

“I think I better make a grocery run,” he said. “Then I’ve got more papers to grade and lesson plans to make for next week. Thinking about hanging out with Jenna and Nick tonight. You and Anna could join us if you want.”

“I’ll see,” River said, taking one more swig of his coffee. “I can go to the grocery store with you if you want. I need stuff too.”

“Sure. Just let me pee first.”

When he walked out of the bathroom, River was loading the dishwasher. He smiled at Skye and Skye swore butterflies filled his stomach. His friend seemed to be doing better.

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