Page 75 of A Little More Forgiveness

“I tried to get them to see me, tried so damn hard, but my efforts were a pointless exercise. Always second best, I’d never live up to Jackson or my family’s expectations. Eventually, I learned to accept I’d always be seen as less in their eyes and tried to figure out a way to live with their bitter disappointment.”

“You’re not less, Leo, or a disappointment.”

His hand came up to hold mine over his chest. “The one thing I did better than Jackson was swimming. He was so out of his depth.” He chuckled darkly. “Literally out of his depth, but I loved the water. We had a pool at home, and I swam every day, before and after school and most of the weekend.” He shifted in my arms, turning his face away from me but he failed to hide the glassiness in his eyes. “Mom and Malcom built a fence around the perimeter, locking me out. Scolded me for deliberately showing off to make Jackson feel bad at not being able to swim as well as me. That I had no right to be so selfish and unthinking, so as punishment, my ‘little hobby’ had to go. Jackson still used the pool, of course, and so did my parents whenever their friends came around, but I wasn’t allowed anywhere near it.” Leo’s shoulders slumped. “I was grateful in the end as I never wanted to swim again, anyway, after what happened with Caitlin.”

Christ.

“What did happen to Caitlin?” I asked him gently.

“She couldn’t swim that well, either, so used to splash around in the shallow end with a float. For some reason that day, she must have tried to cross the pool when I’d gone inside to get us some drinks and snacks and got into trouble.” He sucked in a gulp of air. “She lost consciousness and by the time I got to her and pulled her out of the pool, she’d been underwater for too long. She sustained brain damage due to lack of oxygen.” He threw the last sentence out with no emotion, obviously wanting to get the words out of the way as fast as possible.

“I’m so sorry, Leo.”

He shrugged. “The most decent thing Malcolm ever did was pay for her healthcare. She has short periods of semiconsciousness and has done since the accident, but nothing more, so far…” he trailed off, so I hugged him tighter and nuzzled his hair.

“I chose law for a career as it’s a field my brother had no interest in.” I let the subject of his sister go, not willing to push him further on the topic since he’d already revealed far more than I’d expected him to.

“Yeah?”

“I thought becoming a lawyer would be a perfect career choice, allowing me to move to Boston away from any family influence. I’d get a job at a prestigious law firm and prove my worth.” He sighed deeply. “Even then, I wasn’t good enough. Didn’t have the killer instinct to be a top attorney.” He wiped at his eyes. “It’s true, I don’t.” The resignation on his face saddened me. “And the few short-term boyfriends I did have didn’t want me, only the lifestyle I gave them.”

“Leo,” I whined softly. At this rate, he’d end up breaking my heart.

He turned to me and gave me a lopsided smile, his face so bright and full of wonder I fought to breathe.

“But now I’ve met you and Mitch, and for the first time in my life, you see me. Plain, old Leo Taylor.”

Leaning down, I kissed the tip of his nose. “Trust me, gorgeous, you are anything but plain or old.”

His smile widened and, pushing himself up, he lightly brushed his lips over mine while gazing at me with so much adoration on his face, if I’d had any doubts about whether I loved him, they flew right out the window.

“That’s what I’m saying. You see me. Both of you see me and still want me anyway.

“We do,” I cut in. “And don’t ever think otherwise.” I’d decided to wait to tell him I loved him, to make sure I’d gotten things straight in my head before I spoke. But something clicked into place deep down inside me, clearing away all my remaining doubts and fears. There would never be a better time than now to reveal what was in my heart, so after a moment of hesitation, I told him, “I love you, Leo.”

I held my breath and hoped the widening of his eyes and the catching-flies expression on his face wasn’t a bad sign.

“Gabe,” he croaked, petrifying me, making me suddenly want to retract the words. Leo maneuvered himself on top of me so we were chest to chest. I refused to meet his eyes, too afraid he’d laugh at me and reject my declaration. He let out a soft sigh and hugged me so hard, he almost crushed my ribs.

“I love you too,” he gasped.

“Really?” I whispered, a lump forming in my throat.

“Yeah, really.”

It was my turn to crush him now, my arms gripping him so tightly I got pins and needles.

“You’re sure? You don’t have to say you love me if you’re not ready. I’m a lot to deal with. I know I am, so if you’re having doubts about me, I completely understand. I mean, I’m ecstatic if you do love me because, hey, what’s not to love? But if you’re still unsure or you need more time—”

He kissed me soundly on the lips putting an end to my embarrassing rambling. I returned his kiss with every ounce of love and passion in my heart.

“Yes, Gabe.” He kissed me again. “I am 1000 percent sure.” Another kiss. “I love you.” A final kiss. “Okay?”

I beamed at him, my lips stretched so wide my cheeks hurt.

“Right. Yes. Okay,” I replied happily, feeling giddy. He loved me. He fucking loved me.

“Hey, what about me?” Mitch growled from behind us. He must have heard Leo talking and wanted to be near, meaning he’d also heard my declaration to Leo.

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