Page 135 of Loving You

It’s like he, too, knows I’m leaving.

I pick him up and kiss his head.

“You better take care of him for me,” I whisper on my way back up the stairs to Miles's room to get ready.

Then I spend the last of my time here packing my things.

Finally, Tobias sends a text that he’s at the door, and I make my way downstairs. Both my brother and Miles are standing in the living room.

Just the sight of him watching me move closer has my heart racing.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come back before I left.”

Miles shrugs. “Despite everything, I wasn’t about to let you leave without saying goodbye.”

I blink twice, doing my best to keep myself from crying.

I move for my things, but Tobias beats me to them.

“I’ll meet you in the car,” he says, grabbing my bags and walking out the door.

Miles is leaning against the kitchen doorframe, arms crossed and eyes fixed on me.

This vision of him with his jeans, black T-shirt, and backward hat will live rent-free in my mind for the rest of my life.

I just wish there was happiness in the way he looks at me right now instead of pain.

I move to stand in front of him.

Neither of us says a word.

He reaches for me and pulls me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me and holding on as if they never want to let go.

His grip tightens just a little in the last time. The small tug right before he tilts my head back to kiss me, as if he can’t control himself when I’m near him, is something I’ll never forget.

He rests his forehead on mine and sucks in a breath.

“I’m going to miss you, Quinny,” he says, gaining a small laugh from me.

This is how I know it’s real love, because when you love the way Miles and I do, we could never let the other one give up their passion.

We could never put them in a position to make that choice.

Before I turn into a blubbering mess, I pull back and give him my best smile.

“I’m going to miss you, too.”

He nods, though I notice the way his throat bobs when he looks away.

I take that as my sign to leave, but when I get to the front door, I can’t help but look back.

He shoots me the smile that won me over, the smile that warms my heart instantly.

“Go make some more memories, all right? I’ll need some good stories when Christmas comes around.”

I don’t think twice about it. I rush to him, wrapping my arms around him and holding him as tightly as I can.

He holds my hand for a quick moment, long enough to squeeze it twice.

---