Page 124 of Capri

I realize I never owed him anything. Being his son should have been enough for him to love me.

Mom settles, her breathing slowing down as Capri slides out from under her. She closes her eyes before she asks, “When are we leaving? I need to pack my things.”

Capri smiles at me compassionately, and I want to frame it. Stick it on our fridge and look at it every morning. The love I have for her is rare. Although founded on lust, we now have something sustainable—worth keeping.

Something to rest in. Something to contribute to our full life.

Together.

“Soon. We’re leaving soon.”

* * *

“Fuck, baby.”

My hand lands above Capri’s head, caging her to the wall just outside of Paloma. “No words.” I kiss her feverishly.

“Of course,” she pants, losing herself in the kiss.

She’s so fucking humble and kind. I’m constantly seeing new sides of Capri, making me more and more in love with her.

I’m not sure when it happened, but I’m glad it did.

“It gets to be a lot. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed…I just freeze…”

I breathe heavily against her neck, covering every inch of her soft skin with my touch. I can’t get close enough. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” She holds my face and kisses me again, whispering promises to never leave.

My chest is tight but it feels fucking whole for the first time in as long as I can remember.

I never imagined I’d find someone who would treat my family as their own. Most of my adult life has been nothing but hard times, and I never expected to experience something this good.

I mean, I’m almost forty for fuck’s sake.

Then, Capri happened.

“I know how hard that must have been for you, given everything you’ve been through,” I tell her.

She shrugs. “I remember the feeling. I would have wanted to say my piece, something I never got to do, and be reassured I’d never have to see her again. It was the least I could do for your mom.”

The fact that Capri’s best friend betrayed her the way she did likely only added to her pain. Two people she cared about had betrayed her for years.

It’s inexcusable.

“I would never hurt you.”

She smiles at me. “I believe that. I trust you,” she says, eyes full of so much love. “I never thought I’d be able to trust again, you know? At least not so soon. My whole life, I was naive to the people I loved hurting me with bad intentions.”

“You never thought it would happen?” I ask her curiously.

Capri shakes her head. “No, and it was foolish. Foolish of me to assume the best in someone who thought so little of me. I promised myself I wouldn’t be so stupid. Until you. I trust you, Jones.”

“Nothing about you is stupid.” I kiss her lips softly, hoping she feels my adoration for her. “You have my word. I’m grateful for your trust.”

“I’m giving my heart to you, Jones. Please take care of it.”

I know the role I play in being the man to help her heal from heartbreak. I’ll gladly accept it. I’ll tend to those scarred spots in her heart as best I can, planning to protect them with everything I’ve got.

“It’s safe with me, sweetheart.”

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