Page 108 of Grave Misgivings
“Heaven won’t take me because I’m a sinner
Earth won’t keep me on the ground
My heart wants to fly beyond its cage
I want to scream but I can’t make a sound
Because every time you look at me, baby, I know I’m Hellbound.”
I hadn’t expectedhimto remember the words.
Or to sing them to me.
My heart wants to leap out of my chest, and I layer my voice with his.
“On my knees I beg, I wish, I pray
That one day you’ll see you’re lost
And one day I’ll be found
I’ll wait here forever for my angel
Because I’m forever Hellbound.”
I close my eyes, his hand on my thigh squeezing tight as he sings the last chorus right along with me.
I strum out those last few chords, the soft melody fading into the warm golden twinkling lights around us.
My gaze settles on him as I rise, holding out my hand.
Geo takes it without question, and I lead him down the hall to my bedroom, where his gift is.
After he left this morning, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
And I’d be lying if I said I’m not nervous about what his reaction will be.
“Stay here,” I say as I take a moment to grab the small bag.
When I turn around, he’s standing against my dresser, hands in his pockets.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” he says. “Really.”
I hand him the small bag and he takes it.
“I know. But I wanted to.”
I needed to do this, not just for him, but for myself, too.
I watch as he pulls out the small box, opening it. And then I watch his smile fall over his perfect mouth.
“Do you like it?” I ask, running a hand through my hair nervously.
Geo stares at the velvet box, as I casually pluck it from his hands, taking out the smooth, black tungsten ring sitting inside. A tangible promise he could feel on his skin, a reminder of mypromise that I’d be here when he is ready to come back. When he’s ready to comehome.
“Thought you could use an upgrade,” I murmur, and he smiles. He doesn’t fight me when I take his hand and slide it on.
He sets the box on my dresser as he slides his hand on my hip.
