Page 90 of Actions and Reactions
“Waiting for you to wake up,” I defend myself.
“I’m not a kid, Silas, just go talk to Vinny already.”
“Okay, okay.” I hand her the key, point to the coffee machine and then at the door. “Here’s everything you need. You can text me if I missed anything. Your boxes are supposed to get here later, so let me know when the doorman calls, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, see you later.”
I’m out the door and in my car in less than five minutes, but when I’m standing in front of Vinny’s door, I don’t know exactly what I’m going to say and I freeze with my hand raised to knock.
I want to know if he still loves me, if he still believes in us. I want to tell him I do, on both counts.
I want to tell him about my time at New Hope, about Annie, Colin, Consuelo, and of course Dave.
But how do I even begin?
A simple “hi” isn’t good enough, I know that, but that’s all I’ve got.
I groan and lower my hand.
Fuck, the last time I was here I broke said hand into a million little pieces then did the same to his heart, so how?—
“Are you going to knock?” I hear Aunt Lyla’s voice from the other side and a smile stretches my lips automatically.
“I was getting to it.”
The door opens and there she is.
“Yeah, right.” She calls me on my bullshit and I gotta respect that. Especially because she pulls me right in for a hug after, and sways us from side to side. “You look good, honey.”
“I feel good, Aunt Lyla.”
“Good.” She pulls back, holds onto my arms while she stares at me, then nods back. “He’s still sleeping, but you can come in. I’m going to go look for an adult to have an adult conversation with.”
I think I should be offended by that, but instead I bark out a laugh. She grabs her bag from the entrance table and walks around me.
“Wait, Aunt Lyla,” I call out. “Where’s your security?” She can’t just go out alone in Vegas, that would be insane.
“Oh, relax.” Again she rolls her eyes at me, but she keeps walking backward. “They’re just one floor below.” Then she gives a dainty wave and turns around.
I walk hesitantly into the apartment, then shake my head at myself. I move faster, close the door, spare the stupid concrete wall—that’s intact of course—a glance, and walk down the hallway.
He’s sleeping, just like Lyla said, so I make sure not to make a single noise as I toe off my shoes and walk over to the empty side of his bed.
He looks so damn cute, with his mouth slightly open and breathing loudly.
I climb in beside him and stretch my legs, then roll to my side so I can keep staring at him.
I want to wake him up so I can kiss him, hug him, talk to him, but I stay still and just watch, for who knows how long. Until he shifts a little, then a little more. I see him caress his duvet as if it’s precious, and when a small smileappears, I know he’s thinking about how much he loves his bed.He really loves his bed.
I watch his facial expressions change for a little while until I can’t take it anymore.
“I know you’re awake.”
I don’t know how I forgot how fast he can move, but I have to smile when he scans me from my feet up to my eyes, always the tactician. Then he throws himself over me and buries his face in my neck.
“You’re here. You’re actually here,” he whispers against my neck. I feel his body tremble, and that has me returning the hug.
“I’m right here,” I agree.
