Page 64 of Through You
The days pass, and I can’t wait for Grandpa to come home. I’m ecstatic he’ll be staying at the house. I’ll be able to look after him, and he’ll get to spend time with his grandsons. Even though he doesn’t say it, I know he misses them terribly.
The afternoon sun streams through the kitchen window, giving the table and utensils an orange hue. I take a peek outside to the patio where Apolo’s dogs are playing.
I haven’t seen Artemis. He must be leaving early in the morning and coming home late, doing a very good job avoiding me. After what happened with Apolo, I think we all need some distance.
I run my hand across the table. I can’t deny that I sometimes replay what happened in this room that night with Artemis. I remember very clearly how his eyes were locked with mine, and the sensation of his breathing on my lips. How good I felt when
I kissed him, and the tingling feeling of his light scruff rubbing against my skin. And his deft hands running all over my body . . .
Why did you have to fuck it all up, Artemis?
What hurts me most is that he cheated on his girlfriend—which is so unlike him. Given what happened with his mother, I never thought he would be capable of being unfaithful. He disappointed me, profoundly.
Me having a girlfriend is what’s keeping you from being mine?
I no longer have a girlfriend, Claudia.
Liar.
Someone clears their throat behind me, and Apolo appears in the doorway and leans his shoulder against the frame. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a red jacket that matches his sneakers. His chestnut-brown hair looks messy, like someone gave it a tousle on purpose.
“Hi,” he whispers.
“Hi,” I greet him, leaning my lower back against the edge of the table.
He peels himself away from the doorframe and stuffs his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
“Sooner or later we have to talk about what happened, Claudia.”
“Apolo . . .”
He takes one step into the kitchen. “Claudia, I—”
I raise my hand. “No, stop.”
Apolo frowns. “You’re not going to let me speak?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I know what you’re going to tell me, and I don’t want you to say it. Because once you put it out there, there’s no going back. And I’d rather not go through that.”
His shoulders slump in defeat. “Then what do you want?”
“I want the old Apolo, the sweet boy who’s like a brother to me.” His face twists in confusion. “You’re one of the most important people in my life. I don’t want us to ruin that. Please.”
“It’s because of him, isn’t it?”
I know he’s talking about Artemis.
I wet my lips uneasily. “No.”
“Don’t lie to me.” He takes a few long steps over to me, grabs me by the waist with one hand and holds my face with the other.
“I’m not your brother, Claudia.”
The proximity grants me a clearer view of his bright, brown eyes and his plump lips. As much as I wish it wasn’t the case, he reminds me of Artemis when he was this age.
I clear my throat. “I know. But . . .”
He envelops me in a hug, and I’m wrapped in a familiar scent.
