Page 30 of Truth
“I know. Don’t gloat; it’s unbecoming. I’m as surprised as you are. Don’t ruin this…” I squint in his direction as a warning, only to be contradicted by my smile.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Toeing off his shoes, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone and wallet, then sets them on the table. Scooting to the top of the bed, he pats the space next to him. I start to join him when I remember something he said earlier.
“Oh wait, what about your papers? The ones you had to sign…”
“Throw me my phone, please. I’ll reschedule.” It’s not said as a question, which is how most people would deliver it, waiting for validation from the other. No, he’s resolute, and the sureness in his voice brings me comfort. I needed someone to do that for me tonight. It’s such a small gesture like the fact that he ends more of his sentences with “please,” but his evil plan seems to be working. I hand him the phone and kick off my own shoes.
“Thank you, King.”Thank you for more than you could even imagine.
“Of course, beautiful.” His fingers work over the keys quickly, and he tosses the phone back my way and I set it on the nightstand. I crawl up and nestle into his side as he fiddles with the remote, making the television come to life.
“This is the real test. What to watch: romantic comedy or action?”
“Horror.” I scrunch my nose to amplify my dislike of the two genres.
“Soul mate.” Leaning in, he kisses my forehead, squeezing me so tight that I’m cocooned by this amazing man. I’m not sure when it happens, but I start to fall asleep, comforted by a man I met not even twenty-four hours ago, but one I can’t imagine being without. Right on time, my baggage parks itself next to my heart.It’s the whirlwind of the affair; it’s not real. I can’t lose myself again.
My sleep is interrupted by the clangs of metal, and I open my eyes to see King unplating a variety of food.
“Good evening, beautiful. I was starting to think you were going to sleep through the night.”
Rubbing my eyes to acclimate to my surroundings, I see King move to a second room-service table. “Did you order everything?”
“Well, kind of…I didn’t know what your favorites would be, and I wanted you happy. I got sliders and salad, some more pizza?”
I shake my head no.
“Ah well, I have a delicious steak, cooked to perfection at the rarest degree…I’m hoping you say no to that.”
He grins and grabs another dish topper.
“And the meal that always makes me happy when I’m down—dun dun nuh nuhhhh—grilled cheese and tomato soup.”
Smiling back at him, I nod yes, and he serves me on the bed.
“Thank you. You have to be doing this because you’re genuinely nice because you already got into my pants, soooo…”
“I told you I would break down every wall.” He leans in conspiratorially. “There’s no escaping now I’ve gotten you grilled cheese.”
“Clearly, your master plan in action. Here’s the thing: I’m not sad. I mean, I’m sad that we ended poorly, but he wasn’t the one and I definitely wasn’t his one, so things don’t usually end well in those situations. I was just overwhelmed earlier by the myriad of emotions coming at me. So many emotions. So, I had to feel it, and now I can move on. Do I sound like a nut?” I focus my attention on the grilled cheese.
King knifes off a piece of his steak and chews, nodding at me before swallowing. “No, you don’t sound crazy at all. The opposite really. Let’s never talk about him again.” He lifts his wineglass to cheers the idea. “Because I get a real desire to fit him for cement boots.”
My eyes fill with tears as I choke on my sandwich. “Can you not, please.” I wash the rest of what’s left in my mouth down with water. King just winks in my direction and keeps attacking his meat.
“Tell me about your childhood, with your brother.” Looking over, I pick a piece of asparagus off his plate. His smile is my real treat as he forks the rest to the top of his plate, making it closer for me to grab.
“My mom and dad were an epic love story, the kind of love that only comes along once, and that’s if you’re really lucky. We had a great life; my parents had their own business, real estate, all the properties were sold off when they passed, and the money was put into a trust for us. The hitch was we didn’t have access until eighteen, so you can imagine the struggle. Luca and I were young and angry, but I kept his nose clean while I did what I had to until I turned eighteen. Every day, I try to make all of this worthwhile because if it fails, it’s like I’ve failed them all.”
“No pressure.” I smile, acknowledging how hard it must have been for him. “Your parents sound like they made a real impression. It’s nice to have that kind of an example for love. My folks fought forever until they ultimately divorced. My mother had to struggle until she got her footing. She left him and all his money—she always said that all the money in the world could never buy you out of feeling alone. I think the idea of being alone and struggling always stuck with me, and seeing that helped my success, I think.”
“That’s unfortunate for your mother. Were you still at home?” He juts out his chin toward his plate and puts his fork down.
Stealing more asparagus, I grin.
“No, but I remember feeling shocked, really rocked to my core. I was an adult, working in the world, but I felt lost for a bit. Strange?”
“No, I get that. When my parents died, it felt like in the movies when you see the astronaut lose his grip on the rocket and float out into space. That’s what my life felt like for a very long time…untethered.” Shaking his head, he leans back in his seat. “I cannot remember the last time I had a conversation like this. There is something about you, Drew. Every time I look at you, I want to tell you every secret and every thought I’ve ever had. What kind of voodoo are you doing on me?”
