Chapter 28 #3
Priya nodded slowly with her brows furrowed, like she suspected where I was going, but didn’t want to believe I’d be that fucking stupid.
“I didn’t tell Camilo before I did it.”
I heard both Sanjay and Henock curse from the couch across from us.
Priya took my hand and shook her head. “Oh, Tom. This is going to be a tough one to fix, my friend.”
I shook my head at her. “I don’t know if it can be fixed.”
She waved her hand dismissing what I’d said.
“Oh you can fix it. You just can’t fix it with money,” she said pointedly.
“But you can fix it. Camilo is amazing and is so good for you, Tom. I’ve never in all the years we’ve known each other seen you this happy or comfortable in your own skin, as you have been in the months you’ve been with him.
He’s worth you leaving your pride behind and doing whatever it takes to get him back. ”
“I know.” I ran my hands over my face again. “I didn’t think he’d be this angry.”
Priya narrowed her eyes, like I was no longer amusing her.
“Yes, you did. If not, you would’ve told him beforehand. Clearly, I don’t know Camilo as well as you do, but I know him well enough to know denying or minimizing how bad you messed up are not the way to go.”
“I just wanted to help.” I looked up at Henock and Sanjay trying to get someone to understand. “I thought once the money was paid, we’d be able to sit down a moment and he’d—
Priya cut me off. “Realize you were right all along?” She scoffed. “No, Thomas, that’s not how this works.”
She looked up at Sanjay, and then back at me.
“Tom, you took away his agency, his ability to decide for himself what was best for him. That’s not easy for a person who’s used to getting things done on his own.
A man like Camilo doesn’t take being undermined like this lightly.
You know that, Tom.” I just nodded, drowning in the misery of my own making.
After that, she turned to me again and took my hand.
“Tom you know I love you like a brother. The four of us, we’ve been through a lot together.
” She smiled sadly. “From rags to riches. The three of you are family. I tell you this because I don’t want you to lose someone you’re meant to be with.
You acted like an asshole and now you need to get really comfortable with the floor, because you’re going to need to grovel. ”
Priya always managed to get a smile out of me, even at the lowest moments. “I know and I don’t care. I’ll do whatever I need to do. I just need to figure out what.”
“You can figure it out, I know you can. The three of you have made all this money and you’ve all gotten lazy.
” The distaste on her face was softened by the gentleness in her voice.
“Tom, you are the most thoughtful man I know. You’re kind and brilliant.
You can do better than just pulling out your wallet when someone you love needs you.
” She lifted her shoulders and shook her head as if she was exasperated with me.
“I can’t speak for Camilo, but I have a feeling he acted the way he did because he felt blindsided and ignored.
It’s hurtful and frankly annoying, to see the men we love be as clueless and shallow as to think they know what we need better than we do. ”
“I didn’t say I knew better, I just didn’t know what else to do.” She clicked her tongue at me, clearly not buying it.
“Camilo was figuring things out, he had a plan, and even though it was hard, he was doing what he needed to for himself and for his mother. Like he had been all the years before you came along.”
I sighed, leaning my head against the back of the couch. “He told me I didn’t know how to compromise, that I just manipulated situations until I got what I wanted in the end.”
All three of them averted their eyes and my heart sank.
“You need to figure out a way to show him you understand what’s important for him.”
She was right, but how?
Heni spoke next. “I don’t think you’re intentionally getting what you want all the time, but you do rely a lot on people giving in eventually.
” He lifted a shoulder. “What is it that you want with Camilo, Tom? Because if you want to be with him for the long term, you’re going to have to figure out another way to deal with things. ”
What did I want with Camilo? I hadn’t really asked myself that question, but the answer was instant and clear.
Everything.
I wanted everything and forever with him.
“I want him forever.”
They all smiled at me then, and Priya kissed my cheek.
“Great answer. We’re all totally happy with this plan. Now, how are you getting him back so this forever thing can get rolling?”
Priya’s words about me showing Camilo I knew what was important to him came to mind and I got an idea.
I stood up and walked upstairs to look for my phone. I had to call Camilo and apologize, to let him know I was going to fight to get him back. Then I would make another call, which would hopefully lead to making amends.
I turned back to my friends, grateful for their presence and their support.
“I have an idea, and I really hope this time I can show him just how much I’m willing to do for him.”