Chapter Twenty-Five
chapter twenty-five
CAIO
The familiar sweet, leathery smell of cigars sits still in the air of my apartment. It’s hovering around, listening to our conversations.
The guys have come round for our monthly ‘Boys night’ where we smoke cigars and drink whiskey like eloquent, mature gentleman.
“The place looks different, Caio, but I can’t tell why. Maybe it’s just that I haven’t made it round lately, but something feels different.” Heath considers the room as he pours himself a drink.
“It’s the evidence of a female presence,” Rafael says.
“Oh, come off it.” I roll my eyes as they both chuckle.
Although I can’t deny there’s some truth to what Rafael said, my place is usually devoid of any clutter, but as I look around there are traces of Isla everywhere.
A glass sits discarded on the coffee table, a pink lipstick stain marking the rim. A white ribbon hangs off the edge of the kitchen counter where she took her hair out last night, I bet there’s even an extra dent on the couch beside mine from how much time we’ve spent sitting together, learning each other’s minds. I know for a fact her sweet, vanilla scent coats my bed sheets, from the time we’ve spent exploring each other’s bodies. Isla’s presence is all around me, and it’s exactly what I’ve longed for.
Out the corner of my eye I notice something poking out from in between two books on my shelf, that fucking envelope. My heart smiles as I imagine her sneaking to hide it there.
“Good evening, ladies.” Leo waltzes in wearing a three-piece suit, a cocky grin on his face. He’s fashionably late as always. The guy thinks time will warp for his needs. “Fill me in, what’s first on the agenda.”
The glass on the table wobbles as he crosses his ankles, resting his feet on the table. I almost jump to save the glass before it tumbles to the ground, wanting to preserve any trace of my girl.
“Just wondering if Isla likes to be tied up with those pretty little ribbons of hers.” Rafael tests my patience.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I realize my mistake as soon as the words leave my mouth.
“Maybe Leo and I could go see her at the bar tonight and find out.” Leo’s eyes glitter at the prospect, his smile downright feline.
“Fuck right off.” I know they’re just trying to get a rise out of me, and it’s working. My tether is short when it comes to Isla. “She’s off limits, to any of you.”
“Woof woof. When did you go all alpha wolf?” Leo laughs
“Relax, man.” Heath lights a cigar passing it to me.
I take a deep inhale, letting the smoke invade my lungs.
“God he’s like a feral cat when it comes to her,” Leo teases.
“Oh, are we just pretending you’re not like a dog in heat when you see Alessia,” I throw back.
“No one can ignore Alessia though,” Rafael says, running a hand down his face. “Dunno if it’s worth the crazy that comes with her though.”
“Okay, light me up.” Leo gestures to Heath, resigning to Rafael’s taunting.
Alessia has been Leo’s regular hookup for as long as I can remember. She lives here in Ruby Cove, but occasionally goes to see him out of town when she’s bored, and they always meet up when he’s home. It’s been ongoing, but it’s anything but serious. I’ve seen the two of them together, and it’s nothing but sexual attraction between them. But that does nothing to ease Raf’s teasing.
I crack a window open, letting some of the smoke drift into the cool night, before picking up that glass and taking it to the kitchen, not wanting it to get knocked over.
“Well, for what it’s worth I’m happy for you Caio, for as long as it will last.” Heath mutters the last part beneath his breath, voicing my biggest concern.
Leo lets out a cloud of smoke. “Do you think she’d consider staying?”
“I know May is thinking about it,” Heath adds.
“I honestly don’t know, she hasn’t mentioned anything about it,” I inhale once again. “I don’t want to push her on it, but everything in me wants to hang on and not let go.” I voice my honest thoughts, not sure what I’m seeking. Is it honest opinions? Some sense knocked into me? Or just some comfort in my confusion?
How am I meant to survive her leaving when I struggle to simply breathe when she’s not near?
I’ve always been able to talk to these guys seriously, no judgement. We’ve seen each other through each of our dark days, no matter how much we terrorize each other, we’ll always show up for each other.
“You need to figure out if she’s what you really want, and what the reality of you two would look like,” Heath says. “Figure out what you’re willing to lose, and if you decide she’s worth it, then give it your all man, because the worst thing you can do is walk away with regrets.” He drains the rest of his glass, sitting back in his chair gazing at the roof.
We haven’t heard about any of Heath’s past relationships before he moved here, but something tells me he’s speaking from experience.
“I think she’s worth it.”
Leo sits quietly, inhaling deep drawls of his cigar, all of his attention focused on his actions.
“So what’s the plan Leo?” I ask.
“Hm?”
“You going back to work anytime soon?”
“Eager to get rid of me already?” He smiles.
“You know that’s not it, but you’re never home for this long,” I say.
Health and Raf are quiet in their seats, all of us curious as to what’s going on with our friend.
He shrugs. “Honestly I don’t know,” he takes another puff of his cigar. “I’m not in any rush.”
My eyes flick to Rafael’s and the look on his face tell me he’s just as concerned as I am.
“Did something happen?” Rafael asks.
“Why would something have happened? I can take a break just to take a break.”
Usually I’d agree with that statement, but Leo is like me in the way that he would never just take a break without a reason to. He’s never been anything less than one hundred and twenty percent dedicated to the point of no return. He’s barely been back to Ruby Cove since he left, so him staying away for so long isn’t usual for him.
The air has drawn even thicker in here, I feel like I need to open another window.
“Heath,” Leo switches the attention from himself. “How’s my girl doing?”
“Alessia? I haven’t had her in my bed for a while so I couldn’t tell ya.”
Leo picks up the pillow beside him biffing it towards Heath’s head. “You’re a dickhead.”
Heath chuckles, dodging the pillow just in time. “Mara is good, she misses you though.”
“God, I haven’t been for a ride in what? Years?”
“Probably,” he shrugs.
“What are you gonna do with that place anyway?” Rafael asks.
“I still have no better idea than when I first showed up.”
Since being here Heath has just been cruising, he hasn’t turned the ranch into any kind of business, even though that’s what his grandmother wanted. For him to make the place alive again.
“I honestly have no idea what I’m doing with myself.”
“Well that makes two of us,” Rafael says. Leo raises his eyebrows as if to agree as well.
“Well shit, this just got depressing.”