Chapter 15 #2
We jump out of the car, and Romeo looks around. It’s pretty dark, but I know my way around. It’s also late enough at night that there shouldn’t be anyone around. Usually, people come here during the day or to watch the sunset.
“Where are we?” he asks.
“Elysian Park. Take off your suit jacket and tie.”
We both do, tossing everything into the backseat, leaving our slacks and dress shirts on.
From the back of the truck, I grab my backpack and toss in a couple of bottles of beer that I’d bought on the way here.
Like the restaurant tonight, this place isn’t about doing something I’ve never done before. This is also for Romeo.
“Come on,” I say, taking his hand in mine.
I fucking love holding his hand and kissing him.
It’s as much for me as it is for him. I never cared about these things as much as I do now.
That’s not quite true. I did early on in my friendships and relationship with Cherry, back when I didn’t know any better.
Now, it’s everything. Romeo and I need this connection. We’re starved for it.
I lead him toward the water tower, and we slide into the small, gated enclosure where the ladder is located. The city tries to keep it locked, but people always come by to open it.
Romeo doesn’t ask any more questions as he follows me up to the top. Unlike other water towers, this one doesn’t have a platform surrounding the bowl. The top has a flat surface to hang out on.
I let out a sigh of relief when I don’t find anyone sitting here. Good, it’ll just be us.
“I’m going to ruin my suit.”
Before I can tell him that I can get him another one, I shut my mouth. It’s such an arrogant thing to say. I’ve already shoved my wealth in his face enough. “We’ll get it dry-cleaned. No big deal.”
I walk over to the lip of the water tower and sit with my feet dangling. “Look at that, Romeo. Look how beautiful LA is. It’s chaotic, loud, bright, and filled with weird fucking people, but from here, it’s quiet and peaceful.”
I open the backpack, pull out two beer bottles, and hand one to Romeo, who sits next to me. We twist off the caps, toss them over the edge, and take long sips.
He rests his head on my shoulder as he threads our fingers together. “It’s very pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the city in the distance before. Everything looks like stars on the ground.”
I huff a laugh. “It does a little. Since I learned to drive, this is a place I’ve been to a lot.
I love it here. I didn’t explore the city much, but I’d heard about this place in some videos.
So, whenever I was in pain or my head was more chaotic than the city itself, I’d come here alone at night. It always cleared my head.”
“So, this is special to you?”
“Yeah, I suppose it is. You’re the first person I’ve ever brought here.”
“Thank you.”
We sit in silence for a while, our feet swinging over the side, our heads resting against each other as we enjoy the amazing vista and sip on our beers.
I need to kiss him again. I place my hand on his face to turn him to look at me, gently grab his throat under his jawline, and kiss him. It’s deep, sloppy, and full of hungry tongue. Paying for his kisses was the best investment I’ve ever made.
“Did you have a good day?” I ask.
“The best fucking day. Each day has been amazing. I… I like knowing you, Julien.”
“I like knowing you, too, Romeo.”
We sit quietly again, and I’m hit with that fucking mood shift I went through this morning.
Grief. I grieved over the ocean. Now I grieve over this view.
I won’t get to experience either ever again.
It hurts. While I hate hurting, I’m glad I do.
I’m glad it stings. It means I still care.
It means I have things in my life that I’ll actually miss.
And I already know that I’ll miss Romeo the most.
“I’ve got to go back,” he says out of the blue.
I instantly tense. I know what he’s referring to, but I need to hear the words from his mouth. “What do you mean?”
Romeo unbuttons the cuffs of his shirt and rolls up the sleeves. His fingers trace over the Saniderm-covered tattoo on his wrist. “I was thinking, while I was getting these tattoos, that I’ll never be free. As much as I just want to run when the next eleven days are up, I need to know.”
“Know what exactly?” I grit. “Why do you have to go back? Why do you have to know anything? Just run. Run as fast and far as you can, baby.”
He shakes his head and tucks the hair that fell behind his ears.
“I can’t. God, I want to, but I know I’ll never feel truly free until I learn who my parents were, if there’s anything on them, or who sold me.
I also need any paperwork he has on me. Does he have my birth certificate?
Anything? How can I even get a real driver’s license if I don’t know how to drive and don’t have a birth certificate?
I must, right? Maybe there’s nothing, but I have to try. ”
I don’t want him to go back. No way. It’s way too dangerous. “He’ll kill you! No! I refuse to let you go.” I turn to face him and cup his face. “Don’t go. Please. He’ll hurt you. I’m paying you all this fucking money so you can run.”
Romeo grips my wrists, but doesn’t make me drop my hands. “He won’t. I mean, he might, but he’s expecting me back anyway, right? I’ll just sneak into his office and look around.”
“And what if he has everything locked up, which he probably does?”
He nods thoughtfully, not looking away from me. “I know. He might. It’s a risk I have to take. If he doesn’t have anything or it’s locked up, then I’ll run. I’ll run anyway. No matter what.”
“You’re really determined to do this?”
He gives me a curt nod. “Yes. I won’t feel free. I’ll always be trapped by him, even when I’m not there. I don’t want to wonder where I came from for the rest of my life.”
I brush my thumb over his bottom lip. “Then I’m going with you.”
“No, this is after our time is up. Don’t risk yourself.”
“I’m going,” I say more firmly. “Get in, grab what you need, and get out. We’ll go tomorrow.”
“T-that fast? But… you have plans.”
“I can take something off my list. No biggie.”
I thought he’d argue, but instead, he looks relieved. “If you’re sure.”
“I am. One hundred percent. I’ll feel much better if I’m watching your back.”
“Honestly, I would, too. Thank you.”
Anything for you, but I don’t tell him that because there’s one thing I won’t do.
Stay.