Chapter 10 #2
“One time I shoplifted while I was with her. Our foster parents were really strict about us not having any sweets at home, but I was dying for some chocolate because it was that time of the month. Celeste and I went to the drugstore to get me supplies, but didn’t have enough to get ourselves chocolate on top of what I needed.
So we both took candy bars, but she put them in her pockets.
She got caught and took the fall, said I had no idea she had stolen anything.
They weren’t too fussed over a couple of teenagers taking candy, just told us to get out and not come back unless we planned on paying for everything.
She was so upset when we got home, took me by the shoulders, and told me that I was better than that and to not be like her.
‘I’ve been setting the worst example for you, and I’m sorry,’ she said.
I felt so horrible about it that I scrounged up the change from couch cushions and stuff by the following week, and I went in and dropped what we owed on the counter when nobody was looking, even though they got the candy back from her.
We didn’t get in much trouble after that while we were together, she always made bad decisions when she wasn’t with me.
Except for taking me to clubs underage, of course, she considered that education.
” I feel her nuzzle into me a little before she continues. Her soft laugh coasts across my chest.
“She pointed out how to be safe at a bar by always keeping my drink covered, red flags in guys to watch out for, how to dance. Her constant refrain was to do as she said, not as she did, and that I was a better person than her. It made me nuts as much as I adore her.” She gives a helpless shrug in my arms, seemingly not sure how I’ll react to her absolutely heinous crimes. I hold her tighter in response.
“What about you? Get into any trouble as a kid?” she asks, clearly wanting the spotlight off of her now.
“I think the worst was probably in school, I was always a cut up and disturber of the peace in class. The only thing that saved me from being completely hopeless was that I still managed to get good grades. Once, I got caught with Taran and a few of the girls from the dance team smoking up behind the bleachers after practice. That was a fun call to the parents, we all had to do a ton of detention. It was the first time any of my siblings had to do detention, my parents were so disappointed that I broke the streak.” She chuckles and shakes her head.
“Sounds like you were just a normal teenager, at least you didn’t steal something,” she says ruefully.
With the way her cheeks go a little pink, it hits me that this confident woman is ashamed.
She’s embarrassed about her rough childhood, of not having much family, of not having what people consider a normal upbringing.
That’s a fantastic addition to the guilt I learned she carries about her parents.
There is so much swimming almost violently beneath her sweet, confident, and beautiful surface that it’s a wonder how she holds herself together.
It means everything that I’ve been able to get beyond the shiny facade she puts on so well.
I want to see it all, help hold some of the pieces and keep them safe for her if they do crack a little like they did last night.
I bring her closer into me, my hand a firm guide on her back, as we stay in time with the music.
She doesn’t push me away as I lean in to speak into her ear.
“Listen to me. There is nothing to be ashamed of. I was a little shit who constantly caused trouble, and still am to this day to some extent. You were an angel who felt so badly about stealing a candy bar that you went back to make it right. From what I’ve seen, you are always trying to do the right thing, and you’ve got the most incredible heart beating inside you.
Got it?” She drops her forehead to my chest and slowly nods against it before looking back up at me with shining eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispers near my ear. “You’ve got the most incredible heart too, you know?
There is so much more to you than you give yourself credit for, Carlo.
I need you to know how much I like and appreciate you, ok?
The way you helped me last night, and are treating me right this moment.
You turned a crappy situation where I was about to be homeless into one of the best situations of my life, and it means the world.
You’ve quickly become one of my favorite people to be around.
If you’re ok with it, just be patient with me, please?
I don’t really know how to do any of this, and I don’t want to screw it up or ruin our friendship.
” The music goes into an even slower, more sensual song, and I look at her to gauge her reaction as I bring her flush to me to move together almost as one. She doesn’t pull away.
“You could never screw things up with me. I’ll be as patient as you need, there’s no pressure.
We’ll figure things out as we go, yeah?” She melts into me on a nod, and I tuck her head under my chin as my hand runs a soothing pattern up and down her back.
Our bodies sway so closely that I feel entirely surrounded by her.
I can feel the rustle of the fabric of her dress against my clothes, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes, smell her shampoo and perfume, hear her quiet sigh as she leans further into me.
All I want is to be surrounded by her like this from now on.
The next song is a slow one too, and we don’t move from where we are.
We stay out on the floor for several more songs before we sip some water and call it a night.
When we get back home, the cats eagerly greet us and we do our usual nighttime routine that we have so easily fallen into since she moved in.
She emerges from the bathroom all washed, makeup free, and stunning in her tank and shorts sleep set as I am heading into my room from the kitchen after grabbing some water for my bedside table.
I’m only in my athletic shorts over my boxer briefs since we’re past the point of me trying to be modest and wear a shirt around here now.
We wish each other a goodnight with a hug, and she tips up onto her toes to kiss my cheek, thanking me for a fun night.
I go into my room, Gomez on my heels, and get under the covers while he settles at my feet.
A minute later, I hear the softest knock on my ajar door.
She’s leaning on the door frame, her face open and vulnerable.
Without a word, I scoot over to make room for her in bed.
She shoots me a grateful smile and pads to the other side of the bed, sliding in next to me.
I tuck her into my side, and we both exhale simultaneously, like the contact is a relief.
The feel of her warm, silky skin as I rub a soothing pattern up and down her arm settles me, and the smell of her white tea and jasmine shampoo that sits in the shower will hopefully forever permeate the pillow.
She’s out within minutes, her breathing even and deep, her hand on my chest over my heart.
Morticia jumps onto the bed to sleep by Tania’s head, and it’s the first time we’ve all shared a bed.
It’s a little slice of family that I never want to end.
My arm bands more tightly around her, like I’m afraid she’ll go away, and I drop a kiss to the top of her head.
I want to become a soft place to land for her after everything she’s been through, and all I can do is hope she lets me.
“Don’t worry, mi sueno. I’ll keep the nightmares away,” I whisper before I pass out with the rest of this little slumber party.