Chapter 33
I go on my morning run, but when I come back, Ari has already left. I didn’t have bad dreams about her leaving me this time. She stayed the night and fell asleep in my arms.
She’s everything. She’s perfect. I don’t care if I sound funny or if I’m too loud when I talk. I’ve been practicing every day in front of the mirror.
Whatever I want to say, I want her to hear it.
I want her to know how much I love her. I tried to tell her, but I feared it was too soon.
“Have fun last night?” Javier signs with a playful smirk.
I give him the finger and then sign, “What’s wrong? Jealous?”
“Of you? With a girl like Ari? Hell, yes,” he admits. “I mean no disrespect, but she is hot. When she wears shorts or leggings…” He grimaces in pain and then smiles. “You had sex with her last night,” he signs.
I look away because he knows I don’t like talking about Ari like that.
“Are you ever going to speak to me?” I look directly at him. I know it bothers him that I gave her something I took away from my brother and mother. Not even the psychologist understood why I refused a hearing aid and lost my ability to speak. “You can, you know. I didn’t tell Mom. I thought it was best if it came from you, but I know you have been trying because of Ari. It’s okay to admit you love her, Rey. She won’t leave you if you tell her. If there is anyone I’m sure of that could love you, it would be her.”
I change the subject. I’m not ready to talk about my feelings or what to do.
I tell Javier about Ari’s lack of furniture in her apartment and how we are underpaying her. We agree on how much I want to pay her, not taking it out of his share but strictly from my own.
I spend the afternoon thinking about her. The way she looked at me after I made love to her. It was her I had eyes for. Her skin I smelled. The words I practiced were for her. Like a gift I wanted no one else to have.
Rey: Hi, beautiful. Let me know when you get out of class and are heading out. I want to make sure you are okay. I miss you, Ari.
Ari: I will be heading out in ten. I’ll see you very soon. Miss you, too, Rey.
I smile and begin to plan for a special night. A night she will remember.
I park my Range Rover, walk into the gym, and check my phone like a crazy person to see if she’s texted me back.
After an hour, I feel my phone vibrate while hitting the punching bag. I calm my breathing, hold the punching bag, and retrieve my phone.
Ari: I’m pulling in, but I will warn you that a flower courier is outside. Jimmy doesn’t get that I don’t want to be with him, and he won’t stop texting me. I don’t want to bother you with my problems, but I don’t want you to think the worst.
Rey: Ari, you don’t have to explain anything. If he’s bothering you, tell me. I’ll handle it.
Ari: I don’t want to make a big deal about it. I figured he would have gotten the hint.
Like she said, the flower courier arrives, and I walk over. The delivery guy pulls out a paper, and before he moves his lips, I grab the bouquet of roses and toss them in the trash. I pick up the card that floated to the floor with her name scrolled over it. I give him a hard glare that has him backing away with his hands in the air.
I open it, and it reads.
Ari,
I love you, and I miss you. I’m not going to give up until you come home.
Love you, Jimmy
I don’t like his behavior. This guy can’t accept that she wants nothing to do with him and has moved on.
Ari is mine, and I protect what is mine. I place my headphones over my ears and turn up the volume to the highest level.
As usual, I take my frustration out on the bag until Ari walks in.
I picture Jimmy’s face, and I hit the bag more forcefully. I hit it repeatedly in multiple combinations, and it’s like I’m fighting for my title, except this time, the prize is Ari’s heart.