Chapter 26
chapter twenty-six
camilo
We were on the couch with one of the seemingly dozens of decadently soft and fluffy blankets in Tom’s house covering us.
He’d been in rare form when I’d gotten to his place after my class, and now almost an hour later, he still couldn’t keep his hands off my ass.
It was the first time we’d gone without a condom, and he was really feeling himself.
He grabbed and stroked me so possessively, all I could do was shiver in his arms.
I felt owned by Tom, but not perilously or in a stifling way.
More like words were superfluous because we were under each other’s skin.
I pulled my head off his chest and kissed him, slow and deep as he grabbed me, his hands gripping me hard, his touch grounding.
Making me feel at ease for the first time in days.
These past few weeks had been so stressful and busy. I was worried about my mom and money, but here with Tom, I felt so good. When I put my head back on his chest, he let out a long exhale and kissed my hand.
“How’s Dinorah?”
I looked up at him and smiled. I loved how well Tom and my mom got on. He genuinely liked her and the feeling was mutual and then some.
“Better. She’s still liking the group and her therapist, and is going to the community center for the Zumba classes.
She’s even talking about volunteering there.
” I sighed again, not sure if I wanted to get into this next part, but decided to say it anyways.
Because dammit, he was my fucking boyfriend and he needed to learn to just listen without feeling like he needed to solve my problems.
“I think part of her issues lately were related to how much she hates her job,” I said, thinking of how much better she looked now that she wasn’t dealing with the constant stress of the hospital.
“I’m concerned about her going back. I’ve talked to her about doing something different, but she’s been at that hospital for so long.
I don’t know if she’ll even consider looking for something else.
” Tom’s face was unreadable, but I could see that he wanted to say something but was holding it in.
“In any case, that’s what it is for now.
Hopefully we can come up with a plan before her leave is finished, because I can’t pay double rent for much longer.
” Tom grunted at this and I felt him tense. I sighed, knowing what was coming next.
“Mi amor—”
I didn’t let him finish, but tried for a conciliatory tone, because I didn’t want to ruin the first moment of peace I’d had all week. “Babe, I can’t let you support my mom. You must understand why I can’t accept money from you like that.”
His lips thinned and I knew he was working hard on not pushing.
“I wasn’t going to suggest it because I already know the answer. I just hate seeing you killing yourself, taking extra work on top of your already very stressful job when money is the only issue.”
We’d been over this like ten times, but I’d repeat it another hundred until it took.
“But money isn’t the only issue, Tom. The issue is me relying on my boyfriend to support my mother.
That’s crossing so many boundaries and setting us up for all kinds of bad dynamics.
” I sagged, annoyed at this afterglow-killing conversation.
“I know it’s hard for you to feel like you’re not helping.
But I’m just not in a place where I can be okay with that level of financial help from you. ”
He gave me a sharp nod, and I hated how cold the room felt. But the thought of being beholden to anyone, even Tom, gave me pause and especially when it wasn’t just me. This was about my mom, too. I attempted to pivot to a less contentious topic.
“So things are really coming together for the reception.”
Tom lifted an eyebrow like he knew what I was doing, but after a second, gave me a small smile. “Oh so you’re still on schedule for three weeks?”
I nodded feeling excited. “Yeah, all the big jobs are done. At this point, what’s left is just surface stuff like painting and finishing some of the flooring. The contractor said we should be able to do the photographs soon.”
Since the shelter was a confidential location as a safety measure for adults and children who were there fleeing from dangerous situations, we couldn’t have the dedication ceremony on-site.
Instead, we were doing it at the Schomburg Center for Black Culture and Research, which was close to our offices in East Harlem.
Since the guests wouldn’t be able to visit the shelter to see the new space, I’d gotten in touch with a photographer to go and capture the new renovated spaces, as well as some of the survivors using the facilities, with their permission, of course.
Tom smiled at the mention of the photos. “Your idea of showing the new space through a photography exhibit is amazing. I can’t wait to see them. My mom called me today and said she and my dad might come.”
I widened my eyes at that and croaked out, “Your parents?”
My horror amused him apparently, because the bastard laughed at me. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of meeting my mom and dad? Libe’s the tough one.”
“Libe’s bae. I love that kid.”
The smile he gave me lit me up inside. “She loves you, too. We both do.”
I leaned in for another kiss, my heart racing. He made me feel so much. “Te amo, Tom, even when you annoy me by trying to give my mom rent money.”
He huffed an embarrassed laugh and shook his head. “Y yo a ti, even when you shut me down.” I could tell he was trying hard to keep the tone light. “So do I get you all to myself until Sunday?”
I nodded, a bit reluctantly. “I think so. I do have a couple of translations I promised to get done this weekend. But I can wake up early and work on them from here.”
“Good. Let me get my sweats on and I’ll go make us a snack.
” He leaned in and sucked on my lip before standing up, making my belly go all liquid with want again.
“We need to keep your energy up. I want a live performance later, and I’m hiding all your clothes first,” he said grabbing my tank top off the floor and hiding it behind his back, a dirty smile on his lips.
“I’m keeping that ass bare and ready for me all weekend,” he said as he smacked me on said body part.
“Why does your filthy mouth turn me on so much?”
He leaned down, eyes full of mischief. “Por que si.”
“So fucking arrogant.” I wasn’t even close to sounding like I meant it. He just grinned and grabbed my ass one last time before walking out of the room.
His laugh was too fucking smug, but there was no question; he had me thirsting for him at all times. I watched him walk up the stairs to the kitchen and hoped this thing with money and my mom didn’t mess with what we had, because I was completely gone for Tom Hughes.