Desiderio
I was more nervous than I had ever been. I’ve done this plenty of times, but it felt different. I caught a few glances of Gunner as the wind rushed through his hair.
I wanted to tell him, but the thought of him looking at me differently was a punch to the stomach that I couldn’t bear.
I parked just outside the center of the town. I checked my phone to see that I had a message from the man I was supposed to meet with.
I sighed as I typed a message back to him.
“Meet me at the bench under the tallest pine tree in five.”
I put the phone back in my pocket and gripped the steering wheel with all my strength.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Gunner asked gently.
I didn’t want to lie, but I couldn’t tell him what would happen.
“Yeah, everything is fine. I’m going to meet the guy and will return shortly. Stay in the car.”
“But, I…”
I lowered my tone. “Stay in the car, Gunner.”
He nodded as I stepped out and walked to the bench. A large man approached me and got so close that I could smell the cheap cologne he was wearing.
“Are you Desiderio?” He asked in a whisper.
“Yeah,” I whispered back, “Are you the guy I’m supposed to meet with?”
“You must be crazy to ask me to meet you out here. I ain’t paying for talking.”
I looked over to the car and pictured Gunner. His innocent smile and beautiful hair flooded my mind, causing me to question what I was about to do.
“Let’s get going!” The man yelled as he grabbed my wrist.
A surge of bravery and defiance took over me, and I swatted his hand away.
“No!” I yelled.
He gritted his teeth and squinted his eyes at me.
“What did you say?” He growled.
“I said no. I won’t do it.”
“You will do it, even if I have to drag you in myself.”
I pushed back against him, doing everything possible to fend him off. He was stouter than I was and had more muscle, but backing down was not an option.
I was done. I was done being used by these disgusting men. I’ve spent too much time giving myself to people who treat me like some quick fix when the person I wanted was waiting for me back at the car.
“Let go of me!” I yelled.
People stopped and stared at us. I had hoped it would deter him from trying more, but it only fueled his anger.
“You think that will stop me?” He yelled. I closed my eyes and began sobbing. I didn’t know if I was crazy, but I yelled out.
“Gunner! Gunner, help me!”
I saw someone running from the side of my eye, and turned my face to see him running full speed at us.
“Desiderio!” He yelled. A smile crept on my face as he tackled the man.
They wrestled for a minute before Gunner sat on his chest, dealing blow after blow. The man tried to fight him off, but Gunner was able to overpower him.
Two police officers rushed over and pulled him off. They stood the man up and placed him in cuffs. As they did, Gunner ran over and wrapped his arms around me.
“Are you okay?” He asked, looking me over.
“I am,” I smiled, “Thanks to you.”
In a moment of heated passion, I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into me, pressing my lips against his.
He melted into me as our tongues swirled in a dance of their own. We parted, and his eyes fluttered momentarily.
“Desiderio…”
I put my finger to his lips.
“Thank you for saving me.” I brushed some of his hair from his face.
“Anytime.” He blushed.
“Want to grab some food?” I asked.
“That sounds great.”
I grabbed his hand as we walked back to the car. It felt so right and natural. Everything in me was going a hundred miles an hour. I just kissed a boy I met yesterday, and the world seemed clearer.
I… I think I love him.