Page 133 of Pretty Thing

My own tears start to fall.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I lied. I didn’t know how to tell you. I just…I can’t lose you. I am so scared to lose you.”

I lower myself to my knees, and for once, I’m the one reassuring him.

“I don’t think that’s crazy. I can’t even bring myself to go pick up my parents’ urns. I can’t imagine what that was like for you. I hate that you didn’t think you could tell me what you’ve been going through this whole time.”

“I should’ve. It shouldn’t have been Matt, and I’m sorry that this is how you found out.”

Our tears mingle in the joint torment of our pain and loss.

“You’re not going to lose me, but please don’t lie to me.”

Felix nods and buries his head into the side of my neck as he breaks down all over again. I rock him and rub his back like he’s done for me so many times.

“We’re two broken things trying to pretend we still belong in the world. You’re the Pretty Thing…I’m just the tortured thing that found you.”

“Felix…don’t, don’t say that.” I force him to look at me. “I love you.”

“You still love me?”

“Yes, of course I do. One disagreement won’t make me leave you, but we need to be honest with one another from now on.”

He kisses me again, but this time it’s demanding and needy. He pours all his emotion into our connection, and I do the same. Before I know it, we’re naked, staring into each other’s eyes as he hovers over me. When he thrusts into me, I gasp. What we feel is something beyond explanation.

We make love on the cold floor like two people trying to stitch themselves together with skin and grief. And for the first time since the crash…I can’t tell where I end, and Felix begins.

thirty-seven

​. . .​

Felix

“Hey man, I’m sorry if I got you in shit yesterday. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut, but I thought Eden just misunderstood or had it mixed up, ya know?”

Matt whispers his apology as we refill ink for our next customers.

“Don’t worry about it. I should’ve told her the truth to start with. We’re good, no damage done.”

“Thank God. I really like you two together.” He glances over his shoulder at Eden on the phone booking appointments. “I’d have felt like a total asshole if I did anything to fuck you two up.”

I look at the only real friend I have and give him a reassuring smile.

“Seriously, we’re good, don’t sweat it.”

He nods.

“From now on, I’m not saying shit about shit.”

I laugh, but this is why we’re friends. Matt’s always been loyal, has my back, and is a fast learner.

“I’m going to make it up to her tonight.”

“I bet you will,” he chuckles.

“Well…that too, but…I got her a gift,” I say softly, and Matt’s eyes go wide.

“Dude, I don’t want to know what it is. I’ll probably tell her by accident. But, smart call, Eden’s a keeper.”