Page 64 of Carson

The thud of my father’s heavy footsteps echoes in my mind, making me turn my face away from Carson.

It’s the only way I can save him from also being hurt by my father. It’s the same reason I don’t let Chance see me. I never want to remind him of the man who hurt him.

A curse, I guess. I have my father’s eyes.

It’s exactly why I avoid looking in the mirror.

Carson and I cook together, laughing and dancing around each other as we work. It would all be so easy if it wasn’t for the way my body remembers things I wish it didn’t.

We eat under the moonlight, enjoying the view of Dingle Bay. The Atlantic, usually visible from here during the day, is now veiled in darkness.

My mind is fretting over when to tell him.

I sent Cole a text earlier, begging him to at least reply to Carson. Show him some sign of life. And even though I’m leaving anyway, I told him I would leave the minute we got home if he would just please message Carson.

I know Cole is missing him as much as his brother misses him. He’s just more stubborn.

Maybe it isn’t fair of me to say this, but I don’t think Cole is being fair to Carson. But then again, maybe I am biased. I love Carson. It kills me seeing him ache for his brother’s attention. He wants to share his life with him.

And he should.

Just another reason for me to leave.

But anyway, he didn’t respond.

Carson watches me as I admire the water rippling through the reflection of the moon.

I know he already knows. He has to. The man can read me like a book. He anticipates my every need. His parents deserve the very best in life for raising such an attentive human being.

“I don’t know about you, but I think the moon is far better than the sun. I mean, sure, it makes things grow and yay for giving us vitamin D and all, but the moon …” He turns toward the horizon. “The moon lets you rest. It doesn’t ask anything of you, yet it’s powerful enough to turn tides.”

He’s quiet for a moment.

“I know you want to run right now. Lucky for me you’re trapped on this island with me.” He chuckles quietly under his breath as I hold mine.

His soul demands I pay attention. A contractual rule I must have signed off on eons ago, because no matter how hard I try, I cannot look away.

“I believe with all of my heart that you and I are meant to be together, but I cannot force you to stay with me. I guess I just want you to sleep on it after I say what I have to say.”

A knot in my throat slowly forms, and all I can do is nod. I came out here wanting him to listen to all my reasons why I should go. I owe him the same.

“I do not need to make love to you. Do I want to? Absolutely. But joining our bodies will not be what binds us. That will come by choice, one that needs to come from both of us to be successful.”

He taps his fortune cookie against the table before standing. “I choose your darkness and your light. Your problems and your successes. Your hopes and dreams. Your comfort and your pain. I choose it all. If someday you’ll let me in the room with your father, I promise I’ll help you chase him away. You don’t have to be alone with him anymore. I choose him too, Luna, because he’s a part of you.”

He places his hand against the side of my face and holds my gaze for a moment before walking away.

I wait for him to come back, but it doesn’t matter, because I’ve forgotten all of my arguments. His words play on repeat in my mind.

Eventually, I head inside, taking my fortune cookie with me just like he did.

I toss it on the bed before plugging my phone in to charge.

My eyes widen when I see I have a message from Cole.

Cole: Who is this?

I roll my eyes, flopping back on the bed.