AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I race up the walkway. Lupe opens the door as I approach like she’s been waiting for me.
“Hello, my love.” She props up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my cheek. I hug her back. I’ve come to love Lupe. She’s the perfect combination of grit, persistence, and kindness. She’s kept this place running by sheer strength of her love for these children.
“She’s with Carlos, in the back. I told her you were coming,” she says and there’s a gentle reproach in her eyes. I had asked her not to say anything.
“I didn’t want her to feel trapped. And I wanted her to have a choice. I don’t know what happened between you two, but I remember the way you were when you were here. So, I guessed she’d be glad you were coming. And I was right.” She pats my cheek with affection and smiles softly up at me.
“You were?” I glance over her shoulder, eager to get to her.
“Let me know when you’re leaving so I can lock up after you.”
She pads away down the hall, and I stand there gathering my nerve. I can see the crack of light under the door to Carlos’ room. We always knew he’d never be adopted. And every year, I’ve highlighted part of my contribution to supplement the reimbursement the state gives Lupe and CASA for his care.
I gird my loins and walk down the hall to talk to the girl I’ve been waiting almost a decade to talk to.
KAL
“He’s here.”
Lupe’s text makes my heart jump. I press a kiss to Carlos’ cheek and stand up. I take one last look around the room and marvel how it has all the space and light he needs.
It’s all thanks to Remi’s donations. Lupe took me for a tour around the house, showing me all the improvements that have been made. Over the years, she’s kept me updated on Carlos, the only kid who is still here from the time I volunteered. He’s aged out of the system, doesn’t have to worry about being displaced. This is his home.
All because Remi loves him.
Not that I’m surprised, he’s an excellent human being. Larger than life, brighter than the sun. It’s why I fell so hard for him. Distance from that evening has cooled my anger about it. When I’m feeling extremely rational, I even understand why he lied. But, I hate that he felt like he had to.
It was fucked-up, but I’ve told myself, drilled it into my thick skull, that things have worked out as they were meant to.
So, why does thinking that feel so much like swallowing broken glass?
“Stop being dramatic, Kal.” I scold myself under my breath.
I steel my shoulders and steady my breath. But nothing can calm the wild beating of my heart. I close my eyes and remind myself he doesn’t hold my heart the way he used to.
I’ve moved on.
I’m happy.
I’m building a life.
I repeat these words to myself over and over again until I can say it without stumbling over the words. And then, I step out into the hallway.
Our eyes find each other immediately and I see the same uncertainty as I feel staring back at me. But it’s different, rougher, less restrained than mine. And in his gaze is so much hunger. I feel it as though he was touching me and I have to steel myself against it.
“Will.” His gruff voice is just a decibel above a whisper and he swallows hard when I brush a tear away.
“Hey, Carlton,” I manage.
He walks up to me, his lips pressed together in a determined line, his eyes intent on mine. Without missing a beat he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a hug.
I hug him back. It feels so good to be back in his strong arms that for minute I forget the way we left things and how much it hurt that last time I saw him.
But only for a minute.
I pull out of his hold, and he lets me go, but reluctantly. A shiver of dread and delight runs the same course as his hands slide down my arms. He grasps my hands, holds them in his and my heart beats wildly.
I see the instant the stone of the ring on my left hand presses into his palm.
