Page 108 of Only Fate

“How the hell did you come up with that conclusion?”

“You’re my twin. I know you too well.”

He takes the Cheeto I threw at him from his lap and eats it.

We play video games for the rest of the night.

It’s nice, video-gaming with my brother and forgetting boys exist … at least temporarily.

35

Islump down in the kitchen table chair. “I messed up.”

“Make it right then.” My abuela delivers a bowl of reheated carne guisada to me.

She apologized repeatedly for bringing up the case the entire time she reheated it for me. I don’t blame her—or anyone—for the shit show that was tonight. It was my own damn fault.

“Easier said than done,” I grumble, picking up my spoon.

Ifmaking it rightwere such an easy task, Essie would’ve been mine a long time ago. I’ve been figuring out the best way tomake it rightwith her for years. But this time, I won’t give up and disappear from her.

She settles a teacup on the table and sits across from me. “The best things in life are never easy, honey. That’s what makes them so special.” She balls her hands up and thrusts them forward. “Nothing easy is worth having anymore, really. You don’t take for granted what you had to work hard for.”

I stir my food, not bothering to take a bite. “When Essie and I were in college, it felt so easy between us. If I hadn’t stupidly run off, maybe we’d have been together all these years.”

“From what you’ve told me, you both were broken souls then. Two damaged pieces from different vases will never makeone whole. You must find and repair your vase first. And often, doing so takes time. This could all be a part of your fate, your love story, with Essie.”

“Abuela, you know fate isn’t real, right?”

“Fate is as real as the moon. A destiny each one of us is born with and dies with. But unlike the moon, fate gives you the chance to change her, despite what some say. The reality is we have one life, one sun, one moon, butmanyfates. Some you control. Some you don’t. Honey, I can promise you, your fate with Essie is love. But it’s your job to make it your true destiny.” She reaches across the table. “Do that, and you’ll live a happy life.”

I rub my forehead. “It might be too late.”

“It’s never too late.” She plays with the string on her tea bag. “It might beharder, yes. But not too late. Saying it’s too late is saying you’re giving up, and we didn’t raise you to be a man who gives up on what he loves. Essie might need time, but don’t walk away from her.”

Time.

What Essie asked for.

Not for me to leave her alone or go to hell.

Time.

It’s what I needed when I read those texts from my dad on his phone.

So, I’ll give her those seconds, hours, days, whatever she needs.

And during that time, I’ll devise the perfect groveling plan to get my girl back and regain her trust in me.

Sleep was nonexistent for me last night.

I didn’t hear anything from Essie.

Dread rips through me when I pull up to the PEP’s building.Terrance gave me the morning off, but staying in Blue Beech might not be my future if Essie doesn’t forgive me.

It’d pain us both if I stayed there.

My mother called and texted a few times, but I haven’t gotten back to her yet.

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