Page 88 of Capri

Maybe that’s what I’ve needed all along.

No. I shake the thought. Whether I like it or not, Jones is coming over to watch TV with me tomorrow…a strange invite to send out. But I’m slightly unprepared and need to make a quick run to the grocery store because, apparently, I volunteered to supply the alcohol.

Funky Rooster Capri was definitely horny.

* * *

“Okay,so, I bought every kind of chip I could find. I didn’t know what you liked, so I figured why not buy them all. I know you said you would bring snacks, but I needed to contribute. Oh! I also got Twizzlers—a classic. And beer. We drank lager before, so I’m assuming you like lager. Shit, we drank Prosecco in Italy, maybe that’s what you?—”

“Capri.” Jones stops me gently. His smile from across my tiny kitchen island withholds all judgement. “This is perfect. I love lager. And Twizzlers. Now that I think about it, I’ve never met a snack I didn’t like.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank god.”

Jones chuckles and reaches for my hand. I let him because again, no willpower. “Let’s just relax, okay? No pressure. Friends, remember?”

Do friends constantly find reasons to hold hands?

I smile and nod. “Yes. Right.” Then I walk to the living room and place the charcuterie-style snack board I constructed on the coffee table.

“I brought something else to contribute,” Jones calls out from behind me.

I turn to find him holding a large bag of nostalgia. I guarantee his are fresh and haven’t been neglected in a cabinet for over a month. “Mini jawbreakers,” I screech. “I could kiss you, Jones Archer.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I blush from embarrassment. But Jones isn’t fazed. “Please do.” He smirks, making no effort to go any further with the statement and settling himself on the couch. “Fuck. This couch is incredible.”

I take in his large frame, lookingat homeinmy home. “It’s the best after a long day. When you’re so tired, you barely make it through the door before flopping down. I know from experience.” I laugh.

“That’s just what I need after today,” Jones says with a slight sadness in his voice.

“Long day?” I ask, sitting beside him. I don’t want to intrude on his personal life, but I have a strong sense today wasn’t the best.

“Yeah, it was.” Jones lifts his arm, ushering me to sit close. I slide under and snuggle against him.

Before I have a chance to change the subject, Jones continues, telling me about his day. “Today was the first day since I’ve been back home that my mother had no idea who I was. It’s happened plenty of times on the phone, but never like this. It’s like she thought I was gonna hurt her or something. She just kept yelling at me to leave, and no matter what I did, it only made her escalate. It’s just so fucking hard when all you want to do is help someone you care about but there’s nothing you can do. It’s a hopeless feeling.”

My heart aches for him. Someone so kind, yet life has dealt him a shitty hand. Losing his father, brother, and now the mother he’s always known.

I’m sure it’s a level of pain that’s pretty incomparable.

I lift my eyes to him. “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you. Just know that her heart is still the same. She knows you love her. I believe that. But I know it doesn’t make it any easier.”

Jones slides the hair off my forehead and looks into the distance, lost in thought. “Talking to you helps.”

“You can talk to me anytime.”

I could tell him my experience. I’ve beat around the topic a few times with him but never actually said it. We agreed not to, but things feel different now. I know I can trust Jones…but what will come from it?

Comfort for him? Maybe.

“Not to turn things on myself, but I know how you’re feeling. Very well, unfortunately. Just know you’re not alone.”

I know from experience how much it helps to talk to someone who’s been through something similar to you. It’s the closest form of understanding you can find.

My stomach sinks, knowing he will question it. He can read me like a book. And I know I’ll tell him no matter how painful rehashing the worst day of my life will feel.

“You do?” He looks at me with such intensity I could weep.

I nod and Jones holds my hand tenderly, the smallest of touches from him settles my nerves.

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