Page 102 of Forget Me

“I get”—I swallowed to lubricate my dry throat—“I get that the love part is great. I loved Mimi, and I thought she cared about me. And it was perfect. But then she left me. People are always leaving me.” I stopped when my voice broke.

“Ah, fuck, Mateo.” And this time, he reeled me in for a tight hug. “Not everyone’s like your mom. And your papi would’ve stayed if he could. I’m not saying you can have your person forever. But isn’t love—even briefly—worth it?”

I nodded. Short as our time together had been, Mimi was the best thing that had ever happened to me. The memories of our weeks together would forever light up my memory in rose gold like the sunset over the beach.

Gently, I disentangled from his embrace. “Thanks, man.”

“Anytime. Though, ah, if you want actual good advice about love, Ben’s probably the better man for it.”

I smiled to hide the pain that pricked from my battered heart. I couldn’t talk to Ben. Not about his sister. Probably not about anything at all since he reminded me too much of her.

“I think I need some time before I think about falling for anyone else.”

“Got it. You’ll be okay, though?”

My smile was more stable this time. “Yeah. I think so.”

“Good. I’ve got to go shower. I’m running late.” He was out the door in a flash.

Running late? He’d said he wasn’t in a hurry to get to the office.

Goddammit. I wiped the wetness that wasn’t sweat from my cheeks. My fucking primo had ambushed me with his encouragement and made himself late for work.

I glanced at my watch. If I didn’t hurry, I’d be late to my shift. And he hadn’t said a word.

I loved that fucking asshole.

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