Page 12 of I'll Walk With You
I woke up this morning with him plastered to my chest. This can’t be all there is. I know we can be good together. I’m willing to be patient and show him we can be so much more. We’re good for each other. My grades are better, my game is better.I’ma better me with him.
Demetrius punches my shoulder, his “Yo, what the fuck?” snapping my attention back to him.
I have to shake my head to clear away my errant thoughts. “Sorry, bro, what?”
“I think you’re a bit dickstracted today, huh?”
I snort a laugh. “You’re the worst.”
He grins. “Yep, which makes me the best-best friend you could have.”
“If you say so. Me? I need a refund. You’re definitely broken.”
Demetrius busts up laughing, then dies down after a moment. “Listen, man, you’re missing the most important part. He waits for my gaze to land on him before he speaks. “Miller left with some girl last night. Rumor has it they’ve already been seen together again today. I don’t think he’s going to be a problem for your boy anymore.”
I hate Miller’s actions. What he did to Javi was unforgivable, but I feel sorry for him. The fact he feels the need to hide his true self is devastating. Nobody should ever have to feel that way, but our world is still a cruel, hateful place. I hope one day he can live his life in the open. He deserves to have that happiness.
Disappointment wells within me at my next realization: if Miller is no longer an issue, then there’s no reason to keep up the pretense of being Javi’s boyfriend.
It’s over.
“He’s not mine,” I refute weakly, my insides shriveling up, pain lancing my chest.
He raises his eyebrow at me. “Oh, okay. Sure.” Disbelief drips from every word, thick as molasses.
I change the subject to tomorrow’s game to distract Demetrius from more talk of Javi and Miller. I need to hold myself together until I’m alone. Once Javi knows there’s no need to pretend anymore, things will go back to the way they were. And I need to find a way to be okay with that.
Demetrius and I part ways as he heads to class.
Pulling out my phone, I send a text to Javi. He’s usually doing homework in his room, so he should be there now.
Me: Can I come by? We need to talk.
Shit. That sounds too ominous.
Me: I have some good news.
The dots appear showing that he’s typing. They disappear and reappear again a moment later.
Angel: Sure.
There’s no way that’s all he wanted to reply.
Me: Be there soon.
Dread fills me the closer I get to his dorm. I don’t want this to be the end of our story.
The walk passes in a blur, and before I know it, I’m knocking on Javi’s door.
“Come in,” he calls out.
Opening the door, he’s the first thing I see. He’s sitting on his bed, back against the wall, knees raised. His curls are a tousled mess, immediately bringing flashbacks from last night to mind. He’s stunning.
“Hi,” he greets me, his chin tipped slightly down, a shy smile quirking his full lips. Lips that I’ll never forget the taste of.
Come on, Bryce, rip the Band-Aid off. End it now.
“Miller won’t be a problem anymore. He’s moved on. There’s no reason for us to keep up this facade.”
