Page 70 of Make Me Scream
“No, it’s okay. We lied. We deserve some non-confrontational teasing, Peris. It’s the least we’ve earned.”
“Yeah, but you’re tired, and it’sChristmas,” I remind Mom with a pointed look. She blows out a breath and purses her lips.
“Yeah, all right,” she acquiesces, scrunching her nose.
Abel blows out a breath. “I should probably get going, actually.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, it’s just?—”
“No, there’s no need to explain at all. It’s getting late. Peris will take you home.”
“Thank you,” he says as he pushes to his feet, standing on shaky legs. I follow suit and help him gather his gifts—some clothes and CDs, his empty jewelry box, and there’s one gift left unopened in the back of my car.
“I’ll come back soon. Thank you for everything, doc.” Mom wraps him in a hug, and then, we’re headed out into blistering cold. Abel shivers as my car warms, but thankfully, it doesn’t take more than five minutes for it to warm and for his shaking to subside.
“Damn, I was frozen,” he groans as he warms his hands in front of the vents, but at least he’s wearing a thicker sweatshirt today… one I gave him to wear actually. The thought warms my blood.
I turn down the music that’s playing. “There’s something in the back. Can you grab it?” I ask as we near Lucy’s apartment building.
“Uh, okay?” Abel questions my quick shift in the conversation. When he sees the box, it gets quiet. “Peris, what the fuck?”
I roll my eyes. “Just open it.”
“I… I can’t…”
“Abel.”
His voice gets softer. “Baby…”
“Just open it.Please,” I add as the car dips as I pull into the parking lot, tires spinning in a bit of snow.
“Oh, fuck.” His voice wobbles as he opens the lid, and I smile. “And they’re the same color!” he exclaims, and I glance over to catch his bright smile, which sets my chest on fire.
I rub the ache away as I mumble a, “Yeah, ‘course,” shifting the car into park. I drop my hands into my lap as Abel stares atthe brand new baby pink high top Converse I bought him with literal stars in his eyes.
“Peris, I…” he trails off, and I look up at him with furrowed brows.
“Yeah?”
“I… Fuck.” He closes the lid and drops the box into the back seat before lunging over and leaping into my lap. I let out a surprisedoomphas he plops into my lap and wraps his arms around my neck, pulling me in tight.
“Puppy,” I murmur, rubbing his back as I feel tears splash on my neck.
“Just don’t say anything,” he croaks. “Don’t ruin this for me.”
I scoff but keep silent, keeping my hands tight around his body as he clings to me and cries. And it hurts, feeling his pain, but it feels good too, knowing this is what he needs, and I’m the one to give it to him.
Because I…
My jaw drops open, and I sink deeper into my seat.
“Fuck.”
“What?” he mumbles into my throat as every muscle in my body locks tight.
I shake my head, refusing to speak as I card my fingers through his hair, tugging lightly on the strands to keep him distracted as I stare through the windshield. I absentmindedly watch a few stray flakes float through the air before settling on the warm hood where they melt instantly, much like I do for Abel.
