Page 58 of Capture the Moment
I pass him the next needed piece as he nods his thanks, humming aloud to the track. The moment is comfortable, he’s working and I’m watching, soaking in every inch of his builder nature.
Blake clears his throat, smirking as he focuses on the pieces in his hands.
“Take a picture, it’ll last long—”
I snap a photo immediately.
What? He told me too…
Blake shakes his head at my antics, smiling softly. I catch the small hint of red on his ears and grin as I take another picture, saving it as his contact photo.
“So, what happened earlier with your mom?” he asks, looking me directly in the eyes, ignoring my previous antics.
I gulp as I’m caught off guard. “How didyou—”
“Cleo, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this but when you talk, I actually listen.” He chuckles, sucking in a sharp breath as a part of the wheel he’d been tinkering with collapses.
“Oh…um…”I laugh shakily, Blake places a soft hand on my knee, still paying close attention to the piece in his hand while also being in tune with me. It’s the small push I hadn’t known was needed and so I spill my guts.
I tell him about my figure skating history and how it was all for my mother’s validation. I talk about how much it killed me as a kid when my parents divorced but about how safe and loved Ryan and Gloria made me feel. Then, I tell him about Marcelo and me, not all of it but I tell him that we broke up last December and since then my mother and I have barely talked. Lastly, I bring up my mother’s engagement to a drummer who is a quarter of her age and the fact that I’m more than terrified to meet him and his two other kids.
Through it all, Blake listens. A few seconds into my first round of ranting, he sets down the LEGOs and gives me his undivided attention. When I get to the parts about my mother, he softly squeezes my knees as if to say, ‘Don’t worry, you’re safe’ and let me know he’s here.
He’s attentive and patient and so freaking kind…I think I might like him.
And that thought alone scares me more than all other things because liking a boy isn’t simple. It’s getting your hopes up in the faith that he’ll reciprocate those feelings. It’s choosing to give your heart to someone with zero knowledge of how they feel.
And fuck, I hate this.
No boyswas the rule and it seems like I’m breaking a promise not only to my dad but to myself as well.
“Hey…look at me, you okay?” His voice is gentle as he cups my cheek in his hand. My belly flips as he circles it with his thumb, his eyes remind me of a calm breeze as he gives me all his focus.
“I’m fine.” I breathe out quietly like the lovestruck chicken I am.
Blake gives me a small smile and nods. “Good, now for phase two.”
“Phase two?” I tilt my head, furrowing my brows at him.
“Movie night!” he practically yells, jumping up from the floor with a triumphant smile.
I try and fail to suppress a giggle as he jogs over to my gaming center, grabbing the remote for the TV. Blake turns on the TV to a random princess movie, kicks off his shoes and turns off the light on my nightstand. He looks down at me, still on the floor expectantly as if I’m a hitch in his plan.
“You’re needed in the bed, Princess.” He chuckles as he plops down on my very neatly made pink flower print bed.
I cringe as he makes himself comfortable, and I guess he sees the look on my face because he freezes with his hands up.
“Zero funny business, I swear!”
I muffle my laugh at him and make my way over to the bed, climbing on top of the covers.
“Platonic cuddle? You sound like you need a hug,” he offers.
With a small nod, I sigh as he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. And just like that, I’m in bed with a 6”4 hockey player ‘platonically cuddling’ me because I had a bad day.
1. Pinche- fucking
2. Por qué estás aquí - Why are you here? (Spanish)
