Page 127 of Lucky Boys
“Is it? Because you said this before. You can’t keep going back and forth Luca. My heart can’t fucking take it. If you’re claiming me, fucking do it, and this time, don’t let go, because honestly, I think you used up all your chances. This is the last fuck I have to give. Don’t blow it.”
My heart hammered in my chest. You know how people always say their life flashes before their eyes when they die? Well this must be what it felt like, except my life wasn’t in danger, but it may as well have been if Brooks walked away permanently. Every single moment and conversation I ever had with Brooks was on replay. Every mistake I made. Every promise I made I didn’t live up to.
“I’ll do better, trouble. I’m so fucking sorry. I love you so much, and you don’t deserve the way I’ve been treating you. I’ll-I’ll make it up to you.”
Tears filled Brooks eyes. “Please don’t hurt me again, Luca. And please mean it this time.”
God damn, my chest felt life it had been cracked open by a hammer.
“I do, baby. I do. I’m so sorry. I’ll prove it to you. I swear.”
I started to think of every way I could permanently and publicly claim him. Collars, bondage, rules and structure. So many idea, but none of it would mean a damn thing to Brooks until I could finally fucking show him he was my priority.
Brooks wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, a little angrily. “I-I love you too. Don’t make me regret those words, Luc.”
I couldn’t take it anymore, and leaned in, kissing him. It was supposed to be just a peck, but Brooks opened up, letting me in, and then I was cupping the back of his head, pushing in deeper, claiming him. My own tears blended with his as I pulled back from the kiss, only to rest my forehead against his.
I was panting like I ran a fucking marathon. Everything that happened in the last few days, from the first moment where I had to fist fight my way out of a fucking room like I was in a damn Jason Statham movie suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks. I was fucking exhausted.
“I won’t Brooks. You won’t regret it. I’ll make sure of it.”
Brooks thumbed my cheek, wiping a tear. “Okay,” he said again.
I pulled back and raised an eyebrow. “What is with all these okay’s?”
He just smiled. “Also, yes to living here. Diego and I talked about it last night. He wants to stay here too. He feels safe here, and there’s so much more room for him than our small house. I think it makes him feel less trapped. We do need to figure out what the fuck to do about our home though and see what we can salvage. And I want to be able to take some jobs outside of Il Fortunato sometimes, once it’s safe, but we want to be here. We want to call this place home.”
Absolutely nothing else mattered in this moment than that.
I sat down next to Brooks on the bed, and opened my arms to him, nearly crying in relief when he leaned into my hold.
I still wasn’t done though. There was one more thing I needed to clear the air about, and I had no idea how he’d take it. “There’s something else.”
Brooks stilled. “What?” His tone was cautious, hesitant.
I took a deep breath. “It’s about your dad.”
He spun my hold, pushing away. “What happened? I just talked to them. Dad was fine. D-did mom call you? Did he have another stroke?”
Shit. I cupped his cheek. “Fuck, no. I’m sorry baby. Your dad is fine. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
His eyes narrowed, unamused. “Then what? You scared the fuck out of me.”
“I know. I didn’t mean to. I just—um, it’s about his medical bills, and that extra therapy his PT recommended.”
“What did you do?” He sounded more resigned than mad. That was a good sign, right?
“I, um. I paid for it. All of it. The debt and upcoming visits. Your parents will likely find out tomorrow when he has an appointment, so I wanted to tell you before then.
Brooks leaned back, creating a little distance between us. He still didn’t look angry, overwhelmed maybe, but it didn’t look like he was going to punch me out or walk away.
“When did you do this? Does anyone else know?”
I shook my head. “No. When I mentioned it to Mav, he told me it was a bad idea and I needed to discuss it with you and Diego first.”
Brooks lips twitched. “So you ignored that very good advice and went behind our backs and paid it anyway.”
Why did he make it sound like a bad thing? I had the money why wouldn’t I do something like this?
