Page 10 of I’ll Walk With You

Bryson

I t’s a struggle to draw my attention to what Demetrius is rambling about. We just finished taking showers after conditioning and are getting dressed in the locker room.

Even though I know Javi doesn’t want a relationship, it still stings. It was so easy for him to detach after the hottest sex of my life had left me shaken the fuck up.

In a weak moment, I’d asked him to stay and wrapped myself around him, not wanting to let go. I didn’t expect it, but I’d fallen asleep easily, Javi’s warm weight in my arms, his scent surrounding me.

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’m a 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.”

Javi rears back like I slapped him with the words.

His mouth opens and closes, words failing to escape. Clearing his throat, his voice is soft when he speaks. “Well, that’s an unexpected development.”

I nod. “Yep. There’s no need to keep pretending.”

Silence fills the room with the weight of my words. I bite my tongue, telling myself to let it go, but I just can’t.

“Angel–”

“Bryce–”

Our words overlap, and we both pause. “You go first,” he prompts.

Taking a deep breath for courage, I release it in a rush of words. “I don’t want this to be the end. This could be real, Javi.”

He gasps. “Bryce.”

“Hear me out, okay? If you want more, I’m here and I’m ready.

I won’t push if all you want is friendship, or if you want me to be patient and wait until you’re ready, I can do that, too.

We’re good together, and if there’s any possibility you want me too, we deserve a chance to try. I just… I want you in my life, Javi.”

Tears well in his eyes. “I wasn’t dreaming.”

“What?”

“‘ This could be real, Javi.’ I heard you last night, but I was convinced my mind was playing tricks on me, making me hear what I wanted to hear… But you really said it. ”

His words finally hit their target, making sense. Hope wells within me, filling my chest with a lightness I didn’t expect. I thought I was about to get the boot.

“Yes, Angel. I said it, and I meant it.”

As he reaches for me, I make my way over to him. He tilts his head back to look up at me, pursing his lips for a kiss. Cupping his face in my hands, I lean down and take his mouth, our tongues tangling. I can’t get enough of him. I’m already addicted to his kisses.

“So, we’re really doing this?” he asks, after he pulls his mouth a breath away from mine.

“Yeah, we are.”

His smile could light up the room.

Warmth spreads through my chest, and I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face. This isn’t how I expected things to go, but I’m so damn thankful. I press my lips to his again, sinking into the kiss, into him.

This isn’t the end of us. It’s the beginning of something beautiful.