Page 42 of You Can Make Me

“It’s not your fault. This should have never happened to you. You shouldn’t have been there, and when I saw your shoes, I…”

He stopped to breathe for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper.

“As terrifying as it was, holding you as you bled out, I think I was more afraid when I took you from the hospital and brought you here.”

“Why?”

“Because…I was terrified that I was going to mess up. That I wouldn’t be able to take care of you well enough. That I wouldn’t be able to help you through all of this. What do I know about feelings? I’m a Marine.” He laughed. “You chose a very bizarre nursemaid.”

“No, I chose well. I chose you. I willalwayschoose you.”

We embraced in the cramped space of the banquette, and once more I wished we were truly alone.

He pulled back and held my face so gently. “Please don’t give up. Please, Cooper. You have so much to live for, so many people who love you.Ilove you.”

His mouth fell open, as if he hadn’t meant to say that, but I wouldn’t let him take it back.

I placed my hands over his and gripped them tightly. “Say that again.”

His face flushed and he swallowed hard, but he met my gaze. “I love you, Cooper. Please let that be enough.”

It took a lot to make me speechless, but his admission meant more to me than I could have adequately said in my current state.

“You are the most honorable person I’ve ever met,” was what I came up with.

“Honorable,” he scoffed. “I’m an old man, Coop. I’m fifty-two-years-old with a modest pension coming to me. I’m stubborn, and I’m not easy to be with, but I swear I want to take care of you as long as you’ll let me. As long as I’m breathing.”

“I love you, too.” I was blubbering so hard, I could barely get the words out. “I’m sorry that this is how we got back together, but I’m so glad.”

Denny closed his eyes for a moment and nodded, as if he were relieved and he’d just been given permission to “at ease” or whatever that’s called for Marines. I’d ask him at some point. But right then, he cupped the back of my head and guided my lips to his for a thorough kissing, and I forgot everything but him.

His kiss felt almost like a reprimand, as if to say, “You silly man, how could you ever think we wouldn’t have ended up here?”

I took it all, every swipe of his tongue, every rasp of his stubble against my tender lips, raw from crying and carrying on. My scar twinged, but I wouldn’t have interrupted Denny if the RV started rolling down the hill and over a cliff.

We were still kissing softly when Mom tapped on the door.

“Can we come in?”

Denny pulled back and blew out a breath. “I’ll fix that hole,” he whispered. “I swear.”

“It’s okay. At least it wasn’t Mom’s antique secretary this time.” I hollered for them to come in, and when Denny started to let go, I pulled him closer, not wanting to leave the safety of his embrace. I tucked my head under his jaw and used his unique scent to ground me.

I felt him kiss the top of my head and rest his chin there. His arms were like iron bars around me, keeping me safe.

My parents stopped short, their expressions full of concern.

I sniffled. “Everything’s okay. Except for your bathroom wall. I’m sorry.”

The three of them slid into the booth across from us, with Sam on the inside, and they stared at us as if they didn’t know where to start with their questions.

“Honey, what happened?” Mom asked.

I laughed, and it came out raw.”At the risk of sounding like a bad punch line, I looked in the mirror.”

Mom frowned, and Sam put her arm around her.

“I forgot to ask you to cover it,” Denny said apologetically.