Page 124 of Forever We Fall

“Arlo!” His sob bursts against my neck, hot and soul-rending. It shakes his entire body. It shakes me to my core.

My fingers clutch at his back and dive into his hair, holding him close. For this moment, my uncle is nowhere in sight,overridden by Hota’s presence. By the trauma of extending the cord that binds us together for too many miles.

“I’m so sorry,” I mumble against his shirt.

His face, buried in my neck, rocks back and forth. “No sorries, Arlo. No sorries. I love you too much to be sorry for anything.” He hiccups. “I’m so happy to know you. You are the best person I know. You are the most important person in my life. You will be, as long as I live.”

It’s my turn to cry. I burrow my face in his hair and cry like I haven’t cried since my parents and brother died. Only, somehow, this is worse. He’s still alive, and I still can’t be with him.

“Hota.” I swallow. “You are the best part of me.” I pull his hand from my back and place his hand over my heart. “You’re right here. Every second of every day. Forever.”

“Fuck.” He squeezes my shirt and presses into my skin.

I want to toss him over my shoulder and bring him with me. The hottest, biggest carry-on ever.

“When you hit it big, don’t forget about me,” Hota sniffles.

I grip the back of his head and pull him impossibly closer. “You’re the one going places.” To a school with the only guy he’s ever fucked and to the Olympic trials.

“I’m serious.”

“Me too.” I breathe him in and press my lips to his skin. It’s not a kiss as much as a mark of my devotion to this man. “We’ll talk, right? You’ll call me after you get settled?” Hysteria laces my voice.

“Yes, and you’ll call me too,” he demands.

“Yes.” I nod.

“Okay, do it.”

I shake my head and burrow deeper in his hold. His thighs brush mine, and our hearts thunder together. I take all thecomfort he offers, the comfort he’s always offered, and store it deep. I know there will be none. Not where I’m going.

“You’ll miss the bus and your flight.” Hota’s voice is stronger now. Because it has to be for me. I know it’s only for me.

I press my cheek to his and drink in his warmth. “I love you. I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too.” He speaks the words against my skin. They seep into my soul.

I pull his arms from me, rub my forehead across his, and then turn and rush out the door toward a future that scares and excites me.