Page 135 of Silent Damage

My eyes blink open. “What?”

His jaw clenches, and he looks out onto the horizon. “For the job on Friday. I’m scared.”

There’s shame in his expression, and I wrap my arm around his torso. “I think most people would be scared.”

He opens his mouth to speak before closing it again. His eyes shut, and his head falls in defeat. Jason pinches the bridge of his nose and says, “What if I’m not good enough?”

“You are,” I say with zero hesitation.

“But—”

“You’re going to be amazing.” My voice is low. Definitive. Jason can’t walk into this with even a shred of doubt. He’ll freeze up, and that’s what’ll get him hurt. “You can do this. You can do anything, Jason. I know it.”

I look at him and see the doubt on his face. “Think of everything you’ve done in your life—everything you’ve overcome. You’re so strong. Not just physically, you’re strong in every way possible. You’re a fighter…you have the fire inside you to succeed. You’ll be amazing on Friday.” I rest my hand on his chest. “Believe me.”

Jason reaches for my hand resting on his chest and holds it. Our eyes meet, and he presses his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry.”

It’s so quiet I almost think I imagined it. “Huh?” I ask.

“I’m sorry,” he repeats.

“For what?”

Jason kisses me. “For not being there after it happened. I should have reached out. I’m so sorry.”

I can’t speak—I don’t even know if I’m breathing. Our lips connect, and the love I feel for him takes over.

“Jason…”

I want to say the words—they’re right at the tip of my tongue, but I’m so scared he won’t say them back to me. “It’s okay. I’m just so glad you’re back,” is what comes out of my mouth.

Jason cups my cheek and kisses me again. “Me too.”

The Ferris wheel moves once more, and our pod lowers to the ground. The attendant opens the door and asks, “Again?”

Jason and I look at each other. “Let’s go home,” he says.

Home.

“Okay.”

***

It’s dark when we reach the trailer. I open the door for Jason, and he walks in first.

“Where should we put Smudge?” Jason asks.

We named the bear Smudge because of the grease stain. I set him on the kitchen table. “Here. He can join us for breakfast each morning.”

“Nice,” Jason adds.

We say nothing for a beat—it’s just the two of us admiring our weird bear.

Then, this invisible pull we have compels us to turn to each other, and our mouths connect. My fingers run through his hair, and his arms explore my back before gripping my ass. I moan, and he hums with satisfaction in response.

“I love the sounds you make, Gabe.”

“Only you bring them out of me,” I respond in a breathy voice.