“Then why does he feel the need to buy me a phone? I could manage just fine without him. I don’t need a man to provide for me, only to use it against me during fights or when he wants something in return.”
My eyes widen in disbelief. “Tell me you know that Josh would never do that because this is ridiculous. He bought you that phone because you needed it, and he couldn’t bear to see you in need when he had the means to help. And I know you know that too. You mean the world to him, and judging by the way you look at him, he means the same to you.”
She nods, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know.Dio,I know. But everything has a price. Just because you don’t see the price tag now doesn’t mean it won’t come crashing down on you in the future.”
This girl must have been through more shit than I could imagine. Her strength is both awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching. She glances over at the vodka bottle, and with a hesitant sigh, I pour another round of shots for us.
We clink glasses once more before downing the liquor, her coughing only slightly this time.
“Look, I may not know your entire story, and I understand that there might be reasons why you feel the way you do,” Istart. “But I promise you, no, I swear, Josh would never, under any circumstances, hold anything against you. Even if you two were married and you decided to elope with me one day, he would be heartbroken and devastated, but he would still wish you happiness because that’s the kind of person Joshy is.”
She nods. “I think so too. I just thought he was too good to be true.”
I can’t help but snicker. “Joshistoo good, but he’s also true.”
Her eyes roll before her demeanor turns serious again. “It’s hard to open up and let someone in. All I’ve ever done is shut people out, trying to survive this shit show of a life.”
“Carolina…” My heart aches for her.
“I’m tough, dammit,” she whispers, tears brimming in her eyes.
“I know you are,” I assure her, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re the toughest little kitty I know,” I add with a sad smirk.
She lets out a sigh, her voice trembling. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years.”
“You have,” I say, “And you still do. Fuck, you always will. We’ve just joined in now too. We’re a family, and we care for each other. It was wrong of him to sweep in without asking, overwhelming you, but honestly, Carolina, the days you had to fight on your own are over. We are here now, and we aren’t going anywhere. Better get used to it quickly.”
“The last time I didn’t feel alone was five years ago,” she confesses.
“Is that when your parents passed away?” I ask, already sensing the answer.
She nods. “Car crash.”
I reach for her hand, taking it in mine and gently stroking the back of it.
“My mom passed some years ago too,” I share. “Cancer.”
“I’m so sorry, Clay,” she says, her eyes filled with genuine sympathy.
“My father was never in the picture anyway. I know what it feels like to be the child of no one,” I say softly.
Tears well in her eyes once more. “Life can be so fucked up and unfair,” she mutters.
“Agreed,” I commiserate, refilling our shot glasses before clinking them together again. We throw back the shots, and I feel the warmth spread through my body. “Ugh…” I say, feeling the pleasant buzz. “Life is way too short to fight over stupid shit, though, too.”
She nods, tears still making their way down her face. “Seems like I’m the one who needs to apologize to Joshua.”
I use my thumb to wipe away one of them from her cheek, marveling at how shiny her eyes are now that they glisten with tears. Her cheeks are flushed, and it’s evident that the vodka is hitting her faster than it is me.
“True, but let’s let him stew a bit longer. You overreacted, but he messed up in the first place,” I say with a casual shrug.
The warmth in my stomach spreads throughout my body, making me feel cozy. I push up the sleeves of my uniform, revealing my forearms. Her gaze follows, and she reaches out to turn my left wrist, examining the inside of my arm.
She bursts into laughter. “Dio,Clay, what is this? It’s the worst damn tattoo I’ve ever seen. Is that a lion?”
I smile at her, unable to hide my amusement. “It sure is.”
She traces the tattoo with her fingertips, causing goose bumps to rise on my skin. “Why?” she asks, peering up at me through her lashes, and my heart races in response.
