GABE
I had never seen him like this. Cor was lying on the bed, curled up on his side. I sat down on the edge, watching him. His eyes were shut, and he was frowning.
“Are you going to sleep in your clothes?” I asked. At least he had taken his shoes off.
“I just… I just need a moment, all right?”
I nodded. That made sense after everything that happened and what he revealed. I had no idea he had gone through all that. Although I knew about his home being destroyed, I didn’t know he had a part in it all. I couldn’t imagine. He had been tricked, and because of that, his whole world was gone.
And he had been dealing with this for three years without even mentioning it.
I understood not wanting to bring it up. It was a big secret—a secret that most wouldn’t have accepted. It was for a selfless reason, however, why he trusted such a shady person. He wanted to make a life with Ellie—he wanted to go to a nice university and get a good job. Now, instead of that promise, he was without a home, without a family, and was making his money through prostitution and gambling.
Was it bad that I pitied my own boyfriend?
One thing did occur to me, however, was the fact the woman in the other room wasn’t just some ex, but was one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It wasn’t because they had a falling out that they split up, but because he ran away.
Which meant he still cared for her.
At least that was what I thought. Perhaps I was wrong—perhaps he no longer felt anything for her. But the way he looked at her when she broke down in the middle of the spaceport painted a different story. It painted a story of two lovers who never got any closure.
And then there was the matter of the ring he always had in his pocket.
Was that the ring the two of them shared? Did she have one as well? It wasn’t as if I could easily ask, but I had noticed there was a leather string that hung under her blouse. Perhaps that was what was on the other end of it.
So where did that leave me?
I didn’t doubt Cor’s feelings for me, but I didn’t know if this woman meant something to him more. If so, was he going to leave me for her? The two of us had an open relationship, and I thought that was fine, but it was now occurring to me that our open relationship never had to do with loving someone else. It only had to do with sex.
“You know that I love you, right?” I said, more to reassure myself than him. “And I will accept you as you are.”
Cor still didn’t open his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I love you too, Gabe. I am glad I found you. I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t come around and save my sorry ass.”
It made more sense to me now as to why he was out there that day. He was trying to make it all end—he didn’t care if he was saved or not. He had given up all hope. I had been in the same situation before—I could understand where he was coming from. Perhaps that was why I stopped the horse and helped him. I knew what it was like to want to die.
I let out a breath and smiled. “Well, I’m glad I saved you. You have been one hell of a boyfriend.”
“So have you.” Cor blinked his eyes opened. I noticed in the faint light coming from the crack in the blind that his eyes were red.
I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him everything would be all right, but I had a feeling he wanted his space, mainly because that was what he already said. I patted his leg and got up to change into my pajamas. There was no way I was going to bed in my new suit.
As I began to undress, Cor commented. “By the way, I like the new hat. Very cute.”
I smiled. Perhaps I still had a chance.