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We all celebrated Ripley’s adoption at the lake house last week, and I’ve never seen the Hales, Meadows, and Cobalt parents cry so much at once.
“Jack, you’re like a literal wet dream. Do you know how many motherfuckers wish the straight guy they’re crushing on could say what you’re saying to me?”
“I won’t hurt you,” I say, adamant. Even thinking I could starts churning my stomach. “I genuinely like you, and I just want to see where this goes.”
“I figured you’d hug it out before punching it out.”
I think I’d know that I’m attracted to people. Flat-out. No matter the sex or gender. It’s probably always been like that,
“You aren’t too late. Do what you feel without letting judgment cast you aside. So whatever label you choose—or don’t choose, you don’t have to have one—don’t let anyone take that from you. Live your truth. And if someone tries to check you on it, I’m going to check them back in the fucking mouth.”
“It’s beautiful,”
“I wanted you to see this.”
“It reminds me of you.”
“The brightest light shining during the darkest hour,” I smile. “That’s pretty good.” “I’m only doing my best work with you, Long Beach.” I smile, but my lips fall gradually. “What happens when the light dims? You’ll still be interested then?” “Oh yeah.” Oscar nods. “I’m every star circling around you. You need a spark, I’m there.” He says it like a promise.
A Secret about Akara Kitsuwon: my college-friend raved about Akara for four weeks after they hooked up. He restrained her to a headboard with rope and made her come five times.
But he’s not here to knock the Cobalt Empire down a few pegs. And we delight in the armored romanticism of our favorite famous family.
“You are legitimately the most endearing motherfucker on a first meeting. You could make polar icecaps melt.”
“You could make all the stars in the sky fall for the sun.”
“Estou apaixonado por voçê.” I translate, “I’m in love with you.”
“You have such a beautiful smile.”
“Your love is one of the only things keeping me afloat right now. I feel like I’m…”
“Three diamonds to express three classic words from a couple classic gentlemen…” He teed up with a long pause. “I. Love. You.” So I study the ring now. The tiny diamonds. I. Love. You.
“It’s impressive. So that’s English, French, German, and Portuguese. Any other secrets up your sleeve?” I actually reach for his sleeve and pretend like I’m searching for something. It’s just an excuse really to touch him. Not that I need an excuse, I guess. He is my husband.
“What does love feel like?”
All I know is my love for Oscar carries me like the water. A feeling of invincibility. The patience as the ocean laps underneath my body. The anticipation as the perfect wave rolls near. The cool excitement and power as I stand up. As I ride those impossible swells, and once I’m in the barrel, all the doubts and fears wash away. Leaving a bright burst of indescribable bliss. That is his love to me.
“I sometimes think that maybe it’ll stop one day. This feeling inside me…frustration…all the fucking time.”
“But it never really goes away, and…it has to be drowned out by something stronger. Either…pain or love.”
“I need to talk to my dad.”
“Dad?” Charlie says, his voice controlled. “Can you just talk to me for a second?”
He’s currently crying on the ground, high out of his mind, talking to his dad.
night. I loved that stupid night. His expression is frozen in a perpetual wince. “I don’t understand…do you want an annulment?” No. No hesitation. I want to stay married to Jack Highland,
“Maybe you shouldn’t have to get over it,” I tell him. “You could be married to someone else that’d give you more time.” “I don’t want time,” Jack breathes. “I want you. Your support. Emotional, mental, physical. I want it all.”
“The problem I’m having is that every time I consider getting the annulment, it makes me physically sick,”
In his heart, I don’t think Jack wants to end this marriage. I breathe easier knowing that, but it still doesn’t change the fact that our rings are going to remain in our pockets for a good while. Maybe forever, depending on where his head lands.
“I’m sorry you have to wait for me.” To make a decision, are the unsaid words. “For you, I don’t mind waiting,”
I’m dating a boxer—no, I’m married to a boxer.
I don’t know how to help him other than making sure he keeps talking to his dad.
“Thatcher to SFO, has anyone had eyes on Akara, Banks, or Sulli in the past twenty?”
I overheard Banks say that Sulli is a “total stunner”. Akara was there and just nodded. Couldn’t tell if it was in agreement or if he short-circuited.
He’s told me that he doesn’t deserve his sister’s love, but there are many times where he proves his own belief wrong. From joining the FanCon tour for her, to threatening her ex-friends-with-benefits so caustically that Nate never made a peep again.
I told Kits and Banks they’re really fucking hot and they make me feel safe and comfortable, and that if I never have another boyfriend in my entire life, then it’d be cool to lose my virginity to one of them.”
Oscar Highland-Oliveira.
“Are you still my friend?”
“We’ll always be friends,”
“Did you really do it for me?”
“Yes and no.”
the company is yours. You should have never been fired i...
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Maximoff hugged him, and they kept hugging f...
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“I was never rewriting my life when I met you. There was no rewrite, Oscar, because this is how it was always supposed to be written. I am supposed to be with you. You are supposed to be with me. Nothing else makes sense.”
“I love you. I love run-around-the-world Oscar. I love flirty Oscar, tactical bodyguard Oscar, snack monster Oscar”—everyone laughs, but I hold onto his laughter, his joyful tears that stream like mine—“my number one fan Oscar, sexy Oscar, intelligent as a motherfucker Oscar, a ride-or-die friend Oscar, a good brother Oscar, kiss me when the sun rises Oscar, my one and only Oscar…the love of my life Oscar.”
“You’re my everything Oscar.”
“Oscar Felipe Highland-Oliveira. I love every part of who you are.” I take his hand in mine and pull out a ring from my pocket. “Will you do me the honor of staying married to me?”
“Yes,” he says. “You’re my everything Jack.”
We kiss in a soulful force, cementing this marriage together.
