Always Been You

by Q.B. Tyler

Stay away from the frat guys, Gab. They ain’t shit.” “You were a frat guy, James.” I chuckle as he leads me out of the elevator. “And I wasn’t shit in college.”

You could never. He would never. It isn’t natural. And yet, loving him feels as natural as breathing.

My God, when did she get so beautiful?

She’s so beautiful when she’s happy.

“No one knows me better than you. Besides, I would rather spend my birthday with you than just about anyone.”

Spending time with you is what keeps me sane.

“In another life…” he leans down, “I’d make you so happy, and it just kills me sometimes that it can’t be this life.”

It’s one of the things I love about her. She wears her feelings on her face at all times. Or maybe I can just read her.

“I’ll worship you, Gabrielle. You know that. I’ll love you harder and better than anyone.”

“You’re not new to me. Your darkness is my darkness.

“Make no mistake, Gab.” I reach up and grip her face before bringing her down so that her lips are hovering mere inches above mine. “You have always been mine.”

I resist the urge to correct him that his heart wasn’t his own anymore. It’s mine.

“Am I there?” “Where?” “I’m trying to fuck my way to your heart.” “You’re already there,” I tell him. “You’ve always been there.”

“It’s going to be tough, but what is realistic anyway? The beauty of life is we can create our own reality.”

“I can handle what anyone says. What I can’t handle is being without you.”

“This. Us. It’s going to be a long fucking road, Gab. But I’m not giving you up ever.”

“You and me,” I murmur. “Forever,” he replies.

“You are so beautiful. Every inch of you is a work of art.”

“I don’t see this ending with James. I wouldn’t have crossed this line if I was ever planning to uncross it.”