More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
There is no victory in escape when you built the walls of your own prison. There’s no victory because escape doesn’t equal freedom.
I’m the one losing his sight, but everyone else seems to be having vision issues. They treat me like I disappeared.
I don’t even know Riley Davenport, but the thought of disappointing him seems like a failure I’d not recover from. Maybe it’s that light I sense inside him, a light I’ve never known. Some people are just meant to burn bright, and Riley is one of them.
Standing in this room is a sickening reminder of how I’m used goods, garbage, tainted, so very abstract from the beautiful, perpetual ray of sunshine with his youthfully innocent sense of humor who’s standing behind me.
Maybe in another life, where men don’t have to cry, he’d be bursting in on me every morning like he did the other day. I wouldn’t cover up, but rather open my arms, expecting the intrusion as part of our daily ritual. There wouldn’t be broken ribs and broken coffee tables, only ugly dogs named Larry, the sound of laughter, and mischievous green eyes that soothe my aching soul. Maybe in another life, there’s a gay Riley for a guy who’s gotten everything wrong in this one.
“Likes cheese. Has ugly dog. Weaknesses: pizza. Strengths: insatiable modesty.”
don’t think he has any idea how much he’s literally changed my world. He’s a compass that’s made it possible for me to navigate again.
“I just…wanted to say thanks…for everything.” The words leave me dumbstruck, but then he fills the silence with more. “You make me useful again.”
His hand was meant to be in mine. It makes sense there. I don’t want it to ever stop making sense.
don’t know why I imagined men kissing men would be rough and mechanical. We’re writing a song, a soft, tender song with our mouths, with our tongues, our heady breaths.
“No, Riley,” he whispers. “Nobody could write you.”
Going blind might have been the best thing that ever happened to me. It brought me Harper.
There’s fragility when people break you, but there’s fragility in being put back together too. With every touch, Riley is returning a piece of me I didn’t think I’d ever get back.
“I’ll come really quick,” he reassures me. “Like so quick, you won’t believe it.” “That’s…the least sexy thing I’ve ever heard.”
Aw, fuck. Harper. Harper, baby. What are you doing to me?” he pants. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”
“You don’t care?” he asks. “What he did to me? I mean, you don’t care that this is what’s left of me?” “What’s left of you? Baby, anyone can be a victim, but not everyone can be a survivor. You’re a survivor,”
“You taught me how to see. I honestly don’t know why God gave me eyes before you came along, because I didn’t use them for a damn thing until I saw you.”
“We’re real.” Another kiss. “We’re real,” I repeat, sealing the oath. “Let us be real.”
“How can you love me at my worst?” I laugh now at my reply. “If this is you at your worst, I wouldn’t stand a chance with you at your best.”
“I realized…I love you more than I’m afraid of anything.”
“I realized I love you more than I’m ashamed of my past. I love you, Riley,”
Whimpering, we both get lost in a battle of trying to swallow the other’s sounds. Mine say, you healed me. Thank you. I’m going to love you forever.
