Built to Fall

by Julia Wolf

I closed my eyes, but I didn’t sleep. Instead, I pictured Dylan the last time I saw him healthy. Eight-years-old, freckle-faced, and a demon for music. Try as I might, I couldn’t keep the last time I saw him from creeping in. Gaunt and pale, barely conscious, still begging for music, in that Houston hospital that was way too big for a dying eleven-year-old.

“That might be true. But you’re baby.”

Her throaty laugh sounded like the devil’s church bells calling all the sinners to service.

She could come, but it would be my orgasm.

“Please. I need to tell you about Dylan. My boy.” He cleared his throat, then pressed another kiss on my head. “My son.”

It was the unknown endings I wouldn’t stick around for. Because nothing lasted forever, no matter how much I wished it wasn’t true. I’d done my share of hoping for forever, and those days were done for me.

Dummy

“If I have the choice between stewing in my own thoughts and spending every waking second with you, it’s going to be you every single time.”

“No, because you’re going to hook me up with your sister.” Her eyebrows shot up and down.

I FUCKING KNEW IT

“My point is you’re incapable of closing your heart, even when you want to. You aren’t made that way. You, baby girl, were built to fall. It’s just who you are.”

Dominic had been right about one thing: I did deserve the moon and the stars and the entire fucking universe, and I’d work my ass off to get them.

“I’m in love with you. I’ve weighed the risks, and loving you is worth it.”

“Mmmhmmm. Love me out loud, so I never question it. No lukewarm. No half measures. I’ll do the same back.”