Resplendent by M. J. Abraham Page B

and I looked up at him and nodded. He left his bag on the floor and walked with me back to my room. Brittany looked at us quizzically, no doubt making a list of questions for me to answer later. But right now, I was only worried about Andres. He’d shown up without so much as a phone call. Although I would normally love this surprise, the look in his eyes made me uneasy.
    He gently closed my door, and I sat on the dresser, pulling him to stand between my legs. He ran his hands down my back and under my shirt, causing me to shiver.
    “You’re scaring me,” I declared, holding his face in the palm of my hands.
    He pecked me lightly on the lips.
    “I love you,” was all he said.
    My eyes instantly watered. This was the first time he’d ever said those words. He’d shown it in different ways but had never said it.
    “I love you,” I repeated simply and he kissed me softly.
    Where was this coming from? When I left we never committed to having a serious relationship. His affections thrilled, yet worried me. Running his hands further up, he trailed his thumb under my bra, starting a fire deep in my belly.
    “I love you so much,” he said, his eyes tinged with sadness. “You know that right, Peach? That I’ve never loved someone the way I love you. That every night before I go to sleep, your beautiful face is the last thing I picture. I just want you, I need you, and everything always ends up back to you somehow. You’re in my thoughts, in my past, I want you to be in my future, I just...” his voice trailed off as he moved his fingers through my hair and held my head. He was frowning, and I could clearly see the puffiness under his eyes from lack of sleep. I had waited so long for him to visit. Every date I went on or guy I talked to didn’t compare to the relationship I had with Dre.
    He ran his hand down his face, the rim of his eyes lined with moisture. I placed my hand on his arm. “Dre?” Was he sick or in some sort of trouble?
    “My dad is dying.”
    My stomach dropped.
    I immediately tried to get closer, but he held me in place by my arms, not letting me move an inch.
    “I thought he was getting better?” He had finished chemo and radiation a few months ago. This was the last thing I expected him to tell me.
    “The cancer was too much. It came back and spread from his lungs all over his body, too fast. Now there is nothing left to do but wait.” His voice broke with the last word, and I heard him swallow hard, trying to control his emotions.
    I wanted my lips on his skin. I grabbed the hand that was resting on my waist and held it up to my lips, kissing it softly. “You can trust me, Dre.”
    When he didn’t answer, I slowly got off the dresser and walked with him toward the bed. Seeing the devastation in his eyes broke my heart. I knew exactly how he was feeling.
    “How much longer?” I said as we faced one another on the bed.
    He exhaled. “A few days, I think. Maybe less. I’m not really sure, and I have to leave tomorrow. I just had to see you.”
    I brought up my hand to his cheek, stroking the rough stubble. “I’ll go with you.” He started shaking his head, and before he could speak, I held a finger to his lips. “I don’t want to hear it, I’m going with you.”
    “You have school,” he said against my finger.
    I leaned forward to kiss him sweetly. “I have you.” He closed his eyes and pulled me to him.
    He had been there for me when I needed someone the most. He was the glow in my heart, and tonight it was clear, he needed me .
    I wanted to give him everything . Why should I bother looking for someone else? Why question what we had together? Why keep waiting ? He buried his nose in my neck and took in a deep breath. “You smell so good,” he said.
    I raised his chin with my finger and leaned down to kiss him softly. His lips parted without hesitation and I pulled him close. Our kiss told a tale of longing, sadness, and friendship, all blended together in equal parts. We were