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breathe.
    “Are you sleeping with me?”
    “I’ll be here in the morning.”
    She took a deep breath. “I don’t deserve your compassion…not after everything I did to you.”
    “It doesn’t matter. You have it anyway.”
    She refrained from touching me, keeping her hands to herself.
    “What time does your flight leave tomorrow?”
    “Eight.”
    “Okay. What’s the flight number?”
    “Why?” she asked.
    “I need to get a ticket.”
    She looked at me. “You’re coming with me?”
    “Of course I am.”
    “Cortland—”
    “Don’t argue with me.”
    She shut her mouth.
    “Now get some rest. When you fall asleep, I’ll make all the arrangements.”
    Silence fell in her room. She crossed her arms over her chest and kept to her side of the bed. When she tried to keep her distance, I pulled her closer to me.
    When her even breathing filled the room, I left the bed and bought my plane ticket and packed. I was going back to Seattle.
     
    Monnique was quiet the next day, stone-faced. We checked in at the airport then boarded the plane. She hardly looked at me, and when she did, she quickly turned away, like she was embarrassed to be caught looking at me.
    We sat near the window on the plane, just the two of us. Monnique sighed constantly, and sometimes she would cry quietly before she regained her composure. I was beside her the entire time, comforting her when she needed me.
    Once we were in Seattle, we rented a car and got on the road.
    “I made reservations at a hotel.”
    “We can stay with my brother.”
    “Is that what you want to do?”
    She nodded. “He already thinks I’m coming.”
    “Okay .” I wondered if he knew we weren’t together. I didn’t want to make her more upset by asking.
    We headed to the house then pulled into the driveway.
    Monnique stared at it for a long time, sighing.
    I squeezed her hand then popped the trunk, getting our luggage. She came to me and started to help, but I steadied her hand. “I got it. Tell your brother we’re here.”
    “Okay,” she whispered. She went to the front door and rang the doorbell.
    Her brother answered it, looking like a ghost. They stared at each other for a long time before they hugged. Monnique cried into his chest, and Javi got choked up a little.
    I looked away and gave them their privacy.
    Javi pulled away then spotted me by the trunk. He came to me and extended his hand. “Thanks for coming.”
    I shook it. “Of course.”
    He kept staring at me. “It means a lot to me that you’re here.” I could see the emotion in his eyes.
    I always liked her brother. He was cool and easy to get along with. We played basketball together and got drinks while we watched baseball. “Your family means a lot to me.”
    “I know you and Monnique aren’t together anymore. She told me what happened.” He said it simply, like he wasn’t on her side or mine. “So the fact you’re here speaks volumes. I’m glad my sister has a great guy in her life, whether you’re together or apart.”
    His words pulled at my heartstrings. I couldn’t deny my undying love for her. She was everything to me. No matter how much she hurt me, I was still obsessed with her. I wouldn’t be here if it were any other ex. Monnique was different. She would always be different. “I love her.” That was all I could say.
    “I know this isn’t the time, and I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I won’t bring it up again. But, she really feels like shit for what she did. She’s called me crying several times, wishing she could do anything to take back everything. I know she loves you and would do anything for you. Since you’re here, I know you must feel the same way. What I’m trying to say is…I really hope you can work this out. Because, I’ve always wanted you as a brother. And I know my dad would have wanted you to marry her.”
    I looked down, feeling the sting of his words. My greatest dream was to marry Monnique and spend the rest of my life with her.