Page 117 of Ruined
I winced at the bitterness in his tone. He didn’t deserve it, but I didn’t know how to stop. Alexei was still out there.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Yes, you did. You called me yourbrotherin there.”
“I had to! You were making it so obvious. They’re going to figure it out if you keep looking at me like?—”
“Like you mean something to me?”
I tensed. “Yeah. They’re going to put it together, and then?—”
“So what if your family finds out? Why is every man too scared to acknowledge me?”
“Dom, it’s complicated.”
He glowered. “I’ve done nothing but wait for you. Do you realize what you’re asking me to put up with?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Thenmake me understand!” He threw his hands out. “You can’t even admit youcare, but you’re wearing my cufflinks, for fuck’s sake!”
My face burned.
Dominic let out a bitter laugh. “I’m the one bending over backwards to be with you. I’m the one hiding in the shadows, waiting for the day you finally decide I’m worth the risk.”
I clenched my fists. “This isn’t the time or place.”
“You didn’t care about that when you beat the shit out of Frank.”
“I felt threatened by him. Seeing him text you made me lose it.”
“The problem isn’t Frank. It’syou.”
That felt like a blade slicing through me. I stood there, fists clenched. The air stung my cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the ache spreading through my chest.
He stared at me, his eyes fractured with pain.
“I-I’m trying, Dom. I don’t know how to do this.”
Dominic shook his head. “Luca, you can’t even admit that you’re gay.”
My vision blurred, but I blinked.
He sighed, softening. “You’re so not ready for this.”
I stepped forward. “Don’t say that. Iamready. I swear to God, I’m trying?—”
“You’re not,” Dominic said softly. “You can’t even tell your family about us. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
“What are you saying?”
Dominic exhaled. “It’s over, Luca. You need to figure out what you want without me.”
The words shattered in my chest.
“No, Dom?—”
“You’re destroying yourself, and I can’t keep watching it happen.”