Page 107 of The Replay

"But I am trying," I argue. "I'm learning from my past mistakes. That's the whole point. Mariana and I are committed to doing things right this time. It has nothing to do with making it last. In fact, that goes fully against what we want."

"Is that true?" Logan asks.

"It is." I grind my teeth. "It's what's right for us."

Bear's hand still rests heavy on my shoulder.

He squeezes my trap. "What is right wholly depends on whether you love her, Dom."

"And we fully believe you can find a way to make it last if you so choose," Rafa says.

I chew the inside of my mouth. I can't accept their words. It would lead me down a path I promised I wouldn't follow.

"She doesn't want it to last," I say.

What I might want would never fit against that. I would rather not ask myself anything whose answer could get in the way of what I've fought for.

"So you will pretend you don't have wants of your own?" Damián raises an eyebrow at me. "That's not like you."

"It's not like the man who told me not to let Evie go," Logan says. "If I remember right, you said there was someone you loved who got away, and you didn't want me to regret it the same way."

"Low blow, QB." I shake my head at him. "I won't regret it this time. I'm making peace with the fact that, in this group, I'll be the single one. The one who dates on and off. I can be happy with that. Will you let me be happy with that?"

"Hey, I'm single, too," Rafa complains.

"I'm sorry, Rafa." I take a deep breath. "You never date and I misread the situation."

"I don't dateyet," he grumbles.

"Don't misread our intentions, Dom." Bear taps my shoulder and lets go. "We want you to be happy."

Logan gives me one of his rare micro smiles. "We're here if you change your mind about how to make that happen."

"I'll take it upon consideration," I say after a while.

It's a miracle they listen and go back to their seats.

Chapter 34

Dom

At home several hours later, I open the door to welcome Mariana in. It's the first time she has come to my place. I'm nervous, but I blame my friends for it. I don't want to make mistakes, and I hate having the worry in my head now.

She comes in and, moving in slow motion, hugs me gingerly.

I leave one of my crutches against the wall and hug her with my free arm. "You can hug me tighter, Princesa."

"I don't want to hurt you. First your shoulders, now your knee? And they said you had other injuries too…"

"I'm not going to break."

It's late at night. The quiet of a sleeping city fills my home. Mariana left her small suitcase to the side, to be ignored until we're done hugging. Resting my head on hers, I let myself smile. It didn't take long to convince her to come stay with me for a few days. She said she wanted to help, and I said I would appreciate the company, and now she's in my arms as we hold each other close.

"Come," I say after a while. "I won't give you a tour tonight, as I can't move too easily, but you're welcome to investigate on your own."

Hobbling and with one crutch under each arm, I guide her through the hall and go straight into the bedroom area. It's a modern bungalow type home, and I've never been more thankful for the lack of stairs.

My room occupies the whole end of the structure. I show her the closet and tell her she can make room for her things there, just like in the bathroom.