Unlocking Him: A Spot Conlon Love Story

Chapter Ten: Secrets

She saw him as she approached the most beautiful bridge. The sunset really set it off.

"Why'd ya wanna meet me?"

"No reason. C'mon."

"Where are we going?"

"Ya really gonna do that again?"

"Yes."

"We'se goin' someplace special."

"Ok good enough."

He smiled and took her by the hand. He lead her to the harbor and stopped by the dock they "soaked" each other on.

"Do you'se trust me?"

"Give me a day or two."

"Too bad."

He scooped her up and threw her in. She emerged sputtering and splashing at him.

"What was that for?!!"

"Revenge. And that's how we can get to the 'someplace special'. Just trust me."

He then jumped in himself. She laughed but was still confused.

"Follow me."

She followed as he swam under the dock. Once underneath, you could see a trove of different items on the rocks and sand. He climbed up onto it and helped her up.

"What is this place?"

"The place no one knows bout so don't tell nobody."

"Ok, but really. What is all this stuff?"

There was a small trunk and a few other things scattered around it. There was a picture frame that was clearly broken, another small box, a locket, a schoolbook, and a toy train. Charlie picked up the picture frame that was overturned. Through the broken shards of glass she could see a picture of a rich looking couple and a small child. A boy.

"Spot is this--"

"Yeah."

"Wow. You're actually ok showing me this."

"Yeah. Just promise not ta tell no one."

"I'se promise but...I thought you never let anyone--"

"I'se dunno. I'se thought so too. Somethin' just told me I'se needed ta tell you'se somethin' I'se neva told no one."

She picked up the locket. Inside was another picture of an infant baby. She then opened the smaller box. Inside were more pictures: some folded, some faded, and some torn. They were different pictures of Spot and his parents. Inside the trunk was a suit of clothes and a ball gown. They were the same ones the couple wore in the picture in picture frame.

"Spot this is...I'se speechless." She stroked the soft fabric and then went over to him. He smiled a genuine smile. Not his Spotty smirk that was so famous. But a real smile. "Spot, you'se showed me all this...why?"

"I'se been against the ideas of love and trust since I became Spot Conlon. Mostly cuz they'se make ya do stupid stuff. Like this. But you'se worth it."

"Wait." She said teasingly. "Did Spot Conlon just admit to lovin' someone. I'se wouldn't believe it if I'se hadn't heard it myself. I'se thought he was supposed ta be heartless and cruel cuz he's king of rough an tough Brooklyn."

He smiled again and she kissed his cheek. His crystal orbs grew wide. She couldn't believe it either. He looked at her. She didn't fear him. He didn't feel like "Spot Conlon" around her. He felt like...just Spot. She kissed him all of a sudden, running her fingers through his wet, caramel hair. He pulled her close and refused to let go. He leaned back, letting his body control his mind. As she lay on top of him kissing him hard, he still couldn't keep from wondering where she had been all of his life. After a while, they broke away and just laid there in beautiful silence. Spot couldn't help but wonder what her story was. He wanted to know everything about her. He wanted to explore and learn every detail. She intrigued him in a way he had never experienced before. But he knew it was still too soon. He still didn't think either one of them was ready to reveal something they'd been hiding so long. Bits and pieces at a time, bits and pieces. He finally kissed her forehead and sat up. It was dark now, he knew his boys would be wondering where he was. It was still silent as he lifted his key off of his neck and placed it around hers. He stroked her cheek and sighed. She looked at the key more closely. It had the word "Brooklyn" engraved on the handle in a beautiful, fancy font. He kissed the key, and then kissed her once again.

She finally spoke. "Why are you'se givin' this ta me? I thought you'se neva took it off."

He hugged her and whispered "You're the key ta my heart."

She still felt like it was unreal. Like it was a dream. She tucked the key into her shirt so the other boys couldn't see.

"Are you'se sure ya wanna keep this a secret?"

"I'se wouldn't wanna ruin your reputation. Besides, Race is really ova protective."

He pecked her lips once more. "Ok."

They swam back out from under the docks and climbed back up out of the water.

"Ya wanna meet again tamorrow?"

She kissed his nose and smiled. "I'se don't even wanna leave."

"Ya don't have ta. It is late...and walking in Brooklyn alone at night is kinda dangerous."

"What are you hintin' at?"

"Ya could stay here for the night."

He pulled her close then, their noses almost touching. That did it. Just seeing his face and falling into his eyes made her want to do whatever he said. This wasn't good. She knew too well what was going to happen to her if this didn't work out. He was Spot Conlon. He was known for this. She was being stupid. But, she so desperately wanted to. She had never been more happy in her entire life than when she was with him. He could see she was fighting with herself.

"I'se won't hurt ya I'se promise."

"That depends on how you intend it."

"Look I'se know ya have trust issues. And I know ya hate gettin' close ta people cuz you think you'll get hurt. But I'se promise I won't hurt you'se."

"How do I'se know?"

"That's the thing bout trust. You'se don't."

"You'se don't understand. I'se ain't used ta bein' happy. Good things don't happen ta me an if they'se do, they end up..."

A single tear fell from her eye. He kissed her cheek and hugged her. He picked her up bridal style and went into the warehouse through the back door that led up to the loft that served as his personal bedroom. He set her down on the bed. He found a large white button down shirt for her to sleep in. He showed her to a closet she could change in and he changed himself into his night clothes. She came out still looking slightly nervous. He hugged her, trying his best to reassure her. The white shirt was so long it went past her knees and it covered her chest well. He even offered to sleep on the floor if it meant she could be comfortable, but she refused for him to have to do that. She had never slept with anyone before, but she wasn't going to let her fear of trust and heartache control her. She knew he loved her. As much as she was confused by everything, she loved him too. Of course she was afraid. Of course she was doubtful. But it felt right. And when it feels that way, all of the reasons why not just...disappear.