Um, something did happen though, because my skin’s still buzzing.
He shifts into drive and continues. “Of course you can buy your own clothes, but there’s no reason to have you spend money on clothes that you probably aren’t going to strut around in back in New York.”
“No, probably not.”
“You’re going to pick out whatever you want to wear for the summer and then anything you don’t want to take back with you, I’ll keep here or donate.”
“Sounds reasonable,” I say quietly.
“Can we go now, or do you want to try a few more excuses?”
“I guess I’m fresh out.”
“Good. We’ve already kept Jameson waiting too long.”
We don’t even fully leave the drive leading to the ranch when Duke interrupts the still-simmering silence between us.
“When did you get struck by lightning?”
I feel that question like a kick in the ribs. “Wow, you get right to it, don’t you?”
He pumps his eyebrows twice. “I don’t mess around.”
“I’m starting to see that.”
“Is this the accident Leo and Allie have referred to?”
I give a slow nod. “Yes.”
“When was the last time you talked about it?”
“The day after it happened.”
“And you’ve been hiding your scar ever since?”
“For the most part.”
I roll my window down because launching myself out of the car feels safer than answering another one of Duke’s questions.
The blast of fresh air is an instant reprieve. I close my eyes and let the wind whip through my hair, trying to focus on that instead.
“Lichtenberg figures,” Duke says after he’s silent for a few beats.
I brush my hair out of my eyes, but keep my eyes fixed on the forest passing by the window. “What?”
“That’s what the fern-like patterns from lightning burns are called. They make a scar, but they usually disappear aftertwenty-four hours. There are cases where the scars are more permanent, but they are extremely rare … just like you.”
“Thank you for making sure I know the science behind why I’m such a freak of nature.”
“You’re not a freak of nature, Roxanne. You’re an impossibly beautiful woman who needs to deal with all that hurt you.”
I rub my temple. “I’m working on it. But I … I don’t really want to talk about this now … with you.”
“Fair enough.” He rolls down his window and rests his elbow on the frame. “You shouldn’t hide that scar anymore, though. It’s pretty fucking badass and kind of makes you look like a superhero.”
“Too bad I can’t shoot lightning out of my fingers.”
“Better for me since I’m fairly certain you would’ve cooked me night one.”
