I turn up the music. Drown her out. She bites back a smile.
I like the idea of Cecily sitting there, thinking about how I'll keep her from combusting.
CHAPTER 35
Cecily
Dom is tryingto kill me quietly. Softly. Without the use of violence or weapons.
How about you tell me when you're nearing combustion, and I'll make sure it doesn't happen?
What does that mean? And why does it seem like he wants me in a silent tizzy, mulling over his intentions until I collapse?
The man is diabolical.
There's no time to think about it now, because the gunfight at the O.K. Corral is underway. Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday jump and roll, shoot and stagger. It's the lawmen versus the outlaws, hollering and leaning into their questionable and campy but altogether fun accents.
We're sitting in the stadium-style stands, watching the popguns smoke and the booted men kick up dust. Duke sits on one side of me, Kerrigan on the other. Dom is between Rainbow and my grandma. My parents are one row above us. I split off from Dom when it came time to take our seats. I've been mentally agonizing over what he said in the car, and standing beside him smelling his cedar scent was too much for me. Ineeded a break, hoping distance would break the spell I fear I'm finding myself in.
Dom is, well, a lot of things. Great things. And I can't think this about him while simultaneously smelling his delectable scent, or feeling the warmth of his arm when it brushes mine. It's too much.
Dom catches my eye during the ending scene, where guns blaze and men give their all to the reenactment of the famous gunfight. He makes a finger gun, points it at me and shoots, blows on it, and pretends to holster it.
I shake my head at him likeWhat a nerd I cannot believe you did that. What I think, but do not dare reveal, isNerds aren't supposed to be so hot.
The show wraps up, and my mom says she'd like to wander through the town. "I want to buy kitschy shit."
Duke starts to disagree, but my dad talks over him. "Ok, Mare. Let's go buy kitschy shit."
They walk off. My dad reaches for my mom's hand.
Like Kerrigan and Duke, I stand agape. "When was the last time you saw Mom and Dad holding hands?"
"Probably around the last time he called her Mare," Duke answers.
"Grandma," Kerrigan says. "Did you sprinkle something on Mom and Dad's oatmeal?"
"That was me," Rainbow chimes in. "My famous Reconnection powder."
"Famous to whom?" Kerrigan asks.
"I'm only joking," Rainbow says when she sees Duke's stormy expression.
He glowers. "Don't make jokes that could be taken as truth."
"Or as poisoning," I add.
Rainbow steps away, suddenly very interested in the chalkboard menu at a nearby soda fountain.
"Quit being so nice to her," Duke says to Kerrigan through clenched teeth.
"Quit being so mean to her," Kerrigan volleys. "She's doing a nice thing for Grandma." Kerrigan looks to me for backup, but she won't find it.
"Sorry, Kerr. I'm with Duke on this one."
"You two are so cynical. I actually feel sorry for you."
Duke shrugs. "And you're too trusting." A buzzing sound emerges from his pocket. "Excuse me," he says, smoothly stepping away.
