“It’s Trent,” I announce loudly, holding my arms in the air. “There was someone sneaking around your house.”
“Trent?”
There’s a second’s pause, then the light snaps on; so bright after the darkness, I throw one arm up to shield my eyes, which instantly water.
“What the fuck are you doing in my back garden at night?”
I give a feeble laugh, still getting my breath back. “That sounds like a fun euphemism.”
“Really? Cause that sounds like not an answer.”
“Give me a second.” I rise from my knees to my feet, wobbling a bit and raising a hand to my head where a steady thump is setting in. “There was someone out here.”
“Yes.You.I can still see you in case you’re—Fuck! You’re bleeding. Finley!”
There’s a shuffle of movement, then a joyful voice says, “You don’t have to yell. I was a metre behind you. Hey, random dude. Not cool sneaking around houses this late at night.”
“I’m not… There was an intruder.”
“Sure there was,” Rosa states in a flat voice. “What are you even doing here?” To Finley, “Could you grab a teatowel or something?”
A minute later, she brings it out, tossing it to Rosa and retreating near the door.
“Put this on your cut.”
I grab it with one hand, touching the various places my head is throbbing with the other to work out where the blood is coming from.
“No, don’t…” Rosa gives an exasperated sigh. “Here. Let me.”
She pushes the towel firmly above my ear, making me yelp at the sudden increase in pain.
“Don’t be such a baby,” she scolds, moving one hand against the other side of my head so she can exert more force, an idea I’m not on board withat all.
Except, the longer she touches me, the less I feel the sick pulse of my injury and the more I feel the smoothness of her palms, the dry, slightly cool rasp of her skin against mine.
“We should take this inside,” I suggest, meaning because there’s an intruder running around who might circle around to come back and my head has taken enough punishment for one night. That’s not the way she takes it.
“Nice try, buddy, but you’re not talking your way into a home with two unprotected females in their prime that easily.”
“I can put some more effort in,” I offer with a chuckle. “What points would you like me to hit first?”
“Wait!” Finley holds up her hand, pointing her forefinger at me. “Is this the rich one?”
“Everyone’s richer than you,” Rosa quips back and laughs. “But yeah. Mr I’ll-pay-your-tuition-for-three-years is far richer than normal.” She hikes up her eyebrows. “Far richer than it’s healthy to be.”
“I’m plenty healthy.”
“Yeah, you are,” Finley says, followed by an appreciative trill of laughter. “Don’t suppose you’ve got a sister, do you? I like natural blondes.”
“I’m sure they like you plenty in return, but no. Sorry.”
“It’ll have to be a rich friend, then.”
Rosa pulls away a little, releasing pressure on the towel and scrunching her face in dismay before replacing it. “We might need to call an ambulance.”
“Can I at least sit on the back step? I’m getting woozy.” It’s not a complete lie.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Rosa.” Finley jumps forward and takes my arm, pulling both me and her friend along with her. “Let him inside before he dies out here and we all get evicted. I’m too young to spend my life worrying where to couch surf each night.”
