“Where do I start? I’ve never been somewhere with a dress code, but I doubt what I’m wearing would meet the expected standards. And that’s before we even start with my hair.”
Now I’m frowning. “What’s wrong with your hair?”
“It’s blue.”
“And?”
“And most people don’t have blue hair.” He throws his hands up in exasperation. “They wouldn’t like it.”
“Who wouldn’t?”
“The snobs in the fancy place you’re taking me to.” He kicks at a stone as we walk. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”
Okay, I might be confused, but I know I need to fix this. “Stop.”
My monster growls in satisfaction as Neo stops walking immediately. It doesn’t even mind the scowl on his face or the pissy arch to his brows as he tilts his face up to mine.
No, I think it likes it. I think we both do.
“What?” he demands.
“Do you like your hair? Your clothes?”
“Obviously.” He rolls his eyes. “I wouldn’t look like this if I didn’t like it.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
Neo gives a startled laugh. “You really don’t see it? Wylder, if you take me into some snobby place, we’ll be laughed out. I don’t look…normal.”
He shifts on his feet, his gaze anywhere but on my face. My eyes narrow. I don’t like that. I don’t like that this is bothering him so much. Where’s his usual confidence? The “I don’t give a fuck” attitude that he wears so well?
Grabbing his chin, I force him to look at me. “You shouldn’t ever change yourself to meet anyone else’s expectations. Understand?”
His hazel eyes glitter. “You realize how fucking hypocritical that is?”
I wince internally but keep my face impassive. “Yes. That’s why I know how important it is. Keep being you, and never be ashamed of it. That path only leads to misery.”
“Is that how you feel? Miserable?”
His words hit me square in the chest. My hand falls away from his chin as I swallow around the lump in my throat. “Right now, I just feel hungry.”
To his credit, Neo doesn’t push. “Well, that’s no good if they won’t let us in with me looking like this.”
“You’re worrying over nothing,” I say as we begin walking again. “We aren’t going to a ‘fancy-ass place’ as you put it. And, even if we were, no one would dare look at you twice, let alone refuse to serve you.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because you’d be with me,” I say simply. “I would not allow it.”
Neo doesn’t say another word until we’re before our destination. His hand tightens in surprise, and it’s only then that I realize it’s still clasped in mine. “Is this what we’re doing?”
“Yes,” I murmur distractedly. Now that I’m aware of how I’m gripping him, I don’t know what to do. Do I pull away discreetly?
Absolutely not.My monster is incensed at the thought of letting him go.We’re in public. Who knows what danger is around the corner!
We’re going to an arcade—it’s hardly a meth house. And I’m not your average Joe. I can sense danger coming a mile off. Not to mention the guards around us.
Unless Neo is the one instigating the danger, of course. Somehow, he slips under all my defenses.
