It’s funny how doing something as simple as changing your clothes can alter your entire personality. Putting on a black hoodie and a pair of boots made me feel like the killer I’d set out to be tonight…even before I added all the psycho accessories like thick plastic, sharp things and a shovel I didn’t even use. Taking all of it off to put on the clothes I left the house with…felt like ripping the mask off of the villain in everyScooby Dooepisode. It felt like being just plain Bridget again, like tonight didn’t even happen. Now, I just have to convince ‘plain Bridget’ to stop stressing what actuallydidhappen.
‘Simon says’, he’s got it handled.
So, shut your mind off and pretend you’re the good girl, Bridge.
…Simon didn’t say, “don’t smile”.
And I honestly couldn’t help myself as images of whoever that fuckstick was in the woods, kept replaying in my mind. Truthfully…I’m low key glad I didn’t make him into a speed bump. As bad as this situation could potentially be…I can’t stopmyself from finding it hot. I guess that’s what proves that I’m part of this family. We’re so incredibly fucked in the head. I knocked on the door and waited, toying with my lower lip and wondering if the mystery guy might be somebody we know. If so…who? The door swung open and Malek’s stupid face appeared seconds before he twitched his mouth to the side and slammed it shut.
“You fuckingass clown,” I growled, opening it and walking into their apartment to find him giggling like the prick that he is as he strolled to the fridge. “Where’s Sev?”
“Usin’ the last of the hot water like a savage little beast.” He cracked open a beer and turned it up, pointing into the fridge with his brows raised.
“Nah, I’m good. Can I make coffee?” I only asked to be polite. I started prepping the coffee maker before he could even answer.
“Sure…at yourownapartment.” He curled around the kitchen island and plopped down into one of the bar chairs. I ignored him and scooped coffee into the basket. “This is the third night this week, Bridge. I think I’m startin’ to figure out your one fear.”
“I don’t have fear. Stay out of it, Malek.”
“Easy to say when you’re the one puttin’ me in a hard spot. My best mate is boinking mysister, which is bad enough. You’re living together, but you’re here murdering my last nerve more often than you’re home with saidboinker.”
“Can we not? I’ve had a long day, and I don’t feel like talking through relationship bullshit with my brother. Being in one is awkward enough.”
“That’s because neither of ushadrelationship bullshit to talk about until about a year ago. My brotherly duties didn’t just end because of what happened. They ended ‘cause you actually held onto one long enough to realize it was worth keepin’.”
I smiled to myself and turned to lean against the counter and face him, crossing my arms. “Marriage made you mushy.”
Malek grinned and winked as he took another swallow of his beer. “Nah…just tryin’ to find a nice way to tell you that you’re cuttin’ into my playtime.”
“You cut into thatyourselfwhen you nutted over a pointy thing,” Sev jabbed, padding into the living room while she toweled her hair. “Hey, Bridge.”
Malek’s bottle clinked on the countertop and he scowled at her. “Not my fault. You were already naked and teasin’ me!”
“…I was cutting a tag off of a towel with a pair of scissors, Malek.”
He shrugged. “Same difference.” Seven tossed her towel, and it thwacked over his face.
“Go rub one out. I’ve got this.”
He stretched and stood up, shooting me the finger as he made an extra dramatic walk around Seven towards the bedroom door. “If anybody needs me, I’ll be practicing my audition. Keep your applause to a minimum. No cameras—”
“Out…” Sev snorted.
“Later, brat.”
“Night, bitch.” I flipped him off and blew a kiss as he disappeared around the wall.
The door shut behind him and Sev looked me over. She never asks, and I know she won’t, but…I’m pretty sure she knows there’s more to this than my conflict with Declan. She hopped up to sit on top of the kitchen island and started finishing off Malek’s abandoned beer.
“You never let your nails get that bad off. Is it bad enough for you to gnaw on ‘em, or are you leaving pieces in Dec’s back?” she chuckled.
“It’s not bad…just…weird. And he might have a scratch or two.”
“That’s my girl. As thick as Mal is…he’s got a point. Wanna talk about it?”
I do. And I don’t. This fucking sucks.
“I guess I just feel like I’m gonna disappoint him. It seemed easier when there wasn’t any commitment.”
