"Let's take a walk."
This time, when I clapped a hand on his shoulder, he didn't shrug it off or fight me. I gave the guys a nod, letting them know I had this covered.
He followed me outside to the front of the bar. Thankfully, the rain had let up.
"Where are we going?" he asked, matching my pace. "Everything in this stupid town closes at nine."
"I told you, we're taking a walk. What, they don't walk in Portland?"
He shrugged. "I usually scooter."
I belted out a laugh. It echoed down the empty street.
"Fuck, now I really feel old."
We walked side by side for the next ten minutes, taking up the entire sidewalk. Pink was right. With the exception of the tavern, the town had shut down hours ago following the game. Most of the fans had long since headed home to the metro area.
When we rounded the corner to Bed of Roses, Pink stopped. "What are we—" Realization dawned across his face. "Is this where you live, Sinclair?"
"Temporarily."
"All this time, you've been living in Rose City?"
I tucked my hands into my pockets, thrilled to be back where it was chilly enough to wear a hoodie. A few of the guys knew I had been staying somewhere in Rose City, but I had never had them over. There wasn't exactly room for entertaining. Plus, I preferred my privacy, for obvious reasons.
"C'mon," I said, gesturing toward the outdoor shower. "I'm about to give you a gift."
His eyes widened. "Seriously, Sinclair? I know I fuck with you a lot, but you really aren't my type."
"Look," I said, leveling with him as I removed my hoodie. "I don't know what those guys said to set you off, and I'm not going to make you tell me. But I've been at this a lot longer than you,so I can tell you that that shit isn't going away." Next, came my shirt. "Assholes are always going to asshole. That's out of your control." I toed off my shoes and removed my socks. "What youcancontrol is your sanctum, the place or thing that brings you peace. This is mine."
When I pulled my joggers down, he averted his eyes.
"Damn, Sinclair. Warn a guy, would you?"
"Think about it." I gathered my discarded clothes and took off down the path, calling back over my shoulder, "You can grab a towel from Moira. Key is under the mat."
I wasn't his parent. I wasn't going to hold his hand or lie just to make him feel better. I had given him the keys to the Bat Cave; the rest was up to him.
I'd just finished rinsing the shampoo from my hair when I heard the shower across from me turn on. I smiled into the stream.
"They were making jokes about an autistic girl." I slicked my hair out of my face and met his gaze. "The assholes at the bar. Asshole A was telling Asshole B about the girl he's been seeing, and Asshole B said some nasty shit about it. I didn't like that. My sister's autistic."
I nodded.
"Still think it's good you pulled me off them?"
"I'm not saying they didn't deserve it," I told him. "They usually do. But believe me, beating the shit out of them wouldn't have done much good. You can't beat the bigotry out of somebody."
He stared blankly into the dark. "Yeah."
We soaked up the silence after that, along with the hot water. I didn't push him for more. I had a feeling he didn't have more to give just yet. I'd been there before, multiple times. I wasn't lying when I told him that. He had some reflecting to do, and I was happy to leave him to it. Besides, this wasn't the first time Pinkand I had shared a shower, but it was certainly the quietest. I might as well enjoy it while I could.
Any thought of Pink melted away though when I caught a glimpse of blonde hair peeking out of the neighboring trailer's window.
Clarke
Roasters 3-0
