I blinked.
“What?” He gave me a questioning look.
“You didn’t say Heathen Heights. You said home.”
Realization hit his face and he nodded. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “That I did. Now, get dressed, I’ll put the crate on the bike and then we’ll head over to the Sketchy Shit.”
I did as I was told, finding new panties in the crate as well. They weren’t nearly as soft as the ones from the bunker, but they were better than nothing. The pants were my size, and hugged my thighs and calves an uncomfortable amount. Everything felt so heavy, and I didn’t think I’d be able to move the way I needed to. How was I supposed to outrun a creepie when my pants crunched with every step?
“I know you hate them, but you look good,” Riot offered as we walked out of the store. I agreed to disagree.
“I’m so hot,” I complained. “Why did this become the style?”
He ignored my whining, and instead held my hand and escorted me to Boogie’s shop. It felt wonderful to hold his ungloved hand.
I still wasn’t sure how to feel about the tattoo. I still didn’t have the full story, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get it, but I knew one thing. Whether or not it’d happened on purpose, I was falling for him.
After our tryst last night, I stayed awake wrapped in his arms and thought about everything. I felt like I should feel guilty, but I didn’t. I understood now how Callahan felt when he’d left. Being in Riot Ritalin’s orbit was confusing. I wanted to stay, but I also didn’t want to give up on Callahan either. Would he understand?Would he be jealous, or angry that I’d fallen into Riot’s arms while he was away?
I had so many questions but I didn’t care about the answers to them. Whatever happened, happened. We were going to go look for Callahan and the others, and once everyone was safe, we’d have the conversation.
We stepped into Sketchy Shit, and Boogie came from the back.
“What are you two doing here? It’s your day off.”
“I know,” I took a deep breath. “I—” I wasn’t sure how to say what I needed to say. I didn’t want to go. I loved this place. I’d only just started working here, learning the craft. I wasn’t ready to give it up.
Riot helped me along. “We have to go find my sister. She and a few others went down Mercury Mile. She was supposed to be back by now.”
“We? I have a room if you want to stay,” Boogie said. I shook my head and dropped Riot’s hand. How did I explain that I had to go because my… my what? What exactly was Callahan to me?
“Her lover was in the party. She wants to go.”
“Ah, okay.” Boogie nodded. I scanned his face, looking for a shred of judgement, having seen me holding Riot’s hand, but there was none. “So when do you plan on returning?”
“No idea. It depends on how far they got. I’d say a few weeks at least,” Riot answered, reaching for my hand again.
“You got it.” Boogie slapped his hand on the counter. “Well, Eleanor, have fun, stay safe, and if you survive and have all ten fingers still, you’ve got a job here.”
My heart exploded with joy. “Oh! Thank you Boogie!” I screamed.
He laughed and shook his head.
“Of course. I kind of like having someone here.”
We left the shop and were on our way back to Scissors when Riot threw his hand out across my chest and halted me.
“Stop,” he said through gritted teeth. I froze and looked around.
Oh no.
Soldiers, dressed in PARA suits, waving guns.
I knew they were going to come for us eventually, but it had been weeks already, I’d almost forgotten about them completely.
Riot pushed me behind a building and turned. “I’ll come back for you. Stay put.”
I nodded and watched him stride away.
