And finally, I have all-encompassing, searing relief.
We headout the next morning after the best sleep of my life. I’ve been looking over my shoulder the entire trip, disbelief painting the landscape around me every time I fail to find one of my former evil boss’ goons following us.
It makes anger boil in my chest, the fact he’s put so little work into holding onto me after the years of threats and emotional torture. I don’t know if or when I’ll be able to fully relax and trust that we’ve gotten away, but at least I have hope sparking in my chest again. A demon bringing hope… Who would have thought?
I glance over to see Kahlo being wrangled into the cat-backpack Ro bought for them, then slung onto his back. They hiss at everyone we pass. I roll my eyes at the creature, then startle when I realize I’m already smiling at the devilish duo riding next to me. I blink and turn my attention back to the mountains and massive trees as we make our way toward Portland.
Ro weaves through the city and I follow, unsure where he’s going. He finally pulls over next to a park along the river in what looks like a nice downtown area. I follow his lead and kill the engine, then pull off my helmet.
“What are we doing?” I ask.
“I heard they have great donuts here,” he says. “Figured we could stop for brunch on our way through town. Check it out a bit before we get to our final stop.”
He grins and I look around, then my stomach rumbles.
“Fine,” I say, realizing donuts actually sound pretty incredible right now. “I wish you’d tell me where we’re going, though.”
I’m pouting, and I hate it.
Ro swings his arm around my neck and tugs me into his side. He nuzzles his nose into my hair, then kisses my temple before sliding his arm down to clasp his hand around mine. He’s really very sweet and affectionate, and I have no idea how to return any of it.
My face flushes and I look down, a small smile playing on my lips. Ro doesn’t comment on my reaction, instead angling his back toward me.
“How’s Kahlo doing?”
I glance at our cat and they stare up at me with big, curious green eyes.
“Seems fine,” I say with a shrug.
Ro snorts. “Very convincing, I’m so relieved.”
He shrugs off the bag and holds it in front of him so he can see Kahlo, then he starts cooing to them. “Hey little bug, how you doing in there?”
The cat freaking meows back at him and raises a paw, pushing it against the clear bubble of the backpack. Ro places two fingers on the other side of the material like they’re trying to touch through it, and the damn cat’s entire being somehow relaxes.
My heart melts and I start to smile, then screw my face into a scowl. I cannot handle this, and I refuse to admit why. Never will I think of a cat or a demon as cute.
That isnothappening.
“I know, you want out. You’re gonna have to wait just a little longer though, okay? I promise it’ll be worth it. You’ll see. Maybe you can even have a little sneaky taste of donut,” Ro whispers the last sentence and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to ground myself.
Can I really survive living with those two?
Yes.
My heart beats the word. Yes, yes, yes.
I start walking, no idea where I’m going, but I can’t stand still anymore. I’ve only ever experienced—and expected—bad things for myself. I don’t know how to handle so much good in my life. It feels unsafe, even though logically I know that’s not true.
Ro carefully swings the bag back over his shoulders, then catches me in a few quick strides. He slips his hand around mine again and gives it a squeeze, shooting me a knowing smile. My heart eases, and my lungs loosen.
Then he tugs me around a corner and into a donut shop.
After I’ve eaten my fill of sugary sweets, and Ro has finished letting Kahlo lick the remnants of glazed bacon bits off his fingers, we’re walking back to our bikes. Ro is bouncing with excitement, and Kahlo is protesting loudly enough that I can hear his furious mrows.
“Okay,” I say, snagging one strap of the backpack so Ro is forced to stop. “Let me take that, you’re going to kill them before we even arrive.”
Ro grins and bounces in place as he hands over the cat with far too much giddy excitement at my care for Kahlo’s safety.
