Among other things.
Somany other things.
Recently, I made a vow about our situation.
Stop. Making. A. Fool. Outta. Yourself. Son.
I’m just not quite there yet.
Despite my misgivings, we enter through the back entrance using my key. The entire place is dark. We just passed an electricity inspection, so I try the switch and the entire place lights up. It’s still a construction zone. Over the next six weeks, the flooring, tile, stage, painting, and trim out will be done. By the end-of-March completion date, the facility will be state-of-the art.
“Wow, you guys!” Mom twirls around like the ballerina she is. “This is breathtaking.”
“Who’s there?” I hear an angry voice and heavy clomping footsteps approaching. “I’ve got a fucking gun and I’ll fucking blow your head off.”
Instinctively, I leap in front of my mom. “Jesus, Fee. It’s just me. I’ve got Carter and Mom with me.”
“What the fuck, Zane?” Fiona Reynolds appears from the shadows, her fuchsia hair the perfect contrast to her black-rimmed blue eyes, which squint at me with annoyance. She’s wearing red-plaid pants, chunky black boots, and an oversized black sweater. Her voice softens when she sees my folks, yet herarms remain crossed defensively. She tilts her head up. “Hey, Carter. Lianne, it’s been a minute.”
My mom strides to Fiona and practically squishes her. “It’s been way too long. Sweetheart, I’m so glad to see you.”
Fiona’s arms are like noodles at her sides until she reluctantly reaches around my mom and hugs her back. “Um, yeah. It’s good to see you.”
“Don’t worry. We’re just looking around for a few minutes. Mom’s spending Christmas with us. Carter and I were over at Ty’s house earlier. Ty got engaged to Zoey tonight,” I babble. No matter how hard I try, my tendency to spew out more information than anyone ever asks for always kicks in when I’m deep inside my head.
Little known fact: I’m almost always deep inside my head.
I’ve just gotten good at hiding it. Most of the time.
In other words, word vomit is my tell.
So is joking. Bouncing off the walls. Getting lost in music.
“I’m very impressed.” Mom turns to Fiona. “You’ve all gone through so much to get it to this point.”
A wave of agony passes across Fiona’s face, likely at the thought of— well everything. She covers it up quickly. “Onward and upward, I guess.”
“You must be tired,” Carter says to my mom. I notice Carter touch the small of her back and gaze into her eyes. I raise an eyebrow at him, and he moves his hand away.
Mom catches the look that passes between me and Carter and steps aside. “It’s getting pretty late.”
“We’ll head out then. See you later, Fiona.” Carter and my mom head toward the back exit.
I don’t move. Fiona and I are eye-locked into a showdown stare. “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” I wave them off.
Fiona looks weary. She’s so tense, her hands are balled up in fists. She glares at me. Except no, that’s not it. She’s pleadingwith me. But for what? “Just go with them Zane. Let’s not do this right now”
I step toward her, run my hands along her forearms and unclench her fists with my fingers. Her long, black nails dig into my wrists when she grips them tightly. I lean in, my mouth is right up against her ear. “You. Can’t. Make. Me.”
Fiona shivers. Her breath hitches. “Stop being such a child.”
My cock stiffens. Strains against my jeans.
“I haven’t been a child in a very long time, and you know it, Fee.” My lips drag along her jawline and then press against hers. I don’t kiss her, exactly. I simply take her in. Her sweet, orangey essence permeates my entire being. Her soft skin feels like silk. Her blue orbs bore into mine until she closes her eyes, and her entire body relaxes against me.
Us. Together. Close like this. It’s our safe space.
It’s always been our safe space.
