DESI
SEPTEMBER
While I dreaded returning home,it was necessary. September was here, and I was expected by several people who would hunt me down if I didn’t show. I knew this because I had called a few times to get my money, and each time I was reminded to be home in time for the wedding.
Scout and I had spent the last few weeks of summer not taking on any more jobs, but instead finding each other again, touring beaches and watching the sun set and rise together.
The last ride home was a long one. I held her hand and we sang Journey at the top of our lungs over and over until we drove past the city limits, and we were back where we started. It felt weird to drop her off at her house.
“I was serious. I want us to move in together,” I told her as I held firmly onto her hand. The idea of being away from her wasn’t one I liked. “Let’s go pack up your stuff right now.”
I had no idea what I was saying. I couldn’t move her into my place. Aleida had keys, she knew where I was, and the hours I kept. She’d see another car there. How could I move Scout in? Thankfully, Scout shook her head. Relief, yet a twinge of disappointment, wafted over me.
“Soon. For now, I want to go inside and rest in my own bed. Alone,” she clarified when I made a suggestive face.
“Are you going to be okay alone?” I asked. While Scout had kept her promise during the rest of the trip to not touch another razorblade, I still worried about her mental state. If she was alone, would those dark thoughts return? If I wasn’t there to sew her up, it could be disastrous.
“I’ll be fine. I’m mostly going to stretch, shower, and then get a good night’s sleep with my comfortable blankets and pillows.”
I only dropped her hand when she forced me to. She started toward her house but then spun around and waved. “I’ll be fine! Go, unpack, and I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”
Reluctantly, I got into my car and took off toward home. I turned onto my drive and hit the brakes sharply. Aleida’s car was in my driveway, and the lights in my house were on.
Fuck.
I stared at my house, trying to figure out what was about to happen and how to get out of it.
She had to know.
That was why she was here. She knew about Scout and was going to confront me, and… then what? She couldn’t kill me. To kill a Bloodborn before they turned was not just frowned upon, she’d be hunted down too.
No, Aleida wouldn’t kill me, she’d do worse. She would kill Scout. I couldn’t let that happen. Gathering up the courage to leave the car, I climbed out, grabbed my bags from the back, and headed up the stairs. My heart hammered as I unlocked the door and opened it.
I stepped inside, looked up, and froze.
Aleida, in full wedding gear, stood in the center of my living room, smiling at me. “Surprise!”
I took it all in. Her dress was large, with giant balls on her shoulders and sleeves that went to her fingertips. It was tight at the waist but poofed out so much I couldn’t see the ground. The train was wrapped around the room in lazy circles.
Aleida had curled all of her hair and put on such dramatic makeup it was almost a costume. Her veil went to the floor, and the flowers in her hand looked to weigh about thirty pounds.
“What?”
She jumped up and down excitedly. “Surprise, sweetie! I know you’ve talked all summer about not wanting a huge wedding, so let’s just do it now! We can go to the courthouse tonight and a judge will do it.”
“No.”
She blinked. “What?”
“No, I don’t want to do that.”
She dropped the bouquet. “Why not?” Her red eyes hardened, and she bared her fangs. I braced myself.
“Because I’m in love with someone else.” The silence that followed was thick. We stared each other down.
“What did you just say?”
“I said, I’m in love with someone else. I don’t want to marry you. I don’t care what our parents want. I can’t go through with it.”
