“Will you?” I quirked an eyebrow. “And for the record, while you’re here and I’m assigned to ensure your well-being, it absolutelyismy decision.”
“Whatever, limpdick straight-edge pony prick. You ruin everything.” The tears came hot and heavy, searing down her cheeks, melting into the rain.
“Limp dicks are rarely straight,” I growled, intensifying my stare, unmoving.
Bad move, giving in to her insults, perhaps, but I’m only human.
And this is the usual hell cycle.
Little Cleo, wanting to make a childish decision she’ll regret, and I have to stop her to keep getting paid.
Rinse, repeat, and rip my hair out every time.
“Get moving. Ten more seconds, and I’m waking up your grandfather.” I fished my phone from my pocket, holding it up.
“Youwouldn’t.” She gasps.
“Try me.” I spread my hands.
“Oh my God.” With one more indignant head shake, she stormed back to the house. “You are theworst, Holden Verity.”
That part didn’t bother me. I’ve heard far worse.
And whether we get along or not, it was irrelevant to my job. Cleo crafting a custom Holden voodoo doll didn’t matter if it kept her in one piece.
What I didn’t expect was the note she left a few days later, before returning to Boston.
The letter came complete with a sketch she’d drawn of me, looking like one of those exaggerated miniature anime characters. I’ve seen them before from Kit’s cartoons.
I looked surly and exasperated, stormy and scowly and fucking ridiculous.
Holden Hardass,she’d scrawled in her girly handwriting. She drew little hearts above herI’s.
The words underneath were more surprising.
Holden, you suck. You always will.
But you suck just a nano-dick less for stopping me from sneaking out with Jace. I hate to admit you saved me some trouble.
He ghosted me after that night. He hooked up with Patti, that goth chick Gramps used to buy Girl Scout cookies from, right after he got away.
He likes to run his mouth too. I guess you scared him bad enough. He’s not running around Portland, telling everyone we nearly hooked up.
Thanks for that. And thanks for stopping me from sleeping with him because I hear he’s pretty shit in bed.
But yeah. You are still the biggest, grumpiest asshole in the known universe.
If you ever have kids, I pray for them.
Still your favorite headache,
Nile Queen
That’swhat she signed at the bottom.
I still have it to this day, tucked away in my office drawer along with a few photos with the old man and the other kids. I was usually the man behind the camera, taking those pics.
Now, as I reach over to gently wake her up and get one eye cracked and gleaming hellfire for my trouble, I almost smile.
