I’m nervous. I never thought I’d have this opportunity. I was fine being alone, damning myself to a lonely lifetime. I wallowed in my sadness and guilt.
In my arms, I have a new chance at life, but there’s also risk.
“We’re going to call it a night,” Westin announces, gripping the back of Jazz’s shirt to lift him to his feet.
“What? No. I wasn’t?—”
Westin scuffs him on the back of his head.
“Oh, right. Right,” Jazz mumbles. “Fine. Give the lovebirds some privacy. What about him?” He points his thumb at Ruka.
Ruka snores so loud that it reminds me of the chainsaw I have in the barn.
“I think he’s fine,” I say just as the can in Ruka’s grasp falls to the ground and rolls away, clinging to the pebbles. It comes to a stop at the bricks that surround the fire pit.
“He’s a lightweight. Don’t mind him,” Nariko informs. “It doesn’t take much. He will be out all night. Nothing will wake him up except for a good twelve hours of sleep.”
Westin tilts his hat at us. “I’m glad everyone was okay today, Nari. It would have been a bad day for that guy if you weren’t. Have a good night.”
“Goodnight,” her sweet voice chirps at my two best friends.
With a finger wave, Westin allows his irises to turn red, blurring away with Jazz. Their cackles can be heard all over the pastures, I’m sure.
Nariko points at where they used to stand, then at me, then at them again. The way she continues to look back and forth from me to the empty space where Jazz and Westin were standing would be comical if I weren’t so nervous.
They did that on purpose—the fuckers.
I’m closer to having to tell her the truth. All I want to do is spend time with her. I want to get to know her, yes, but the truth is, I want her to get to know me.
When I push into her emotions, I expect to find fear or confusion. Instead, I find excitement.
“Put me down and tell me right now, Oklahoma. Tell me the truth.”
The truth.
The easiest to know and the hardest to tell.
“I don’t think now is the time, Nariko. Let’s call it a night. I’ll bring your brother inside, and we can talk about this tomorrow.” He walks towards the old cabin with a tin roof and old creaky steps.
“Put me down, Oklahoma.” I wiggle in his hold.
And he tightens it.
“I said to put me down!” I jump out of his arms, catching myself on a nearby chair. My feet scream at me in protest, the cuts stinging and burning from being bothered with pressure.
“Nariko. Let me help you. Please, you shouldn’t be on your feet.”
I hold up my hand to stop him. “Don’t. I’m fine. You know, if you are going to keep doing this, then I don’t know why I’m here.”
“I’m only trying to protect you.”
“That isn’t your call to make.” I close the distance between us, our chests bumping against one another, enough for me to smell the smoke lingering on him from the fire.
He smells so good.
He looks so good.
The way his shirt stretches over his chest and arms has my body yearning to know what he looks like without it.
