AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I smile. “Isn’t this what you asked me to do?”
“I specifically remember asking you not to flirt.” She returns to the Keurig to brew herself a cup. “That seems to be hard for you.”
She technically asked me not to kiss her or touch her today—two things I will respect. Whatever is going on with October is deeper than one conversation and fling can cure. I’d rather be patient and truly understand what happened than push her too hard. Especially since I have zero clue what went down.
My mind has already raced through the worst.
Someone hurt her.
Badly.
Assault. Rape. Those words are like knives in my gut, and I don’t want them to be true.
“Not flirting is only hard around you,” I say without thinking. I drop my gaze while I blow on the coffee again. Face heating.
Once those words leave my lips, I don’t yearn for them back. October doesn’t know about my relationships in Chicago, and I basically kicked open a door to a heavier topic. But we agreed to toss the rules away, right?
She purses her lips. “Zoey—”
“Rule number two: don’t talk about relationships,” I say like this one is wedged between my ribs and my heart.
My insides twist.
I’d love to know more about who she dated in Mistpoint Harbor. I assume she’s not with anyone now. The whole “I’m a ghost” situation doesn’t seem like it’d leave any room for another woman. And October isn’t the type to hook up with me while she’s dating someone else.
Though…I guess she could be different now. Six years is a long time.
Nausea rolls through me at the idea that she’s seeing someone.
October grabs her coffee mug. “We’re done with the rules,” she reminds me.
Relief tries to wash over me, grateful we’re at least on the same page on the rules front. She returns to the bed, sitting across from me with her legs stretched out to the side.
I blurt out, “I always envied you when we were growing up. I don’t know if I ever told you that.”
She tilts her head. “You didn’t have to. Your emotions are all over your face. It’s been that way since we met.”
Awesome. I’m an open book while she’s welded closed.
I cup my mug tighter, warmth spreading through my palms. “But I’m talking about before we met.”
She shifts a little, intrigue passing across her eyes. “Before high school?”
I nod. “I knew who you were. October Brambilla, the girl who saved her sister in the library fire. You were a legend, and everyone started talking about you. Girls loved your bravery. Boys lamented that you were a lesbian.” We both catch each other’s eye rolls, but I’m the only one who can muster a smile. “I asked how they knew you were gay, and someone told me that you came out to your family when you were ten. Ten…” I take a breath. “I envied so much how you knew who you were at such a young age. There I was, struggling to figure it all out. But hearing that was actually what motivated me to tell Parry I was bi.”
She frowns. “Why have you never told me all that?”
“I don’t think I was ever confident enough to,” I say honestly. “And then you helped me gain so much confidence that by the time I had enough to confide in you—”
“You left,” she finishes.
“It’s funny how that works, huh?” I whisper.
She takes a small breath. “I wonder sometimes what it would have been like, if I didn’t help you. Maybe you would’ve never left.”
“Do you wish that?” I wonder. My nerves start sputtering, worried about her answer. Does she really wish me to be the old Zoey? The one that could barely stand up for herself.
She shakes her head. “No.” Her eyes flit over me. “Every time you show this…defiance, I feel a little bit of pride.”
I smile. “Just a little.”
She pinches her fingers. “A microscopic bit.”
“A prideful ghost,” I say.
“Microscopic,” she reminds me into a sip of her coffee.
I laugh under my breath, but my head swirls around other questions. Who have you dated? Are you seeing anyone? Do you want to ask me about Chicago?
A buzzing sound vibrates the end table, and October reaches for her cellphone. Her brows furrow as she answers the call.
“Amelia,” she says quietly.
Hearing that name is like a balloon popping in front of my face. I set the coffee aside and lean back against the lumpy pillows. The broken doll is staring at me.
Definitely need to put that thing in a drawer tonight.
I watch October’s face close off to all emotion. Bricked-up. She nods tensely. “Of course, I didn’t forget. Can you check on Figgy and Rosemary tonight? I’m out…” Her eyes dart to me. “With an old friend…yes, that one…I know…I know, Amelia. …thank you. Their pellets and chop are in the same cupboard. Yes…” After another second, she ends the call with, “See you tomorrow.”
