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I was done with dinner and bringing my plate to the garbage when something in the clubhouse changed, some disturbance in the air, a small undercurrent ofsomethinghappening that no one was talking about. I looked around for Rumi, but couldn’t see him anywhere. Then I looked for Micky, who was easily spotted in a crowd. He wasn’t there either.
Nana was still sitting with some of the women. Pop was talking to someone across the room. Bird was still arguing with Titus.
I was scanning the room when Rumi came back inside and headed straight for me.
“What’s up?” I asked as he got close.
“Nothin’.” He shook his head in dismissal, but I could tell that he was wired. He was practically vibrating with tension.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he murmured, glancing over his shoulder. “Are you good?”
“Am I good?” I asked in disbelief.
Rumi sighed. “I don’t want it to be like this with us.”
“Like what?”
“Weird.”
“It’s not weird.”
“It’s super fuckin’ weird.”
“Really? Because you seem fine.”
He stared at me in surprise. “Are you fuckin’ jokin’ right now?”
“Nope.” I glanced around, but no one was paying any attention to us.
“You want me to make shit public?” he asked in confusion. “You want me starin’ at you and wearin’ every fuckin’ emotion on my face?”
“Of course not,” I replied quickly.
“Well, you can’t have it both ways,” he murmured. “You wanted me to give you some space, and I’m doin’ that.”
“Then why are you over here?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Because some shit—” He stopped, pressing his lips together. “Just wanted to check in with you.”
“I’m great,” I replied flatly. “Having the time of my life.”
“You’re the one that wanted this.”
“I didn’t want any of this,” I replied instantly. “You think I want to feel this way? Fuck, Rumi.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, letting out a huge breath. He looked over my shoulder, and his expression changed as he nodded. “I’m—it’s been a weird fuckin’ night.”
I turned to see Micky coming toward us.
“Give these to Emilia,” he barked, tossing me his keys. I was so surprised I almost didn’t catch them.
“What? Wait, why can’t you give them to her?” I’d barely gotten the words out of my mouth when he and Rumi were striding away.
“Thanks, No,” Rumi said, barely meeting my eyes as he glanced at me over his shoulder. “I’ll call you later.”
What the fuck was going on? First the weird vibe, and then suddenly Rumi and Micky were bailing on the barbecue?
