Scythe & Sparrow (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #3)(72)
“Right,” I say, trying to contain my disappointment at how casually she just reminded me of our current situation. Rose envelops me in a brief embrace and then stands back from the door for me to pass. “Rules and shit. Yeah.”
“Come in. Tell me all about your match and that sexy new scar. There’s some rubbing alcohol and gauze pads in your guest room en suite by the way, in case you need to clean it up.”
Fucking hell. A one-two punch. I feel like I’m back in the ring and this time, I’m getting pummeled by Rose instead of Nate. And honestly? I think she could take me. She’s scrappy as fuck. “Thanks,” I say as I let the backpack slide from my shoulders. I set it down next to the couch and trail behind Rose as she heads to the kitchen, taking the teeth out as she goes. A little shard of disappointment lands in my chest when she grabs a robe lying on the back of a chair and slides it on. “I appreciate it.”
“No worries. So, the stitches?” she asks, pulling a beer from the fridge and offering it to me. When I nod, she slides it across the island where I take a seat, then cracks open a bottle of water for herself.
“The stitches, yeah. I fought Nate. Guess he got a couple of good punches in. I ended up knocking him out in the second round, though.”
Rose pouts, the gesture exaggerated by her stark makeup. “Poor Nate.”
“Nate’s fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. When they land on Rose, she grins as though she sees right into my jealous thoughts. “I did run into Matt Cranwell though.”
Even with the thick layers of makeup, I can still see the flash of fear in her face. “Cranwell? What did he want?”
“To be a dick, mostly. I wouldn’t worry. He’s still got nothing to go on.”
“Nothing more about Eric lately?”
I shake my head. “It comes up in conversation here and there, usually in reference to Humboldt Lake. People still seem stuck on it. They think the search was called off too soon.”
Rose blows out a deep breath and nods. Her smile is weak, but it’s still a relief to see it. “How about Naomi?”
“She’s great, actually. Got herself a new boyfriend, one of the other nurses. She seems really happy.” This time, Rose’s smile is the real deal. She beams at me. Which, even with her natural teeth, is still disturbing as fuck. “I’m still not sure what to make of all this,” I say as I gesture a circle toward her face.
“Well, I’ll give you some time to think on it. I’ve gotta get going to the Frightfair. I’m going to be late.” Rose comes around to my side of the island and slides a hand across my chest, giving me an embrace from behind. My hand circles her wrist. Her pulse drums a steady beat beneath my fingertips. I resist the urge to raise her skin to my lips, but only barely. “Thanks for fielding that asshole Cranwell. Must be shitty having him pop up every once in a while.”
The truth is, I’ve been thinking more and more of moving back to Boston. It wouldn’t be the worst thing either to get away from Cranwell. But my interest in coming home has very little to do with him, and everything to do with Rose. If she really is going to stay, it feels like the right time to consider it. If I’m being honest with myself, it’s the real reason I’m here, one I’m more and more ready to tackle head-on. I need to see if she might also be ready to dissolve our rules. To see what it would be like for us to make a real go of this. And being here, with her hand resting so casually on my chest like it was always meant to be there? That only makes everything clearer.
“It’s no worries,” I finally say, still relishing her gentle embrace. “I can drive you there, if you want?”
“Nah, it’s fine. You just got off the plane.” She pats me on the chest, a final stamp before she slides her hand free and starts toward the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. I wonder if she could feel the way my heart drummed against her palm. I know it’s not the right time, but I’m desperate to throw my questions into the empty space where her presence just lingered. The words were right there, ready on my tongue.
Rose changes into the rest of her costume, coming out a few moments later with black and white pants and a button-up shirt, both of which seem too big for her, which only adds to her unsettling appearance. She slides her tarot deck and selenite into one pocket, the creepy teeth into the other, then gives me a grin. “Uber is on the way,” she says, holding up her phone. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah, maybe I can pick you up? I’d like to chat about some stuff. Maybe we can talk on the drive home.”
Rose’s white painted brows flicker. “Sure … Everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, yeah.” I take a step closer, leaning down to press a light kiss to her cheek. “Text me when you’re about half an hour from being done. I’ll come get you. And don’t make too many people shit themselves tonight. Cleanup would be a bitch.”
Rose winks. “I thought you wanted me to have fun.”
“Mayhem in moderation.”
“That’s boring.”
With a final smile, Rose heads out to catch her Uber, leaving me in silence. I stand in the center of the room, watching that door like I hope she might turn around and bounce through it.
I’m not sure how long I stand there. How long it takes for it to sink into my marrow. But I finally realize I don’t care about the illusion of light anymore. My Rose blooms in the dark. And all I want is to grow there with her.