Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
He did read me right. “Maybe I could just live here, in your cabin, and never leave?”
He laughs, then places the hairbrush on the table before gliding his palms down my arms, until he’s leaning forward enough to tuck his face into my neck. The air dances over my skin as he breathes in my scent. “I want a man, not a pet. Even the cats wander around.”
I know he’s right, and I like myself as a confident, maybe even a bit cocky kind of guy. I entwine our fingers. “I’m not chickening out. It’s just… a lot. But I’ll be fine. I’ve actually meant to tell you that once you introduce me, you should back off a bit, so I meet people on my own. Without my emotional support Roadkill.”
He stalls, thick, calloused fingers tightening on my flesh. “Are you sure you’re ready? I know how intimidating this place can be, and when I first came, there weren’t even that many people.”
I nod and turn around to wrap my arms around his neck. We won’t get that much PDA at the bonfire and I want to get my fill of him. I can hardly believe we barely admitted our feelings for each other, because it feels like we’ve been together for years.
“I’m sure, but you can keep an eye on me.” I kiss the scarred ear before moving on along the twisted bit of flesh on his cheek.
He chuckles. “I know you can handle yourself, but a part of me worries that if enough people act like assholes, you’ll come back here and pack your bags.”
“I risked my life for this. I won’t be throwing a hissy fit.” I stroke his head, but then pull away, because I know I’m just stalling. I look straight into his eyes to detect any lies. “You think I’ll be accepted here in the long run?”
His eyes are warm, like a sunlit morning by our secret pond in the woods. “Yeah. You just need to give people time to see you as Clyde, not a member of the Butchers. If I got over it, they must.”
I smirk. “Well, they’re not getting the kind of perks you do.”
His kiss is firm, honest, as if he’s putting his whole body into it. “Anyone who tries to get my perks will have to nurse a broken nose. Now let’s go. I want to rip off that band-aid.”
I like a good party, but I’ve been dragging my feet about this bonfire. Road is right though. There’s no avoiding it, and we leave the house after I once more check if I look acceptable. I can’t help the scratch on my cheek, but maybe it can get me some sympathy points from the women?
While the walk there is uneventful, the sunset over the lake in the valley below grabs all of my attention for a while. Golden orange, yet already so low that it makes the clouds above it dance with rich pinks and purples. I’m tempted to go there and skinny-dip with Road instead of meeting hostile strangers, but those people might hold the key to my future joy or misery, so I don’t even suggest it.
A huge fire made out of long branches forming a pyramid of sorts and stuffed with smaller bits of wood and straw has been erected in a circular area surrounded by benches, close to a children’s playground. The air is rich with the aroma of smoke and meat, and as we come closer, a herd of teenagers stares at us from the wooden playground castle with two slides.
“There’s way more people here than typical this early. You’re popular,” Road tells me, and his shoulder brushes against mine.
I groan beneath my breath, but keep my back straight. “Everyone wants to see gay Clyde.”
He inhales, and I stiffen when his hand rests on my lower back so very intimately I worry that everyone’s staring. But I don’t pull away, and he leans in even closer to whisper, “I know I’m one to talk, but now that the cat is out of the bag, we just need them to understand this is the new reality, right? It’s a weight off the chest, and I will not keep my hands away from you just so everyone else doesn’t have to deal with it.”
“Good, that’s what I want here. I pretended half my life, I want to be real here.”
His support warms my heart, and walking up to the groups of people saying hi to Road becomes easier with each step. In the past, I’ve seen him with friends from far away, but I wore hate-stained glasses. Now it makes me happy to see that he’s liked, that he has a community here he can depend on. He introduces me to a few people in passing, and I work hard on remembering names and matching them to faces.