Page 180 of Unwrapping Deviance

Feeling slightly bad for jumping the gun, I compromise by gathering up my and Mira’s plates and turning to my brother.

“Let’s ask her. She can decide.”

Mira has pulled on a tiny crop top t-shirt that leaves her belly and back completely bare and stops just beneath her breasts. The sheets are drawn across her lap, but I can just make out a hint of pale lace strapped over her hips.

The TV is set to some comedy I don’t recognize. It’s on mute so I don’t think she really cares what’s happening on screen.

But it’s the way she’s sitting with her knees squeezed against her chest, eyes blank staring off at nothing that cuts into my chest.

“Hey sweetheart.”

She blinks and quickly smooths out her features with a faint smile, but I’m not fooled. I know Daniel isn’t either, but I know neither of us are expecting her to simply bounce back like nothing happened. Not for a while.

She takes the plate I hand her, and I slide into the spot on her left. Daniel takes her right. We wiggle close, sandwiching her between us.

“Can we go home in the morning?” she asks once we’re all comfortable.

“Yes,” Daniel and I chime in unison.

“As soon as we wake up,” Daniel promises. “We’ll grab breakfast on the way. Just pack your bags and we’ll hit the road.”

Mira exhales deeply like that was all she needed to hear. “Can we stop at the sheriff’s office? I need to talk to Lucy,” she presses when both Daniel and I open our mouths. “It’s important.”

Daniel sighs and I know he’s already relented. “I don’t like it, but if that’s what you want to do.”

“It is.”

We nibble on our supper while watching whatever’s happening unfold across the screen. No one seems to be actually watching anything.

“Chris and I were talking, and we wanted your thoughts on our living arrangement,” Daniel brings up after several minutes of me trying to figure out how to say it.

Mira turns her head and searches my face. “Mom’s apartment is very small.”

My heart sinks as I realize what she’s telling me—it’s not going to work. I’m fine to fuck, but not to keep. Once again, I’m left behind. Chucked aside. A quick, passing amusement, but never good enough to love.

“I don’t want to sleep alone, and I don’t want one or the other. I want you both in the bed with me at night.” She nibbles contemplatively on a fry. “Is your apartment bigger?” She’s looking at me again. “I don’t mind moving if there’ll be enough space.”

It’s my turn to stare. Her words echo through my soul, a balm over all the aching pieces.

“You want to move in together?”

Her soft lips part. Her eyes widen as they dart nervously to Daniel before coming back to me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought ... did you not want to...?”

“I do. I want you in my bed. I want your clothes in my closet and your toothbrush next to mine.”

Relief washes over her pretty features. “I like the sound of that.” She turns her head to Daniel. “Is that okay with you?”

He leans in and kisses her gently. “As long as I get to wake up with you in my bed, I don’t care where the bed is.”

“So, where are we calling home?” she asks, glancing between us.

Wherever she is.

The location is unimportant.

“Let’s figure that out once we get back,” Daniel decides, and we both agree.

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