Page 61 of Roses and Skulls

The wind is blowing this morning, and I can hear the chimes calling to me through the walls. Today’s message is screaming at me to open up to him. To tell just one person my secrets. I know this sounds weird, but I feel grandpa today.

It was the first time I woke before dawn and didn’t need to run to the bathroom to release the pain. It’s still there but it’s not screaming to be let out. It’s just simmering beneath the surface. I keep waiting for it to roll to a full boil but nothing yet.

He told me that someday a boy would come along, and he wouldn’t let anything stop him from being with me.

I didn’t believe him at the time but now… Elijah is here with me. Alone in a cabin, hours away from the warehouse where no doubt my dad is pacing the floors.

Grinning to myself, I pull my other leg up.

His tattoos are beautiful. I suspect the handiwork of my mom. My eyes trail over the dark ink covering his arms and running over his hands. A shiver courses up my spine and I close my eyes, remembering the first night I saw him at the bar, before I knew who he was.

Last night, he said he still had the shells that I collected in San Diego. He carried the bucket for me and shined the flashlight over the sand as I cradled my broken arm. I mean, it was kind of his fault but not really. He warned me that it was a bad idea. My actions, my consequences.

Elijah stretches one hand over his head and the other dips below the waistband of his jeans a tiny bit. My mouth suddenly becomes dry. The tip of my tongue comes out to wet my lips when his eyes open, instantly connecting with mine.

He doesn’t pull his hand out of his pants. No, instead, he shoves it down farther and I see it wrap around his, um, yeah, that thing.

Quickly, I jump to my feet, embarrassed for him and myself.

“Where are you going, Rosie?” he asks, his voice rough from sleep.

I stop and fist my hands at my sides. “I’m going to make breakfast.”

“I’ve got something you can eat,” he taunts. And with that I’m flying down the stairs.

He’s much easier to deal with when he’s asleep. I know he’s going to end up getting me in so much trouble with dad. My stomach tightens. My dad. I’ve forgotten all about what he learned yesterday. Who knows, I could walk back into the warehouse and right into an intervention. What if they make me go back to that dreaded therapist?

I hated it there. It made me feel broken.

My hands rub over my thighs. I am damaged. Not on my legs but in my damn head. I think too much. It’s all I do. Think. Think. Think.

A hand slaps my ass, making me screech and rise to my tiptoes. I turn around with my hand raised, ready to slap him across the face, but his fingers wrap around my wrist, holding me there.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks.

My eyes narrow. Does this man have some kind of weird intuition, one where he can read my thoughts?

“Let me guess. You’re worried about going home today.”

I spin myself out of his grip and go back to the sink, rinsing out the mugs I retrieved from the shelf. “Wrong,” I quip, shaking the water from my hands.

He laughs, making his way over to the cupboard, pulling out the container of coffee. “I doubt that but let’s hear it.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I scowl at him. “Well, first of all I’m not going home. I have to work at Junkyard Treasures at ten this morning, so I’ll drop you off on my way.”

“No can do, Rosie. Dad says I have to have your ass to the warehouse by ten. I’ll text Lily and let her know you’ll be late.”

My heart stops. Maybe my fears are valid. William told him to take me home. They are probably waiting with guys in white suits and a straitjacket in just my size.

Elijah continues working on our coffee while I sit in the chair, planning a way out of this. Okay, so if I drive, maybe I can make that hairpin turn at the bottom of the mountain and throw his ass out. I mean, I’ll tell him to tuck and roll right before, so maybe he won’t get hurt.

My shoulders drop. I can’t hurt him. So, I could just get to the warehouse, shut the engine off and then the moment he gets out I’ll lock the doors and run.

To where?

Aunt Katie is in Florida. Grandma just joined her. I could go there.

Elijah snaps in front of my face.

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