Page 68 of Roses and Skulls

He doesn’t even look down at them. “I saw it in your eyes. The war. It killed me that you were going through it alone.”

“But I did and don’t think I need anyone to help me fight it now.”

The fucker smirks. “Don’t think I’m saying you can’t. I’m saying you don’t have to.”

My mom bops her head in as she knocks. “Is everything okay in here?” She steps inside, her eyes focused on the newspaper clippings scattered across the carpet.

“Yep, everything is good. She got me all patched up,” Elijah says, tapping the bandage over his eye.

Mom bends over, picking up an article, her eyes scanning over the words. “That’s good, I just got Dirk cleaned up as well,” she says mindlessly. She gathers up all of the rest of them, her brows pulled together.

“I was just showing Elijah what the papers wrote,” I say nervously, dropping down beside her to help.

“Yeah, yeah,” she scratches her head and then she looks at me, really looks at me. She stands up abruptly. “I… I have to go, are you going to work tonight?” she asks.

“I’m going to the shop to help Lily this morning, but I don’t think I’ll make it to the bar tonight. I have an apology tour I need to focus on.”

She pulls me close, hugging me tight. “You have no need to apologize to anyone.”

“But I do. I’ve been awful,” I say, breathing her in. I’ve missed her so much, but I still feel the separation. It’s as if we’re standing on opposite sides of the canyon, yearning for each other.

My mother kisses me on the cheek before pulling away. “I’ll see you both later then.”

When she walks out of the room, my gaze crashes with Elijah’s. “Do you think she heard us?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I think she feels like you are still keeping something from her. But I get it, you’re trying to protect her from the truth.”

I rub my hands over my thighs. Elijah pulls a sucker out of his pocket and throws it at me. I catch it in one hand.

“It will help, trust me.” He winks at me and just like that, poof, my mind is elsewhere.

He reaches behind his head to pull his t-shirt over his head, and I about drop over dead.

I take a step back, steadying myself against my dresser. He tosses it in the trash. “We need to stop by my room so I can grab a new shirt.”

My eyes are roaming over all the ink on his chest.

He snaps his fingers, drawing my eyes up to his. The smile he’s giving me makes goosebumps erupt over my skin.

I clear my throat and shove the newspapers back in the drawer. “You go on. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Elijah just laughs and comes over, smacking me on the ass. “Don’t run away this time,” he scolds before grabbing my cheeks and pressing his lips to mine.

My hands land on his chest as my eyes fall closed. He’s warm and firm. My fingertips curl into him, my nails pressing lightly into his skin.

When he pulls away, he runs his hand down my neck, holding my shoulders to keep me upright. “Isn’t this exciting?” His eyebrows raise as he backs away, letting his hands fall from me slowly.

Jesus. I can’t think when he is around.

Shit, I didn’t ask mom if we could borrow the rod. I have it full of the chimes I’m going to give to my family.

I try to get Elijah out of my mind as I jog downstairs. My dad is sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand. “Hey, where’s mom? I forgot to ask if Elijah and I can borrow the rod.”

“She’s painting,” he says, not looking at me.

Okay. I head down to the basement and peek in her room. She’s staring at a blank canvas. “Hey,” I say quietly as I push the door open.

She spins around, a paintbrush in her hand.

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