Page 36 of Home to the Hollow

Seer crosses her arms over her chest, giving them both a reproachful stare. “Oi, boys. S’not nice to tease Peanut. Even if she has the best bloody pouts on the planet.”

My eyes narrow at my bestie, and then at my lovers. “Listen up, you eejits. I’ll not have you tag-teaming against me; got it?”

The boys laugh, and Seer bobs her brows.

This doesnotbode well.

* * *

Wipingthe sweat off of my brow, I grin at the work Seer and I completed.

Together, we cleared the basement of junk, creating a pile in one corner that is headed for Gene’s donation bins. Next to it are bins full of things I want to go through later to see if there are clues to my current predicament or to my parents’ secret shit. I didn’t tell her why those things got segregated because I’m not ready to share all my findings with her just yet. I trust her with my life, but I also don’t want to bring her into something dangerous.

I prepped the other half of the sizable area for the safety cabinet I ordered online. I use multiple sources to find the equipment to store my weapons and, for the moment, everything was organized by type and locked up while I wait for the delivery.

I’m not a crazy weapons person, but I did train for a career that required proficiency, and during that time, I picked up my personal armory. Serious people never want to use other people’s gear because it’s not made to fit your quirks and body type. I have specialty items that are custom made for my size and strength.

That’s common sense, and despite moving to a safe area, I’m not getting rid of my babies.

“Mow!”

I peek at the stairs, chuckling under my breath. “We are close to dinnertime.”

“Mrrrp?”

“Aye, lad and lassie. We’re comin’. Keep yer britches up!” Seer grouses as she lugs one more lockbox to the pile. “I suppose we have to feed them, an’ then we’ll go get to the nines.”

Wrinkling my nose, I nod, waiting for her to join me before I flick off the lights. I follow her up the stairs, muttering, “I suppose so.”

Her tinkling laugh mocks me as she heads for the kitchen. “Don’t sound so overjoyed, Peanut. I might not think ye like your little tea biscuits.”

* * *

“Seeeeeeer!”I whine, tilting my head back into her hands as she continues to rat my hair in a way that feels like I’m being scalped. “Is all of this really necessary?” Another yank is my answer and I frown at the mirror like a petulant child.

“Wind yer neck in, Peanut. I haven’t gotten to do this in a dog’s age.”

I sigh, knowing she’s right. If we’re going out on the town on Saturday night in the Hollow, I gotta seem like I tried with my appearance. People will be watching. I don’t know what the hell secret this stupid liquor store holds, but the way the boys lit tells me it’s a big deal. My eyes drift back up, watching my BFF tease my curled hair into a half-updo. She’s giving it volume commensurate with a small Southern town, I suppose, even if I don't look a goddamned thing like myself.

“Do we have to beat my face, too?” Seer gives me a face that is dripping with sarcasm. Guess that’s a ‘yes’.

To her credit, she’s primped and ready to rock. My cosmopolitan friend is going to raise over one brow in her tiny satin shorts with dragons embroidered on them, a cropped purple corset, and ankle length black mesh duster. She’s paired it with thick soled, heavily buckled rave boots in bright iridescent patent leather that have fairy wings on the back, rainbow eyeshadow, winged liner, and her fiery hair is teased into a fat Viking braid with the sides in smaller braids that connect to it.

She looks fierce and otherworldly, which is sure to draw attention.

“Stop being self-conscious.” She raps me on the head with her brush, grinning at me in the mirror. “I’ve had as much trauma in my past about being a two-by-four with limbs as you have with being a curvy goddess.”

Chuckling, I twist my lips. “You got me. This place brings it all back. I mean, somehow I’ve found sexy ass men who want me, and I still worry about what all the busybodies and mean girls will say.”

Saoirse walks in front of me, leaning against the sink as she works on my eyes. “Memories are blessings and curses, Peanut. We have a helluva lot of good ones, but without the bad, you can’t appreciate the best stuff. Our past shapes our present and future, and everything you’ve done until now led you to this moment.”

“Aren’t you a fuckin’ fortune cookie tonight? I shouldn’t have let you do a bourbon tasting flight before we ate. Saoirse the Wisealwayscomes out when you drink brown booze.”

“Too bloody right. Now, while I finish this, tell me: playsuit or dress?”

I frown at her. “I didn’t buy ‘going out’ clothes for home yet. I have very European stuff, which may work for you, but it’s the wrong impression for the Hollow if I want these people to accept me. I also have day-to-day grubby stuff, workout clothes, and a bunch of work-ish clothes I bought for school. That’s it.”

“Aren’t ye lucky yer personal seamstress blew into town, then? I brought a thing or ten. Now, playsuit or dress?”

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