Page 178 of Rome: The Ballerina

She removed a twelve inch vinyl cover from the gift bag.

“To make your first record. Feels so corny but I love it.”

Nodding, I admitted, “You’re not the only one, Mellow.”

“That makes me happy.”

Her smile sent a message straight to my heart.

I can’t keep shit from her.I chuckled, preparing to reveal the secret I’d been keeping for all of six hours.

I fled from the car, leaving her clueless. However, she never exited the vehicle. Her legs were still in limbo. Her body had yet to recover. I rushed through the house and into the guest bedroom on the first floor. I stepped into the enclosure and scooped the furry creature into my arms.

When I emerged from my home, Rome’s eyes expanded beyond their capacity. Her mouth slackened and her chin nearly collided with her chest. I opened the door, introducing her to the fluffiest animal I’d ever laid eyes on.

“A bunny?”

“I thought it was more of your speed.”

I kneeled, placing the bunny on her lap.

“Oh my goodness, he’s gorgeous.”

“She.”

“She? Oh, even better!”

“I thought you could use something more to love after what we’ve experienced. Get some practice in. Prepare ourselves for greater responsibilities. She’s just a start. A dog needs far too much attention.

“Our lives can’t handle that level of attentiveness at the moment. A cat just didn’t feel like– didn’t feel like your speed. This little girl though… She reminds me of you. Gentle. Soft. Fragile. Fluffy. Gorgeous. And, good with her feet.”

Rome chuckled, adding at least three years to my lifespan.

“She’s perfect.”

“What will you name her?”

“Balle–”

“Balle?”

Rome nodded, sadness coating her orbs.

“Since the incident, there’s been silent tension between the guys. Without them saying it, I know they think what happened was their fault. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to make them feel better– make them understand that it wasn’t– or at least that I don’t hold it against them.”

“Balle sounds like the perfect fit,” I told her. “And, I hope that they understand they are not responsible for Aliza’s actions. No one is. No one except her parents, at least. They didn’t get her the help she needed, now they’re all gone.”

Telling Rome about what Aliza had done was one of the hardest things I’d had to do. Accepting what Aliza had done was the hardest. I wasn’t a stranger to the way August and Koen felt. Shit, I felt the same way sometimes, but I had to remind myself that Rome wasn’t Aliza’s first victim. Whether I was inthe picture or not, she had it out for Rome just like she had it out for the person before Rome.

“Can I take her with me?”

“Most of her shit still in the back. I guess it wouldn’t hurt. We can make sure we take what she needs in the restaurant.”

“Oh– wait. What if they don’t allow animals inside.”

“It’s me, baby. And, it’s you. Tonight, they won’t have any other choice.”

I shut the door and made my way around to my seat. Once we were both settled and Balle was relaxed, we headed for our destination.

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