Page 13 of Euphoria
“Sneakers and socks are in the back. I can’t have you walking around barefoot,” he says.
I smile and nod sharply. “Thanks.” I reach in the back and get those items. “Talk to me, man.” I say as I put the items on.
Orion clutches the steering wheel and shuts his eyes. “I thought you were gone man, like mom. I thought I made a mistake by having you meet Bambi and Bowie again. I can’t lose you, Nix. Don’t do that shit again. I’ll fucking kill you.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “You just told me you can’t lose me and that you’re going to kill me, all in the same sentence?”
Orion opens his eyes and glares again.
I put my hands up. “Fine, fine. I promise, nothing is going to happen to me. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“Good,” he says as he starts the engine and peels out of the driveway.
“Ry?” I call out to him.
“What?”
“You did the right thing by getting me to meet them again. I never thought I was good enough to be with a gentle soul like that but now, my mind is clear. I’m what she deserves and as for Bowie, I didn’t see him face to face but I’ll pay that fucker a visit. We put that shit behind us already.”
Orion grunts but I know he heard me.
I stare out the window. Wherever my little deer is, today is the last day of her freedom. I’m hers and I’m going to show her what that means.
* * *
Bambi
I haven’t seen Phoenix or Bowie in a week ever since they both walked out of my office. It pains me to say this but I can admit that I miss them much more than I missed them before. It was different living off the Island in the states where I could avoid seeing either of their faces as long as I didn’t check certain social media updates. I was in my bubble but now that I know how close they are to me I don’t know how to not search for them everywhere I go. It’s like this time, they’re running from me, which would be a joke because neither of them are runners. They never run from their truth like I did. They face that shit head on.
I sigh, bringing myself back to my reality. Today is my moving day. I can say that I can afford to live in a penthouse courtesy of my parents who are well off. They aren’t on the Founder family level but we are comfortable. I smile at the movers as I meet them in the lobby.
“Miss Vasquez?”
“Hello. Thank you for moving my things in,” I say.
The mover Jeremy smiles showing off his pearly whites against his dark skin. He’s attractive but in my eyes no one could ever be as beautiful as Phoenix and Bowie. Looking at them both is like trying your best not to stare at the sun too long. It’s blinding but so worth it when you see the beauty in all of its glory.
“Me and my men will have everything settled in less than two hours max. Are you okay with that, Miss Vasquez?” He gives that smile again.
I smile right back at him. “Thank you and you can call me Bambi,” I say.
Jeremy takes me in. “Well, Bambi it is. Nice to meet you.” He stretches his free hand, his left out to me. “Sorry,” he chuckles.
“That’s okay!” I hesitate for a second but I stretch out my left hand too, shaking his. Jeremy lingers a little in letting my hand go and then a handcuff is placed around my wrist. The world around me freezes for a second as I zero in on the hand wrapping around my wrist. I recognize that cross tattoo on-his-middle-finger anywhere and the colorful sleeve tattoos peeking through the long sleeve shirt as he places the other cuff to his wrist.
I gasp and look up, seeing Phoenix. Tears come at their own accord and I’ve never been so happy to see him. I don’t think as I hug him. I don’t care how uncomfortable it is with the damn cuffs. It should worry me that he’s cuffed me to him but I don’t care about that. I’m just happy he’s in front of me.
“What is this?” He asks. His surprised tone makes me sob.
“I thought you were gone. I thought I’d never see you again,” I confess not caring about anybody around us.
Phoenix chuckles, his body vibrating, displaying that this is very much funny to him. “My little deer. You still can’t function without me much, can you?” He teases.
“Shut up.” I sob and tighten my hold on him.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me but if Phoenix thinks he’s going to disappear from my sight again he’s got another thing coming.
* * *
