Page 58 of Light As A Feather
“There are people waiting downstairs. We should go.” Sol’s voice is short as she coils tight with anxiety. As always, her caution makes me want to be reckless, just to show her that we can be without consequence. I hate that she’s been conditioned to always shrink herself, to think of the expectations of others instead of what’s natural for her.
She made so much progress in unmasking before she left, but it’s clear that being on the run with no one to trust has put it firmly back in place. It pains me to know that she had no other choice but to in order to protect herself.
“It must be exhausting to move through the world with such caution, constantly denying yourself in favor of other people’s comfort.”
“Of course it is,” she sighs, her words rehearsed and exhausted. “But what choice do I have?”
“You’re safe here. You don’t have to mask around my friends.” I gather her long green hair in my hand, applying the slightest pressure so I can look into her eyes unobstructed. The back of my knuckles follow the delicate curve of her jaw and chin. “You deserve to be yourself, wholly, completely, from nowon.” Her lips part in an effort to argue, but I continue. “I want you to feel at home.”
“That’s easier said than done.” There’s a lifetime of pain in her eyes. I know first-hand how hard this journey has been for her. I’ve watched her struggle through social situations, opening up to me, accepting herself—all of it. I want to alleviate that burden for her as much as I can. “I just don’t like not knowing what to expect. The anticipation of it, the uncertainty, it’s like a rolling fog takes over my mind, and those thoughts are the only thing I can see clearly.”
Kissing her knuckles, I remain silent for a few seconds, giving her the opportunity to expand on the statement, but she doesn’t. “I think I know how I can clear up some of that haze.” Taking her by the hand, I lead her over to the red couch and take a seat, then pull out my phone. Opening up Veiled Coast Paranormal Inc’s website, I navigate to our ‘Meet the Team’ page.
“Wow. This is very…official.” She glances up at me. “So you all are the real deal, then?”
“Yeah. We pay business taxes and everything…I think.”
“You think?” Her eyes go wide. I can already see the wheels turning in her mind as she stresses out about the hypothetical IRS trouble I could be in.
“Kidding.” I point to the photo of Ozzie with his brilliant white teeth and dimples. “Like I said, Mendez keeps us in line, makes sure everything official is squared away.”
“Oh right, the brains of the operation,” she teases, casting me a sideways glance. “Who’s that?” Sol points to the photo of Zoey.
“That’s Zoey. They’re more of a consultant, but they’ve been joining us on more cases over the last year—kind of like an investigator in training, I guess. But they specialize in haunted and cursed items. Z owns an oddities and curiosities shop.” I can’t help but smile at the way her eyes light up. “Yeah, I think you two will definitely hit it off.”
“Are you assembling a team of models or investigators?” She laughs as she scrolls down the row of photos. There’s no jealousy in her tone, only genuine appreciation. “Do you have to submit headshots to join?”
“You know what they say, ‘like calls to like.’ Right?”
She keeps scrolling, stopping as Jayden’s photo comes into view.
“Please tell me you’re going to play nice.” Setting the phone down, I turn all of my attention to her. As much as I don’t want to have it, this conversation is a necessity. They’re the two most important people in my life.
“I won’t pretend that I’m not jealous of all the time he had with you. But that’s not his fault.”
“Trust me. I would rather have had you both here.” I kiss her shoulder. “He’s my best friend, and you’re the love of my life. There’s nothing to be jealous of.” My lips travel along her jaw. “But the green of envy suits you.” I tug her hair with one hand as the other glides between her crossed legs and gives her inner thigh a squeeze.
“Hawthorne,” she warns, but it’s a pitiful thing that’s overpowered by the moan I pull from her as I do it again.
I tsk. “Don’t keep it from me. I want to hear it. All your little sounds are like the pattering of rain after a heat wave, each of them washing a bit of the misery that still clings to me.”
“Must you act like I’m something to be celebrated when I brought Hell to your door?”
“Now, now. I know you’re competitive, but don’t take all the credit. I’m the one who brought you here. I’ll gladly welcome Hell, would dive deeper through all seven circles, if it meant that I get this slice of Heaven back.”
“Heaven,” she laughs mockingly. “More like a curse.”
“Then I hope you plague me for the rest of my days.” I release her hair, draping it over her shoulder, leaving the other for my lips to explore.
“I promise you I do, and I absolutely will. I plan to spend the rest of my lifeand afterlifedoing just that.”
“There’s so much uncertainty hanging in the balance right now. We shouldn’t make each other promises we might not be able to keep.”
“Maybe. There’s nothing that could happen that would change that fundamental truth. I’m as sure of it as I am of anything.” Setting my hands on her wide hips, I turn her toward me. “But you’re right, there is a lot of uncertainty ahead of us. I should probably take a minute to inventory every inch of this body just to take full advantage of the time we do have together.”
“Your friends are right downstairs.” Her hand on my chest is for propriety’s sake. Patiently, I kiss the tattoo that crawls up the side of her cheek. The soft fabric of her billowy sheer sleeves tickles the back of my neck as she opens up to me, her arms clinging around my neck.
“We shouldn’t keep them waiting. What we’re doing is important.” Another weak protest.Isn’t she tired of fighting her urges?
