Page 21 of Snow Good to Lose
The sun came up over the horizon, but a chill hung in the air. Amari hugged herself. I fought the urge to pull her to me.
Miguel stepped down into the cabin. He returned a second later.
“You two want to get out of the wind?” He pointed to the cabin. “Coffee’s on, too.”
Amari stared out into the horizon.
“Come on.” I pulled on her sleeve. The boat jolted and she stumbled into my arms. “Whoa, I got you.”
“Do you?” She pulled off of me and stomped down into the cabin below.
“Ay dios mio, little lady is pissed.” Miguel chuckled and climbed up to join Jose and Juan.
I ducked and stepped down into the small area. Amari stood in front of the galley and poured herself a cup of coffee. She didn’t hand any to me. She took a sip and poured the rest out in the little sink.
A small refrigerator held bottles of water. She took a big gulp, swished it in her mouth, and spit it in the sink.
“Coffee no good?”
She shrugged her shoulders and handed me a bottle of water.
I sat on a worn vinyl bench opposite the galley.The boat had seen better days. Sending a luxury yacht would have been too conspicuous.
She sat on the opposite end of the couch. She drew her knees up to her chest and pulled my sweatshirt over her knees. She rested her cheek on her knees, her face turned away from me.
I leaned forward with my head in my hands. I tried to squeeze the stress out of my brain. I was exhausted. Too exhausted to defend myself. Too exhausted to fight. She could be pissed at me, hate me, whatever, but I wouldn’t apologize for doing what I thought was right to keep her safe.
My defense wouldn’t bode well for me at the moment. I kept my mouth shut instead.
I felt her eyes on me. I tilted my head. I was right. She stared me down. Pleading for an explanation.
“I’m sorry.” I leaned my head back against the side of the boat.
“For what?”
“Whatever has you pulling away from me?”
She grunted, shook her head, and laid her head down, facing the other way.
“Fuck, Amari, it’s just a house. It’s just stuff.” I scooted toward her.
Her head snapped around.
“You think this is about the fucking house.” She dropped her feet to the ground.
“Then, what is it?” I dropped my hands. “I’m not apologizing for protecting you, Amari. We’re going to Carlos’ compound to spend a few days and figure out a solution where we don’t have to run anymore. What is wrong with that?”
“That’s what you said last time,” she whispered. “No worries, little princess. We are okay.”
“And, we were.”
“And now we’re not.”
I turned toward her.
“What happens when they catch up with us again?” Her voice is so soft I leaned forward. “You think you’re the only one in charge of keeping us safe, but you’re not. The burden isn’t all on you.”
Her right knee bounced. I reached out and caressed it. She didn’t pull away, which was a good sign.
