Page 38 of Bone's Destiny

We entered my bedroom, and I kicked the door closed and tossed her onto the bed.

“You’re barbaric!” She flopped around like a salmon out of water.

“You’re sleeping there tonight.” I went and locked the deadbolt. “Don’t try anything, or I’ll spank your ass.”

She gaped. “Where are you going?”

“To shower off the cum from earlier and brush my teeth. Is that alright with you?” I was in a pissy mood now. Being nice or understanding wouldn’t be happening.

“I don’t want to be here.”

“Tough shit.” I slammed the door and went straight to the shower. This girl was on my last nerve. It had everything to do with knowing she’d been absolutely right.

We wouldn’t have heard her screaming on the top floor.

Getting burned to death would’ve been excruciating.

I touched the scars on my neck and shoulder, remembering how much pain I’d been in after Buff and I had escaped the burning building. Sometimes lighting a match triggered me.

It hadn’t taken me long to shower, brush my teeth, and swish mouthwash several times. Damn, I was uneasy about leaving the bathroom. I didn’t know how she would act.

She could have the bed to herself. One night on the floor wouldn’t be so bad. Except it was a wooden floor and not carpeted. The fake bear skin near the fireplace was for looks only, and my large body wouldn’t fit on it.

What was I thinking? This was my house, my bed, and my rules. I’d just stay on my side of the bed. I exited the bathroom like the king of the castle… because I was.

“Son of a bitch,” I hissed. She was on my side of the bed—the right side. I almost didn’t have the heart to disturb her,almost. “You’re on my side.” I killed the lights and went tomyside of the bed.

“I’m finally comfortable,” she muttered.

“Just this once since you’ve been traumatized.” Jesus, this woman. What was she doing to me?

“You’re so mean.”

“Yes. Better to know it from the start.” I slipped under the sheets and laid on my back. Destiny was facing the wall away from me, putting a good eighteen to twenty-four inches between us. I exhaled a deep breath and closed my eyes.

“There’s some good in you. You’re not all bad.”

I opened one eye and grunted. She had no clue what kind of person she lay next to.

“I thought we were sort of becoming friends. Thought maybe you cared a little about my well-being. Why else would you bring me food and clothes if you didn’t care.”

Jesus Christ, she made me feel worse all over again. “What do you want me to do, Destiny? I can’t change what happened. Or rewind time.”

“Rewinding time would be nice.”

“Yeah, it would.” There was a lot I would do differently in my life if given a chance. “Tomorrow, we’ll replace all the alarms and install new batteries. I’ll have the prospects search the basement for any possible fire hazards. How does that sound?”

“Good.”

“Good.” I closed my eyes.

“Thank you.”

I grunted and yawned like a mighty lion.

“You didn’t even apologize. Friends don’t mistreat friends.”

Now we were friends? Just slice my throat and leave me on the highway for the vultures to feed on.

---