Page 19 of Flint

ammit, Kitten, at least let me clear the place.”

“Um, why?”

I watch a mask come over his face at such a simple question. He’s hiding something. Then again, so am I. But with me, it’s completely accidental. In the end, though, he’s looking out for me. It gives me a warm burn in my belly, so it’s really not a bad thing, right?

“Standard procedure.”

Lies. I can see that, and I’m not even using bullshit-detecting glasses.

“Fine.”

Let me tell you, it’s not awkward at all standing in the foyer of a house that might be yours with a person you remember more from the little interaction you had in the past than your supposed best friend. Another thing I would not recommend.

“Clear.”

I chuckle at the deep sigh the girl releases. Looks like I’m not the only one feeling tense here. We catch eyes and smile briefly before she turns and heads toward Flint’s voice. Gator shuts the door, and then we follow.

Okay, so I’m guessing none of you have walked into a house that’s yours that you have no clue is yours? Let me tell you, it’s odd, and a bit creepy. There are pictures—not many, nothing like a complete “I love me” wall, but enough to be weird. I see me in a few different areas. I’m accepting a certificate in one. Ha, I did go to college. I smile wide and look over to see Flint watching, and his eyes match the soft smile. He noticed it as well. Glad I got something right.

But the rest? The beach photos, the Eiffel tower backdrop, the cat? None of that rings a bell.

“Do I own a cat?” I ask.

“Ah, no. You actually hate them,” Bailey says with a shrug.

“Then why is there a photo of me smiling with one?”

“We did community service with some kids at an adoption fair. You had to pretend to be happy, and I couldn’t resist snapping a picture and giving it to you for your birthday. You keep it more because you know I have several others and have threatened to post them around your house if you take this one down.”

“Really?”

She blushes as she looks at the guys, then back at me. “Yeah, we sort of have a running yearly gag gift thing going on. We buy basically the worst thing ever, something we know the other will hate. They have to display it or use it till the gift is replaced the next year before they can throw it out.”

“Sounds fun.” I take in the kitchen and living room that I can see all from this room. Even got a dining table sort of separating things. It’s not small but not huge either. It’s quaint, and the more I look things over, the more I decide I like it.

I see the hallway and venture over, noting the laundry room, another room that I guess I use as an office, then the bedroom. “Hmm.”

“What’s up, Kitten?” Flint asks.

I’m not even surprised he followed me around, but when I turn to see him, I am surprised to see Bailey. “That’s a small bed. I mean, not small, small, but not big. Guessing I don’t have a boyfriend or anything, huh?”

Bailey shakes her head. “No, not since you moved back here.”

“Oh, I moved here? I’m not from here? Where did I live before?”

“Ah, you sort of traveled the globe. I think your parents were from here, and you were born here, but then you traveled a bit. Came back, then went off to school in New York before coming back again. Think you had a boyfriend then, but you haven’t since you got here.”

“Wow, that seems like a long time. Is it a long time?”

She shrugs and side-glances at Flint, who's just staring me down per usual. “Not so long. You’ve gone on a few dates but nothing serious. You actually prefer not to be with anyone.”

I take it all in with a nod, and then I spot my closet. A tiny walk-in, but it’s got clothes. Clean clothes.

I smile wide before turning back to them. “Think I’m going to take a shower.”

“You can’t,” Flint says.

“But….” I totally pout and look down at myself, then back up at Flint, hoping he sees my need for getting clean as a desperate requirement like I do.

---