Page 47 of Rox

“Oh. Fuck. That’s… I’m really sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him as I clean him up before cleaning up my workstation. “I’m sorry I have to cut our time short. I really did forget.”

“It’s not a problem. I’ll just come back.”

He gives me a smile, and I’m sure he means for it to be sincere, but it makes my skin crawl.

Twenty minutes later, Ink and I are heading back to my house. I watch the mirrors and notice a car following us the entire way. I can’t see the driver as they’re a couple of cars back, but I know they’re on us. I want to tell Ink, but I also think I may be overreacting because of where we’re headed. I force myself to breathe and close my eyes the rest of the way. I know watching this car’s every move is only going to make me panic. Plus, who in their right mind would try to do something with Ink and the Fire Chief standing right next to me?

We pull up to the house and I no longer see the car when I check the mirrors. With a sigh of relief, I get out and make my way to the charred remains of the house I worked so hard for.

“Hey there,” I say as I come up to the man I assume is the Fire Chief. “I’m Roxie.” I hold out my hand when he turns to face me.

“Chief Franklin. It’s nice to meet you, although I’m sorry we have to meet.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Well, let’s get right down to it. We found remains of the Molotov cocktail that was thrown through your window. Gasoline-soaked cotton was all it took. Judging by the size of the base of the bottle, they threw a significant amount into your house. You wouldn’t have been able to stop it. I’m sorry.”

I can’t help the tear that escapes. I hear Ink tell me he’s sorry, too, but his voice isn’t the one I want to hear. I want Max. I need him. But I’m also so upset with everything that’s happened between us. I need to get away, but I can’t do that until we’re done here.

“Thanks, Chief Franklin. I appreciate the work you and your team did to contain the house and find out what happened.” Ishake his hand again, and he lets me know if I need anything, I can reach out.

“Are you ready to go, Roxie?”

I look around one more time and turn my way back. My steps falter when I see Mark at the end of the street.

* * *

I’m doing nothing but punishing myself when I go and see him day after day. He’s so wrapped up in his head that it’s as if he doesn’t even know I’m there. But I can’t stay away from him.

It’s also odd because I feel some guilt about it, but at the same time, he needs to find a new way to process the big things. Picking a fight with my dad while drunk and then continuing the same bender is not the way to handle things. Why am I putting myself through this?

Because you love him and because he was never taught normal coping skills.

Ugh, I hate it when I’m right when I argue with myself. In instances like this, I would go for a bottle of wine and forget my troubles in a good book, but the thought of anything with alcohol turns my stomach currently.

Ice cream is the true answer right now. I make a quick decision and turn left instead of right, taking me away from Max’s house and toward the nearest store. I pull into the near-deserted lot, and a wave of unease hits me. It’s still daylight, and we are beside a busy street. I shouldn’t feel this off-kilter. Then I hear the comforting sound of a motorcycle rumbling before it pulls in beside me. Duck pulls his helmet off in a very flamboyant flourish, then waits for me to get out of the car.

“Trying to ditch me with that fancy maneuvering? I feel offended, Roxie.” Duck feigns hurt, placing his hands over his heart.

“You are like an unwanted wart, Duck. Even if I wanted to lose you, you would keep showing up.” I pat his shoulder as I walk past him into the store. “I thought Kraken was on duty today?” I make conversation, grabbing a basket. I feel the next few days to weeks will call for a lot of ice cream.

“Gotta keep everyone on their toes. Who knows who is gonna be around these days? But be safe in the knowledge that someone will always have your ass…. Back. I meant back.” Duck says, shaking his head with a smile.

“Oh, talking about ass means you have been getting some. Time to share!” I poke at him while looking for all the best ice cream flavors.

“I see you’re collecting them all,” a familiar voice snaps me from my task. I see Mark walking up the aisle with a smirk on his lips.

“I mean, we are like the potato chips. Betcha can’t have just one. Or wait, is it like that pocket monster game? Gotta have ‘em all? I dunno, either way, who are you to yuck her yum?” Duck comes after him with a joking demeanor, but I know a protective and rabid dog is ready to pounce under that goofy façade.

“Down, my dude. I’m sorry, I’m just a client and thought she was with some other dude, or was it Angel? I see you are busy. I’ll see you another time, Roxie.” Mark says with a friendly smile as he leaves.

I shake off the incident, get the last of my ice cream, and then high-tail it out of the store. I still feel uneasy, but Duck is super close by with a possessive arm over my shoulders.

I know it was to keep me close so his attention could be looking about, but it still feels wrong. My heart breaks a little more each time I think about Max and the time we’re missingtogether. I just want him to figure out that this isn’t about him or me, this is about people I am trying to protect.

* * *

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