Page 100 of Hide and Keep

This is exactly why I didn’t want him sleeping in this room. Now that I know I’m not meant to have any connections, I shouldn’t want them either. Why bother when I know they’ll just be broken anyway?

Pausing, I gaze down at Crue again.

I guess the same reason a caterpillar becomes a butterfly despite the short lifespan—persistence.

I wasn’t as persistent at five. I was obedient. Timid. Never even considered breaking my father’s rules.

I’m not the same girl I was then. I’m not the same girl I was six months ago.

I could disappear into Crue…like this. As long as I’m careful, no one will ever find out. My father’s obviously forgotten about the hidden door connecting these rooms, otherwise he never would’ve allowed Crue to stay here.

Moving as slow as a sloth, I lie down on the mattress, draping my body alongside Crue’s without physically touching him. On my left side as well, I stare at that patch of smooth skin between his shoulder blades, wishing I could rest my forehead there again, this time without the barriers. Instead, I inhale, submerging myself in his outdoorsy scent. Tears prick my eyes as I replay the same questions I’ve been asking myself since my father declared he was my new bodyguard.Why? Why him?

It’s like I manifested him right off the pages of my sketchbooks. I put so much energy, so much focus on Crue, that the universe had no choice but to deliver him to my front door…just not in the manner I was hoping for. I never wanted Crue as my bodyguard. I only wanted him as mine.

I can’t even blame moldavite for the twist that feels almost cosmic but crueler because I don’t own any. Literally formed from a meteorite hitting Earth millions of years ago, moldavite is believed to be one of the most powerful gemstones in existence. It’s supposed to accelerate transformation at a quantum leap-type speed, bringing you your desires in unexpected ways. The one time I held a piece, I got so nauseous I had to leave the crystal shop, and I’ve been too terrified to go near the tektite ever since.

No, this was my own doing. The last thought I had that night waslook for me. Now that’s Crue’s main priority, to look for me.

And for the next month, that’s exactly what he’ll be expected to do, by my father, for a hefty price.

A couple hours later, I leave my room with butterflies in my stomach all aflutter. As per our new usual, Crue’s waiting for me in the hallway. The sight of him gives the butterflies a shot of espresso, I swear. I was just lying next to him, my body almost against his, and he has no idea. Nobody does. Major Danger’s back to being one of my coveted secrets.

I take a moment to scan my bodyguard from his shoes up, noting how delectable he looks in one of his new outfits consisting of a tight black t-shirt tucked into dark pants. Bothitems accentuate his muscles nicely. Unfortunately, the hat hiding half his face isn’t accentuating anything.

He opens his mouth, not to say “I’m sorry for my behavior last night. I’ll never do it again,” but to order, “Grab your dirty dishes.” Then, to add insult to injury, he tosses something at me before stalking right past, giving me another glimpse of his back as he leaves me.

I get ahold of myself to question, “What the hell is that?”

“Your cunt cream.”

My what?

I eye the mangled box at my feet. For my “yeast infection.”

Feeling my body flush with irritation, I send the overcaffeinated butterflies away in a swarm as I kick the box into my room, then grab the bowl and spoon from last night off my nightstand.

I can’t believe I was ready to forgive him. Just because he was asleep and quiet and perfect?

But now he’s awake and saying the wrong things and doing the wrong things and just…

Ugh!

Why is he mad? I’m the only one here with a valid reason for being mad. He’s my bodyguard, not Eighmey’s. Why was he even entertaining her?

I take it all back. I’m not forgiving anybody.

He can kiss my ass. And Eighmey? She can eat it like the bottom feeder she is.

“What’s the hurry? Is Eighmey downstairs, waiting for you?” I sneer after locking my door.

Without warning, Crue spins around to face me, his arms out wide.

“It was two seconds!”

“What was? That infamous ‘stamina’ of yours?”

“Eighmey’s flips.”

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