Page 36 of Devil Inside: Green

Jesus, what does he think we’re doing—going out on benders or getting high at raves?

“She’ll be safe.”

The whole time this exchange is going on, Evelynn stands there fuming. It’s not going to be a happy house after we leave and I feel bad for Misty and what she’s bound to be in for once she gets home.

My sister must really be eager to get out of here for a couple of days because within just a couple of minutes, she’s jogging back down the steps with a bag in hand. “Thanks again, Dad.” She walks to him, pulling the man in for a hug, and kisses his cheek. “Love you.”

He clears his throat. “Love you, too.”

“Bye, Evelynn,” she throws in and I know it’s to try to keep the peace.

Back outside, I say to Green as we’re walking to the car, “You took your cut off for me. I don’t even know what to say.”

His smile just about stops my heart. It’s the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen aimed at me.

From there, it’s a matter of gassing up the car and then we head home.

Only in Texas does a mountain lion end up dead, as roadkill, on the shoulder of the highway. Green points it out to me as we speed along, but I’d already clocked it before him. Something so beautiful, left dead on the road, just like my mom.No. Not now.I won’t let myself fall into that melancholy again. Today is a good day. I have Green and Misty in the car with me. The Horde are on their way to help me move closer to them. I’ll think about that other stuff later. To help myself out with that task, I reach over to rest my hand on his thigh. He looks down at my hand, then at me, and finally rests his hand covering mine and that’s how we make the rest of the long drive. Yes, life has definitely been worse.

Misty and I sing along to the radio like we’re part of each band playing. We seat-dance to the songs that have dances or just have a beat that you can’t sit still to. I give Green’s thigh a squeeze because he did this for me and I don’t know how else to show my appreciation while driving.

Eventually, we reach my apartment complex. It’s a huge complex with at least thirty two-toned gray brick and white siding buildings. I’ve never actually counted because I really didn’t care that much. My building is close to the front.

As usual, someone is parked in my spot. It’s ungodly hot out today. The sun feels like it’s being concentrated on my skin with a magnifying glass when I exit the car. Whoever parked in my spot is getting a gift today because I’m not going to report them to management. I’m in too good of a mood having Green and my sister here with me.

I let us in through the main door then we walk to the elevator. My apartment is on the fourth floor. It’s a one-bedroom, meaning Misty will have to sleep on the sofa. She drops her bag next to it. I give Green the tour.

“Obviously, this is the living room.” The kitchen and living room are separated by a bar area. “And that’s the kitchen. Since I’ve been gone, we’ll have to buy a little bit of food or eat all takeout. There might be some canned stuff under the cupboard.” The cabinets are white and the appliances have a stainless steel finish, but I think my favorite part is that they updated all the flooring in each unit a couple of years ago, removing the ugly, tired beige carpeting to this gorgeous dark brown laminate. It gives the apartment a sophisticated feel.

“Whatever’s fine, babe,” he replies and I hold my hand out to him to get us moving. He takes it. I lead us down the small hallway, pushing open the first door. “Bathroom.” Then I continue down to my room. “The bedroom.”

This room he eyes with interest. “Bed’ll work for now,” he says, pressing down on the mattress. But it’s my maps on the wall that has his real attention. “Babe,” he whispers.

“This is nothing you don’t know about.”

“I hate that you were doing this alone.”

“Well, I’m not alone now. That’s what matters.”

“Right,” he says, clapping his hands together. “We need boxes.”

“There’s a Home Depot nearby. I can buy boxes and stuff there.”

“Sister,” Misty calls and it sounds like she’s coming into the bedroom.

I run to the door. “Get this stuff down from the walls. Misty doesn’t know the extent of my tracking. I don’t want her to worry.”

Green grunts his reply as I close my bedroom door behind me. “What’s up?”

“Were you two shagging against the wall in there?”

My mouth drops open. “What? Why would you ask that? Andshagging? Who are you?”

“I ask that because you’re acting sketchy, closing the door behind you. You’re in a sundress, so it’s easy to let the fabric fall. If he’s tucking junk back in, that’s different.”

“You want to see my man’s junk? Uh—I’m not okay with that.”

She huffs. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

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