Page 5 of Carnival
“Well–’’
“No. You’re not going.’’
Her firm voice shakes me momentarily before I break it. I take a deep breath, ready to reason with her. “I’m grateful for your worry, but I need to go.’’
She scoffs. “Rosie, in every way except biological, I’m your mother. I worry. And no. You’re not going. That’s final.’’
I turn to Hudson, pleading with my eyes for some sort of support. He raises an amused brow at me, folding his arms in front of his chest. He chuckles, shaking his head.
“Sorry, kiddo. What my wife says goes.’’
“What if I promise not to go to that specific terror house?”
“First off all, that’d be a lie.’’ Noelle sees right through my bluff. “And secondly, you’re not going. It’s dangerous. If Hudson and I don’t know what’s happening over there, you sure as fuck aren’t going to investigate.’’
“How about I take Arlo with me?”
“Arlo has missions of his own,’’ Hudson adds. “Besides, you’re not hearing us. We don’t know what’s going on in there. It’s too dangerous for you to go.’’
I smile sheepishly. “Then come with me?”
He gives me a knowing look. “Nice try.’’
“Damnit.’’
Aria laughs, patting my shoulder. “Sorry, sweetie. You’re outnumbered.’’
“I always am,’’ I mumble.
“That’s because your ideas are always either calling for trouble or downright stupid.’’
“Thanks, Hudson.’’
He nods. “You’re very welcome.’’
With a deep breath, I focus on my food.
I’d definitely sneak out and go to New Orleans without their approval, but I can’t do that to them. They pulled me out of the terrible system and an even worse foster home. If I hadn’t met Aria randomly during one of my late-night walks when I was eight, my life wouldn’t have been as nice as it is now.
Noelle and Hudson took me in, unofficially adopted me last year, and showed me what a loving family truly was. Arlo became like a brother I never had, and Aria, alongside being my best friend, became the sister I always wanted to have.
I can’t worry them.
They gave me a loving home, paid for my education, and from day one treated me like a member of their family – my family. Immediately, my pictures were hung on the walls, and my academic achievements were on the main shelf alongside Arlo and Aria’s.
I take a deep breath once I’m done eating.
“Fine. I’ll stay put,’’ I say, grumpily.
Hudson ruffles my hair affectionately, and I try to bat his hand away. He grins, and I scowl as my hair is now sticking outevery which way. My hair is too thick, and I can barely get it to cooperate with me, and that’s on a good day.
“Why are you so interested in this whole thing, anyway?” Noelle asks, curiosity written on her face, eyes narrowed as she’s trying to read me – and succeeding.
“I’m not sure,’’ I lie. “Doesn’t matter anyway, I won’t be going.’’
“You bet your ass you won’t be going,’’ she snorts. “I need all my children safe and sound under my roof, and trying to scout out some fun in a terror house that’s a crime scene isn’t the way to do that.’’
“Yes, yes,’’ I sigh. “I get it.’’
