Page 27 of Fatally Yours
“Natasha,” August said. I hummed in response but didn’t look up, still folding up various articles of clothing. “This isn’t yours.” My attention was torn away as I turned to him. I swore I felt my face flush when I saw what was in his hand.
One of Devin’s old shirts was stretched between his fingers, and a subtle anger was pressed in the lines of his face. It was something he had given me when we started our relationship, probably to replace the clothing I snuggled with at night. He was always trying to take his place. If only I realized that sooner.
“I forgot about that…” I said. Our eyes connected, and he gave me a look I couldn’t quite place, but it felt almost emotionless, making my legs tremble. Was he going to smite me again? “He gave it to me, but I never laid with it like I did yours, and I just forgot—” I stopped, realizing my explanation was fruitless. All I did was betray him again by having it, right? “Ah, fuck…” I muttered as my shoulders slumped.
“Did you wear it?” His brow raised. I shook my head, swearing I could feel my face warm.
“No,” I said. “It felt wrong. Everything always felt so wrong.” His stoic expression broke into a smirk, and I felt my fraying nerves release as I let out a breath. It was nice that he was taking this so well, considering I felt like I was going to dissolve.
“Don’t do that to me,” I gasped. “I thought you were mad.”
“Why would I be mad?” he asked. “You’re mine now.”
“I don’t know,” I said. He discarded the shirt shortly after I shrugged and embraced me. I wondered if that was a subtle way to implicate him in my disappearance, but it wouldn’t matter soon if we really were going to kill him. Deciding not to comment, I wrapped my arms around him, feeling a calm wash over me.
“I’m not mad at you. I was just curious,” he said, stroking my hair. In an instant, I felt all the tension wash away. Everything would be okay if I could keep my eyes off the bloody bed. “You need to relax, baby. You look like you haven’t taken a breath since you died.” My brow furrowed as I pulled away from him with a playful glare.
“You’re such an ass.”
“You’ve really gotten a dirty mouth since I died,” he chuckled. My lip twitched, thinking about what had caused my stark change in attitude.
“Things change when you lose someone you love,” I said solemnly. His previous jovial expression faded as he pulled me to him again.
“Well, you don’t need to worry about that anymore. I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. When I told you I would never leave you by yourself again, I meant it.”
“Good,” I said with a soft smile. He gave me another kiss and ruffled mydamp hair.
“Sorry for distracting you, baby. Go ahead and get packed up.” August left me to my own devices, and I managed not to look at the bed again despite it lingering in the corner of my peripheral vision like a phantom.
Once I finished folding my clothes, I wandered to the bathroom, hoping to scoop up some makeup and other toiletries. I eyed my toothbrush but wasn’t sure I would need it. Were my teeth still going to rot when I was dead? That was a question neither of us could answer, so I threw it in my bag, along with my hairbrush and a handful of makeup.
Peeking into the cupboard to ensure I didn’t forget anything, I came across a tube of dark lipstick Mandy bought for me a while back, insisting I should try her style out and that the shade of my skin would pop with that color. I wasn’t sure if she was right, but death called for change, so I tried it anyway, hoping August wouldn’t tease me for doing something so out of character.
But as I applied it, my eyes caught on the handful of pale scars along my neck. They weren’t that noticeable to the average eye, and I could probably get away with walking around like that, but I knew my body. Those weren’t there before. Not until August did what he did that fateful night. It made me shudder, but I brushed that feeling away.
Once I was done, I returned to the kitchen, carefully closing the bedroom door behind me. The less I saw of that, the better. He was serving food at the table, but only one plate was atop it. He didn’t look up as I tossed my backpack aside and sat down.
“You’re not eating?” I asked, picking up the knife and cutting into my meal. He turned around and set the pan on the stove as I popped a bite into my mouth. There was no taste of what I thought would be a savory piece of chicken, and disappointment crawled through my body. There was still saliva, but I couldn’t taste.
How cruel.
The meat in my mouth felt increasingly tedious to chew, and eventually, I spit it into a napkin, wondering if I still had the acid to digest such an unpleasant meal. August shook his head as he sat down.
“There’s no point anymore. Why bother?” He kicked his feet up on thetable and leaned back, finally glancing at me as he tucked his arms behind his head. I understood. Why do something when there would be no outcome? I looked up, noticing his gaze locked on me, and gave him an inquisitive expression.
“What?”
“It should be illegal for you to look like that,” he smirked. At that moment, I wished my face could still blush, but the warmth never came. Not that I expected it to. “Let me guess, Mandy picked that color out?” I nodded. He knew us too well.
“It makes you look more stunning than you already are,” he said, standing up and heading over to my end of the table. I pushed my plate out of the way as he towered over me. His fingers traced along the marks adorning my neck, and I felt a strangely comforting chill crawl down my spine.
“If you weren’t hungry right now, I would probably be smearing it across your beautiful lips,” he added. My hand covered my unblushing face. Even though his touch gave me the illusion of goosebumps, I was still reeling from the reality of the situation. My heart was still in my throat as I remembered that pivotal night and the bloodstains that were only a few feet away. Even though I felt everything from worry to anger, I set my hand on his.
“Maybe later, if I feel better,” I said with a soft smile. August nodded, leaning in and kissing me.
“Of course, baby,” he said. “Just take it easy.”
Even with the curtains closed, I could see the sunlight peeking through the windows, glaring off the shard of metal placed on the coffee table. We weresprawled on the couch with August’s arm around my waist, and his fingers were grazing the rugged scars on my stomach. Sucking in a pointless breath, I gently unwrapped his grasp, causing him to raise his head. He looked up at me almost tiredly as his hair hung in strands across his face.
