Page 89 of Without Bound
“Maybe you should take off the wings,” Cami suggests, then helps her in taking them off.
“Thanks. Okay, bye. You kids don’t be too crazy,” she says with a wave and a wink.
Nix follows her to the door to say goodbye and more than anything, I want to be the one to do that. She walks out, shutting the door behind her and my mood sours. Less than thirty seconds pass when the door opens and she stands there once again.
The light from the front porch lights her up and she looks like an actual angel walking the earth.
“Sorry. But Bishop, you’re parked behind me. Do you think you could move?” She hitches a thumb over her shoulder, and I dip my head.
“Of course.” I reach inside my pocket and come up empty, forgetting that I left my keys in the barn apartment. “I left them in the apartment. Let me go grab them real quick.”
I take off through the back doors and jog to where I left them. I throw the door open and rush to the bedroom where I know they sit with my wallet. I spin around, running out the door, and almost plow down Anais.
“Woah. What’re you doing?” I ask her.
“I couldn’t leave without this.” Her voice is husky and she leaps up to wrap her arms around my neck and kisses me with a fury.
I slide my arms under her ass and lift her off the ground, pouring myself into our kiss. She moans into my mouth and my arms squeeze tighter, like boa constrictors wrapping their prey before devouring it.
That’s exactly what I want to do to her. I want to devour her so that she can never leave me, until she becomes one with me.
We hear the sound of dry grass crunching under the feet of someone and I drop her to her feet. She swipes at her mouth as do I, but it’s in vain.
“That’s pointless because I can see gloss all around your mouth, Bishop. Not to mention the flower stuck to your kleenex.”
I look down and see one of Anais’ flowers hanging onto my shirt. The fear that has built in my throat is difficult to push down and my gut fills with dread.
“Viv, listen–”
“You know,” she starts, interrupting me. “I thought I was being crazy when I saw you two interact last year. Anais obviously had stars in her eyes and you were physically holding yourself back from her. But I told myself it was a little crush that would fade once she started college.”
“Vivian, you're right. I wanted Bishop the first moment I saw him. And he tried hard to push me away, but how do you tell your heart to stop loving the one you were made for?”
“Love? Are you kidding me, right now?” Viv’s face turns a shade of red that matches her hair and it tells me we’re all in for it.
“We should’ve told you and Nix. But like we told the others, we th–” I start.
“Everyone else knows? Bishop.” The look of disappointment on her face is like a sharp dagger to my side.
“They-we told them because they were starting to figure it out. We planned to tell you and Nix after the series. We didn’t want to throw off his game. And then it’s just been so busy we haven’t had time.”
“Please Vivian,” Anais pleads, rushing to Viv and taking her hands. “Don’t tell Uncle Nix yet. Let us do it. Please. I know he’s going to be upset, but we need to be the ones to tell him.”
Viv stares at Anais then turns to me. I can tell she’s warring with herself over what the right thing to do is. I don’t blame her. I’d feel the same if the tables were turned, but they’re not and I need her to keep this secret.
“Do you even understand the position you are putting me in? How would you feel if he held a secret from you?” She juts her chin at me and I watch Anais’ eyes fall. “Exactly.”
She drops Anais’ hands and takes a few steps back and begins to talk to herself while walking in a circle. I rush to Anais’ side and pull her into my arms. Small tears have begun to leave glistening tracks down her cheeks, and I wipe them away with my thumb.
“It’s okay, baby girl. We’ll be fine. Together, remember?” I remind her and she presses her forehead to my chest and nods.
“Two weeks,” Vivian spits. “I’m giving you guys two weeks to come clean to Phoenix. After that, I’m spilling the tea. Got it?”
She repeats a similar threat to the one the rest of the crew uttered to us.
“Got it,” wesay in unison.
“I’ll text him on Monday and ask about going to dinner.” I move Anais to stay tucked under one arm, then tug Vivian to me and hug her under the other as best I can with her giant peach costume. Kissing the top of her head, I croak out, “Thanks, Red.”
