Page 65 of The Reaper
“Yes.”
“That was me.” I gasped, surprised that he’d remembered. “I took Brooke out to play with the others. She was so shy, and it took me ages to gain her trust and get her to leave your mum’s lap, but she did.”
“That was you?” He stared at me wide-eyed, not quite believing what he was hearing.
I nodded and added, “I rigged the final go so it’d land on Brooke. She was so sweet, and I wanted her to win, but some kid reached over and snatched it off her.”
“And I went to storm over and punch him for doing that to my little sister, but I didn’t get chance––”
“Because I snatched it back,” I answered for him. “I gave it to her.” My heart was doubling in size with every word, every snapshot we were piecing together of our shared past. “Her face when she opened the wrapping and saw that cuddly panda inside. I’ll never forget how tightly she hugged me after that.”
Devon took a deep breath to right himself.
“You know, she still has that panda.”
“Really?” Hearing that made a rush of warmth flow through me.
“Yeah. She keeps it on the pillow on her bed. She always tells people it’s the only thing she’s ever won.”
My heart swelled a little more.
“That’s so lovely.”
“That was you.” He shook his head in disbelief. “The one who was kind to my sister. My memory is hazy, but that I’ll never forget.” He kept his eyes on mine for the longest time, not saying any words––he didn’t need to. He’d noticed me. He just wasn’t ready back then to acknowledge me. It wasn’t our time.
“My mum said she thought you needed a friend,” I explained. “I wasn’t so sure. From what I could see, you didn’t want anyone around you, but she asked me to look out for you, so I did. That’s how it all started.”
“You watched over me.” He smiled a cheeky smile and moved closer to me, his head touching mine. “My little guardian angel, hiding in the shadows.”
“You weren’t ready for me to come into the light. The shadows were the better option back then.”
“I’ll have you in the light, the shadows, and every damn place in-between,” he whispered, leaning further down to kiss my lips.
“Graveyards, secret rooms, church pews, you really aren’t fussy, are you?”
He gave a wicked laugh and added, “And fields behind the asylum. I’m only fussy about who I spend my time with. As long as it’s you, that’s all that matters.”
He went to put his arm around me, pulling me closer to him, but when the first spot of rain hit, he reared back and said, “It’s about to tip it down. We need to get inside.”
He whistled to Tyson, who bounded over to us then headed straight past us into the open back door.
“He’ll be off to Adam’s room. His favourite bed and blankets are in there,” Devon said, watching him leave.
The rain started to come down a little heavier and Devon stood up, putting his hand out for me to take so he could pull me up and lead me inside. But I wasn’t ready to be locked up with him and the others yet. I loved being out here alone with him, and the rain didn’t bother me. In fact, it made me feel exhilarated.
I pushed myself to stand, then raced off into the middle of the field, putting my arms out as I twirled in the rain, lifting my face to catch the drops as they fell.
“Dance with me,” I shouted over to him. “Dance with me in the rain.”
I knew he was about to say no and give me an excuse about how he didn’t dance, so I pushed a little further.
“No one’s watching. Its only you and me. Dance with me, Devon. It can’t rain forever. Let’s make the most of it now.”
The way he smiled at me like I’d just given him the world made my already swollen heart burst open. And when he walked over the grass towards me, shaking his head and pretending to look harassed by the thought of it all, I laughed, grabbing his hands and pulling him closer to me.
“We don’t have any music,” he said by way of a weak protest.
“There’s music all around us,” I told him, and then I giggled as he spun me out in his arm and reeled me back in.
