Page 46 of Zero
“Not until you’re ready.” Dude replied. “Until he’s ready to hear it. If you’re not sure, it makes no sense and can only make things worse. In the meantime, I’d advise you to learn to consider your words before you let them out your mouth. The less broken hearts you can leave in your wake, the better.”
After another couple mouthfuls, I realized for the first time since climbing out of bed that I hadn’t seen Zero.
“You won’t see him unless he wants you to.” Dude read my mind.
“What?”
“You’re looking for Zero.” Dude laughed softly. “He’s trained to blend into the darkness. If he doesn’t want you to find him, you won’t.”
“Are we having a party?” Barbie spoke from the doorway.
“We couldn’t sleep.” I told her. “Join us? We’re having a twilight drink.
Barbie giggled. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Dude rose and grabbed her a beer. After he removed the lid, Barbie sat across from us and thanked him by lifting her bottle in a silent toast before sipping.
“So, what’s going on?” Barbie asked.
“I’m going to relieve Zero.” Dude told us.
He winked at me as he took another sip from his bottle and set it on the counter. When he was gone, I stared at Barbie, taking in her almost perfection. Rei said she was engaged to Crash. My eyes lifted to her ring finger my jaw dropped.
“Is that a black pearl?” I pointed to her engagement ring. “A real black pearl?”
Barbie wiggled the finger at me. “Yeah.” She replied. “I didn’t even know I liked black pearls. Maybe it’s because it came from the man I love—I don’t know. But it means the world to me.”
“Wow.”
“Then again, he could have proposed with a ring from a crackerjack box and I would have said yes.”
“You’re that sure about being married?”
Barbie grinned. “I’m that sure of his love for me. The marriage—well, that’s something we’re going to have to work on.” She toyed with the neck of the bottle then looked up at me. “What’s going through that head of yours Bailey Smith?”
“You barely know me.” I laughed. “How do you know I’m thinking?”
“Reading people is kind of my thing.” Barbie winked at me. “If you’re worried about—”
“Why are you guys up?” Rei walked into the room.
“Couldn’t sleep.” Barbie told him. “You okay?”
“Fine.” He washed his hands in the sink before getting a bottle of water from the fridge. “I’m going to take a shower. But you two should get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be kind of a long day.”
“Rei.” I called after him.
He didn’t reply. After drinking half the contents from the water bottle, he patted Barbie on the shoulder and left the room.
“Um—what was that about?” Barbie asked.
“The thing that is on my mind.” I finished my drink and placed the bottle in a blue box beside the fridge, close to the backdoor. “I’m going back to bed.”
Before Barbie could ask any other questions, I headed back to my bedroom. I didn’t try sleeping again. I sent Nitro a text then grabbed toiletries and locked myself in the bathroom.
As I brushed my teeth and stared into the mirror, I allowed myself to try figuring it all out. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe it was good that things ended here before either of us had to give up our lives.
“Shit.” I turned away from the mirror and stripped down for a shower.
