Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Misty

I left Beck to go shower. I hadn’t gone out in ages, Adelaide had watched Cricket the few times I tried to go on dates. They had all ended in quick fucks and no calls back. I had given up on men, however, I had tried to get that itch scratched a few times and it had never panned out beyond that. The thought of going anywhere gave me anxiety, but Beck was right, and if today had proved one thing to me it was that I needed to get to know this man better, he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so I scrubbed and shaved regardless of knowing that this wasn’t going to turn into one of those nights. Beck’s offer to go out was simply a ‘let’s get to know each other better’ situation. I had zero expectations, we would go have a drink, chat, and come home most likely. However, he was right about another thing, I needed to get out after this morning’s conversation with Adelaide. When I got to my room, I froze. What the actual fuck was I going to wear? I surveyed my closet. This was a casual place but as any woman would, I wanted to celebrate any opportunity to do something different with myself. To feel put together even if it was a lie. I wondered if Adelaide had left any of her stuff here. I was digging through the back of my closet when I saw it. I snatched it up and gauged the size. Adelaied was taller than me but less curvy so in some things we wore the same size. This could work. It was a simple black short sleeve skater dress. I had just shaved my legs for the first time that I could remember in weeks, I was damn well going to show them off.

I heard the shower start as Beck took his turn and I got dressed, opting for a pair of chucks knock offs and brushed out and scrunched my wavy hair. I looked in the mirror over the dresser. The dress that had hit mid thigh on Adelaide came just above my knees, hugging my curves and flaring from the waist. When I scrutinized my face I wondered if makeup was trying too hard. It was just that I didn’t want to look so tired. I opted for a little blush on my cheeks and simple slightly winged eyeliner and mascara. I was putting it all away when my necklace hanging from the mirror caught my attention. It was a gift from Adelaide and I cherished it. I pulled it down and ran the silver Navajo beads through my hands until the turquoise pendant rested in my palm. I couldn’t remember the exact type of turquoise but it reminded me of Adelaide’s eyes. I pulled it over my neck, deciding maybe I’d wear it from now on. I had almost lost her and this felt like a part of her was with me as my anxiety subsided considerably. It hung low between my breasts, close to my heart. She would have said it was meant to be worn anyway. I collected my hooded denim jacket, phone, and purse, and ran some chapstick over my lips before calling it good. I was taking stock of the kitchen to go grocery shopping tomorrow. I had just got paid and with another bear in the house we were going through things faster than usual… mainly sugar. I didn’t hear him come down the hall as I was bent over digging through the fridge making a mental list. I just felt a presence behind me. I spun around to see Beck standing there watching me, his damp black hair peppered with streaks of salt slicked back He cleaned up his beard? His head was half cocked caught in the moment of whatever he was thinking. I watched him shake his head before he met my eyes and then looked down as he assessed me.

“You have legs?” he teased. I threw the kitchen towel at him and he laughed. The sound of it lifted my mood, causing a smile to emerge. His silver eyes twinkled. I shook my head at him and grabbed my things off the counter.

“Ready?”

“Yeah,” he replied, grabbing his backpack, he never went anywhere without it and I wondered why. Maybe I’d ask him one day.

We walked out the back entrance and got in my car.

“You’re sure Valentina is okay with this?” I asked.

“Yes, I asked her before I gave you the coffee,” he said simply.

I turned the radio on low and we wound our way to the school.

“Karaoke night you say?” I asked, wondering why he chose to go tonight.

“Yeah, I figured it would lighten the mood.”

“Do you sing?” I wondered.

“Not in a long time,” he answered, glancing out the window. He was always doing that, it had taken me a few days to realize he was making sure we weren’t being followed. Always alert to his surroundings, always looking out for danger, scenting the air and such. He had said he failed someone important to him. That’s why he had chosen to become so many women’s guardian angel in their time of need. I wanted to know more about that, but it wasn’t a happy subject for him and I found myself pausing to ask further in order not to take him down that train of thought. Today had already been heavy. I didn’t like talking about Cricket’s dad either. So I respected that he would tell me in his own time or I would never know.