Page 20 of The Masks We Burn
Popping the top off my beer, I return my gaze to Spencer, who’s looking at me with tired eyes. The guy is balancing an internship with Johns Hopkins University, his senior year at Solace Academy, and planning a whole wedding. I’m sure he’s tired as fuck.
A shred of guilt works its way into my chest, and I roll my eyes. “Fine.”
Spencer lets out a whoosh of air, pushing back his glasses. “Thanks, man. Really. I know you and Amora don’t get along, and I know this is asking a lot—”
“Now hold on. I said we could plan a collab-type party, but I didn’t agree to plannin’ itwithher.”Being fake engaged is enough.
He levels me with another exasperated look, and I throw my hands up, defeat lacing my every word. “No joke, you fuckin’ owe me.”
“I do, I do! Swear.”
A roll of thunder shakes the door and Spencer and I burst into laughter. I point my sauce spoon at him and narrow my gaze. “So help me, if that wasn’t an omen for what’s to come.”
“It’s going to be fine. I promise. You and her just need to figure out who’s the alpha and then things will be fine.”
“Alpha?” That makes me chuckle. Hands down, Amora is dominant as hell, but between us two it’s gotta be pretty obvious who would lead who…
But really that’s not our problem, not ouronlyone at least.
My phone pings twice, indicating a text, as I take my pasta from the pan and dump it in the strainer. I finish up making Spencer a to-go plate before I check it.
Amora: Come over.
I roll my eyes and box up a few more plates. “Here. For Lily, your dad, and her aunt. Tell them all I said hey.”
He takes the containers and shakes my hand. “Thanks, man. And not just for dinner.”
I wave him off, scooping up the rest in a large Tupperware bowl. “No, worries. Drive safe, and text me when you get home. It’s supposed to come down tonight, and I think it’ll be snow.”
He nods and disappears through the front door.
Taking my time cleaning up the kitchen, I leave Amora on read for a bit. Yes, our issues go deeper than who the real alpha is, but it may do her some good to know for sure.
I’ll come when I want, not when I’m called.
But as I finish sweeping, another rumble of thunder sounds overhead, and I decide to go before the snow starts. I shove on my favorite jacket, one with worn brown leather on the outside, and buffalo fleece on the inside, and grab the Tupperware before heading out.
The wind has picked up, instantly seeping through every hole in my clothing, making me shiver.
Thank fuck, her apartment is across the lawn.
I raise my hand to knock and only get one hit off before the door swings open, a wide-eyed Amora standing in the threshold. Her pink locks are in a tousled bun on the top of her head, and cute ass oversized long johns hang loosely on her figure. “What took you so long? I texted you almost thirty minutes ago.” Her bright blue eyes scan the sky behind me for a minute before she finally looks at me.
My eyebrows furrow as I take a step closer, watching as her shoulders visibly drop the more I fill up the doorway. “Yeah. I had to clean up the kitchen, and you didn’t make it seem like an emergency. Everything okay?”
She nods when I take another step and backs up so we remain a few feet apart. “Yes. Sorry. I, um…”
Amora pauses after I pass through, glancing outside one last time before shutting the door behind me. She locks it up and rushes to the long couch, wrapping herself in a dark blanket. “Lily told me about the collab thing, and I wanted to talk to you about it. Lay some ground rules.”
Her words are meant to have her normal Amora edge, but something makes her voice higher. She’s nervous. But about what, I don’t have the faintest idea.
“Cool with me. I brought some food. You hungry?” I hold the container up, shaking it slightly.
Amora’s brows shoot up, but she corrects herself quickly. “Please. I was busy tonight and didn’t cook. Plates are in the cabinet to the right of the sink. My drinks are in the right bin in the refrigerator.”
Who keeps their drinks in the crisper?
I smile to myself and nod, making quick work of scooping two servings into bowls and heating them up. After snagging a couple of teas from the fridge, I meet her in the living room and take a seat on the far end. An episode ofFullmetal Alchemistis paused on the flatscreen, a faded blue light glowing around the frame.
