Page 62 of The Masks We Burn
Bellamy grins, tapping his clipboard against his thigh. “Good notes, man. So have you thought any more about what we talked about?”
A bit of nervous nausea works its way into my stomach as I nod. “I have.”
“And? I mean, I’m not trying to pressure you or anything. I really think you have a natural—”
“I’m in.” The words spill out before I can stop them, too scared I’ll change my mind.
“Swear it.”
I hold a hand up, a new sort of light washing over me, a cleansing of some kind as I make the declaration. “Scouts honor. My parents are down to start crowdfunding, and I have a realtor who can begin looking into some land. I’ll send you her number.”
His eyes widen, his grin turning into a full-fledged smile. He juts out a hand and I stand, shaking it firmly. “This is fucking awesome, man. I’m so fucking ready to work with you.”
“Same.”
Bellamy nods, rubbing the small patch of hair on his chin. “Good shit, man. Alright, I’m getting back out there but I’ll come over and catch up.”
“Actually.” I pause glancing down at the line of grass grazing the edge of my shoes. My heart’s pounding against my rib cage but there’s no pain in my legs right now. A new sense of hope fueling my first step. “I’m coming with you.”
* * *
Damn.Poor Colonel Mustang.
Amora’s been out the whole day with Lily and Remy doing wedding things and while I was hella busy this morning, a moment hasn’t gone by I haven’t thought about her. I didn’t want to bother her though and instead decided to watch one of her favorite anime. I wanted to look at something through her eyes and see what made her love it so much.
From the first episode, I could see why, and I was hooked.
It’s actually a really fucked-up story and the further along I get in the series, the darker it becomes. But no matter how sad, I can’t stop watching it. I need to make sure these characters get answers and if the Elric brothers get their bodies back.
When the next episode starts up, I hear a small rasp coming from my door. Blaze has a meeting out of town this weekend before the bachelor party so I know it can’t be Bell. Which means it’s my girl.
I jump over the couch arm and am at the door before she can knock again, opening it to find Amora standing with a raised fist. My heart picks up pace, but I casually lean against the doorframe and smile.
She’s in an oversized bleached shirt that’s hanging off one shoulder, and I’m really hoping it’s also covering a pair of shorts.
Through her normal floral smell, wine coats her breath.
“Hey, sugar. You been havin’ fun with the girls?” I smile, wondering what tipsy grown-up Amora is like. In high school, she was trying to get in my pants. Kinda hope she’s still the same in that aspect.
She starts to return my smile but then her lips pull into a line before she gives me a curt nod. “Do you have feelings for me?”
Fuck.
She either knows and is about to call off our arrangement, or maybe there’s the smallest chance she’s asking because she feels the same. If I thought my heart was working harder before, it’s fucking racing now.
I play it safe and beat around the bush a little. “Well, of course I have feelings for you. You’re my fiancée.”
She rolls her eyes and pushes past me to come inside. I close the door and follow behind, wondering what the hell is about to happen.
Amora stops near the TV, staring at the screen where an injured main character just managed to kill another called Lust. “You’re just getting to the good stuff.”
She doesn’t wait for a response, and instead keeps walking toward my room like she does most nights she’s here. She kicks off her slippers and climbs into bed, leaving the heavy comforter under her as if she doesn’t plan to stay. “How was your day?”
Even though my pulse is beating so hard I can feel it in my fingers, I sit next to her, worry beginning to overpower my excitement from the day. “It was really good. I finally figured out what I’m doing after school. Blaze’s teammate, Bellamy, and I are expanding the youth winter football camps into a full-time youth league. We are going to buy land and buildings for the kids through crowdfunding and our parents’ donations. Mina is going to help us find the real estate.”
She swallows harshly. “That’s great, Will. I’m really happy for you.”
Her words are so strained and teeming with the threat of tears, I grab her chin, tilting her face to look at me. “What’s wrong?”
