He really had thought of everything!
I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face, and went back into the bedroom just in time to see Dante pulling the covers off his side of the bed.
“Actually…” I began, but then stopped. It was the most ridiculous thing, and I knew it would cause an argument. And for once, it wasn’t because I was deliberately trying to goad him into one.
“What?”
“It’s just…” I sighed heavily and then went for it. “Look, I know it’s silly, and I know it doesn’t really matter. But I want to sleep on that side.”
He rolled his eyes at me. “You’re being ridiculous. I’ve always slept here.”
“Yeahbefore.”
“Is this some sort of power play? Or are you just trying to make me argue with you? So much for having grown up.”
“No, I—”
“Because you’re right, it is the most silly thing, and I’m not moving.”
I bit my lip, resisting the urge to stomp my foot. “But I always sleep closest to the door now. I can’t settle otherwise. If Axel wakes—”
“Then you can walk around the bed to get to him. Or I can deal with him. Or you can bring him in here, since nothing other than sleeping will be taking place in this bed. But I’m sleeping here.”
He climbed into bed, not even willing to discuss this any further.
“Okay, but I’ve given legitimate reasons for wanting to sleep there. You just want to sleep there because you’re stubborn and—”
“Oh, don’t stop there, Rachel. What else?”
“Fine,” I snapped. “Because you’re stubborn, and you think that if you repeat everything we used to do last time, then things will be the same as last time. And that’s not going to happen. Too much has changed for us to have the same relationship we once had.”
“You’re something else, you know that?” He said, his voice soft, but his eyes hard and venomous.
“Excuse me?”
“I know full well that this is not going to be the same as last time. You’ve made that abundantly clear at every given opportunity. From the ridiculous night dress you’re currently wearing that looks like it was from a grandma in the fucking forties, down to the ridiculous contract you insisted on. Believe it or not, this has nothing to do with wantinganythingfrom you.”
“So what then?” I snapped back, refusing to climb into bed until I knew the reasoning behind him, not wanting to give me something as simple as my side of the bed.
“Because you’re not the only one who fucking struggles! I remember the past as well as you do, Rachel. Do you think it doesn’t fucking haunt me on a daily basis seeing this house the way it was, and then remembering what happened? I’m aware bad shit happened, and I’d much rather be closer to the door, so that on the off chance that anything were to happen and someone be foolish enough to try to enter this bedroom whilst we are asleep, I am the one at the door. I am the one that is closest. You are behind me, and you are protected. Is that fucking good enough for you?”
“I—”
“Do you think I’m not well aware that our current alliance with the Rough Riders is hanging by a thread? Do you think I’m not understanding that I’ve just pissed off Vicky?”
“What does Vicky have to do with this?”
“Her dad works for the police, Rachel. Vicky was our rat. She fed him information to keep us safe.”
“I… I didn’t know.”
“No. You didn’t. Because you didn’t fucking ask. You never ask. You live in your own little world, assuming things about me—always the worst possible things. When all I’m doing is thinking of you. Goodnight, Rachel,” he muttered, rolling over to his side and switching off the lamp on his bedside table.
My body deflated as I exhaled heavily. How was I supposed to know Dante was battling his own demons? How was I supposed to know Vicky actually had a purpose other than a quick roll in the hay? I didn’t ask, but he didn’t exactly offer up the information either.
Because the two of you never learnt how to communicate. You argued, and you fucked. That was it.
Well, something needed to change. Even after the six months were over, we were still going to be in each other’s lives. I’d like to do it at least on a semi-friendly basis.
