“Since when? I love the fresh air.”
“The last time Dante asked you to go for a walk with him to get some fresh air, you told him it sounded like your idea of hell, and you liked your lungs toxic, just like your soul.”
I paused and narrowed my eyes at him. “Since when the fuck did you become the memory man?”
“Since you decided you were going to start lying to me,” he replied, folding his arms.
“It’s not a lie. I’m deeply offended by the accusation. That was then, and this is now. And right now, I love the fresh air. It’s actually my favourite thing.”
“Oh, is it? Is it actually?” He mimicked in an entirely unpleasant tone. “So, what's changed?” He asked, his voice returning to normal.
“Perspective.”
“Oh, ‘perspective’,” he said with that same nasty impression, scowling down at me, his arms still folded. “What perspective might that be?”
I placed my hands on my hips and threw my head back defiantly.
Game on, Vienna. No one bullshits like I can bullshit.
“Well, Dante being taken… it teaches you to appreciate what you have in life, and to not take things for granted. No one knows what’s around the corner, and things can change in a heartbeat. Do you think Dante would have done things differently if he knew when he woke up this morning what was going to happen? Because I do. It makes you thankful for the blessings. Look around, Vienna, we live in such a beautiful part of the country, and we don't even appreciate it. There is so much evil in the world. I just wanted to pause and take a moment to smell the roses. I know there’s some tough times ahead, and I just wanted to pause things for a second, and work on my inner peace.”
“That was beautiful, Rachel. Truly.”
“Thank you,” I said with a sniff, bringing a hand to my eye to wipe away an imaginary tear.
Alright, love, don't overdo it.You’re a bullshitter, not a fucking actress.
“Well. I won't disturb you. I have my own business to attend to,” he said, walking away from me and heading towards the bikes.
“Hey now, where are you going? Aren't you going to church?”
“Nah.”
“Nah?” I repeated. “What the fuck does ‘nah’ mean? Since when have you not gone to church?”
“It doesn’t matter, Rachel. You work on your inner peace. Connect with the beautiful part of the country and whatnot.”
“I feel peaceful, and connected,” I said, almost having to jog to keep up with him.
He smiled down at me with a soft laugh. “That was quick. I thought it would take a while longer to soothe those devils in your head.”
“Haha. They don’t want soothing. They’ve made themselves at home with me. So, where are you going?”
“Nowhere with you. I thought you might have been sneaking out to go get Dante. I was coming to see if I could join you, but since you're at one with Mother Nature, I'll leave you on your spiritual journey.”
“You're going to get Dante?” I questioned, stopping dead in my tracks before running to catch up with him again. “Can’t you slow down a second?” I said, my words coming out in breathy pants.
“No.”
“Oh. Well. That’s me told. So, you’re going to get Dante?” I asked, grabbing hold of his arm to make it easier for me to keep pace with him.
“That's what I said.” He looked down at me clinging to him, basically using him to drag me along and shook me off with ease. And then the bastard picked up his fucking speed.
“And Crash is okay with this?” I panted, not rising to the bait.
“Of course.”
“So why isn't he coming with you?”
