“Like what, David?” I pulled my hand away as he reached for it. “I have to protect my heart. Don’t you know what leaving is going to do to me?”

“So, you’re protecting yourself by hurting me.”

“Guess I’m taking a leaf out of your book.” The spite in my tone was cringe-worthy, even for me.

“I don’t agree with this.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Ara-Rose, I will be damned if I’m going to sit here and watch you go out on a date with de la Rose or any other man for that matter.” As his voice became louder, my stubbornness retreated, but only enough to make me want to fight even harder.

“You don’t own me. I can do whatever I want.”

He nodded. “You’re right. You can. Doesn’t mean I have to agree.”

“Then stay for the rest of my life, and I’ll be with you, and only you.”

“So, that’s what this is really about.” He nodded, folding his arms. “You’re trying to punish me into staying with you.”

I shrugged.

“It won’t work.”

I smiled conceitedly. “Then you’ll just have to watch me go on dates with de la Rose.”

“I’ll threaten him if he does.”

“Then that would make you one of those controlling types.”

He sat back against the bed-head, thinking. I could see the thoughts wash over his face through the reflection across the room. There was no way around this. He couldn’t be all noble and get the girl, unless he promised to stay with me, he knew that. “Fine. Date Eric then.”

“I will,” I said, hurt by the opposite reaction I sought.

“Fine.”

“Coffee’s nearly ready, David. You out of the shower?”

No answer.

“David?” I listened, calming only once I heard the taps—still running.

With the coffee tray in hand, I stopped by the biscuit barrel and added a few choc tarts to the plate of cake. David would have no real appreciation for such deliciousness, since his preference was in those who could hold a conversation, so I added an extra few, just in case he needed help to eat his share.

The front door opened, filling the house with light. I paused by the hallstand, waiting until Mike closed the door completely.

“Everything okay with Emily?”

“It’s been a long day, Ar.” He sauntered past and slumped on the couch in the front room. “Just don’t ask.”

“That good, huh?” I asked anyway, placing the tray on the coffee table.

“Uh!” he groaned aloud. “No. She’s gone to her mum’s. She doesn’t wanna see me.”

“Really? But...why? It’s not your fault.” The way he looked at me as I sat next to the tray kind of said what he was thinking. “I’m sorry, Mike. I shouldn’t have told her about Jason.”

“No—but you should have told me,” he said through softly clenched teeth, his head rolled back.

“I know.” I looked down.

“How long?” He sat up a little. “When did you know it was David’s brother?”

“The moment he took me.”

“So you lied to me?” He closed himself off again, shaking his head as he rested it back against the couch. “All this time—you lied.”

“I had my own grief to deal with, Mike. I didn’t want to tell you.” His anger was infecting me now. “You know, I came home to tell you—last night, and—”

“Oh, how convenient.” He sat up, glaring at me. “Last night, huh?”

“Yes. That’s why I opened your door. I never, in a million years, expected to see you and Em playing nudie Twister.”

“So now it’s my fault that you didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t say that, Mike. It’s just—”

“It’s just that you didn’t wanna see me happy—that’s why you chose now to destroy us all with the truth.”

“No.” What an awful thing to say.

“Then what, Ara? What possessed you to confess, now?”

I looked at the ground.

“Nothing, huh? That’s it? You have no answer. For all your ta—”

“Because I saw him!” I yelled. “Last night…” I took a breath and closed my eyes. Mike went quiet. “I saw Jason last night.”

My lips mushed together between his grip on my face. “Ara, what did he want, did he—”

“He didn’t hurt me, Mike. Okay.” I jerked my chin from his grip. “He saved me.”

“Saved you?”

“Yes. I…got a little lost at Karnivale.” My shoulder’s lifted; David, hovering by my bedroom door, listened on—the silent protector in the shadows, ready to come if needed. “And found myself in a bit of danger,” I continued, leaving out how I got into danger. “Jason brought me home. I was coming inside to tell you what he said to me when—”

“When you found me in bed with your best friend.” He looked at me for a second, then lopped his forearm across his eyes, laying back on the couch.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“So, what did he say to you?”

“Jason?” I asked; Mike nodded. “He…” Hmm, what do I tell Mike? “He said he was under the influence of the monster when he kidnapped me, and that he regrets what he did.”

“And you actually listened to that?” Mike’s voice rose with his straightening spine.

“No!” I shrugged back a little. “No, I told him to leave.”

“Hu!” he scoffed. “I would’ve said a lot worse than that.”

“I know you would.”

Seeing the situation had simmered down, David melted back into my room, closing the door, giving a gentle smile beforehand.

“I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me, Ara.” Mike’s clasped hands rested between his knees, his forearms on his thighs. “I hate it when you keep things from me. You should’ve let me help you deal with this.”

“Well, I didn’t, so—” I shrugged.

“So what?”

“So get used to it. I’m not yours anymore.”

The flesh over his cheek pulsed. “And what’s going to happen when he goes away again?”