Chapter 24 – Mitchell
MITCHELL
Because I’m watching them closely, I see the dejected look Charlie and Jace share as they exit the alleyway, and my hands twitch with the need to dig into their lives. I want to know everything they’ve ever done, everything there is to know about them, and in turn…Bonnie.
Turning to Marissa, testing the name out in my head. Bonnie…It suits her.
“Can I ask you something?” She nods, turning her body to face me. It’s one of the many things I love about her; she always gives you her full attention. “Why didn’t you tell them you go by Marissa now?”
For as long as I’ve known her, she’s refused to go by real name. Even before I gave her the option of creating a new identity, she wouldn’t tell me who she was before, insisting I never look it up. Yet curiously, other than a small wince, she didn’t stop them from using it.
She lets out a groan, shoving her face into her hands. “I thought about it. I was going to and then…”
“And then?”
“It’s stupid.” When I don’t respond, her cheeks turn a deep pink, spreading down her neck and disappearing into her shirt. “Ugh, fine I got jealous.”
“Jealous of what exactly?”
“Of hearing another woman’s name out of their mouths, even if that name is still technically mine.” She tosses her hands up before her shoulders drop and she hangs her head.
“It’s not stupid,” I assure her. I might not understand it or see the logic in it, but it isn’t stupid.
She lets out a huff, offering me a strained smile before casting a longing glance to the mouth of the alley and I’m hit with the sudden realisation that I’m gonna end up living with those idiots, I just know it.
It's not that I think they’re bad people or anything, they just need a lesson in being aware of their surroundings, and what not to do when a gun is shoved in your face.
Pulling her into my arms, I rest my chin on the top of her head. “Do you want me to call them back?”
“It’s too late, they’re gone.” She sounds so sullen, and I hear the sniffles she’s trying so hard to hide.
“Trust me, they aren’t. They looked like kicked puppies when they walked away. I guarantee they’re probable sitting in their RV with their eyes glued to the alleyway.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, I do.” She pulls away, chewing on her lip and glances at the road one last time before shaking her head. I’m all too familiar with the look in her eyes, it’s the one she gets when she wants or needs something, but she's scared.
She wore a similar expression when she first attempted to enrol CJ in school. Marissa wants CJ to have a normal childhood, and that includes school, but the thought of sending her alone was terrifying for her.
In her heart, she wants them to come back but her head isn’t quite ready for the pressure that might come with, the conversations they need to have. Though, I can’t imagine it’ll take her head long to catch up.
I’ve always known that, should her ‘Roses’ ever re-enter her life, they were here to stay. I could hear it in every detail she recounted of her memories of them to Charlotte. Heck, just a few hours ago I was prepared to hunt them down myself and bring them to her.
“Do you still want to do a grocery shop? We still need stuff for lunches, and unless Charlie followed you inside, I’m pretty sure he didn’t get what he needed either,” I suggest, watching her eyes light with interest.
This gives them a little more time in each other’s presence, in a setting where they won’t be expected to have heavy conversations.
Marissa nods and we exit the alley, spotting the RV parked across the road with both guys seated in the front, eyeing us. I give Marissa a pointed look before waving them back.
I haven’t even finished lowering my hand before they’re scrambling out of the RV and literally running over to us.
I feel Rissa stiffen beside me, and I discreetly widen my eyes and shake my head to get them to slow down.
Thankfully, they get the message and instantly slow their pace, looking a little sheepish.
“We’re going shopping,” I announce and when they both continue looking at us, I roll my eyes and add, “Would you like to join us?”