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After twenty-five on the first arm, I switch to the other. My body heat seems to draw me into the present as I notice that my room is dark. The clock on my nightstand reads five thirty.
Why is it dark at five thirty? Where is Rosie?
The realization that she left my bed while I was sleeping after I told her not to hits me. However, it’s been four and a half hours, so someone probably came looking for her.
Just breathe. She’s probably in the kitchen, making dinner.
A cold shower is screaming my name. I’m jumpy, nerves still taut from waking up alone.
If I could just find Rosie, the panic would stop.
I decide to jump in the shower first, keeping the water temperature around the level of our deep freezer as I jump in and let it ease my aching chest and shoulder muscles. It takes over thirty minutes for me to start breathing in and out at a normal pace. I press my heated forehead against the tiles, closing my eyes.
This dependency on her is unhealthy. If I can’t find another way to sleep, I’ll have to fucking marry her. I can’t go on like this, waking up in a panic every time she’s not in my bed. The water streaming over me finally accomplishes the task of drawing me back to reality. I turn off the tap, climbing out and dressing in Wranglers and a pale green T-shirt.
I walk out into the hallway toward the kitchen. Low voices reach my ears as I approach.
“… in weeks. I don’t even know what happened the last time, but apparently, this isn’t so unusual for her. I could just tell she was super upset. I wish there were something I could do for her.” Dolly’s voice trails off as I come into view.
She shuts her mouth, standing up straight and walking over to the stove, where a pan of half-eaten lasagna is sitting.
“Hey, are you hungry? We’re having lasagna,” she says.
Duke and Sterling glance at each other before looking back down at their plates. The energy in the room is stifled with secrets. I know my family too well.
“What happened?” I approach the pan of lasagna, serving myself a generous portion.
My sister is tracing one of the veins in the quartzite countertop. She clears her throat before looking up at me.
“Rosie’s just having some family trouble. She left early, and she probably won’t be in tomorrow.”
I grab a fork, taking a seat at one of the barstools at the island. I attempt a neutral expression while my mind spirals into potential explanations for what could be happening in the Dixon family that would cause Rosie to take off work so suddenly.
Does it have something to do with the ranch? Did she find out about the M-59 and our visit to Idaho?
I take a bite, chewing slowly. I can feel Duke’s eyes on me. The room is silent, aside from the wind picking up outside. Charcoal-colored clouds loom outside as the trees dance.
“So, was she deep-cleaning your room or something?” Duke asks. His voice is tight.
I shove another bite in my mouth before looking over at my brother.
“No, she wasn’t cleaning my room.” I grab the pitcher of sweet tea and pour some into a glass, chugging the entire thing as he continues to stare at me.
“Then, why was she in there all afternoon?” His fork clatters against his plate, and he squares his shoulders back.
I know my little brother too well. This is about to get ugly if I don’t play it cool.
Too bad I’m in a shit mood and it’s been too long since I’ve been in a fight.
I lean back against the chair, stretching my legs out with a sigh. “Why are you so worried about it, little brother?” I try to hold back my smirk.
He glowers at me, his dark eyebrows lowering. He pops his knuckles as he slowly comes to a stand. “Are you fucking my ex-girlfriend?”
I wish.
What?
I look back down at my plate, answering him before shoveling another bite in my mouth. “Now, why on earth would you think that?”
