Perish: Book Three (bxb) ✔️

3. My mistake, Puddin' Pop.

Kayax Adler

I turned around with a handful of clothes and then almost dropped them upon seeing the sight of the century. "Salem, get the fuck out of my suitcase."

He poked his foot out when it wouldn't fold how he wanted to. "Kitty Kay, how big does this suitcase need to be? I'm pretty sure if I contorted myself just right, I'd fit."

I walked over to my bed, setting the clothes aside as Salem hopped out of it and onto my bedding. "Worry not, young one. I have three weeks to pack for and all of this." I waved my hands over my body. "It doesn't happen naturally."

"I'd like to argue that most of it does. You're very beautiful, Kay. Listen, are you alright to do all of this?"

I shrugged as I started to put my clothes neatly in the suitcase. "I've already been out with him a couple of times—it went relatively well. Apart from the part where I wanted to rip his eyeballs from the sockets."

August and I had done a few public appearances—nothing too spectacular. We were about to start 'Bond or Break,' and since no one knew, we had to appear in some fashion. I held the goblin's hand. I stayed attached to his side with smiles while he wore that brooding face that honestly bothered me into existence.

Why did I need to smile? I knew he was crafting his wonderful image, but I didn't want to smile around him. People were going to start assuming he didn't love me—because he didn't—not that I wanted him to.

Not after that night.

While I already knew it was impossible between us—I rather liked sparing with him. I kept up my facade, and he continued to hate me. It gave me life.

But then that damned night happened. The one where I thought that maybe he cared about me to some degree. I thought he saw me. But no one ever does. Minus Salem. And had Salem not witnessed what he did—I'd be completely alone.

But I've maintained a pretty positive friendship with him.

Which reminded me. "Have you told your brother about your engagement, Salem?"

The guilt on his face gave me my answer. "No. I don't want to take away from his attention. He just debuted. Things have been crazy. I'll tell him after you two are done with your TV show. I'm coming back when it's over. Raven already went home."

I folded more of my clothes, shaking my head. "It's not wise to keep it from him—or your family. You're in a good, healthy relationship. Everyone will be happy for you."

"And they can be happy for me when I finally tell them. If I told anyone in my family, things would become about me. I didn't want that when things are about August right now. My brother helped me through a lot of shit when it came to Raven. It's not that simple."

"I understand." I set more clothes in the suitcase and turned to retrieve more from my closet. "If your brother ever finds out we've been friends—the end of the world may very well be upon us."

"You know what I'm going to say about that, right?"

Yes, I did.

Salem would tell me to be honest with August, and that wasn't something I ever wanted to do. August had been hell-bent on hating me since before he met me. With valid reasons. However, you never could be too careful when it came to people you didn't know very well.

At least, people you didn't know to their very core.

I knew things about August that I wished I didn't.