One Rule

Chapter 6

The next morning, I woke up as the sun was coming through the curtains. We were both lying on our sides. My face was practically buried in his chest. I gave a small grin as I kissed his chest, just over his heart. "That feels nice," he mumbled.

I kissed him again, but this time on his neck. "I don't want to get up yet," I moaned. "It makes everything just a little too real."

"We'll get through this," he said wrapping an arm around me.

"I've been thinking about what you said before I left," I said carefully. It had been a rough conversation about disclosing our relationship. He was ready, and I was still worried about the reaction.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking down at me.

"I'm still worried they won't react well, but I'm tired of hiding," I told him.

"What changed your mind?" he asked.

"Donna dying made me realize that we could all die at any minute. I don't want to hide anymore. I'll walk into that clubhouse in that really low backed halter top you like, so they can all see your crow," I told him.

"We might not want to go quite that far, just yet," he smiled.

I have a black crow in the middle of my back. We'd debated on where I should put it. I couldn't put it anywhere where it might show through a shirt. I couldn't put it on my thigh because I wanted to be able to wear shorts in the future. We ultimately settled on the middle of my back, and I agreed I'd wear a halter top for him from time to time.

"I'll go talk to Clay, and take the blame. If I tell him that I broke the rule, and that it's on me, maybe he'll have some mercy," I suggested.

"What if I did it?" he asked.

"I don't think there's a good way to do it. But I think he'll have a harder time laying hands on me than on you."

"You're not wrong," he sighed.

"I'm serious when I say I'm going to talk to him. Today. I want this out in the open," I said, sitting up in bed.

"We can have a double funeral," he replied.

We got up and got dressed. I cleaned up the trail of clothing just in case we had any visitors. I picked up my phone and called my dad. "You're up early." He sounded like he hadn't slept well.

"I need to talk to you about something. Do you have time before you head over to the clubhouse?" I'd rather do this in private at the house.

"Yeah. Come on over."

"Okay. Give me ten minutes." I hung up and turned to Kozik. "Wish me luck."

"I'm going with you," he said.

I knew better than to fight him. "Okay. Let's take yours."

He backed his bike out of the garage as I put my helmet on. I got on the back of his bike and put my arms around him. I gave him directions to the house, trying to keep my nerve.

He parked in the driveway, and I hopped off the back and took the helmet off. "You might want to leave that on," Kozik joked.

"No, I think you're the one that's going to need it," I replied.

"You're both gonna need 'em if you don't get in here," Gemma said from the front door.

"Sorry," I mumbled as we both walked past her into the house.

"He's in the dining room."

"I didn't realize you were bringing company," Clay said, as Kozik trailed in behind me. "I wasn't even aware you were in town," he glared at Kozik.