Gypsy

Chapter 36

·Zara·

It's been a week since I took Adam to Southside, and though I keep expecting him to bring it up--to ask questions or dig for more details--he doesn't. That in itself means a lot to me.

It was hard to tell him everything that I did, but Maddox had been right. I couldn't expect him to be open with me if I wasn't willing to do the same. In the end, it hadn't been as hard, or as bad, as I had thought it would be. It had been kind of … freeing, I guess. The memories are still there, my life hasn't changed, but things between Adam and myself have. I guess it's what some people would call bonding, what happened to us, though I think that usually happens over dinner dates and long walks in the park.

Nothing about what happened between us could be considered a walk in the park, in any sense of the term.

Micah and Andre have just arrived home, and Andre is going on and on about everything they did, and everything he saw, while they were in New York. He's describing to me how many people there had been at the tournament, and I'm sipping my coffee quietly as I listen. 

I love how happy he seems now. It wasn't that long ago when I had worried over his growing old before his time. Adam walks into the kitchen and stops beside me, then leans over to kiss my forehead. Andre's eyes go wide and he stops mid-sentence.

"Holy shit," he finally manages to say, and I give him my best "Sadie does not approve" look.

"Watch your mouth, young man," I grumble softly at him.

He gives me a smile and shakes his head. "So, you two?"

I nod as Adam lays one hand gently on my shoulder.

"Holy sh...Crap! I knew it! I just fricking knew it!" His excitement nearly crackles in the air between us, like a power station strong enough to light up the whole city.

"Knew what?" Micah slips into the room behind Andre, then looks from him to me, and then to Adam's hand where it still rests on my shoulder. His smile broadens and his gaze shoots to Adam's.

My face grows warm at the unvoiced happiness I see wash across his face.

"Well, it's about damned time, bruh! Thought I was gonna end up having to whip up a love potion for the two of you," he finally says and my face grows warmer still.

I set my cup on the table then clasp my hands in my lap.

"Hey, Micah. Look at Gypsy, man. She looks just like Blaze!" Andre's words tumble out through his laughter as he continues. "I bet you could light a bonfire off her face!"

"And that's my cue to leave." I get to my feet and step away from Adam, then hurry out of the room before any of them have a chance to stop me.

Emotions aren't really my thing, and embarrassment is one I've felt the least often out of them all. Micah and Andre's lighthearted laughter follows me out, and I can't help but to smile at it.

I enter my room and quietly close the door behind myself, then flop down on my bed. I lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to wipe the smile off my face. It's no use. It seems more and more I'm wearing it these days, as if it has become a permanent part of my limited wardrobe.

When a knock finally comes on my door, the flames in my face have cooled, but the smile is still there.

"It's open," I call out, not even bothering to get up.

When the door opens, I look over to see Micah standing there, a smile that seems a little uncertain curling the corners of his mouth.

"Mind if I come in?" he asks.