Page 33 of Seven Graves

Because I can’t stay away.

Because every second we’re not giving each other hell, it feels like hell to me. Because I’ve felt the sun shining on my face for the first time in seven years and—

Seven years…

Seven.

“I’m gonna go take a shower.”

“Wait, you still haven’t told me what happened with Daddy.”

I walked past her into Seven’s bedroom, and felt my chest tighten up when I locked the bathroom door behind me.

I leaned back against it, staring up at the ceiling and trying to get a fucking grip while my mind spun for a bit.

Seven’s always been my lucky number. It was seven years before I got the sweet taste of revenge on my tongue after losing Shavonn.

Everything can’t always be the luck of the Irish.

Not the way my life has ended up. The mere thought that the girl I swear I’ve already got it bad for after just a week, stumbled into my life because of fate?

That’s just fucking ludicrous. Even more so, when I add the idea that she’s just as open to some kind of future with me beyond what I’m asking her to do.

I’m not used to this kind of seriousness anymore.

The asshole I am and the nonchalance I filter my life with all stemmed from a loss I still haven’t gotten over.

But I just can’t leave her alone.

“She didn’t pass any of this onto you?”

I heard Bridget’s muffled voice through the bedroom door as I toweled off, and it sounded like she was talking through a mouthful of food.

Seven’s home. And being in this bedroom listening to the two of them after taking a scalding hot shower suddenly feels extremely domestic.

Oddly, I think I might like it a bit. I opened the door and cracked a smirk at Viper, downright giddy about the fact that she’ll only glance at me like she’s trying her best to hide the fact that everything I did to that pussy this morning is playing back through her mind.

She might be fooling Bridget, but she’s not fooling me. That chest is flushed.

“I mean, I’ve watched her cook my whole life, so I know her secrets. I just don’t have her talent. Not really my forte.” She made herself busy in the kitchen and Bridget sat at the bar, stuffing her face with whatever was brought home for us. Smelled good.

“I’ve never had potatoes this good.”

Because she wasn’t fortunate enough to have Ma’s.

I banished that thought while I snuck up beside Seven at the kitchen sink.

“Shower’s free,” I winked.

“Could we talk for a sec?” I got a sideways look and gripped both sides of the towel as I hung it around the back of my neck. She looks bothered by something, and I’m wondering if my luck’s finally run out because of the move I made. Sure seemed like she enjoyed herself. “Alone?”

“Yeah.”

Bridget continued to eat, chewing while she watched us follow each other back to the bedroom. I closed the door behind me and leaned back on it while Seven flopped down on the end of her bed.

“If you need us to stay somewhere else, I told you I’d put her up in—”

“It’s not that. My mom busted you trying to sneak outta the house this morning.” I bit down on my lip, unable to hide my grin. Feels like being sixteen all over again. “It’s not funny, asshole.”

“Sorry.” I tried to straighten my face, but…failed. “You grounded?”

She sat up and sighed, rolling her eyes and it just made this whole being serious thing that much harder. “Would you grow up? No. But now you’ve got everybody wanting to figure out whatever this is, and that’s the last thing I need right now, Malek.”

“I didn’t see a single soul when I snuck through that house. I swear.”

“Yeah, well. Your stalker skills aren’t as good as your butchering. She saw you going to get your stupid milkshake. Fuck you for that, by the way.”

I knew she’d be feral about that.

“I’m sorry. Happy to make it up to you, though…” I raised an eyebrow, glancing down at her legs.

“Tempting as that sounds, I’ll pass.”

I poked my lip out.

“Fine. But, if I find out that the Girthmaster finds its way back where it was a few hours ago…your mom will be the last thing you have to worry about.” I honestly thought that would get her back to the sass I’m starting to feel empty without, but…

whatever happened must be a really big deal.

She’s not giving me anything. I stepped over and sat next to her.

“Seven, look…I might have hijacked your life, but never in any of this have I wanted you to be unhappy. I do love it when you’re pissed, that’ll probly always get me off, but…

if you tell me to go, and only call you when I’m ready for this job… I’ll do it.”

“It’s not that either,” she breathed, staring at the floor. “You irritate the fuck outta me, but…I’m starting to like having you around. Don’t let that get to your already inflated head.”

“No promises there, love.”

“I’m not used to anybody thinking I’m a ten.

I don’t think I’d be used to anybody even believing I’m a high three , Malek.

My family knows my track record with men and my failure in the dating pool.

I’m not looking for a white knight, and I don’t want them expecting one.

I generally like existing down there in the basement with nobody to worry about but myself.

It’s just…safer that way. For everyone. ”

It’s pretty obvious to me now. She’s been hurt.

And it makes me wanna gut teddy bears. And it’s not the kind of hurt like what I’ve been through, either.

I actually think this is worse. I love the aspect of being able to cause insane amounts of physical pain and torment to people that deserve it, but I’ve never been the kind of lad that blows a load, seeing someone suffer in silence when they don’t.

And she doesn’t deserve this shit. She deserves to be worshiped the way I got down on my knees for her this morning. She deserves that every day.

“Okay,” I whispered, nodding. “But I meant what I said about Mr. Floppy.”

“Christ…go eat.”

I nudged her with a shoulder and stood, walking to the door and tipping my head over my shoulder to look at her. “You are a ten, Seven Grey. No matter what fool can’t see it.”

I left her with that, vowing to figure out the name of every prick that wined and dined her in the past few years.