I'm going back to the house. Screw this!

“No,” you step backward. “Do whatever you want without me. You want me back, or are you going to go after me tomorrow?”

Scarlet deflates a little, and something in her expression changes. There’s no telling what she had in mind for you and the stranger, but now that your mind is made it, you’re comfortable with the fact that you might not know for another day or 2.

After a few seconds of hard staring, she exhaled and hugged you, again surprising you. You can feel the man’s eyes on you too, but not much of your attention is being pulled away. Instinctively, you wrap an arm around her too. Behind your embrace is a question of your concern; it is, however, silent as you won’t speak to her.

…

…

You filter back to the house and poke around. The lights in the kitchen are on, but you assumed the occupier to be either Amara or Kenji; instead, it is Flora making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in her pajamas. Flora stops moving, her food half near her face when your eyes meet.

“You’re back,” her voice came out quiet, but then she put on a voice that said disinterest, like a cat disregarding its owner after being approached. “Scarlet then?”

“At Tiny’s Tavern,” you explain. “She wanted to hook up with someone, and I opted to go here instead.”

Flora shifted legs and blinked. “I wouldn’t have expected her to do that with you…so close, I guess?”

“No point in thinking about it. I guess she had needs that only that guy could satisfy,” you got closer and picked up a bread bag and butter knife. “I’m sorry, Flora.”

She chewed slowly and then swallowed loudly. Her eyes went to yours, so you figured she was thinking. “About what?”

Emmy came back to mind, the three-way with Scarlet, Alexandra, and even Tiffany. Flora, in many ways, was a princess, yet you failed to treat her as one. There was no doubt in your head that she viewed your relationship as more precious. You became aware of your beating heart. “For everything, I guess.”

Her expression became dull, and her eyes narrowed. “Hm? Everything? Thank you so much. That clears everything.”

“Don’t be like that,” you say softly. “You deserve better than a guy like me. I’ve been shitty to you. You told me what happened before, and even though I’m sympathetic, I manage to do nearly the same.”

Flora’s expression sharpens, causing her eyes to widen slightly. “You’re better than my ex-husband,” she stops, suspecting you to say something. When you don’t, she continues. “Or maybe I’ve never been in a proper relationship to know any better. Something tells me that there’s no one here that could offer any kind of light on a good marriage.”

“Scarlet,” you blurt out suddenly and then blush. “Never mind.”

“What about her?”

You think. Your silence makes Flora draw closer to you while she eats. You exhale and meet her closer to the middle so you can talk in a whisper. “It sounds like she had a good family.”

“What kind of good family raises a contractor?” She swallows nonchalantly but then apologizes. “I didn’t— I’m sure your folks— that was a terrible thing to say.”

You shrug. “No. You’re fine. I’m not going to make this about me.”

“Still,” she mutters. “I’m not mad at you. I’m curious, however.”

“Another time,” you promise. “Scarlet will return for me in the morning unless something prevents it. Let’s not get each other down or stray off.”

“You started it,” she teases but then exhales. “What should we do then?”

“Whatever you want. It’s the least I could do.”

“Like talking?” She looks away. “Neither Kenji nor Amara has been a good company to me. Kenji is decent, but we don’t have much in common, and we can’t bounce off each other in conversation. Our shared roads are filled with dead ends.”

You bow your head. “Then take charge with me. I can talk all night if you want.”

“I don’t know what I want,” she whispers harshly. “I hate that all I’m capable of is a single night, and even then, it’s not just us. It’s all done in secrecy.”

“So, you’re telling me to make the choice?”

“No,” she sighs. “Not really. I just wish…I can’t wait for this to be. I can see past your cheating and your relief if it means you and I can just be together in the end.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Shut up,” Flora shakes her head. “Let’s see…”