A Sky Full of Secrets

by Briana Pacheco

  You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! Why am I the only one bothered by this?!

  I wait one, two, three, four fucking seconds and his hand is still on her. “This is fucking weird.” I stand and flick Noland’s forehead. “Stop. Right now. Before I break your arms.”

  His hand finally makes an appearance, Luna adjusts her bra, and then she states, “I would have had so much fun with you in college.”

  “Luna, stop feeding his attraction to you.” Stop fueling my rage! I don’t want to murder my brother.

  “Are you jealous, Nix?” Noland mocks.

  YES! I don’t want anyone touching her, especially my fucking brother.

  Mackenzie raises his eyebrows at me, interested in my answer.

  Fuck!

  “I’m just telling him the truth,” Luna says. “Some of the guys I slept with squeezed my boobs like they were squeezing lemons. It fucking hurt.”

  “Then why did you sleep with them?” I deadpan.

  “Because I could.”

  Well, that was straightforward.

  Luna is completely different when sex is involved, and damn, it’s satisfying seeing that side of her.

  She turns sultry eyes framed by long, black lashes on me.

  She doesn’t say a word.

  She doesn’t have to.

  She’s a goddamn temptress and she has me under a trance within seconds.

  How the hell does she do that?

  The moon has a gravitational pull.

  It only seems accurate to assume that Luna does too.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Phoenix

  A few days later, I’m being pressured into meeting up with my coworker Trevor at a Thai restaurant because today was a long, boring day at work. He’s the guy that involves himself in everybody’s life even if you don’t want him in it. If you post a picture on social media, you can bet your ass Trevor will see it and find a way to bring it up into a conversation. He likes to find things in common with people.

  He is basically a stalker.

  But he’s harmless.

  After I find a parking spot, I hop out of my car and walk up the street to the restaurant. If you’re a Brown student, you’ve probably been to Sawaddee. It’s still near campus but far enough away to make you not feel lazy.

  MacKay dragged me to this place a few times when he was looking for a college chick to bring home. He hasn’t brought back anyone since Luna moved in and I’m glad. Some of those chicks did not give a fuck if I was trying to sleep in the next room. Speaking of MacKay banging chicks, he doesn’t update me on his latest conquest. He usually tells me if she was a blonde, redhead or brunette. Nowadays, he’s radio silent. He leaves the house around six some nights and I don’t see him until I wake up. I wonder if Luna noticed that, too.

  Entering the restaurant, the hostess offers me a welcome smile as I tell her that a friend is already seated. She walks me past tables, stopping at the one currently seating Trevor with a table full of food.

  Trevor looks up after taking a sip from his drink then sets the glass down quickly and waves me to the seat in front of him. He thanks the hostess and watches her hips sway when she walks away. “I was starving. I hope you don’t mind. I ordered your favorite dish. It just came.”

  I’ve never been here with him nor have I ever told him my favorite dish. MacKay does take pictures of the food we eat so I don’t question how he knows these things. “I don’t mind at all. Thanks, man.”

  He nods, his brown eyes roaming over all the food. He scratches his jaw when he can’t decide what to start with. “So, your friend made it home all right?”

  “Hm?” I pick up my fork, my brows furrowed.

  “The girl you pick up after work most days. Luna?”

  I nod slowly, watching him curiously. This guy is a mystery. Has been since I started working with him after I moved to Rhode Island. He’s an average looking guy; dark head of hair that he maintains, a crooked smile, broad shoulders. Overall, he’s a nice guy. He’s just misunderstood. By everyone. No one seems to know how to talk to him so they stay clear of him. I’m not an asshole so I’ve tried bringing him into conversations whenever he’s around. He gets a little freaked out for having the attention on him, but then he’ll relax.

  “Oh, yeah. I just dropped her off at home.” It’s become a routine of mine. After work, I’ll text and ask if she wants a ride home. Most days she’ll say yes. Others, she’ll say she’s already home, but when I get there, she’s not. I’d find out later that she walked home because she didn’t have enough money to offer me and get food. She always tries to pay me for gas even though I decline. I tell her this but she’s still stubborn.

  “That’s good. That’s good.” Trevor nods and slides a plate of Sa-Tae closer to him. “She could have came, too. I wouldn’t mind the company.” He looks up briefly. “No offense.”

  I chuckle and sink into my seat, sliding my plate of food over. “None taken. And I offered but she declined. She’d rather be home and change into comfy clothes.” So would I but when Trevor asked if I would grab some food with him later, I didn’t have the heart to turn down the offer for the hundredth time. And it’s good to get out of the house every once and awhile. Spend some time with a guy friend that is not Mackenzie.

  “So…anything happening there? Or do you not talk about personal stuff with coworkers? I don’t do this often.” He clears his throat and loosens his navy tie. “It took a lot out of me to even come here. But you seem like a good person, Phoenix. You seem like a good friend to have.”

  For some reason, hearing Trevor say that reminds me of Luna. She doesn’t do well around others but she’s warming up to me. Maybe it’s because of who I am. I’m a nice person and I treat everyone kindly. I don’t like being the dark cloud hanging over someone’s head. I like to think that I’m the sun, brightening the day as best as I can. I want to at least give someone a reason to smile each day.

  “Well, thank god this friendship isn’t one-sided!” I blurt when I can’t seem to find the right words. Fuck, I feel like shit for not accepting his offers to grab food or a beer after work. I plan on changing that now. I didn’t know it was hard for him to ask.

  Trevor sets his chicken skewer down and chuckles. “Thank god!”

  We talk about whatever comes to mind as we finish everything Trevor ordered. We split the bill because he all but broke out into hives when I offered to pay. He planned on paying the full bill but I couldn’t let that slide. I did eat as much as he did.

  Trevor parked up the street so we part ways with plans to do this again soon. Probably at a bar so it’s not as awkward for him. He was just really hungry and the Thai restaurant was his first choice.

  Heading to my car, there’s a light drizzle and it’s a bit chilly. The weather has been flip-flopping for the past week. I’m ready for summer at this point.

  The cars and streets are wet, informing me that it has been raining for some time. I bump into somebody jogging past me. I don’t blame them for wanting to get where they need to be, but when something else crawls up my leg and practically mauls me, I call out a loud, “What the fuck!” Looking down, I squint, not sure what the hell I’m looking at. “Loki?” The wet mop looking thing barks and jumps up my leg one more time. I look up at the person who is now standing still, looking around her. “Luna?”

  She finally turns and sees Loki then she looks up higher, startled. Her hair sticks to her face, so does her t-shirt to her chest, not leaving much to the imagination. I can’t help but thank the sky for working its magic. She jogs over to me, scoops up Loki, and mumbles, “Sorry.”

  I shoot out my hand and stop her from walking. “Let me give you a ride. You’re soaked.”

  “I have no money to give you. I need it for Loki. I have to buy him a new leash but the place was closed. He bit through his and it broke halfway through his walk.”

  I shake my head and steer her towards my car. “Stop trying to give me your money. I have a job. I can pay fo
r my own gas, and I can sure as shit pay for wanting to give a friend a ride. Now, get in.”

  She doesn’t say another word to me. But to Loki she says, “Someone’s bossy.”

  I am when someone’s fucking difficult.

  Getting both Luna and Loki in the car, I round the front and get in. I put the heat on to try and get them somewhat dry. Luna shivers every two minutes until I’m parked in the driveway, six minutes later.

  “I’ll dry him up. You go change,” I offer, walking into the house. “And I’m driving you to the store tomorrow.”

  “Um, I… Thanks.” She keeps her eyes down as she hands Loki over to me. “He was being an asshole and wouldn’t let me hold him as I ran back home. He might want a treat. Don’t give it to him.” Then she heads up the stairs.

  Mackenzie walks out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a hand towel. “Oh…you found her. She went dark once his leash broke. I was worried.”

  “Yeah, I bumped into her near Sawaddee. Gave her a lift.” I tilt my chin up. “She’s drying off.”

  He nods. “How was dinner with Trevor? Make a new best friend or do I still have that spot?”

  “Aw, you jealous?” I shift Loki in my arm and shake him gently. “Mackenzie’s jealous. Can you believe that?” Loki barks and licks my neck. “Dinner was good. You’re still my best friend though. No one can take your place. I love you too much.” This is part of our bromance.

  Mackenzie clutches his heart theatrically. “I love you, too, man.” He fake sniffles. “I’m so touched.”

  “Loser.”

  “Prick.”

  “Dumbass.”

  “Fuck-face.”

  I flip him off all while smiling and head upstairs. I grab a towel from the bathroom and try my best to make Loki look presentable. When I’m done with him, I walk down the hall, past Luna’s open door and set him on the floor. “Luna?”

  “Down here. My favorite sock is missing. Loki stuffed it”–pant–“under”–pant–“my bed.” She finally comes up, waving around a scrunched up thigh-high sock. “Love this pair but…he chewed a hole in it. Great.”

  “I’m sure you have others.” She nods just to shut me up. I can tell by the way her lips turn down. “What pair are they?”

  She hesitates. “White with black stripes on the top. They’re so soft.” Luna stands and plops down on her bed. “They’re just socks, right?”

  Seeing as how she’s talking to me, I take that as an invitation to sit down. “Something you love isn’t just a thing to you. It’s okay to be upset over a sock.”

  She looks up and rolls her eyes at me but she laughs into her chest. “That sounds ridiculous but so right.”

  “What else do you love?” I’m curious. She never tells me things that matter to her.

  Luna takes a while to acknowledge that I asked a question. She stares down at Loki running around her room until she takes a deep breath and moves up the bed. “I love pottery and flowers.” She shrugs, looking sheepish. “The color purple. Are you looking for something specific? I don’t know what to say. I never bothered making a list.”

  I hold her eyes, the uncertainty present in hers. “The things you love should matter. It says so much about you.” I brush my fingers against the side of her leg, skimming lower until I touch the top of her light purple thigh-high. Little white stars decorate the tops.

  The moon wearing the stars, it’s exquisite.

  “What do you love about yourself then? I want to know.”

  Luna holds my gaze, her lips dropping into a thin line after pushing them out into a pout. Nothing. She has nothing. “Why do you ask such hard questions?”

  “It’s not a hard question.”

  “Yes, it is. You’re asking a girl who wouldn’t look in the mirror for years because her brother called her an alien and made her feel like a freak. You’re asking a girl who wishes she could change so many things about herself. You are asking a hard question. What is there to love about myself? I’m a bitch.” She looks away, playing with the hem of her loose t-shirt.

  “You have pretty eyes, a time-stopping smile, and from what I’ve heard, a beautiful soul. You have a lot to love, you just need to find it within yourself.”

  She is the moon but she is also a flower. And just like a flower, they need seeds in order to grow. What is that poem I read about once? Something about planting kisses like seeds all over someone so they can watch them grow to love themselves. That’s what I want to do for Luna. I want to plant seeds all over her body and watch her grow to love herself.

  “Easier said than done,” she whispers. “Mac keeps trying to find the good in me.”

  “Because it’s there.” Bright brown eyes flick up to meet mine. “I’ll help you find it.” I sit up straighter. “Let me help you love yourself.”

  She doesn’t look away and she doesn’t argue.

  I lean in until we’re less than a centimeter away. “You’re a phenomenal kisser.” I plant my first seed when our lips touch.

  I will help this woman find things she loves about herself.

  It’s a fucking promise.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Phoenix

  For the next ten days, I’ve somehow lost my balls and handed them over to Luna. She bats her eyes at me, asks if I can walk Loki so she can sleep for a few more minutes, and like a little bitch, I do it. Even if I don’t get enough sleep because Loki likes to run into my room at night, find a corner of my comforter hanging off the bed and he tugs, waking me up. The cherry on top, he pees on my floor and I always fucking step on it because it’s right where I put my damn feet to stand.

  A wet nose rams into my face, making me growl as I stare Loki down.

  Fuck. My. Life. He’s back.

  “Stop.” I rub his ears. “Go back to Luna.”

  When I mentioned that Loki likes to run into my room at night, Luna gushed and said he wants to spend time with me. She then told me to close the door if I don’t want him in here. I did. And he scratched the door until I woke up and opened it again. Luna put a stepper by the foot of my bed for this little asshole to come and go as he pleases. The fucker doesn’t stop licking me and barking next to my ears.

  I turn and squeeze my pillow against my ear to muffle his barking.

  Why he can’t bother MacKay is beyond me. He literally gives him treats all the time when we’re ‘not’ looking. He should be his favorite person.

  I have been trying to teach Loki ASL on the down low so you’d think he’d want to stay away from me because I don’t give him treats for failing. I’ve tried more than twenty times to get him to understand how to sit but he just looks at my hands doing the signing and then he barks, running away. He’ll learn soon enough.

  Loki paws at my bare back, and damn him for rubbing his furry face against my ticklish spot. I give up and turn back around. We stare at one another and I feel like we come to some kind of understanding; I give him attention, he leaves me alone.

  “What do you want?” He barks. “I’m not feeding you.” He barks again but this time he travels down my bed and jumps down the stepper until he’s on the floor. He keeps his eyes on me as he walks out of my room. Another bark leaves his mouth and I sigh, throwing my legs off the bed. Surprisingly, there’s no piss on the floor.

  He heads toward Luna’s room, stopping every few steps to make sure I’m following.

  The glow of a laptop lights up her room, and I see her silhouette lying on the bed, her back to me. She looks comfy wrapped in a thin sheet, her head resting on her palm.

  I look at Loki then back at her. Why am I needed? Luna is awake.

  I start to turn when Loki barks louder this time. I stop mid-step. Okay, seriously. I’m fucking done. I need to fucking sleep and I’m not opposed to locking this dog in the room even if Luna is one hundred percent against it.

  He barks again.

  Fuck it. I’m going to tell her that I’m closing the door. I need to sleep. She won’t be bothered by his barking. Perk of being
deaf.

  I walk up to Luna’s bed and holy shit, do my eyes deceive me?!

  I rub my eyes and blink a few times.

  I must be seeing things. Imagining them or some shit because she’s watching porn. On silent.

  I know once she’s in her room she enters the world of silence but I call out her name anyway.

  This is fucking perfect.

  She made it clear yesterday that when her ‘Aunt Flo’ visits, we’re not having sex. Now, I find her watching porn. And I’m just standing behind her like a fucking murderer hiding in the dark.

  My eyes can’t move from the screen, broadcasting a nice rack bouncing up and down while the chick rides the dude. It turns into a close up and I guess Luna doesn’t care for bouncing tits because she skips to the part when the guy’s cock is on full display.

  I’m basically watching Luna watch this couple fuck and it’s turning me on. She breathes deeper, making a sweet little noise that makes my dick jerk. Her hair is in a bun, leaving her neck exposed, and she’s turned just right so that I can see her collarbone and the little spot where if I bite hard enough, she’ll squirm and bite her own lip.

  I know this sounds creepy, believe me, I know, but if you caught the girl you’re sleeping with watching porn, what would you do? Fuck, would you just watch as her hand snakes down her side, slipping into her underwear?

  My fingers itch to follow the same path over her skin.

  MacKay wasn’t lying when he said she gets super horny this time of the month. This should turn me off because…well, blood and all that but I’ve had sex before when my ex had her monthly visit and it wasn’t that bad. It was mostly clit stuff and dry humping until she felt comfortable and decided to clean up for a quickie.

  Loki finally stopped barking and is lying by the bed so I shoot him a thankful nod for bringing me here. Reluctant as I was, now I’m staying. Little bastard totally summoned me here to get some action. I think I like him right now.

  I run my finger up Luna’s arm so she knows that someone is here.