“Okay, I think you have to tell me that story.” Austin slouched against the countertop.
“A story for a different day. Pixie and I have school tomorrow. But, I want to show you your new room. Sorry it smells like old drunk balls.” I walked over to Bruce’s room and opened the door.
Austin spun in with pizzazz and then made a face. “It’s gonna need some love, but that’s okay. I’ve got a project now. Tomorrow, ” he made jazz hands above his head, “IKEA.”
“That’s good. I have practice tomorrow. You’re still in ISS?” I turned to Pixie. She shrugged.
“I’m not sure. I hit Ashlin pretty hard. I guess it depends on how much of a fuss she makes of it. Technically, it’s my first offense and the admin was pretty understanding after the whole fire alarm pull thing.” She held my hand with both of hers.
“Pixie, you’re a regular mob boss. I think it’d be best to stay on your good side.” Austin widened his eyes and wiggled his eyebrows.
“I think you’re safe.”
“So, let’s order some delivery and eat.” I pulled out my phone and tapped on the website for the Chinese food from around the block. I passed my phone around so they could each put in what they wanted.
Pixie put in her predictable sweet and sour chicken and Austin always liked a pork dish. They were quick and we had food in front of us soon enough.
It was amazing how a place could be transformed by who was in it. That this place that had held so much anger and fear could be this different was astonishing.
Laughter and food. Pretty Pixie and hilarious Austin. No Bruce. It was turning up, this path I was on. I felt like I brought my luck with the Burathons here to Pixie. And she deserved that and more.
Chapter 53
Gaze
WE STAYED UP way too late. Neither Pixie nor I had homework because of all the time we spent in ISS yesterday. But our evening ended the same, looking into Pixie’s eyes and falling asleep. At six-thirty a.m., there was a knock on the door. I was out of bed and Austin was at the peephole by the time Pixie figured out what was going on.
“Two adults. Man and a woman.” Austin offered me a peek.
“And they can hear you loud and clear.” Detective Sam’s deep voice carried easily through the door.
Austin pointed to Pixie and then to Bruce’s old bedroom. “That’s yours if they ask.”
“Hold on one second!” I hollered. Austin hurried into Bruce’s room and tossed his sleeping bag over Pixie’s head. I caught it and ran it into his room.
Pixie nodded her understanding as Austin unlocked the door. She was supposed to be staying in Bruce’s room, not with me in my bed. At least we all had clothes on in various states, mostly because we collapsed so late last night. Austin and I liked having no shirt on best.
“Good morning.” Austin rubbed at his eyes and raked his hand through his hair before sticking it out to Sam.
“Austin, I assume?” Sam was way more awake than we were. Mrs. Josephine was there, too. She looked up from her phone to nod hello to us all. She walked over to Pixie.
“Is there somewhere we can chat alone for a few?” She leaned her head toward my bedroom door.
“Actually, this is my room, so let’s go in here.” I winked at Pixie when no one was watching, proud of her for thinking of the switch on the fly.
After the door closed, Austin sat at the kitchen table and we followed his lead.
“So, how are the baby and the wife?” I remembered he’d made time for us on an important night in his life.
“Oh, great. So scary still. Newborns are tiny as hell. The wife did great, though.” Sam pulled out his phone and showed both Austin and me the picture of an angry little baby wearing a pink hat.
“What did you name them?” Austin smiled, and I hoped that Sam would be cool about Austin not assigning gender to his baby.
“Her name is Pixie Ann. And I’m realizing now I never asked Pixie here for her permission. She’s a really cool human, and I thought it would be a strong name.” Sam considered the closed door.
“I’m glad they’re all okay.” I nodded at him to let us get started. “I’ve got school soon. And practice.”
“Fair enough. I don’t want you to be late. How’s it working out here?” Sam made a twirl with his index finger.
I leaned forward in my chair. “I kicked Bruce out last night. I can’t have him. He’s not good. He’s angry and unpredictable and I won’t have him around Pixie. Not when I have Austin.” I put my hands out, palms up.
“Will Bruce retaliate? Get angry that Pixie essentially changed his whole life?” Sam rubbed his top lip.
“No. He knows that I’m bigger and meaner than he can ever be. And he’s just flat-out old.” I flipped my hands over and tapped my fingers on the table. “What are they talking about?”
“Mrs. Josephine and Pixie? She’s checking with her that she’s okay. Making sure she understands that she doesn’t have to stay here. Make sure no one is hurting her.”
I was furious but put my head down. All the times she could’ve used that conversation and protection, no one was there for her. But no one here would hurt her.
“You okay?” Sam was obviously watching me.
“Yeah. It’s just I’m finding out everything she’s been through while I was gone at once. And I feel guilty about that.” I slouched in my chair.
“And what did she go through?” Sam knocked on the table lightly, fishing for information.
I clamped my lips together and shook my head.
“That sounds like a question you should be asking Pixie, not Gaze.” Austin sat taller in his chair.
I recognized his tone. He was adopting Pixie just like he had me so long ago. Pixie didn’t know how special it was, but I was hoping she would someday. Once one of the Burathons loved you, they all did.
There was a thick silence where I gave Sam a pointed stare. He knew. I was betting he knew, and that’s what had bothered him about Pixie’s situation the whole time I was gone. Why he was at Bic’s door after I punched him.
Just then Pixie opened Bruce/Austin’s door and walked out in front of Mrs. Josephine.
“Well, I have all I need, Sam, and I have to get to three more homes before nine o’clock. You good to go? I mean, you don’t have to come with me if you want to stay.” She was halfway out the door before she turned back to Pixie. “I gave you my card, right?” Pixie nodded and held the card up. “Okay. Anything happens, you call.” She was in the hallway before she tossed a goodbye over her shoulder to us.
Pixie leaned against the doorjamb and addressed Sam, “Anything else?”
I couldn’t gauge anything from her demeanor.
“Actually, can I get in on that one-on-one time? Are you comfortable with that?”
Pixie folded her arms and nodded before backing into Bruce’s room.
“You can get ready for school, maybe?” Sam suggested and then seemed like he was questioning his own logic.
The door closed behind them and I turned to Austin. “What do you think he wants?”
“Probably to tell her he Rumplestiltskined her first name?” he guessed.