Promise Me Not

by Meagan Brandy

“Just so you know,” he begins. “It’s okay not to be okay…even if it’s not for the reason everyone thinks.”

So I reach for the numb switch in the back of my brain, flick it on, and get my ass to work.

“Hey, Mason!” Deaton calls not five seconds after we break from the others. We glance back, and Deaton’s eyes lock with mine. “You got my family in your hands.”

“I’m dead serious. I can’t compete with a ghost, so I won’t,” I promise. “He can keep your heart for all eternity. Just let me hold you for all of mine.”

“Tonight, I’m going to love you,” he promises. “Tomorrow, I’m going to ruin you, and the day after that?” His voice drops ten octaves, and he tugs my lower lip between his teeth. “Baby, the day after that…I’m going to punish you a little.” He bites a bit harder, making me gasp, and then he’s swooping in on my chest, licking across the sweep of my breast as he reaches behind, undoing the clasp on the first try. “How does that sound, my sweet girl?”