Awakening by Ashley Suzanne Page B

door.  I really wish she’d wait for me; I don’t like her by herself in the dark.  By the time I catch up, I find Mira crouched on the front stoop searching her purse for something.
    “Did you forget something?”
    “Yeah, my fucking keys.  What the shit?”   Mira dumps the contents of her purse on the cement, rifling through lipstick, money and receipts only to come up empty handed.  She harshly sits on the step and looks like she’s ready to cry.
    “Come on Sweets.   Let’s go back to the house. Danny has a set and your car keys are there, too.  We’ll grab them and I’ll bring you back.” 
    “Yeah, okay.  You promise you’ll bring me right back, right?  I don’t mind talking to Danny but I really don’t want to stay there.  I just want to sleep in my own bed.”
    “Yeah, I can do that.  He probably wants to talk to you anyway.  Come on,” I say, putting my hand out to help her up.  She accepts but pulls back as soon as she’s standing.  I wonder if she can feel this crazy pull between us. 
    When we pull up to the house, Mira wastes no time getting off the bike and walking to the door.  Since she doesn’t have her keys, she has to wait for me to unlock the door.  As soon as the latch opens, she brushes past me to get into the house in search of Danny.  When she doesn’t find him in the living room, she starts walking down the hallway toward his bedroom.
     “Mira?”  Danny says, appearing from behind his bedroom door.
    I think about leaving to give them the house but I know I’m going to need a –drink—or eight—and since I have to drive Mira back, that’s not a good idea.  I walk to my room knowing that Mira will come get me when she’s ready.   I fling the door shut behind me but it’s caught by Danny’s foot.
    “Can you please explain why Mira just walked in with you and why she’s dressed up?  Is there something I should know, Sky?”  The veins on Danny’s neck are throbbing, threatening to break through his skin and he smells like he’s been drinking.
    “No, man.  I went to The Fillmore to watch a band and she was there with Kylee.  Ky was heading backstage to meet the band and I didn’t think you would want Mira in that kind of situation so I offered to bring her home.  We had a quick chat and then headed back here.”
    “You left on your bike.  How did she get here?”
    “It’s all pretty simple, Danny.  She put on a helmet, climbed on the back, and I drove her home.”
    “YOU PUT HER ON THE BACK OF A FUCKING BIKE!?”  Danny is seething with anger.  If he were a cartoon character, the smoke would be billowing from his ears. 
    “It’s no big deal, bro.  She’s here, in your arms and in one piece.  You could say you’re welcome, you know.”
    “You’re such a dick.  How could you put her on the bike after what happened?  How could you do that to her?”  Danny’s anger is slowly turning into fear.  He’s pacing the hallway, pulling at his hair.  Danny’s about two minutes from losing his shit and beating the life out of me.
    From behind Danny, I see a precious angel appear.  Mira walks up to Danny, placing her hand on his chest like she’s holding him back from me.
    “Danny, it’s fine.  I got on the bike willingly.  It was nice to get back on.  I missed it.  Skylar was very careful.  I’m fine.”  The comforting words she’s saying to Danny reaffirms why I have to stay away from her.  She’s not worried about him kicking my ass; she’s worried about him being upset. 
    “Mira, he should know better,” Danny says to Mira then turns to face me. “That was a dick move, bro.  Don’t put her on the back of your bike ever again.  Understood?”
    “Yeah, man.  If you guys don’t mind, I’m going to go close my door now.”  I highly doubt I’ll be taking Mira home tonight.  I should’ve grabbed that bottle of whiskey from the kitchen.  Drinking myself stupid sounds good right about now.
    “Sky.