I Like You, I Hate Her (Something Like Love) by J.R. Rogue

Author:J.R. Rogue [Rogue, J.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rogue Books
Published: 2022-01-26T18:30:00+00:00

We make a bonfire in the field, past the trailers for the cast and crew. The warm glow of the flames soothes me and reminds me of one of my favorite fictional animals when I was a child—the phoenix. I wanted to be like that mythical red bird when I was a kid, desperate to escape my home and life. I wanted to burn every damn thing down and emerge on top, to fly away.

The night I ran away from home with the help of my best friend Honor was the night I became that fictional bird. But life soon reminded me that my fantasies were no match for reality.

I couch-surfed for a while, taking refuge at Honor’s house and a few other friends who were willing to host. The kind with parents who didn’t bat an eye at me staying for a few nights. They didn’t question why I had a backpack and wore the same clothes over and over again the same way they didn’t question their children’s whereabouts and actions. I thought that was cool back then, but I see it now for the neglect it was.

Eventually, I knew I couldn’t stay at friends' houses and needed a permanent solution. My first permanent solution was a shelter, then eventually the motel I was living in when I met Sean.

I became the bird again when Sean and I escaped into the night. He would sing, and I would dance, collecting tips in my black hat as everyone fell into the magic of his soft voice.

I miss the wild and scared and kind girl I was when I met him, before I transformed so many times I couldn’t even liken myself to the Phoenix.

Before I became the snake.

The woman eyeing me across the bonfire does not like me. That’s apparent. I cast fleeting glances at Tristan’s sister as she leaves her chair, coming my way. I bite the inside of my mouth and look at Severin, who sits next to me.

“Do you want me to stay?” she whispers from the side of her mouth.

I shake my head no and watch her leave the folding chair next to me.

Across the fire, Tristan casts a glance at me before turning back to Bastian, who is regaling him with a wild story of a film shoot in Italy.

Penelope sits down in Severin’s old seat, and I turn to her, attempting a friendly smile. I’m not sure it lands. “How long are you here?”

She crosses her legs, staring into the fire when she speaks. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“I see.” I see myself pretty fucking over Tristan’s relatives cornering me. This brings memories of Sir Daddy Kane to the surface, where I don’t want them. “Thank you for the invite to the charity event, but,” I start, but she cuts me off.

She smiles, but it looks forced. “I didn't invite you because I like you. I invited you because this movie means a lot to my brother. So it means a lot to me. I do not like you,” she says plainly.

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