“What in the hell do you mean you’re renting out a room here? Have you forgotten that I live here?” My brother Mason, I love him dearly, but he was angling for a kick in the nuts. And with that ‘I’m getting laid on a regular basis’ smug grin, he was really asking for it. “Explain. Now.”

Wisely, Mason took a step back putting his body squarely out of my reach. “Take it easy, killer. I don’t want to sell the house because it’s a good investment, at least it would be if I rented out another room.”

“Is that what this is about you dummy? Money? I’ll pay more.” Not like I was rich or anything, but I didn’t get bogged down by a ton of material things. I traveled light when I moved, and I made tons of extra cash by competing in tattoo competitions and exhibitions. “Tell this new tenant to get lost, it’s taken care of.” That was incredibly rude I knew that, but I liked having my own space dammit.

“Can’t do that.” Comfortable now, Mason shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the fridge with his head tilted back so he could look down his nose at me, the way he’d always done when I got in trouble as a kid. “He’s a new resident in town, and Aunt Mae expects us to make him feel welcome. Both of us.”

Yeah, this town. It was small as heck and nosy as hell. But I’ve never met a nicer group of people, so ready and willing to jump in and help simply because we shared a zip code. It was as annoying as it was endearing. Then his words registered.

“He? You rented out a room in the same building where I sleep to a serial killer? I guess it’ll be a better investment when it’s a tourist attraction.” Okay maybe that was taking things a little far, but seriously?

His lips twitched, and my gaze narrowed to razor slits. “I’ve done my due diligence Mags, and he’s clean. Even the Chief of Police said he checks out. If anyone should be worried, it’s him.”

This was not good. I didn’t do well with strangers in my space. No matter where I lived, it was either with Mason or on my own, and even though I loved my brother, I enjoyed the past few weeks of quiet bliss in this big house.

“Right, because I’m such a threat.”

“Have you seen you when you’re pissed off? It’s pretty damn scary.”

“Funny.” My tone told him he wasn’t. “When does this paragon of virtue arrive?” I had time to make a few small tweaks to this place, make it unwelcoming to this newcomer. Loosen a few screws, expose a few springs on the mattress in the only other furnished bedroom.

“Today.”

I sucked in a breath that was all fire and rage. “Today? He’s coming today and you’re just telling me now, what the hell Mase?” This was so unlike him and I couldn’t help the icy hand that slid up my spine and tried to break through my ribcage. “At least you could’ve given me time to find another place to stay! I can’t believe you did this. Why did you do this?”

“I didn’t do anything, Mags. I rented out a room which I have every right to do.”

Damn him. “Yeah, I got it, this is your place, and you allow me to stay here. Heard it all loud and clear.” I sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly, letting the anger leave my body like the shrink I saw once tried to get me to do. “You are the absolute worst!”

“Don’t make this difficult Mags.”

Difficult Magenta. Story of my life. Heard it from our parents, my teachers, a few boyfriends even. “Don’t worry, I’m not making it anything.” Because I wouldn’t make anyone’s life difficult ever again. If people couldn’t handle me just as I was, then I was happy for them to see my ass as I exited their life. “See you around, brother.” I promised myself when I left home at seventeen that I would never be anyone’s burden or obligation again. Most of all, Mason’s.

“Mags you don’t have to go!”

Yeah, I didn’t have to, but it was clear I was cramping my brother’s style otherwise he would’ve given me a heads up about my new roommate. It sort of made sense I guess, since he was starting on a new phase of his life with a wife and a baby on the way. Mason didn’t have time for his troublemaker sister, and he didn’t have the heart to tell me to my face.

“That’s right, I don’t. And I don’t have to stay either.”

I marched back to the downstairs room I’d claimed as my own and packed my two bags. Toiletries and clothes in one bag, tattoo gear in the other. Like I said, I travel light. There was a B&B in town, and a motel on the freeway, one of them would have a free room. It wasn’t a big deal, I just needed a few days to regroup and then figure out where I was heading next.

“Dammit, Mags why do you always have to take things this far?”

I grunted as I picked up my bags, brushing past my brother as I made my way to the door. “I’m sorry I’m not reacting to this the way you thought I should, and I’m sorry you thought so little of me that you waited until the last minute to let me know I was without a place to stay.” I yanked the door open and froze as all the blood in my body turned to ice at the sight of the one man I thought I would never see again. “Davis, what are you doing here?”

He still looked as good as I remember. Well over six feet, probably six four or five, with thick and wavy blond hair that always looked like he just came from a salon, and he had big blue eyes, a sharp nose and full lips. Broad shoulders blocked out the sun and his narrow waist emphasized the way his jeans hung low on his hips.

“Magenta, what are you doing here?”

Good question. “I’m not here. I’m gone.” I tried to push past Davis, but he was immoveable.

“Your hair isn’t purple anymore.” It was as inane a statement as the moment called for, and I struggled not to laugh. The last time I’d seen Davis, my hair had been a deep purple color that was my favorite so far.

“Nope.” I smiled at his stunned look. “Went “normal” a few weeks ago. For kicks. So, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to meet a guy named Mason, he’s renting me a room.”

Because of course he was.

“That would be my brother, and he’s right over there.” I tossed a thumb behind me, and when he leaned forward to look around me, I slipped out.

“Mags you don’t have to move out.”

“Apparently I never really lived here anyway, so no big deal, right Mase? Enjoy your new tenant!” Maybe this was a sign that it was time for me to move on. When I’d met Davis over a year ago, I was enjoying my nomadic existence, spending a few months here and there, before attending a weekend tattoo conference, somewhere new, and then moving on. Now I was holed up in a small town for no discernible reason.

I thought I’d stuck around because of Mason, because we’d grown closer in adulthood than we’d been as kids. But that was just my own twisted perspective. He had his life here, and he didn’t need me. That was fine. I would just move on. I’d done it before, and there was no problem with me doing it again.

It really was too bad. This little town had started to grow on me.

Oh well, there would be other little towns. There always were.