Page 17 of Fury
“We gotta sing first,” Carrera interjected.
Elsa smiled, then hummed the first note.
“Happy birthday to you…” Carrera began, his perfect pitch catching Slash’s ear.
She joined in, her gaze cemented on Elsa. Looking at Carrera would only piss her off. When they finished, Elsa applauded, then she fixed her attention on the candles.
“Make the wish count, G-ma,” Carrera murmured.
Elsa’s gaze floated to him, then to Slash before she closed her eyes. A few seconds later, they fluttered open. She heaved in a breath and blew out the candles.
Slash smiled. “Good job.” She retrieved dessert plates, small forks, and a sharp knife before returning to the table. With theknife in hand, she shifted her gaze to Carrera, and tightened her grip.
“Go easy with that,” he said as if issuing a stern warning.
She removed the candles, sliced through the cake. After cutting two pieces, she sat back down.
“Where’s my dessert?” he asked.
“Yeah, right. Like I’m gonna serve you.” She forked in a piece. Creamy chocolate and sweet sugar flooded her taste buds. If she had a weakness, it was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Simple, yet delicious.
Elsa took a small bite before sipping the coffee.
“When are you going to the symphony?” Carrera asked.
Slash glanced his way, only this time, sadness filled her soul. Sadness and loss. So much loss. Her afternoon with Elsa had been great. Now, she had to sit there and play nice with this douche. While she could pretend like it was okay that Carrera was there, it was not.
“Why don’t you tell your grandson about your wellness visit today?” Slash suggested.
As Elsa prattled on about her good health, Slash left the table. She would have preferred to stay and enjoy the celebration, but her stomach had soured. It was time to bolt before she and Carrera removed their gloves and started flinging shit.
It was inevitable.
Rather than ruin what had been a wonderful afternoon with Elsa, she would take off. Feeling that familiar pang of loss at leaving, she shouldered her vintage hobo handbag, and walked back over to the table.
Elsa’s expression fell. “Please don’t go.”
“We had a great afternoon together, and a special birthday celebration,” Slash said.
“Will you come to the party the boys are throwing for me?” Elsa asked.
Shooting daggers at Carrera, Slash shook her head. “No.” Then, she kissed Elsa on her cheek. “I love you. Happy birthday.”
Elsa rose and hugged her. Slash melted in her loving embrace, gently hugging her back. “I’ll text you tomorrow, then swing by over the weekend.”
She walked over to Carrera, bent down and whispered, “Go fuck yourself, Santini.”
“Language,” Elsa exclaimed.
“Yougo fuckyourself,” Carrera bit out.
“That’s enough!” The sternness in Elsa’s voice snagged Slash’s attention.
“I’m outta here.” Slash stormed to her ALPHA SUV, parked at the curb.
She hated leaving before their celebration had ended, hated thathewas back in town. As she buckled, tears pricked her eyes.
No crying.
