Redtail Rise This Time, Baby, I’ll Be Bulletproof

Still that one idea lurked in the back of her mind. It certainly helped that Riley had already pitched it, in a sense. But it still felt monumental to Masquerade, to say it out loud. It felt liberating and treacherous in equal measure just thinking it.

Riley encouraged her to try approaching them regardless of her misgivings. Only when he said as much did she realize just how resigned she was about that outcome. Perhaps it wasn’t just that she didn’t think it would be taken any better than anything else she’d ever proposed. Part of her was tired of even bothering.

What if I’m done opening myself to rejection? You said I should take what’s mine. You said I should make my own rules. It would be selfish but I’ve been so selfless so long. Look where it’s gotten me. Maybe it’s time to put myself first, do what’s best for me in the long-term, even if it’s awful in the short-term.

Her heart was still doing double time, beating against her breast. She still hadn’t spat out the suggestion that lurked in the back of her throat, forming a lump there.

Of course, she said, dodging it for the nth time, I care what you think, what you want. What—what sort of future do you see for us, Riley?