It really shouldn't have surprised her that she dreamt about it. About his hands and his finger and his breath and his tongue. Eddie on top of her. Eddie moaning. His smile.
Good girl.
It repeated. Again and again. Parts she remembered and other parts she made Rosie's alarm went off, bringing yet another round to an end, she swore loudly and pounded on the clock by her bed. She'd had the good sense to swap with Margaret today, so it was light out, and she felt more or less rested.
It was also one of the rare mornings she could drop Dustin off at school. He blabbed excitedly the whole ride there, mostly about the new bike he was getting for Christmas. Rosie looked through the rear-view at the rusty pile of scrap jammed into the back and agreed it was probably a good call to replace it. Still, the more he prattled the more she wondered if Claudia could afford this bike of wonders. She made a mental note to talk to her about it.
Mike, Will and Lucas were waiting for him at the drop off. Rosie winced as he started to brag to them about his new set of wheels, too. There was a shop on the edge of the mall. She could take a look during her lunch break.
"Your brother doesn't understand much about limited finances, does he?" Carlos remarked, raising an eyebrow at the price tag.
Rosie groaned. Just as she'd thought, it was almost double what Claudia would probably pay. "Nephew. And he does, actually."
Much as his mother loved to spoil him, Dustin was actually very aware of how much the things he asked for cost. That was why he asked carefully, and always had a backup. Unfortunately, this time Rosie concluded that he would probably have to make a compromise.
Unless someone else chipped in.
"Are you really gonna take more shifts again?" Her friend was trying to straddle a display model now. "You almost killed yourself with those first weeks."
"No, it should be ok." Rosie was good at saving. Truth was she actually had a lot of money in the bank. Half still from Boston, and half from Hawkins. She intended to use it to get a decent place when she went back to school, but she could afford to spoil people a little.
"I want this one, if you're asking." He added, ringing the bell on a blue BMX.
"I'm not."
They went to get some coffee, and sat under one of the escalators sharing a slice of pie. Carlos was probably the only real friend she had made in Hawkins. From the second they met on her first day at the mart they had gotten along like a house on fire. He was hilarious.
In fact, she was guffawing loudly at one of his quips when Eddie meandered up to them. He stared, taking in Carlos, the drinks, the pastry, and her. Not angry, but not happy, he seemed to get a very distinct impression of what was going. Worse than angry, he looked hurt.
"Hi?"
"Eddie!" Jumping up like nothing was happening. Bouncing over to kiss him. That clearly wasn't the right way to dissipate the tension. He just frowned, eyes darting from Carlos to her. "This…this is my friend. We work at the megamart together."
"Carlos." He got up and held a hand out. Eddie shook reluctantly.
He just looked so lost. Rosie's heart went out to him. What could she say to help?
"Shopping?"
"Huh?"
"Are you shopping or -"
"No. No I actually went to the store to see you." He explained. "Susan said you were out for lunch so I thought it…I-I thought it might be a nice surprise to join you."
Carlos' quiet "Aww." was met with a glare. Rosie quickly jumped between them.
"It is! I'm really happy to see you."
She went on her tiptoes. Eddie's grip tightened around her waist. But his eyes were still fixed on her friend. Carlos cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"I-I better. Erm. I think my break is over."
Rosie had half a mind to flee with him. Instead she turned Eddie's cheek toward her and pressed her lips his. Still tense, he reciprocated, but just barely.
"I've already eaten. But let's sit?" She offered.
He sat stiffly. Rosie scooped the cups and plate away into a trash can, then rested beside him. He looked like a deer in headlights. She put a hand over his.
"Who was that?"
"Carlos."
"I got his name." Eddie's voice shook, he was trying so hard not to sound upset.
"He's just a friend, Eddie."
"You were sharing a pie."
It sounded so unsure and innocent. Rosie was compelled to kiss his cheek. Such a tough metal exterior. Such a softie. "Sometimes friends share pastries, Eddie. Especially if they're expensive."
"So you're not…?"
Oh no. His bottom lip quivered. She put her arms around him. "No! Not at all."
"Oh."
Rosie kissed him softly. Fingers brushing over his skin and through his hair in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. He didn't take long to react, despite his fears. The warmth she felt was once again different to what she had experienced the night before. Like a bright light.
"What's that?" Relaxed now, he kept their noses touching.
"What?"
"That smile."
She caressed his cheek again. "You're sweet, you know that?"
"So you keep telling me. But don't tell anyone else. You'll ruin my reputation."
Rosie tittered, standing. She grabbed his arm. "Walk me back."
"Oh he's cuuuute." Carlos cooed as she joined him to label some boxes.
"Quiet."
"No, I mean it. Not my type, you know. But cute for you!"
"Yeah."
"He seemed a little….shy? I don't know. Is he?"
"Nooo." She definitely wouldn't describe Eddie as shy. Not normally. "I think. Ugh."
"Why are you making a face at me?"
"He thought we were on a date. I think."
He gagged no. "Oh dios mio. Please tell me he's corrected."
"Yes."
"Ick. No. I can't have something like that going around."
"Not sure he believed me, though."
"How? Did you tell him all of it?"
"No. Just that we weren't a thing."
"Is he, you know, ok?"
"I think so?" Rosie scratched her neck. "I hope so."
"Then you can say it to him."
"You sure."
"Yesss! Then if he's safe - you know. If not - honestly better that you know now."
"True. I just didn't want to say anything without checking."
"I know, Mi Amor." Carlos hugged her. "You're the best."
Rosie finished at 7pm. Despite feeling exhausted, she decided to go over to Eddie's. She would be damned if she was going to let a misunderstanding go on too long again. Picking up a pizza and some beers, she made the drive across town to his trailer.
There was another car outside. An old grey thing. One of his friend's? She hesitated. It hadn't been there last time she visited. Placing the food and drinks on a picnic table nearby, she crept up to the door and knocked. Footsteps approached within. Not Eddie's.
A middle-aged man scowled down at her. Was this the right trailer. Oh god, had she knocked on the wrong door?
"Who the hell are you?"
It wasn't unfriendly, just genuine confusion. Rosie stammered: "I-I-I'm looking for Eddie?"
"Eddie?" The man put a cigarette back up to his lips. "You a customer or …?"
"A friend." She corrected quickly. "I'm his friend."
One brow quirked up. "Wayne Munson. Eddie's my nephew."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. EDDIE! YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S HERE!"
Rosie felt herself turn crimson. When Eddie jogged out of his room, all he saw was her standing there, mortified, and his smirking uncle.
"Hi."
"Sorry. I thought I'd drop by…"
"No! I mean; don't apologize." Eddie jerked his head at his uncle. Move.
Wayne retreated back to his seat.
"I brought some pizza. I wasn't sure what kind you liked, so I just ordered pepperoni."
"Pizza?"
"Crap! I didn't even think. Did you already eat?"
"No, actually." Wayne coughed loudly from inside. Eddie nodded at him and closed the door behind him as he stepped out. "Pizza's good."
"That's your uncle?"
"Yeah," Eddie replied, stumbling slightly over the bench. "He's usually working but had today off. I think it's his first day in… three weeks?"
"Geez." Rosie opened the box and offered him first slice. He popped their cans, sliding hers across the table. Somehow, the distance seemed personal.
He took a bite, admiring the pull on the cheese, then saluted her with his piece. "Compliments to the chef."
She laughed, nibbling on her own. "If you're impressed by this I'll have to make you something for real someday."
"I'm down."
A dog barked nearby. There were some kids playing further into the park, screeching and howling like animals. She watched Eddie nervously as he ate, not even commenting on the sauce on his face.
"Eddie?"
"Yuh."
"About earlier…"
His head snapped up. He looked scared again. "With that guy?"
"Carlos."
"Carlos."
"I just want to make sure we're clear - there's nothing going on with him."
"Look. It's fine. I understand. He's a good-looking guy." Eddie did not seem 'fine'. "And we never said anything about being exclusive -"
"No, Eddie. No." She put her can down a little too forcefully. He jumped. "Don't. Carlos is just a friend. Besides…"
"Besiiiides?"
"He doesn't really like women."
Eddie paused mid-chew. Realization dawned slowly. "Ooooh."
"Yeah."
"Well, shit!" He threw the crust down. "Awh damn I was dumb!"
"You're ok with him?"
"Sure. Who he fucks is none of my business."
Rosie laughed. There was some comfort knowing Eddie was ok with Carlos. "Good."
"You do know Warren is… too?"
"Warren?"
"Yeah! Dicks all the time!"
Rosie made a face. She could've done withoutthat image.
"Maybe they could -"
"No."
"Why, does he have a boyfriend."
"No. But no."
Eddie looked offended. "Oh, so Warren's not good enough!?"
"That is not what I said!"
"It's what you meant!"
"He's not his type!"
"Worth a try!"
Rosie's empty can clattered past him. Eddie jumped round the table, holding her hands away from any other potential projectiles. He was laughing again, and kissing her, pizza grease all over his mouth. His fingers were grimy with it.
"You taste like pepperoni!" She protested.
"So do you, Princess."
"Princess?"
"You don't like it?"
"Depends. Does it mean you have to obey me?"
He spluttered. "I always obey you."
"Pfffft!"
"Name one time I didn't!"
"I don't remember."
"You can't!" He jeered.
Rosie shut him up with her lips again. This was how it should be. It felt so easy, trusting him.
