Chapter 34
Chapter
Thirty-Four
Trent tried to push his feelings down and focus on washing up.
Grady, Lacy, and Leo headed off to the Christmas markets to set up. But Trent remained in the bakery. Unfortunately, the bakery was filled with blissfully loved-up couples who just reminded Trent of his own sorry situation.
“Needs more cinnamon,” Briar said.
“You think?” Wulfric held a large mixing bowl in his arm. He glanced at the dough.
Briar licked the remainder of the dough from a spoon. “Definitely. More cinnamon.” He pursed his lips. “And maybe a pinch more salt.”
Wulfric reached for the cinnamon, trusting his mate’s judgement.
Trent’s throat tightened.
Meanwhile, Lachlan and Kit, who was in his human form today, made more of the Christmastime tea blend they served in the bakery. They leaned together, talking in whispers as they mixed different dried herbs, fruit, and spices together in a large jar.
Trent dropped his gaze and focused on trying to get a bit of dough off from the side of one of the counters. It had been missed the night before during cleaning. Now it had dried and was difficult to remove.
Lachlan laughed. Trent glanced up. Kit spoke too softly for Trent to hear. But Kit stared at Lachlan, his green eyes glowing with so much love and affection. Kit pressed a kiss to Lachlan’s cheek.
Malachi will never love me like that.
Trent swallowed. Eyes stinging, he turned his back on them as he picked at the dough with his nail.
Ordelia came in a while later. “Hello, all.” She took off her coat. “How is everyone today?”
“We’re good,” Lachlan answered for himself and Kit.
“We met Malachi.” Kit flashed a grin at Trent.
Trent’s stomach dropped as his relationship with Malachi once again became the focus of attention.
I shouldn’t have brought Malachi here. It has given them all the wrong impression.
“And I missed him! What was he like?” There was a twinkle in Ordelia’s eyes. “Do we approve?”
Trent fixed a smile on his face.
“He’s handsome!” Lachlan said. Kit nodded.
“Briar and I came upon them in the forest earlier today. They were locked in a passionate embrace,” Wulfric added. “The two looked very good together.”
Ordelia’s smile widened as she clasped her hands together. She practically glowed with joy for her baby brother.
Trent wanted to drop to the floor and weep. “We’re really just friends,” Trent said weakly.
Trent had never said they were anything more. Except for when he mentioned that they’d been going on a date that first night. But it didn’t seem to matter how many times he said the words; his siblings had decided they were a couple.
Probably because they knew Trent. So even though he kept saying he and Malachi were friends, they could read Trent’s true feelings. They probably radiated from him.
But they didn’t know Malachi well enough to realise he did not reciprocate.
“Well, I’m sorry I missed meeting him,” Ordelia said.
Thankfully, he was saved from any more comments as the back door opened and Jack came in.
“Sorry I’m late.” Jack brushed the snow from his shoulders. “Avery is a little lethargic today, and I wanted to make sure he ate properly before I left.”
Avery was a dragon and Jack’s mate. He rarely left their apartments these days and would only do so if Jack remained at home to watch their egg.
“Is he sick?” Ordelia frowned. “Dragons don’t get sick often.”
Jack’s brows furrowed. “He says he’s just tired. Maybe it’s the stress of our impending fatherhood.” He rubbed the back of his neck and gave a weak smile. “I know it’s keeping me up at night.”
“You’ll both be wonderful fathers. I’m sure of it.” Ordelia placed a hand on his arm. “And is she doing okay?”
“I think so.” Jack smiled as he hung up his coat. “But I probably won’t stop worrying until she hatches. And I doubt I’ll stop then.”
“That’s the truth. Well, I’ll make some bread and soup, for you and Avery.” Ordelia had an affinity for healing, so her food had healing properties.
“Thanks, Ordelia.” Jack smiled. “We appreciate it.” Then he looked at Trent. “And did I hear right? Did Trent’s Malachi come in earlier today?”
“I know!” Ordelia proclaimed. “We both missed him!”
For once, Trent really wished he didn’t have such nosy siblings. He knew they were just happy for him. But they didn’t realise how wrong they were.
Trent wished he didn’t have to hide his feelings from his family. But they were so pleased for him. He didn’t want to disappoint them with the truth.
I just want the day to end.
But then what? Would he go to Malachi’s house tonight?
For the first time, he wasn’t looking forward to it. He wanted to see Malachi. Of course he did. He loved spending time with him.
But he kept hearing Malachi’s words over and over.
Trent and I are friends.
And that was all they’d ever be. Thankfully Trent was needed out front to serve alongside Cas. So he could avoid his siblings’ questions.
He smiled and greeted the steady stream. In the afternoon, Graal, Cas’s orc mate, came. He stood in Cas’s line, waiting patiently to be served.
Cas wore silver bauble earrings. Graal wore gold bauble earrings.
“Can I have some of your lovely sugar cookies?” Graal smiled at Cas when he reached the front of the line.
“Of course you can, my beautiful Christmas orc.” Cas leaned across the counter and kissed him.
Trent’s throat clenched.
Why can’t Malachi love me like that?
Trent’s hands fumbled as he packaged the Christmas tree cookies for the dwarf couple he served. “There you are. Merry Christmas.”
He watched them walk out, their hands entwined. Why did everyone seem to be so in love today?
Graal took a seat at a table, eating cookies that Cas had made whilst watching Cas work. He smiled, so happy to just be in his mate’s presence.
“Trent.” Grady called from the back, having returned to the bakery. “You ready to head over to the Christmas markets? I think we have enough people working in the bakery.”
Trent nodded and came out back, relieved to be away from Cas and Graal’s love.
“Grab those, will you?” Grady pointed to some crates of cookies, tarts, truffles, and cake.
Trent picked them up. Grady grabbed some other crates. They went out into the alley behind the bakery. Uzoth flew down from the rooftop and took the crates from both Grady and Trent.
“Thank you,” Grady said.
“My pleasure, Grady.” Uzoth inclined his head. “I wish to help you in all the ways I can.”
Grady smiled at Uzoth. Trent looked away.
Why can’t I get away from all these happy couples!
He trailed behind Grady and Uzoth as they walked to the markets.
Normally, he was ecstatic that his siblings had found love. But today he couldn’t help the bitter jealousy that churned inside him. He tilted his head back, watching the snowflakes drifting down. He blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears back.
Should I stop seeing Malachi? Or at least see him less often? Maybe distance will stop me from falling in love with him.
But Trent didn’t want to stop seeing Malachi!
I am a fool. I’m a bloody fucking fool.
Trent wrapped his arms around himself. He knew what he wanted. He saw it all so clearly.
He saw it when he watched Wulfric and Briar work together. He saw it when Kit and Lachlan whispered and laughed. He saw it when Graal and Cas smiled at each other. And he saw it as Uzoth extended a wing to protect Grady from the snow that fell as they walked.
Trent’s shoulders drooped. He wanted what his siblings had. He wanted to be loved.
And he wanted to be loved by Malachi.
But Malachi didn’t love Trent. And he never would.
So what am I supposed to do now?