Chapter 3
Hadrian
“Why the hells did you even try to live in that place?” Jasper asks as he hikes a box of skyballs up in his arms, glaring at me. “I coulda told you your new ranch was a shitheap, and it needed work before you moved in, asshole.”
“I was overly optimistic,” I grumble, shoving him against the wall so he drops the box. Two of the skyballs bounce down the stairs. “You dropped something, Jazzy! Better go grab it.”
“Ugh,” he complains. “I hate you sometimes.”
“You do not,” I call up the stairs as I descend, bypassing the wayward skyballs and emerging into the alleyway between the Buxom Bodice Outfitter and the next shop over.
Outside, Bluebell grabs a smaller box from the back of my truck. “Hey, neighbor!”
I grin, bumping her hip with mine as I pass. “You don’t need to move my shit, Bluebell. Jasper’s here.”
She snorts, rolling her eyes. “I was across the street for a quarter hour having coffee with a friend, and in that entire time, I saw you make ten trips while he made one. So, it seems like he’s about as much help as I’d expect.
” She looks down at the box in her hands.
“Although, knowing him, he’ll open them all up and poke through your shit. ”
That produces an uncomfortable heat that spreads along my neck, shoulders, and cheeks. There are a couple boxes I would decidedly not like any of the Tuckers looking into—Bluebell ‘cause it would be embarrassing, and Jasper ‘cause he’d never let me hear the end of it.
Which leads me to the box she’s currently holding. It’s nondescript, small, and fuck me, I’m pretty sure it’s the box with all my sex toys in it.
I take it from her, but she scoffs and grabs it back. The toys roll around inside it, and I swear to gods, if one of them turns on, I’ll sink into Main Street and die of mortification.
She slaps me with one hand. “Hadrian Alkazar, why are you being weird about this box?” Blue brows lift into a mischievous vee, and she lifts it high, shaking it again. The toys rock and roll inside.
“Bluebell,” I warn. “Stop that.”
Her mouth drops open. “Oh my gods, Alk, is there something spicy in here? I was kidding, but…”
I snatch it from her with a harsh look. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.” It’s the best comeback I can summon as I haul the box high and grab another, piling it on top of the first.
“Well, well, well,” she says as she grabs another box and follows me into the alleyway.
“Good thing I’m your landlord, technically, since I own the building now.
I could just let myself in and poke around in all your things, you know.
That idea is sorta appealing, if I’m honest.” She winks at me.
“Shame you’re only here until you get your place fixed up. ”
“Invasion of privacy.” I poke at her with my tail spade as I ascend the stairs. “I can’t be held liable for you being scarred by what you see in my apartment, and you gave me no limitations on behavior. I can have parties or whatever I want, I’m sure.”
She barks out a loud laugh. “You? Parties? Yeah, okay, big guy. That’ll be the day.”
“Called out.” Jasper appears in the doorway at the top, still holding the box of skyballs.
“Your sister’s right,” I mutter, “you’re the fucking worst at helping me move.”
“She’s a menace,” Jasper says, scrunching his nose up. “You sure you wanna live across the hall from her?”
“Don’t be jelly, Jazzy.” She sticks her tongue out at him as she brushes roughly past. Heading down the hallway, she disappears inside my apartment.
I follow with the other boxes, entering the tall, bright studio space and tucking the boxes into the corner of the kitchen where I hope she won’t go.
“I was kidding about snooping, Alk,” she calls out as she disappears back out the door.
Jasper joins me in the kitchen, eyeing the boxes. “Oooo, what are we snooping about, though? You got a hidden box of cool shit?”
I slap a hand over my face, then run it up over my right horn. “You Tuckers need to mind your own business. Can’t you help me move without examining all of my belongings?”
Jasper barks out a laugh and crosses his arms. “Yeah, but the more you’re talking and the darker that blush gets, the more I wonder what you’re hiding, Hadrian Alkazar.”
I spin him in place and shove him toward the door. “Nothing. Go get a couple more boxes, then I’ll buy you a beer.”
He punches me in the gut, but I sidestep and whack him with my wingtip. I’m so much stronger, he hits the wall with a thud.
Downstairs, Bluebell’s got two more boxes in her arms, heading toward us.
“I was kidding about the snooping.” I stop her with a hand on her arm. “You’ve been one of my best friends for two decades, Bluebell. The door’s always open to you if you need something, okay?”
“Just not bestie stuff,” Jasper quips. “‘Cause that’s a horrifying thought. If I find out y’all are doing fucking movie nights and shit without me, I’m going to throw a literal shit fit.”
Bluebell winks at me. “Guess naked yoga’s out so we don’t hurt Jazzy’s feelers.”
I laugh as her comm watch rings, and a name hovers over the blue band. She struggles to answer it while carrying the boxes, so I grab them and head for the stairs.
A quarter hour later, she appears in the doorway with Jasper, who’s carrying the last box.
“Thank you both.” I take it and set it on the countertop, glancing between Bluebell and Jasper. “I’m gonna buy Jasper a beer. Wanna come with us?”
Bluebell grins but shakes her head. “Another time. I’ve got the dinner shift at Whiskey Business, then I’m closing at Lizard Lick ‘cause someone called in sick.”
I frown. “You gonna have a chance to get some dinner?”
Jasper elbows me. “You think Bluebell’s gonna miss a meal? Have you met my sister? She’s basically a garbage disposal.”
I look back at her, concerned that she’s been working all day and still has two shifts to go. “I can come help, if you want.”
She shakes her head as Jasper disappears back into my apartment.
“Not sure how much help it’ll be when all the single monstresses in town flood the bar to get served by the famous Hadrian Alkazar.
Naw, I’m good, but thanks for the offer.
Oh hey…” Lifting her hand, she fingers the delicate necklace around her throat.
The one I sent her.
“Thank you for the early birthday gift, it’s absolutely perfect.”
“No problem,” I say even as pleasure ripples through me. She likes it. I knew she would.
“The note cracked me up,” she says with a laugh. “It’s gonna suck for me one day when you get tired of honoring a promise we made like, literal years ago.”
I won’t ever get tired of honoring that promise, but I can’t tell her that. Especially with Jasper right inside the apartment.
She glances at her watch, seeming to look at the time. “Well, I’ve gotta get to gettin’ but I’ll see ya later, neighbor!”
“Sure,” I say quietly, wishing she’d allow me to help.
She spins on her heel and heads for the door, hair falling out of her usual space buns. Thin blue tendrils stick to the back of her neck. She’s slightly sweaty from all the trips up and down the stairs. My nostrils flare, her usual scent stronger as her heart races from the work.
Thwomp. Thwomp. Thwomp.
That beat. It’s slow and steady, as grounded as she is except when her brothers are irritating her. Then it picks up until it’s a wild gallop.
I love the sound of her heartbeat. I think about it sometimes when I…do things. The rhythm’s so beautiful and familiar, like a harmony I can’t stop humming.
“Bye, my dudes,” she shouts as she flashes us a peace sign from the doorway. When she disappears without a backward glance, I stare after her, wishing she’d throw a look over her shoulder at me. Something, anything that seems like more than just friends.
Jasper flops onto my sofa with a big groan. “Gods, dude, you have so much shit and not a plant to be seen. I’d thought I’d at least grow something nice and big for you, but not a piece of greenery in this place. What the fuck?”
I stare at the doorway where Bluebell left before I turn to him. “Normally, someone’s best friend would gift them something like that as a housewarming present, ya know.” Planting my hands on my hips, I shoot him a harsh look.
“Not me.” Jasper jumps to his feet and heads for the door. “Gifts aren’t my love language.”
I laugh and shove him. “You have a love language?”
“Beer,” he shouts as he heads up the hallway. “You owe me one or ten, Hay! Come on!”
Snickering, I lock up the apartment and follow him down to the alleyway. As my footsteps fall, it occurs to me that it’s the same cadence as Bluebell’s heartbeat. Some days I just can’t seem to get that rhythm off my mind.