Chapter 21 #2
To my surprise and relief, the Bodice shimmies happily, the shoe boxes clattering on their shelves. It’s the first normal response I’ve seen from her, and it makes my heart so damn full.
Tiana appears in the storeroom entrance. “Didn’t you say you had somewhere to be this morning, Bluebell? It’s almost nine.”
“Oh shit!” I shout, darting past her. “Thank you for the reminder. See you later, T! And thank you, Rebekah! Dinner before you leave?”
“Bye, girl!” she hollers as I fly out the front door. “Find me later! And I’ll keep coming around to help if you need it!”
Rushing around the corner and upstairs, I nearly run smack into Petra, who’s standing in front of my door with a fist raised like she’s about to knock. When I appear at the top of the stairs, she turns to me with a tentative smile.
Her hair’s in something like space buns, but they look absolutely crazy.
“Bluebell, oh my gods, I’m so glad you’re here.” She points to her hair. “Hadrian tried to do my hair like yours, and it’s the absolute worst. Can you fix it?”
I chuckle as I look at whatever he did to her hair. “Yeah,” I say with a laugh, waving her toward Hadrian’s open door. He appears in it, shrugging.
“Did my best, but it’s so much harder putting someone else’s hair up.”
Petra scrunches her nose. “You’ve already got yours up in a bun. How much harder can it be?”
I push her toward one of the barstools and hop up onto the bar, thankful I’ve always got a ton of extra ponytail bands around my wrist. Petra glances up at me, snaking her tail around my neck to rest over my heart.
When I freeze, she blanches.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize it’s not super okay to just do that. Umm, do you mind if I leave my spade there?”
“It’s fine,” I say softly, glancing at Hadrian.
“I know your secret,” she whispers with a half smile. “So if you want to hold hands in front of me or anything, it’s okay!”
His expression’s cautiously neutral, but he smiles softly at the way her tail’s looped around me.
I’m surprised and unsure of how to respond, so I focus on her hair instead.
Working quickly, I finger-comb it up into space buns that match mine.
At the last minute, I wonder what sort of message it’ll send to Hadrian’s teammates if she and I match.
Ultimately, I decide I’m going to put mine in a regular ponytail for the breakfast thing this morning.
“I’m gonna go change while you two wrap this up,” Hadrian says with a smile. “Be back in a minute, okay?”
“Okay,” Petra chirps.
When he disappears toward the bathroom, she smiles up at me. “You’re his mate, right?”
Shocked, I work on the second space bun while I try to sort out what to say. That that’s what this is between us, and it’s not just regular two-decades-long attraction? Even though we haven’t told anyone? I don’t have doubts about Hadrian. It’s the reveal that has me worried.
“I don’t know about all that,” I finally say, figuring that’s the best answer for now.
“He does, though,” she says, “and I can tell, too. Because of the way you look at each other.”
Gulping around the lump in my throat, I debate even responding.
“I’m super glad,” she says. “Because you’re so nice. But Hadrian said we have to keep it a secret because everybody doesn’t know yet. How come you don’t want them to know?”
“It’s complicated.”
She cocks her head to the side. “How, though? Gargoyle mates are fated; nobody can deny that. Is it a human thing to not believe it?”
Oh lawd, I’m not even sure how to respond, so I’m endlessly grateful when Hadrian shows back up from the bathroom. He’s got on a Punishers black-and-gold jersey and tight jeans, some of the ones I just had made for him.
“You two are a sight for sore eyes,” he says. “You ready to go, girls?”
Something about him calling us girls warms places inside me I didn’t even know needed warming. He smiles at me. “I’m thinking we should fly. You alright with that?”
I debate saying I should drive and they can fly, but I’d honestly rather be in his arms than anywhere else.
He waggles both dark brows. “It’s literally just an excuse to have my hands on you.”
“I want that,” I say with a laugh. “I want everybody to know I want that.”
His smile grows thoughtful as Petra and I head for the back of his apartment where we installed an oversized window for him to come and go from.
He opens the window, and I stare at his huge biceps flexing beneath purple skin.
Petra smirks at me, then rolls her eyes playfully when I pretend I wasn’t looking.
Gods oh gods, if we keep this up, Jasper is gonna figure everything out in two seconds. And maybe that’s fine, in the end.
I’m just not ready to have that conversation today.
Although, maybe it would be good because then we could go on a date in public instead of slinking off to other havens to hang out together.
This girl is not meant for secret dating.
I’m the worst at secrets, which is why I had to immediately talk to Lemon and Oz.
Hadrian pushes the window open, and Petra hops out, dropping a few feet before flapping up and away. He turns to me and opens his arms. “Come here, baby.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him not to call me that in public, but damn, Petra already knows.
Sliding my arms around his neck, I allow him to nestle me around the waist, his big hands on my back and ass. He hops onto the window ledge, easy peasy, and then out into the air.
Which is about the time it occurs to me that anyone in the pumpkin and gourd garden or the flea market or hanging out at the auction house can potentially see us right now. Part of me wants it to happen simply because I can’t and won’t hide him forever. Maybe it’s better to rip off the Band-Aid.
Shit, I can’t even hide against Hadrian’s big frame because I’m the only monster in town with royal blue hair.
Hadrian bullets straight up into the clouds, not slowing until we’re up out of the misty chill.
Petra flaps smoothly beside us as we head north toward Rip Shorthorn’s ranch.
Icy wind blowing off the mountain range has me shaking despite being in Hadrian’s arms. He flaps faster, bulleting through the sky.
In just a few more cold minutes, we begin to descend out of the sky and back through the clouds. Sunlight filters through, warming me as the wind begins to slow.
Hadrian touches gently down and sets me on the ground, smiling as he drops me to my feet. The Shorthorn barn is behind us. Past that, faint sounds float toward us—children laughing, guys shouting. Playing skyball, if I had to guess based on the reason for the breakfast this morning.
“Hadrian!”
Rip Shorthorn emerges from the barn with his big arms held wide. He wears a big smile as he walks toward us, taking in me and Petra. If he’s surprised to see either of us here, he doesn’t show it.
When he joins us, he bends down and smiles at Petra. “Hello there, youngling. Hadrian tells me you gave him quite the surprise earlier this week. That musta been kind of fun.”
Petra laughs, tail swishing from side to side. “Yeah, I mean, I’ve known about him my whole life, so it was definitely easier for me. Poor Hadrian. Hope it hasn’t affected his skyball skills.”
Shorthorn chuckles. “Your big brother’s a true pro, little one. Separates his personal life from the game. We’re just glad you’re here.”
Petra slings her tail around my waist, pulling herself close to me. I stare between her and Rip Shorthorn, who watches the movement of her tail with apparent interest. A smirk pulls his fuzzy lips slightly upward.
“Must be my turn for a surprise, Miss Tucker,” he says to me. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
I don’t even know what to say to that, but Hadrian comes to my rescue. “Bluebell’s my best friend, Coach.”
He gives us a disbelieving, affectionate smile.
“Mhm. This haven is full of love lately. Been a while since I’ve seen so many folks I admire find one another.
Happy for you both, for sure. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll have what I have with my Pollyanna.
Seven calves and seventeen grandcalves later, and I think I’m the luckiest male in the world. ”
“Every one of them is a sweetie too,” I compliment. I’ve known the Shorthorn family my whole life. I’ve just never seen Rip in this sort of scenario.
Rip jerks his head toward the barn. “Y’all come on through. Pollyanna’s cooking breakfast outside, and the team’s playing two-touch tag.” He smiles at Petra. “Tons of other kiddos here too. At least half our players are already mated with families. You might make a couple friends, young one.”
Petra cheers and takes off toward the barn, leaving us behind.
“Kids are so adaptable,” Shorthorn murmurs as we watch her go. “She’s sticking with you for a while, right?”
Hadrian nods. “Seems like it.”
If Shorthorn has thoughts about that, he doesn’t share them.
“Shall we?” I ask, anxious to get to the pancakes now that the scent is wafting toward us.
We head through the enormous barn—the site of at least four or five haven-wide parties each year—and out the back into the big field between the barn and the ranch house.
A giant outdoor kitchen situated at the back of the barn is the site of a pancake breakfast for the ages.
At least half the team sits with their mates and children, digging into piles of luscious-looking golden pancakes.
Rip’s mate, Pollyanna, directs two of her grown sons at a long, flat griddle. They refill the plates on the tables as we find an open spot at a long table.
I recognize every player here and most of their mates as well. What are the chances of this not getting back to Jasper? Although, I don’t think he hangs out too terribly much with the mated players, so our secret is probably safe for a little while longer.
One of the players looks up with a smile. “Ah, so you must be the reason I can never get Hadrian to come out with us after games.”
My brows rise, and I bark out a laugh, lifting both hands in supplication. “Not me. We’re just friends.”
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. It feels so incredibly wrong to say that.
Hadrian pulls a seat out for me. “I brought two surprises today—my best friend, Bluebell, and my surprise sister, Petra. Figured I didn’t want to show up empty-handed, and my buddy Jasper’s on a job today.”
That’s a lie. Jasper is most definitely not working today, but I suppose it suits the flimsy story we’re telling.
The other player, Zakaria Longhorn, beams at us as he shoves a plate of pancakes across the table. “Alright then, Hadrian’s sister and Bluebell, of course. Eat up, y’all. The dancing starts at nine thirty.”
“Dancing?” I hand the pancake plate to Petra, who snatches one and shoves it right in her mouth before slapping four more on her plate. “I don’t do dancing. I’ve got two left feet.”
Hadrian looks under the table. “Yuck. You do? I never noticed that.”
He winks when I scoff at him.
Petra glances under the table, looking genuinely concerned. “Wait, are you for real, Bluebell?”
We all laugh as she disappears under the table and yanks my shoes off, examining my feet for a full minute before I can convince her to come back out.
Half an hour later, music comes on from overhead speakers, blaring out over the field and the outdoor kitchen.
Petra’s gone, playing touch skyball with the other younglings.
Now and again, she appears next to the griddle with another young gargoyle.
They steal a pancake and dart away, all raucous laughter and swishing tails.
Flashing a smile at Hadrian, I wave at Petra. “She fit in pretty fast, hmm?”
“Like it was meant to be,” Hadrian says softly.
I look over at him, because it sure doesn’t sound like he’s talking about his little sister.
Purple eyes scan my face, and he smiles. “Dance with me, little witch?”
My mouth goes dry as he stretches a hand toward me, palm upturned. It sits there for a moment, waiting. Glancing around at the monsters who surround us, I realize nobody is even paying us any mind. Hadrian’s open hand is still there like the sweetest representation of everything.
Fuck it. Jasper’s gonna find out sooner than later.
Curling my fingers into his, I return the smile as he pulls me to a stand. I’m so aware of the other monsters as he guides me toward the dance floor. A dozen or so couples swirl around the parquet surface.
“Look at me,” Hadrian commands.
I snap my eyes to his at the demand in his tone.
He pulls me against his far larger body, lifting my hand up to his chest. One of his hands rests on top of mine, and the other comes to my waist, sliding partially up my back. “I need that focus on only me,” he croons. “Let me lead, Bluebell.”
Everything around us fades as bright purple eyes stare into mine.
He never looks away as he spins us around the dance floor, swaying to the rhythm of the music.
One song becomes two, then three, then five until we’re laughing and flirting, and what anyone else thinks is the farthest concern from my mind.
The music picks up pace, moving from a slow song to something jazzier. Pulling me to the edge of the dance floor, Hadrian leans back against a wooden column, slotting me between his big thighs. He tangles a hand in my hair and brings his forehead to mine. “I wanna kiss you, little witch.”
My lips part at the possession in his tone. I want that kiss. No matter the cost.
Popping onto my tiptoes, I slant my mouth over his. He sighs against my lips, rumbling as his mouth opens. A soft, cool tongue slips along my lower lip as he tastes me gently, tenderly.
Both hands come to my arms and hold me tightly against him as his kiss grows harder and more heated.
“I knew you loved him,” Petra says from somewhere by our side.
Shocked, I leap backward as Hadrian chuckles, the sexy moment broken.
“I guess it’s not that big of a secret anymore, huh?” she continues on, tail swinging from side to side as she grins at us. “I can’t wait to tell absolutely everyone!”
She pushes off the ground and takes off toward the ceiling beams as I hiss her name and grab at her feet, barely missing her.
“Don’t worry,” Hadrian says. “She’ll keep the secret until we’re ready, baby.”
But the thing is, I am ready. I don’t think I can hide Hadrian much longer. It’s not fair.