Chapter 28 #2
The proctor reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small, spindly plant, handing it to Jasper. “This is an air plant. Just this morning, I did something to it, and I’d like you to tell me what it was.”
Jasper’s mouth drops open, brows bunching. The proctor clicks off the button on his ear so we don’t hear their conversation. Jasper appears to ask some questions that the male proctor answers. After a few long moments, Bluebell places a hand over her mouth and stares at him.
I lean down and ask, “Is that super hard?”
Jace looks over Bluebell at me. “Really hard, yeah. It’s easy enough to tell if a plant needs water.
Figuring out something that was done to it?
It’s not a skill we use often because, while it’s practical, it’s almost more like detective work.
Plus, this plant isn’t in dirt. Air plant roots are only for attaching them to other things, so it’s very atypical. ”
I turn back to Jasper, but he’s staring at the air plant in his palms, his expression focused and intent.
Five minutes later, the proctor asks him something. Jasper shakes his head, and the second proctor joins the two males.
Red stains Jasper’s cheeks as he runs a hand through his dark hair. For the first time since he started this fifth test, he looks up at us. He’s obviously frustrated, brows angled and his stance tense. He frowns at me then looks back at the plant.
Five more minutes later and he shakes his head, turning to the proctor. Once more, the proctors encourage him.
Ten minutes after that, he closes his eyes and lets his head fall back. The proctors share an uneasy look. When he hands the air plant back to the male proctor, my heart leaps into my throat.
The proctor looks almost stricken as he depresses the button in his ear for the final time.
“Let the record show that Mister Tucker did not complete the fifth and final test of the masters certification. As always, there is no limit to the number of times one can apply, although the test can only be proctored once per year.” He nods at Jasper, then at us.
“Best of luck next year, Mister Tucker, should you choose to apply.”
Jasper balls his fists and stares over the field of mustang-shaped cacti at us. Without a word, he turns away and stalks toward the exit.
“Well fuck,” Mama Tucker mutters, slumping back into her chair.
“Shiiiiiiit,” Jack says.
“I’m gonna go talk to him,” I say quietly, scratching Bluebell’s shoulder as I stand.
Petra looks up at me. “You sure that’s a good idea, brother? Jasper seems really pissed off.”
I head off in the direction he disappeared, jogging to catch up to him.
Twitching my ears to listen, I hear the click of a truck door opening.
Flapping up into the sky, I zoom in that direction, finding him sliding into the driver’s seat of his truck.
When I land just outside his door, he shakes his head.
Rapping the closed window with my knuckles, I pray he’ll give me a minute to speak.
He stares out the windshield, shaking his head, but after a moment, he rolls the window down and looks up at me. “What do you want, Hadrian? To tell me a little more about what an asshole I am?”
“No,” I say truthfully. “I don’t ever want to discuss that with you. I wanted to check on you after…what happened back there.”
He blows out a sigh. “Dude, I don’t wanna talk about that. I fucked up. I wasn’t ready for that…It’s not a common thing for us to do, and I just…” He looks up at me with a frown. “I’m mad at you. I don’t want to talk to you right now.” It’s like he forgot for a second that he’s pissed at me.
“Listen,” I say softly, leaning onto my forearms on his window ledge.
“It hasn’t been going on for long, and we only waited because we didn’t want it to affect your test today.
I was going to tell you literally tomorrow, although that obviously didn’t work out, but I love her, Jaz.
I’ve loved her for a very, very long time, and I tried not to.
I really did. She’s my mate, and I can’t change that, even if you don’t want to hear about it. ”
He scrunches up his nose. “I just can’t stop picturing all the times we’ve spent together, wondering if there was more to it that I didn’t see. My job as her brother is to protect her, and I know you too well. I’ve been there for thirty years of your life, Hay. What if you break her fucking heart?”
I stand with a sigh. “I’d break it by denying her, Jazzy. And I won’t do that. I’m concerned with you and what you need after today’s test. Can I help?”
“Help? I don’t think so,” he snaps, putting his truck in reverse.
He backs out before I can say anything else. I try not to let frustration fill me as red dirt clouds mark his path away from me.
Ten minutes pass while I consider if I should go after him again. But my best friend is dramatic at times and easy to anger. I love him, but we’re opposites in that way.
“Best thing you can do is give him time.”
I turn to find Bluebell standing there with her hands in her back pockets. Wind blowing off the mountains rustles her hair across her face, highlighting those beautiful blue freckles I love.
“What do you propose we do?” I cross the distance between us until I’m close enough to draw blue bangs behind her ears. “To fill the time until he forgives us.”
The bond is tight with love and resignation. Jasper has to come around on his own timeline, and we can’t hang around waiting for it.
She smiles. “Petra left with my family. Said she needed some time with the Jays.” She shrugs. “I’m thinking maybe you and I should go work on the ranch for a bit. Not sure I’m ever going to love sleeping in one big open room with your sister, despite her adorableness.”
I nod and reach down, pulling Bluebell slowly up into my arms. “Noted, mate. You alright with flying?”
“Yeah.” She reaches up and strokes her warm fingers along my jawline. “I’d love nothing better than to be in your arms right now.”
Dipping low, I brush my cheek along her neck and shoulders, her scent blooming across my senses. “I want that too,” I murmur. “Just to hold you, baby.”
Flying with her in my arms and not worrying about being seen brings me more joy than almost anything else. I drop out of the sky onto my front porch, not ready to let her out of my embrace.
“This place is looking better and better,” she murmurs.
“Slowly but surely.” I jog forward to open the front door.
Bluebell sails through, stroking her fingertips along the doorframe as she steps inside.
“I’ve got an idea.” I take her hand and slide it up my shirt to rest it over my thudding heart.
“Oh yeah?” She nips her lower lip. “I like your ideas, Hadrian. You’re so…creative.”
“Mmm.” I rub her hand in circles over my pecs, loving how utterly warm and soft she is.
“I’ve been working on carving my family’s memories into the three walls of my nest, per gargoyle tradition.
But I’d like you and I to add one of ours.
And sometime next week, I’d like Petra to help me add her too. ”
Bluebell smiles up at me. “That’s actually a really beautiful idea, Hadrian, and I’d be honored to carve your nest.”
“Our nest,” I correct, pulling her closer to me. “Our nest, little mate.”