36. Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Six
Dacre
With a steaming towel over my head, I lean back against the moonstone tub. A trip to the magical hot springs of Doxlothia was my first stop upon my return. We got back late, and Emma said she wasn’t feeling well after all, so she decided to rest when we arrived.
It’s okay. I need to clear my mind, and the springs are said to be able to cure you from near death. The murky emerald water is filled with sacred salts that are a naturally occurring source of magic, similar to those found in gems and crystals.
As I ease further into the water, the sound of footsteps approaching signals the end of my short lived attempt at relaxation.
Parker Owens is standing next to the water in his swim shorts, with a towel in one hand. His chest is covered in large scars, as well as a few fresh cuts oozing red. None of it is more prominent than that beaming smile on his face.
“I thought you said you wanted to meet today.”
“No, fuck. The meeting is tomorrow.” I figured I’d have at least one night of peace alone to think before involving Emma’s family in my family mess.
“Shit. My bad.” He drops his towel, easing into the water next to me. “Why are you always so angry?”
“Because we have to be alive at the same time.”
Honestly, living during a linked mate era? Nightmare. I’m just thankful it’s not me.
He shrugs. “Yeah. That’s a bummer for you, huh?”
It’s not all sarcasm because he nods as if he might actually understand. I have to give it to him. He knows how to deal with difficult people.
A hideous twist of fate has me sitting with Parker Owens at the hot springs. Alone. If I told my past self last year about this moment, I’d never have believed it was possible. I don’t know why I hated him so much. Maybe just because he’s good at everything and effortlessly gets praise.
“So, Emma told me about the trip. Or, well, she told Olivia, and Olivia told me. She seems happy.”
“Did you do what I asked you?”
It was risky to ask Parker to follow the tip Darien gave me, but there is literally no one else I could trust. It doesn’t come naturally for me to ask for help, but if my grandfather has access to screenshots of my search history, a look into “Matthew Bromen” is bound to raise a few alarms.
It’s not as if I didn’t know my grandfather did shady things, but there are lots of rules in the Donor Program.
As the chairman, he’s monitored closely, and that’s second to the microscope he’s under for simply being one of the wealthiest men in Vviveren.
I guess I always thought he was under some kind of checks and balances.
I’m not so sure anymore.
The twinkling lights above us give me a good view of the surrounding trees.
It’s a slow night for the hot springs, which are mostly used by athletes.
A soft, giggly laughter carries from beyond the moonstone wall that separates the women’s pool from the men’s.
The spring is located by Solexxa House, which means maximum privacy.
You have to know someone in Solexxa to get access.
Too bad using it too much has the opposite effect on health, or I think it would be filled all day long.
“Yeah, my buddy Gavin knew a guy. Haven’t found much yet, though.”
“Keep looking. I know there’s something there.”
He nods solemnly. “Will do.”
The water trickles into the tub in a slow, rhythmic melody, breaking the silence of the night. This is why I wanted to be out here in nature with the crickets.
“So, I hear you’re getting married. Should I say congrats or offer my condolences?”
I sigh. “I don’t really know what to do about it right now.”
“Because you’ve got your eye on Emma?” When I don’t say anything, he continues. “Listen, I get that you have this whole closed off thing, but I think that if you want a chance with Emma, you’re going to lose it if you don’t make a choice.”
I have made my choice, but it’s not that simple.
I can’t just stroll up to my grandfather, confess my love for Emma, and ride off into the sunset with her.
Everything I want now is opposed to what my grandfather desires, and I’ve never defied him, not till I met her.
He’s planning things without my knowledge, already three steps ahead, and I can’t give him a reason not to trust me.
I need the advantage of his trust right now.
“I didn’t ask what you think.”
“I know, but since we’re friends, I thought I’d tell you that so I can give you a big, fat ‘I told you so’ when you fuck it up and come crying because she picked someone else.”
“We’re friends now?” I scoff. “I’ve been a dick to you.”
“Most people are like that to me. I’m used to it.” He rolls his shoulders with a pleased sigh as he submerges himself in the water. The cuts on his chest have already closed.
Fuck. I don’t think I can get rid of him. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually friends with Parker Owens.
“If we’re going to be friends, I have a confession,” I say.
“Yeah?”
“I was ‘IhateParker24/7’ on the university forums last year.” And a little this year.
Parker’s head shoots up. “You’re the one who commented puke emojis under all my pictures?”
“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I deleted it all. No one loved me growing up.”
He scoffs with a smile. “You are an asshole, but I forgive you.”
Those words are a slice to the heart, through my spine, and deep into the marrow. How could it ever be that easy?
“Just like that?”
“My dad just recently stopped being an asshole, so I get it.”
Maybe Parker didn’t have that perfect family and the picket fence I imagined. And he still manages to be someone people like and want to be around. I sink into the water with the weight of my conviction.
“Maybe you can get me lifetime burritos or something from the culinary club as penance.” He isn’t mad at me in the least, and he doesn’t seem like the type to lie to make me feel better.
“You got it,” I say, nearly speechless.
“Hey, baby.” Parker’s head shoots up as Olivia sneaks into the gate. I didn’t hear her; he must have smelled her coming. She’s in a fluffy robe that’s pulled up to her ears. No doubt she uses the hot springs, too, as a ballerina.
Olivia’s stature is rigid, but she melts into Parker in an instant as she sits next to him on the edge of the pool.
I’ll be honest, Olivia scares me. I’ve watched her a few times onstage, and during a performance, she’s terrifying.
So determined, all bottled perfection and structure.
But she’s completely different around her mate.
Lighter. A little less scary. She reminds me of my grandmother, who also has a piercing gaze that can cut steel.
“What are you two doing?” she asks.
“Bonding. Dacre confessed to being my forum troll.”
She raises a brow in amusement. “Oh?”
I sigh, knowing what’s about to come out of my mouth next. “I was one of your biggest haters before you two got together. I was convinced your relationship was fake. I started all the comment threads.”
They share a smile.
“I told him if he gets me burritos, he’s off the hook. What do you want?”
She eyes me. “Be nice to my sister, then we’re even.”
“I’m working on it.”
Parker kisses her cheek, then her jaw, and she breaks into a smile. Emma’s family is so . . . warm. An empty feeling bores a hole in my chest as I recall my own family.
I spent so many days with my head in my hands, fighting boredom, as I watched my brothers bicker back and forth about money.
Everharts don’t play outside or with toys.
We work. Hone our skills. Compete for attention, show our worth with talents and ambition.
Holidays were a nightmare of pomp and posturing, and gifts were carefully thought out ploys to get things that the other person wanted.
It was a competition from the moment I was born.
But Emma’s family looks like the ones I see in the movies, with the toothy smiles, deep belly laughter, and most importantly, that secret ingredient: love.
“I’ll still gut you if you hurt Emma,” Parker concludes after dragging his attention away from his mate.
“Got it. It’s very much noted.”