We sit down in her living room once she’s finished and I roll a cigarette while she places a dish on the coffee table.
“Are you okay? I was worried about you,” she says softly, as she makes us a coffee and I spark up.
"I’m fine, I always am,” I say dismissively, as I blow hoops and she stares at me with her brows raised.
“I hear you remembered that day you took a little swim, I kind of wish you had wandered off now,” I say with a laugh and she shakes her head as she sits down beside me.
“Yeah, me too. Guess I should be used to this stuff by now, doesn’t make it any less terrifying though.”
“You shouldn’t have to get used to it, I doubt it would have even happened if Arthur hadn’t sent Tucker away. Then again, he likes to think he has a good reason for all the fucked up things he does.” I stub my cigarette out and she pushes the plate to the side.
“Aeron, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, why not?” I lean my head back and tilt it to the side so I can look at her.
“Why did you take my new list of rules when I got made a number? It never really made any sense, did you want me to get into trouble?” I blink a few times before rubbing at my ears, but nope, it hasn’t changed her question.
“What the fuck are you talking about? I didn’t take your rules. Why would you think I did it?” Seriously, I know I’m a dick, but is that really what people think of me?
“Tucker rang you and confronted you about it, he said that you and Scott took the rules for whatever reason. Why would he lie?” She seems as surprised as I feel. Hang on no, not surprised, I’m fucking livid.
“I didn’t take your rules. Excuse me for a second.” I stand up and walk into her bedroom before closing the door.
I scroll through the contacts until I find Tucker’s name and hit call, he better fucking answer.
“What’s happened now?”
“What, don’t I even get a hello? Oh, Tucker, you wound me,” I say deadpan, and I hear him growl down the line.
“I haven’t got the time for your antics, Aeron, I’ve got my own drama to deal with, or have you forgotten about that?”
“No, but if you still want my help, then I suggest you pay attention and answer my goddamn question,” I shout down the line, and thank you soundproofing.
“You haven’t asked a question,” he shouts back.
Oh, yeah…
“Why did you tell Luna that I stole her rules back in the first year? I mean, come on. Is the bad blood between us really that juvenile that you make shit up? For what end, where did it get you?” Okay, I need to calm down and actually let him answer.
“It was you. I rang your phone and you didn’t answer, so I called Scott instead, but...”
“But what?” I grind out.
“He made it clear it was the pair of you and I believed him, it made sense to me. You two are always getting up not stupid shit like that,” he sighs hard and my mind is whirling with possibilities.
“Why didn’t you ask me when you saw me?” I grumble.
“Because I had more important things to worry about than you acting like a child, like my actual child. So, is that it? Are you still going to help me, or not?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll help. I’ve been looking into her background, but no flags have been raised yet. I’ll keep looking, short of claiming that Belle isn’t yours, I don’t know what else you could do.” I wait for the earful but it never comes.
“I had a paternity test when she told me she was pregnant. I know she’s mine. Thanks, man, I’ve got to go. Keep an eye on Luna okay? I really need to not be thinking about her right now.” He sounds so… defeated. Not like Tucker at all.
I disconnect the call and head back out into the living room, to find Luna watching an episode of Friends.
“Really, you like this shit?”
“Hey, it’s not bad. It’s funny and it has Joey in it. What more can I say?” She sticks her tongue out at me before returning her attention to the TV.
“It really wasn’t me. I’m an idiot but I’m not that dumb.” I lean my head on her shoulder and she runs her fingers through my hair.
“It’s okay, I believe you.” Her blind trust means more than I can say.
“Those two dudes hug… and I mean a lot,” I say over a mouthful of cookies.
“They’re best friends, but they have their moments,” she replies instantly, as she leans into me and her hair tickles my nose.
“Seems weird to me, I don’t have friends like that.” She pulls back and smirks slightly before putting her hand on her chest.
“Aeron, you have friends?”
“You brat, I’m being nice and that’s just plain mean. No more cookies for you,” I say as I hug the plate to my chest and stare her down.
“I’m deeply sorry, Aeron, may I please have one of the cookies that I made?” She bats her eyes and I roll mine in return.
“Fine, but only because I’m the nice one.” I pass the plate over and roll up again.
“You know they’re really bad for your health, right?”
“Got to die someday, may as well have a little fun before I do.” I put it between my lips and spark up, as she stares at her hands.
“So, who did you fuck first?”
“Damn, straight to the point, huh? Why do you want to know?” She worries her bottom lip between her teeth, and I’m resisting the urge to point out the fact that she hasn’t stuttered once since I’ve been here.
“I just do. Trying to figure out how many of us you have left to try.” She blanches and I feel a little bad for my choice of words.
“It was Tom.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, and it’s like a punch to the gut all over again.
“Why him?” I want to sound as though the name drop doesn’t bother me, but I think I’m failing.
“Because I was angry, hurt, and feeling all kinds of lost. It wasn’t who I t-t-th…”
“Was it before or after you found me in One’s room?” Yeah, self punishment for the win.
“After, but that wasn’t the reason, there were so many. I don’t even know if I could name them all.” She’s wringing her hands in her lap and I capture them in mine.
“If Tom wasn’t planned, then who did you think it would have been?” Don’t say me, don’t say me. For the love of God, do not say me.
She stares down at her hands in mine, as her mouth opens and closes, and then she says it so quietly, I have no idea what she said. “You.”
Ahhh shit.
“Little Zero, I…”
The door opens and Thallon is standing there, staring at us. No, at her. It’s one thing if he’s more competition, but I know that’s not the case. Not after what happened to Rosalyn.
“What do you want, mate?” I ask, doing my worst impression of an Aussie accent.
“Real mature, Aer. I’ve just come to say hello to the Little Mouse. Going for any more swims?” He smiles good naturedly but her hand tightens its grip on mine.
“N-n-no I’ve h-h-had my fill of w-water.” Great, and now he’s getting to her.