“Well, it makes sense now. How is the Academy treating you? I hope nothing too bad has happened. Arthur hasn’t made you feel uncomfortable, has he?” His eyes are scary pits of obsidian, and he only moves away when a sizzling sound fills the air.
“It’s the Academy, sir, everything there should probably make you feel uncomfortable, but it’s been… better this year. Sir scares me at times, but it’s more the way he is, he’s barely spoken to me until last year. Even then, it was very short and nothing too personal. He hasn’t done anything to make me feel uncomfortable.”
“What about my son? You can be honest. I won’t allow it to fall back on you, but I need to know. If he’s been cruel to you in any way, then he can’t be allowed to go unpunished for it. I love him, but he's not been the same since… the incident.” He flips the burgers as he voices trails off, I can see the pain and anguish written across his face, and I don’t want to add to it.
“No, sir, he calls me silly names but that’s about it. He hasn’t really done anything.” My palms are sweaty and I feel sick to my stomach for lying to him. I don’t believe in lies, but I didn’t want to get Thallon in trouble with his parents. Even if he does deserve it.
“Please, stop calling me sir. It reminds me too much of my idiot brother. Call me Marcus, and my wife is Lara. Thallon isn’t the best at introductions.” He laughs and I smile awkwardly as he starts to dish up some of the food, and my eyes wander towards the door. I wonder what they’re talking about.
33
Christmas Plots
Thallon
“We never should have let you go, I don’t like the thought of you doing Arthur’s dirty work. That poor girl.” I hate when my mom’s eyes shimmer. I feel like that’s all they ever do when I’m around, it gets a bit much.
Hence why I jumped at the chance to go back to the US. Maybe not jumped, I hate being back at the God forsaken place, but at least I don’t have to see her sadness, or his disappointment on a regular basis.
“I just don’t want you guys to think that I’ve finally decided to move on, and get your hopes up. Luna is just a job, you get that, right?”
“I understand that you believe it. If that’s the case, why did you jump in and try to sell her to us? It’s almost as though you want us to like her. If she was just a job, I don’t think you would care.” Her eyes twinkle as she gives me her ‘mom knows best’ stare.
“I went in hating her. I knew who she was from the start. That she was Emmet’s one weakness, and Roz’s bully’s sister. It’s hard to see her in any other way. I don’t want to like her, mom.” I move over to the kitchen window and push it open, so I can hear what dad and her are talking about.
“Allie wouldn’t want you to be alone, baby. She would want you to be happy, and to find someone who could do that. If that’s Luna, would it really be so bad?” She grips my face between her hands and I force myself to meet her eyes.
“I’m not trying to keep myself alone. I just want to know that the person I’m with is worth the pain and heartache. Allie was, and I want that again.” I blow out a harsh breath and she pulls my head down so she can kiss my forehead.
“What about my son? You can be honest. I won’t allow it to fall back on you but I need to know. If he’s been cruel to you in any way, then he can’t be allowed to go unpunished for it. I love him, but he's not been the same since… the incident.” His words filter through and I hold my breath.
This is her chance to tell him exactly what I’ve done to her. He’s going to be spitting mad once she spills everything.
“No sir, he calls me silly names, but that’s about it. He hasn’t really done anything.” Her voice is soft as she replies. I can’t believe she didn’t tell him. She doesn’t owe me a damn thing, so why keep it to herself?
“Mom, she isn’t the girl for me. She thinks she’s in love with two guys. Clearly, she doesn’t even know what love is,” I scoff as I pull away and move over to the kitchen counter.
“Love knows no limits. How do you know she doesn’t love these guys? It may not make sense to you or me, but romance novels come from somewhere and RH books are all the rage now. From Scarlett Ross, Crystal North, and Siobhan Davis. They all write the books around a girl who doesn’t have to choose who she gives her heart to. They’re amazing.” Her eyes turn dreamy and no doubt she’s back in fantasy land. I’ve never understood the big deal about romance books, but she’s a sucker for them.
“Whatever you say, mom. Come on, let’s go rescue her from dad.”
“Of course, we wouldn’t want her to be put off from you, now would we?” She snickers and I glare at her. It turns her snickering into full on laughter and I storm back outside.
The ride back is quiet and uneventful. It fills me with pride when she asks me to go faster, it means she trusts me to keep her safe. Not that it matters to me of course. Nope, not at all.
We pull up outside and she clambers off. She’s far from elegant, but she uses my shoulders for stability.
Her cheeks are red as she pulls her helmet off, and passes it to me. I prop it under my arm before swinging my leg over. I unlock the door and let her go in first, before storing the helmets inside a cabinet by the door, that I have here just for my bike gear.
She pulls her boots off before dropping onto the sofa. She looks so relaxed, which is rather strange for her. Other than when we were in the water, she’s never like this with me around. Even less so since she charged into me buck naked. Usually I can keep my eyes from straying, but they refused to listen to me today.
I grab a bottle of whiskey, and some cheap ass bottle of wine for her along with two glasses, before I claim my seat on the other end of the sofa. I hold up the wine, but she shocks me as she points to the whiskey instead. My kind of woman. Alcohol choice of course, there’s nothing more to it than that.
“Here, take it slow. It will go to your head pretty quick if you’re not a big drinker.” I eyeball her as she takes a sip, and sinks back against the cushions.
“Your parents were nice. Thank you for introducing me before Christmas Eve.” Her voice is soft as she stares into the tumbler.
I replace the wine glass and grab another tumbler for myself, before reclaiming my seat.
“No worries. I thought it would make it less awkward for everyone.” I don’t want her to think I did it solely for her benefit.
“I get that, but still. Thank you, Thallon.” Her lashes flutter against her cheek, before she peers up at me.
There’s something in her eyes, something I should question or at least try to figure out. I’m just not sure it’s important. She’s probably still feeling embarrassed that I saw her naked, that’s all there is to it.
We finish our glasses and I pour another drink into both. Her smile is soft, and I don’t miss the way her eyes keep travelling over my body when she thinks I’m not looking. She doesn’t realize that I notice more than most.
It’s how I know Emmet doesn’t care about the clause in his inheritance and title. He’s fallen for her, but he doesn’t know how to handle it. He knows she has feelings for numerous guys, and yet, he’s powerless to do anything about it. Doesn’t mean he won’t try, given half the chance. He’ll remove the competition without a second thought.