“I told you. There’s someone I think you should meet before we leave for my niece’s party. At least you’ll know someone other than me there. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to stay with you for the duration. So, you shouldn’t feel alone this way.” Well, damn. That’s so considerate, sweet, dare I go as far to say as caring.
“Okay, let’s go then.” I tuck my hand within his arm, and he leads me downstairs.
My heart stops as my eyes meet Darius’, but he climbs into the front seat, not reacting in any way. Which is a good thing, I know this. I just wish I could perfect the art of unaffected as well as everyone else apparently can.
“When we first arrive, I will need to go in ahead. I will come and get you once the moment is right, and Darius will stay with you. I thought you would feel more comfortable with him.” God, stop being so nice to me. I can’t take it, it’s too much.
I can’t speak over the lump lodged in my throat, but he doesn’t seem to need my words. He clips himself in, and I quickly follow suit as his phone starts to ring.
“Hey, we’re just about to leave.” He goes quiet as, I assume, he listens to whoever is on the other end. If only I had supersonic hearing, now that would be a useful superpower to have in any situation. As long as you can switch it off.
My cheeks flame as I imagine all the things I could overhear without intention, and he’s giving me a strange look.
“Don’t worry about it, she’ll be fine. And I know this is going to be weird for you, but I promise not to ask anymore favors for the rest of the year.” He smiles wide at whatever they say in response.
“Yeah, I’ll see you soon.” He looks to me one last time, as he goes to say something, and then stops himself. “Okay, I’ll say it. You’re so demanding today. I love you too.” He disconnects the call, and I stare at him like a fish out of water.
“Not a word, Luna. Not a damn word.”
Trying not to laugh, I mime locking my mouth and throwing away the key.
I can’t believe I heard the ‘L’ word come out of him, and now I’m a little worried about who we’re going to see.
We drive for about an hour. The car is completely silent, not even the radio is playing. When we come to a stop, it’s down a quiet street, with a simple two-story house. It has a small porch, with overhead shelter. The garden is well manicured, and filled with lots of different flowers. The house could do with a fresh coat of paint, but it’s nice. Definitely not the kind of place I was expecting to be going to today.
“Okay, wait here. I’ll be back in a little while.” He jumps out and enters the house, he doesn’t even knock. I stare after him, hoping to get a glimpse of whoever is waiting behind the door, but I can’t see anyone else.
“How are you, Snowflake?” Darius asks, and it’s been so long since he called me that. I think it was an insult in the beginning, so why is it making me smile like a fool?
“I’m okay, although I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I know. Apparently, I’m not needed at the Academy now. He’s a fool, but he can’t be reasoned with. So, I have a favor to ask of you.” He angles himself around, which can’t be easy considering how broad he is.
“Of course, if I can, you know I will.”
“If I’m not at the Academy, then I can’t access your tracking chip. It’s how I found you in the pool house that night. I promise I won’t use it to keep tabs on you, I just need to know that you are safe, while I’m not there. I can’t believe that whoever was doing it has suddenly decided to stop.”
“Okaaay, but I can’t give you access.” I know I’m missing the point here. I guess I’m going to need him to spell it out for me.
“I’ve got you one that you can attach to the sole of your shoe, or anywhere it’s unlikely to be seen. I won’t check it, but it will alert me if you leave the Academy house after seven pm, so I know to check. I don’t know how I’ll explain knowing something was wrong to anyone, but I’ll deal with that. If it occurs.” His eyes are wide. The muscles in his shoulders are pulled so tight, and his cheek is ticking like crazy.
“I don’t know, Darius. It’s weird. I don’t want you to worry, but…”
“It’s okay, I’m fucking insane for even asking. Look, can I at least give it to you? You can keep it in your room for all I care. At least I’ll know I tried.”
“Okay, I can do that at least. Darius, I miss you… I try not to, and I know I shouldn’t say this, but… I hate that you’re not there.” I stare out the window because it makes it easier.
“I miss you too. I wanted to see you before I left. I just didn’t have the choice. Things will work out in the end, though. Maybe you’ll graduate and leave us all behind. In all honesty, I think you should.” His Adam’s apple bobs, and I can’t stop myself from looking at him now.
“Darius, I…”
“No, that’s what I think you should do. It doesn’t mean I want you too, though. Fuck, Luna, I never claimed to be a selfless man. Just do whatever will make you happy and don’t worry about the consequences. If I can make it easier for you, then I will. Even if that means saying goodbye.” It’s like we’re locked in a staring contest, and I almost miss Tucker walking back down the driveway.
“Good luck in there,” he says under his breath, as the door opens, and Tucker helps me out of the car.
“Okay, let’s get this show on the road.” He wipes his hands on his trousers, as he glances around. Shit, is he worried? That cannot be a good sign.
The door opens once more, and it’s to a woman who I guess is in her late forties, early fifties. She gives me a friendly smile, and her eyes remind me so much of Tucker’s.
“Luna, this is Sophie, my mom.”
“Um, hi,” I squeak out, and she offers me her hand to shake.
“You had no idea you were meeting me today. He is a very naughty boy, that son of mine.” She pats him on the cheek, before we follow her into her home.
We walk into her kitchen and sit down around a table. With a vase of flowers arranged in the center, and a pitcher of iced tea with glasses already laid out.
“I hear you are rather fond of this drink, and I happen to share that with you. Tucker will just have to make do.” He scowls at her, but finishes it with a smile, and she swats at his hand.
“So, she didn’t know she was meeting me, you have at least told her about our situation, I assume.” She has the stern mom voice down pat, and it’s nice to see it being used on someone else for a change. I thought it was reserved for only my mom for a while there.
“Not exactly…”
“It’s either a yes or a no, Tucker.”
“Then no, she doesn’t know a damn thing,” he says with an extra helping of attitude, and she glares at him until he says, “sorry, mama.”
“I have no ties to any of the Harkwrights and, frankly, I want it to stay that way. He may share their name, been raised by them, but they are not my family. And I’m not exactly welcome either.”
“I don’t understand. Are you adopted?”