“She said she had this friend who she fell for, but Bradley told her something, and made her think it was all one sided. I think it’s the reason she ended up with him in the first place, but I can’t say for sure. We’ve only just started talking again, I don’t have a lot to give you.” I’m finding it hard to swallow over the pain that is forming in the back of my throat, and everything suddenly feels stiff.
“You’ve given me plenty. Have a great day, Luna. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” He gives me a weak smile, before opening my door and revealing Tucker on the other side.
“What the fuck is going on?” He holds his chin high, and his arms and fingers are flexing.
“Nothing like that. You know I’m not interested in her. I just wanted to make sure Daria was doing okay. Blame me, not her. She’s done nothing wrong,” Jake says, quick to jump to my defense. He is such an enigma. I can’t figure out if he’s one of the good guys or not.
“Run along, Jakey boy. I’ll deal with you later.” He does as he’s told, and Tucker walks in. “We’re going out, so wear something comfortable. If you have trainers or comfy boots, it would be wise for you to put them on.” He takes a seat, and I rush to get changed. Where is he taking me?
I put on my pair of Doc Martens, a pair of jeans, and a tank top. Hopefully, he’ll be okay with me not wearing the required clothing, but I’m sure he’ll tell me if he isn’t.
I step out, and he gives me a quick once over. Then he takes my hand and leads me out of my room. It’s only four pm, so I can’t imagine we’ll be going out to dinner, unless he wants to eat early. It just seems a strange time to me, then again. I’m not really dressed for that kind of occasion.
We climb into a car and then set off. He hasn’t got his phone out, and he’s staring at our hands. He’s yet to let go of me, and I haven’t pulled myself free yet either.
“Where are we going, Tucker?”
“Somewhere fun. Just remember, when the night ends, you’ll be leaving with me. That hasn’t changed, but today should be enjoyable for the both of us. I don’t do romance, so this is the next best thing.”
Did he answer my question? Damn, he’s good at avoiding a subject, isn’t he?
We drive for a while before coming to a stop. He gets out first, then offers me his hand and my mouth falls open as I take in where we are.
“No freaking way, are you serious?” I clap my hands in glee, before throwing myself at him. He catches me easily, and his chest vibrates with his laughter.
“It’s a great way to let off a little steam.”
Paintball, man, he’s something else. He’s… perfect.
“The surprise isn’t over yet,” he says, as he leads me over to claim my clothing and find a gun. His words have barely registered when a squeal travels across the air, and a flash of blonde fills my peripheral.
“D, I can’t believe you’re here.”
“It was all Tucker’s idea. I came with the guys. He wanted it to be a surprise,” she says with a wink. I look around as her words sink in, to find Emmet, Aeron, and Tom talking to Tucker. I can’t believe he did this.
“I can’t believe he did this for me, D. It’s making my chest ache,” I say it quietly, and she gives me a sympathetic smile.
“He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s one of the good ones. I think he genuinely cares about you, and I think you’ve yet to realize just how much he means to you as well” She pats me on the back before we get our gear on. I have got nothing to say back in response, so instead, we join up with the guys, and get ready to have some fun.
Best Valentine’s ever! No doubt about it. I’m sore as anything, but it’s so worth it. Aeron and I are camped out behind a wall, waiting for someone to fire a shot so we know where they are.
“I’m glad you came,” I say, as I peek over the top, narrowly missing a paintball that whizzes past my head.
“Me too, I wasn’t going to at first. But Tucker convinced me. It was weird, really. He said that I loved you, so I should be able to spend some of today with you. I don’t know what you’re doing to him, but it seems to be working for the best.” His words are nice, but I feel unsettled.
“I’m not doing anything. I think we’re just seeing a side of Tucker he doesn’t show often.”
“Tucker hates me, Luna. Trust me. This is all you. That, and he really enjoys shooting me.” He rolls his eyes and I laugh, before standing up and letting a few shots off.
“Ahhh fuck,” someone shouts out, and I jump for joy. Right as a splatter of paint covers my chest, and I groan at my own stupidity.
I walk off to the losers circle, to find Tom and D watching the others with rapt fascination.
“I lasted five minutes,” D grumbles, and I pat her back in mock sympathy.
“You did good, Moonbeam. Thanks for shooting me in the face,” he says with slumped shoulders and dull eyes.
“I didn’t know it was you, if that helps. I was just shooting anyone who wasn’t on the blue team.” I give him a cheeky smile, but he doesn’t return it. I hate that things are so off between us, maybe this is how it’s supposed to be. It’s for the best, I’m sure.
“I really didn’t fuck her.” D whips her head around and stares at him, and no doubt my face mirrors hers.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” she asks incredulously.
“Luna saw me with someone, I don’t even remember who. We were in a compromising position, I guess, and she thinks I fucked her.” He stares at me and I can’t bring myself to look away.
“It hurt, Tom, and I hated how much it hurt. What you said was worse though, you didn’t need to throw my words in my face.”
“Well, it isn’t as though you were ever going to tell me,” he growls, and D keeps looking back and forth between us.
“Why would I? Feelings mean nothing in the Academy, and it isn’t like you would have said it back.” My voice is rising, as I jump back up to my feet, and stare him down.
“That is beside the point,” he seethes, as he gets to his feet as well.
“Yeah, well. This is what I think to your opinion.” I point my gun at him and let a shot off to his chest.
“You cheeky fucker, run,” he says, but there’s a sparkle in his eye and it’s exciting. I bite my lip for a second before I do as he says.
I run until my chest hurts, and then my ass is suddenly throbbing as he takes a shot at me. I can’t help but laugh, and when he joins up to me, something feels lighter between us. There are still so many words left unsaid between us, but I believe him. If he says he didn’t sleep with her, then he didn’t. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to.
“Did you have fun today?” Tucker asks, as we drive away from the paintball zone.
“I did, thank you for doing that. I haven’t been paint balling since I was fourteen,” I say happily. I feel like a contented cat. If I was one, I’d probably be purring non stop.
“How do you feel about breaking an Academy rule?” he asks with a twinkle in his eye.