Reaching the arcade, we headed to the counter, where Ivy bounced on the spot.“Tris, can we get the access to everything voucher? Ireallywant to beat Holly on the go-karts.”
Holly scowled, but my attention snagged on Tristan, who was staring at the price board, his brows furrowed, no doubt at how expensive it was.
Without thinking, I pulled my wallet out.“Here, let me get this. I didn’t get you ladies anything for your birthday, so this can be my treat.”
“You don’t have to dothat,”Tristan said, his cheeks blushing.
“I know I don’t have to, Bug, but I want to.”
It didn’t occur to methatI’d called him by his nickname until Ivy giggled.“Why do you call him Bug?”
I grinned playfully at her.“‘Cos your brother can be annoying like a bug sometimes.”
She laughed harder, and I couldn’t help but grin wider when Holly joined in laughing.“Yeah, he can besoannoying,”Ivy said.
“Like you,” Holly added.
“Alright, let’s not start fighting,”Tristan interjected before putting his hand on my shoulder. The simple touch frazzled every nerve in my body.“Thanks, Ben. That’s kind of you.”
“My pleasure.”
And it was. It was a pleasure to help him out and see the twins’ excitement.
Tristan was right. As soon as we hit the arcade, the girls ran off to play on the machines, leaving Tristan and me to grab a coffee and find a seat in the viewing area.
An awkwardness had settled between us, and I hated it. I hated how his body felt tense next to me. I hated how much I wanted to rest my hand on his thigh, but my rigid body wouldn’t move.
There was so much I wanted to say to him, but every time I opened my mouth, the words dried up on my tongue, and I reverted to sipping my black coffee.
“So, what did you get the twins for their birthday?”I asked, steering into safe territory.
“I got them IPads each. The little shits keep stealing mine,”he replied, grinning affectionately.
Evenif he hadn’t constantly spoken about the twins over the last few weeks, it was obvious how much he loved them, and arare pang of jealousy shot through me at not having had the kind of childhood Tristan and his sisters had.
“Wow, that’s generous of you, Bug. Must have cost you a fortune.”
He shrugged.“It was worth it to see their faces when they opened their presents this morning.”
I took another sip of my coffee, not knowing what else to say. I needed to clear the air. Apologize for being a coward and making him feel like my dirty little secret. I sucked in a deep breath, but as I opened my mouth to attempt an apology, Ivy appeared from nowhere.
“Tris, Holly won’t play air hockey with me. Will you?”
The brief frown told me he didn’t want to, but forcing a smile on his face, he stood.“Come onthen, but be prepared to lose, loser.”
“You’re the loser,”Ivy retorted, running back to the arcade.
Not quite able to meet my gaze, he set off in Ivy’s wake, throwing over his shoulder,“I won’t be long.”
Minutes ticked by, and as I sat alone, attempting to block out the shrieks of excitement and high-pitched giggles, I vowed to make things right between Tristan and me when he returned. Ijustneeded to be honest and tell him what was going on in my head.
Another five minutes passed when the seat next to me was taken, but not by Tristan. I glanced at Holly, not knowing what to say to a twelve-year-old girl.“Hey.”
“Hi,” she replied sullenly.
I cleared my throat.“Are you having fun?”
She sighed. “I guess.”
