“I can't imagine how many of them would actually listen.”
“At least two, but Archer and Teddy are yet to be decided.”
Soaking up all the encouragement from my friend, we head out into the hallway, only to stumble straight into Toby and Dorian, who are both waiting just outside the door, dressed in chino shorts and polo tops, ready to enjoy the night down on the beach.
I dip my head and blush as I hear Toby praise Meadow, complimenting her so sweetly that it makes me yearn, reminding me of something else on my priority list.
Love so hard it hurts.
Struggling to breathe it in, I take off ahead, feeling Dorian's presence nearby.
By the time we make it outside, Toby’s desire for his mate has quieted, and we walk alongside one another, spying a few other students heading in the same direction.
“I’m sorry I missed your actual birthday, Toby,” I mutter, and he rolls his eyes.
“I’m pretty sure you've apologized for that already.”
I grin. “Did I apologize for the fact that Meadow refused to leave my bedside too?” I clarify with a wince, and he nods.
“I’m pretty sure you've done enough apologizing to last a lifetime,” he confirms, but it doesn't eradicate the feeling I have in my stomach. “Besides, we're making up for it now,” he adds, and Dorian nudges me with his elbow.
“Enough of that. What shots are we going to start with?” Dorian asks, and my eyes widen as uncertainty claws inside of me.
“I’m all for surprises right now. But really, anything sickly sweet is going to be my go-to,” I confirm, and Toby grimaces.
“That's so gross. Maybe a little bit spicy, but if it doesn’t have the burn of hard liquor, it's a hard pass,” he admits, and I shudder.
“I remember stealing a sip of my father's brandy once. I can still taste it,” Meadow admits, pressing her hand to her mouth as she squirms. “Yeah, that was gross.”
My mouth tilts down. “I remember the first time Hugo tried to slip me a glass of bourbon, I thought I was gonna die,” I muse, a light round of laughter swirling around us as Dorian shrugs.
“I think I’ll play it safe and drink beer,” he confirms.
“What about you, Meadow? What do you actually like to have?” I ask, and she shrugs.
“Sweet for me too,” she sings, linking her arm through mine, drawing the four of us even closer together, and I grin, walking in sync with three other people who seem to see me in a way nobody else has.
Once the angel, now a phoenix.
Sure, my hated mates see me in a way nobody else does, but there's also a layering under there, an expectation, a wariness that I can't shake. Whereas these guys are simply my friends, and that feels completely different from everyone else.
All too quickly, we reach the tip of the cliff that leads down to the beach, and my steps falter.
“It's busier than I expected,” I admit, and Dorian sighs.
“News travels fast around these parts.”
I hum my agreement, but the sound is disguised by the whip of wind that travels around us, confirming a dragon's nearby. Tilting my head up to the night sky, I'm not surprised to find Alaric cutting across the air, his rider firmly in place as they settle on the ground ahead.
I love to see Alaric.
But I don't want to see his rider when I'm so close to having a good time.
As if sensing my uncertainty, Meadow squeezes my arm, but before she can speak, a shadow casts over me, and another familiar face appears.
“You look stunning, Fireball,” he declares, reaching for my arm and pulling me out of Meadow’s embrace, holding me while taking the trail down the side of the cliff.
Silas.
