Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“You put Thatcher through more than an ice plunge in the lake,” I remind him.
Eliot lets out a tight noise, then comes off the railing. Bare feet on the deck. “That was because he was dating our big sister. The first to enter the fold. This...him...now...” He’s referring to Donnelly, the kidnapping, Luna dating him. “It’s different.”
I stare at my adult son.
He’s getting older. It’s both terrifying and comforting. Especially after nearly losing Luna and Lily...
I blink away a rush of emotion. The wind grows fiercer, and goosebumps form on his skin, the only giveaway now that he’s cold.
Eliot studies my unbending, stiff posture. “You’re really not cold?”
The backdoor opens just as I say, “My blood is made of volcanic matter.”
“Which part of the volcano is that?” Connor asks, slipping outside.
“The lava,” I snap. “To smother you with.”
He grins.
“Two against one?” Eliot asks with a rising grin. “I’m flattered you knew it’d take you both to unseat me.” He leans an elbow on the railing.
Connor comes to my side, and he hands Eliot his peacoat. “Even if you were only talking to one of us, it’d be two against one.”
Translation: We’re a team. Always.
Eliot accepts the coat and fits his arms through it. “I told you both the truth, you realize. There is nothing to uncover.”
“It was just a dare?” I say in disbelief.
“Lie better, and we’ll believe you,” Connor adds.
Eliot puts a hand to his chest. “But you’re a lie detector. I can’t beat a machine.”
“Then don’t lie,” I counter. “That’s your other option.”
Eliot intakes a deeper breath, eyes flitting to the house, then to us. Heavy concern weighs on his broad shoulders, but he just says, “There are some things I’ll take to my grave. It’s rather full. I might need an extra coffin or two.” His smile is sadder. Solemn. “It was just an accident. The ice broke. I fell waist-deep in the water. Farrow checked on me that night. I was fine. That’s all you need to know, and I’d hope you’d respect that.”
I exhale. “I do.” Only because I'm certain now he’s protecting someone.
“We do,” Connor concludes.
“But we’re always here if you want to talk,” I remind him. “You’re okay?”
“I’m okay.” He looks from me to his father. “All ten toes intact.” He rocks on his bare feet. “And if it makes you feel any better, Uncle Garrison texted me last night to stop doing dumb dares.”
Last night!
Garrison must’ve heard the camera notification.
Task one and task two completed in unison. I deserve extra credit for this. “He’s right,” I say.
Eliot slides his hands in the peacoat’s pockets. “I know.”
“And so you also know,” Connor says, “we always appreciate the truth when it concerns you.”
Our son’s smile is one of admiration and love. “I also know, but never stop reminding me. I love being of your concern.”
I roll my eyes. “Dear God.”
Eliot gasps shrilly and mimes a pearl-clutch. “Don’t you mean, dear Connor?”
His dad is laughing.
I glare. “Go inside before your toes do fall off.”
Eliot happily takes the exit with a curtsey and a farewell twirl of his hand. As soon as the backdoor swings shut, I turn to Connor. “Who do you think he’s protecting?”
“Donnelly.”
I think about this. “How sweet of our son to secret-keep for his best friend’s boyfriend,” I say.
Connor nods slowly, but he’s staring off at the lake in thought.
“What?” I ask.
“He reminds me of you, willing to go down with any metaphorical ship if it means he’s protecting the people he loves. The problem is...he loves far too many people.”
“It’s not a bad thing,” I assure him. “Would you rather him love no one?”
“I’d rather him love few and strong. But that’s between you and me.”
I nod, my lungs filling at the look he’s slipping me. I know the depth of Connor in ways that no one ever will, and he sees vulnerable parts of me that I have trouble showing.
Another gust of wind barges through, and Connor steps closer to block me from it. He fits his arms around my shoulders. I glare. “I like the cold.”
“I like you alive.”
“Lily thinks I’m a vampire, so that means I’m already dead.”
His brows rise. “I’m into many things, Rose, but necrophilia isn’t one of them. You are very much alive.”
“That is a shame,” I tell him. “I had a list of people to haunt.”
“You can burn that list,” he tells me into a kiss.
I start to smile.
Translation: You’ll never die.
I should really rub in the fact that Garrison heard the notification when he didn’t. I could remind him that he’s getting old. I’m, unfortunately, getting older too. But I don’t say anything. I sink into the kiss and into the weight of his arms. I let him block out the wind for me.
And I let myself believe that he and I, we’ll live forever.