Chapter 94 Four
SOMA
Tristan snickers. “You did first by acting awkward about the text. She didn’t tell me about it. Only volunteered pieces of information because I had to know what I was getting into.”
“Whatever.”
“Are you two cool now? Has he apologized yet? Are we allowed to mention his name around you now?” he asks all at once without giving me a chance to reply.
Laughter bubbles in my throat. I resume eating, taking a few bites before saying, “That’s what the text is about.” I hadn’t expected them to take the threat seriously, but I’m glad they care enough about me to listen to my demands, however silly they are. “He wants us to meet up in Year 5 class on Friday.”
“Will you go?”
“Yeah. I’m considering it. What do you think?”
“Go. Yes, he’s my brother, but he can be good, too.”
His gaze drifts in the direction Jade went. She’s taking too long, and I suspect it’s because she feels bad about Tristan knowing it was Brynne who texted me.
“Can I tell you something?” he whispers, his voice too low for me. I lean toward him, and he releases a breath. “I got Jade a phone, but I’m not sure how to give it to her.”
“Really?” I ask.
Tristan nods, and I pat his cheek. “Don’t do that,” he protests. “Can you figure out a way to make her take it?”
Happiness lights up my face as I reply, letting him know about the deal we made earlier. He nods as I explain the promise I made before setting up the quiz.
“She did well on the quiz,” I finish with a smile.
A grin breaks out on his lips, and he leans back in his chair.
“Told her she was smart, but she didn’t believe me.”
“This is a good chance to give it to her,” I tell him. “I’ll let her know it came from you, but maybe later.”
“Or never. I don’t care if she knows it’s from me. As long as I have a means of contacting her at any time, I’m fine,” he says. The fierce protectiveness in his voice reminds me how lucky they both are to have each other. Jade is almost done with her quilt. She hasn’t told me who it’s for, but I know it’s for him. “When do you think we should give it to her? Today?”
“After the ball,” I say. He frowns, and I backtrack. “Or after the conversation with Brynne.”
That makes him sit up. “That works best.”
If the conversation goes well, maybe Tristan can inform Brynne and his siblings about Jade. It might take a while for her to gain acceptance in the palace, but within the walls of this house, she doesn’t have to be my lady’s maid anymore.
“Thanks for always taking care of her,” I tell him.
He blushes, waving off my appreciation. All those times I was caught up with Brynne, I never had to worry about her because she was safe with him.
What does the future hold for us? I’m ninety percent certain Brynne is my mate. Knowing he’ll accept me makes my heart warm all over again, but I force myself not to think too much about the future until I have my apology.
Tristan rises to his feet, nodding toward the kitchen. “I’ll go check on her.”
Without waiting for my reply, he leaves. I had no fixed plan for the day, but as I step out of the house, I know where I want to be. The field.
Brynne and his teammates are engaged in a heated game of soccer when I arrive with a stacked tote bag. Laughter and shouts echo as the players dart across the pitch, the ball zipping between their feet. His green jersey clings to his back, soaked with sweat, and his hair plasters to his forehead and temples.
Standing on the sidelines, I watch him expertly dodge opponents and pass the ball, his movements fluid and confident. Once he catches sight of me, he loses focus, and the opposing team’s player snatches the ball from him.
Groans erupt from his teammates, but he doesn’t seem to care. He jogs toward me, slowing as he gets close. I tighten my hand around the strap of my tote bag, growing awkward under the weight of his gaze. He stops right in front of me, his chest heaving with exertion.
Brynne reaches out, his hand brushing close to mine before he hesitates and pulls back. A sheepish smile splits his lips, and he rakes a hand through his sweaty hair. At least I’m not the only one who’s confused about how to act.
“Thirsty?” I ask to break the silence. Fishing through the tote bag slung over my shoulder, I pull out a cold water bottle and offer it to him. Our fingertips brush as he collects it, and I mumble a shaky, “You’re welcome.”
He chuckles before taking a swig, his eyes sparkling with gratitude that does strange things to my chest. A look behind him reveals the game is paused. I should go.
“See you tomorrow,” I murmur.
He seems confused, but says, “See you tomorrow.” Some players call out for him while others use this break to grab a drink. I put a step back, not wanting to ruin their game. “Are you leaving? The game is about to get more interesting.”
If the damp state of his jersey isn’t enough to show they’ve been having an interesting game so far, then I’m scared to know his definition of interesting.
“I should probably head back—”
“Stay,” he cuts me off. “I’ll score you a goal.”
My heart skips. “Promise me four, and I’ll reconsider.”
“Four?” he repeats, like I asked for his head. “Somi, come on.”
“It takes four letters to spell Soma,” I say with a casual shrug. “Or even Somi.”
He clicks his tongue, caps the water bottle, and returns it to me. Walking backward, he says, “Don’t go anywhere.”
“Four,” I whisper.
His smile widens before he spins and hurries to the field. I glance around. The bleachers are empty. Everyone else is wearing jerseys or jogging around the field, involved. I’m the only one sitting out, the only one watching.
The water bottle is warm in my palm when I finally take a seat at the edge. As the whistle blows, Brynne turns. His eyes find mine, his stare intense and direct. When he winks, I forget how to breathe.
Before he takes off, his lips move, and he mouths the word: “Four.”