To my surprise, Jackson makes absolutely no move to put me down. Instead, he just looks at Luca evenly for a second. “Your girlfriend?” he asks, the words low and light with disbelief. He hums consideringly and then turns his face back up to mine. “What do you think, Clark?” he murmurs, nodding over
“You just said it,” Rafe says with a shrug. “Luca, you have admitted that you don’t want Ariel to be with Jackson. Jackson, you agreed, saying you felt the same way – you don’t want her to be with Luca.” All three of us just stare at Rafe like that’s obvious. Actually, all five of us if you count
But also…what is it that I want? Do I actually want like…two boyfriends? How would that even work? And what does that look like in twenty years – do we all just…live in a house together? Would we…have kids? God, this is so weird. Jackson blushes deeply now that he’s been put on the spot, his mou
My brother, seeing the very real grief on my face, stands and moves to my side, pulling into a hug. “You’re getting the best end of this deal,” he murmurs after a moment. Then Rafe loosens his arms and stands between me and my mates, not letting them see the sadness written in every line of me becau
Jackson hesitates, glancing away from me and looking down the stairs. “Jacks!” I gasp, pulling his face back to look at mine, aghast at the idea that he wouldn’t come. “You said you! You told my mom!” “Ariel,” he sighs, shaking his head and wrapping the arm around my waist tighter, pulling me cl
We basically have to sprint across the field where the candidate barracks are to get down to the train tracks in time. The sleek train is waiting there, puffing steam, filling with cadets all eager to get home for winter break. As we run I mentally thank my mother again for her healing powers – who
A little worry curls in me at this and I open my mouth to ask more questions, but suddenly the train emits a loud whistle that makes me leap nearly out of my boots. “Come on!” Jesse calls, sticking his head out from inside the coach. “There’s champagne in here! I am not waiting for you! If it’s al
“Come on,” Luca murmurs, smiling down at me, and when I open my eyes I can’t help but smile back. “Let’s get inside – they’re probably eating Daphne alive in there.” “Oh, no they’re not,” I say, dismissive of the idea and unwilling to go inside just yet, relishing this moment alone with my mate. I