Babel Novel
Chapter 32
She turns to me quickly, the distant look gone from her face and replaced by a sweet smile. "I... I think I'm fine."
She sounds earnest, but it's still a little hard to believe. How could either of us be fine right now? She sees my doubt and works to convince me.
"I'm almost ashamed about it, but I've only felt relief since John... you know. And I might go home and look at a picture or find an old birthday card and get hit with some grief, but right now I'm only worried about you. It sounds a little messed up, but the last two days are the best I've had in a long, long time."
"That does sound messed up, A," I agree. "I wish we could have turned this page a long time ago."
She smiles again and puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder, turning the tables on who's doing the comforting.
"No use thinking about what could have been. I'm a godmother to an angel and a freaking nymph now. Let's open this damn bar!"
A few hours later, Morgan's is in full swing. And by full swing, I mean nine people are quietly drinking beers. We get a little rowdy on St. Patrick's Day, but otherwise we're just a place for locals to escape into a pint and bide their time before they have to go back to lives they've mostly grown tired of.
AJ's pouring drinks and I'm letting Joe tickle Rain's toes while she's wrapped in her little holster. As much as I'd love to let him hold her, I'm still too afraid. Joe's as trustworthy as they come, but no one in my life is what they seem anymore. I remind myself of that everytime I look at Karl's normal spot in the back.
Finally, the three Sexies arrive. Each looks a little off. Darius lacks his normal aggressive intensity, Rune has slight bags under his eyes, and Zev, in wolf form, is panting a bit. I guess the hangover from a pledge potion is legit.
The fae and the vampire sit at the bar next to a younger guy named Max who's been coming to Morgan's since his 21st birthday. He's a couple years older than me and pops in a few times a week then goes home and lies to his wife about how much he drank. Max looks at Darius questioningly.
"You're not from around here, are you?"
"No," Darius mutters back.
"Where you from?" Max says, unaware of how poorly this small talk will go.
"Elsewhere."
Max looks at me, eyebrows raised. "Got a real chatterbox over here, Bern."
"I know, Max. He's an old... family friend," I say, my inflection dripping with distaste. "Can't get rid of him, despite how much we want to."
"I hear that," Max says with a smile. "My wife's two sisters are staying with us. It's like the three of them can't talk without screaming. Don't matter if they're happy or mad, just constantly yelling."
Jennifer's sisters are in town, huh? The beginnings of a plan start to percolate.
I look from Darius to Rune, thenThis text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
down to Zev. All three are here for the long haul, whatever that haul may be. They also just chased down a unicorn and chugged some serious moonshine in order to earn my trust. I'm not shutting down the bar because I need money and a home for my daughter, so I think I ought to make the best of this hand I've been dealt.
"Max, call Jen and tell her to bring her sisters here."
"What?" Max says, terror in his eyes. "Not on your goddamn life-"
"Max, call your wife and tell her to come to Morgan's," I say, "and I'll tell her you've had two beers instead of six. And your kids can play out back with my husky."
There's a moment of silence, then Max reaches for his phone. I knew this would be an easy win.
I look down at Zev, his head cocked to the side, undoubtedly thinking angry thoughts. I scratch him behind the ears and coo at him like a dog. Darius almost laughs at that, his permanent frown twitching into a near-smile.
While Max begrudgingly texts, I move over to the stool where Rune is sitting. He's sipping what looks like a rum and coke, but I'm pretty sure it's just water with some rum-colored magic.
"How are you doing?" I ask softly, feeling an almost uncontrollable urge to care for the man who's done so much for me recently.
"Rather ill," he answers. He doesn't look up from his drink, but he does place his hand gently on my waist It's intimate and exhilarating. In response, I put my hand on hisleg, my fingers falling over the inside of his thigh.
"Well, if you're feeling up to it," I say, fighting the urge to let my hand creep higher, "I have a favor to ask."
"Anything."
His response comes immediately, his eyes penetrating mine, and suddenly I want to ask an entirely different favor that would require a trip to the bedroom. "They'll be here in ten, Bern."
Max's voice reminds me of what I really wanted to ask, and possibly keeps me from passing Rain to the nearest person with hands and leading Rune upstairs.
"Thanks, Max I say quickly before
turning back to my Elvin crush.
"There are some ladies on their way Think you can make a cool looking drink that's the most delicious thing they've ever tasted and it gets them good and drunk but with no hangover in the morning?