Had I done too much? Drawn too much attention? This was his first birthday without his parents. I didn’t know what their traditions were and maybe what he needed most today wasn’t candles or frosting or noise.
“You have an actual song you sing on someone’s birthday?” George asked.
I pulled my attention from Javier. “You don’t?”
George shook his head.
I snorted and forced some levity into my voice. “I guess it’d get old if you heard it every year for five hundred years.”
Javier took a deep breath, shoulders rising and falling as he blew out his candle. Everyone cheered. Donnie clapped his back and Javier’s lips quirked up in reply. I started cutting slices, and while the others drifted back to their table with cake in hand, Javier lingered beside me. His slice sat untouched on the table.
He cleared his throat. “Thanks,” he said quietly.
His attention moved slowly to me, and I had to brace myself not to pull him into a hug. His eyes were too sad, too full of things I couldn’t fix.
“Was this too much?” I whispered.
I remembered my first birthday without Mom. I hadn’t wanted cake or balloons or anyone looking at me like I was supposed to be happy. Ryenne and Donnie had dragged me out of the house anyway. It’d been the same for the first Christmas and Thanksgiving without her. Not that the second or third holidays without her were any easier.
Javier shook his head. “This was good. I just . . .”
“You miss your parents.” It came out slow and careful, unsure how he’d receive the words.
Nodding, he bit his bottom lip. “I wish they were here.” The words seemed to rip from his chest, and he sucked in a breath as he grabbed his slice. “But I’ve had a good time. I just wanted to say thank you.”
With a quiet nod, he went back to his table to sit beside Delaney while I sat at my own table. My heart felt heavy, andfrom the look George gave me, I saw that he not only overheard our conversation but also felt the same despair. When the girls rushed to George, he ushered everyone but Ryenne and me away with the promise of whooping their butts in the arcade games, or game pads as the fae called them. His enthusiastic words didn’t match the frown he tried to hide. Aidas and Kieren followed them while Javier and Delaney stayed behind to talk and drink their beverages, which tasted a lot like our sodas.
“You’re hiding something from me,” Ryenne said. With her lips pulled down in a frown, she leaned her elbows on the table.
I sighed. “I am, but it’s nothing bad, Ry. I just . . . I want to tell Elias first. I promise you’ll be the second person to know.”
“Third.” She tipped her chin up. “George and his voodoo-psychic magic already know.”
I stood from my chair and slipped into Ryenne’s booth to sit beside her. “You’re my best friend, Ry, and every part of me wants to tell you and Donnie, but it wouldn’t be fair to Elias.”
“He’s your soulmate or whatever.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “I forgive you, but only because I’ll be such a kick-ass auntie.”
I covered her mouth, and her eyes widened. She pointed an accusatory finger at me, and from behind my hand, she cackled.
When I removed my hand, I quietly warned, “Do not say anything.”
“I knew it,” she said between fits of laughter. When she calmed, she drew in a deep breath. “Is it a boy or girl?” she whispered.
I grinned. “I don’t know.”
“Liar. Fae have superpowers. I’d bet my left tit Leah told you the gender.”
My grin grew.
“I hate you.”
I laughed.
“You’re the worst best friend ever.”
I rested my head on her shoulder.
“Okay, fine, I don’t hate you,” she whispered back. “But that’s only because you’re incubating my niece or nephew.”
