I sigh heavily, letting it echo around the empty room. There’s no need to keep my despondency in. There’s no one to hear me because I’m all alone. But at least I’m not sick. That stomach bug never fully manifested, apart from that brief and intense wave of nausea in the alley. It’s odd, but hey, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Being sick is the worst. I’m glad I’m fine, and whatever it was, it passed quickly.
The TV’s volume spikes as the crowd roars in reaction to the latest elimination. It’s supposed to be entertainment, but it feels like white noise, a distant distraction from the turmoil within me. I can’t focus on anything other than the growing need to see Blue, to talk to him, to make sense of these confusing emotions.
Just as I’m about to turn off the TV, Lello bursts into the living room.
“I’m back!” he declares dramatically, throwing his hands in the air and striking a pose like a triumphant hero returning from battle.
It makes me laugh. “Did you have a nice holiday?”
Lello’s exuberance fades as he looks around the empty room. “Oh, where is everyone?”
His eyes land on me, and his face lights up with something. His blue eyes widen and then widen some more. His hands fly up to cover his mouth.
Is there a giant spider behind me or something? Anxiously, I swivel my head to check, but I only see the back of the sofa and the wall. “What’s up?” I ask, trying to keep the concern out of my voice.
“Oh, oh, oh!” Lello squeals, practically bouncing in place.
“What?” I ask, thoroughly confused.
“You have to tell me everything! I can’t believe I missed this! I didn’t even know you two had met!” His words come out in a rush, each one more confusing than the last.
I blink, trying to make sense of what he’s saying. “Lello, what on earth are you talking about?”
He flaps his hands in the air, then jumps onto the sofa next to me with so much force that I bounce.
“You and Blue, of course!”
Damn it. My cheeks have gone all prickly and hot, which means I’m blushing. How did Lello hear that Blue and I have been hanging out together? Who told him? And while he was on holiday? I didn’t think any of the boys were that much of a gossip.
“What about us?” I croak, trying to sound innocent but failing miserably.
Lello’s eyes narrow, and his arms cross over his chest. “Don’t tease me. I can see your mate bond.”
I stare at him, my mind scrambling to process his words. “What? Who told you that? That’s crazy. We’re just friends,” I babble, feeling a wave of panic rising.
Lello stares at me for a moment, then scowls.
“I’m not teasing you, Lello,” I sigh. “Me and Blue did not get married while you were away for a week.”
Suddenly, I’m being pulled off the sofa. Lello has a firm grip on my wrist, and he’s dragging me towards the door.
“Where are we going?” I splutter, stumbling after him.
“To see what Blue has to say!”
It’s dark outside, the faintest remnants of sunset lingering in the east. The nights are drawing to a close. Summer is fading, and that always makes me sad. The pool lights are off, and the water looks inky black. But somehow, I know Blue is in there and not in his room.
Evidently, Lello knows too. He releases me, puts his hands on his hips, and taps his foot.
“Blue! Come here!”
Silence. The water laps softly against the tiled edge of the pool. The trees at the end of the garden rustle softly.
“Blue! Don’t ignore me!” Lello’s voice is insistent, demanding a response.
The water ripples. Right in the middle of the pool, the very top of Blue’s head emerges, his glowing blue eyes level with the water. I shiver. That should look terrifying, but for some reason, my mind is interpreting it as fucking hot. Like really, really hot. Pure swoon material.
“Why is Sammy telling me you two aren’t mated when I can clearly see it!” Lello’s voice cuts through the night air.
