She picks up her fork. “Don’t worry. I will.”
I have to admit the cake looks really nice, but I’m not going to deprive my stepmum on her birthday.
“I’ve had a lovely time,” she says when she’s finished. “Thank you all for coming.” She holds Rubin’s hand and reaches across the table for mine. “I miss having the two of you underfoot. I want you both to come and visit more often. Do you hear?”
“Yes, Mum,” Rubin says.
“I’ll try.”
“It was lovely to meet you, Stefan,” Sabella says.
“It was,” Dad agrees. “Hopefully, we’ll see you again soon.”
“Mind if I share a taxi to the station?” Rubin asks. “I need to get back to St Pancras too.”
“Of course not,” Stefan replies.
Stefan uses an app on his phone to summon a taxi, and then we say our goodbyes and go to wait outside. The crisp, cool air helps me feel a little bit more awake. I had so many tiny cataplexy attacks over dinner that I’m exhausted.
I manage to stay awake in the taxi, but when we get on the train, I cuddle up to Stefan and let sleep take over.
I hear voices before I’m truly awake, or maybe I’m dreaming. I can’t be certain. I can’t open my eyes or move, so maybe it is a dream.
“Quinn’s mister forgiveness,” Rubin says.
“I’d noticed.”
“What I’m saying is that you’d better not intentionally hurt him, unless he asks you to. I know what he’s into.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“He’s been treated like shit before, but he’s too nice to walk away. People use him. Don’t do that.”
“I won’t,” Stefan replies solemnly.
“Good. Because if you do, it won’t matter that you’re a scary, goth Dom. I’ll kick your arse.”
“I believe you. You and Quinn are close, aren’t you?”
“Close enough for me to be protective of him. Are you protective of your brother?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know where I’m coming from.”
“I do.”
“We’re nearly at St Pancras. One of us had better try to wake Quinn.”
Someone nudges me gently. I’m pretty sure that is real. The touch acts like an On switch, allowing me to open my eyes and jerk out of sleep. I blink and look around.
“It’s time to get off the train,” Stefan says gently.
I rub my eyes. “Thanks.”
I let Stefan support me as we stand and leave the train.
“Well, this is where we part ways,” Rubin says, giving me a hug. “Well done for surviving our parents, Stefan.”
