“I want to apologise for the first day we properly met,” he says quietly, obviously trying to stop the others from overhearing.
“When River and Creed bumped into you? There is nothing to apologise for” I’m confused as he’s never said anything negative to me.
“Erm, no, when you were sitting on the balcony and I opened the curtains”, he says. Ohhhh.... ah!!!! Erm, yeah, I think we are now both matching shades of red.
“Oh, Humm, I was more confused as Creed told me he had a brother, not an identical twin. I got stuck on that Creed’s wolf had appeared part, but I couldn't sense his incubus side, and I was very confused” I kind of stumble over my words, hoping he doesn't take offence, luckily, he doesn't.
“Oh,” he chuckles.
“Yeah, I have some traits like he does, Wolf ones, but yeah, it’s the non-identical part we have”, I look at him.
“There are a few others; when I really look, your eyes aredifferent shades, your scent is more natural, like the smell of freshly squeezed oranges, whereas Creed smells of Lemon polish” I turn back to my sketch, and I see him relax out of the corner of my eye.
“I’m one of your mates, but I don’t think I’m ready for bonding yet; I saw the photo of you and Miles reading and wondered if we can start there” he's gone red again
“Jace”, I chuckle.
“I have ten mates if all of them pounce on me straight away like Ren did, I would be incredibly sore even with the healing Creed, and possibly you can do. Go as fast or slow as you want; it’s not a race or competition in my eyes. We have plenty of time,” I take a breath.
“I would rather you take your time and not mark me than regret it afterwards and then turn cruel” his face flashes from relief to annoyance to pure anger
“I would never.... anyone who does that to their fated doesn't deserve one”
He then leans forward and kisses me. He’s shy and unsure, and he doesn't try to deepen it. He then pulls back kisses my nose, then pulls us more into the corner of the sectional; there are two more couches surrounding the firepit/coffee table, and some sections have hidden storage for blankets. Jace finally opens his e-reader. I glance over, and he's reading Home by Nikita Parmenter; I raise an eyebrow.
“I like romance stories; this came up on the ‘you may like’ part on my reader”
He shrugs.
“Elise loved that series. Jenson was her favourite; some of his antics remind me of another by the same name; ours just doesn’t have the fascination with knives” he nods and settles in; I go back to my sketch as the others file out.
Devin sinks next to me with a huff and starts swiping through something on his tablet; letting out another huff, he plonks the tablet next to me on the seat.
“Ren, we've got two months to get your promotional stuff sorted, and then we have one month left before your fight.” Devin sounds stressed; I look at Darby.
“Devin has decided he’s going to be our talent manager when we leave high school, so he will manage Ren, Jace, Creed, Bram and River's careers” he pauses to see if I’m following.
“And let me guess, Ren still can't relax in front of a camera and looks constipated when he poses for photos?” I say with a smirk and a chuckle; I’m hit with a hoodie that smells of Pine trees and fresh snow.
“Oh, good, I was feeling chilly,” I slip the hoodie over my head and smile at Ren, getting a laugh from most of the others; Devin is transfixed to the Sketch I am doing, and I start to feel self-conscious.
Devin
I stare at the drawing; I hear someone clear their throat and look up to see some of the guy’s tense; I realise they are watching Ember, not me, who is shrinking in on herself; I pass the book to River, as he is the one depicted
“I was just messing around. It’s not good, I know,” she mumbles; River snatches up the book, then starts singing Rewrite the Stars, Bram joining in doing the Female part, and Miles perks up, peeking at the pad,
“If this is what you class as not good and just messing around, I can’t wait to see what you call amazing”, he’s bouncing in his seat between Bram and Bray.
“Can I look at the others?” he asks; the barely-there nod makes him go to the start of the book and carefully flick through.
“Can I put this in a frame?” he spins the book to show Bram, Bray and Miles surrounded by different types of crystals, minimal color; Ember just nods, still not looking at anyone.
“I got an idea; most sports stars use photos that are then adapted; why don’t we break the trend and use Ember’s sketches and then throw in candid shots every now and then?” I say, turning to Ember.
“That’s if you’re okay with it; if we get you to do a batch of images each year, then we keep it fresh with candid’s; the only time we might need extras would be when he gets new sponsorship or belt,” She sits, looking at me for a moment with her mouth open.
“Little sister, that will work with your future plans, even if you were only paid a percentage of merchandise sales”I turn, not being able to keep up with the rapid Russian dialect; Lily has appeared and looks thoughtful at Ember, stepping into the role of guidance counsellor, and Liam has followed her out
