Page 48 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

“Yeah,” I sigh. I roll my neck, trying to release some of the tension lingering in my sore muscles. Hayden reaches around me with one hand to knead at them and I tip my head forward. “Hard to concentrate, though. Can’t stop thinking about her,” I grumble. “About both of them.”

Hayden huffs a soft laugh and I groan when their fingers dig into the tendons at the base of my skull.

“I need to see her again, Hayden.” I swallow hard, almost regretting the vulnerability of the words, but my instincts are riding me hard. Hayden’s eyes are knowing when they tip my chin back up, and I’m grateful to see a matching need in their dark gaze.

“You’re in luck,” Hayden says, picking up their phone and flashing the screen at me. “Tomorrow.”

I can’t believe I agreed to this. I’m in my truck outside the community center, wiping my face down with a washcloth I brought from home specifically for this purpose and dampened with the last of my water. I also pulled over on the way here and clambered into the backseat, managing to change into a fresh set of workout clothes without flashing my ass at anyone.

Now I’m sitting here trying to hype myself up to get out of the truck and join the tai chi class Aury invited us to. I’ve never done anything like it before, and I’m sure I’ll be terrible, but he said both him and Siobhan want Hayden and I to join them so… What choice do I have?

I already can’t say no to either of them.

I set the washcloth aside and pull the small, wrapped box with her next gift from under my seat. I wish I had something for Aury too, but he did say time was a gift to him, so I suppose my being here is a gift? What a strange concept.

Tap tap tap.

I leap out of my skin at the sound of someone knocking on my window. My eyes leap up from the box in my hands as I fumble it and my heart skyrockets, careening straight out of my chest.

“Hey,” the man says, his voice faint. He gestures for me to lower the window, but now I’m searching for my keys, jumping at a telling jingle when I accidentally kick them. I hold up a finger, then duck down and feel around by the pedals.

I glance at the man and give an awkward smile-nod, and finally I jam the key in and roll down the window. It takes me a couple tries to clear my throat before I can speak.

“Hey, Aury,” I say.

He smiles at me and leans one shoulder against the side of my truck. We’re at about eye level like this, and with me sitting, I feel off balance. I grip the box in one hand, and prop the other arm on the console, then move it to rest on top of the steering wheel. That doesn’t feel right either.

Why don’t I know what to do with my arms? What are arms even for anyways?

“Hey Jayce. I was taking a quick break for some fresh air. Been stuck inside all day. You coming in?”

“Oh, yeah. Mhm. Yep.” Apparently I don’t know what to do with my mouth either. I roll my lips between my teeth, then attempt to smile at him as though I’m not making a terrible first one-on-one impression.

Aury chuckles and pulls the door open. “You’re cute when you’re flustered,” he says, and my ears feel so hot I’m sure they’re scarlet. “You ever done any martial arts before?”

Aury steps back, still holding the truck door open, and I take the hint. I clear my throat for what feels like the thousandth time in two minutes, and step down. Suddenly, we’re no longer eye level. Although he’s tall for a beta, I’m still taller, and we’re standing so close he has his face tilted up to look at me.

“No,” I say. “Never.”

“We’ll start easy. Come on.” He slams the truck door closed, then takes my hand in his. His fingers are slender, his palm warm and soft against my callouses, but his grip is firm. I wrap my hand around his and let him guide me inside.

When we enter, Hayden is already there, chatting with Siobhan. A couple other omegas and a few older betas are milling around as well.

“That’s Sage and Wren, two of Siobhan’s closest friends,” Aury says.

I’m thankful he mentions it, as I don’t want to make a bad impression on anyone important to her. I give them a polite smile and nod, and they both giggle, then duck their heads together. That doesn’t help my flaming ear situation, and I can feel the flush creeping down my neck.

“You made it,” Siobhan says. Then her nostrils flare and the smile falls from her face.

Shit.

“Sorry,” I say, accepting a shoulder-clap from Hayden in greeting. “I had to come straight from work. Tried to wash quick and changed my clothes, but,” I wince, “not much else I can do about the smell. I can go⁠—”

“No!” Siobhan’s fist snatches the front of my t-shirt and curls in, holding tight. “I mean,” she pauses, clearing her throat as she stares with wide eyes at her own hand crumpling the front of my shirt. “Um.” She tugs, and I take a tiny step forward. Her eyes flare again and leap to mine. “I, um.” She stares up at me and I get lost in the clear blue of her eyes. “…like it,” she breathes.

“Ohhhh boy,” Aury says, his voice low enough I’m not sure any of us were meant to hear it. “Let’s get started, eh?”

I nod, and Hayden pats me on the back. Neither Siobhan or I move though. We’re locked in each other’s gazes, and she keeps sucking in deep breaths, slowly leaning towards me. Does she like how I smell right now? I certainly like how she smells…