Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan

28- Babysitting and board games 

A couple hours later, Darrien and I are sitting playing Monopoly at the table when there’s a knock at the door. Darrien answers it and returns with a package of food. I’m grateful for the diversion because he is absolutely dominating the game. He is far more competitive than I would have expected. He drops the package on the bench and I open it up. I find three, tightly sealed containers of what looks like chicken soup as well as some fresh, warm bread. This meal was clearly chosen in consideration of Logan. I shoot Bellamy a quick text. 

Ryann- The food arrived. It was very thoughtful of you. Thank you. 

Bellamy–You’re welcome. 🙂 

I transfer the soup into proper bowls and Darrien finds a knife and slices the bread. I place one bowl of soup on a tray and pour another glass of orange juice. Darrien adds a couple slices of bread to the tray. 

“Thanks, you sit and eat. I’ll take this to Logan.” Darrien nods. I carefully carry the tray to my room and place it on the bedside table. I pat Logan gently on the arm. 

“Logan sweetie. It’s time for you to eat something.” He wakes slowly, he’s clearly very groggy. He sits up a bit and I help him adjust the pillows around him to make it more comfortable. 

“How are you feeling?” I ask. 

“Not so good.” he answers miserably. 

“Has Nana called you?” he asks. I shake my head. 

“Not yet, but she’s probably busy. I promise I’ll tell you as soon as I hear from her. Now, I have some food for you. Do you think you can eat a bit?” Logan shrugs. I place the tray on his lap and he is careful not to knock it. 

“Try and eat a bit. Then, you can go back to sleep if you want.” Logan nods. He looks exhausted. I watch him have his first spoonful then I leave him be. When I return to the 

living area, Darrien has set up my own meal at the table. He’s also poured me a drink and set 

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some bread out for me. 

“Thanks.” I comment as I sit down. He nods. 

“Alpha Kane messaged. He told me to make sure you eat properly.” Aaaaand the formalities are back. He gives me a look that implies there is something highly significant about Bellamy’s actions. I roll my eyes at him. 

“Just eat Darrien. Then you can get back to kicking my butt in Monopoly.” I tell him grumpily. He. flashes me a smile. 

“Gladly.” 

After lunch, as planned, Darrien and I continue our game of Monopoly. Honestly at this point I know I’m doomed, but I can at least make winning as troublesome for him as possible by hanging in and being generally irritating. I am just about to call it quits and let Darrien know that he has officially won the game and the accompanying bragging rights when my phone goes off. It’s from an unknown number. I snatch the phone up quickly. 

“Hello?” I ask. Maggie’s worried voice comes tumbling through the line 

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“Ryann! How is he? I’m so sorry. I was out shopping then I thought I’d get lunch and there must have been bad signal because I never got your calls and I forgot to charge my phone last night so it was going flat and then I saw your text but my phone went flat before I could answer so I borrowed a phone to call you from this lovely waiter who has been just so helpful. Thank goodness I had your number memorised! I’m heading straight back now, I should only be another half an hour or so. I’m so sorry!” Her words all come out in one long stream. 

“Maggie, breathe. Logan’s fine. He’s resting in my room now. We watched a movie, had chicken soup for lunch and he has been a perfect angel. It’s no trouble at all.” I choose not to mention that I had to call in sick to work because of this. There’s no need to make her feel worse than she already does. 

“Would you like to talk to him quickly? He’s been waiting for you to call.” I offer. 

“Yes please sweetheart. I’ll have to keep it quick, this young man needs his phone back after all.” I can hear a man in the back ground reassuring her that it’s no trouble and to take her 

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time. I head into my room. Logan seems drowsy but he’s eaten about half the food I gave him and placed the tray on the bedside table. 

“Logan sweetie, I have your Nana on the phone. She wants to talk to you okay?” I hand him. the phone. His eyes light up as he takes the device and presses it to his car. 

“Nana? Yeah I’m okay. Ryann has been taking good care of me. Her friend too. He’s a Shifter you know, but he 

nly looks scary. No Nana I didn’t ask him to shift, I promised you i wouldn’t. Okay, I’ll tell you about it later. I’ll see you soon Nana. Love you. Bye.” Logan ends the call and hands me back my phone. 

“Nana said she’s hanging up so she can get on the bus quickly and get home.” he informs me. I nod. 

“Of course, I’m sure she won’t be long. Why don’t you lie back down and rest some more okay?” Logan nods and snuggles down into the covers. The poor kid certainly looks crook. Hopefully this is just one of those 24 hour bug things and he’ll be better by morning. I head. back to the living room where Darrien is packing away the Monopoly pieces. 

“Maggie should be here in the next half hour or so. She accidentally let her phone go flat.” I explain. Darrien nods. Actually, while I’m thinking about phones, I should probably get Darrien’s number. I mention it to him and he gestures for me to hand him my phone so he can add his number. Once he finished adding it, I text him a bunch of smiley faces and exclamation marks so he’ll have my number. He tries to keep a straight face as he receives the text but he fails and a smile slips out. Success. When I told Bellamy I was a little concerned about Darrien I meant it. The 

poor guy has probably been a wreck and has had no one to talk to about it. At least now he can talk to me if he wants. It does suck that he figured out everything about Bellamy and I, although for some reason he seems more comfortable around me because of it. I guess it evens the score between us a little. Not to mention he hasn’t tried to call me ‘miss‘ again since our discussion. So, the plan to befriend Darrien apparently only required us both to accidentally reveal our deepest darkest secrets. Who knew? I set about washing the dishes from lunch. My kitchen is tiny and there’s no space to leave mess about. Plus I only have a few bowls, I would rather wash them now than when I’m actually hungry later. Even the smallest task feels like it takes forever when you’re hungry and that task stands between you and eating. I’m just putting away the last dish when there’s a knock at the door. Once again, Darrien answers it.