The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)

What's the point?

The only thing I do is eat, barely, and talk to my parents.

My dad woke up yesterday but is still too weak to talk.

My mom keeps trying to sound cheery, but I know she's just doing it for my sake.

It's almost funny when you think about it. The way I keep hitting new lows. I think the things that have happened to me are the worst, but then something new happens, and I get a new worse.

On the 30th, there's a knock on my door.

Someone usually leaves food at it at specific times, there's never a knock. And I know it isn't Seb, Grey, or Lilian because they all have functions now.

"Hey," Tristan opens the door. "I heard you were back."

I sit up. "Tristan."

He smiles. "How are you, Cassandra?"

I blink back tears. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing." He points at my bed. "Can I?"

I get off the bed, walk up to him and hold him as tight as I can. He returns the hug. "I missed you so much."

He sighs. "I missed you too."

I briefly let go of him and we sit on the bed. "Did Grey tell you what happened?"

His smile is sad. "Not him."

I hug him again. "Thank you for coming. It's just been a hard couple of days."

"I know."

I remember what happened the last time we were both sitting there and I pull away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't treat you like you're my boyfriend."

"It's fine, Cass," he says.

I stare into his eyes, they look a darker blue than usual.

We stare at each other, saying nothing.

"What do we do now? When we're not dating, and just two friends?" I smile weakly.

"We can talk." He offers.

I nod. "Okay."

"How did it feel? Defeating the two Ryppers?"

"I don't know. The only thing I remembered was I couldn't let them hurt my mom."

He thinks about that. "Did your magic malfunction?"

I shake my head. "No, no. It just...happened." I intentionally don't mention the white fire. I was so disoriented, I probably hallucinated it. No point mentioning something I'm not sure even happened.

He nods. "That's good. Maybe your problem's solved."

"Maybe." The knot in my chest is getting looser with each deep breath I take.

"What did Intelligence say? About the attack."

"Seb's still waiting for info."

He looks around my room. "And your parents, how are they?"

I feel the knot getting tighter. "They're good. Do you mind telling me about your break?"

He knows I'm changing the subject. I expect him to call me out but he doesn't. "I hung out with Jamie a few times. But there wasn't much to it."

I stare at his lips as he talks. It's unfair I can't kiss him. It would have been nice now. Not a deep kiss with lots of tongue, but a nice, soft, reassuring one.

I shift closer to him. "I'm really, really happy you're here."

He has a small smile on his face. "I know you are."

***

The next morning, I have a shower and go downstairs for breakfast.

"Cassandra." Seb is surprised to see me. "You're awake early."

"I couldn't sleep last night," I say as I take my seat.

Grey scoffs. "I bet you couldn't. Wasn't Tristan here till 11 pm?"

Lilian rolls her eyes. "Don't."

I clear my throat. "We're actually broken up." I take a sip of my orange juice. "But still, it was nice to see him."

Seb nods. "I'm glad to hear that."

From the other side of the table, Grey whispers to me. "So, does this mean you're coming to the New Years Dinner at Sandringham?"

Seb shoots him a stern look. "Don't."

I feel tense again. "I don't know. Maybe I'll just skip this year's." I stare at my breakfast. My appetite is suddenly gone. "I should call my mom."

I go back to my room and try not to hyperventilate.

When I've calmed down, I call my mom. She sounds better now.

"Hey, baby. How have you been?"

"I'm fine." I peer at the screen. "You look nice. Are you going somewhere?"

She smiles. "One of our neighbors is taking me out. A going away present."

I frown. "What about dad?"

"He has facetime on his laptop. He'll join the fun." She laughs.

"I'm really happy you guys are feeling better."

"You too, you're looking better, sweetheart."

There's a knock on my door.

"Have fun at your party, mom. And call me when you get back."

She laughs again. "Okay, Miss Bossy." And ends the call.

I open the door. Tristan's face is staring back at me. I ignore the butterflies in my chest.

"You're back."

"Yeah. I wanted to see how you're doing." He leans on the doorway.

"Good. Just a bit tired. I was going to go back to bed."

He arches a brow. "Haven't you been in bed all week?"

"Yeah, but..." I smile. "Not much else to do."

He nods. "Come on."

More butterflies. "Where are we going?"

"Your favorite place in the house. The pool."

"I don't know," I say.

"It'll be fun. Besides, you need the exercise." He flashes me a dazzling smile.

I clear my throat. "Okay."

I go back to my closet and change into a one-piece bathing suit. I put a dress over it.

I meet Tristan at my bedroom door and he smiles. "The heater's on, so it'll be just like we're swimming in summer."

I can't help but smile.

We get to the pool and I'm freezing.

"It's sub-zero." My teeth are chattering.

He laughs and takes off all his clothes till he's only in his underwear.

I look away so I'm not caught staring at his stomach, or arms, or chest. Why is he so beautiful?

He jumps in and swims to the edge of the pool. "It's far warmer in here."

I take off my dress, kick off my shoes, and jump in.

He's right, it's really warm. Like a giant hot tub.

I move around in a circle and smile. This feels so nice.

Tristan swims to my front and splashes warm water on my face.

I blink the water away and laugh. He splashes more and I'm soon in danger of choking.

"Stop, stop, stop." I plead between laughs.

He's laughing as well.

I swim to the edge of the pool.

"Are you alright?" He swims to my side.

I shake my head. "You know, everybody keeps asking me that. And my answer is usually yes."

There's water dripping down his face. "And now?"

I smile. "Yes, and I'm not lying this time."

I stop smiling and inch my face closer to his.

I keep my eyes open, waiting to see if he'll pull away. He doesn't.

Soon, I'm a hairsbreadth away. I tease his lips with mine. He doesn't react.

I press my lips on his and move my body so it's meshed with his.

I stick my tongue in his mouth to deepen the kiss and place my hands on his chest.

Just when I'm about to give up and pull away, he matches my intensity and grips my waist.

He lifts me and I wrap my legs around him. He moves his hands to my cheeks and pulls me closer to his mouth. He soon leaves my lips and attacks my neck with his kisses.

I arch my back and give him as much room as he needs.

He moves his hands from my cheeks and places them on my chest.

I gasp and wrap my legs tighter around his waist.

"Do you..." I breathe. "Do you want to go to my room?"

He stops kissing my neck and stares at me. His face is unreadable, I wish I knew what he was thinking.

"Or not." My arms drop to my side.

He surprises me by kissing my lips again. This time passionately.

He lets go of me and we both scramble out of the pool, leaving our clothes on the floor.

We get back to the house, go up the stairs, and into my bedroom.

I walk in first and lay blankets on the bed.

He stands by the door, watching me.

When I'm done, I turn to him.

He locks the door and advances on me.

***

After we've both showered and had dinner, we lie in my bed, tangled in each other's limbs.

I leave my head on his chest and soak in his warmth.

His phone keeps going off and he keeps ignoring it.

"Who is it?" I ask.

He sighs. "My mom. She keeps asking if I'm sure my suit is the right fit."

"Suit for what?"

"The stupid dinner tomorrow."

"Oh." I stop drawing circles on his stomach. "That."

He releases a long sigh. "Yeah."

The room is silent for a long time. "Are you going to ask me if I'm attending?"

"Do you want me to?" He asks.

"I don't know." The room is silent once again. "My mom, she's at a party right now. And my dad will be there via video call." I let out a weak chuckle.

"That's nice."

"She seems happy. She's not letting the accident define her or anything."

"Good for her."

I sit up slightly so I'm looking down at him. "Should I go to the dinner?"

A look flashes in his eyes and there's a tick in his jaw. "That's not my decision to make."

I place my head back on his chest. "I know but... If it were you, what would you do?"

"I wouldn't ask the person I just had sex with."

I freeze. "You're more than that to me."

He releases another long sigh. "I know. But... please don't ask me to make your decisions for you."

I stop drawing patterns on his chest. "Yeah, sure."

Without warning, he grips my hand and pulls me towards him. He brings his lips to mine and kisses me. "Hey."

I try not to smile. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" He kisses me again.

"Trying to make me not angry with you."

"I didn't know I was doing that." He gives me soft, gentle kisses.

I push him away. "You're awful. And I'm not going to the party."

"Perfect," he says. "Then we can stay here together."

I can't stop the smile. "I hate you."

He places his head back on the pillow.

The silence that follows is weighted.

"Or maybe I should go."

"It doesn't matter either way." Tristan sighs.

"Then I'll go." I watch his face closely.

"Okay." His face is neutral.

"I'll go."

I get my phone from the bedside table and text Keri.

She responds almost immediately. "Perfect. I'll send a dress over now."

I turn to Tristan. "I'm going."

"That's great news." His tone is flat.

I roll my eyes.