Page 43 of Cider
“That’s great, Cid!” Billy grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into his lap as I laughed. “Sounds like we need to get back.”
“I know we weren’t going to leave for a few more hours, but it’s important.” I glanced at the three of them. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Cid, of course, we’ll go. This is important to you. A few hours isn’t such a big deal.” Billy ruffled my hair. “Dork.”
“Let’s get going. We can take my car.” Titus stood, offering to help me up but Billy stood with me.
“That sounds better than taking the bus again.” Billy set me down to grab our bags near the door. Jack was already at the elevator waiting for us.
Giddiness made me jump up and down a little in impatience. For the first time since Samuel showed up at my doorstep, there was hope for my store.
Chapter 22
By the time we got back to the rink, I was basically vibrating out of my own skin. Titus hadn’t even turned off the car and I was out running out of it to my shop.
Igor was sitting at the table closest to the counter while Lys sat on one of the stools. Quinten was behind it, leaning over to speak with his mate. They all looked up as I came in, followed shortly after by my own mates.
“Oh, look, you have your own harem.” Igor had a shot of vodka in front of her. “Good job. They look strong.” I think it might not have been her first.
I glanced at my brother. “Uh. Is she drunk?”
He shrugged sheepishly. “She already downed a whole bottle.”
Oh boy.
I sat across from her, taking her hand. “Igor?” She hadn’t sounded drunk on the phone. “You alright?”
Her eyes looked glassy. Oh yeah. She was wasted. Iris was going to kill me.
“Samuel can read minds. That’s what I figured out.” She held her hand to her mouth when a hiccup slipped out. “I had Lawrence’s help. We went to talk to him. Asked about employment. The guy just looked at us, stared right at Lawrence.”
She went to grab the shot glass but I pushed it out of her reach. “Sweetie, I think you’ve had enough. Tell me what happened.”
Igor sighed, running a hand through her bouncy curls.
“He laughed. Said that he knew we were just spying for you. Then he looked at Lawrence and said, ‘You don’t love her. Just tell her already. You’re not some pawn in her life.’ After that, Samuel laughed again, told me to stop trying to run it through in my head, that looking into it was giving him a headache and went into the back room.” She laid her head on the table, turning her cheek to look up at me mournfully. “Lawrence doesn’t love me. Why?”
“Oh, hunny.” I took her hand. “Did Lawrence say anything?”
I’d go over what she’d discovered about Samuel later. Right now, my friend needed help.
Her hiccups started coming faster. “No.” Hic. “He just looked at me with his big, sad eyes. Like I’d disappointed him. Again.” Hic. Tears slid down her face. “Why can’t I figure this out? I don’t like being human. I should just stay a plant.”
Quinten rounded the counter, took Lys hand, and left through the front door. Titus followed with Billy and Jack to give Igor some privacy.
“Igor.” I lifted her chin up gently to make sure she was looking at me. “Hey. This is all new to you. You’re trying. That means a lot. Lawrence sounds like he has his own internal struggles that he just isn’t sharing. Do you really want to be with a,” I paused. I wasn’t quite sure what to call him, “male who isn’t willing to at least try like you’ve been?”
She blinked owlishly, but her glassy eyed stare started to clear. “You know. You’re right. I’ve been trying really hard to understand all of these emotions. For Lawrence. Yet, he’s not tried once to see why I want to be this way.” Her back straightened and she grabbed the shot glass from across the table, chugging it. “I’m a catch! I’m motherfucking Igor! I don’t need a male to have self-worth!” She slammed the glass down. “Thanks, Cider. I needed that kick in the ass.” She wiped her mouth. “Let’s get down to business. You can bring back the others. I’m good now.”
I made a mental note to make sure to talk to Iris later on. Just to give her a heads up. She might be able to hide Lawrence from Igor’s wrath. Poor guy. He messed with the wrong lady.
The others came back into the store when I caught Quinten’s eye from outside. I settled more into my chair as I looked at Igor.
“So, he’s a mind reader.” I tapped my fingers on the table. “I wasn’t aware of any kind of supe that had that power, unless it was some kind of spell.”
Hands pressed into the muscles on my shoulders, kneading them gently. I looked up and offered Jack a soft smile in thanks. His beautiful clear eyes relaxed me.
“What if he is human? There are humans with some powers, albeit rare.” Lys stood next to Quinten, or rather, was leaning against him. “Like those psychics. Maybe he’s like that?”
