Page 96 of Above
“It’d be rude not to,” I corrected as if it weren’t me who had insisted we didn’t go.
“You don’t even want to go, you said so yourself!” She had me there. But I was not about to bring Altair back to my house.
“Shoot, she’s right,” Mama quickly said, though I could tell she wasn’t excited about the idea. “Well you simply must come!”
“You can’t invite people to someone else’s event,” I chided, so bewildered by her sudden obsession with Altair.
Again she waved her hand at me, pursing her lips. “Don’t listen to her. You can be our plus one. I imagine such fancy events have those. And I’d feel much safer with you with us. We’re going to the…”
She let the words fall, looking at me with a question in her eyes. Sometimes I swore the universe was against me.
“Talon invited us over,” I answered, wishing I could run away.
“Ah, well, I’d love to come, but we aren’t really seeing eye to eye right now. I do hope you four have fun, though. It was lovely seeing you.” With that, he took Mama’s hand, placing a gentle and quick kiss to the back. Dad sighed, rolling his eyes when Mama blushed.
“Please do come for dinner soon, though. Yes?”
“I’d be honored.”
“Great! Nova, we’ll give you a minute to say goodbye,” Mama whispered, winking at me.
“The fuck we will!” Dad cut in, pointing at Altair like he might cut him down with his finger. Mama only huffed, pushing Dad’s chair away to the wide opening ahead. Celeste hesitated, her glare for Altair fierce and determined.
“I’ll be right there, don’t worry.” For a moment, I wondered if she wouldn’t leave, but then she let her head fall back with a groan and turned, heading toward Mama and Dad.
When I was sure she was out of earshot, I stepped toward Altair, baring my teeth at him.
“What are you up to, Snake?” I demanded. He only chuckled in response, staring down at me like he knew something I didn’t.
“I like your mother,” he stated, shrugging.
“I’m not buying that. Tell me what it is you’re really doing. Flirting with me, being nice to my family,” I shoved my finger into his chest, “all of it is a part of whatever plot you’re concocting.”
“The Zade home isn’t exactly a safe place for you all,” he commented, changing the subject.
“Talon is my—well, he’s—it doesn’t matter. He’ll keep us safe! And it’s none of your business.” Despite my scowl and hostility, Altair remained mildly amused, his eyes unblinking as he looked at mine.
“I liked your eyes better before.” What was he on about?
Bringing my fingers to my aching temples, I huffed, “Of course you did, because back then I didn’t have the stars.”
“They looked like heated honey.” Altair stepped closer, his head tilting down to maintain eye contact. “Or a liquid sunset.”
“Stop that!”
“Stop what?”
“Being nice!”
“It doesn’t seem to bother you when Talon does it.” He cooed, his wicked grin never fading. “Or Cal.”
Throwing my hands down, I balled my fists, resisting the urge to hit him. “You hate me and I hate you, there’s a difference. Talon and Dofrel—apparently—like me.”
“I’ve already told you I like you.”
“You told me you’d like me dead at your feet!”
“Potato, tomato,” he scoffed, shrugging again.
