Page 9 of Sweet Dreams

“You scared the shit out of me,” I told her, giving my glaring sister my attention again.

“I scared you? Aren’t you supposed to have superhuman senses or something?”

“Or something,” I grumbled back.

“Okay, well, if you hadn't been mooning over her, then maybe you would’ve heard me coming. Especially since I was all but yelling your name.”

“I wasn’t mooning.”

Bailey stepped under the shade of a local businesses awning. One quick look told me the brightly colored window read Nick Knacks in swirling, elaborate writing. “You were one hundred percent mooning,” Bailey hissed, leaning in as a grin stole across her face. I could feel my neck heating, even in the mild weather.

“Okay, fine. Mooning. But, what the heck are you doing here?” I glanced around us. “Did you follow us?”

Bailey snorted but quickly ducked under my gaze. “Maybe?”

“Fuck, why are you doing that? Are you okay? Do you need Traum?”

“No,” Bailey looked apologetic now, “I heard what he said. That he wants you to stay away from her. But, I have a feeling I don’t have the full story. When I asked him, he said it wasn’t his story to tell. So, yes. I followed you.”

My shoulders drooped. I was relieved that my brother hadn’t just spread my stories to his new mate, but now, the unfortunate task of explaining my inability to function as an incubus to my new sister fell to me.

My face must’ve said everything. Her voice softened, the kindness I loved so much from her surrounded us in an instant. “You don’t have to tell me anything. But, if you want someone, not Traum, to hear your side of things. I’m here for you. I just wanted you to know that.”

For a long moment we stared at each other, the soft noises of a small town happening all around us. The gratitude in my chest could not make it up and out of my throat, for the fear that clogged it there. Because if she knew everything, she would no doubt come to the same conclusion I already had.

And I wasn’t sure I wanted that.

Not yet. This secret, no matter how big, was still mine and mine only. I would share it, but not yet.

Because the moment my brother found out that I too had a human mate, he was going to lose his fucking mind.

Chapter Three

Lulu

I needed more coffee, and not from that machine that Bruce was so obsessed with. I needed the good stuff, the kind that made my fingertips tingle and my brain do a full Riverdance before an audience of barely contained ideas.

I also, probably, needed sleep. But, the coffee was easier to obtain.

“Grandpa!” I leaned back in my chair, “I’m going to get some coffee from Joe’s place. Do you want anything?”

My grandfather had been locked in the back room, wrapping up final edits since breakfast. Surely the man needed coffee too.

But still, no answer. With a groan from my wheeling chair, I stood and made my way around my small desk. The only other desk in the room, usually occupied by Bruce, was empty today. Bruce was not only was my grandfather’s assistant but also doubled as The Salus Glen Posts' photographer and was oftentimes off-site getting pictures at local events.

I would text him on my way and see if he wanted anything.

“Grandpa?” I raised my voice as I walked down the narrow hallway to where his door was open with only a crack. I knocked once, then pushed in, repeating myself as I did. To my surprise, my grandfather was scrambling, standing, sliding, anxious, shaking hands over his face as he twisted to face the window away from me.

“Hey, sorry,” my stomach clenched. His reaction had been so dramatic, so strange. I wanted to ask about it, but it was clear by the set of his body that he wasn't interested in divulging more. “I was–uh–I was going to go to get some coffee. Do you want anything?”

Grandpa’s throat cleared once, twice, then a “No, thank you. Bruce is on his way back though, maybe pick him up something.”

I wanted to ask what Bruce's order was these days. The man was mercurial about his coffee orders, but something told me I needed to leave. That I wasn’t welcome here or now. I felt my throat get tight, the heat in my body rising as I stared at the back of the man who had raised me.

“Do you–.”

“I’m fine, Lu. Go.”