Page 57 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

Sophie and Stone are already in Stone’s truck. Taking the passenger seat, I close the door.

“Let’s go,” I say.

22

DECLAN

Watching Stone’s truck pull away with Miranda and Sophie in it is wrong. Miranda should be at my side. In my arms.

Carter claps me on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s collect your parents and then see what’s up with Randi’s folks. What’s the deal with them?”

I unlock the doors to my Suburban and we get in. As we bump down the dirt driveway, I think about how to respond to Carter’s question. “Her mother runs the show. She’s beautiful and very charismatic. Charming. Flirtatious. Her father is quiet and does whatever Doreen says. Paul is great with horses. I think he prefers them to people. They are both vets, but the impression I get is Doreen charms the owners and trainers, and Paul does the hands-on work with the horses.”

I turn onto the paved road taking us through the woods to the main road to the airport.

“I haven’t seen her parents in about nine years. When Miranda was starting her last two years of high school, we all met up in New York City. They made me promise I wouldn’t try to date Miranda until after she graduated from college. I guess it was obvious I was interested in her.” I direct a smirk in Carter’s direction. “It’s probably for the best they made that rule. If I had my way, we would have gotten married the second she turned eighteen, if she loved me too, and everyone would have been very young grandparents.”

Carter laughs. “Yeah, I can see the wisdom in that. It’s been less than a week you’ve been together here and you’re already sleeping together. No surprise what would have happened with teenage hormones raging.”

I glance over at Carter. “When you guys were at university, were there any signs she was a witch? I’ve always known she had powers, but today is the first time I’m actually feeling them from her. I don’t know if it’s because we have…a deeper connection now or not?”

“No, I didn’t have any idea she was a witch. I didn’t get those vibes from her.” Carter turns and rests his back against the door. “I don’t hang out with a lot of witches, but I was with Randi all the time for years. Physical contact too. No jolts, no sparks. Nothing. With other witches I’ve known—” He must catch the side eye I’m giving him because he changes course with a sheepish grin. “Okay, been with. Generally, you kind of feel that…I don’t know. A low grade energy hum. Do you know what I mean?”

I think about what he said and nod.

“Yeah, I do. I grew up with witches. I’m used to the energy and don’t even consciously notice it. But I know I haven’t felt it with Miranda at all until today.”

“Dude,” Carter says. “If you say something like your magic peen gave her extra strength with witchy powers, I’m gonna have to punch you.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “No, trust me…I…yeah, no superpowers coming from me.”

I sigh. I don’t know what to say. I kinda wanna talk to someone. But this is awkward as hell.

“It was the first time for both of us and I don’t think it went as well for her as it did for me. And for me, it went too quickly.”

Heat rises in my cheeks and I risk a glance over to see if he’s laughing at me. To my surprise, he’s not.

He’s nodding his head. “Wow. Okay. I wasn’t expecting that. A virgin at twenty-six? You weren’t kidding about being a unicorn.” He laughs. “With you both being virgins, I’m not surprised it wasn’t fireworks and marching bands. I think everyone’s first time is kinda awkward and maybe a little disappointing for the girls. But, given the happiness Miranda was exuding before all the shit hit the fan, I think it went well enough. And with more practice, it definitely gets better for both of you.” He clears his throat. “If you ever need condoms or…whatever…there’s stuff under my bathroom sink. You know until you stock up or whatever.”

Now my face is blazing, and another glance shows a pink tinge to his cheeks too.

“Thanks, dude.”

We have about fifteen more minutes until we reach the airport, and a thought occurs to me. Hitting the button on my steering wheel, I call Teagan to see if there’s a room available for Miranda’s parents.

“I’m interested in hearing what Teagan thinks once she meets Miranda’s folks,” Carter says. “She’s excellent at reading people.”

I nod as I pull into a short-term parking spot near the terminal. This is the same airport we use for our team flights and I’m familiar with the layout.

“Yeah,” I say. “I’m curious, too, about my impression of them now I’m an adult.”

Before I can get out of my truck, I see my parents appear from the terminal with their bags in tow. I give a quick beep to get their attention and restart my engine to pull around.

“I love that your parents pull their own bags even though they are worth close to a billion dollars,” Carter says.

“They are very down-to-earth.” I shrug as I pull up to the curb where they are waiting.

Carter jumps out and takes my mother’s bag to put in the back. I get out and hug Ma first because my father is putting his bag in the back and shaking Carter’s hand. I hug Dad as Ma hugs Carter, saying she enjoys watching him play.

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