Page 62 of Wings of Destiny

The simple mention of it left an ache in my chest. Reminding myself.

“Fine. But you keep your mouth shut and let me eat in peace and quiet. And don’t even pull some Seth shit and try to cover my meal. It’s on me. Including those nachos.” I growled.

Josh nodded before we both scooted out of the booth to let Seth out. I slid back into my seat and Josh gracefully slid into Derik and Libby’s spot. They all said their goodbyes, Seth lingering for a brief moment. His eyes shifted between Josh and me. His brows pushed together before letting out a sigh and letting me know he’d see me at his place.

Weird.

I started eating once they left. Taking my time, mulling over the night and my wavering buzz. “You can leave now that Seths gone. I’ll hitch a ride home.”

“What happened to wanting me to keep my mouth shut?”

“You can still do that while you leave. Like I said, I'm fine,” I shoved another street taco in my mouth, mumbling as I chewed. “He just wants to play protector. He’s done it since we were kids. I was always the clumsy, reckless, frail friend, who he decided he had to take care of and protect,” I threw a crumb from the tortilla on my plate, slumping into the back of the booth. “I know Seth means well, but I’m not helpless. I don’t want to be a project. I can take care of myself.”

I’ve done it long enough.

“Miss Snow, as I’m sure you very well could handle yourself, you are still new to this world. You aren’t even a fully fledged Nephilim. Your powers are just beginning to expose themselves. And you have zero battle training. Although Mr. Draven and I don’t always see eye to eye with one another, you have been through a great deal over the last week and it would be best that someone stays nearby for the time being. It goes beyond ‘playing protector.’ It’s our job. By all means, be absolutely irate withSeth, but please for the sanity of the group, please don’t make it more difficult than it must be.”

I just stared at Josh.

Way to guilt trip me.

I’ll play along but I’m not some lost kitten that needs to be coddled or nursed back to health.

“Whatever. You guys are like helicopter parents. Maybe worse.” My buzz was totally gone, this conversation drained the last of it.

“Explain, Miss Snow. What exactly is a helicopter parent?”

“Seriously? It’s someone who’s overbearing. To an obnoxious level.”

“Ah, I see. If it helps, I don’t find any more joy in being your babysitter than you do,” he leaned forward, clasping his hands together in front of his face. A darkness flooded his pupils. “Although, I will say, you are rather entertaining. I don’t typically get groped in group settings.”

I fumed. “Prick.”

Chapter twenty

Erin

Josh dropped me off at Seth’s place an hour later. My stomach was beyond full, and I was extraordinarily grateful that Josh hadn’t said a word since we left the restaurant. He tried grilling me a few more times and I just shut it down, shoving food in my mouth and another drink to avoid the need to answer. The only time I opened my lips to respond, a bite of food remained on my tongue. It caused Josh’s lip to curl. He was prompted to keep his thoughts and twenty-questions to himself after that.

We pulled up and the only vehicle in sight was Seth’s. I groaned, not wanting to deal with him alone after his little decision about the need for me to be assigned a babysitter. I sighed and let myself out of Josh’s car before I headed up the stairs to Seth’s porch and through the front door.

Seth spread himself along the couch, feet propped up on the arm rest, one arm behind the pillow situated under his head.

Well, isn’t someone comfy?

The door shut behind me, catching Seth’s attention and he waved me over. I dragged myself over and plopped down in thesmall space next to Seth’s head. I flung my head back and closed my eyes. If he was going to lecture me about anything or talk doom and gloom, I was at least going to be comfortable.

“You good?”

“Yeap. Just getting comfortable before you smother me,” I grumbled. Seth shifted next to me but I kept my eyes shut.

“Smother you? What are you talking about?” His voice hitched.

I ignored him. “Do you have any beer or anything?” I hated the taste of it but beggars can’t be choosers. And right then, some additional liquid courage sounded like the way to go, since what was in my system from The Taco House was pretty much depleted.

A few minutes passed as we sat in silence. I peaked one eye open to see Seth staring at me. “Can I help you?” I snapped at him.

“Ah, sorry. No beer but we have that wine you like.” His mouth formed a thin line as he stood up and made his way to the kitchen.

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