Page 69 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

We both needed to feel each other. The feel of us together to know everything was ok. It was addicting; it was every piece of my journey falling into place. Chase made everything worth it. Every lie, every bruise to my heart, all my past pain faded as I looked into his eyes. I wanted to mark him, and I almost did. Then I decided I wanted to do that together, and I wasn’t ready for him to mark me, so it was only fair that I wait.

When we were done, I rested my head on his shoulder for a second before our food was ready. We ate and talked about a lot of things. I found out I was addicted to the way his eyes crinkled in the corner when he laughed. I loved the spark in his eye when he talked about his family. I knew one day he’d have that look about our family.

I made a mental note to check my drop box. My next three months of birth control would be in there from the healer in the Shroud. I couldn’t hide my smile when Chase said he was going to stay the night here. I was so happy he wanted to be here even when I wasn’t. I was hoping I could sneak over later.

In fact, I was positive that I could. Being able to hold my liquor was a skill necessary in the field sometimes. Both of them were actually decent at holding their liquor though. All supernatural’s were.

We went outside together. I saw Matt waiting in the distance and gave him a little wave. He nodded back to me, then snarked at Chase. I bit back my laugh. Leaving Ted made Matt very cranky. The sparkle in Chase’s eyes that was at this point practically my own personal drug when I teased him made me smile as he laughed.

I turned to Kevin and Kincade. “I’ve got a few calls to make. I need to get pizza and other things.” Both nodded and I walked back inside. I smiled when I saw Haley standing in the kitchen. Haley asked, “So, who’s the guy with that hoodie on the chair and the reason for that smile you have on your face?” I laughed, “He’s interesting. I think I really like him, so for now let’s call him a good friend.” I felt bad lying to her, and I knew she could tell. But as always, her face betrayed nothing.

Haley teased, “Lexi has a secret lover. Good for you! As long as your happy.” I told her, “I’m very happy.” I glanced out my door hoping she didn’t know Kincade and Kevin, but they were gone. They must have heard her pop in.

Haley asked, “Can I join the get drunk and talk about what an ass the Troll is party? I’ll have to pop in and out, but I still want to come.” I chuckled, “Of course you can. I was about to order pizza. We need comfort food.” Haley snapped twenty pizza boxes from her favorite place in Chicago. There was ice cream, wine, liquor, and a smattering of chocolate.

I raised my eyebrows, “What’s all this?” Haley explained, “Google said for a breakup we need ice cream, alcohol, and chocolate. We are all going to get dressed up and send Noah a picture of Sally so he can see what he’s missing. Next, we have a dance party while drinking. Then we move on to comfy clothes and talk shit on him and watch movies. I am most excited for that part, the talking shit. I’ve been ready for this moment for years. Google listed all the steps for getting over someone with your girlfriends. I am very sorry I did not know of this Google when you went through your breakup.”

I bit my lip. “It’s fine. Your version pre-Google was pretty great.” Haley closed her eyes, and everything disappeared from my house. I figured out what happened, “Did you just conjure it to Ted’s house?”

Before she could answer my phone rang. It was Ted. I answered, “Hey, Ted.” He snorted, “You had fairy help. This is like an entire bar and ice cream shop.” I laughed explained, “Google listed out steps for how to get over a breakup.” Haley nodded in affirmation.

Ted laughed, “Girl, you have to love our literal Fairy Hackura Princess. Can either of you get into my house?” I answered, “Haley can. She created it. Me you’ll have to invite in.” Ted shouted, “Well get over here!” I assured him, “Shortly.” We hung up.

I turned to Haley, “I have to get something out of my car, then I’ll be ready to go.” Haley nodded and I ran outside. I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down a note for Kevin and Kincade with the directions to Ted’s house. I grabbed a jacket out of my car and put the note under the windshield wiper. I hoped they wouldn’t get in trouble.

I ran back inside. Haley told me, “I could’ve snapped you a jacket, silly! Or I could’ve conjured it.” I smirked, “True. I’m not a fairy though so running to get stuff is not a big deal for me.” Haley nodded and I swore she looked sad and understanding for a brief second. It vanished before I could ask, and I felt another tinge of guilt slice through me. I was certain she knew but she wasn’t going to say anything if I wasn’t.

Haley grabbed me and popped us outside Ted’s house. He reached a handout and dragged me through, and Haley followed. Sally’s eyes were rimmed red from crying and Haley spoke in Fealish. Sally’s eyes were no longer rimmed red or puffy.

Sally touched her face then whispered, “Thanks, Haley.” Haley smiled, “Anytime. Gunner is working away, but while he does that. We are going to get you over the fucking Troll.” Sally laughed agreeing, “Bring it on. I’m ready to move on.” That spoke volumes. She really was done, and I couldn’t be anything but relieved. She deserved better. I should’ve come home and helped her a long time ago.

We all walked in the house together. Haley went over the alcohol then snapped eight shots. Sally laughed. Haley said, “These are jolly rancher shots. We each take two, and then I have to go back to my house for a bit until the triplets go down. I WILL be back for pizza though. It will stay warm until I get back. I used a Fairy charm.”

We all laughed and took two shots each. Haley said, “I hope you enjoy everything! The ice cream is charmed not to melt. I didn’t know what flavor everyone liked. There is a brand that’s wine flavored, so that seemed really fucking awesome. I’ll be back later! Can I borrow Lexi for a second?” Or maybe she was going to talk about Chase now. Ted and Sally nodded.

I walked outside with her. She turned, “You know this thing with Sally and the Troll isn’t your fault. It’s his.” I blinked, “What?” That’s not at all what I thought she was going to say. She told me, “Your sorrow called out to me when she was ready to get over the Troll. You feel guilty and think it’s your fault.” I pursed my lips, “Someone accepting their fairy side has made them very perceptive.” She shrugged, “I guess. I can tell more sometimes, I guess that’s it. Accepting my fairy side, I found something that makes me wonder…” She waved her hands, “That’s not the point.”

I smiled, “What’s the point?” She reiterated, “This is the Troll’s fault. He tried to separate two bad ass women from their friendship with each other because he is an insecure asshat Troll. You tried to let her be happy. He made you think you’d be in the way, and you weren’t. He was in his own damn way. You did everything right. You get to sort through your feelings and have the reactions you do. So does Sally. She gave it everything she had, and now she’s ready to move one knowing that. She NEEDED that. She HAD to give this relationship everything to see if it could work. Now she knows it fucking can’t. She has no doubts, no lingering what ifs. What if’s suck ass.” She looked away.

I reached for her, “Haley…” She snorted, “I see the what it’s all the time in the Ribbon. My brother is alive, and I’ve saved your parents in a few.” I gasped, “You have?” She smiled, “Of course. You are and have been important to me since we met. Heath is a good man, and I know what missing your dad feels like. Not in the way you two do, but I empathize. I will always help you in every strand I go to.”

I snorted, “Have you killed Noah in any strand you’ve gone to?” She shrugged, “Maybe he died in some freak accidents.” I threw my head back and laughed. I hugged her, “Go see your babies and kiss their stinking cute faces. You are one of a kind. I love you, Hales.” Her cheeks pinkened as she beamed, “Love you too, Lex.” She popped out.

I walked back inside to see my friends. Ted squealed, “Spill the deets. What else did Google tell her?” I smiled telling him, “That we needed to dance while dressed up, send the Lieutenant a picture of Sally all dressed up to see what he’s missing. Then we get in comfy clothes, talk shit on him, watch movies and get drunk. Ironically, she’s the one who can’t get drunk, but I imagine she will get as close as she can.”

Sally clapped, “I’m in for that entire plan.” Ted poured us more shots. He raised a glass, “To fairy’s finding Google, and us getting pizza that never gets cold, ice cream that can’t melt, and basically an entire bar of liquor.” We all laughed and downed our shots.

We all jumped when a card game appeared with a note. Sally walked over and read aloud:

Hey guys,

I forgot to leave this with you guys. It’s Cards Against Humanity. Google said this could be a drinking game. I decided their rules sucked. Here are mine:

1. Winner of the round: Prank call the Troll (yes, I realize this will blow up his messages. He FUCKING deserves it.) There is a phone on the counter to use. It’s untraceable with a voice distorter. I’m not even remotely sorry.

2. Second Place: Pick a tree inside the barrier. Shoot an arrow at the Troll’s face. (I already got a giant picture of him ready for practice. It’s on the deck)

3. Third place: You have to run around the outside of the house in your underwear screaming THE TROLL IS NOT WORTHY OF SALLY FUCKING QUAID!

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