Page 49 of The Fated Mate Bandit

“Stay in there for as long as you need to, Lucas. I’ll be working at the table when you’re ready for company.” His voice is calm and soft.

I wait for him to speak again, louder this time. I wait for him to pound on the door. I wait and I wait until my stomach gnaws with hunger and the phone under my pillow becomes harder to ignore. I haven’t checked for any messages from Daryll since yesterday morning. I know he’ll come looking for me at some point. I just don’t know when.

I slide the phone out. It’s dead, of course. The battery was low yesterday morning, and it’s an old phone. I could keep it under the pillow and continue to ignore it. What’s the point of reading Daryll’s messages anyway?

I slip the phone back into its hiding place and get out of bed. The house is completely quiet as I sneak out of the bedroom and creep down the hall. That must mean the others have left.

Silver is sitting at the table, like he promised. He doesn’t seem angry. He’s just typing on his computer and munching on a piece of toast. My mouth waters. I haven’t eaten anything all morning.

What would Silver do if I walked over to the kitchen and made toast for myself? He didn’t mind when I helped myself to food yesterday. I slowly step forward, holding my breath. I get all the way to the counter before Silver turns his head to look at me.

He smiles. “Hey. How are you feeling?”

“Oh, um, fine. I mean, I was hungry, so I thought I’d… I’m sorry about the phone number thing. I didn’t mean… I can give them my number. I’m sorry if they left because of me. I just?—”

“It’s okay. They had to get back to work. They left you their numbers here.” He holds up a torn piece of paper with four names listed: Tin, Coin, Quin, Link. Each has a ten-digit number underneath.

Back when I met Daryll, I deleted all their numbers because I didn’t want to be tempted to call them. I knew I needed a clean break. Otherwise, I’d come crawling back to Ruby’s house every time I felt lonely. There were plenty of times I regretted that decision. Sometimes I fantasized about keeping in contact with Coin or Quin, just so I could feel the warmth of being close to their family again.

I approach Silver and take the paper from him. Now I have all of their numbers. I could text Quin: How are you? I could ask Coin what songs he’s recorded. Maybe he could send me a link to listen to them.

It almost makes me want to charge my phone.

“You don’t mind if I have this?” I ask Silver.

He furrows his eyebrows. “Why would I mind?”

“I don’t know. They’re your brothers?—”

“They’re your brothers, too. No matter what. You heard what they said.”

I don’t remember that part very well. I was too busy thinking about my phone and the messages I haven’t read from Daryll. But if Silver claims they said that, I believe him.

I fold the paper carefully and slide it in my pocket.

“Could I have breakfast?” I ask.

He stands up. “Of course. Let me make you something.”

“No, I’ve got it. You keep working.” I rush over to the fridge and open it before he gets any ideas about cooking for me anyway.

“Okay, but I wouldn’t say no to more cuddling today, if you’re game for that.”

My stomach does this little flip flop. There’s nothing I want more than to sit in Silver’s lap all day while he works. This is my month of happiness, right? Why shouldn’t I?

I make myself some toast and slather it with jam I find in one of Ruby’s old mason jars. That must mean she made it. I pour myself a glass of milk, too. The doctor said I need lots of calcium. I still haven’t had the courage to bring up prenatal vitamins with Silver yet. They’re expensive, and he’s already bought so much for me. I can probably go another day or two without taking them.

I pick up my plate and glass, ready to head over to the table, when I notice the iPad on the counter. I saw it yesterday, including the charger it’s hooked up to. It’s an older one, just like my phone. I’m almost certain it uses the same charger.

I could borrow it to charge my phone. I wouldn’t have to look at Daryll’s messages yet. I could swipe past them and text Quin.

No, not yet. I might see Daryll’s texts in the process.

I set my plate and glass next to Silver’s laptop. “Is it still okay if I…”

He holds out his arms to me. “Yes, I would love that.”

I curl into his lap and rest my head on his shoulder. His scent and warmth envelope me in a cocoon of safety that feels even better today. I nibble on my toast and peel my orange, all while cuddled close to him. After I’ve eaten and drank my milk, I’m completely sated and at peace. I fall asleep to thetap,tap,tapof his keyboard and thethump,thump,thumpof his heart against my cheek.

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