Page 14 of Purple Protector

Aaron wanted Palmer to be right, but he couldn’t let himself hope. The clan wasn’t his home, and Birch wasn’t his boyfriend. By the end of this, he’d be going home alone.

So very alone.

BIRCH HAD NOTICED AARON walking into the dining hall. He didn’t think Aaron had seen him, probably because Birch usually ate lunch with Killian and Marlin in Killian’s office. Today, though, he was sitting with his brother.

“I feel I lost you,” Curran said.

Birch turned his attention back to him. “You didn’t. You were complaining about our moms, which I’ve already heard time and time again. There’s nothing new there, so why should I pay attention?”

Curran slapped Birch’s arm. “You’re not funny. You don’t know what it’s like to live with them.”

Birch grinned. “And I’m thankful for that.”

“But I can find a way to get them off my back. Maybe I’ll tell them that you’ve been making eyes at that human, and they’ll leave me alone.”

“Do that, and I’ll kill you.”

“Oh, I’m so scared.” Curran’s tone made it obvious that he wasn’t, but Birch wasn’t trying to scare him, anyway. He’d never hurt his brother, and Curran knew it.

Or maybe he would give it a thought if Curran actually told their mothers about Aaron.

“Seriously, though,” Curran added. “There’s nothing bad about you having a crush on anyone, even the new human.”

“I don’t have a crush on him. That would be you with Marlin.”

Curran’s skin was a lighter tone of purple than Birch’s, so when he blushed, it was obvious. Birch’s smile widened when he saw that his brother was doing just that. It might be cruel of him to tease Curran about his crush on Marlin, but Curran had had it for years, and he’d never made a move. Birch wasn’t even sure that Marlin knew how Curran felt about him.

“Shut up,” Curran muttered.

“I’m just saying that you should probably talk to Marlin. Don’t you think it’s time you tell him how you feel?”

“I don’t feel anything. He’s your annoying best friend. That’s all.”

“Maybe, but he’s my annoying best friend you have feelings for.”

“We were talking about you, not me and Marlin. You like the human, don’t you?”

“Aaron,” Birch answered without thinking about it. “That’s his name.”

Curran wiggled his eyebrows. “You like Aaron.”

“He’s a nice person, but I barely know him. Besides, even if I did like him, I wouldn’t do anything about it.”

“Why not? If you like him and he likes you, I don’t see what the problem is.”

Birch tapped his fingertips on the table. “How can you not? I don’t have time for a relationship, especially one with a human who doesn’t understand our ways. You know how much time I spend with Killian and Hedley. Do you really think Aaron would be okay with being second best in my life? He doesn’t deserve that. No one does.”

“It sounds to me like you’re making excuses. Killian would give you time off if you asked for it. Besides, you don’t know what Aaron wants or doesn’t want. Did you talk to him about it?”

“Of course not.”

“Then maybe you should.”

Birch narrowed his eyes. “You’re starting to sound more and more like Alayna.”

“Why do you have to offend me like that?”

They were both smiling. As annoying as their mothers were, Birch and Curran loved them. Birch hoped that Alayna was done playing matchmaker, although even though she’d promised she was, he wouldn’t be surprised if she found another way to throw single dragons at him. He was sure that if Curran mentioned that Birch liked Aaron, Alayna would find a way to talk to him and convince him to give Birch a chance.

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