Page 93 of Oleander
“Hey! I was respectful,” Leo defends himself.
“As was I!” Hawk whisper-shouts.
I try to settle them down. “Look, it’s fine. Just don’t get weird, okay?”
Hawk grins mischievously, looking exactly how I told him not to—weird.
“What’s with you and gifting orchids anyway?” I side-eye him, even though I actually love the new plant that lives in my bedroom window.
Hawk shrugs. “My mom grows them. They’re just around.”
I snort. How unthoughtful of a thoughtful gift.
“This is so exciting! I still can’t believe I’m here,” Gaia says a little too loudly, her bright eyes examining the house with rapt attention and blatant fascination.
“Shh.” I try to shush her, not completely sure what exactly the glamour tonic covers, but not willing to test its limits.
“Take it down a notch.All of you,” Zephyr orders, and I’m grateful for his commanding presence right now. Silence descends, and everyone fills their plates with Christmas treats instead, stuffing their faces with sugar.
“I’m going to see if Amanda needs any help with dinner or the eggnog,” Ander says quietly, and warmth rushes through me at his thoughtfulness.
He wants to cook with my mom and help her in the kitchen.
What a fucking keeper.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
SKYLER
“Don’t let go,” Ander pleads as we skate around the rink under the glow of the Gateway Arch that lights up the night sky. He looks handsome tonight in a fitted light gray overcoat with large black buttons and a slouchy beanie. His dark gray turtle neck sticks out, and even though he nearly falls every time he moves his feet, he’s still the sexiest person here.
“Never,” I tell him as Gaia and Nerine zoom by us, laughing and giggling. I’m glad they’re having a good time. Ander may not be the best ice skater, but I think he’s still having fun. And besides, we can get hot cocoa in one of the heated igloos after this.
I can’t wait.
Suddenly, Hawk zips by in a flash of red hair and clips Ander’s shoulder, making his feet fly out from under him. I don’t let go, so I go down with him.
Oof.
We stare up at the Arch above us as ice skaters move around us. “That dick!” I shout, slamming my gloved fist to the ice. I clamber to my feet and help Oleander to his.
Gaia and Nerine come back around. “What an asshole!” Gaia yells loudly, and a few mothers nearby eye her warily. “Ugh!I can’t stand him sometimes. Really, most of the time!” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Are you guys okay?” Her eyes turn tender when she looks up at us, her white and pink hair tucked under a magenta beanie.
“Yeah. We’re fine,” I say, squinting my eyes at Hawk as he skates backward like a show-off and a jackass. I take Oleander off the ice and help him sit down on a bench.
“I think I’m done ice skating now,” he says with a grimace, beginning to unlace his skates.
I don’t blame him. Not one bit.
“I’ll be right back. Just one sec,” I say with calm determination.
“Sky. What are you doing?” Oleander’s eyes shine with concern, but a crooked grin tilts my lips.
“Nothingtoobad,” I say honestly, winking as I hop over the dasher board and skate off after Hawk, Zephyr, and Leo. They don’t know I used to play PeeWee ice hockey, and I’m about to check a bitch.
I gain speed as I close in on them by the gate, ready to step off the rink. Hawk is last, and I shout his name so he knows what’s coming.
“Sky! You’re coming in hot! What the bloody hell are you doing, lad?!” he shouts in alarm.
