Page 63 of Hooked on a Demon
Yeah, that’s fine.
Cool. See you in a few.
The drive over is short. As he turns the last corner onto Lachlan’s street, Buckley perks up in the back, panting with excitement.
“Where are we, buddy?” Declan says, riling Buckley up even more. He pulls into the driveway, quickly parks, and as he opens the truck’s back door, Buckley pushes his way out, running to their front door. He barks a couple of times before looking back at Declan as if to say,what’s taking you so long?
Declan opens Lachlan’s front door, and Buckley flies inside, nails clicking on the floor as he searches for his second favorite demon.
“Lach,” Declan calls into the house as he follows Buckley in.
“Out back!”
Buckley makes his way to the door before Declan. When he catches up, Declan opens the sliding glass door and lets the dog loose. He’s greeted by Petra’s giggles and Daisy and Sloan yelling in unison, “Grab your drinks!” Buckley is adorable and so lovable, but his tail will absolutely clear a table.
Laughing as he watches everyone but Petra scramble for their drinks and clear the table before Buckley can do it for them, he grabs his own can of soda from the minibar fridge and makes his way to the seating area to join everyone else.
“Hey, you. Haven’t seen you around the Acorn lately,” Daisy says, giving him a once-over.
“Yeah. Been busy and haven’t felt up to it.”
“I’m sure.” Her tone is dry, like she doesn’t quite believe him. “Everest has been there plenty, though. He seems to find himself getting into more trouble when you aren’t around.”
He winces. “Hopefully nothing too bad.”
“No, he does need to keep better track of his partners, though,” Lachlan chimes in, earning a laugh-snort from Daisy and Sloan. “He keeps us entertained, and seems to know when to rein it in, at least.”
“That’s good. I think he’s been feeling a bit lonely lately. But I’m not feeling that scene so much anymore.”
“Oh?” Petra replies, perking up and shifting her attention away from the fur monster rolling onto his back for her to pet his belly. She turns to face them, crossing her legs in front of her as a hand passively rubs Buckley’s fluffy stomach. “Is there something we need to know about, Dec?”
He hangs his head, trying to decide if he wants to do this here and now. He came here because he planned to discuss everything with Lachlan and seek his advice. But with everyone here? Is it too much? Too many opinions? Too much judgment?
Fuck.
He lets out a frustrated groan, raising his head. His gaze catches Petra’s interested but caring expression, and that seals it for him. He knows she would never steer him wrong, and if anyone can help him with a fucked up situation, it’s this crew.
“Yes.”
“I knew it!” Daisy calls out, fist pumping the air. “Who is she?”
Groaning again, he wrestles with the words that want to fly out of his body. What he wants to shout to the world, but can’t.
“Eliana.”
All eyes are on him. The pressure of their stares weighing on him, but there is no response. He waits another beat, hoping they’ll make the connection without him having to explain it. When they don’t, he finishes, “Oaks. As in Everest’s sister.”
“No fucking way!”
“Your best friend’s sister?”
“Didn’t she move to Hollybrook?”
“For how long?”
They all ask their questions simultaneously, each voice layering over the other. It takes him a second to sort it all out before he responds. “Yes, my best friend’s sister. Yes, she did. She moved away to be a dancer but got injured and recently moved back home. And it’s been going on for like a month or so. But things have really picked up over the last couple of weeks.”
“A MONTH!” Lachlan says, incredulous. “Wait, is that why you were asking me about how to know when to settle down?”
