Page 78 of Seer
See you at Henry’s!
There was probably some rule forbidding telling people who weren’t magic carriers about... everything. But I’d already told Steve and Felix most of the fuckery that’d gone down last week, and I trusted them not to tell anyone else.
After a lengthy Q&A session with Ms. Jackson, I left the TV on with the most recent season ofAmerican Idolstreaming. Then I left to meet the guys at Henry’s.
Steve and Felix were sitting at a booth near the bar, so I dodged the hostess and headed over. Their faces lit up when they saw me, and I felt myself tearing up a little.
“Hey,” I said as I sat down next to Steve. “It’s good to see you guys.” My voice was a little quavery on that last bit.
They both frowned at me. Steve put an arm around my shoulders. “Stressful week, or do we need to commit violence on a certain magical pet resort owner?”
The server came by and dropped off three margaritas. I leaned into Steve. “You guys are the best.”
Felix slid my margarita over. “Is everything just hitting you now, or is it the Greg stuff that’s bothering you?”
I shook my head. “The whole thing. It’s been a lot to take in. That guy died on Monday. I had to talk about what happened with my mom and the visions. And I found out Greg’s childhood wasn’t too great either. It’s been a lot.”
Steve squeezed me tighter. “I’ll say. Well, here’s hoping things will get a little easier for you.” He picked up his margarita with his free hand and we all clinked glasses.
I took a hefty swallow of my drink, then I smiled at my friends. A ball of stress I’d barely been aware of loosened in my gut. “Fuck, I’m glad to see you.”
Steve leaned his head into mine. “Do you want to tell us about it, or do you just want to bask in the glow of our presence and we’ll discuss stupid crap instead?”
“Nah, I need to tell you guys. Plus you can help me decide what to do about Greg.”
Felix flagged down the server. “Three more of these, please. Plus a bowl of queso and chips.” After she left he turned back and smiled. “Now we’re prepared.”
So I started talking. I walked them through what’d happened Monday with the Wonders, then going to TWIST on Tuesday. I left a few things out, like details of Greg’s family life and anything to do with Ms. Jackson. But I did tell them how Greg said I was worth being with after all.
Steve and Felix were wide-eyed through the entire story, sipping their drinks and eating chips and queso without interrupting me with questions.
When I finally stopped talking, Steve shook his head. “That’s... wow. I don’t know how I’d feel if I was suddenly joined at the hip for life with some stranger.”
I snorted. “I don’t really know how to feel either. But at least I’m not having any withdrawal symptoms or whatever Greg’s mom was saying would happen when he and I are apart. And this isn’t the important issue right now anyway. I should be worrying about stopping these fog monsters.”
Felix drained his margarita and set the glass down on the table. “Agreed, but you have the night off. Plus, Steve and I can’t help you with the scary fog people stuff, cause, you know, not magical.” He waved a hand between himself and Steve.
I nodded. “Not expecting you to. It’s helping that you listen to me spill my guts.”
“Anytime,” he said. “But I have questions about this Greg situation.”
“Go for it.” I picked up my own margarita and sucked it down. I should probably stick with water for a while.
He leaned over the table. “Let’s say we understand how he could’ve freaked out and made crappy decisions and pushed you away due to his anxiety. But.” He held up a finger. “Did you believe him when he said he was attracted to you?”
Fuck. I blew out a breath. The server was walking by, so I flagged her down and ordered a plate of nachos, some guacamole, and another round of margaritas. I could have water on the side.
Then I looked at Felix. “I don’t know. Ithinkso? I mean, I wasn’t getting anything through our connection that felt like he was lying, but he’s had a lot more experience with using magic than I have, so he could’ve been manipulating what he was sending me.”
“Hang on,” Steve interjected. “What does it feel like? The connection, I mean.”
“It’s like... you’re sitting on the couch with someone. You’re not looking at them, but you know if you turn your head they’re right there.” I frowned. “And he’s getting closer. Great. Now I can tell how far away he is from me.” My frown turned to a scowl. “He’s definitely moving in this direction.”
Fortunately our drinks and food arrived, so Felix and Steve were distracted while I digested this new ability. It could’ve been there all along, but Greg and I had been in each other’s pockets for days, so I hadn’t noticed.
Felix said. “Alright, so... are you attracted to Greg?”
I froze, the chip full of guacamole dangling from my fingers. Steve swiped it before it could fall.
