10. Chapter 10

Chapter ten

Sammy

I have no idea what is going on with this reality TV show. It's one of those where people get voted off, but I can't figure out the voting system. Probably because I'm not paying attention.

Instead, I'm sitting here in the living room alone, trying not to think about Blue. It's too early to go to bed, and it's pointless to go out and try to find customers on a Sunday night. They're all tucked up in bed with their wives, ready for Monday morning in the office.

I glance at the TV, where a dramatic elimination scene is playing out, contestants lined up, anxiously waiting to see who will be sent packing. The host drags out the suspense, and the audience holds their collective breath. It's supposed to be tense and gripping, but all I feel is emptiness and confusion. How can anyone care so much about these strangers and their petty dramas? But maybe that's just a me problem. I'm too absorbed in my own drama, with my mind a storm of unresolved feelings and half-formed thoughts. Leaving no room for anything else.

Whatever the cause, distraction is not working. I'm sitting here while every single part of me is yearning to go out to the pool and hang out with Blue. Which is ridiculous. The man needs space. I can't glue myself to his side twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Gotta give the poor man a break. He deserves some peace and quiet .

Never mind the fact that there are only so many swimming lessons he can give me. I clearly suck at it, and there is not a lot that can be done about that. Blue is a siren, not a miracle worker. He's been patient, in his own gruff way, his soothing voice guiding me through the water, but it's clear that my clumsiness tests even his boundless patience.

I sigh heavily, letting it echo around the empty room. There's no need to keep my despondency in. There's no one to hear me because I'm all alone. But at least I'm not sick. That stomach bug never fully manifested, apart from that brief and intense wave of nausea in the alley. It's odd, but hey, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Being sick is the worst. I'm glad I'm fine, and whatever it was, it passed quickly.

The TV's volume spikes as the crowd roars in reaction to the latest elimination. It's supposed to be entertainment, but it feels like white noise, a distant distraction from the turmoil within me. I can't focus on anything other than the growing need to see Blue, to talk to him, to make sense of these confusing emotions.

Just as I'm about to turn off the TV, Lello bursts into the living room.

"I'm back!" he declares dramatically, throwing his hands in the air and striking a pose like a triumphant hero returning from battle.

It makes me laugh. "Did you have a nice holiday?"

Lello's exuberance fades as he looks around the empty room. "Oh, where is everyone?"

His eyes land on me, and his face lights up with something. His blue eyes widen and then widen some more. His hands fly up to cover his mouth.

Is there a giant spider behind me or something? Anxiously, I swivel my head to check, but I only see the back of the sofa and the wall. "What's up?" I ask, trying to keep the concern out of my voice.

"Oh, oh, oh!" Lello squeals, practically bouncing in place .

"What?" I ask, thoroughly confused.

"You have to tell me everything! I can't believe I missed this! I didn't even know you two had met!" His words come out in a rush, each one more confusing than the last.

I blink, trying to make sense of what he's saying. "Lello, what on earth are you talking about?"

He flaps his hands in the air, then jumps onto the sofa next to me with so much force that I bounce.

"You and Blue, of course!"

Damn it. My cheeks have gone all prickly and hot, which means I'm blushing. How did Lello hear that Blue and I have been hanging out together? Who told him? And while he was on holiday? I didn't think any of the boys were that much of a gossip.

"What about us?" I croak, trying to sound innocent but failing miserably.

Lello's eyes narrow, and his arms cross over his chest. "Don't tease me. I can see your mate bond."

I stare at him, my mind scrambling to process his words. "What? Who told you that? That's crazy. We're just friends," I babble, feeling a wave of panic rising.

Lello stares at me for a moment, then scowls.

"I'm not teasing you, Lello," I sigh. "Me and Blue did not get married while you were away for a week."

Suddenly, I'm being pulled off the sofa. Lello has a firm grip on my wrist, and he's dragging me towards the door.

"Where are we going?" I splutter, stumbling after him.

"To see what Blue has to say!"

It's dark outside, the faintest remnants of sunset lingering in the east. The nights are drawing to a close. Summer is fading, and that always makes me sad. The pool lights are off, and the water looks inky black. But somehow, I know Blue is in there and not in his room.

Evidently, Lello knows too. He releases me, puts his hands on his hips, and taps his foot .

"Blue! Come here!"

Silence. The water laps softly against the tiled edge of the pool. The trees at the end of the garden rustle softly.

"Blue! Don't ignore me!" Lello's voice is insistent, demanding a response.

The water ripples. Right in the middle of the pool, the very top of Blue's head emerges, his glowing blue eyes level with the water. I shiver. That should look terrifying, but for some reason, my mind is interpreting it as fucking hot. Like really, really hot. Pure swoon material.

"Why is Sammy telling me you two aren't mated when I can clearly see it!" Lello's voice cuts through the night air.

Neon eyes look at me, flick to Lello, then back to me. Then they disappear. I blink. It slowly dawns on me that Blue has slipped silently underwater without so much as a ripple. It takes my mind a few seconds to grasp that he's gone.

A wave of sadness and regret washes over me. Intense enough to steal my breath. What the hell is going on? I'm pretty sure I'm just utterly confused. Lost. Befuddled and bewildered. Where is all this sadness coming from?

"Oh," gasps Lello softly. He's staring blankly at the dark water. All his exuberance and determination from a heartbeat ago has vanished, faded away like the setting sun.

"What is going on?" I ask weakly, but Lello ignores me.

He just continues to stare at the empty pool with a pained look on his face. "I'm sorry, Blue. But you need to tell Sammy."

Silence. A cold wind makes me shudder. I wrap my arms around myself, feeling the chill seep into my bones.

"Tell me what?" I ask Lello, keeping my eyes on the pool. There's no sign of Blue at all. The water is eerily calm.

"Blue!" Lello calls, his voice tinged with frustration. "You can't ignore Sammy! It's not fair!" His words echo around the garden, bouncing off the silent water .

And I nearly snort at the hypocrisy. But my gaze is too busy scanning the pool and finding nothing. I sigh. "Come on, Lello. Let's go back inside. Blue clearly doesn't feel like talking right now." I try to sound calm, but my voice wavers. I feel an ache in my chest, a gnawing sense of loss and confusion.

It wouldn't surprise me if Blue is mortified and embarrassed by Lello's ridiculous allegation that we're mated and he doesn't feel up to debasing the enthusiastic kelpie of the idea. It does seem like a daunting and exhausting task.

"Won't Carter be wondering where you are?" I try to divert Lello's attention, knowing he can't usually bear to be away from his mate. It's worth a shot.

The kelpie turns to look at me, his eyes filled with worry and determination. "I'm sorry, Sammy, but you and Blue really need to talk."

And then he pushes me into the water.

The shock of the cold water hits me like a punch to the gut. My arms flail, instinctively trying to find something to hold on to. My feet kick, trying to orient myself, but the water is disorienting, pulling me down and surrounding me in darkness.

Panic claws at my chest, and I struggle to break the surface. My lungs burn, and I fight to keep my head above water. "Blue!" I try to shout, but it comes out as a strangled gasp. The kelpie's push caught me completely off guard, and now I'm thrashing in the deep end, my earlier lessons with Blue forgotten in my panic. Not that I had learned much.

Just as I'm sure I'm going to drown, strong arms wrap around me, pulling me to the surface. I splutter, gasping for air, and find myself face-to-face with Blue. His neon eyes glow softly in the darkness, filled with concern and something else. Something deeper.

"Sammy," he says, his voice a soothing balm against my frayed nerves. " Breathe. I've got you."

I cling to him and try to gather my wits while my lungs continue to gasp like oxygen is going out of fashion. I glance around and see Lello has vanished. Little shit.

Eventually, I'm able to talk.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" I ask.

Guilt and unease fill Blue's eyes.

Oh shit. I think Lello is right.

I'm mated to Blue.