30. Daphne

CHAPTER 30

DAPHNE

I heard Rory’s footsteps as he ran up the staircase outside my door, bounding with energy, it would seem. I was in bed when he came inside but was actually just about to get up and find something to eat. He saw me throw the covers off and rushed to my side.

“Don’t get up on my account.”

“I’m not,” I said. “I’m just hungry.”

“I’ll get you something,” he said. “Is there food in the fridge, or do you want me to run into town and get you something in particular?”

I took his hand. “No, I want you to stay right here.” I got out of bed despite his protests and went to the kitchenette. I took a bottle of cold water and half a sandwich Al had made from the fridge and sat down with them both at the table. “It feels good not to be lying down anymore. So, how did everything go at the house?”

Rory took a seat next to me. “Better than I expected.”

“I figured as much since you returned in one piece. Not even a scratch on you.” I pursed my lips together. “Which reminds me, next time I tell you that you’re not allowed to ride off into some dangerous battle or what you think might turn into one, you have to listen to me. I was worried sick!”

“You didn’t seem that worried.”

I folded my arms. “I did some deep breathing to calm myself down a little bit ago. Mainly because I didn’t want to give you the satisfaction of seeing me all worked up when you returned. But I was worried.”

He smiled. “I promise not to put you in that situation again. I swear.”

“Thank you. Now, tell me the rest of the story.”

“There’s not much to tell. Simone did come to try to convince all four of us to return to the compound with her. She wants to make the place better, get rid of the current leaders, or something. I don’t know what her plan is exactly, but I told her I wasn’t interested in returning. Cornelius will go back, though.”

“Is he the only one?”

I nodded. “I think so. Matt’s definitely not going. He’s too attached to his work here.”

“What about Nic?”

“Nah, she has no reason to go back.”

I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “I just don’t really see what reason she has to stay. She doesn’t like working at the fishery, right? Plus, Matt is always busy with work, and when things start to calm down… I mean… we’re probably going to be spending a lot of time together. Unless I’m wrong in assuming as much.”

He laughed. “Not at all. I plan on hogging pretty much all your time.”

I blushed. “Right. So that will kind of result in her getting left in the dust sometimes. She’s not going to like that. Plus… there’s the fact that I’m pretty sure she’s been in love with you for a long, long time.”

Rory balked. “In love with me? Ha! Nic? Not a chance. There are days when I feel like she can’t even stand me. I think you’re reading her all wrong.”

“No. I’m not. But if you’re not ready to accept the truth, then I understand. It’s not easy to admit that something like this has been staring us in the face all these years. Like when I learned the truth about my parents and all their scamming, I couldn’t face it right away—even though, on some level, I had kind of known all along.”

“This is different.” He continued to laugh despite my confident response. “I’ve never even thought something like this about her. There were no signs.”

“If you say so.”

“She’s—she’s just a confusing person, that’s for sure, so I can see why you might have gotten some wires crossed. We’re really close but in a brother-sister kind of way. We love each other, but we’re not in love. I thought I explained this to you already?”

“Let me ask you something.” I leaned my elbows on the table, pushing my sandwich out of the way. “Did Nic seem upset after something started up between us?”

He frowned. “Well, yeah, but that’s because she doesn’t trust you.”

“Matt’s dated some people in town, hasn’t he?”

“... Yeah. A few.”

“Did she have these same trust issues with his partners?”

“No, but—” He paused, clearly taking a second to think about what I was saying. “It’s not the same. He never dated anyone seriously enough to tell them he was a shifter or anything like that.”

“But Nic was mad right from the beginning, right? Even before you told me anything about you?”

He sat back in his chair and looked down at the floor. “Now that you mention it… yeah. She’s been in a shitty mood for weeks but wouldn’t tell me what the hell was wrong.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“But even still… This is such a major secret, and I don’t think she would keep it from me.”

“Oh, Rory. You’re lucky you’re cute because sometimes you can be a little naive.” I reached out and put a hand on his arm. “Of course, she would keep this a secret from you if she knew you didn’t have feelings for her in return. Nic is a proud, independent woman who would never want to expose herself to that kind of emotional vulnerability. I know because she and I have that in common. I would’ve done exactly the same thing if I were in her shoes.”

“If what you’re saying is true, though…” He looked up at me again. “Then she must hate me for being so oblivious. I feel sick to my stomach. How could I have not known?” He gasped. “Oh my god, I’ve told her she was like a sister to me so many times. That must’ve stung really bad.”

I winced. “Yeah, probably.”

“I have to talk to her.”

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”

He stood. “Are you okay here by yourself for a little while longer?”

I smiled up at him. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. Go on. Catch her before she makes up her mind about going back to the compound. I think you two need to have this conversation so she can make the choice while having everything out in the open.”

He bent down and kissed me softly on the lips. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Good luck. And Rory?—”

“Yeah?”

“Be gentle. Even if she isn’t so nice in return.”

He laughed. “I will remain perfectly calm and collected. Even if she tells me to go fuck myself, which is a very real possibility.”