Harley’s Achilles(56)

Mom.

I wiped at my eyes at that one word.

Mom.

Achilles’ mom was more of a mother to me than my own. I texted her back and then laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Achilles leaned over me, resting his hands on either side of my head. I hadn’t even heard him get out of the shower.

“Hey.” He leaned down and kissed my nose. “What’s wrong?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down, kissing him. Achilles responded right away and I arched up into him, rubbing myself all over his lower body. Achilles broke from the kiss and eyed me.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine. Ready to go eat?”

“Yep.” Achilles pulled me up and enveloped me in his arms.

“Oh, your mom texted. She said she’s proud.” I leaned back to meet eyes with Achilles.

“Yeah? She really does love you. I think if she could, she’d trade me for you.”

“Nah. But it’s a nice thought.” I took his hand and walked to the door. “Let’s head down and see who’s up.”



~*~



I headed for the buffet as Achilles went to find the gang. I loaded up a plate for myself and then loaded one for Achilles as well, making sure it had a ton of fruit on it. I headed back to the dining room to find Achilles surrounded by the guys, his phone up for all to see. I furrowed my brows as I approached the table and the unmistakable sound of my voice floated on the air. I groaned as I recognized the song. My karaoke night was being played for the guys.

“Really, Achilles?” I set the plates down.

“What? At least you’re clothed,” he retorted.

“Nice, Harley.” Jinx wrapped an arm around Jayden and leaned back with a grin. “The Tubes?”

“Shut up.” I pointed at him with a croissant.

“So, Sebastian has informed us that rehearsals start at noon today.” Jinx bit into a blueberry muffin and Jayden stole the rest of it from him. “So what’s on the agenda until then? Jayden wants to hit the beach.”

“I’m going to go see Paul,” I announced, sitting down.

“Speaking of Paul,” Ransom piped up. “If it’s okay with you guys, I think I’m going to spend Christmas with him. He shouldn’t be alone.”

“No, you’re right,” I said. “Paul should have at least one of us with him. When are you going to transfer him to Arizona?”

“Probably in January, after the New Year. His doctor says he’s doing very well,” Ransom informed us.

“Well, let’s eat and head out.” I pushed Achilles’ plate in front of him and pointed at it. “Eat.”





~*~



The hospital was decorated to the nines in holiday cheer. A huge Christmas tree stood in the middle of the waiting room with tinsel brushing the floor. Everywhere, there were holiday candles, and mistletoe hung from the ceiling. Achilles and I signed in and then were led out to the garden. Paul was seated against a large tree with a book in his hand. The waterfalls gurgled around us as we approached him.

“Hey, Paul,” I called out.

He looked up and a large smile formed on his face. He set the book down and stood to receive my embrace.

“Harley! God, it’s good to see you!” Paul enthused.

“Good to see you, too. Ransom said he’s springing you to a new place next month.”

“That’s what he said.” Paul nodded. “I’m looking forward to it. Not that I don’t like this place, but I miss Arizona.” Paul looked from me to Achilles, and a smile spread his lips. “Hey, Achilles. How are you?”

“I’m good. It’s nice to see you looking so healthy, Paul,” Achilles commented.

I sat down and motioned to the ground. “Come sit, Paul. I wanted to catch you up.”

“Well, if it has to do with why you look so happy, I’m all for it.” Paul sat down and moved his book to the side.

“I see you got wrangled into reading the assassin werewolves, too?” I motioned to the book.

“I’m already on book five!” Paul exclaimed. “They are really good!”

“I know. I have a huge crush on Mateo,” I admitted.

“Wow, so you too, huh?” Paul stared at me.

A huge sigh came from above us and we both looked at Achilles.

“I guess I’ll have to read them now as well.” He grinned.

“Paul, I want to tell you myself that Achilles and I are together now.” I wrapped an arm around Paul’s shoulders. “He confronted my parents, and it turns out Holden wrote me a goodbye letter leaving me his motorcycle.”

“I knew it!” Paul blurted. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, Harley.”