Page 14 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

Some days, I really regret being the only Tucker besides my father with a penchant for engines.

Now I’m running slightly behind, and I already had a packed schedule today. When I reach the beachy-themed portal station at the other end of the portal tunnel, I resist the urge to call Hadrian. He’s in Santa Alaya with the Punishers for the next couple of days for yet another away game. This season’s schedule is brutal—he was only home for a few nights this time! I can’t imagine doing what he does, traveling around the whole system so much. I’d hate that. I like visiting other havens, but the moment I leave Pine Gulch, I find I can’t wait to get back.

Outside the station, Santa Alaya’s tropical sun beats down, warming my skin. This haven is packed full of bright plants and flowers that burst out of every crack in the building from the street. It’s a paradise of colors. Not for the first time, I wonder how my brothers and mother would feel in a place like this where their green magic probably feels so strong.

Even my magic is drawn to the old buildings, wondering who takes care of them because, while they’re obviously old, they’re strong too. Only a black witch could make that happen. Of course, the shifter queen bounces back and forth between this haven and another, and I’m sure she has monsters with all sorts of magic in her court.

Looking at the map on the back of my daily to-do list, I follow my supplier’s directions through sun-drenched streets all the way down to the oceanfront boardwalk. Hooking a right, I continue along for another fifteen minutes, preferring to walk through and feel the sun versus taking one of the popular local taxis.

Eventually, a beautiful pink colonial building comes into view. That’s my destination for today, and where I hope I can find some interesting new products to carry at the Bodice, but also a gift, per Lemon’s request.

I spend most of the day at the Fábrica Superior with my supplier, Enrique. He’s an excellent host, stuffing me full of the most amazing food, all while tantalizing me with glitter and sparkle and gorgeous soft leather.

I buy way more than I should; we’ll just call that an investment. But I find some boots and belts I think the Bodice will love, not to mention Lemon. When I casually mention her request of a gift for the Keeper’s mansion, Enrique gives me a gothic planter with a cutting of Variegated Hydrangea, something that’s only native to Santa Alaya. My brothers can grow the cutting fast, and it’ll be stunning in front of the Keeper’s mansion.

By the time I reach my hotel, I’m sweating from every pore, still schlepping my backpack with my shit in it, and all I want is a shower. But it’s not meant to be because there’s a line to check in.

I get to the front and smile at the beautiful dark-skinned pixie female behind the check in desk.

“Hola, señora, how can I help you?”

“Checking in for Bluebell Tucker.”

She nods and smiles, nails clacking on her keyboard as she looks up my reservation. Her brow furrows, and she looks back at me. “Tucker is t-u-c-k-e-r?”

I frown. “Yes, that’s right.”

She clacks more, then calls a manager, and they whisper together for a moment, pointing at the computer screen. After a solid five minutes where I start to feel more than a little snippy, both females look at me apologetically.

The manager speaks first. “Miss Tucker, I’m so sorry, but we don’t seem to have a reservation for you in our system. What’s worse is that we’re fully booked, so we don’t even have a room to offer.”

My mouth drops open. “For real? I’ve got my confirmation code and everything.”

“I know,” the manager says, her tone extra apologetic. “And I’m so sorry because I don’t even know how this is possible, but we don’t have you in here, and we have no available rooms. Let me call around to our sister property up the street and see if we can slot you in there.”

I frown. “How long’s that gonna take?”

“Give me five minutes,” the manager says confidently.

Twenty-five minutes later, there’s no word, and I’m still sitting in the lobby waiting for someone to tell me what’s up. I’m about to go back to the desk for answers when my comm watch rings. Hadrian’s name hovers over the band.

I direct the watch to answer him. “Wassup, Alk?”

“You’re in Santa Alaya on a buying trip, right?” His deep voice reverberates through the watch face.

Something deep in my belly pools hot and hard. Like always, I shove it down. I can’t be lusting after Hadrian, despite how fucking sexy we both grew up to be. Kind of a shame he’s basically my brother. And Jasper’s best friend.

Except he’s not at all your brother, the devil on my shoulder whispers. He’s not even human.

No shit, Sherlock, I mutter to that bitch. Stop talkin’ to me about how hot Hadrian is. He’s Hay-Hay, Alk, Big H. Or one of the million other stupid names my brothers call him.

“Did I lose you?” A soft chuckle.

I clear my throat. “Sorry, no. I’m in my hotel lobby, but they’ve lost my reservation, and what was supposed to be five minutes to clear the problem has been half an hour of me being increasingly pissy and debating if I need to flip tables or what.”

He’s quiet for a second. “I’m gonna message you my hotel address. Just come stay with me. There’s plenty of room. I won’t be home until after the game, but I’ll let the manager know you’re coming.”

I nip at the edge of my finger. “You sure? I’ll crash on the sofa or whatever. This is just…I don’t know if they can find a spot for me.”