Page 44 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

“Well, well, well,” says Merit from the doorway, her sister, Bryony, hovering behind her with a smile. They cross to us, Merit waving a piece of paper. “Fancy seeing you two here, although it seems like you two are being seen plenty of places together.”

I scowl at the nosy pixies. They’re Pine Gulch OGs, but damn they love to get into everyone’s business so they can publish it in the weekly Gulch Gossip paper.

They cross the store and I’m thankful when the ceiling beams creak out a noise I take as warning.

Merit slaps the paper down on the counter between Hadrian and me. When I look at it, my blood runs cold—it’s a photo of him and me standing on the balcony in Santa Alaya. His wing is around me, and I’m staring up at him, smiling. We look…shit. We look like we’re in love or, at the very least, romantic.

“It’s not what it looks like,” I shout. “And don’t go flashing that thing around town either. For once, can you mind your own business please?”

Bryony shrugs. “Aww, Bluebell, we were just poking fun. Are you two not dating?” She pulls a notepad and pen from her crochet purse.

I stare up at Hadrian, willing him to rescue me from this conversation.

“Ladies,” he says evenly. “I’ve been the subject of your column a few times in the last couple weeks. I’d greatly appreciate a reprieve, even if it’s just for a short time. Why don’t you try talking to Shroud and Vela since Vela’s new to town? I’m sure she’d love to be on the Gossip’s front page.”

Merit looks between us while Bryony nods happily.

“I’m not dropping this,” Merit says, lifting her chin. “But obviously we don't want to be rude, so I’ll leave it alone for a minute, but if we can break the story first, we want to.”

This isn’t breaking news! I want to shout. And Pine Gulch doesn’t need a damn gossip newspaper. We don’t even have a regular newspaper. But I guess that’s all the two old biddies have to do with their time.

Merit points between us. “No idea why you’re hiding this, but we can respect it. When you decide to go public, I’d like an interview about how it all got started. Inquiring minds want to know!”

I snort, but Hadrian just grabs the photo and shoves it in his pocket.

“Interview granted. I’ll reach out when I’m ready to talk. Sound good?”

Bryony claps and flutters her wings. “Of course, Hadrian, that would be absolutely lovely! More than reasonable. Thank you!” She grabs her sister by the shoulders and spins her toward the door. “We’re going now. Enjoy your evening!”

No sooner have they opened the door than my brothers pile through it, mead glasses in hand. Jasper’s level-three prep book is tucked under one arm. He groans at seeing us at the checkout counter.

“Alk, dude, you promised me dinner, and I’m wasting away. All of this studying is eating up my brain cells. Betty’s is doing a burger competition, so let’s go down there. Free samples!” He waggles his brows at us both. “Bloob where’d you get to anyways? Did you just come here to work?”

Hadrian looks at me and ignores my brother. “Come with? You’ve got to eat too.”

“Free samples,” Jasper reminds me with a ferocious grin. “You know you love free samples, girl.”

I smile at the crew. “Let me just lock up.”

We walk together down to Betty’s Burger Bar. Tents set up on the sidewalk are full of monsters grilling burgers. Even with my human sense of smell, I can pick out a handful of scents—onions, smoked gouda, pickled jalapeños. I wonder what it’s like for Hadrian?

Jasper yanks the door open and holds it for us. Inside, Betty’s is packed from wall to wall, but Betty herself drags us to a table in the back with Hadrian’s name on it.

“Good thing you called ahead of time, Alk,” Betty says with a smile.

“Thank fuuuuck,” Jasper moans. “I couldn’t have waited in that line.”

Hadrian claps my brother on the shoulder. “I know, dude. I thought ahead.”

And just like that, I’m definitely falling for the big gargoyle. Scratch that. I’ve fallen, completely fallen. Hadrian’s always been like this—always planned ahead, seen every angle, noticed every-fucking-thing. But the way he cares for everyone in his life is maybe the thing I love most about him. Despite having such a huge family, it seems like I’m the one who ends up doing most of the Tucker caretaking and I don’t love that.

It’s hard for me to force myself not to stare at him as we slide onto the bench seats and pick up our menus.

Dinner’s a loud affair with the building herself tossing drunkards out the front door if they get too rowdy about the competition. I down two entire burgers before my hunger is sated…it’s impossible to choose with so many good options. The macaroni-filled burger was a surprise winner, but, hot damn, it was fucking good.

Eventually, my to-do list starts burning a hole in my pocket, so I take it out to have a quick look. Hadrian stares at me while the Jays joke about the shit that’s always reliably in my pockets. The guys decide to stay for a beer when I beg leave of them to finish my stuff. I’m sure Hadrian would come with me if it wouldn’t seem suspicious.

On my way out the door, a young female gargoyle stops me. She’s maybe nine or ten years old. Bright amethyst eyes flash as she shoots me a friendly smile. “Excuse me, hi! Is that gargoyle over there Hadrian Alkazar, the skyball player?”