Page 48 of Hooked on a Demon (Leeside Witches #3)
Declan
W ith their fabulous breakfast complete, Declan brings up what they should have talked about last night—mind you, he’s not complaining one bit about anything that took place.
“So, Everest,” he starts.
“Everest,” Eliana replies, her voice turning distant. “I know, we need to tell him.”
“We do. He was so angry at me for lying to him about not wanting to go out all the time anymore. I don’t think I’ve ever seen like that.”
Pushing away from the table, she comes over and sits on his lap, draping her head on his shoulders. Instinctively, his one arm slides around her back and lands on her hip, while the other rests on top of her thighs. He flexes his hand on her hip, loving the feel of her. “I’m sorry,” she says.
“It’s not your fault. I should have been honest with him earlier.”
“It is my fault, though. You wouldn’t have been lying to him if you weren’t trying to hide the fact that you were spending time with me.”
“Look at me,” he says. She lifts her head, and he instantly wants to melt when her soft, hazel eyes meet his.
“I don’t regret any second of the time we have spent together.
” He kisses her lips softly. “Yes, I should have been honest with Everest, but we,” he gestures between them with the hand that is on her thigh, “needed time to figure things out.”
“I know. I’ll talk to him after the showcase tonight.”
“We can talk to him together.”
She lays her head back on his shoulder. “Thank you. But I feel like he may take it better coming from me. I think he’s less likely to feel betrayed or lied to if I’m the one telling him.”
Declan doesn’t quite believe that to be true.
He thinks Everest is likely to still blame him and that he’ll see it as Declan not only lying to him, but targeting his sister as a long game conquest. As he pulls her further into him, trying to soak up as much of this contact as possible before heading to work, he promises himself that he will do anything he has to to prove to his best friend that this thing going on with Eliana is the furthest thing from a fling.
Rather than tell this to Eliana, though, he rests his cheek on the top of her head and says, “If that’s what you think is best.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
Shortly after their conversation, Declan heads home to check in on Buckley and shower before getting to the shop.
Thankfully, as the owner, the only one who can give him shit for being late is himself.
And as he parks in the lot behind the building, Declan decides that he’ll be generous this time and give himself a pass.
Shuffling into his office, he drops his wallet and keys on his desk and checks for any messages.
After he’s caught up, he heads out to the floor and gets to work.
Knowing that Eliana is going to tell Everest has his nerves on edge.
He wants to be there to support her. To show Everest that he’s serious—more than serious—about Eliana, but he also respects her decision.
So, he’s going to do what he does best—get lost in his work—as a way to distract himself and get through the day as quickly as possible so that he can get back to the woman he loves.
Thankfully, the day is packed with service, keeping Declan busy and his mind occupied.
Despite coming in later than usual, it’s soon time for him to head home again, and he does so with glee, perhaps for the first time ever.
He loves his work. He looks forward to coming in every day and would stay longer most days if he could really get away with it.
But not today. No, today he’s the first one out the door at the shop’s closing, ever grateful that he has staff he can count on to finish what needs to be done.
Practically flinging himself out of his truck, he runs inside, greeted by an excited Buckley.
“Hey, Buckatron. Sorry, I didn’t come home last night, but I know you love spending time with Uncle Lachlan and Aunt Petra,” he says, ruffling the pup’s fur.
After letting him out, Declan gets Buckley’s dinner together and feeds him, then dashes off to clean himself for the second time today.
The last thing he wants is to go to Eliana’s showcase smelling like oil and grime.
Dressing himself in a pair of black dress pants and a soft blue button-up, he pats Buckley again and heads out the door.
Checking his watch, he knows he’s going to be cutting it close, but he can’t not get her flowers.
He stops at a shop along the way and picks out a bouquet with her favorite gerberas and sunflowers. Bright and hopeful, like her.
He parks across the street, taking the last spot in the lot and jogs across the road, meeting Everest outside.
“Aww, for me? You didn’t have to,” Everest teases, fanning himself like an old-timey lady being courted.
Declan looks down at the flowers in his hand, then back at Everest. “Well, if I’d known you’d appreciate them so much, I would have grabbed you some too.”
“Pssh! I always appreciate gifts.” Declan is happy that Everest seems to be in a better mood compared to yesterday. Or at least he’s doing a great job pretending not to be angry. Whatever the reason for the shift in demeanor, Declan will accept it if it helps tonight go well.
“Valid. Hey, are we… good?” Declan replies as they walk into the building and are directed to their seats.
“Depends, are those for me?” Everest says, his voice dry enough that Declan isn’t sure whether or not to take him seriously.
“Nah, these are for Eliana. Figured she could use them for all the work that she’s put into helping this happen.”
“Shit, you’re probably right.” Everest leads them to their seats, where Cora, Amos, and Kaia are already sitting.
“I’m still hurt. I don’t like being lied to, Dec.
But Mom wants us here, so… we’re okay.” He says before they do the awkward sideways shuffle to get through the few people at the end, and then finally sit as the lights go down.
Declan can hear the hurt in his friend’s voice. Even so, he appreciates the honesty.
“You wouldn’t mind if we said they are from both of us, would you?” Everest asks, sliding the invisible mask back on and shifting into his regular playful demeanor.
Declan laughs, happy to see his friend being himself, even if it’s a facade. “Fuck that,” he whispers, “You aren’t getting credit for my idea.”
Everest chuckles next to him, but Declan’s eyes are only for the woman walking across the stage. Eliana wears a black leotard, pink tights, and a flowy sheer pink skirt. She is radiant.
The crowd cheers loudly as she raises the microphone, and he joins along with them, happy to share his affection and excitement for her.
She waits a moment for the cheers and clapping to settle down before she begins.
“Good evening, Leeside. Thank you so much for joining Strike a Pose for our end of season showcase. Our students are so excited to show you what they’ve been working toward all season, so I won’t keep this going too long.
We hope you’ll enjoy all the stories to be shared tonight, from the little fireflies to the dramatic reenactments.
I am sure you’ll be well entertained. So without further ado, I bring you our opening number, Dance of the Wood Nymphs, performed by our intermediate contemporary class.
” The room erupts into applause again as she tips her head in a bow, confidently walks off stage, and is replaced by a group of preteen students dressed as wood faeries.