Page 216 of Pixie Problems

"And she's still human," Keir countered.

Jack just ruffled his feathers. "Jack-Morrigan."

"I think he's saying he handled it. Maybe when he gave me magic, I adapted?"

Jack nodded on his perch. "Jack-Rain."

Keir murmured at that, then turned back to me. "Ms. Rhodes isn't going to let you back in class until next week. So how do I keep you from getting bored?"

"No practice at the gym either?" I asked.

Keir shook his head. "Bracken would cut off my balls, and I happen to be attached to them."

I rolled my eyes. "Ok. Um, I've been reading. Dad brought me some books."

"Movies?" he offered.

I made a face and shrugged. "I like books more."

"Lemme guess, romance?"

I scoffed. "Fantasy! You know, the sort of things that have fae, dragons, and really sexy bad boys!"

"Like Torian?" With a smile he reached up to push a lock of hair behind my ear. "He's a pretty bad boy, you know."

"Been making out with him while I'm on sick leave?" I asked.

"Rain..." Keir kicked off his shoes, then jerked his chin for me to make room. When there was barely enough space, he shifted to recline beside me and opened his arm so I could cuddle up against his chest. "I'm trying to figure out what you think about that."

"I think you're fae."

He leaned in to kiss the top of my hair. "And I think you're human. But no, I haven't done anything with Torian. Shit, we've barely talked since the Hunt came. I certainly have not kissed him, but you never said if that pissed you off."

"I kiss Aspen," I pointed out.

Which made him smile, those beautiful blue-violet eyes of his holding mine. "I like you and Aspen together. She makes you happy."

"Yeah," I agreed. "But, see? That's the thing..." I rolled halfway on my side so I could see him better. "It's a fae thing. That's what you said when I liked Aspen, and when you talked me through it. I liked you too back then. I mean, I still do, but you know what I mean."

"Mhm," he agreed around a smile.

"But you said there are types of relationships, right? And then Aspen agreed with you, and even the guys agree."

"Torian, Hawke, and Wilder?" he asked.

I nodded. "So I stopped feeling guilty about things like kissing you when she's around. And I stopped worrying about what it means to like a girl. I just..." Pausing, I pressed my lips together. "I like you, Keir. I also really hate that you think of me as a kid. That... it kinda hurt!"

"Rain, I think you'reyoung. That is not the same as a kid. I think you're in your first relationship with a girl. I think I'm your tutor, and I'm in a situation where I could've used that against you. You know, pressuring you to pick me instead of her. See, I knew you were lost and confused, but I wanted this thing we have - whatever it ended up being - to be based on respect, not making out. Granted, I do like the making out parts too."

"Yeah?" I asked.

He caught the back of my leg and pulled it over his. "Yeah. I also like the parts where I know you've got my back. I like how you dragged me into your friend group, carved out a space for me, and then do this." He slid his hand across the side of my head, smoothing my hair back. "You don't act like I'm a loser for worrying about you. You don't act like I'm useless because my magic is fucked up. I'm just not sure how you're reacting to me kissing your girlfriend's brother."

"Ah..." I leaned my cheek against his chest. "I dunno. It's Torian, and that makes it feel different."

"Because he's a guy?" Keir hummed, sounding like he was trying to pick the right words. "Rain, that's not really how it works. Look at Bracken!"

"No, no, no," I hurried to say. "Not that he's a guy! It's more that he's in the court, and I dunno. That makes it feel ok. Like, Torian's an ass and all, but I trust him. I don't think he'd try to keep you from talking to me, and I get it. You could like him more. Hell, I don't know if I like you or Aspen more. I mean, it's just different. She's fun and gives me reasons to giggle. You're smart and make me feel like I could be too. She's soft, you're hard, and so many other ways you two are different. But that's the thing! It's different. Not better or worse. It's just different, and I like that it's ok for me to just be happy. I kinda like that you can be too, and I dunno. I guess I'm starting to see what you mean about talking about it."