Page 16 of Something Real with the Sea Monster (Kraken Cove #3)

SIXTEEN

Jack

“So what do you reckon?” I hand Luke the steaming mug of coffee and nod my head toward the balcony of room one as I take a sip from mine.

“Yeah we could definitely do it. Have you had anyone in to give you a quote for installation?”

“Yeah, Tegan had two companies in earlier this week. It’ll be a few thousand.”

He nods. “Well I can shore up the supports here.” He pats the post holding up the balcony closest to us. “The wood’s in good condition, and with a little reinforcement it could definitely support some extra weight.”

Despite my excitement for the project, I stifle a yawn.

Luke gives me a disbelieving look. “You tired? It’s not even nine in the morning.”

“Big night.” I shrug. I didn’t get much sleep until Tegan left at about four a.m., and I was up at my usual time for a swim before the morning routine.

Not sure that was the wisest choice seeing as how my muscles are now screaming in protest every time I walk or sit, but I’m pretty sure the swim had nothing to do with that.

“Really? That’s not like you.” He leans against the fence and takes another sip of coffee while he eyes me speculatively. “You know, funnily enough, Tegan must have had a late one too. Heard her come in at maybe five o’clock.”

“Huh.” I look down into my coffee. “That is late.”

There’s a pause. I’m still avoiding Luke’s gaze.

I guess that confirms Tegan didn’t say anything about where she was going or what we did.

I’ve gotta admit, I’m relieved. It’s not that I’m ashamed of anything that happened between me and Tegan.

Quite the opposite. It’s more that I’m afraid if Luke starts me talking, I’ll admit too much. I’m still debating how to play this.

Tegan and I get along well. And after last night there can be no doubt there’s explosive chemistry between us. I just have this sense that she’s like a bird sitting in my hand. If I try to close my fist too soon, she’ll just fly away.

I drain the last of my coffee. “Well I can’t compete with that. I was definitely in bed by midnight.” Which isn’t a lie. We made our way to the bed eventually and continued there for several hours.

My story seems to work on Luke. He takes another sip of coffee. “Well I know a guy who might be able to do me a deal on the actual spa unit. I’ll look into it for you. You’ll still need a plumber to install it, but Robbo can do that when he’s done the pipes for me over at the Rosella Ave place.”

“Thanks, Lukey. I appreciate it.”

He grins. “It’s nothing. I’m glad you’re doing up this place. It needs a bit of love. I will get around to painting the exterior this month too. I know I say that all the time, but I mean it. I know Dad would love to see it all done up when they get back.”

“Yeah. I’m hoping they’ll be ready to talk seriously about retiring, but I’m worried they’ll get back and try to go back to doing everything the way they used to.”

Luke nods. “Well I’m sure when they see how well you’ve kept things going and even made some improvements, they’ll realize it’s time.”

We chat a bit more about Mom and Dad’s trip and Mia’s upcoming art show, but all the time there’s a little piece of my mind constantly distracted by replaying all the things I did with Tegan last night over and over.

Is this how Luke and Noah function all the time now?

I don’t know how they get anything done, honestly.

It’s Tegan’s day off today, but as soon as Luke leaves, I pull out my phone and text her.

Jack: you’re quite some teacher. I can’t stop thinking about last night. Do I have any homework?;)

I’m not expecting a reply instantly, but as soon as I hit send, three dots appear to indicate Tegan is typing.

Tegan: Well I wasn’t expecting you to blitz the foundations course, but I think maybe you taught me a thing or two. That thing you did with your thumb…

She includes several melting emoji and a fire and three drops of water and I’m guessing that’s a pretty good sign. My cock twitches, and I palm it down under the desk. You’d think I’d have nothing left after the number of times she drained me last night, but apparently he’s making up for lost time.

Tegan: Time for the more advanced stuff tonight?

I nearly break the screen of my phone typing out my reply.

Jack: what’s the advanced stuff? Gotta prepare after all

Tegan: hmm what about toys? Toys are fun. Though I didn’t bring that much with me. Maybe eating pussy. Maybe I should give you a BJ

Jack: All? Can I choose all?

Tegan: *laughing emoji* someone’s getting a bit too big for his boots. One step at a time, Mr.

I smile. One step at a time is fine with me. Hopefully that means more nights spent with Tegan in my arms and more chances for her to see there’s more here than just the explosive sex and the friendship. There’s a middle ground that mixes both those things together into the perfect package.

Jack: Well lady’s choice. Whatever we do, I’m lucky to be there

Tegan: awwww you’re gonna have to stop being so sweet. I might get used to it and then what will I do when you’ve found your fated mate and I have to go slum it back with human guys?

My thumbs hesitate over the screen, wanting to confess, but unwilling to do it via a message. In the end I content myself with: you should get used to it. It’s no more than what you deserve

I’m whiling away the boring hours of the morning the next day—Tegan is working afternoons this week—when my phone buzzes and I check to find the caller is Mom.

“Hi, Mom. What time is it there?”

“Hi, Jackie. It’s about six at night. Did I get the time difference right? Is it still morning?”

“It’s about lunch time. What have you been doing?”

“Your father went out to the reef today. I stayed in with a book. It’s been years since I let myself do that. Just sit in with a book. I have to say, it felt luxurious.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“It’s been so good to see Rob able to do more and not so fatigued in the evenings.”

“Then he really is doing better?” My chest squeezes with familiar worry, despite the doctor’s reports.

“He is. I wish you could see him, Jackie. The bounce in his step is back and the smile in his eyes—” She breaks off and I recognize the wobble in her voice. My own throat is tight.

“Yeah. That’s amazing. So when are you coming home? Still thinking next month?”

“Yes. It’s been lovely, but we miss Kraken Cove. And we miss you and Luke and Mia. I feel bad leaving you to do everything around the place for so long.”

I make a dismissive noise. “No. Don’t be silly. Everything here is fine. Stay longer if you like. I’ve got this.”

There’s a pause. If I know Mom, she’s got that tight-lipped look on her face like she’s about to call me on my bullshit. I forge on.

“You know I’ve been thinking of making some changes. We’ve had some quotes done, and the place is looking great. I’ve even had some time to get up and do the gutters.”

“We? You mean you and Luke?”

Oh right. It occurs to me I haven’t mentioned Tegan to my parents. I don’t even know where to start. “Yeah. What I mean is we’re fine. You should relax and enjoy yourselves. For as long as you need.”

There’s another pause. Finally Mom sighs.

“Jackie, you know I trust you and think you’re so smart and capable.

If you had a mate, things would be different.

But I know how hard it is to run the place, and that’s with both your father and I working on things together.

And Luke and Noah both have their own careers.

Your father and I always meant to leave Inlet Views to you once you found your mate… ” There’s a long silence.

I cough. “Well, actually I found someone. I hired her, I mean. And she’s great. She’s been amazing. You wouldn’t believe how much it helps.”

Mom makes a sympathetic noise. “I bet. I’m glad, love. Listen. I didn’t mean to get you down. She’s out there. You just have to trust.”

I wish I could tell her, but I’m still not sure how Tegan will react. I force down the lump of emotion in my throat. “Yeah. I know. And I’m OK. I am. I’m just happy for Dad’s health and my family and for Luke and Noah finding their mates. Truly.”

“Mmm. I know you are, Jack. You’re a good egg. But that doesn’t have to be enough you know. You’re allowed to want that too. Of all my boys, I’ve wanted that for you the most.”

For me the most? I’m still thinking about that when we say our goodbyes and hang up. So much that I don’t raise the suggestion about my parents retiring again, even though I meant to.

Why me? Especially when Luke had been mooning over Mia for ten years when they finally got together and Noah was so bitter and angry from a bad breakup that it took his wonderful mate, Olivia, to heal his heart.

I may not be perfect, but I’m not in such a bad state as all that.

I thought I’d been handling the wait. I thought I’d been patient and stoic.

Maybe I let how much I wanted to find that female show more than I thought. Truth be told, I've been dreaming about finding her all my life. Ever since I knew what fated mates were and saw what Dad had in Mom.

Now she’s here, and I’m holding back, afraid of revealing my hand in case I bungle it. But maybe that’s the worst mistake of all. Or maybe the worst mistake is thinking I can hide the way I’m feeling. Apparently I wear my heart on my tentacles and everyone around me sees right through me.

I wonder if Tegan knows me well enough yet to do just that. And if so, if she’s seen how I’m feeling, what does she think?