Page 26 of Jump on Three
“It has been a week,” he announced.
“A week since what?” I asked.
He blew out a breath. “No, darling. I mean, it’s been a week from hell. I’m exhausted from it. Do I have dark circles? I feel like I have dark circles.”
I narrowed my eyes, giving him a long once-over. “Not more than normal.”
He squeaked and jumped in his chair. “What? I normally have dark circles? Why didn’t you tell me?” He grabbed Ivan’s shoulder. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
My stomach dropped at his reaction. I hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings.
I was trying to think of something to say when Ivan spoke up.
“Why would you ask a question if you do not want to receive an honest answer? It’s natural to have darkness under your eyes when you only sleep two to three hours a night and spend the rest talking and singing.”
Freddie waved his fork at him. “And cleaning. Sometimes I work out too. Don’t make it seem like I’m not productive.” He leaned around Ivan to speak to me. “Don’t worry, love. I’m not insulted. I was just playing with you.”
“Okay,” I whispered, forcing a smile that felt all wrong.
I’d had too many missteps in too short a time. My emotions were a whirlpool, tugging me into their frothy depths. Panic ramped up my pulse. My heart thudded against my rib cage. I took a bite of my roll to distract myself. I was embarrassed, but this wasn’t meltdown worthy. I didn’t want to get up from this table and run to hide in my room.
Something warm and solid landed on my bare leg, and I looked down, finding Ivan’s wide hand wrapped around my knee. He gently squeezed, and my breath caught. I stared at his hand, the veins running beneath his tattooed skin, how they rippled when he squeezed again.
Without thinking, I laid my hand on top of his. I was aware he and Freddie were speaking to each other. Their laughter was the soundtrack to my fingers sliding over his.
He didn’t look at me, and I didn’t look at him. Not his face, anyway. My focus was on his hand and mine. The size difference. How beautiful the ink decorating his skin was. The place behind my knee where his index finger rubbed back and forth.
The spiral in my chest slowly settled until I no longer felt like running out of the dining hall. It was nice to regain control without having to isolate myself from everyone.
I looked up to find the table had filled up. Luciana and Bella were across from me. Beckett and Rhys were diagonal. And, of course, Delilah was taking her seat beside me.
“Hello, love,” she greeted.
“Hi. Running late?”
She grinned, her cheeks pink. “Only a little. You’ve barely touched your dinner.”
“You’re deflecting from your lateness.”
“I’m here now. Isn’t that what matters?”
“Delilah,” Freddie called. “Do I look like I have dark circles?”
My sister tilted her head. “You’re so handsome I don’t think anyone will notice if you do.”
Rhys grunted. “Is he more handsome than me?”
“Obviously not,” Delilah assured him. “You’re the most handsome.”
Freddie scoffed. “She’s only saying that to get laid. Take away the orgasms and see what she says.”
Bella tossed a balled-up napkin at him then wagged her finger. “No, sir. Nobody’s takin’ orgasms away.”
She was doing better than she had been the other night. Most of her sadness had been replaced with righteous anger. I envied her ability to be knocked down and get right back up.
Freddie tossed the napkin back at her. “It was hypothetical, you brat.” He rubbed his hands together. “But imagine if I had that power. Oh, the trouble I’d get into.”
Beckett shuddered. “Your path to super-villainy is a short one.”