Page 96 of Lightning Angel
“And you did,” Alexa said with a soft smile.
“I couldn’t stand the hurt on your face, so I acted on my impulse,” he continued soberly. “I was bored and thought I should come and pick you up. I arrived early, so I thought, why not go and check on you. And I did.That’s when the old man opened his stupid mouth. I teleported to my house immediately; I had the perfect scheme in my mind and grabbed my brush and paint bottles. When he hovered on the table to read, I seized my chance,” Tristan paused, and a smirk cracked into his serious face. “It might be the most mischievous art I’ve painted yet.”
Alexa laughed. “I bet it is. Goodness, I love your art even more now.”
Tristan’s face rested into a grin. He brought a hand to her face and brushed his knuckles down her cheek and jaw. Alexa closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, heaving a contented sigh.
“No one makes my angel frown intentionally and gets away with it. No one.”
She opened her eyes and gave him a smile. “Honestly, I’vebeenzoning out in class a lot these months. I guess he was finally annoyed with me.”
“He could’ve waited until the class was over and talked with you alone, not harassing you in front of the whole class.” Tristan’s eyes narrowed as he likely recalled the moments. Alexa’s smile only widened at his sweet protectiveness. “So I gave him what he deserved, tenfold of the humiliation you endured. What’s so funny?”
Alexa stifled her giggle and shook her head. “Nothing’s funny, although ironically it is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen with my two eyes.” She lifted a shoulder. “I’m just… smiling because of you, my gallant knight.”
Tristan’s face softened immediately, the adoring look filling his eyes. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. When he drew back to look at her, amusementgleamed in his eyes.
“Your ex is glaring at me.” He spoke of it like it was a big credit, his grin boyish.
“And you seem to enjoy it,” she teased.
“Immensely.”
Alexa laughed. “Is he still glaring?”
“Glaring and muttering something to a dark-haired boy.”
“That’s Niles, his best friend,” she said. “What are they talking about?”
Tristan’s eyebrows went up. “You want me to eavesdrop on them?”
“Why not?” Alexa shrugged with an innocent smile as his eyes squinted at her playfully. “You’ve caused one historic mischief already, so why not a little more?”
Tristan’s lips twitched. “You’re tempting me, angel.”
“I’m actuallyaskingyou to give into that temptation.” She rolled her eyes sarcastically and flashed him a sweet smile in hopes of convincing him. “Besides, they’re obviously talking about us. Don’t we deserve to know what that is?” She dipped her chin slightly and peeked at him through her lashes. “Pretty please?”
Tristan shook his head with a smile. “You’re going to be the end of me.”
He tilted his head and stared into her eyes—or she supposed he was pretending to do so as he listened to Jude and Niles. All too soon, his face softened. Alexa almost thought he hadn’t been eavesdropping but merely staring at her, when he spoke.
“He’s saying—grunting, rather—that your mother will be happy to hear that you have a new boyfriend.”
Alexa stilled. “My mother?”
Tristan nodded with a soft smile. “He doesn’t soundso enthusiastic about it, which means he won’t be telling her, but he sounds sure that she would be happy if she learned about us.”
The old scar in her heart began to throb and she composed herself against its reawakened pain. “And why would she be happy forme?Surely she’s still disappointed that I hurt her dear stepson.”
“Alexa.” Tristan frowned. “There’s something I want to tell you. I didn’t get the chance before because I knew bringing up your mother will upset you. Now that we’re on this subject…”
“What is it?” she pressed gently as he trailed off.
Tristan inhaled deeply. His eyes showed his hesitance, but he pressed on before she could encourage him to. “That day you broke up with him, I was there.” His eyes turned remorseful.
“Oh, Tristan.” She touched a hand to his face and sighed. “Don’t frown. I’m not upset about it, if that’s why you’re hesitant to share this. You were watching over me all those times. Our story wouldn’t have been the same if youhadn’t. And I like it the way it is.”
“Really?” Hope shone in his eyes.