Page 54 of Glass
21
POPPY
The sound of Felix’s voice drifts through the house as I stand framed by the bay window, looking out at the front yard. The kids are playing, their laughter occasionally growing loud enough to be heard from where I’m standing. They’re playing the worst game of pickup soccer I’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t matter because they’re happy.
All the years I spent looking for them, this is what I pictured.
In the weeks since the Manhattan incident, I’ve struggled to let them out of my sight. Today is a special exception.
I tear myself away from the window knowing the kids are more safe today than they’ve ever been. I let Felix’s voice guide me through the house, past the living room and formal dining room set for ten. Not that Felix has let me fill the table. The only person that’s been allowed to visit has been Doc, and that’s been sparingly and only so Doc could check me over as my concussion healed.
Doc, for some reason, seems more comfortable in his RV than in the guest room. Some days, I’m not sure I blame him.
Acadia—and the surrounding area—was made to be explored. Every time I think I’ve seen all of it, Felix or one of the kids manages to show me something new.
“No, I’m not ready to talk about it.” Felix's voice seems to turn angry out of nowhere. I’m so used to tuning out to not eavesdrop with my wolf’s hearing that I realize a little too late I wasn’t listening closely enough. My ears are fully in tune as I pass two doors in the hall before stepping silently into the office.
It doesn’t matter how quiet I try to be, Felix looks up the second I step into the room. He’s scowling, but his eyes soften as he looks at me.
He listens to the person on the other end of the phone line—the voice too low for me to hear who he’s even talking to—as his eyes trail over me. His browline furrows almost imperceptibly as he takes in the simple, dark purple dress I had one of the pack members have delivered for me. I can’t help but wonder if he notices that it matches his eyes.
Felix lets out a strangled breath. “Not until I have to,” he grunts to the person on the phone. “I have to go.” He hangs up without any pleasantries, clearly angered by what the other person said.
“Is everything okay?” I ask. Secretly, I like him when he gets a little grumpy, but I don’t actually like to see him angry or upset.
“Fine,” he mutters, averting his gaze.
We’ve done a good job keeping the peace for weeks now. Long enough that I’ll soon be obligated to admit that I’ve been here for nearly three months. Saying weeks somehow feels less daunting with so much of our lives still up in the air.
I want to change everything today. So for today, grumpy Felix needs to take a hike.
I round the desk and shove his chair back with my foot. He grunts as he leans back in the seat and takes another good look at me. I take great pleasure in the chance to surprise him as I slip into his lap. His arms wrap around my waist, dragging me closer.
“Where are the kids?” His voice grows husky as he trails the back of his fingers up my side. Living together has had perks—but usually only at night when I know the kids are safely in bed.
“They’re playing outside.” He raises a questioning eyebrow. “They’re safe,” I tell him, and he relaxes, knowing the only person more worried about their safety than him is me. “I think we’re overdue a conversation, Felix.”
He stiffens, and his hands fall away from me. He clutches the armrests of the office chair instead. He’s carefully avoided bringing up any talk of the future and what would happen when the Manhattan incident stopped weighing so heavily on us. I took advantage of that time to start making plans, and I can only hope he’s willing to accept what I’ve done.
It’s not what he wanted, but it’s what we both need. And it’s the right decision for a lot of reasons he might not understand right away.
I didn’t do it to hurt him, and I hope that will count for something.
“It’s only been a few weeks, there’s no rush.” He sounds pained. He turns his head away from me like he can’t bear to make eye contact. I hate that he’s already picturing the worst case scenario. I’m sure his mind is turning over these past months and wondering if every decision he made might have been the one where things went wrong.
I know him now a hell of a lot better than I did after only two days. I know he second-guesses everything when it comes to taking care of people, but I can’t deny that I’m guilty of doing it too.
“It’s been almost three months, Felix,” I point out, forcing us to face the time that’s passed head on.
His jaw clenches in front of my eyes. He might not want to look at me, but all I want to do is look at him. “I know,” he mutters. “Haven’t I been good to you?”
“More so than I probably deserved after turning your life upside down.” I smile even though he doesn’t. So grumpy. So sure I’m about to ruin his whole life. Hell, maybe I am. Maybe my decision is selfish, and he won’t be able to live with it. Maybe in ten minutes, he’ll be telling me I’m the worst thing to ever happen to him and that he regrets the day we marked each other our first time meeting.
Goddess, I hope not. I’ll never be able to live it down if this man ultimately rejects me in front of an audience.
“Why don’t you come outside with me?” I offer.
He gestures absently to the desk. “I have work to do.”