*Updates most Mondays*
Book Two in the Darien Grace Chronicles
"I couldn't hear the music. I knew that it was pulsing all around me, I could feel it vibrate through the air, but I couldn't hear it. I hadn't been able to hear it for a while now. I ju...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Darien Grace
I forced myself to look away from the entrance to the tent. I couldn't quite believe that Harry left without so much as a "goodbye". It was out of character for him. I'd actually spent the majority of the day building up my defenses in anticipation of a final interaction. He'd ramped up the tension between us the entire weekend—but now, this? He left without a word. I wasn't sure what to make of his bizarre behavioral shift. Nevertheless, I felt the tension drain from my body, the ache in my chest lessening the further he moved from the tent.
I looked back at Zayn, he'd managed to wake Nettie up long enough to pull her from his back. He lifted her back up into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. She burrowed into his shoulder, the day's excitement had stolen the last of her energy. She was down for the count.
"Any spectacular plans for the rest of your birthday?" He asked, rocking gently from foot to foot.
"I'm not sure. Probably just dinner with Heaven and Hell over there and the dads," I said, nodding toward where Leala stood a few feet away with the McKenneys. Caleb caught my eye and nudged Jon. I cursed under my breath as the entire clan began to head toward us. I'd managed to avoid the imminent dad-interrogation the entire weekend by steering clear of Caleb and Jon, but there was no stopping them now. Jas wore a wicked smirk, skipping along behind them, hand in hand with Leala.
I forced on my brightest smile, turning to face my family. "Caleb, you remember Nettie."
"Of course, though I'm not sure I remember the gentleman she's currently attached to," Caleb said. His expression was welcoming, though his tone held a fatherly warning. Lord. Here we go.
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure, sir," Zayn said sagely.
Caleb quirked a brow and extended his hand. "Caleb McKenney. And you are?"
"Zayn Malik." He shifted Nettie in his arms, managing to extend his right hand to shake Caleb's. "Nettie is my niece."
"You're a lucky man, she's a special one," Caleb said, smiling down at the little girl still snuggled down into the crook of Zayn's neck. "We were just about to head out for Darien's birthday dinner. You two should join us."
Zayn smiled softly, still rocking the exhausted child in his arms, "I would love to, but I'm afraid Cinderella's become a pumpkin."
"Of course." Caleb said.
"Do you already have dinner reservations?" Zayn asked, beginning to gently sway, while still rocking from foot to foot.
"Not that I've made. Tonight was supposed to be lady's choice," Caleb said, looking to me.
I shrugged, I was honestly still hoping for a night packed with pizza, booze, and movies.
"Let me make a call," Zayn said, already reaching into his coat pocket for his phone. Balancing Nettie in one arm, he walked a few feet away before holding the device to his ear. He returned a few moments later, a large smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. "There is a table waiting for you at Daniel's whenever you're ready—on the house."
