Page 49 of Miles's Pact
Eighteen
Miles
After our date earlier today, we'd returned home with our hearts and bellies full, and our hands a little sticky from the fruits. We'd also brought the leftovers home because I'd known Mat would murder me if I didn't save some apples for him, and he'd given me a smack on my back and Duckie a hug for our efforts.
The three of us had streamed a show for a while, then made dinner together. Duckie wanted to learn how to cook, and while Mateo was the better cook out of the two of us, I knew enough to assist, and together we taught Duckie how to make a simple pasta dish with cream sauce and veggies.
We ate on the couch with the show playing in the background, though we kept getting distracted by conversations.
"We're almost done with the haunted house. It will be ready to open in a few weeks," Mateo said, and I turned to him, lowering the volume before dropping the remote on my lap.
"Really?"
"Yeah. With Cam's dads wanting to leave, we've been speeding things up so Cam can focus on that. He won't have as much time to run the place once it's open. He asked me if I wanted to do it."
"Do you?" I asked, surprised that I actually didn't know. Usually, I could guess with unerring accuracy what my twin wanted. Was it because we hadn't spent as much time together recently? I'd told Duckie how I was glad our bond hadn't affected my relationship with my brother. Had I been wrong?
"I'm not sure. I mean, I like the concept of the place, and Iloveddesigning it. I can't wait to experience the whole thing. But actually running the business? I don't know if I can do that."
"Do you think youcan'tdo that, or that you won't enjoy doing it?" Duckie asked, and Mateo frowned. He stuck a bite of pasta into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully as he glanced between us.
"A little of both, I think. It's not like I have any experience running a business."
"Neither does Cam," I reminded him, and he pointed a finger at him.
"True. I suppose I could learn what I need to know."
"Yeah. There are a bunch of people in our clan who would be happy to share their knowledge with you."
"You're right," Mateo said, then turned his gaze to Duckie. "You liked the haunted house, right?"
Duckie nodded, his eyes lighting up. "I did. I would like to see it again, if possible."
"Of course. Come with me, hmm… I'm not going tomorrow, but the day after that? If you like it, maybe we could run the place together," Mateo suggested, and Duckie's eyes filled with surprise, and a hint of uncertainty.
"Me? But I know even less than you."
"We can learn together," Mateo said with a shrug. "If you want, of course."
Duckie nodded slowly, and Mateo glanced over at me. I nodded, glad he'd suggested it. He'd told me about his discussion with Duckie about money, and working at the haunted house might make Duckie feel better about his place in our relationship.
The conversation petered out after that, and we turned our attention back to the show, rewinding to the part we'd left off on as we finished our dinner.
Afterward, Duckie and Mateo cleaned up while I took Snowball out to do his business, taking my time so the two could have a few moments to themselves.
As I watched Snowball sniff around in search for the perfect spot, my thoughts returned to Mateo. Ever since Duckie's arrival, we'd both been focused on him, which was natural. But I didn't want our budding bonds with Duckie to put a strain on our relationship. Mateo was my rock, had been since the day I first accepted he would never leave me at the age of two, and I knew I was the same for him.
We'd gotten through some rough times together, and it'd only been possible because we'd had each other.
After Mateo had told me he was aroace, I'd made a pact with him, promising that no matter who my mate was, I'd never let them weaken my bond with Mateo.
I knew Duckie wasn't to be blamed. It fell on me to make sure I didn't neglect Mateo as I built a relationship with Duckie. I had to find a balance.
Maybe tomorrow Mateo and I could hang out with each other, since Rebba had invited Duckie to her place to meet the rest of our pack. It was important for shifters to bond with their pack,and I figured it would be better if we weren't there to distract him.
"Oi! Are you planning to sleep out there?" Mateo called from inside the house, pulling me out of my circling thoughts.
Calling Snowball—who'd finished up at some point and was now chasing a dragonfly—over, I went back inside, closing the sliding glass door behind us.
