Page 66 of Rituals & Rivalry

It seems she’s still getting used to it, though through my eyes, it seems like she’s folded herself perfectly into our little community, and I want to help as much as I can.

My fingers twitch on the tabletop, but I don’t allow myself to reach for her. “You’re fitting in really well with everyone, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Thanks. I’m trying.”

There’s more I want to ask her about. The kiss. Her magic. The cottage and whether it’s been behaving. Instead, we spend the rest of the conversation sticking to safe topics. When we walk back to the office, her hand brushes against mine.

Probably an accident. Right?

I don’t know what’s going on between us, but by the end of it all, there’s one thing I’m certain of: Aurora Seren is the most confusing, enticing, frustrating person I’ve ever had the pleasure—and often, the displeasure—of knowing.

“Farrah set you up, huh?” Val fixes me with his typical shit-eating grin, but today, I don’t match it.

Auggie, Val, and I walk along a trail we’ve been hiking since we were young. Out of the four of us, I enjoy hiking the most—Farrah the least—but we meet up at least once a month to spend some time in nature together. Farrah’s always invited, too, but she usually finds an excuse not to come.

In this case, it’s probably a good thing. I’m still mad at her. I’m especially angry now that she’s apparently been gossiping to Val—unsurprising. Growing up, they made jokes about twin telepathy, but the truth is, they’ve always told each other everything.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I grumble, stomping ahead.

Val easily catches up to me despite his shorter height. “Aurora. You’ve been into her since she first came to Starbrook. Don’t think you can keep it from me—I can smell it on you.”

“You can’t smell anything.”

Aside from maybe my desperation, but I’m not down bad enough to admit that. We’re co-workers now, and she’s confusing, and I really can’t date anyone at all. Gods, it’s a wonder I’m even thinking about it.

If I could, it would be her.

“You smell fine,” Auggie whispers.

Val lifts a shoulder. “You haven’t actually denied it.”

How am I supposed to deny it without lying to my brother’s face? He’s right. I’m attracted to her, but she’s confusing, and now, we’re going to the Halloween party together. I don’t know how we went from hardly speaking to attending an event together, and I still don’t know what it means, but maybe Val will.

I watch him from the corner of my eye as I step over a large branch. “I need you to promise to keep this a secret. Both of you.”

“Me?” Auggie looks around wildly. “I mean, I don’t have anyone to tell⁠—”

“We’ll keep your secret.” Val waves a hand, watching me expectantly. “Go on.”

He may not be a love witch, but he’s as bad as Farrah.

“I…” How much should I tell them? “Aurora and I slept together three years ago, and yes, I’m attracted to her.”

Everyone in Starbrook is, I imagine, but it’s still more than I’d like to admit, especially to Val, who will likely run away with the information and do… well, I don’t really know what he’ll do. At the very least, I hope he’ll stop flirting with her.

There’s no saying with him.

“I feel like I shouldn’t be here for guy talk,” Auggie laughs nervously and stomps ahead of us.

“It’s fine,” I say. “It’s not guy talk. I don’t do that.”

Locker room talk has always disgusted me, and besides, I’m no good at sports. No need for me to be in any sort of locker room, thank you very much.

That should be the end of it, but our brother is frozen in place.

Val’s jaw drops. “Seriously? I didn’t think you had it in you to bag a woman like that. You make me proud.”

If I’m making Val proud, that means I’m a disappointment to myself, and probably to the rest of the world.