Her Promise

Her Secret | Chapter Six

DELILAH

Mel was a weird girl, but I felt like she just needed a friend sometimes. I had never seen a girl turn LJ down. He had dated a few girls early in high school but not so much now. But any time he ever offered a girl a hug or his hand, he was never turned down

Mel just ducked her head and blushed even harder. She was fidgety and quiet, clearly uncomfortable with this dinner in her honor. Mom said that she wanted us to go so she had someone to celebrate with, and Azeron seemed so happy and proud of her.

And now that I had gotten a whiff of whatever Dario cooked up, I was so glad we came. I would have to talk with Aunt Lea about hiring him in the packhouse.

I led the way through the house and found all the adults carrying big plates and bowls to a large dining table.

“Smells amazing, Dario,” I said, my stomach rumbling in anticipation.

“I made all Melody’s favorites,” he smiled. I looked back at her as she trailed behind us, and she was still red. “You know how to eat,” I directed at her. LJ pushed me on the shoulder, and I frowned. “What?”

“No point in letting everything get cold,” Dario hummed. He was kind of like a mother hen as he ushered us all around the table. He and Azeron sat at either end. Mel got stuck in the middle, with me on one side and Mom on the other. LJ sat across from us.

Dishes were passed around, and everything looked amazing. When we all had full plates, it was finally time to eat but leave it to Aunt Lea to make the awkward more awkward.

“So, Mel, did you ever decide if you were going to apply to art school?” she asked the mute next to me.

Mel froze with her fork halfway between her mouth and plate, her bite of pasta falling off it.

“Art school?” Junior piped in. The poor girl’s cheeks flamed again. If this kept up, her limbs would be in serious blood deficiency.

“Mel is an incredible artist,” Dario beamed from his end of the table.

“The whole spare bedroom is full of her work. It took us half a day to pack all her studio supplies in the closet the last time my parents came to visit,” Azeron laughed.

“That’s a lot,” I said.

“She’s been painting since her first Christmas with us,” Dario nodded. “They told us she loved art books, and the librarian at school told us she was always picking books about famous artists. Az bought her this big paint set, and I was sure we would have stains everywhere.”

“The one you gifted me for my birthday is hanging in my office,” Aunt Lea smiled at her.

“You gave Aunt Lea a painting?” I asked.

“Is it that one with the wolf family?” Junior asked his question more at his mom than her. Aunt Lea nodded. He turned wide eyes back to Mel, and the smallest swipe of jealousy hit me. While he was genuinely friendly with everyone, he didn’t look at just anyone with the tenderness he was giving Mel. “That painting is beautiful. You’re really talented,” he complimented her.

“Thanks,” she squeaked, not making eye contact with him. She squirmed in her seat, and I wondered if it was because of the attention on her.

“I’d be happy to write a letter of recommendation for you,” Uncle Liam told her. “It’s the least I can do for you.”

Dario smiled even wider. “Between the letters from her teachers and you, I’m sure she could get in anywhere she’d like.”

“I can call Missy as well. Maddox gave one of her paintings to his Gamma, and he’s a big, fancy CEO. I’m sure Valen or Sloan would claim it was commissioned,” Aunt Lea added.

Mel slumped down in her seat slightly, trying to disappear. If the girl was that good, she should own it. I never paid much attention to the decorations in anyone’s office. It was always just there.

I nudged her arm, and she looked at me from below her lashes. “Own it, girl. Nothing wrong with being confident about your talent,” I whispered. Her eyes widened a little, and instead of saying anything, she pushed a bite of salad into her mouth.

“So, are you all ready for school to start? Only a month until your senior year,” Mom said, pulling the topic away from Mel directly. My mom was cool like that; she stepped in before anyone got too upset.

“Yea, I’m ready for the off-season to start,” Junior smiled. I rolled my eyes. He convinced the coach that off-season training should start when school started so that everyone was in shape by the time season began. The basketball team started like two weeks before our season began.

“I think I need to go shopping,” I told my parents. My hips had finally gotten a little wider since the spring, giving me almost curves. My pants were tight now.

“I’d love to stop in a few places in the city,” Aunt Lea said.

“We can go any time, Luna,” Azeron said.

“Mel could tag along as well,” Dario offered. “I’m sure she needs some things.”

“I’m bowing out of these plans. Sorry, not getting dragged into girl’s day,” Junior said. Uncle Liam and Dad laughed. Junior shrugged. “Azeron is braver than me.”

The chatter continued on around the table like we were all an average family, and this was any other night of the week. Mel relaxed a little next to me, and I watched her from the corner of my eye. She kept stealing looks at Junior, but I don’t think he noticed at all.

I couldn’t remember seeing her in a dress, but she did look really good. She had killer curves that I would die for. She was cute as a button, honestly. I looked a lot like my mom, but I did not get her feminine frame. I was wider like my dad. The few guys I had bothered to give attention to in the past few years were quick to note that when I dressed up ‘like a girl.’

Mel’s cheeks had lost all their pink by the time Dario announced the cake. Then, as soon as it was placed in front of her, I had to hold myself back from joking about her face being hot enough to light the candles. We all sang, and I thought the girl was going to crawl under the table and pass out.

Junior offered for us to clean up the plates and such while the adults all went out to the back porch. Mel immediately grabbed a stack of dessert plates and hurried into the kitchen. Junior looked at me with a puzzled look. “Is she running from us?” he asked silently.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. Azeron asked me about throwing a party for someone who didn’t want one, and I think he meant Mel.”

Mel edged back into the room, reaching for the platter with the remaining birthday cake. This time, Junior caught her by the wrist.

“No, you don’t,” he smiled as she gasped audibly. What was probably meant as a charming way of stopping her resulted in her jumping back with a yelp and the cake flying right at me.

“Woah!” I shouted, barely dodging the remaining cake.

“I’m sorry!” Mel squeaked, clasping her hands over her mouth.

“It’s fine,” I said, looking over my clothes. “No collateral damage. Can’t say the same for the tablecloth.” I nodded at the light-colored linen that was now smeared with chocolate and caramel. Dario was a wizard in the kitchen, and Mel had great taste if that was her favorite.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I? I was just trying to stop you from cleaning up since it’s your birthday and all,” Junior said, holding his hands up to Mel. She shook her head sharply, taking a step away from him.

“Liam,” I said, getting his attention. He didn’t go by that very often, so it always got his attention. As he turned his eyes to me, still holding his arms up, I continued, “Why don’t you go start on the dishes? Mel and I can clean this up and bring the rest in.”

Junior looked between Mel and me and then slowly complied. When he was out of direct sight, I let out a breath, and Mel slowly lowered her hands.

“Okay, let’s move past all that,” I said, motioning to the table. “Are you sure you’re okay? Did Junior scare you or something?”

Mel swallowed audibly. “I’m fine,” she said quietly. “Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. No harm, no foul. Well, unless you count the loss of the cake. It was really good,” I frowned.

“He’s not mad, right?” Mel asked, surprising me.

“Who, Junior?” She nodded, and I laughed a little. “No, you confused him. He’ll be okay. He’s a big boy.”

Mel shifted uncomfortably on her feet, looking down at her hands. I didn’t know her that well, but she almost seemed like she was about to burst into tears.

“Do you want to, like, go to the bathroom or something? I don’t know, just like, take a minute?” I offered. “I can take the rest of this into Junior to wash and get the cake cleaned up.”

She looked up at me with wide eyes, and my guess was correct. The girl looked like she was ready to break down in tears. I didn’t realize anyone could dislike their birthday so much. She nodded and then practically ran from the room. I heard feet on the stairs a minute later.