Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(21)

“She’s worth waiting for,” Decker said. His eyes found Summer in the crowd, and his irritation softened into tenderness.

Beck’s fit of laughter trickled off.

“If Morgan can put up with you long enough, you might find out what that’s like,” Decker said. “She’s not like the normal girls you date.”

“I know that much,” Beck agreed. “I don’t want anything serious. I can’t afford it right now.”

“Right.” Decker rolled his eyes.

“Damn. I shouldn’t have asked her out tonight,” Beck murmured.

“Why did you?”

Beck grappled with an answer that made sense.

The flash of her red hair down the boardwalk drew his attention. One look at her reminded him why. Not even the newest arrival – a tall, blonde girl – captured or held his attention like Morgan did. There was something more than physical attraction between them and had been since the day they met, a realization that startled him.

Beck shook his head. “I feel like I had to. Like, she’s already … mine.”

“Good luck with all that,” Decker replied. “The last thing you need is her stirring things up with Dawn or distracting you from the Light.”

“I know that. I’ll keep my distance. Somehow.”

“No, I mean, good luck, because if it’s like it is with Summer and me, you’ve got no choice. You have to learn to juggle her and the rest of life.”

“Like you’ve managed to do that!” Beck said sarcastically, aware of how naturally conflicted Decker was about everything in life.

“I haven’t yet, but I’m working on it,” Decker retorted. “She’s the only part of my world that makes sense.”

Beck knew as much. Summer stabilized Decker and his world. The bond between them was beyond anything Beck ever witnessed, outside of the relationship between their parents. Yet, no part of Beck welcomed such a relationship in his life. At least, not until he was standing on his own two feet, capable of protecting her, without a laundry list of issues weighing him down.

“I don’t need that,” he murmured. “I guess I should fix it now. I can say something came up and send her home in your car.”

“Whatever. You’re too nice.”

Sometimes, Beck wished he could be more like Decker and react without restraint. Instead, Beck tried to do what he thought was the best for the Light.

“Besides, you’re not about to ruin my date night,” Decker added.

“Yeah.” Beck’s thoughts were elsewhere, mainly on how he was going to let Morgan down easy.

“I’ll text you later.” Decker moved away, attention on his Summer.

Beck watched the crowd part for his twin, whose Dark power was felt even by normal humans. Beck’s magick drew people to him while Decker’s repelled them.

He rested his hands against the cold railing in front of him then leaned over it to see the lights rippling in the water. The sound of the river bumping against the dock, combined with the mesmerizing dance of the lights reflected in the water, soothed him some. He roused himself after a few minutes, the night chill sinking into him. His thoughts went first to Morgan to warm him and then to the bonfire. He knew which one he wanted; he also knew which one he’d end up going to.

Beck debated on what to do about Morgan. The timing for a girlfriend - let alone finding his counterbalance – was awful. Morgan was sweet and sensitive. She deserved better than to be drawn into his drama, especially if she had already been hurt by someone. He didn’t trust himself getting serious with any girl. Maybe after the baby was born or he had dealt with his issues, he’d consider asking Morgan out again.

If he could keep away and didn’t end up inviting her on any more dates.

“What is wrong with me?” he muttered, irritated that his judgment failed him again this night. He straightened suddenly. “Speaking of crappy decisions …”

Beck sensed Dawn. He took in his surroundings with a sharp gaze, seeking out the Dark girl. It was also to give him time to avoid her, if possible. There were mutual restraining orders that mandated they have no contact, though she was able to break court orders at will while he got slammed the one time he sought her out. His father warned him to stay on the high road. Beck resigned himself to being the better person, because his unborn daughter was at risk. Dawn was using the baby as a tool to manipulate everyone, and there was nothing she wouldn’t risk to keep the advantage on her side.

The idea she might hurt her own baby out of revenge had crossed Beck’s mind more than once over the past few weeks. It made him sick – and overly cautious about giving Dawn a reason to do anything of the sort.

She was easy to spot. Tall, lithe, beautiful. Dawn was blonde with the bone structure and body of a natural born model. She drew attention wherever she went. He fell for her the first time they met at the witchling boarding school three years before, not even caring that she dated his twin first. Or cheated on both of them more than once. Their on-again, off-again relationship wasn’t healthy, he knew now. He had done his own part to make it dysfunctional by dating and sleeping around during their constant, periodic breakups.

Any affection for her died with Tanya. The only emotions he felt towards her now were anger and regret.

Beck glanced around to see where Morgan was, not about to drag the girl into this mess. She was far down the boardwalk, walking with Summer and Decker. Satisfied she wasn’t in danger, he pushed away from the railing and crossed his arms, waiting for Dawn to find him.