Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(25)

“Yeah, I’m going with Aspen.” Of course he was. Especially if that meant he would be closer to Skye. Aspen stared at her parents for a minute, daring them to contradict her.

Mom looked like she was about to cry. “Can’t you see? We just want you to be safe.”

“Mom, how many pictures do I have of the dragons?” Aspen knew her parents were worried about them, but she couldn’t move to Hawaii. She was in far too deep.

“That’s not the point. You took those pictures before a dragon started eating people. You are more likely to get killed than anyone.” A few tears leaked out of her mom’s eyes.

“What if I promise to not go out taking pictures?”

“We’ve heard those promises before. I know you went out when we took your keys last time.”

Aspen ran a hand through her hair. “Yeah, that was before I realized the danger. I have no plans of going anywhere that could get me killed.”

Both Mom and Dad sat down. Dad put his arm around Mom’s shoulder, and they looked at each for a long few seconds.

“Sissy’s will be safer,” Dad finally said.

“We’re not leaving, so either we are staying here with you, or we’re going to stay at Sid’s house. He lives far enough outside of the park that we won’t be in danger.”

Dad shook his head. “I don’t think so, Aspen. This is serious. You don’t understand.”

“I understand way more than you think I do. We spend a ton of time over there already. Not much will change. We just won’t come back into the park. You guys can join us for dinner every night. Hell, you can even come stay if you want.”

“You haven’t even asked him yet.”

“He’ll say yes, trust me. Do you want me to ask him if he can open a room for you too? That way, we’ll all be together, and Rowan and I don’t have to go live with Sissy.”

Mom let out a big sigh. “Your dad and I have to stay here. I’m still not sure about this. Will his parents be okay with you two living there?”

“He lives with his brother. His girlfriend lives there with him. His parents are out of the country.” She had to fudge the bit about Theo. She didn’t know how else to explain Theo and Sid’s relationship.

Mom opened and closed her mouth. “I thought you were his girlfriend.”

“I told you we broke up.”

“I know, but you’ve spent so much time there, I just assumed you’d gotten back together.”

“No. We’re friends.” Aspen knew she was wearing them down.

Mom let out a long breath. “I would much rather you go to Hawaii, but you’re right. We can’t force you. You’ll be safer at Sid’s than here. I don’t want you in the park.”

“Of course. I’ll call Sid and make sure it’s okay.”

Mom gave Aspen a tight smile as she picked up the phone.

Sid answered on the first ring.

“Aspen? You okay?”

“Yeah, but my mom doesn’t want Rowan and I staying in the park right now. Can we come stay with you for a few weeks?”

“You know you don’t have to ask, right?”

“Well, my mom, you know, she wanted me to make sure it’s okay.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll open up a room for Rowan.”

“What about me?”

“You’ll stay in my room. Now pack a bag and get your gorgeous self down here.”

Aspen looked at her mom, nerves setting in. She and Sid had never spent a night together except when they were camping, and that didn’t count. What were his expectations? Aspen set her phone down on the table and wiped her palms on her jeans.

“Sid said it was fine. He’s going to open rooms for both me and Rowan.”

Her mom nodded, but still looked concerned. Aspen looked down at Rowan who was furiously typing on his phone. She kicked his shoe. “Come on, we need to pack.”

He jerked his head up. “What? Oh, yeah, I’m coming.”

Rowan followed her up the stairs to her room. He tripped over the last step, and Aspen looked back and saw him staring at his phone.

“Who are you talking to?” Aspen asked.

“Sid.”

That was not the answer Aspen expected. “Why?”

“I told him I want a room next to Skye.”

Aspen laughed out loud. “I admire your tenacity, brother, but you are fighting a losing battle.”

He stopped and glared at Aspen. “I’ve fought a lot of losing battles. Trust me when I say, this is one battle I’m winning.”

Aspen shook her head. When did Rowan grow a backbone?

Once in her room, Aspen dug her suitcase out from under her bed. It still smelled like the beach from Hawaii. She packed a few outfits and opened her pajama drawer. She would be spending the night with Sid. What did he expect? What did she expect? They had next to no alone time, so sex had never really been on the table. Was she ready to take the next step with him?

Who was she kidding? Every time he touched her, she wanted more. Even if sex didn’t happen tonight, it would sometime. She packed a few tanks and shorts and then dug around the bottom and grabbed the box of condoms Sissy had given her before going to college.

She took a deep breath. She was ready for this.