Huntsman by Cambria Hebert
8
Virginia
It really wasn’ta strange thing to be lifted or carried by others when you were paralyzed. As much as I prided myself on transferring my own weight and being as independent as possible, sometimes help was necessary. Or even just nice.
Neo picked me up all the time. Emogen often assisted me. Doctors, physical therapists… it was normal.
But this. This was different.
The catch in my throat. The way my fingers curled into the base of his neck, itching to delve inside the collar of the leather jacket for more contact with skin. The automatic relaxation of limbs I usually held tense while being held.
Being cradled in Earth’s arms felt like more than just a means to an end. Like he lifted me because he wanted to, not because it was a necessity. All at once, it was thrilling, intimate, and somehow familiar. Focusing on my surroundings or even what I needed to do to make sure I wasn’t being a burden didn’t seem necessary.
In this moment, I wasn’t disabled. I wasn’t a patient being cradled in his arms because my legs didn’t work. Instead, I was an ordinary girl whose heart pattered wildly because she was being held by someone who not only excited her but brought her to a place she’d desperately wanted to visit for so long.
“Be careful with that,” Earth ordered, his voice stern.
Peeking over his shoulder, I saw an employee of Kismet lifting my folded chair to carry it along behind us. The young man caught me watching him, and his cheeks turned pink. I smiled and gave him an approving thumbs-up.
“Stop flirting,” Earth said passively, shifting my weight even closer.
I made a face. “I guess you would assume simple kindness as flirting, considering everyone you talk to you insult.”
He grunted, starting down the concrete stairs leading to a robin’s-egg-blue wooden door with panes of glass in the center.
I gasped when someone from inside opened the door to allow us in. “Wait!”
His boots made a definite thump when he planted them in place. “Something wrong?”
“I didn’t get to appreciate the sign or the building before we came in!”
His face was blank. “It’s a sign. And a door. The sidewalk is dirty.”
“But I’ve only ever seen pictures online. I want to see it all with my own eyes!” I exclaimed, widening my lashes to prove my point.
I felt a slight rumble against my side, but he didn’t laugh or even smile. “What the hell were you doing when we were standing out there? Closing your eyes?”
“It was hard to pay attention,” I muttered, feeling a lick of shyness rush up inside me. “Please, Earth?”
He sighed miserably, his boots stomping back up the stairs. “We’ll meet you inside,” he told the boy with my wheelchair.
Cars whizzed by, cabbies laid on their horns, and down the block, a large truck beeped as it backed up. Summer air blew down the street, carrying with it the stench of exhaust.
I patted the back of his head in excitement, my upper body bouncing around in excitement.
“This is ridiculous.” He glowered.
I ignored him. He had a bad attitude.
The front of the building was charming. It sat in the middle of what looked like a line of row houses. They were all connected, but this one was defined by white-wash brick, robin’s-egg-blue window trim, and a wooden door that was slightly off-kilter at the base of the concrete stairs. I was charmed you had to go down a few steps instead of up to get inside.
There was a door on the bell that rang every time it opened, and the sign was oval, cream-colored, and Kismet was written in gold with stars all around it.
“It’s so cute,” I exclaimed. “Like a real-life dollhouse!”
“It’s ugly,” Earth declared.
“I like it!”
He pursed his lips. “You wanna go inside now?”
“Yes, please!”
The bell chimed when the door opened once more, and the scent of rich chocolate and pastry floated out, swirling around my head. Earth had to duck a bit to get past the doorframe, which was also adorably charming.
“Stupid place probably isn’t even up to code,” he muttered as his hand came up to shield my head as if he worried I might bump it.
“It’s a historic building preserved by the city,” announced a woman standing at a nearby podium.
“Oh, how wonderful!” I said, smiling. “Whoa! Just look how gorgeous!” My eyes roamed everywhere in the tiny entrance, which was long and narrow and lined with people waiting to be seated. I didn’t even have time to be self-conscious of them staring because there were so many other worthwhile things to give attention.
Each side of the narrow space held colorfully painted hutches that were filled with antique-looking teacups, saucers, and dessert plates. Along with the china were vintage toys and games from many years ago. Stuffed toys lined one shelf, as did old books.
Running down the center of the aisle was a carpet that looked antique but capable of withstanding the traffic this popular place knew.
An old golden glass chandelier hung in the center just high enough for Earth not to hit his head on his way past the line.
“Earth,” I whispered, tugging on his jacket.
“What?”
“You’re cutting the line.”
Suddenly, I heard my name being called by a familiar enthusiastic voice. “Virginia! Virginia!”
My head popped up, eyes looking past the woman at the podium and into the interior of the café.
Fletcher waved wildly, a smile on his lips and his floppy hair nearly covering his eyes.
“Fletch!” I called back, happiness blossoming in the center of my chest. On the other side of the table, Ethan stood, adjusting the hot-pink tie under his black sports jacket.
“We’re with them,” Earth told the hostess as he stepped by on the way to our friends.
“Did you invite them?” I asked, shifting my stare to him. His skin was incredibly smooth even this close, his black eyes focused straight ahead.
He cleared his throat. “I needed the address of the place. Ethan said they would meet us here. Figured you’d like to see them.”
Without thinking, I tightened my arms around his neck, pressing my face closer against him for a hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
His muscles tensed slightly, but then he relaxed again. “Don’t be too thankful. Fletch will probably try and eat everything you order.”
The second we approached the round white table, Fletcher launched himself at us, throwing his arms around Earth and me both. “Hi, guys!” His voice was muffled against my shoulder.
Earth grunted but didn’t protest Fletcher’s public display of affection. “Hey, kid.”
We all knew that Earth had a soft spot for Fletch.
I patted his fluffy hair and laughed. “Fletcher! It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
He pulled away, a small pout on his lips. “Sorry I haven’t been by. I’ve had so many shows lately.”
“I know! Ethan sent me some recordings, and you sound so good! I think you keep getting better.”
Fletcher’s honey eyes widened, and he rotated toward Ethan. “You’ve been sending her my music?”
Ethan smiled. “Of course. We’re gonna get you to an actual show soon,” he told me.
I sighed. “I can’t wait. I haven’t seen Fletcher play violin since that fashion show of Ivory’s way back when she first met Neo!”
Earth shifted, going around the table to where my wheelchair was waiting. It was against the wall, so when I sat down, I would be able to look around the café and see everything.
“Here, let me help you,” Ethan offered, grabbing the chair to make sure it was steady.
Earth put me in the chair gently, making sure my dress was pulled down as he shifted back. Before pulling away completely, I felt a light tug on the end of my braid. “See, who needs a ramp?”
My heart fluttered lightly, and tears rushed to my eyes.
Seeing the sudden sheen, Earth frowned. “Did I hurt you?”
“No. Everything is perfect.” I assured him, waving off his concern to sniffle lightly.
He would have no idea how much such a simple thing as bringing me here could mean. How something that everyone else did on the daily was special and so meaningful to me. And he did it so effortlessly as if it was no big deal to just carry me inside. Like the prying eyes, pitying stares, or even sighs of annoyance from the employees were nothing.
And with Earth… maybe they were. Because you know what? I didn’t notice any of that not even once since we’d gotten out of his car.
“I’m starving!” Fletcher declared, chair legs scraping along the wooden floor as he dragged his chair to the table.
“When aren’t you?” Earth retorted, sitting down beside me.
“Get whatever you want, puppy,” Ethan told his boyfriend.
Earth snorted. “Spoiled.”
Fletcher beamed at Ethan, looping his arm around his before staring down at the menu.
Ethan gave me a wink, smiling. “So, Virginia, what do you think of Kismet?”
“Oh, it’s better than I hoped!” I declared, gazing around at the random chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The walls were all whitewashed brick, covered in old art, mirrors with gaudy gold frames, and the occasional star painted on the wall.
The sound of water made me turn toward the back of the room. “Is that a real fountain?” I exclaimed.
Earth followed my gaze as Ethan laughed. “Sure is. Many decades ago, there was a small garden behind the building. Almost like a courtyard. When the owners bought this place and made it into a café, they wanted to keep the courtyard, but it was quite impractical because of all the cold months we get here in the city. So they extended the building but kept the centerpiece, which was that fountain.”
Now that he explained, I could see how the building was basically extended, and to get to the fountain, you had to cross under a large archway. The sounds of falling water echoed through the place.
“Before we leave, you should throw a penny in the fountain and make a wish!” Fletcher said.
“That’s a wishing fountain?” I said, awed.
“Of course it is,” Earth muttered, turning back to the table.
“How do you know so much about this place?” I asked Ethan.
“I know the owner.”
“Ethan knows everyone,” Fletcher announced.
“Good afternoon.” A friendly waitress greeted us, stepping up to the table. She was holding a small notepad and a pen with a big, fluffy pink ball at the end. “Are you ready to order?”
Fletcher rattled off a list of things right away, making it clear he knew the menu by heart. When he was done, Ethan ordered an iced coffee with cream, and then all eyes turned to me.
Flustered, I grabbed the menu and gazed down at it. “Well, I don’t know…” I worried, feeling all the stares.
“Take your time, sprite. She’ll wait,” Earth offered, which I found oddly reassuring.
After a moment, I ordered a classic frozen hot chocolate.
“Get a muffin. The muffins are so good.” Fletcher encouraged.
Naturally, I ordered a muffin.
Everyone turned to Earth. “I’m good,” he told the waitress.
My mouth fell open.
Fletcher gasped. “Earth! You have to get something! We finally got you here. You have to.”
Earth sighed and hitched his chin at Fletcher. “You order for me, then.”
“Give him the peanut butter frozen hot chocolate and a croissant.”
Immediately, Earth looked like he regretted letting Fletcher order for him, but he didn’t refuse.
When the waitress was gone, his leather-clad elbows leaned on the table so he could look over Fletcher. “Ethan treating you okay? Do I need to kick his ass?”
Ethan rolled his eyes but otherwise didn’t even seem offended.
Fletcher’s cheeks turned pink, and his body seemed to tuck closer into Ethan’s side. “You know I’m fine, Earth.”
“We miss you at the bar,” he said, gruff.
Fletcher sat up. “You do? I’ll come by tomorrow!” The second the words were out of his mouth, he glanced at Ethan. “Is that okay?”
Earth scowled. “You don’t need his permission.”
“But I want it,” Fletcher retorted, voice shy.
Ethan’s face went soft, his hand reaching up to ruffle Fletcher’s hair. “Of course it’s okay.”
Fletcher beamed, and my eyes went back to wandering around the eclectic café. It was smaller inside than I expected, the tables close together, every single one filled. There was even a metal spiral staircase off to the side of the room where the servers were leading customers upstairs.
“How did you get a table so fast?” I wondered, staring at the long line that was now out the door.
“When Earth called me for directions, I called and told them we were coming in,” Ethan replied simply.
Sometimes I forgot that Ethan and Ivory were very well-known here in New York City. I only remembered when their social status in some way benefited me and my friends.
Like getting you fancy doctor appointments. But even knowing New York Elite can’t make you walk again.
I don’t know how, but Earth seemed to sense my thoughts, his body shifting slightly toward me. His eyes asked if I was okay while his lips stayed closed.
I nodded, then turned back to the room. Fletcher talked about a mile a minute until the waitress appeared with a huge tray filled with our order.
“That’s bigger than my head!” I laughed as she slid the frozen hot chocolate onto the table in front of me.
The glass it was in looked like a bowl on a crystal pedestal that sat on a small white plate in case the massive amounts of whipped cream piled on the top began to melt. There was a straw and spoon sticking up from the side and chocolate shavings decorating the white cream.
An equal-sized drink was placed in front of Fletcher and Earth. Earth’s had a giant peanut butter cup sticking out.
Along with Fletcher’s drink, he also had a giant blueberry muffin, some type of grilled sandwich, and a mountain of fries.
The table in front of Ethan would have looked bare with just his iced coffee if it weren't for all the plates Fletcher spread out everywhere.
I smiled as the server slid a strawberry muffin near my elbow, and then she took her leave.
“Try it!” Fletcher exclaimed, already biting into his muffin. “It tastes even better here than when it’s takeout!”
Everyone watched as I leaned in to get a mouthful from the straw. Smooth, rich chocolate the temperature of ice cream burst across my tongue, bringing my senses alive, and I felt my eyes widen.
“This is amazing!” Leaning forward, I licked the mountain of whipped cream, sighing when a few chocolate curls melted against my tongue.
“You’re as bad as Fletch,” Earth grumped, leaning over to swipe whipped cream off the tip of my nose. “It’s all over your face.”
My tongue darted out to lick the cream still on my lip, and I couldn’t help but notice the way Earth’s eyes followed the movement.
A paper napkin was shoved under my nose. “Clean yourself up.”
“Thank you,” I said politely, taking the offer.
“Aren’t you gonna try yours?” Fletcher asked, pointing to Earth’s untouched treat.
Dutifully, he leaned forward to take a pull on the straw. “It’s too sweet,” he declared.
Fletcher beamed. “That means he likes it.”
I went back to eating, alternating between the straw and the spoon, listening with one ear to Earth and Fletcher bickering while listening to everything else going on in the room around us. I couldn’t remember the last time I was out like this. People watching, feeling excitement buzz in the air. Small string lights twinkled around the ceiling, and the old floor creaked when the servers walked by.
I was making a mental note to look up some old movie that was on a poster hanging across the room when Earth’s voice pulled me back. “You’re cold.”
“What?” I echoed.
He made a rude sound, gesturing to my arms, which were raised with goose bumps.
“Oh.” I noticed. “I’m fine. It’s probably this giant frozen drink.” I felt like I’d been drinking it for a long time, but there was barely a dent in it. How did they expect people to finish all this?
“You should stop drinking it. I’ll get you something hot.”
I made a face. “No! I like this.” I turned sheepish. “Besides, there is no way I will be able to drink all this.”
The sound of a straw slurping up the last bit cut through our conversation. Glancing over, I burst out laughing because Fletcher had indeed done the impossible.
“Done!” he declared, sitting back and patting his still-thin stomach.
My laughter cut off when the warm weight of something settled around me. Glancing down, I watched Earth draping his jacket around my shoulders. “Lean up,” he said quietly.
I listened, upper body leaning forward to allow room for the jacket behind me.
“Arms.”
“This really isn’t necessary. I’m not that cold—”
“Arms,” he repeated, this time more firmly.
I slid my arms into the sleeves. The weight of the jacket was surprising. It seemed so light when he moved around wearing it.
“Thank you,” I said as he tugged it closer around me.
“Neo would kill me if I got you sick.”
Right.My brother.
“So how was your appointment today, Virginia?” Ethan asked, drawing me from the sudden thoughts.
“Oh. Thank you for asking,” I said, pausing while I decided how much to say. In truth, I didn’t really want to talk about it. I wanted to enjoy being out with friends. For a while, I wanted to not feel like the girl trapped in a wheelchair and living in a tower. “Ah…”
“Fletcher, do you want this?” Earth interrupted, pushing his PB hot chocolate toward his brother.
“You don’t?” Fletcher exclaimed.
“If I drink any more, I might go into sugar shock.”
“Wow, thanks, Earth!” Fletcher tucked into the drink, oohing and aahing over the flavor.
Ethan smiled fondly. Then his eyes drifted back to me. Waiting.
“Is there a place around here we can get crickets?” Earth asked him.
Forgetting he was waiting on an answer, he turned back to Earth. “Crickets?”
I nodded, feeling a rush of warmth that Earth hadn’t forgotten about Zilla. “For Zilla. I promised to bring her some!”
“Ah, yes. Your gecko.” Ethan recalled. After a moment of thought, he began telling Earth about a place a few blocks over and how to get there.
After that, Ethan seemed to forget he’d asked me about my appointment at all, and our conversation turned other places. But even as we laughed and joked, I remembered.
I remembered how Earth directed the subject away from something I did not want to talk about, and he did it not once, but twice.
I wondered if he did that because of my brother too.