The sound of a throat being cleared shattered the moment, and our attention turned to the person who made the sound. Hip was standing there with that smile. The fake one I had seen him use so many times.
“Sorry for interrupting, but I believe it’s my turn.”
My stomach sunk. “Hip…”
“I’ll just wait outside,” He said, that smile still in place as he turned and left.
I looked up at Ajax. “I need to—um…”
He nodded in understanding. “Go.”
I leaned back up to kiss him on the cheek but hesitated. Perhaps it wasn’t the time for that. Settling back down on my feet, I dashed out the door after Hip. He stood right outside, leaning against the building. I had practically run a good three yards looking for him before realizing where he was standing.
“Hey,” I breathed.
“Hi, Speedy, where you running off to?”
“I was coming after you, of course.” I said, taking a step closer to him.
He tilted his head towards where I had come from. “What about finishing up getting some nookie from Tall, Dark, and Silent?”
“You said it was your turn with me. As it seems, you guys are taking some sort of shifts today.”
“I would have waited.” His face still, like a mask.
I hated that fucking smile.
“I’m sure you would have. Doesn’t make it okay.” I tried to take his hand but he pulled away. “Hip, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
I scowled and poked his cheek, right over that fake ass dimple. “Because of that. You may have everyone else fooled, but you can’t fool me. I know what acting looks like.”
His happy demeanor burned down, leaving behind hurt and worry. His youthfulness seemed to drain away, revealing someone who saw too much in the world. I understood that feeling.
“I’m sorry. It will take some time getting used to the idea of this…dynamic we’re building. Talking about it is one thing, but seeing it is another. And I just…I need a minute to process it.”
I tugged at the sleeves of my jacket. “I kind of know how you feel.”
“No offense, Atalanta, but how exactly do you know how I feel?” Hip scoffed.
I wrapped my arms around my middle, hugging myself. “Well, if I had to guess, seeing Ajax and I just now left you feeling jealous? Maybe worried and scared that I would somehow like any of the others more than you?”
His eyes went wide and his lips parted in surprise. “Y-yeah. How did you?”
“Because it’s something I can’t stop thinking about. Since the moment I woke up, it’s like all of you had somehow decided, ‘whelp, she can’t choose, so clearly we all get to share her’ and have been acting like you’re okay with it. But there’s just no way. Beyond feeling extremely guilty about not having the ability to choose one of you, I’m constantly worried about what each one of you must think of all of this.”
He laughed. “You’re the most observant person I have ever met. And the most selfless. It may suck, but if it means I get to stay by your side dealing with all of these emotions for a while, it will be worth it.”
“But why? I seriously can not be worth all of the trouble. And we haven’t even known each other that long! A month? Maybe two?”
“A person may get to choose their own self worth, but they have no control of their worth to others.” Hip said, looking up at the sky.
My brows furrowed. “Huh?”
“You say you’re not worth all of the trouble? Well, I say you’re worth all of it and more. I can’t speak for the others, but you’re the first person beyond my own parents who’ve ever been able to see past my bullshit. And not only that, but you called me out on it. That first day we met, when you cornered me in the hall and told me that acting like an idiot wouldn’t get me any real friends? I was a goner that day, even if I didn’t realize it.”
He put his hands on my shoulder, his expression excited. “I mean, you know how crazy it is to meet someone who can match me wit for wit? It’s like seeing color for the first time. You’re like a bright golden apple amongst a dreary orchard of gray. So, as long as you’ll have me, I’m going to keep you. Now, come on, I have a gift for you.”
I let out a nervous laugh as I held back the tears that wanted to push to the surface. “I’m pretty sure that was a good enough gift.”
“Maybe, but a girl deserves nice things on Valentine’s Day.” Hip took my hand and gave me a kiss on the knuckles.
We walked into Ajax’s cabin to see Jason was awake and arguing with Theseus, while Percy stood off to the side looking bored. When he noticed us come in, Percy’s expression brightened, if his micro-shifts were anything to go by.
“It seems to be my turn now.”
Hip scoffed. “What? No, it’s not. It’s my turn.”
“But Jason told me that I would get her after sunset,” Percy said.
“And I was supposed to have her before then, but I only just got her from Ajax.” Hip pointed out.
“Do you have any idea how annoying it was trying to explain to the cops that you didn’t actually kidnap her?! Seriously, Jason. Not cool.” Theseus shouted, drawing my attention away from Percy and Hip.
Cops had seriously shown up after we left?
“It was my turn!” Jason shouted back. “Besides, I thought it was hilarious.”
“It might have been to you, but I’m the one who got left behind to clean up the mess.”
Jason shrugged. “We will just have to schedule it better next time.”
“Jason,” Hip interrupted, drawing my attention back to the two of them. “Can we push Percy’s time? I haven’t even started what I had planned.”
And of course Ajax chose that moment to walk through the door. He stopped and stared at the rest of us. “Loud.”
I leaned into him and whispered, "It seems the cocks are in a chicken fight.”
“And you’re the hen?”
“Basically.”
Ajax grunted. “I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, me too.” I clapped my hands. “That’s enough, boys. It’s time for dinner.”
“But—”
“Nope. I’m hungry.”
Hip and Percy then quickly strode towards the kitchen and said at the same time, “I’ve got it.”
They glared at each other before practically racing to see who would get to cook.
I sighed. I needed a moment to myself.
Mumbling about needing to use the restroom, I left the squabbling chicken coop and locked myself in the bathroom.
I slumped to the floor, my back against the door. My brain felt full with everything the guys had dumped on me today. Like another brick added to this bucket that was dangling over my head.
I chuckled as I heard the sound of something breaking and shouting.
Still. At least their antics had almost made this day feel normal. Distracted me. I didn’t feel as alone as I would have thought.
“Happy birthday to me.” I whispered softly.
Come on, sweetie. They may want to take away our special day, but that doesn’t mean we have to let them.
“Happy birthday to me.”
Another year older, my silly little monkey.
“I’m twenty-two now, Dad,” I whispered to the bathroom tile.
Yeah, but you’ll always be my baby girl. Now go show your mom the present you got.
I couldn’t remember the sound of my mother’s voice. But did that matter? I could at least remember Dad and Cal singing to me. Dad couldn’t sing for shit, but Cal’s voice was golden. She would always add a silly name on to the last lines just because it annoyed me.
“Happy birthday, Dear Mrs. Figgleston Causerhouser the Thiiirrrd. Happy birthday to you!”