Can You Keep A Secret?

Chapter VIII

Andrew^

[UNEDITED]

I hold up my hand before anyone decides to fire out more questions. Rightfully so, they shut their mouths.

"Okay, first, can we come in Drew?" He grins at me. And I swear I see a twinkle in his eye.

"Sure, right this way ma'am." He steps to the side of the door and gives a short bow.

Well, his playfulness at this moment and Eli's growling is certainly a contrast... How am I going to explain any of this again? That Drew knows I'm a werewolf and yes, we do exist? -even though I'm only half of one- To Eli? We all sit round the coffee table.

"So... Yea, we know each other," says Drew.

"I think I've already figured that out."

"If I knew you were going to bring this crazy chic, I wouldn't have cleaned the whole house." He teases. I make a disgusted face at him and Drew does the same back.

"Okay. If you two are quite done with your flirting, I would like to know how do you two know even know each other?" Eli asks.

I would say we were very distant cousins and we met from a pack meeting eight years back, but it'll be a rollercoaster to explain. I look to Drew and his eyes seem to ask me if Eli knows. I shake my head.

"Basically, we met at this camp thing, way back. When I used to stay in the states too," He draws out the 'way'. Oh right. Best answer ever! Ugh god. Why can't he be better at coming up with excuses or lies?

"Mmhmm." I nod. Biting hard on my tongue. Eli gives us suspicious looks but seems to let it go as he shrugs, taking up a magazine from the table.

"Great... Now we've settled that... Excuse us for a minute." Drew grabs my hand and pulls me into one of the rooms before I get the chance to protest.

"Why are you here with Eli? Hera, this is dangerous. Do you even know the guy?" Drew interrogates me. Once we are out of sight and hearing distance. I roll my eyes.
"I'm a big girl Drew, I know how to look after myself. Besides, grandma knows I'm here." Now he rolls his eyes at me.

"But grandma also just happens to not know that you're a half werewolf either. So how would she know the dangers? I assumes you're talking about your dad's mother."

I hate to admit it but he's right.

"Well, I've got you here with me now. You can protect me can't you Drew? Please don't make me take a train back to Venice." I pout, making the cutest face I possibly can.

He was always a sucker for puppy dog eyes.

"Ugh fine. Since we're on the topic anyways, you're being so rebellious! Oh my god!!" He says, like he's gossiping about the hottest trend of the season. I choose to ignore him.

"Question. How close are you to Eli?" I ask, curiously. Drew furrows his eyebrows.

"What do you mean? Like, close, close? Or like, close, close?" He replies, winking.

"I mean close close. Totally platonic kind of close."

"Hmm... Maybe a 8/10?" Not bad... I smile. "But he doesn't know about our family thing yet." I make an 'O' with my mouth and let out a low whistle.

"Well, I've had a very tiresome day today. So I'm going to retire to my room, if you would show me where it is," I say, yawning.

"I can show you where it is." Eli's voice echoes brought ur the whole room. Since when did he get here?! He's leaning casually against the doorframe, with that same, oh so charming, yet frustrating smirk on his face. He cocks his head to the left, giving the both of us weird looks.

"Were you guys a thing before?" Eli asks. When he sees that Drew and I were giving each other funny looks.

I cringe. That's my cousin he's talking about. I am one second away from blurting that out, then Drew slaps his hand over my mouth, answering for us.

"No," his eyes light up. "Let's just say that she wished she was dating a guy as gorgeous as me," Drew finishes.

Eli and I shake out heads simultaneously. Yep. I definitely need to get some rest. Besides, Eli said that we were going to go out exploring once the sun sets. And in an estimated 2 hours, it will start to set. Eli shoots out his arm to grab mine.

"Come on Miss Dreamy, let's get your stuff unpacked." Before I can make a protest, I'm pulled out of the room. I barely even catch Drew's stunned expression.

"Hey!"
•
•
•
Texting Eros... Fun...

Eros: does this mean you're not ever coming back?
Hera: what are you on about???
Eros: gran said you had left us to go on a road trip with Eli
Hera: yea. So what do you think?
Hera: of course I'm coming back, you idiot
Eros: oh
Eros: bummer :(

Thanks brother. Love you too! Maybe some time away will be good after all. Besides, now there's a greater joy that has been added to the mix. Drew.

The sun is setting. I wish watching the sunset was this interesting and enticing back at home. European countries always have the best scenery. Even though the blazing orb itself can't be seen, the colors that shine out from it can. And they are breathtakingly stunning. If I was any good at art, I would take out a canvas and paint the ombré colors. But unfortunately, my skills don't even pass the average mark. Within the hour I had left after napping to pack my things into the wooden closet here, I'll say that with Eli's help, I've gone through the process quite smoothly...

There's a knock on my door.

"Princess! Let's get going!", "Hera!" Eli and Drew shout at the same time. And a second after that, they burst into my room. Boys...

"Coming, coming," I mutter petulantly.

Tonight's going to be a blast!