Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

Eleven

     "I'm really sorry about your car," Terra said softly, and he looked at her and gave her a fake half-smile.

     "It's not your fault. I just don't know how I'm going to explain this to my wife and kids. I have to lie to them too." He swallowed, and she caught the water that welled in his crystal blue eyes. "No matter how I explain it, it's going to sound terrible. I feel terrible." 

     Terra lowered her head. Link could tell her all he wanted that it wasn't her fault, but it kinda was. If the wolf hadn't gone after her, it probably wouldn't have destroyed his car.

     Rhett looped his arms around Link's arms and squeezed, lifting Link up off of his feet. Link squeaked as Rhett engulfed him in a bear hug. He then dropped Link back onto his feet and then took him by the shoulders, Link unable to hide the grin that plastered his face. "Remember what we agreed on in the studio, right? Think of it as protecting our families by not having them knowing the danger that lurks. Unless it immediately affects them, they don't need to know. They will be okay." 

     Terra saw a spark of hope ignite in Link's eyes and he nodded his head. It was truly admirable seeing the strong bond between the two guys. "Thanks man," he said, and the three of them went inside.

     "So Terra, tell us about yourself," Rhett prompted as they moved to wait in line. 

     Terra cleared her throat. "Well, obviously you guys know that I'm one in three triplets. Tessa and Teegan are their names," she began. 

     Rhett snorted, but it wasn't out of mockery. "Triple T?" 

     Terra laughed, and Link smirked. "That's actually what Teegan used to call us, even though for most of our life we had no idea what happened to her." 

     Link looked down at her with concern after what she'd just said. 

     "We thought she might have been kidnapped in our hometown in North Carolina. I remember the last time we saw her was the night we stayed with this awful old lady that had this crazy wart on her finger— And she would ask us to pull it off of her finger," Terra said with a grimace. 

     Link all but squealed, and he grabbed Terra by the shoulders. "That's how I know you!" 

     Terra's eyes widened. Her heart had jumped into her throat and she made a string of incoherent babble while she tried to reign herself in from the shock.

     "I remember you! I remember another little boy and another little girl and I was awestruck that the three of you looked alike! Oh my god. Oh my god!" 

     Rhett had taken a few steps back, and they had a couple people that glanced in their direction with curiosity. 

     "Don't you remember me? I used to stay with the same babysitter after school!" Link's tone had taken on a childish note and she couldn't help but have her heart skip a beat. He was genuinely excited, and she was the cause of it. Terra looked into his eyes long and hard, and she knew deep down inside that she remembered those blue eyes. A smile slowly pressed her lips.

     "I remember you. You were that little boy that always wanted to play with us, but Teegan was a butthead and wouldn't let you," Terra trailed off. "He always left you alone with that weird lady." 

     Link looked like he was about to have tears spill out of his eyes. One of the day's mysteries have been solved, and he took her into a bear hug. She giggled and wrapped her arms around him. She looked over at Rhett while they hugged. Surprisingly Link held on, and Terra couldn't have been happier that he finally recognized her.

     "How long have you guys been friends?" She directed the question to Rhett, who flashed her a grin. 

     "Ever since first grade," he answered proudly.

     Terra's eyebrows shot up her forehead and she looked between the two. "So you've been friends for over 30 years." She could only wish she'd have a best friend of over 30 years.

     "Yup. Hey look, it's our turn to order!" Rhett went up first, and Terra looked up at Link who'd had his arm around her still.

     "So what brought you to California?" Link asked. 

     Terra tilted her head to the side. "Do you want the truth?" 

     Link swallowed and he broke eye contact for a moment. "Well, yeah." Of course he wanted to know the truth, what kind of silly question was that?

     "Okay. My brother tried to kill me."