by Kelly Hall
Talon searched my eyes before answering. “I guess, if their dad doesn’t mind.” His fingertips traced down my wrist before locking with mine.
“I’m sure he won’t. Why would he?”
“Well, if he’s as much like Owen as you say, he’ll hate me immediately and probably force me off his land at gunpoint.” He raised his brows and smiled, gripping my hand a little tighter.
I laughed, considering how ridiculous it was. “You’re going to freak when you see them together. It’s so strange, knowing they’ve never met, and seeing the similarities, even in their expressions.”
“I can’t wait,” he said with fake cheer.
***
The next morning we slept in. Mom went out shopping with a friend from work and wouldn’t be home till the evening. We started out to Ray’s just after Granny fed us lunch. We hadn’t told her about meeting him. The boys wanted to check him out on their own first before letting her in on it. I couldn’t blame them. She had kept so many secrets from them, it only seemed fair that they could keep a few of their own, at least for now.
As we approached, dodging holes on the winding drive to Ray’s house, Hunter looked nervous.
“It’s okay,” said Holly, who’d gotten her first day off.
Hunter had been asking Owen random questions the whole way there. “Did you ask him why he never came around?”
Owen shook his head. “Nope, I asked him if he still sees our mom, though, and he said no.”
Hunter let out a long breath. “Well, at least he smartened up.”
The car came to a stop as Ray walked out from the back of the house. He seemed surprised to see us all pile out of the car. “Damn, you know you’re breaking a few Texas laws piling in like that?”
Hunter stared, his mouth open and his brows piqued, as if he were mesmerized.
Ray chuckled. “It’s like looking into the future, ain’t it?” He held out his hand. “I’m Ray Chandler, your ... dad.”
Hunter threw out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Hunter.” He gave Ray a firm handshake.
“Yeah, Hunter Ray, your mom told me. You’re a tall one.” He postured next to him, still standing about an inch shorter than Hunter. “My dad was a big man, too.” Then he looked to me and smiled. “Good to see you again, Sunshine.” He made a face when Talon walked up, took my hand and offered Ray his free one.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Talon Thomas.” Talon’s forced smile didn’t meet his eyes.
“Nice to meet you.” Ray turned his glare to me, then to Owen and raised a brow. Then his attention shifted to Holly. “And who’s this little beauty?” He eyed Holly, much like he eyed me.
“This is Holly.” Hunter smiled, his chest swelling up with pride. “We’re getting married next year.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Chandler.” She smiled, her blue eyes adoring Hunter as he looked at his father.
“Call me Ray. That goes for all of y’all.” He motioned for us to follow him out back, behind the house, to a porch lined with old chairs. He plopped down in one and we all found a seat.
Holly and Hunter took a seat in the hanging porch swing and Talon leaned against the rail next to my chair. Ray eyed us both.
“So, did you tell your grandma you came?” He raised a brow.
“Granny doesn’t know we’re here,” Owen said.
Ray nodded. “I heard she bought a place out on Bragg Road.” “You must have a blast living out there. Seen any ghost lights?” He smirked, looking right at me.
I tried to act natural, but it became awkward as everyone stilled and looked at me, including Ray. Finally, Owen spoke up. “Ah, you know all that stuff is just a bunch of old legends.” He smiled and shot me a look.
“Yeah,” I laughed. “It’s just headlights; everybody knows that.”
Ray flashed me a strange look that made me shift in my seat. “Want a beer?” he asked Owen, reaching into a Styrofoam cooler.
“Sure, thanks.” Owen smiled, taking a beer from his dad. He passed one over to Talon who surprisingly took it with a nod of appreciation before popping the top like a pro.
“No thanks, I’m driving,” Hunter said, once offered. “Holly doesn’t drink either.”
Hunter didn’t seem bothered that Owen and Talon took a beer. He and Holly didn’t drink because of her abusive, alcoholic parents, but I wondered what had gotten into the others. Were they doing it to show the other up, like some form of male posturing?
“What about you, Sunshine?” Ray gave me a hungry look, as though something besides a drink was on his mind.
“I don’t drink beer.” I smiled, trying to be polite, but I should’ve said, “I don’t drink ... anything.”
“Yeah, you look like you prefer something ... sweeter,” he winked, reaching into the ice. He popped open a berry wine cooler before I could refuse, so I took it, not wanting to be rude. I looked for the others’ reaction, but no one seemed to think anything of it. They all seemed mesmerized with Ray hanging on his every word and laughing along.
Hunter made small talk. “So, you’re a contractor, huh? Bet you’ve been pretty busy since the storm.” Casual conversation usually revolved around the storm and people’s recovery or experience. Time was marked by “before the storm” and “after the storm” and contractors had made a killing since, repairing all of the damaged homes.
“Yeah, it’s been nice and steady.” He smiled. “Say, if you ever need a job, give me a call. I always need help on the roofing crew if you aren’t afraid of heat and heights.” His eyes sparkled with the same green as Owen’s. “I got an office in town, if you ever want to stop by.”
“Yeah, maybe after I graduate. Granny won’t let me work until then.” Hunter frowned. “She says grades are more important.”
“Are you two making good grades?” he asked his first fatherly type of question.
“Yeah,” Owen piped in. “I’m honor roll and Hunter’s honor society.”
“You play sports?” Ray asked.
“I played a little football,” Owen said before shrugging. “I kind of quit sports for now.” His face fell.
“You gave up sports?” Ray seemed surprised. “Did a girl have something to do with that decision?” He laughed.
Owen glanced my way. “You could say that. I also played baseball.”
“I played baseball.” Ray smiled. “Second base.”
“That’s what I play,” Owen said with a smile.
“What about you, Hunter?” Ray asked.
“No, I played football my freshman year. I didn’t like it much; all that running—no thanks.” He chuckled.
“You play?” he asked Talon, who’d been lost in a daze, stroking my hair and sipping his beer.
“I’m into motocross. Well, before we moved out here. Now I’m just riding for fun.”
“And what do you do, Sunshine?” His way with nicknames made me uncomfortable.
“Nothing. I don’t do anything.” What could I say? That I glowed and summoned blazing orbs? No telling what he’d think. Sparing my discomfort, he moved onto Holly, who told us all about her first week at the florist. She’d learned most of the different types of flowers, how to do arrangements, and which plants were toxic.
The guys had a great time as they conversed with their dad and planned hunting and fishing trips. It made me happy for them, but I worried that something was off about Ray.
***
Knowing Talon and I would have some time alone excited me. We hadn’t had a date with just the two of us in a long time. Of course, I couldn’t help but think about MLY and the pink screen. I tried to push it out of my mind as we drove down an unfamiliar dirt road.
I wished Talon would tell me where he was going and it made me a bit nervous that he didn’t know the area or the roads any better than me. As the bumpy, muddy roads gave Tom’s truck a workout, I hoped we wouldn’t get lost.
I bounced in my seat, my teeth being rattled by the potholes. “Where are we going?” I as
ked for the tenth time.
“You’ll love it. You’ll see; just be patient.” He whipped the wheel dodging another hole.
I grabbed the overhead handle by the door. “But you know where you are, right?” I checked to see that I had my cell phone and a signal and figured I better leave it turned on.
“Yes.” He laughed hitting another hole causing me to grab the dash with my free hand. I stared out the window and kept quiet till he finally came to a stop. “We’re here.”
I looked out over the hood. Beyond the headlights lingered nothing but darkness. Talon threw open his door and took my hand. When I got out I could see the sky much clearer. The moon was full, and after a few minutes my eyes adjusted to appreciate its brightness as it reflected off scattered, silvery clouds.
“It’s beautiful.” Being close to the creek, I heard the water moving and the crickets and frogs battling to drown each other out.
“Hope you’re not too hungry.” He chuckled. “I made us each a sandwich. PB and J.” He smiled, shyly. I loved it when he got that look on his face. He seemed shy, innocent. It was sexy.
“It’s very ... romantic here,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t be put off by the description.
“Well, I thought it would be innocent enough while we take it slow.”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“I just thought that maybe we could talk. You know, about us and our plans.” He spread a blanket in the bed of the truck and helped me climb up on the tailgate.
“Plans?” I hadn’t really been making plans since the hurricane, but rather living in the moment. What I really wanted from him was the truth about the pink screen, his magazines, and those awful nightmares.
“You know—plans. Like college and careers. I’ve only got another semester of school, Lily. I’ve got to start thinking about what I want to do with my future.”
“You mean, we need to think about our future, right?” I took the sandwich he handed me and nibbled on the crust.
He kept his eyes on his sandwich. “Well, yeah.”
“You don’t sound too sure.” I wondered if the mystery girl had something to do with his uncertainty.
“Well, it’s just that I’m thinking about going to college in Houston. I’d live with my mom.”
I dropped my sandwich in my lap. I didn’t even know how to respond. Houston. Closer to Mystery Girl. Maybe he was planning on keeping us both, juggling her and me. I figured that Talon would go to the community college with a thirty minute commute; I’d never expected that he’d be leaving me. Then again, I never counted on Mystery Girl either.
“I just figured that if we’re ever going to consider getting back together you needed to know what my plans are.”
“If we’re considering getting back together?” I asked, hoping that he’d taken some time to break it off with the other girl.
“I want us to be happy. I don’t want us to rush into anything we’re unsure of. Especially since I’m gonna be leaving in August, maybe sooner.” He looked at me and his face fell into a more serious expression. “I want you to really think about it. I mean, a long distance relationship might be tough. You’ll have to find some way to busy yourself when I’m gone.”
“Busy myself? You mean ... you want me to find a hobby or something?” I shrugged, wondering if were the perfect time to bring up his new hobbies: MLY and the paranormal magazines. He’d sure been keeping busy. But I held my tongue.
“I just want you find something that makes you happy, you know, besides me.” He sighed. “What did you do before we met?”
The question threw me for a loop. I thought for a moment before giving a response. “Nothing, I was bored in the hotel. I had nothing left to do.” I shrugged. Mom and I had to live in a hotel for months after losing our house in the hurricane. I’d lost everything, possessions, friends, and all contact of everyone and everything familiar, except Mom. I spent most of that time watching paranormal TV and reading books about vampires. He knew this.
“Well, what about before the storm?” He shrugged.
“I hung out with friends and went shopping and ... I don’t know. I’m not like you, Talon. I’m not oozing talent from every pore.” Suddenly I felt as if I had no purpose, just like I had at Ray’s. What would I do? I looked down to my hand where I held the soggy sandwich. I’d picked it apart, unknowingly. It didn’t matter; I’d lost my appetite. I threw it out into the darkness.
“So much for romantic.” Talon mumbled, knowing that I was upset. “Sorry. It’s gonna drive me crazy to leave, Lily, but I have to. I’ve got plans. Plans I didn’t think I’d get a chance at after the wreck. Now that I’m off probation, I’ve got a shot, and I’ve gotta take it.”
“I get it.” I tried my best to smile. I understood perfectly, but I just never thought I’d have to face it.
“So, you need to think about things. Are you up for it? I want you to know what you’re taking back. I mean, we’ll still have weekends, but probably not every single one. I can still take you to your prom, come home for breaks, but it won’t be that much, not with you still in school. I just think whatever we do, it should be slow.”
I grew sick of hearing him talk. “Whatever.” I stared out over the water as he sighed again. If he really wanted me to know what I would be taking back, he’d tell me about MLY. The lump in my throat kept me from asking.
“Just think about it. We’ll give it some time until we know for sure that this is what we want.” He turned away from me and stared into the darkness.
Think about what? Taking him back so he could leave me? I couldn’t see a future past Bragg Road and my glowing orb. His dishonesty made it much worse. I curled my hands into fists and tears pooled in my eyes. I spent the rest of the evening feeling miserable.
***
Sleep proved to be a welcome cure for my pity party. Holly suddenly screamed out, waking me. I opened my eyes and tried to focus as she jumped on my bed, nearly knocking the wind out of me. Talon stormed in seconds later, half asleep, sporting nothing but his boxers. He flicked on the light and stood there, looking around, just as confused as me.
“I saw someone,” she said as she held me tight, shaking like a leaf. “I went to the bathroom and left the light out since everyone was asleep, but I shut the hall door. When I was on my way back to bed, I saw someone out in the hall. I couldn’t tell who it was.”
I remembered she hadn’t seen a Shadow yet and by Talon’s recent actions, I wondered just how many he’d seen. “Why does this keep happening?” I asked him as he peeked around the corner into the bathroom and back out into the hall where he’d just passed.
“It’s all clear.” He shrugged, and Holly relaxed at my side.
“Talon, why is this happening?” I demanded, referring to the fact that the Shadows were showing up and appearing to us all for once and not just me. Surely he’d tell me about his magazines, about his dreams and give me something to help figure out why.
“Why are you asking me? You’re usually the blame for all of this.” He closed his eyes and took a breath. “I mean the reason for all of this,” he corrected, when he saw my reaction to his words. I clenched my teeth and fists, tempted to remind him that Kevin’s death was his fault and my visions and Light had nothing to do with it, but that wasn’t entirely true either, and just mean. I let out a long breath and gained my composure.
“You think it could be one of those Shadow people?” Holly asked. I wanted to ask Talon his expert opinion since he had been doing private research, but before I could say anything he stepped back into the hall.
“It’s nothing, Cate; you can go back to bed. Holly just had a bad dream.” Talon spoke to my mom who had made her way across the living room. She walked around Talon and into the room.
“You okay, Honey?” she asked. She sat at the foot of my bed and patted Holly’s ankle in a motherly way.
“Yes, I’m okay now, just a dream. It happens sometimes but not as often since I moved here.”
“Well, we
want you to be happy here,” Mom said. “When was the last time you visited your family?”
“It’s been a couple of weeks,” Holly said. “I should probably call them tomorrow, make sure they’re okay.” Holly played into Mom’s assumption that her bad dreams had something to do with Holly’s problems with her family.
“Good idea,” Mom said. “You two get some sleep.” She kissed our foreheads and then turned to Talon. “You too, get back to bed, Mister.” She messed up his curls before giving him a peck near his ear. Then she headed back to bed.
I had just worked up the courage to mention Talon’s magazines, when Mom screamed.
Talon ran to the living room and flicked on the lights with Holly and me behind him. Mom stood in the kitchen with one hand over her mouth and the other protectively on her tummy. “Cate?”
I rushed to her side and helped her into a chair at the table. “You okay, Mom?”
I held her shaky hand where it rested on her belly. My heart raced, concerned for her and the baby.
“Someone was standing right there!” She pointed to the area beside the refrigerator and stove. She breathed deep, her lip trembling.
My heart raced and worry threatened to consume me. “Are you sure?” Maybe you’re just tired?” I knew she’d seen a Shadow and with her being pregnant it worried me, but I didn’t want to have to tell her everything just yet. She could hurt herself trying to run away or just from being startled. Talon, Holly and I exchanged glances.
“No, I would swear to it.” She looked like she couldn’t believe it before she glanced at us defensively. “I mean it.”
“Mom, surely you don’t believe in ghosts?” I laughed, trying to make light only because I really didn’t want her to worry.
“Don’t be silly. I’m saying I saw someone. Something, it startled me.” She rubbed her tummy again. “Unfortunately, I think it woke up the baby.”
I helped her to her feet. “You should get back to bed, Mom.”
Holly took her other hand. “Yeah, you need your rest. I’m so sorry I woke you.”
