“Uh…” He glances at me, narrowing his eyes and looking away. “No, not quite.”
“Okay, I’m out. Where’d you come from, man?” I ask again.
Wade finally turns to face me, grabbing hold of my arm. His face is suddenly a hundred percent serious. “I never really had a hometown, if you know what I mean. I’ve sorta been on my own since I was fourteen.”
Chills run up my spine, but definitely not the good kind. “Really? Why? That’s gotta be like, what, six years?”
“Nine, actually,” he says, shooting me a glance. “I’m twenty-three. Er…hope that’s okay.”
I swipe my hand in the air. “Totally fine.”
“Good,” he exhales a puff of air. “Anyway, my dad died when I was fourteen and I couldn’t bear to live with my grandparents. Yes, the same grandpa I’m living with now. Ironic, I know. I mean, I loved them, but I was just not in a good place. Hell, what fourteen-year-old is, even without that sort of thing happening? I didn’t want to drag them into it. You know?”
“Oh,” I sputter, grasping for words that could possibly make any of that better. “I’m—I’m so sorry, Wade. What about your mom? Is she in the picture?”
“No, she died when I was really little. It’s not really a big deal. Not anymore,” he says with a shrug.
I fight the urge to say, ‘Suuuuure it’s not.’ Instead, I face forward again, leading us onward in utter, awkward silence.
After a couple of minutes, I ask, “How did it happen, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“My dad? Or my mom?”
I nod solemnly. “Either?”
“Well, for my dad it was a brain tumor. One day he was fine, the next he was really sleepy and sorta off. His balance wasn’t right, his words were slurred. At first, the doctors thought it could have been a stroke. He went in to get checked out and we found out he had three separate masses growing on his brain. He was gone in less than a month,” he says, his voice trailing off.
“Wow, that totally sucks.”
Wade nods, his eye going distant. “Definitely weren’t the funnest days ever.”
“Do you know what happened to your mom?”
His eyebrows knit together and he shoves his hands into his pocket. “She drowned. I guess she really loved to kayak and one day, she never made it back. They found her body in the river a few days later. At least, that’s what I was told once I was old enough to understand.”
“That must have been terrible. Losing both of your parents. I mean, I don’t always get along with mine, but…”
“Yeah, it was hard at the time, and definitely in my teenage years. Luckily, I’d like to think I’ve grown beyond it. I mean, the past only has control if you let it, right?” he says, shooting me a sideways glance.
“Very true.” I nod. “Well, so how are things with your grandpa? Do you guys get along?”
“He’s a good guy. Sweet. Old. He doesn’t even have internet in his house. So, that’s fun,” Wade chuckles under his breath.
“Oh my god, it’s like being plunged into the Dark Ages. How are you gonna survive?”
He shrugs. “I’ll probably just have to call the phone company and get it brought in. It was on my agenda for today, actually. But I got distracted by a beautiful woman and spent some time daydreaming about her.”
I stop walking to narrow my gaze at him. My cheeks flame, but I can’t help but smile.
“Well, you better get on it, Mr. Wade. If I do go to Windhaven, we need a way to stay in contact, don’t we?”
He places his eyes on me, his pupils widening until his irises are nothing more than a thin silver line around the edges. I suck in a deep, but jagged breath, trying to calm my sudden flare of nervous energy.
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Wade says. “Does this mean you’ve decided to go?”
I shift my gaze to my feet. “Yes? No? I don’t know. I want to go…but…”
“You have to think long-term, Autumn. What is it you really want?”
“But my mom…” I begin.
“Your mom will be fine. If you’ve got powers, ignoring them isn’t going to do you, or her, any good. You need to figure out what they are. Trust me. Living with the knowledge of latent potential kind of sucks.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so I just clamp my lips tight and nod.
He reaches out, grabbing hold of my arm. I stop walking and he lifts a hand, gently stroking the side of my cheek. The sensation of it catches me off guard, and makes my back go rigid.
“I’m really glad I bumped into you at the cemetery. I really am,” he whispers. “This might be kinda out of place, and honestly, I can’t believe how dorky I sound in my head, but would you mind if I come out to visit you?”
My eyebrows tug in.
“I mean, if it’s too forward…” he says, backpedaling.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just… I haven’t given much thought to where I would stay. I’ve never been much for crowds and I’m not a party girl. I don’t think I could stay on campus. So, the logical next step would be to stay at my dad’s.”
“Why does that sound like it’s a bad thing?”
“It’s not that. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think it could be a good thing. He’d probably love it. I just haven’t heard from him in a long time and to be honest, it’s been a while since I stayed out there. Plus, I’m not too sure my mom will be keen on it.”
“How long has it been?” Wade asks.
I make a face. “I guess the last time I was there was when I was seven.”
“Wow, that’s been a while, then. What, twelve years?” he says, wagering a guess the way I had.
I snicker. “Add a year and you’d be right on target.”
“So, twenty, huh?” Wade says, raising his eyebrows high.
I stop walking to place a hand on my hip. “Am I too young for you now?”
He snorts, taking my hands in his. “Actually, just right.”
“Hmmm…and when exactly is your birthday, might I ask?” I grin, poking him in the arm.
He watches me from the corner of his eye, but keeps his mouth pinned shut.
“Come on now, don’t hold out on me. When does the world celebrate the day Wade was born?”
“Sorry, I only share that kind of privileged information with people who stick around,” he says, smirking.
Holding up a pretend knife, I jab myself in the heart. “Oh, ouch. That was a brutal takedown, man. I mean, really. Right to the heart. I had just been leaning toward going and now this?”
Wade laughs. “I call it like it is, what can I say?”
“Hmph. Well, still unfair. You’re the one encouraging me to go.”
“Very true,” he concedes.
“So, you’ll tell me?” I say, my face brightening.
“Nope, not a chance.”
“Ugh. I’ll find out. So help me, if I have to stalk you on Insta, I’ll hunt down your besties and learn of your secrets.”
“Best of luck with that. I actually encourage you to try.”
“Really?” I say, surprised.
“Sure,” he shrugs.
I narrow my eyes and tease, “Why do you sound so glib about this endeavor?”
He rubs at the spot beneath his lip. “Well, for starters, what’s my last name?”
I open my mouth, only to close it again.
“Dammit.”
Wade grins broadly.
I wave a hand dismissively. “No matter. Where’s the fun in that?”
His eyebrows rise to his hairline. “Oh, it’s a challenge now, is it?”
“Why yes, yes, it is, Wade. I will learn of your last name and the date your mother pushed you out into this world.”
“Eeew. Now that’s taking things a step too far,” he says, shuddering and sticking out his tongue.
I chuckle. “What can I say? I call it like it is.”
“I don’t know about all that. I prefer to believe I had a Superhero birth. Made, not
born.”
“Nice try, fair boy. Nice try,” I laugh.
We turn left, bringing us down a small footpath that leads us to the river. It’s not an open or heavily trafficked area, which is why I love it.
“It’s really pretty down this way,” Wade says, his gaze all over the wooded area.
I nod in agreement. “Yeah, this is another one of my favorite spots. I like to come down here when I want to be alone. Well, here and the cemetery, but that seems to be more crowded lately.”
“Oh? Did I ruin your sacred space?” he laughs.
“No numpty, you’re now invited,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But don’t get cocky about it.”
“Cocky? I wouldn’t dare,” he says with mock surprise.
I slowly raise an eyebrow. “Hmmm.”
We walk out into a small clearing before it transforms into the bank of the river and continue to walk the narrow trail. When we reach the edge where the rocks begin to jut out and the natural flowers spring up, I find a good place to take a seat.
“I didn’t even realize this river was down here. It’s not very big, is it?” he says, taking it in with wide eyes.
“No, it’s more of a creek, really. But I love its barely existedness. I found this spot when I was twelve or thirteen and I’ve been coming back ever since.”
Wade takes a seat opposite me, crossing his legs as he watches my every move. I can’t seem get enough of those big, silver eyes of his.
“What?” I ask after a few moments under his scrutiny.
“Nothing. I just—you have ridiculously amazing eyes,” he says, the corner of his lips twitching upward.
I squint at him. “They’re just green.”
“No, they aren’t. They’re way more than that. When the light hits them just right, they sparkle with hints of golds, browns, and even some blue in there. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Heat rises up my neck and nestles in my cheeks.
“Ah, and a little color does her some good,” he grins, leaning back onto his elbows.
I rub at my cheeks and shake my head.
“Yeah, well, you have pretty spectacular eyes, too,” I say, realizing I sound utterly stupid, even though it’s true.
“Doesn’t count. I told you first.” Again he smiles, but this time he winks at me. That crazy wink that suits him so well.
I shift my gaze away but can’t seem to wipe the grin off my face.
“So, what does the infamous Autumn Blackwood do when in her secret hideaway in the woods by the nonexistent river?”
My eyes widen and I tip my chin down. “Have you been asking around about me?”
He shrugs. “Maybe a little.”
“Well, see, now that’s not fair. You know my last name and I don’t know yours. It gives you an unfair advantage.”
“I can’t say I’m all that bothered,” he smirks.
I shake my head, “How on earth did you get my last name already? I mean, it’s only been a few hours. Did you knock on every door until you narrowed it down?”
“Perhaps,” he says.
“Yeesh, you move fast.”
“Only when necessary,” he says, shooting me a knowing look.
“And this was necessary?” I ask, kicking my legs out so they land to the side of him.
He does the same, then places a hand on my shin. The contact immediately sends goose bumps flashing across my body, making me shiver. “Of course it was.”
The creases of his eyes crinkle and his dark hair seems to move in slow motion in the breeze. He’s like one of those male models, only he’s here, in real life, sitting with me for some godforsaken reason. And I’m seriously thinking of leaving him soon, because he’s right. Even if I don’t like it.
Dammit.
“I, uh, I’m not sure what to think of all that,” I stutter.
Wade leans in a bit closer. “Don’t think too hard. It’s really very simple.”
“It is?”
“Of course. Boy moves to new town. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy tries to learn more about girl so he can see her again,” he says. The smile beaming from his face could light this entire pocket of nature, even if it were night. “See? Simple.”
“You forgot the part about ‘Boy learns girl could be moving away, so he probably shouldn’t bother.’”
He grins sheepishly. “Eh, the heart is a fickle thing. It wants what it wants. Have to accept it and bend to its will.”
“Oh.” I raise my eyebrows. “Now you’re getting the heart involved?”
“Aren’t you?” Wade smiles slowly.
Everything inside me is screaming yes, even if my brain isn’t so sure it’s wise. I narrow my eyes. “Maybe?”
A hearty, deep laugh erupts from his lips. “Maybe is good enough. We have some time to work on that.”
We lock eyes and for a moment, it’s almost as though time stands completely, utterly still—just for us. Light streams through the branches of the trees in thick, beautiful beams as flying insects meander in and out of the intensity. The green around us even seems to fluctuate with its deep hues.
Switching to a more upright seated position, Wade shifts forward, and scoots his body so his torso is inches from mine. My breath hitches and my pulse quickens, but I don’t move a muscle. I simply watch him, mesmerized.
His eyes lock with my own before he bends in to claim his kiss. One of his hands gently caresses the side of my face, tracing at the area where my eyebrow meets the corner of my eye, and I can’t help but breathe into him.
When our lips touch, the entire world falls away, and all I can think about is… if I go to Windhaven, how am I going to make it through any time apart?
Chapter 5
Going Back in Time
When you have little-to-no contact with someone, the last thing you want to do is call up and ask for a favor. I never expected my first call to my dad in forever would be to tell him I got a full ride to the Windhaven Academy…and that I need a place to crash. I sure as hell hope the open-door policy still stands, but things aren’t looking good. The deadline for finalizing my Windhaven plans is looming.
“Still not answering, huh?” Wade asks, taking a seat on my computer chair.
I toss my cell phone on the bed and sit down. “Nope. It doesn’t seem like him, either. I’m hoping he’s just busy and not completely avoiding me.”
“Do you really think he’d do that?” Wade asks, throwing me a surprised look.
I shrug. “Hope not. But at this point, who knows. If I don’t get ahold of him in the next hour or so, I’m paying him an impromptu visit later on.”
“That seems like a good idea. I mean, it’s Saturday, so maybe you’ll catch him relaxing at home and he’ll be open to your questions. Want me to come with as moral support?” he asks, tapping the edge of my computer desk and glancing at me sheepishly.
Thinking for a moment, I slowly shake my head. “No, for some reason, I feel like I better go alone.”
“Are you sure?” Wade asks, holding my gaze for a beat longer than expected. He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
My back stiffens slightly, but I make it a point to lean back a bit on my bed. I break his mesmerizing gaze and look away. “No, I mean yes. I need to do this on my own. It’s been ages since I last went to see my dad. It’s terrible, really. I mean, I’m an adult now. Keeping in contact is just as much my responsibility as it is his. So, I think it would be weird if I showed up asking stay there and brought along my…” My eyebrows scrunch in as I realize we haven’t defined what we are.
“Your…” Wade says, a lopsided grin emerging.
I narrow my eyes and purse my lips.
“Ooohh, do you have trouble saying it?” he chuckles.
I give him a sideways glance, noticing he hasn’t technically defined what we are, either. “Regardless…” I say slowly, changing the subject.
A smug look of satisfaction slides across his features and he leans back in his chair,
watching me closely. He crosses his legs, placing his right ankle on top of his left knee.
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I carry on. “This really is something I need to do on my own. But I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Hoffman.”
Wade’s eyes open wide and I grin broadly, knowing I hit the money. It pays to know every old lady in town. They knew exactly which grandpa was on hospice, who also had a new grandson in town to help. Plus, the fact that we’ve practically spent every waking moment together for the past few days helps.
“Ah, so you’ve done your homework, I see.”
“Of course. I told you I would,” I smile.
“Well played, Ms. Blackwood. Didn’t take as long as I thought it would.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” I say, lying down on my side and propping my head on my hand.
“Well, I hope I get to meet your dad soon,” Wade says. “I mean, I don’t know about you…but I don’t plan on going anywhere soon.”
“Was that a jab at me leaving?” I say, quirking an eyebrow.
“Of course not. I’m still lazily tip toeing around the previous subject. Poorly, obviously,” he laughs.
My heart lightens, but I remind it to chill out. Things don’t need to be defined right away. It’s kind of nice to settle into the energy of a new relationship—if that’s what this is.
Of course, that’s what this is. Who am I kidding?
“Hmmm… Well, you will definitely meet him. If I do end up staying at his place, you better damn well come and visit me. But we’ll do the introductions right,” I say, sounding more independent and self-assured than I actually feel.
“Sounds like a most excellent plan,” he says, tipping his head in acknowledgement.
“Did you just go all Bill and Ted on me?” I say, covering my laugh.
Looking over his shoulder, then switching to the other side, he presses his fingertips to his chest. “Who? Me? How old do you take me for, miss? I’m not forty.”
“I’m not entirely convinced,” I say, shooting him a sideways glance and dialing my dad’s number for the sixth time. Again, it goes to voicemail.
I stand up and grab my purse from the hook by the door.
Wade drops his laid-back position and stands. “Going already?”
The Windhaven Witches Omnibus Edition : Complete Paranormal Suspense Series, Books 1-4 Page 4
