“Did you leave Scott in your room with Glen?” Mom asks.
“Yes.” I shrug. “Why?”
“You are getting comfortable letting people in your room.”
“Yeah. I guess because when I’m at Nathan’s house, there’s always someone hanging out in the room with us.”
The garage door to the house opens. “Hello! Would someone like to help me with these bags?” I rush to help Dad, taking the large white box from him. “I should’ve known you’d go for the cake.”
“Yes!” I close the door for him, and we go to the kitchen. “What’s the surprise?” I chirp, setting the cake on the counter.
Dad purses his lips. “Dear, you cannot hold water.”
Mom blushes.
He sets the bags down on the counter and Mom unloads them. Reaching into a silver bag he pulled from another bag, he retrieves a large, square, white box.
“Ooh, it’s jewelry!” I exclaim excitedly.
He snorts. “Yes, it is.” He sets the box in front of me.
I open it and ogle at the jewelry’s beauty.
“It’s an eighteen karat south sea pearl and diamond necklace,” Dad excitedly exclaims. “Congratulations!” they sing together.
That it is. A white gold necklace with ten round pearls resting in a garden of small linked leaves that’s embedded with diamonds rests in the gray box. It’s exquisite. “Thank you both. It’s beautiful,” I whisper unintentionally. It is by far very beautiful. I pull it from the box, fighting my emotions of excitement and disappointment.
“Put it on so we can see it, honey.” My mother is more excited than I am.
I unclasp it and clasp it back around my neck. It rests cold against my skin. Good thing I’m human and didn’t turn Sephlem.
“It is beautiful on you, Ladybug. Good pick, dear.”
“Thank you, I knew it would look amazing.”
“Thank you, Mom. You were right.”
“No!” Glen yells, loud and angry.
I jump from the barstool, racing for the stairs. Skidding to a stop at the corner, I whip around urging, “Stay here. I’ll check on her. Be right back.” I shoot up the stairs, swing the door open, and rush in. Glen’s on one side of the room, and Scott’s on the other.
“It’s fine, Tracey, I got it,” Scott convinces, lifting his hand to stop me. His gaze drops to my neck and his face twists, reflecting his disgust for my new piece. “Is that?”
I look down at it. “It is.”
He nods. “Fine.” For now, he adds, turning his attention back to Glen. “I’m sorry. I wanted to help you feel better. Don’t you feel better?” he serenades, knowing exactly how to get to Glen’s soft side.
“I may,” she answers honestly. “But I still don’t want you around me.”
“Can I just hug you? For one second? Then I’ll leave.”
Her gaze flicks to me then back to Scott.
I’m no longer dabbling in their relationship. The only reason I rushed up here was to keep my parents from doing so with the alerting way she screamed.
“Touch me and let me go.” She caves. “But don’t kiss me.”
Scott slowly crosses the floor. He makes it to her front, and I expect for him to ease his arms around her waist and pull her into his hug or something. But his broad arms rest at his sides.
A second ticks by and Glen’s throwing her arms around his neck. Her soft sigh of relief is loud in my ears, and though she’s trying to fight it, it’s winning her over. She knows where she belongs, but she’s just too confused to accept it. A second, another, and then another passes.
Scott’s arms slowly push around Glen. And not a second later, he breaks out of her embrace, taking several steps away. “Thank you.” Leaving my room, he nods for me to go.
I follow behind him, pulling the door closed. Glen cries. I ignore her, as Scott seems to be doing, and follow him down the stairs.
“Hello, Mr. Warren,” he greets, passing Dad, on his way to the front door.
“Oh, hello, Scott.” Dad utters, surprised. “When did he get here?” I overhear him ask Mom.
Scott pulls the front door closed behind us and jumps right into it. “Tracey, that shit isn’t going to work.”
“I know. But it was a gift.”
“Gift it back,” he insists, his raised eyebrows brightening his color-filling eyes. “You know what that can do to us.”
“I can’t gift it back. It would break my parents’ hearts. And yes I do know what it could do if it were on something. Currently, it’s harmless. And I love it.”
He shoves his hands through his wavy locks, pulling them into a man bun. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not my place. Tell Glen I’m sorry again, and I love her.” Grumbling, he mutters, “I miss her, Tracey. And I want her back.”
I sit down on my porch and motion for him to sit beside me. “She misses you too. She’s just confused and still doesn’t know the entire truth.”
“What truth is this?”
“That she has chosen another man and the only way to break his hold on her is for her to kill him.”
He tips his chin, asking, “How do you know that?”
“How do you think I know?”
“Is there anything Nathan doesn’t tell you?”
“I’m sure there is plenty Nathan doesn’t tell me.”
“I doubt it.”
I shiver as his demanding presence coats my skin—announcing Nathan before I see him. “Speaking of Nathan.” I lift my gaze, and there he is. “Hey,” I greet, standing.
“Hey, Sparky.” He looks me over, gaze resting on the necklace. “Why are you wearing that?” he asks, repulsed, crinkling his nose.
“That’s the same thing I said,” Scott chimes in.
“You did not,” I sass. Turning my attention back to Nathan, I add, “It was a gift my parents gave me for graduation.”
“Okay, I don’t mean to be that guy . . . again. But make sure it finds its way in a box when you pack your stuff, so it’ll move with them.”
“Nathan, don’t be like that. It’s beautiful.”
“That it is. You like it?”
“I love it.” I take it between my fingers, attempting to get a better look at it.
“Okay. Then we’ll replace it with something, but that one has to go.” I knew he wouldn’t like it. But I don’t see the problem; it’s not like these pearl balls can penetrate through his rock solid skin.
“I think we should keep it. Maybe I can use it as a weapon if any other Sephlems come around to bother me.”
Nathan shrugs but doesn’t respond. “What are you doing here?” he asks Scott.
“I came to see Glen.”
“Then why are you sitting out here with Sparks?”
“I was getting ready to leave. I just saw Glen.”
“What are you getting ready to do?” he asks me.
“Supposed to be celebrating with my parents. And maybe Glen if she ever comes downstairs. Why? What’s up?” I walk into his hug.
“I need you to stay at my house tonight. I have something I need to take care of.”
“What would that be?” I ask, leery of his answer.
He turns to Scott. “The Lunis talk didn’t go well. They have Olar, and we need to go get him.” My good mood fades as he lets me go.
“I graduate tomorrow,” Scott informs in an adequate voice that implies this isn’t up for negotiation.
“I know that,” Nathan responds with a short nod.
Scott shakes his head and insists, “I have to be there. I missed prom for you. No way am I missing my graduation ceremony.”
“I understand that,” Nathan replies, nodding.
I interject, “Scott, you’re saying that like you’re not going to make it back or something.”
In a high voice, Scott professes, “I might not.” He grumbles, throwing his hands up and then letting them fall lamely at his sides.
I face Nathan, watching him rub the back of his neck. “What are you sayi
ng?” I ask him.
“We might not make it back tonight.”
I shoot off. “Then when will you make it back?”
He gives me a distressing look that weighs me down. “I’m not sure,” he answers slowly. “Later.”
I back away from him, shaking my head.
Grabbing my arm, he stops me from making it too far. “I’m sorry, Sparks. I’m being honest with you.”
“Nathan,” I utter.
He pulls me the remaining distance back to him. “We have to get him.”
“But why do you think you won’t make it back?”
“Because,” Scott cuts in. “Lunis doesn’t do make it back. Once you’re there and caught, you’re there. And taking into account what Olar did, it’s not a fair chance that he’s even still alive.”
My eyes bug-out and I try to calm my racing heart. “Who is Lunis? What did Olar do?”
“He’s full-blooded but respected. Olar killed his mother and sisters for killing a girl he was into,” Scott tells me.
He murdered his mother and his sisters. . . “It wasn’t his mate?”
“No, but that didn’t mean anything to Olar.”
I throw my head back, realizing, “And now he has him and you—” I drop my gaze on Nathan. “—Captain Save ‘Em All! has to go get taken to save him.”
“I’m not going to get taken,” he responds in the deep, dominate voice I hate.
“What are you going to do?!” I ask angrily.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“Do you even know what’s going on with Olar?!”
“I don’t.”
“So, what happens if you do get taken?!” I can’t help the shouts firing past my lips.
“I won’t.”
“How can you be for sure?!” I throw at him.
“Sparks! Again with all the questions.”
“No, Nathan! Don’t get me wrong; I’m all about Olar not staying there. Yes, he needs to get out. But again, you have to leave me to save the rest of the world. When it’s messed up stuff going on in our own. What happens when I’m alone at your house, and someone comes?”
“Everyone will be there.”
“Everyone except you!” I gripe, shoving his hand away.
His hard expression falters. “Sparks,” he croons.
“No, Nathan. What if this is something they’re doing just to get you away?”
He rubs his hand over his mouth then wraps it around his chin.
“She has a point, Nate.”
“Thanks, Scott.”
“Let me think for a minute.” Nathan’s inquisitive glare passes me to my front door. “Let’s go inside so that I can speak to your parents.”
I grumble, walking in the house.
“Hi, Nathan,” Dad greets cheerfully. “You’re staying around for a bit? We were about to cut some cake.”
“Hello, Mr. Warren.” Nathan takes a seat at the bar. I settle on the one beside him, and Scott sits at my other side.
“James is fine, Nathan. I think we can get past the formalities.” Dad brings the knife with him for the cake.
“Thank you, James.”
He nods and flicks his gaze over to me. “Is Glen coming down?”
“Probably not,” I answer, still a little bummed out. I play gaze tag with Nathan, looking away from him when his eyes flitter over to me, and looking back at him when he’s looked away. Knowing what’s been going on, it’s bizarre to know he’d risk leaving me. I’m so team rescue Olar, so if Nathan’s going, I’m going. If he’s going to get taken, I’m getting taken with him. Period.
Nathan turns on the barstool to face me. “Would you like to talk, Sparks?”
“No,” I answer, matching his kind tone.
“Is everyone going to have a slice of cake?” Mom asks.
“Yes,” we answer, and she passes each of us a plate.
I don’t feel like eating the cake. I kind of feel like throwing it in Nathan’s face.
“Sparks, I think we should talk,” he requests again.
“No, Nathan, that’s okay.” Why go over again how he wants to leave, how he can’t leave Olar there, how he thinks everything is going to be fine. That’s his favorite line—Everything’s going to be fine, Sparks.
“Is everything okay, Nathan?” Mom dabbles.
“I’m working on figuring that out.” He is excessively honest with my parents even knowing how nosey they are.
“Yes, Mom. Everything is okay. Nate has some things going on,” I answer before she can pry.
“Well, talk to him.”
I glare at her through my lashes. “I will. After we eat our cake, when no one is around.”
“That’s fine, Ladybug. Nathan, do you like Tracey’s graduation present?”
Cocking a brow, I face him, wondering how he’ll answer. His eyes shift, dropping his gaze on my necklace. He hints a deceiving smirk, but it looks so genuine. “Yes, it’s beautiful. Did you pick it out, Karen?”
“I did. I thought Tracey would love it.”
“She definitely loves it.” He offers me a fake smile only I can see through.
I turn back to my half-eaten cake, biting my tongue.
Scott hasn’t said anything but his cake’s almost gone. I wonder what’s going through his mind right now. Probably nothing but Glen, and maybe his mini speech tomorrow.
Footsteps round the corner from the stairs. Glen comes up behind us and stands between Scott and me. “Scott, can I talk to you?” she asks peacefully.
Scott nods and leaves with Glen without cleaning his spot. They go out front, closing the door behind them.
Maybe I’ll be just a little nosey.
“Don’t meddle, Sparks,” Nathan utters under his breath.
I push my plate aside, grabbing Dad’s attention. “Do you mind if I talk to Nathan in my room.”
“I suppose the family room is too public?” Dad retorts.
“It is.”
He nods and turns to kiss my mom.
Grabbing Nathan by the arm, I pull him away from the counter and head upstairs. I don’t need to see my parents go at it. “If you leave, Nathan, don’t come back ever.”
He pushes my door closed. “You do not mean that.”
I sit on my chaise, and he follows. “I do mean it.”
“What would you prefer for me to do? Just let him stay there?” he asks coolly.
Seriously, yes, I get Olar needs to be rescued. But at the risk of Nathan not returning or me getting taken by Roehl. Aren’t I more important than Olar? Can’t someone else save him? Or we go together? I huff. “If I answer that, it’ll sound selfish.”
He rubs his hand down his face, frustrated.
“I don’t want you to go, Nate,” I insist. “Please?”
He doesn’t respond right away but studies me with soft green-brown eyes. “You never tell me you don’t want me to go and mean it,” he states honestly and in too soft of a tone.
“Nate, please don’t go.”
“Sparks, I can’t let him stay there.”
“Then go get him tomorrow when we can all go.”
“You cannot go.”
“No! You can’t go.” I scoot away from him when he reaches out to grab me. “Don’t touch me until you make up your mind.”
“Sparks, everything will be fine. I’ll come back.”
I get up, walking to my door. “Just leave, Nate.” I blink, and from the chaise he’s now in front of me, pushing the door closed. He slips a finger under my chin and tilts my head back. An eager calm rushes through me and my distress seeps away with ease. I look up at him, having no other option.
“Okay,” he says, low and enchanting. “I’ll stay. I’ll figure out another plan. Now stop looking like that and never tell me to leave again.”
“If you stop trying to leave me, you wouldn’t have to hear it.” I move his hand from my chin. “I’m tired of you doing this.”
He grabs it again. “I said I’d stay. Now fix those eyes.”
<
br /> “I’ll fix them tomorrow.”
He thinks, focusing out on something. “It seems that your friend has made up with Scott. Let’s go check on them.”
We walk outside to Glen wrapped around Scott, sweetly kissing him. They look much better than they did this morning and with their teeth revealing smiles; they’re happy. Scott hugs her tight and whispers something before he pulls back. Glen hugs me. “I’m sorry, Cey.”
“It’s okay, I understand.” I don’t, but that’s Glen, and I’m used to her.
She turns to Nathan. “I’m sorry to you too, and thanks for looking out for me. I know you didn’t want to.”
“No thanks needed, Glen. Just don’t hug me. That’d be weird.” He smirks, dropping his arm on my shoulder.
She laughs, going back to Scott. Let’s hope that after this big falling out, they’ll make up for life. Scott steps behind Glen and wraps his arms around her chest. “What time are we leaving?” he asks.
“You aren’t,” I answer for Nathan.
“What? You’re going to leave him there?” Scott blurts, befuddled.
“I don’t have a choice,” Nathan dryly responds, shrugging. He chucks his thumb toward me. “My master over here has restricted me from saving the world tonight.”
“How long has he been there?”
“This just happened.”
“And you’re just going to leave him there?” Scott couldn’t be more panic-stricken right now.
“We aren’t just going to leave him there. We’ll go play The Rescuers tomorrow,” I answer. Nathan’s already said he isn’t going tonight and Scott’s trying to make him feel bad about it. Scott’s already let off he doesn’t want to go because of graduation tomorrow. Why’s he pushing this?
“Tracey, we can’t leave Olar there, anything can be happening to him right now,” Scott exaggerates.
“Scott!” Glen gasps. “You want to leave me tonight, knowing we are getting back on track not five minutes ago?”
“I’m not saying that, Glen. I’m just saying it’s not right for us to leave him there.”
“And like Tracey said, we’ll go rescue him tomorrow.”
“We?” Scott rebuffs.
“Yes, we,” Glen asserts, rolling her neck.
“It’s not safe, Glen. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Tracey gets to go,” she pleads, bringing me into it once again.
Three Times Torn Page 30
