I looked at the clock. My shift was over. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” I said.
“Be careful riding home,” Sally said.
“I always am,” I replied. I plucked the paper from the top of the freezer and came out from behind the counter. Walking up to Mindy, I held it out to her. “Here, you like him, you call him.”
“You’re not interested?” she asked me. “He is super hot!”
“No zing,” I told her, turning on my heel.
“No zing?” I heard her repeat, not understanding.
I didn’t bother explaining. Either she got it, or she didn’t. I was ready to go home. Thankful that the ride back wasn’t long. Once there, I put away my bike and went inside to take a shower.
“Dinner’s ready,” Aunt Tillie called out as I left the bathroom.
“Coming!” I called back. Dinner was already on the table, Aunt Tillie’s meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a bowl of carrots and peas waiting for us to dish them onto our plates. I slid into my seat.
Uncle Joe picked up the platter holding the meatloaf and served himself a slice before passing it to Aunt Tillie. She took one as well, then held out the dish to me. As I took it from her, she said, “A young man came by today, looking for you. From your school, said his name was Laurent.” She did not sound pleased. I understood full well she knew who Laurent was.
“What did he want?” I asked, disgruntled to find he’d tracked me down after all, and I’d missed him.
“He wanted me to tell you to please come back to talk to him. He claimed he had no idea why you left.” She sniffed, a look of annoyance crossing her features. “I didn’t tell him that he knew exactly why, as did I. I was tempted to but held my tongue.”
“Thanks, Aunt Tillie. We’re done. I suppose I should have at least left a note or told him to his face.”
Uncle Joe gave me a guilty look. “I spoke to him. He was leaving just as I got out of the car. I told him you were working at that cafe.”
“Joe!” Aunt Tillie admonished him.
“I told him to not pester her,” he protested. “But he said things weren’t over until he heard the words directly from her mouth. Figured in a public place, he couldn’t cause much of a scene, and she’d be able to put a proper finish on things. She obviously thought enough of him to let her magick be tethered to his, so she owes him that much at least.” He looked pointedly at my tattoo. I decided it would not be wise to mention that I was actually magickly tethered to two more as well.
“So I just missed him? I asked. I was not even going to get into a conversation about the tats right now.
“Only by about five minutes,” he told me.
That had been cutting it close.
“Well, I’ll tell him if he bothers to show up.”
“You thought any more about school?” Uncle Joe asked me. “Time moves slower here, you know. If you plan to go back–”
“No,” I interrupted him. “I don’t want to go back and have to look him in the face every single day. I don’t want to have to encounter Lydia, either, knowing that she’s probably been sleeping with him, or hear any more about the baby they plan to have after graduation. I know that roughly two months pass there for everyone here, so I’ve pretty much lost the rest of this term anyway, and we’re almost at the start of the next.”
I definitely did not want to hear about who he’d ended up taking to the school’s Winter Solstice dance, either. Probably Lydia, while Charles went with Brent.
“So you’re not going back to school at all?” Aunt Tillie looked disapproving.
I reached for the mashed potatoes, even though my appetite had fled. “I didn’t say that. I’ve enjoyed learning to use my powers and using them.” I flashed her a smile. “Charms certainly make housework easier, and the other day, the delivery truck forgot to bring us any of our most popular flavor of ice cream, and we only had half a tub. I managed to spell it without anyone noticing. It lasted all day and half the next, by which time they arrived with the missing ice cream. Don’t worry, nobody noticed.”
“I hope not,” Aunt Tillie said. “You have to be careful! You know we’re not supposed to openly use magick. Witches are to be charmed against doing any in the presence of mortals, you know.”
“I am being careful. Anyway, I know I’d caught up, mostly, and now I’m behind again. I’d like to see about getting a tutor to help me get caught up again and then take whatever tests I need to transfer to a different school.”
“I’ll call your Aunt Lisanne,” Aunt Tillie said. “We can see where she recommends.”
It would have to do. I hoped that once I was caught up this time, I could start my second year at the same time as everyone else.
Chapter 29
I had the afternoon shift again the next day. I thought Laurent and the guys had given up when he didn’t show, right up to when I went to leave and found Charles waiting by the back door.
“What are you doing here?” I blurted out.
“I had to see you. Laurent tried to the day before yesterday, but he had to get back before you returned.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s not over until I tell him to his face that he’s dumped.”
“We’re dumped, you mean,” he said, wincing. “And yes, that’s true as far as our personal relationship goes, but that’s not the main reason I’m here.”
“So, what is it that has you lurking in a back alley like some stalker?”
“You’re in danger, possibly.”
“Is this about that b.s. everyone spun me about powerful wizards and my powers? Because so far, it’s only been you guys after me.”
“We’re not sure.”
I gave a harsh laugh. They hadn’t even thought up a very good lie this time. Just a vague warning that I might be in danger, no doubt hoping I’d come running back to the purported safety of the Royal Trio’s arms.
“Okay, you said your piece, and I’m not buying it. Now, excuse me, I need to get home to my dinner.”
I thought that would be the last of it, but I was wrong. Less than a week later, he returned to the cafe. This time, he came in and ordered two milkshakes. “What are you playing at?” I asked him.
Sally looked at me in surprise, probably wondering why I was being short with a customer.
“Could I have those brought to the table outside?” he asked me.
“If you wanted table service, you should have sat down and waited for the waitress.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Sally broke in. “Where are you seated?”
“Outside, just there by the door,” he told her.
“I’ll have her bring those out to you as soon as they’re ready. They’re on the house.”
He thanked her and went outside. I tried to see who he was with, but they had their back to me. Looked like a girl, though, going by the long ponytail. Definitely wasn’t Laurent or Brent.
“What is the matter with you today? You can’t talk to customers that way!” Sally reprimanded me quietly.
“He’s friends with my ex,” I said, not wanting to tell her that technically, he was also one of my exes.
“I don’t care. Be a professional. Put on a smile and take those drinks out to them, along with a free order of fries.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.”
I really was, too. I’d made the cafe look bad in front of other customers who might have heard our exchange. I was better than this. I asked Fred in the kitchen to serve up some more fries, then while he did so, I made the milkshakes. I put everything on a tray then went to go see what game they were playing now.
“Hey!” Joanna squealed, jumping up as soon as she saw me.
I couldn’t help it, I smiled back at her. “I’d have been a lot nicer if you’d told me you’d brought one of my best friends,” I said to Charles.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.
“Everyone’s missed you so much! And Lydia’s acting like such a queen bitch. She’s all, ‘Yeah, she ran. She could
n’t hold onto one man, let alone three,’ and all kinds of stupid shit like that.”
“She was banned from the Winter Solstice dance,” Charles chimed in.
“Really? Why?” I had to hear this story, whatever she’d done, it must have been good.
“She kept saying crap about you and Laurent told her to shut up. That no one was interested in her theatrics. Then he said he was definitely not interested in her in any way, and she should stop telling people they were together and planning to have kids,” Joanna said, popping a fry in her mouth. “Oh, these are good.”
“And that got her banned why?” I fished.
“Because she backhanded him for it.,” Charles said.
My eyes widened. “She slapped him? Wow!”
“Yep,” he replied. “She got a week’s in-room suspension and banned from the dance. They told her one more infraction, and she’s gone for good, no matter how much money her parents offer.”
“Wow,” I repeated. That was huge.
“Listen,” Joanna said. “That’s not what we came here for. You need to listen to the guys. It’s really serious.”
Just like that, I knew my first instinct had been right. I’d been set up, again. This time, they’d conned Joanna into trying to do their dirty work. She was such a sweetheart that she probably thought they were being romantic, swooping in to save the heroine.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” I said, pointing over my shoulder to the inside with my thumb. They didn’t follow me in, so I hoped that was the end of the matter this time.
Like a bad penny, Brent showed up the very next day. As luck would have it, he caught me coming out the back door, just as Charles had the first time.
“You guys aren’t going to let this rest, are you?” I demanded, now feeling more than a little fed up. Enough was enough! “This is harassment, you know.”
He looked at me steadily. “There’s someone I think you should see.” He turned to look down at the end of the alley. I looked, too, wondering who else was there to ambush me. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw who was standing there.
“Marla?”
“Tuesday!” she shouted, trotting up. “When that girl showed up at my house asking if I knew you, I thought something had happened to you.”
“Oh, well, I’m okay. How’s the Air Force?”
“The Air Force?” she asked, her face scrunching up.
My stomach sank at her sound of confusion in her voice. “Yeah. Aunt Tillie played me your message. The one where you said that you’d signed up and hadn’t been able to face telling me.”
“No way! You’re the one who ghosted me to go on a vacation and decided to stay!” She looked thoughtful. “Was it a text message?”
“No, a voice one.”
She looked angry. “That’s a mean trick! You sure it was supposed to be from me? Because I didn’t call you, and it’d have to have been someone who had your aunt’s number.”
That was true. “Yes, and you’re right. That is so weird!”
“I’ll let you two catch up,” Brent said. “How about I grab a coffee, and you two go for a stroll on the beach?”
“I want to,” I told Marla. “But, I’m expected home for dinner, and you know my aunt will worry.”
“I just can’t believe the three of you are here, together. I thought they were moving somewhere else. Wasn’t your uncle’s new job in Montana or something?” she asked, referencing the story my aunt and uncle had told everyone to explain the move. Everyone, including me.
“That job didn’t pan out, but this came along,” I said.
“And you’re going to college here?”
“I’m taking a semester off,” I deflected her with a half-truth.
“Oh. Well, I don’t have to fly back until the day after tomorrow.”
“I bought her a ticket,” Brent added.
“Yeah, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to afford to come on out.”
“I’m off tomorrow. How about we meet here and then go to the beach, just you and me?”
She grinned. “It’s a date.”
We hugged, and I watched sadly as she left the alley with Brent, who said he was driving them to a motel, where Marla fell all over herself explaining about how they had separate rooms. I pedaled as fast as traffic would allow, eager to get home. I wanted dinner to be over so I could get right to sleep. Morning would come even faster and with it, my day at the beach with Marla.
It was a nice thing he did, sending someone to my old home town, probably Joanna, I reckoned, and finding my best friend. I knew he was unaware of the whole Air Force story until now, so this was another move to try to get me to forgive them by buttering me up. Well, sorry, Brent, old boy, but it ain’t gonna work. I sure would enjoy the time with my bestie, though!
Chapter 30
“Don’t forget to take some sunscreen,” Aunt Tillie said.
“I’ve charmed my swimsuit to take care of that,” I assured her. It was one of the first spells I made sure I’d mastered after getting here. Ten minutes in the sun, and I looked like a cooked lobster. I practiced on my work t-shirt, knowing my face and arms would burn during the bike ride to work and back or one of my after-work strolls along the beach if I didn’t. Luckily it was a simple charm, and it had been quick and easy to learn.
“As long as you’re sure it works,” she said, sounding doubtful.
“I’ve been using it on my work clothes,” I told her, miffed that she didn’t have even that much confidence in me that she thought I couldn’t learn a primary level charm and create it without assistance.
“Oh, that’s alright then,” she said. “We’re going to visit your Aunt Lisanne today, so you’re on your own for dinner. We’ll be back sometime tomorrow.”
“You have enough money?” Uncle Joe asked.
“Yeah, I got paid the other day. I gave you money, remember?”
“That’s why I asked. We’re happy to give it back if you need it.”
Even if I was short, I wouldn’t have taken it. If I wasn’t living with them, I’d be paying rent and stuff, and my landlord certainly wouldn’t have handed back some of my rent money so I could grab a hamburger.
“I’m good,” I said firmly. “See, I have a cool bag, spelled to keep everything perfectly cold, including the blue ice block.” That was there to not arouse suspicion. “I’ve got two sodas in there and some snacks. If I need more, I’ll swing by work and eat.” I grinned. “I get an employee discount, you know.” I did, too. Meals right before or after my shift were free, and any other time, I had a fifty percent off employee discount. I intended to use it to get two milkshakes to go for us to sip while Marla and I walked along the beach until we found an excellent spot to put down our towels. “I also have a towel, my sunglasses, a fully charged phone, and a book to read.”
I held it up to show them, my hand covering the tagline. It was a new paranormal academy reverse harem romance that, given to me by Mindy in jest after I gave her that guy’s phone number. She claimed I could have my own harem, what with all the guys who kept coming in to moon over me. She was delusional, but despite myself, I’d found myself reading the book.
It was about a young woman who suddenly found out she was a demon, not a witch, and was whisked away to an academy to learn about her powers. I could totally relate to that, as well as the confusion of having a hot guy try to mess her over a little, then try to date her. Not just him, either. He came with as part of a package, three other demons who were under him, in his Horde. Luckily the cover didn’t give that much away. It merely showed a red-haired woman in a school uniform with a blazer and tie standing in front of a school’s gates, holding books. Flames danced in her eyes, a red aura shimmered about her, and the title, “Descended: Hellspawn Academy 1” finished the cover.
Aunt Tillie peered at it. “That’s a USA Today bestseller?” she asked, sounding surprised. “Amazing what they write about these days.”
Uncle Joe smiled. “Like Harry Pott
er for girls, no doubt.”
Aunt Tillie smiled then. “They got so much wrong, but also so much right. That street where they bought the supplies was rather a lot like where I took you, wasn’t it?” she addressed me.
“But the real wand place was much cooler. That’s where I got George!”
“Okay, you look like you’re all set. Knowing you’re out having fun and not here in the house or at work where that boy can come pressure you is a load off my mind.” Uncle Joe opened the front door for her, and she went out. I picked up my carry bag and followed her out.
“Not taking your bike today?” Uncle Joe asked me, noting me walking down the drive without it.
“Nope. Thought I’d walk today. Less chance of it getting stolen if I don’t have to leave it fastened in the car park.” I didn’t feel right asking my employer to let me use the storage room when I wasn’t working. “Besides, it’s gorgeous outside today. Nice breeze and everything.” I held back mentioning I was going to meet up with Marla. Something about the voice message situation didn’t feel right. I felt as if I’d forgotten an important detail and until I knew what it was, I was playing things close to my chest.
He shut my aunt’s car door and walked over to the driver’s side, opening the door to get in. “It is, I’m almost envious of you spending it at the beach instead of with your aunts.” He gave me a wink to let me know he was joking, at least somewhat.
I gave them both a wave and set off, hearing them pull out behind me, their car tires making a scraping sound as they left the driveway and met the road as they turned to go the opposite direction. I walked along with a bounce in my step, excited but also a little worried. Marla and I had so much to catch up on.
There was the added complication of having more to share with me than I could reciprocate because I couldn’t tell her much of anything. I hated that. Marla and I never had secrets between us, not until I thought she hid joining the Air Force, but that was a lie, and she hadn’t, so didn’t count. Oh, we had small secrets, I guess, like hiding things that were surprises, such as what gifts we bought each other for Christmas and stuff.
Discovery of Magick (Dark Light Academy Book 1) Page 19
