Carly made the mistake of allowing herself to let go for just a moment. Just long enough to kiss Abel on the mouth. Just long enough to confirm that what she was feeling for him was real.
It’s real, all right, Carly realized, and indulged herself in another kiss.
“This is an interesting development,” Sharla’s voice rang out.
Carly ripped her lips from Abel’s, covering her mouth with her hand as she slumped against the counter. She counted three pairs of meticulously calculated high heels—which meant Sharla, Crystal and Esther had all witnessed the kiss.
“As if you didn’t see it coming,” Crystal muttered.
“I think we all saw it coming,” Esther said. “But that doesn’t mean I wanted to walk in on it. You know you have a house full of people, right?”
Sharla wagged her pointer finger between Carly and Abel, and asked, “Are you two a couple now? This means you’re dating, doesn’t it?”
Abel slid his arm in around Carly’s shoulders. “The only answer you’re going to get is that it’s none of your business.”
“That means they are,” Esther determined. “Is that coffee about done? Or have you two been doing that this whole time?”
“The coffee’s almost done,” Carly managed. “I’ll bring some out when it’s ready.”
“I’ll be sure to let Gabe know,” Sharla told her with a silly little smile. “Although, I’m not sure he’ll be interested in coffee anymore once he hears about this.”
“Once I hear about what?” Gabe asked, appearing in the doorway. His pale blue eyes studied Abel’s arm around Carly’s shoulders, and it took a moment for recognition to cross his face.
“We caught them making out,” Sharla supplied with a giddy grin. “Too bad you didn’t show up a few minutes earlier, Gabe—you could have witnessed the whole thing. And here I thought their kiss at the dance was just to make you jealous.”
“I think that’s quite enough, Sharla,” Abel warned.
Carly’s gaze flitted to Gabe, who balled his hands into fists as he stared back at her. She wondered if he had the guts to call her a whore again with more of their friends listening in.
“I thought you were getting coffee?” Katia spoke as she joined the crowd in the doorway. She walked up beside Gabe, resting her hand on his shoulder. “Is everything all right?”
Gabe shook his head. “Not even close. Come on, Katia, I’ll drive you to the resort and we’ll grab a cup of coffee there.”
Katia smirked, and said, “Gladly,” before she turned to follow him out of the room.
“Count me in, too,” Crystal called out, eyeing Carly and Abel before she disappeared down the hall. The front door slammed moments later, confirming their departure.
“Cat’s out of the bag, I guess,” Esther said, walking around the island to swipe two mugs from the cupboard. She grabbed the carafe and filled them both, handing one to Sharla. “We’ll give you some privacy.”
“Have fun, you two,” Sharla said with a wink, and trotted down the hall with Esther.
“Well,” Abel spoke, taking Carly’s hand. “I think they may have just given you what you really wanted for your birthday.”
“Huh?” Carly mumbled, still trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Abel nudged his shoulder into hers. “To leave you alone and not make you endure any more of a party.”
She hadn’t thought about it that way, but considering Crystal’s exit, it seemed as though Carly’s schedule had just freed up. “I guess.”
“Does that mean I can give you your present now?”
“You got me a present?” Carly questioned.
Abel dug into his jeans pocket. “Can’t let the birthday girl go without a present. I just hope you like it.” With that, he snuck something into Carly’s palm.
She marveled over the smooth, black stone affixed to a silver chain. It was the first time a boy had given her jewelry.
“The stone’s hematite,” Abel informed her. “I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s known to have a calming effect. I don’t usually buy into that kind of stuff, but I do notice a difference when I’ve got a big test coming up or something like that. Esther always has a piece on her, so maybe she’s a little more convinced than me. Anyway, for whatever reason, I came across this necklace and thought of you. I know it might seem like a lot since we’re barely more than friends, but…”
“I love it,” Carly told him, taking a closer look at the pendant. This time she noticed tiny rivers of white running through the stone, telling a different story than what she’d seen at first glance.
“That’s the part that reminded me of you,” Abel admitted. “That I seem to get a different story the closer I look.”
She couldn’t hold back her smile as she put on the necklace. “How does it look?”
“Just like I thought it would—perfect.”
Carly let out a laugh. “Do you really carry a hematite stone around with you?”
Abel dug into his pocket again and pulled out a loose black stone, slightly larger than the one he’d given her. He stowed it back in his pocket, and asked, “So, now that it’s just the two of us, what would you like to do?”
Carly didn’t have to hear Abel’s thoughts to guess them. While she had to admit that it wouldn’t be so bad to spend some time alone with him, she didn’t dare leave the house with the amethyst skull upstairs and Damon Phillips down here. But how did she say all that to Abel without telling him everything?
“We could… hang out in my room,” she suggested, fingering the smooth stone at her throat. “As long as you understand…”
“That you make the rules?” Abel finished.
Carly nodded, thankful she didn’t need to explain any more than that.
“You don’t have to explain anything at all, Carly. I just want the pleasure of your company. Why don’t we grab a cup of coffee and head upstairs?”
She took a moment to look him over, to dig through the layers of Abel’s mind for any sign of mistrust. But all she seemed to find was a really great guy who really cared about her. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my seventeenth birthday.”
fifteen
“Carly, are you almost ready?” Howard asked as he knocked on her bedroom door late Christmas morning. “We need to leave for Paul’s in ten minutes.”
Carly swung open the door, throwing her hands on her hips as she faced him. She’d known this fight was coming, although she’d been delaying it as long as possible. Her birthday had turned out surprisingly well once she’d snuck off with Abel, and she longed for nothing more than another quiet day alone with him. But that wouldn’t happen if she was forced to spend her day with Gabriel.
“No, I’m not almost ready to go,” Carly informed her father, “because I think it’s best I don’t.”
Howard let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s just lunch, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, at Gabe’s house.”
“Well, it’s Christmas, so it’s not optional. We’re going to spend it as a family.”
“My ex-boyfriend counts as family?” she challenged.
Howard frowned. “I thought you would’ve come downstairs hours ago to open your presents. You usually beg me to let you tear into them early.”
“It’s just… not the same without Mom.”
“I know better than anyone how difficult—”
“No, you don’t, because you’ve already replaced her,” Carly said.
Howard covered his face with his hand, shaking his head. “Carly, this isn’t going to be an easy day for either of us, but we can at least be civil. Sharla told me you’re seeing Abel, so I figured you wouldn’t mind going to Paul’s since Abel will be there.”
“We’re not exactly… I mean, Abel and I aren’t officially…”
“In any case, we’re leaving in five minutes. If you’d like to take off after we eat, you’re more than welcome—but we’re at least having Christmas dinner together. More than anything, I kn
ow your mother would want that.”
Mom’s memory stilled Carly’s tongue, and she nodded in defeat.
“You can open your presents when we get home,” Howard told her, and headed downstairs.
Carly closed the door behind him and turned up Elliott Smith on her stereo before she stepped over to her full-length mirror. She fingered the hematite pendant around her neck and wondered if there was any truth to the supposed powers of the stone. Her belief in pretty much everything had changed since moving to Sterling, so she wasn’t about to go ruling anything out.
Even so, if the only thing the pendant did was remind her of the boy who’d given it to her, that was enough. Carly smiled as she recalled the part of her birthday she’d spent alone in here with Abel. He was gorgeous, and charming, and always knew exactly what to say. Abel was the absolute perfect boyfriend, even if she wasn’t ready to call him that yet.
Carly tore herself from her reflection and headed downstairs to find Dad waiting in the foyer. She was expecting another lecture, but instead, he handed her a Thermos of coffee. They certainly had their differences, but he always seemed to have her best interest in mind.
“Thanks,” Carly said, and followed him out to the Taurus.
“You’re welcome,” Howard replied as they climbed in the car. “And Merry Christmas.”
“Yes, Merry Christmas.” She sat sipping her coffee as her father drove into Sterling, her mind divided between Abel and the amethyst skull. At the moment, Carly wasn’t sure about the future of either. But maybe it was okay to not have it all figured out just yet.
Carly wasn’t too surprised to find Abel standing on the sidewalk down the street from Gabe’s house when they pulled up. She left her coffee in the car as she stepped out to greet him. “Hey, Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas yourself,” Abel replied, turning to Howard. “May I steal your daughter for a moment?”
Howard hadn’t said anything about Abel being in Carly’s room, nor did he seem too reluctant about them spending time together now. She wasn’t looking for her father’s approval, but it was still nice to have.
“For a moment,” Howard said. “Just don’t keep her too long.”
“Of course not,” Abel assured him.
“I’ll see you two inside then.”
“What’s up?” Carly asked as Howard disappeared down the block.
Abel nodded toward the sidewalk. “Walk with me?”
“Sure,” she agreed, falling in line next to him. She expected Abel to reach for her hand, but he crossed his arms over his broad chest instead as they rounded the corner away from the Hutchinson residence. “Abel, did I do something wrong?”
“What?” he laughed.
“It’s just… I had such a great time yesterday, and I thought you did, too.”
“I definitely had a great time,” Abel confirmed, stopping to face her. “Look, there’s something you should know…”
What did Gabe do now? she thought, running a hand through her hair as she stared down at a crack in the sidewalk. Abel surprised her with a kiss, and a sharp spark rippled through the air between them. The charge caused Carly to stumble backwards, but Abel reached out for her hips to steady her—which only served to create a second surge of electricity around them.
“This isn’t about him,” Abel breathed. “This is about us, Carly—you and me. I wanted you to know that Sharla told everyone we’re dating, and by everyone, yes, I mean Gabe. I know it’s all still new, and I know you don’t want to label it, but…”
Carly sensed there was more to his argument, but Abel kissed her instead. What a tricky move. The notion of being his girlfriend was terrifying, until his mouth was clinging to hers, the air crisp with telling around them.
It’s possible to be my girlfriend without making a lifelong commitment, Abel pointed out. All it really means is you get to kiss me whenever you want.
She smiled as she pulled away from him. “I don’t get to do that now?”
Abel matched her grin. “I’d say right now, you could get away with just about anything.”
Carly let out a laugh, reaching to take his hand in hers. “Come on, B-friend. We’d better get in there before I get accused of delaying another meal.”
“Anything you say, G-friend,” Abel replied playfully, happy to follow her down the block.
Carly was just beginning to think this day might turn out okay when Gabe threw open the front door to greet them.
“It’s about damned time,” Gabe growled, rolling his eyes. “Everyone’s waiting in the dining room.”
“We’re sorry,” Carly apologized as they stepped into the foyer.
“Whatever. I want this to be over just as much as you do.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Hutchinson,” Abel said.
Gabe flipped him off as he led the way into the dining room. He took the empty seat between Katia and Crystal, leaving two open chairs at opposite ends of the table. Abel stepped over to the chair between Howard and Gretta, nodding to Carly as he pulled it out. She thanked him and took the seat, watching as he walked around the table to settle in between Esther and Crys.
“Now that we’re all here,” Paul announced, clasping his hands together as he stood. “I’d like to thank you all for coming today. It’s always a blessing to share a holiday dinner with family and dear friends. Damon, I don’t think we could be any more delighted to have you back in the States. Would you care to say grace and bless our meal this afternoon?”
“It would be my pleasure to thank the gods for our bounty,” Damon replied, and proceeded with the prayer.
His fluid words haunted Carly throughout the meal. Abel’s mother, Gretta, was seated next to her, and kept Carly busy answering questions about the coming semester and how she planned to spend the rest of her break. Carly had her fill of both questions and food by the time the meal was over, and hoped she and Abel could sneak off soon.
“I thought we’d wait a while to have dessert,” Paul spoke as Carly placed her napkin on the plate in front of her. “Crystal tells me the kids are going down the shore for a swim. We’ll have pie and ice cream when they get back.”
Did that mean Gabe was going swimming, too? Would he realize the skull had been moved once he got to the shore? Or would he be too distracted by Katia to notice?
Abel walked around the table, wrapping Carly’s hand up in his as he brought his sizzling lips to her ear. “What do you say we get out of here for a while?”
“Aren’t you going swimming with us?” Crystal asked before Carly could reply. “We’re all going. It sounds like Katia might be here for a while, so we’d better show her what we do for fun. Unless you two are suddenly too good to hang out with us.”
Carly didn’t understand Crystal’s attitude, but it was the least of her worries now. Now all she could imagine was Gabe getting to the beach, realizing the skull wasn’t there, and freaking out. Carly absolutely had to see whether or not Gabe could sense that the skull had been moved.
And she had to do it without letting Abel know why. “We’d love to go swimming,” Carly answered.
“We would?” Abel asked. You seriously want to hang out with Gabe right now?
It wasn’t like that at all, but how could she explain without going into detail about the skull? The best way to protect Abel from its lure was to keep the skull a secret, so that’s what she’d do. “Are you seriously passing up a chance to see me in a swimsuit?”
“No,” he answered, a smile at his lips. “Definitely not.”
“Good, then we should go.”
“I guess I’ll see you out there then,” Crystal noted, and twisted on her heel to walk away.
Abel led Carly outside. “I figured we could walk to my place so I can change, and then I’ll drive you out to your place. Unless you wouldn’t rather just hang out alone…”
Carly bit at her lip, her memory falling to last night, when they had been alone. It wasn’t an exaggeration that being with Abel in that ca
pacity had been overwhelming, and she could use a breather before they picked up where they’d left off. She let him into that much of her head, and he nodded.
“Besides,” Carly added, “maybe if we all hang out as a group again, things will start to feel normal. Isn’t that what you guys specialize in? Ignoring crap and pretending it didn’t happen?”
Abel cracked a smile. “Yeah, I guess we’re especially equipped for that. I’ve got to say, I’m really surprised you’re handling yourself so well around Gabe.”
“Oh, I…”
“I thought we might have to skip his New Year’s party, but maybe you’ll be up for it?”
“New Year’s party?” Carly questioned as they continued down the block toward Abel’s house.
“Hutchinson usually throws a big party on New Year’s, and from what I hear, it’s a go. Of course, that doesn’t mean we’ll get invited. He’s got plenty of reasons to never speak to me again.”
“I understand why you don’t like him, but why doesn’t Gabe like you?” Carly asked. “I mean, aside from the fact that you’re my… What did you ever do to him?”
Legends: Bloodline Book 2 Page 15
