Miss Scotford looked confused. “I don’t know why you’d see a need to do that, Lia.”
Lia’s mouth twitched but she said nothing.
“I think you should go to the routes Mr. Kment assigned you,” Miss Scotford said. “Is that clear?”
Morgan smirked at Lia. “Crystal.” She grabbed McKenna by the wrist and tugged her toward where Stew stood, not wanting to wait around for Lia to plead her case.
“What’s the word?” Stew asked.
“We’re on the original route,” Morgan reported. She turned to McKenna. “No thanks to you. What were you thinking, giving in to her?”
McKenna shook her head. “I don’t know—I just didn’t want to argue with her anymore.”
Morgan shot her a suspicious look but shrugged. “Anyway. Who’s driving?”
Chapter Eight
A few hours later, Morgan pulled into the Daily Grind’s parking lot. She invited Stew and McKenna to come out with her, but they both declined. Ris still hadn’t called or texted, so Morgan took that to mean she wouldn’t be ready for an outing yet.
When Morgan walked into the coffee house, the first thing she did was look to see who was working as barista. She smiled.
“Hey, Lucas,” she greeted as she approached the counter.
Lucas glanced up from the coffee filter he was filling. “Hey. I’ll be with you in a sec.”
“Take your time,” Morgan said. To pass the time, she read the menu board.
A minute later, Lucas approached the cash register. “What’re you thinking?”
“How’s the mango smoothie?”
Lucas pulled a face and shook his head.
“That bad?”
“No,” Lucas said. “It’s not bad. You just wouldn’t like it.”
Morgan smiled. “Really? And how would you know that?”
“I told you, it’s my special talent.”
Morgan laughed. “Ah, yes. How could I forget?”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Indeed. Did I not made you the perfect beverage last time you were here?”
“Yes, you did.”
“But now you doubt me?”
Morgan held her hands up. “Fine. Barista’s choice.”
“Hot or cold?”
Morgan just shrugged.
Lucas smiled. “Challenge accepted.” And he set to work.
Morgan watched him for a few moments. “Why do you even have a menu board if you insist on choosing people’s drinks for them?”
“It’s for when I’m not here,” Lucas called, not looking up from the task at hand.
Morgan laughed. She heard the tinny bell over the door tinkle and turned to see who had walked in. A girl she didn’t recognize crossed the room and took a seat across from a guy who was deeply engrossed in something on his laptop.
Morgan felt disappointed and it took her a moment to figure out why: She expected it to be Corbin. When she realized this, she immediately hated herself a little.
The bell tinkled again as Lucas was ringing her drink up. Morgan made a conscious decision not to turn around this time.
Lucas, however, did look up at the new patron, and he gave the person the chin raise guys give when they recognize someone. Then he turned his attention back to Morgan and gave her the total for her drink.
Morgan began digging through her purse for her wallet, but before she could find it, someone was gently pushing her to the side.
“Hey,” Morgan began to object until she caught sight of the perpetrator. “I should’ve known.”
Corbin smiled at her. “I’ve got it.” He turned his attention to Lucas. “I’ll get mine and hers.”
“I’m capable of paying for my own drink,” Morgan grumbled.
“I am fully aware of that fact.”
Morgan just looked at him for a moment before conceding. “Fine. But I’m getting a sandwich, then, too.”
Corbin laughed. “Sure.” Then he turned to Lucas. “What’s good today?”
“Hot or cold?”
“Cold.”
Lucas nodded and disappeared behind the espresso machine.
Morgan leaned against the counter. “How was practice?”
Corbin shrugged. “Practice. How’s Clare?”
“Really out of it. She didn’t even really wake up when I checked on her earlier.”
“Really?” Corbin looked concerned.
“What?”
“Has she called you today?”
Morgan shook her head. “I was gonna go check on her a little later.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Lucas returned with Corbin’s drink. Then he turned to Morgan. “Sandwich?”
Morgan turned to him and smiled. “What, your special talent doesn’t extend to the deli section?”
“Not nearly as fun,” Lucas said simply.
Morgan laughed. She picked out a sandwich from the case and, after Corbin paid, she and Corbin sat down at the table she usually shared with Ris. She took a sip of her drink—it was cold and pleasantly spicy. She watched as Corbin took a sip of his drink. “What’d you get?”
Corbin took another pull on his straw. “Mango smoothie, I think.”
Morgan made a face. “That’s what I wanted, but Lucas wouldn’t give it to me.”
Corbin held the drink out to her. “You’re welcome to give it a try.”
Morgan considered the offer for a moment before accepting the cup and taking a sip. She wrinkled her nose.
“Really?” Corbin asked, taking his drink back. “I like it.”
“Told you!” Lucas called lazily from behind the counter. “I made you an iced chai, by the way.”
Morgan smiled. “He really is amazing at that,” she admitted to Corbin.
Corbin just watched Lucas for a moment before turning to Morgan. “He’s curious,” he said. “About us.”
“What about us?”
“Exactly.”
“How can you tell?”
Corbin gave her a confused look. “You didn’t feel it?”
Morgan took a bite of her sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “Are you saying you can…read him or something?”
“I think so, yeah.” Corbin’s green eyes widened. “Is this what it’s like being you?”
“Clearly, no.”
Corbin stared off in Lucas’s general direction for a few moments before turning back to Morgan. “It’s weird. It’s like… I mean, it’s not like it is with you.”
Morgan swallowed her bite of sandwich. “What’s not?”
“The—I don’t know—impressions. Yesterday, you were really easy to read. It was like I could feel what you were feeling.”
Morgan nodded. “Same for me.”
“But today, it’s different. Like, I can still feel you, but not as strongly. And when we were up at the counter—just for a second—I could swear I could tell Lucas was curious about us.”
Morgan took another bite of her sandwich and considered this as she chewed and swallowed. She made a conscious effort to reach out to Corbin, to test if she could feel what he was feeling. After a moment, she shrugged. “I think you’re right. You don’t seem as… accessible today.”
“What d’you think that means?” Corbin asked.
“Dunno. Maybe we should ask Kellen.”
“Maybe,” Corbin agreed, thoughtful.
They sat in silence as Morgan finished her sandwich.
“Do you wonder what it all means?” Corbin asked suddenly.
Morgan cocked her head. “You getting existential on me?”
He shook his head. “No. I mean the whole—” He leaned forward. “—Naturals thing. I mean, do you wonder what it means? Like, is something going to be expected of us because of this? You know, the whole great power, great responsibility thing?”
“What, now you think you’re Spider-man?”
Corbin sighed. “Forget it.”
Morgan shrugged. “Look, Corbin—I just… I haven’t put much thought into it. I mean, things have be
en just a little crazy for me lately.”
“Crazy for you?”
“I’m sure Kellen will tell us more.” Morgan finished off her drink and sighed. “You ready to head over to Ris’s?”
Corbin sucked on his straw to confirm his smoothie was gone before nodding. They stood, bussed their table, and waved goodbye to Lucas as they headed out of the coffee house. Refusing to be without her car again, Morgan insisted they drive separately.
When they got to Ris’s house, they tried the front door first, but there was no answer, so Morgan led Corbin in through the garage.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Corbin asked as they entered the house.
“We’re not robbing the place,” Morgan grumbled. “We’re just going to check on Ris…” She knocked lightly on Ris’s bedroom door. When there was no response, Morgan let herself in.
Ris was still lying in bed like she had been that morning. Morgan walked to her friend’s side and shook her. After a few tries, she got a response. Ris opened her eyes and blinked heavily.
“Morgs? What… what time is it?”
“Late,” Morgan said. “After noon.”
Ris propped herself up on her elbow. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”
“I tried. You don’t remember? I was here earlier.”
Ris shook her head. “I must’ve been really out of it.”
“How are you feeling?” asked Corbin tentatively.
Noticing Corbin for the first time, Ris suddenly became self-conscious. Her hands went to her hair briefly before she answered. “Um… good. Tired.”
“Probably because you’ve been sleeping for more than twelve hours,” Morgan said.
“I guess,” Ris agreed. “I feel like… I just had the flu or something. Kind of achy.”
“That’ll be the bedsores.”
Ris rolled her eyes at Morgan. Then she looked at Corbin. “So… what brings you by?”
Corbin shrugged. “I was worried about you. Morgan said you were out of it earlier and that you didn’t call her all day…”
Ris’s face clouded with confusion. “Wait—when did you talk to Morgan?”
“Over coffee—”
“We were both at a coffee house,” Morgan said quickly. “He asked about you.”
Ris smiled. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you two were getting to be friends.”
Morgan glanced at Corbin and then back to Ris. “Not likely.”
Corbin made a face at Morgan and turned to Ris. “You need to get out of bed.”
Ris nodded. “True.”
“Have you got any plans for tonight?” he asked.
Ris smiled. “Probably not sleep, but beyond that…”
Corbin smiled, too. “Well, you have plans now. My buddy’s brother’s band is playing at a club tonight at eight or so. We could grab a bite to eat and then head out there. What do you think?”
“That sounds great,” Ris said, sounding slightly baffled.
“Great, then, it’s settled.” Corbin looked at Morgan. “You up for it, Morgan?”
“No thanks,” she said quickly. “I’ve had my fill of quality time with Corbin as of late. But you two crazy kids have a good time.”
Corbin shrugged. “Thought I’d ask.”
Ris kicked the covers off herself and sat up. She was still in her clothes from last night. Her bangle bracelets left marks on her arms. “If you two will excuse me,” she said, standing up, “I have to… take a shower or something.”
“Okay,” Corbin said, heading toward Ris’s bedroom door. “I’ll be by at about six thirty to pick you up—does that sound good?”
Ris nodded enthusiastically.
Corbin smiled. “I’ll let myself out.” And he was gone.
Ris waited until she heard the telltale sound of a door closing before turning to Morgan, eyes wide. “Do you think this is a date?” she asked, barely containing the excitement in her voice.
“Sounds like it to me,” Morgan said.
Ris squealed. “This is so exciting!” Without waiting for a response, she scurried out of her bedroom, presumably to the bathroom to start preparing.
Morgan sighed.
***
Morgan wasn’t sure exactly why, but that evening found her back at the Daily Grind.
Lucas wasn’t behind the counter, so Morgan ordered an iced chai, just to be on the safe side. The room was filled with the evening crowd, so Morgan had to take a lap before she could find a place to settle down. There was an empty spot on a couch toward the front of the room, and Morgan decided to take a seat there. As she pulled the book out of her purse, the couch’s other occupant spoke.
“Wow, back again?”
Morgan turned to the guy who had spoken. “Lucas?” she asked. “Sorry, I didn’t recognize you on this side of the counter.”
Lucas nodded understandingly. “It’s like the perfect disguise. On that side of the counter, I’m Clark Kent.”
Morgan smiled. “Does that make you Superman now?”
Lucas considered this. “Maybe it’s the other way around.”
Morgan shoved her book back into her purse and turned so she was facing him. “So, why are you here? Are you on break or something?”
He shook his head. “Shift ended a while ago.” Correctly interpreting the question in Morgan’s eyes, he added, “My brothers are home from college for the summer and the house gets a little crowded.” He shifted so he was facing Morgan. “Do you have any siblings?”
Morgan shook her head. “Just me and my dad.”
Lucas just nodded, not following up Morgan’s comment with the obvious question. Instead, he asked something completely unrelated: “So, where’s Corbin?”
“Taking Ris out on a date.”
Lucas’s eyebrows knit. “Really? I thought—”
Morgan held up her hand. “You can stop that thought right now.”
Lucas shrugged. “Sorry to offend, but, you know, appearances and all.”
“At best, we’ve got a grudging friendship. We’ve kind of got something in common.”
“Ris,” Lucas supplied.
Morgan didn’t correct him. “How long have you been working here?”
“On and off for the last couple years.”
“And when did you discover your special talent?”
Lucas shrugged. “When did you discover yours?”
“Touché,” Morgan said. “I guess I’ve always known. And,” Morgan leaned in. Lucas leaned in, too. “Lately… I think I’m getting stronger.”
Lucas looked mildly impressed. “Show me.”
“What?”
“Show me,” Lucas repeated. “Read me. Wow me. You know, do your thing.”
Morgan raised an eyebrow. “Right now?”
“Sure. Why not?” He smiled. “I’ll even throw in a free drink next time I’m working. We’ll call it… an exchange of talents.”
Morgan considered the offer. “Okay.”
“Okay. So…?”
“So, give me your hand.”
Lucas obliged. Morgan held his hand in both of hers. She closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths, allowing herself to relax, bidding her mind to reach out.
She felt Lucas, his energy. She reached forward with her mind. However, she received none of the usual impressions—not even the kind she used to get before her interactions with Kellen and Corbin. Gently, she pushed a little further forward. She met resistance.
Morgan opened her eyes. Moments later, Lucas opened his eyes as well.
“What?”
“I can’t… You’re blocking me.”
Lucas made a face. “I’m what?”
“You’re not letting me read you. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
“That happen often?”
“No. Never, actually.”
Lucas shrugged. “Wanna try again? I’ll try to be more… open.”
“Okay.” She closed her eyes again. Took in a deep breath. Relaxed. And this time when sh
e reached out, she got something.
It wasn’t feelings or thoughts. It was unlike anything Morgan had ever experienced. It was like energy—pure energy flowing through her fingers and into the very center of her being. She felt light—white light—and a tingling in her fingertips.
Lucas pulled away first. When Morgan opened her eyes to look at him, she saw shock and confusion. Then, slowly, Lucas smiled.
“Wow,” he said quietly.
Morgan took in a breath and released it slowly. “Yeah.”
“Is that… Was that…? Wow.”
“How do you feel?”
“Awesome. What’d you… do?”
Morgan shrugged. “Dunno. It’s never happened before.” She studied Lucas’s face. “You sure you feel okay?”
“No… I’m way better than okay.” He smiled. “I feel like I can… I don’t know—fly.”
Morgan nodded. “Me, too.” A pure, white energy pulsed through her body. She felt powerful, like she could do absolutely anything. She smiled, unsure how she should be feeling about this. When she had the reading with Corbin, she was completely wiped out. And now, though she hadn’t actually read Lucas, she was having the complete opposite reaction. Instead of feeling like she had just run a marathon, she felt like she could go run a marathon.
Lucas took in a breath. “I’m thirsty.”
“Oh.” She reached for her chai. “Here, you can have a—”
Before Morgan fully extended her arm, the glass was in her hand. She looked down at it incredulously. “What the—”
“No way,” Lucas said, awed. “Did you just—”
Numbly, Morgan nodded. “I think so.” She picked up the glass and her hand trembled slightly as she handed it to Lucas.
“How’d you do that?” Lucas asked.
Morgan just shook her head. “I have no idea… That’s never happened before.”
Lucas took a sip of the chai. “That was fantastic.” He looked at Morgan. Concern clouded his face. “Morgan, you okay?”
“I don’t think so,” Morgan said quietly.
Lucas scooted closer to her on the couch. He placed his hand gently on her arm. “Morgan?”
“I’m freaking out a little, Lucas,” she whispered, feeling her heart pounding against her ribcage. “I just moved a freaking glass with my mind.”
“I know, I saw,” Lucas said, sounding excited.
The Naturals Trilogy Page 8
