by Sara Mack
“I’ll start on the bathroom,” Madeline volunteers.
“No,” I stop her. “I’ve got it.” Now that we’ve been debriefed, I need a mirror. If I really wear evidence of James’ kiss I need to do something about it.
As I make the short walk to the bathroom I pass Dane. “Where you headed?” he asks with fake innocence.
I shoot him a look. “To pee.” I refuse to let him rile me any further as I’m sure a self-inflicted trip to Guilty Town is imminent.
I shut the door and examine my reflection. There’s a small red splotch on the side of my neck, but nothing close to a hickey. This tiny thing drew Dane’s attention? Does he inspect me with a microscope? I can’t think of one person that would see this and assume I’d made out with someone! Nevertheless, I take my ponytail down and bring my hair over my shoulders to hide it. Now I’m self-conscious.
I use the facilities then leave to get a box to pack my stuff. Dane catches me before I can make a hasty retreat. “Find everything all right?”
“Barely,” I say, annoyed.
He laughs at our private joke, but the humor doesn’t reach his eyes. “I like your hair. Why’d you change it?”
“I was getting a headache.”
“From having it up?”
“No, from you.”
He chuckles.
“Have you finished interrogating me? Can I go pack now?”
“Sure.” He smiles.
As I walk away I try to figure him out. Is he trying to get under my skin to make me feel bad? Because it’s working. As I enter the bathroom, I toss the box on the counter and sigh. A restless night of thinking lies ahead of me. Guaranteed.
I have no regrets when it comes to my decision to leave campus. It’s crazy to admit, but even simple things, like breathing, feel easier at home. I’m sure the end of the semester has a lot to do with how I feel, but I’ve noticed LB seems happier, too. True, my parents dote on her, but I’m sure she appreciates the laid back atmosphere. Compared to the string of guests constantly parading through our personal space at Western, I do too. My mind works better with occasional silence.
I smooth my sweater over my waistline and consult the mirror quickly. When I arrived home, and was confronted by a fully decorated tree and stockings hanging from the mantle, it hit me that Christmas is less than ten days away. I’ve done absolutely no shopping! Now that I’ve had time to think about buying gifts, today is the day to get it done. As I ready myself to head downstairs my cell vibrates against the dresser.
Busy?
It’s James. Madeline and Ash bought him a phone in an effort to keep us connected since we can’t simply walk next door and talk anymore. They didn’t like the idea of him manifesting in my house, so they thought this was a better option.
Yep. Going shopping.
Seconds pass. For what?
Christmas.
I can’t wait to see what you get me.
Aw, crap. Is he joking? Should I get him something? I was only planning on buying for my parents, my brother Mike, and his girlfriend Kate.
Are we celebrating??? I send back. I hope he says no. I have no idea what to get him.
Instead of texting back, my phone rings. “Hello?”
“Believe it or not, I could sense the panic in your message,” James laughs. “I was kidding. You don’t have to buy me anything.”
I don’t want to sound relieved, but I do. “Okay good. I’m already running low on time to find gifts for my family as it is.”
“Maybe next year we could do Secret Santa,” he muses.
I smile. “Is there something you needed?”
“The mats arrived today and Ash is installing them now. Practice is on for tonight. What time can you be here?”
Yes! With my move and The Larvatus needing a place to stay, we haven’t been able to train for four days. My energy levels are crazy. I’ve been trying to meditate like Madeline taught me, but it’s much easier when I’m with her.
“How does six sound? I should be back by then.”
“Great. You should see the basement. It’s even cooler than the rec center.”
Madeline and Ash found a house to rent about fifteen minutes away from mine on a large piece of secluded property. It’s on a private lake and sports roughly 6,000 square feet. It came furnished, but without a ready-made training facility; so it’s taken a few days for The Larvatus to pull together a home gym. James loves it there; he’s staying with them in what the realtor called the “guest apartment.” He has his own separate entrance and everything. I suppose there’s nothing like living in luxury if you’re forced to stay away from your real home.
“I can’t wait,” I tell him and I mean it. Not only will I be able to work out, but I get see their place and all of them instead of merely talking on the phone.
“You still have the address right?” he asks.
“Yes. Let me get going, so I can be there on time.”
“All right. See you later.”
“Later.” I hang up. It’s hard to keep myself from skipping down the stairs.
“Where are you headed?” my father asks as I make a beeline for the back door.
“To the mall,” I say as I shrug on my coat.
“Alone?” he asks, worried.
I try not to sigh. This has been the only point of contention since I returned to live under his roof. With Patrick still missing, my parents are hesitant to let me out of their sight, let alone go anywhere by myself.
“Yes.” I give him a stern, yet please-let-me-do-this, look. “I have to Christmas shop and I can’t have you or mom spying.”
“Call up Kate and see if she’s busy,” he suggests.
“Dad,” I say matter-of-factly. “I’m buying for her, too. That won’t work.”
A knock on the door interrupts us, and we look at each other confused.
“Stay put,” he says and leaves the kitchen to answer it. Knowing him, I’m sure he suspects our visitor might be Patrick – like he’d be one to knock.
I finish zipping my coat and follow him with my eyes as he makes it to the door and pulls it open. “Well hello there!” he greets our guest.
“Hey, Mr. Donohue. Is Emma around?” It’s Dane.
“She sure is. Come on in, come on in.” He steps out of the way.
Dane catches my eye from the door as he stomps the snow from his shoes and gives me that damn perfect grin of his. I can’t help it and give him a genuine smile in return. I haven’t physically seen him since the move either. We’ve spoken on the phone, but I think we needed a few days apart, if only for the feeling of being out of each other’s hair for a minute.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as I walk up to meet him.
“Bringing you this.” He presents a silvery-gray glittered envelope. It’s addressed to me in fancy calligraphy.
“Impressive.” I lift my eyebrows. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out.” He hands it over.
I take it, curious, and turn it around. I gently tear the flap, so as not to annihilate its prettiness.
“Today,” Dane says impatiently.
I shoot him a look and pull out the heavy card stock to read an elaborate invitation to the annual Bay Woods employee holiday party.
“On New Year’s Eve?” I ask.
He nods. “Normally, my dad and Lily have it on Christmas Eve, but this year they wanted to change it up, so people wouldn’t be in such a rush to get home.”
A huge grin breaks out on my face. “It’s a masquerade ball.” That sounds like so much fun.
“I know.” He smiles. “Normally I dread these things, but this will be the first year I’ll have someone there I want to see.” He steps closer then realizes my dad is still standing behind him. He clears his throat. “Anyway, Shel’s getting an invite too, so I figure she’ll bring Matt and we can all celebrate the New Year together.”
He stares at me and widens his eyes. We recently discussed this would be his signal to give me permission to read hi
s mind. We got tangled in a conversation the other night about his purpose in pointing out I’d kissed James. I told him I felt he was trying to make me feel bad, and he was adamant that if I had just read his thoughts I would have known that wasn’t his intent.
I concentrate on his eyes and hear “Your dad makes me nervous.” I stifle a laugh. Then I hear “I want to see you dressed up in a really bad way. Wear something tight please.”
I have to resist the urge to keep my mouth shut.
“Well, that’s awfully nice of your parents,” my father comments as he rounds us and peers over my shoulder to read the invite. I hold it out for him. “Is the party this big every year?”
“It is,” Dane responds. “It’s a bit ostentatious if you ask me.”
My dad smiles. “I don’t think so. It sounds like they care about their staff.” He looks at me. “I take it you’ll be needing a dress of some sort?” He reaches for his wallet. “Since you’re headed to the mall maybe Dane can go with you and help pick something out.”
I eye him suspiciously. Way to work my shopping trip into the conversation so I don’t have to go alone! “No, Dad, I’m sure Dane has other things to do. Besides, I have my own money; put yours away.” Little does he know I have around thirty grand, thanks to Lucas.
“Actually,” Dane says, “I had nothing planned today other than the delivery of your invitation.” He smiles. “I’ll go with you if you want me to.”
Again with the eyes. “Spend time with me.”
My heart does a somersault. “Okay,” I concede to both of them, but warn Dane. “I’m going Christmas shopping. It’s going to be tedious and boring.”
“Anything is better than sitting home watching the Lions lose. Did you see the game last week?” he asks my dad. “Terrible!”
My father groans. “No one can snag defeat from the jaws of victory like Detroit. They led the whole damn game to give it away in the last quarter!”
I walk toward the door as Dane and my dad follow. The sad state of our football team has been irritating my father since he was my age.
“Our last season was so much better,” he continues to rant. “I should have known not to get my hopes up.”
Dane laughs. “I hear you.”
We step outside and say goodbye. I stop on the step and look at my dad before he shuts the door. He winks at me, clearly pleased I’m not leaving the house unattended. When I turn around I see Dane walking toward a car I don’t recognize. “What happened to the Camaro?”
“She’s seasonal,” he says over his shoulder. “Now that I’m home I put her in storage.” He reaches for the door handle. “This is my winter car.”
I step to his side and appraise his “winter car.” It’s black and sleek and expensive. It’s a Cadillac CTS. “Do you refuse to drive anything that costs less than forty grand?” I ask incredulously.
He smiles. “You don’t like it?”
“I didn’t say that. I just think it’s a little pretty to subject to road salt. You are familiar with Michigan winters, right?”
He rolls his eyes and opens the door. “Get in the car.”
I shrug and do as I’m told.
As we make our way to the expressway, I turn on him. “You’re seriously nervous around my dad?”
“Of course,” he says. “What guy isn’t intimidated by a girl’s father?”
“Don’t be. He likes you.”
He looks unsure. “You think? Have you read his mind?”
“No,” I laugh. “I can just tell. Although, I’m sure he wouldn’t appreciate your unclean thoughts. ‘Wear something tight please’?” I mockingly quote him.
He takes my hand. “Can you blame me for wanting to dress the package?”
My eyes get wide. “Since when am I a gift? Do you think that means I’ll let you unwrap me?”
He smirks. “One can only hope.” He lifts my hand and plants a quick kiss on the back. “Maybe I should ask Santa?”
I pull my hand from his. “You know the rules. All clothes stay on.”
“That’s your rule not mine.”
I give him an “oh please” look; although, I can’t deny that my body responds to his words. I feel too warm in my coat all of a sudden. But, we’ve had this discussion. I can’t do with him what I wouldn’t do with James; my rules prevent all of us from getting hurt. A full month has yet to pass since I’ve met them again. If anything happens it needs to remain at first base.
“I have been a good boy.” He pouts.
“Let it go already!”
He laughs and grasps my hand again, then turns serious. “You will come to the party right?”
A huge smile breaks across my face. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Chapter 13
I catch a glimpse of the clock on the wall at Express. “Ugh!”
“What is it?”
“It’s almost six!” I throw the sweater I was examining for Kate back on the rack. “I’m supposed to be at practice in ten minutes.”
Dane makes a face. “You have fight club tonight?”
I nod vigorously as I dig for my phone. “The mats came today.” Dane knows I’ve been waiting for the home gym to be complete.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks.
I shrug as I scroll through my contacts. “I was having so much fun I forgot.” It’s true; our time together has flown by. I select James’ name and send him a quick message.
Completely lost track of time. On my way.
I toss my phone back in my purse and shift my shopping bags. “Looks like Kate’s getting a gift card.” I pluck one off a nearby rack and head to the registers.
“What a completely thoughtless gift,” Dane chides me.
I stick my tongue out at him. I gave him the same spiel earlier when he tried to get away with purchasing the same thing for his father and stepmother. It took some time and convincing, but I managed to get him to put a little more effort into his gifts. He ended up with his and hers Burberry watches. Very nice. And very expensive. I tried to explain it’s the thought that counts, not going broke, but he assured me the cost wasn’t an issue. He then said they would probably faint at receiving something from him that wasn’t redeemable.
As we wait to checkout, I peruse the displays near the counter. “Ah ha,” I say and step to the side to grab a pair of hoop earrings. Three different shades of copper strands wind around each other to create delicate circles. “Thoughtful gift achieved. These are so Kate.”
“I wouldn’t know,” he says. “I’ve never met her.”
“I never introduced you?” She and my brother have been dating for, well, forever.
“I’ve only met your mom and dad.” We move up in line.
Huh. “You should stop by the next time Kate and my brother are over.”
“When will that be?”
I think about it. “Most likely Christmas Day. We always do gifts and dinner. You should come by after your family thing.”
“We don’t have a family thing,” Dane says. “We usually host the staff party Christmas Eve and then kind of ignore Christmas Day.”
“That’s not fun,” I tell him as we step up in line again. “Do you think it will be different this year? With the party on New Year’s?”
He shrugs. “Don’t know.”
I feel bad for him. I still enjoy the holidays even though I’m well past believing in Santa Claus; although, I may want to revisit that belief. After all, there are Guardians and an Intermediate. Maybe the jolly red man does exist.
“Well, consider yourself invited to the Donohue Family Christmas,” I say. “It’s not fancy, but it’s a good time. That is if you want to come.”
At first he blinks at me like I’ve said something crazy. Then, a slow smile spreads across his face. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and plants a kiss on the top of my head. “I would love to come to your family Christmas.”
I lean into him, but I’m confused. What was that about?
Before I can ask, w
e’re next in line, and I purchase Kate’s presents. After I drop nearly eighty bucks I turn to him. “I’m sorry I forgot about training. You don’t mind driving me do you? If you want you can take me home and I’ll jump in my car.”
He fishes his keys from his pocket. “I do wish our day could stay free of the supernatural, but I am kind of curious to see this place where Madeline and Ash are staying.”
“Me too.” As we make our way out of the store and to the mall entrance my phone chimes. My hands are full, so I ask Dane to pull it from my purse. “Who is it?”
“James.” He frowns and shows me the text.
Hurry up loser.
I laugh. “Here.” I trade two of my bags for my phone and reply as we walk. Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black.
Seconds pass and he responds. Nope. I never lose.
I text back. Liar.
Dane and I make it to his car and stow our packages. I pull up The Larvatus’ new address on my phone as James sends another message.
If you ever get here I’ll prove it.
I snort and start to reply.
“What is so fascinating?” Dane asks.
“James thinks he’s better than me.” I send my message.
Bring it on dork. You’re going down.
The road on which Madeline and Ash are staying appears desolate in the dark. A few homes are scattered here and there, but they sit so far back from the dirt road you wouldn’t know they existed if it wasn’t for the mailboxes at the end of the driveways. When we come upon their address, we pass through an open gate flanked by brick columns. Fancy, I think to myself.
The drive to the house is long and curves to hug the lake it runs alongside. After several feet it straightens out leading us through a conglomeration of trees before delivering us to the front door.
And what a front door it is.
Dane lets out a low whistle. “How did they find this place again?”
I shrug. “James said something about a realtor.”
Leaning forward, I look through the windshield at the house that looms before us. It appears modern, yet not. From here it looks to be at least three stories high with several large windows gracing the main floors. Smaller dormer windows sit at the very top. The outside is covered in rust colored brick except for three large sections, the middle and both ends, that are decorated with multi-colored stone. The house is symmetrical; the stone facades triangular in shape. The two on the ends resemble small towers. “Would you call that a turret?” I ask Dane, pointing up.
