I could.
But I’d still feel like I crossed a line, he wasn’t ready, if ever, going to show me.
And gods! It’s just so weird! Explain that! How do I act like things are normal when certain paintings prove otherwise?
No, I’m big enough to admit I wasn’t ready to face him when he comes back.
I acknowledge the soft tap at the door.
“Yes?”
Mezzasalma shuffles in. Her ancient eyes take in my obvious signs of departure.
“He won’t like you've left,” she says. Her small hands are clasped in front of a deep red gown.
I knew she wasn’t referring to Jefferies. You’re leaving him too, you know? You’re leaving the memories. The staff who’s been nothing but wonderful to you.
Belinda, Terrell, Marina...
Tim.
And the woman who’s smiling sadly at you right now.
“The room. You saw it.” Not a question. She walks to me and I drop to my knees to be eye level. Her cool, soft hands cup my jaw. Instantly, I relax into their pillowy touch and seek comfort and forgiveness in her crimson gaze.
I nod anyways to her statement.
“You’re a nosey girl.” She smirks. “You remind me of myself.”
If I wasn’t feeling like a pathetic puddle of spilled sad milk, I’d cheer at her comment. Being compared to a twerking vampire is a life goal.
“My Gavin boy, bottles a lot when it comes to his emotions of others,” she said. “I greatly assume that’s what subconsciously drew you two together.”
Nailed it. I quirk my mouth. Mezzasalma chuckles.
“As I thought.” She looks sorrowful. “In this case, I hope the both of you can release some of that which you pent. It’s needed... it’s long overdue for him. Throughout his long life, his parents—succeeding even longer ones—are hardly around. As for friends? I’ve seen many people come and go. Not one he’d make the effort to hold on to... Not till he met you and your friends.” She smiles, then, full of rich happiness for her nephew. “That boy has an iron exterior that you seem to penetrate with all of your shenanigans, missy.” She gives a pointed look, though not displeased.
“He fits right in,” I whisper, and laugh a little.
“Now he does. Before...” She lifts and drops her small shoulders, gaining a faraway look.
“Kokoa, dear, make no mistake. I am irrevocably happy that you’ve accepted Gavin into your life, thus igniting a spark in his cold one. But let him explain this to you.”
“I’d never hurt your Gavin boy,” I hurry in to make clear. Never on my life. The tiny woman nods, and I sag in relief, then tense as intensity garners those red eyes—directly at me.
“Dear, I know you want to leave... no one here is stopping you. But as you and Gavin clink your bottled feelings, one of these days, one of which is bound to crack. Whether it may be his... or yours, there’s no turning back upon what is unleashed.”
***
...bound to crack.
It’s... too late. It happened.
These words echo in the caverns of my head, as I lazily make the journey home on foot. Jefferies hadn’t yet arrived before I left. After saying my goodbyes to Chef Emmett who had recovered from his taco coma and getting a bone crushing hug from Mezzie. I wrote a long thank you note, addressing it to Jefferies and the staff on how humbling they made my stay to be. I sure as hell will visit again. Soon after I’m ready to clear the air with Gavin, I’d like to throw another club party and play three-disced fetch with Tim.
The note was propped against a vase on a foyer table.
Outside, down the long driveway, after passing through the gates, every ten steps, the night drew closer. Folks walked by on the sidewalk I occupied. The stone road, a few feet away, contained a few cars on their way towards town. Everyone was headed in that direction.
Except me.
My chewed-up suitcase and tote bag were my only companions.
Not true. Look up.
I pull over, out of people’s way, to stare at the heart of me.
A full moon bathes its light and magic in my pores. Head back, I ignore the slight kink in my neck.
Despite my fleshy form, it still coats all my limbs like soothing, warm water. Yet an internal battle played; the forces of my great ancestor’s abilities to be mentally strong, fought against a plague of hopeless incertitude.
I had to do my part and choose a side.
Become the better or the less.
Instead, I hit the “PAUSE” button and focused on home.
Chapter Seventeen
I do get there. Tired. Feeling crappy...
Lucas’s car is in the drive. Piper is still in Canada. Hopefully, he’s down for putting on a movie and chowing on whatever junk is in the pantry.
I walk in, rolling my suitcase. I set it up against the wall and shrugged off my tote to the side.
Then I see any immediate fun time won’t be happening anytime soon. My best friend’s usual sunny expression is shaded in gloom, staring at the black TV screen.
Just sitting there on the couch. Not moving.
I rush to his side.
“Lucas?” My tone gentle. He exhales, scrubbing his scruffy jaw. It doesn’t wipe away glumness. The hand closest to me is left opened on his thigh. I take it and squeeze.
“Hey,” he says quietly. “You’re back.”
All of my weird shit that’s going on in the background, still on pause, Lucas required my attention first and clearly, he’s upset about something. And that something was eating away my goofy friend’s typically joyful disposition.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mm...” He shrugs, finally meeting my gaze. “She has a boyfriend. At least I assume he’s her boyfriend. Well... it wasn’t hard to deduce.”
“Oh.” I wilt. The she, being Yasmin. Chewing my lip, I think back to our conversation on the phone days ago. She hadn’t mentioned she was seeing anyone. Though, drawing up her words, she might have hinted about it? Possibly? Or not, had it come about recently?
Still... it’s news Lucas does not like. And from the frown that creases his tan face, it’s news he doesn’t want to believe.
“I haven’t slept with a woman in two months,” he admits.
Whoa.
“Not one.” He laughs without humor. “I don’t want to. I don’t want to touch any of them in that way because of...” He stops to shake his head.
“What about the chick you took to the club?”
“She was just a part of a dumbass plan to make Yasmin jealous. Yet, joke’s on me. A woman can’t be jealous of another if she never liked the guy to begin with.” Jaw clenched, Lucas lets his skull drop on the cushion behind it. I squeeze the hand I held.
“That’s not true. Yasmin likes you. She—” She made me swear to not admit anything else.
“Sure. Great.” His words dry. “Spec-fucking-tacular. You know, I didn’t hear she had a new boyfriend? I saw it. I saw them at the beach. Lying on a towel together. Sitting close, hugging, holding hands... forget it. Honestly, from the start when we started going to Club Kitty and she came around, began bartending—I knew I didn’t have a chance. I acted like I did. Showed off like an idiot. But... then for the first time, a woman I was so into who became our friend, who’s always hanging around and not just a random tail to chase, but a real perfect, kind woman in our everyday lives—I completely let the shithead me steer the wheel.” He paused to swallow. “Like it matters now. Blown, whatever.”
“Damn.” I sigh along with him and scooch in close to his side.
“Wait, why are you here, early?” he asks. “Gavin returned?”
“No, he hasn’t. Um, well... it’s complicated. A jumbled, odd, fucked up mess.” Shrugging, I let loose a string of groans then look at the merman.
He looks at me too.
“What do you wanna do?” I voice. He mocks my shrug.
“Anything that’ll make today go away.”
Funny, I was thinking t
he same thing.
***
It’s our pity party and we can get drunk if we want to.
And that, we did.
Pitchers of whatever toxic liquid we had on hand became our science experiment. All mixed and cultivated in pitchers and larger mugs because cocktails are more fun enjoyed in cups with handles.
“To the rim, bud, to the rim. That’s it.” No sooner Lucas filled the glass, I knocked it back then slammed it on the counter. A triumphant smile spreads across my face. See, Ma, I am somebody. Somebody fucking great. Lucas chugged his own concoction, grimaced then pumped a fist.
“Fuck yeah!” We high fived. He surprises me by squirting lime juice on my neck.
“Ass!”
“That’s my name, toots.” He grins, taking my hips.
“You’re gonna pay for that.” I jab an index finger in his hard chest.
“Mmmm, here’s my bill.” He growls, burying his face inside the slope of juice covered skin. I shrieked like a banshee when his hot tongue licked my pulse. I wiggled free and threw lime peels at his head. Soon it was an all-out food-napkin balls-and whatever the hell else-fight. Laughter replaced words or thoughts.
Then we moved to the bedroom. My damn bedroom, so that got trashed more than it already is. Our weapons of choice were pillows and my bras. We slingshot them at each other and the ceiling. The harder the shot, the louder it slapped the wood paneling. We’re killing the perfect image of being mature.
“Fuck you, Yasmin!” Lucas flung one of my lacy thongs at an overhead light. I wasn’t mad. And neither was he, despite his outburst and continuation of throwing around my panties. Deep down he’s a second close to falling in love with her. That much was obvious. As for Yasmin, she’s about five minutes from it.
For now, it just isn’t their time yet.
Will there ever be a time for me?
Am I living it now, and just was handed three choices? Screw that. I wasn’t. I wasn’t falling in love with anyone... right.
Right.
Right?
“Fuck you, Gavin!” I scream from on top of my mattress and chuck a hairbrush at the closet door. Lucas mimed a gorilla, banging his chest and tackled me to the mattress. An “oompff” escaped my “O” formed lips. Damn, he’s heavy. I lay like a starfish underneath his body. Warm body, I might add. Kinda cozy.
“We should stay like this forever,” I suggest. Lucas nods. His reply muffled then he rose on his forearms, peering down at me. I was right, he wasn’t mad. The storm brewing in his sea blue eyes indicated he was hurting instead.
“She’ll come to her senses soon enough,” I whisper, poking his frown.
“How do you know?” His eyes flutter closed, leaning into my touch.
“Because even though you go a bit overboard in the cocky department, you’re still generally a really nice guy. Sweet. Protective. Funny as hell.” I hold his jaw in both hands. The thunder clouds that loomed in his gaze, slowly retreat. “Without you...”
“Yeah?” It came out in a soft exhale.
“Who would make me spaghetti?” I wink. He explodes in laughter, holding me tight.
“Gods, Kokoa, I love you,”
“I know. Now get off me and pour us some more booze.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Chapter Eighteen
It must be morning because the damn birds outside wouldn’t shut the hell up.
I press myself closer to the muscular chest that was plastered against my back. An arm grips me tightly. Holy shit monkeys, he feels so amazing. I missed being in his embrace.
Yet...
His usual musky scent was lost, however. He smelled different.
Wha-?
I pop one strained eyeball open. Yep, there’s a man’s arm holding my bare waist. It moves up, shelving my also bare boobs.
There was something off about this particular arm.
It wasn’t thicker like before. Had Jonathan lost weight? Oh, shit, am I not in bed with him? I’ll just deduct ten points myself for not keeping the slut machine deactivated. I swallow away the guilt the best I could since my mouth was dry and willed sleep to return. Gavin deserves better than a woman who didn’t recognize him in her own bed. Strange, I also don’t recall him showing up last night. Had we made up and finally did the deed? How could I not remember? I was looking forward to it...
I blame the foggy hangover...
Hold on, now! Mr. Arm wasn’t covered in tattoos. It can’t be Gavin—
Oh. My. Fuck.
I froze.
No, no, no, no... Adrian?
Minus ten more points to the clueless hussy. Again, like Gavin, first time we’re in bed together, and I don’t even recall a single humping detail. Nice one, Kokoa. I moved to get up, except the arm prevented my actions.
“Come here, baby.” He grunts, squishing me in his grasp, and grinded his cock against my ass. Both relieved of pants. And underwear.
I try drawing up images of what went down last night...
Nope, I got nothing. My mental search engine drew a blank.
However, I am a tad achy... well, all over. Like I’d hit a wall, though. Skull first. A headache was swooping in. Can’t say that I’m proud of myself right now.
“How about another go at it, hm? You were feisty last night. I like that.” Suddenly, I was flipped up and over on top of him.
Coming face to face with—
“LUCAS!?”
“KOKOA!?”
I scream, scrambling off him, taking the sheet with me to cover my body. Too late, numb-nuts. He’s seen it all.
Oh, gods! He slaps a hand across his mouth, realizing his recent and lewd request.
“I... we...” I stare at him in horror. His panicked expression wasn’t helping. Eyes dropping to the white sheet in my clutches, then to his nakedness, he catapults from the bed—his dick flapping in the wind.
I scream again.
Lucas screams louder and runs out the room.
I was left alone, fisting chunks of hair, looking wild eyed around my room.
What did we do?
To be continued...
GRIMSTONE GLOSSARY
Explore the island and ways of life for its preternatural citizens
Location: In uncharted waters in the central Pacific—within equal distance between North
America and Asia. It’s invisible to mortals. While sailing in the direction or near the island, spelled waters and air will automatically manipulate human minds to steer onto a different course without a trace of remembrance of the area nor sudden change.
Island access: All supernaturals may come to Grimstone, whether they seek acceptance, want a home, or are visiting loved ones. There is no vetting process. Entry points for supernaturals traveling on commercial ships or airplanes are readily available and are shielded by invisibility wards. It’s important to get wards ahead of time if individuals travel to the Island by private means. No one is confined to the island. Anyone may leave at any time.
Supernatural Crime Force (SCF):
Crime prevention on the island, it is similar to a police force. The organization has units
in the human world as well. SCF monitors paranormal and human activity in the
outside world. Supernatural related crimes in human territory get handled in a manner that won’t draw attention.
The Black Diamond group (The BDG):
A group of spies who are also scattered all over the planet. They keep the
existence of supernaturals a secret by gaining influential positions in the human’s lives. Most of these spies are in political, scientific, technical and military positions of authority around the world, especially in embassies. The supernatural public is aware of such a group, however the identities of individuals within the organization are concealed. Sworn to a
blood and magic binding secrecy, their lives are forever bound to the position.
The Tower: A 2,000-foot sleek black building that contains the offices of important businesses
/> and organizations as well as protection insurance pertaining to Grimstone and the foreign affairs that secretly connects them to the human world. It’s also headquarters to the supernatural criminal force and BDG. The Galzra dragon family governing originates here, creating laws and rules for specified species. Many floors contain science labs for supernatural studies and tech teams that help the SCF and BDG.
Adela: Life, Unity, and Magic. These three words beat in repeat like a heart inside the sacred tree. It glows in reminder to everyone on the Island of Grimstone. Over the years,
Adela became known as a spiritual element. It’s both God and Goddess. Holy Lord and Savior. And not just a great source of magic that helped create the Island. Adela is entirely made of black obsidian rock, its trunk wide and thick, its branches thin and bare, reaching long and high. A small moat of charmed salt water surrounds it, like a fountain pond. The tree was born towards the edge of the island, now established as Hallow Circle, in other words a “town square.” Oh, the irony. Rooted yards away from The Tower, Adela is freely approachable. However, protective wards are in place, intending to paralyze wrongdoers who plan to harm it. Around the clock guards are also there to monitor.
The Hallow Six: The Lords and Rulers that make up the six supernatural beings who sacrificed these listed elements to create Adela:
• A strand of fur.
• A drop of blood.
• A single scale.
• A pinch of soil.
• A wand.
• A vial of tears.
Below is the list of members in the exact order of who gave up which
element:
The Lords
• Carver Lovell (Werewolf)
• Lucien VanWrath (Vampire)
• Draco Galzra (Dragon)
The Rulers
• Oakla Elwood (Elf)
• Pebble Nightshade (Witch)
• Tide Shelborn (Merman)
Health: Human illnesses do not affect supernatural creatures. Many thousand-year-old plagues that once affected supernaturals are deemed extinct. Still, scientists located in The Tower have successfully produced cures for the deadliest and continue to work to
Popcorn, Vampires and Forbidden Shenanigans (Grimstone Island) Page 9
