by Abbi Glines
Sliding her hand up higher on my chest she grinned wickedly up at me, “I noticed that too. Why did you stop?”
Had Leif’s claim on her soul been affected it? Shaking my head I decided at the moment I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to turn down this unexpected gift. I reached down and picked her up then began taking long strides toward the back room where we’d left all the storage containers for our equipment.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to enjoy a long overdue make-out session with my girl. That’s what I’m doing,” I explained, stepping into the room and closing the door behind me with one shove of my foot.
“Oh,” she gasped before I pressed her up against the wall, wrapping her legs around my waist and feasting on her mouth for the first time ever with nothing crowding my thoughts but how incredibly lucky I was.
Pagan
Dank’s band sung four of their more popular songs and the Breeze High School graduating class of 2012 was loving every minute of it. We only had two more months until we walked across that stage and received our diplomas.
“Hey gorgeous, you’re all kinds of distracting,” Dank drawled in the dark smooth voice I loved so much. Loose was telling the crowd they’d be back after a ten minute break. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest.
“You guys sounded awesome out there,” I told him then tilted my head back to stare at his ridiculously perfect face.
“Les is a little off tonight but I think it’s all the girls screaming out our names and the fact they’re so close. Normally there is more distance between us and them and seeing who the screams belong to is hard if not impossible.”
“Hmmm, so you’re telling me Les is checking out the chicks?”
Dank chuckled, “That is one way to put it.”
“I could probably make a few introductions for him if he is really interested”
Dank shook his head, “No, please don’t. I want to keep these guys in a small section of my life. Not around me all the time. The last thing I need is for one of them to start dating a girl in Breeze.”
I liked that this part of his life was off to the side in its own little box section. I already shared him with... the dead. I didn’t want to share him with anyone else.
“You want to dance... or maybe go back to that storage room again?” he asked reaching behind his back to take both my hands in his.
“Yes to the dancing and yes to the storage room. In that order please,” I replied feeling my skin heat up at the memory of having Dank’s hands on me again.
We didn’t walk down to the crowded dance floor. Dank pulled me up against him and began to sing in my ear as he twirled me around in our own little private spot, tucked away backstage. This was by far the best prom any girl had ever gone to.
* * *
“Haven’t we been to every store in this mall already?” I moaned as my feet began to rebel.
Miranda glanced back at me and frowned, “We need the perfect dress and shoes to wear under our graduation gowns. We have to take them off and head to the party my dad is hosting for us directly after the ceremony. I’d think with your hot rocker boyfriend singing up on stage and all the girls fawning over him you’d want to make sure you looked hot.”
Dank had not only had Cold Soul sing at our Prom he was now agreeing to bring them to our graduation party. Of course I was more than positive Miranda’s father was paying them well. Dank had to pay the boys something. It was how they supported themselves.
I sank down on the nearest bench and took a big whiff of the cream cheese pretzels in the bakery directly across from me. It was the most heavenly smell on the face of the earth. Or at least right at this moment.
“Okay, if you go get me one of those yummy pretzels with the sweet cream cheese filling I’ll continue to torture my feet in the search for perfection.”
Miranda rolled her eyes, “Fine. But you have to share. They smell incredible and I don’t need to eat a whole one by myself. Last thing I need is a belly while trying on dresses.”
Miranda had never even come close to having a belly. It was my turn to roll my eyes. The girl was a nut.
I shoved a ten dollar bill at her and leaned back in the seat, “Please just go buy one. Heck, buy two. I’ll eat one and a half.”
“No, you won’t. Remember you have the hot sexy boyfriend you need to look incredible for. One and a half of those one thousand calorie pretzels is not a move in the right direction.”
“It’s mostly pretzel Miranda. Those are fat free,” I reminded her.
She opened her mouth to argue then snapped it closed before spinning around and marching off to the bakery.
She was back to her old self. It had taken awhile but she was definitely back. Some days she wanted to talk about Wyatt. Other days she couldn’t bear to bring up his name. I just felt her out and went with her mood. Watching her stand with her hip cocked to one side and her hand placed on it as she waited impatiently made me smile. Her spunk was back.
An attractive guy turned around and noticed her. He spoke to her and looked to be offering to let her go first. But she didn’t budge and her posture remained stiff. The guy looked a little let down that she’d blown him off and turned back around.
She wasn’t completely back to normal and maybe she never would be. The old Miranda would have flirted her way to the front of the line. This one could hardly stand the sight of the opposite sex.
“Is this seat taken?” a warm sexy drawl asked and I lifted my gaze and smiled up at Dank.
“Yes. I’m saving it for my smoking hot boyfriend,” I replied teasingly.
Dank slid in beside me and put his arm around my shoulder. “Hmmm, well he should have got here sooner. You snooze, you lose.”
Giggling, I snuggled up to his side. “Save me from Miranda. She’s trying to kill me via shopping.”
“Impossible. I happen to know Death has a thing for you and you can’t be killed off that easily.”
I pinched his washboard abs through his t-shirt. It felt so good to be close to him and not have to worry about anything but normal teenage stuff like a best friend who has got part of her groove back and is now wearing me out.
“You ever find out anything about Wyatt?” I asked quietly peering up at him.
He nodded, “Yeah. Um, let’s just say his death was an abnormal... er unique event. So his return is just as unique.”
“What?” I asked sitting up so I could read his facial expression better.
Dank reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Just wait. You’ll understand soon enough.”
“Ahem, excuse me lovebirds but this is a shopping emergency day and I have our fuel. Now Dank, you need to run along and go be all smoldering and sexy somewhere else. I need all Pagan’s attention today,” Miranda had taken on a slightly bossy tone.
Dank kissed my mouth softly then cupped my face and whispered, “I love you,” in my ear before standing up and leaving me in a puddle of mush on the bench.
“See ya later Miranda. Don’t wear her completely out,” Dank teased as he turned to walk away. I glanced over at Miranda who was watching his butt in awe and I swung my shopping bag to slap her in the side.
“HEY,” she shrieked as she stumbled sideways.
“Stop looking at my boyfriend’s butt,” I replied to her scowl. I realized that maybe it was just guys who showed interest in her that she was opposed to. Those like Dank she didn’t view as a betrayal she still checked out.
Biting her lip, she tried to keep from smiling, “Sorry, it’s really hard not to.”
“Well, try.”
“Spoilsport,” she muttered and grabbed my arm to pull me up.
“Let’s walk and eat. I want to go see if they have a see through strapless bra at Victoria’s Secret.”
Groaning, I let her pull me up and grabbed my half of the pretzel from her hand. At least I had a treat to get me through this.
Dank
I
went to open Pagan’s bedroom door when someone cleared their throat behind me. I hadn’t been careful and had gotten a little too comfortable with sneaking into her room in the morning. I’d have to face the music for that mistake. Turning around I found Pagan’s mom standing across the hall with her hands on her hips and her eyebrows raised. Her dark brown hair was a little mussed from sleep but she was already in her work clothes: sweat pants and a teeshirt. Complete with coffee stain.
“Good morning,” I tried to sound as polite as possible. It wasn’t like she could keep me from coming to Pagan’s room whenever I wanted but I still didn’t want to have her as an enemy.
“Good morning, Dank. To what do we owe this early visit?”
This time I cleared my throat, “I thought I’d wake Pagan up. Don’t want her to miss breakfast.” Okay, that sounded lame.
“Really? Well, just so we’re clear, I realize my daughter’s boyfriend is ... well... something that isn’t exactly human. But I still expect you to follow my rules.”
“Of course,” I replied.
She stared at me a moment longer then started to walk down the stairs. I stood frozen not sure if she wanted me to actually leave.
Stopping and glancing back over her shoulder at me she smiled, “Come on. I’ll feed you while you wait.” She then continued down the stairs and I smiled to myself while I followed her. Who was I to disobey her mom?
Once we got in the kitchen her mother opened a cabinet and got down the pancake mix, a large bowl and a spoon. “Here read the directions and start mixing up my batter while I get the griddle hot,” she directed as she shoved the items into my arms.
I hadn’t planned on cooking breakfast with Pagan’s mother but it was past time she and I talked. Our last private conversation had been the night I’d confronted her about Pagan’s soul.
“The key to getting pancakes just the way Pagan likes them is to use a lot of butter. Real butter. It makes the edges crisp.” I filed that piece of information away to use on a later date.
“When she was little I’d make her pancakes into the shape of Mickey Mouse. Well, his head at least. She loved them. She’d make eyes and a nose and a mouth with fruit and then cover it all with syrup.”
I remembered the green eyes too big for her face staring up at me from the hospital bed that day I’d gone to talk to her. She’d lost all her hair and her face was frail and thin but her mind had been sharp as a tack. After that day I’d always remembered her when I walked into the rooms of dying children to explain to them what was to come. Her face had always come to mind and I’d wondered what had happened with that soul. Even then she’d had a sort of hold on me.
Her mother took the bowl from my hands. Luckily I’d managed to stir the milk, eggs, and mix together properly. Her approving nod was oddly relieving.
“So Dank Walker, you ever going to tell me exactly what you are?”
I’d wondered if now that Pagan was home, safe and sound, free of voodoo spirits that wanted her soul, her mother would ever question me about my admission that I wasn’t human.
Clearing my throat I leaned a hip against the counter and crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t sure she really wanted the answer to this question.
“Well, that depends on if you really want me to tell you. It might be best if you just know that I will protect her for all eternity. She’ll never have to fear death.” I stopped on that last word and waited. Her mother had just poured some batter onto the sizzling griddle and she froze for a moment then slowly lowered the bowl and spoon to the counter. Her head turned as if in slow motion until her eyes were staring incredulously into mine.
“Are you saying... I mean you can’t be... are you saying... no, no that can’t be right,” she shook her head and gave me one last small frown before turning her attention back to the pancake in front of her. She flipped it then placed it on a plate and handed it to me.
“First one is always the best. Why don’t you get started... that is if you... do you eat?”
I didn’t hide my amusement as I reached for the plate. “Yes, I eat. Eternity would be awfully boring without food.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Pagan
My mother’s laughter carried up the stairs as I peeled open my eyelids and stared at the alarm clock that hadn’t gone off this morning. Probably because I hadn’t set it but that was just details. A low voice carried up the stairs and my mother’s high pitched voice began chatting away again. She wasn’t on the phone. Someone was here.
Sitting straight up in bed I covered my mouth. Had my mom let Roger sleep over? She’d never in all my life had a boyfriend sleep over. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed I grabbed my short yellow bathrobe and hurried out the door to catch her red-handed. It wasn’t that I cared really. It would just be fun to hold over her head.
Running down the steps taking two at a time I hit the bottom step and took off around the corner then came skidding to a halt. Seated at my kitchen table with a pile of pancakes and bacon filling the plate in front of him was Dank. His dark curls were perfectly messy and the pale blue shirt I’d convinced him to buy because it would make his eyes stand out even more hugged his well-defined chest. A touch of humor lit his eyes and his lips were in a sexy little smirk that was so incredibly kissable. Kissable was exactly what I was supposed to be enjoying this morning. Last I’d spoken with Dank he was going to wake me up with kisses.
I shifted my gaze to my mother who sat smiling as if she knew a secret with her hands both cupping what was probably her fourth cup of coffee today. She’d tucked her unstyled hair behind her ears and her glasses were perched on her nose like a school teacher.
“What are y’all doing?” I asked incredulously.
“We’re eating breakfast and talking. Which you could be doing if you’d get up on time,” my mother replied with a little tartness to her tone. It drove her nuts that I slept so late.
“These pancakes are really good, Pagan. I can’t believe you don’t get up early enough to enjoy these every morning,” Dank piped in.
I glowered at him, “Is that so?”
He nodded as he stuck another forkful into his mouth. The traitor. He’d passed up coming in my room to wake me up for my mother’s pancakes.
“I hope you enjoy your pancakes. I’m going to go get ready now since my alarm clock didn’t wake me up on time. Must have been preoccupied with something else.” I snapped and headed back up the stairs. My mother’s smothered laughter told me that maybe my alarm clock had gotten derailed from his mission by the mothership.
“Stinking pancakes,” I muttered and went to get a shower.
* * *
It felt like only yesterday I’d walked into this gym for the first time. Freshman orientation had been so exciting yet terrifying. Miranda and I had sat on the fourth row left side bleachers holding hands tightly as Principal Cagle welcomed us and read us our rights. Wyatt had sauntered in late and taken the spot beside me. We’d all been so young. I’d even met Jay that day. He was a sophomore and on the basketball team. He’d come up to us and introduced himself to Wyatt asking if he was planning on playing basketball. He’d seen Wyatt play in middle school. We’d won the state championship last year. Wyatt was just that good. Then Jay had asked if I was Wyatt’s girlfriend and we’d all laughed as if that was the funniest thing we’d ever heard. Two weeks later Jay had asked me out on our first date.
Memories were thick as I gazed around at all my classmates. We all wore the same royal blue robes and we all wore the same expression. Relief, excitement, and just a touch of uncertainty. We’d walked into this building not knowing what groups we’d fit into, what teachers were the best, and what meals we should never eat in the cafeteria. Now we knew all those things and more.
On my last day in this gym, I was sitting between two of the most important people in my world once again. Miranda held my right hand and Dank held my left hand. Although, Miranda was squeezing my right hand so tightly I was afraid of damage fr
om blood loss and Dank was more caressing my left hand with the pad of his thumb. Even sitting between them I couldn’t help but feel a little bereft. We were missing one important piece of the puzzle. Wyatt should have been here too. I knew Miranda was thinking the same thing. That was why I didn’t mention the fact she was crushing the bones in my hand. I figured if my right hand would help her get through this then I’d gladly sacrifice it.
“You okay?” Dank whispered in my ear.
I nodded and laid my head over on his shoulder.
The guest speaker finished his speech followed by the Valedictorian, Krissy Lots. Once she finished we went one at a time as our names were called to receive our diplomas. Whistles and catcalls erupted all over as different students took the stage.
“Pagan Annabelle Moore”
I got a squeeze from both Miranda and Dank’s hands as I went to the stage. Clapping followed by a whistle coming from Dank and a loud ‘woot’ coming from Miranda brought a smile to my face. As I took my diploma, I crossed the stage and another cheer from the back of the gym caught my attention. Glancing back I saw Jay leaning against the door clapping and smiling brightly. I wondered if he’d come back because he knew it would be difficult with Wyatt’s absence. Smiling in his direction I made my way off the stage and over to my seat.
“You have a fan in the back,” Dank said in a cold unamused tone when I sat back down.
“Oh no, it’s just Jay. I didn’t know he was going to be here today.”
Dank’s jaw tensed and he turned to glare in Jay’s direction. Oh my, this wasn’t good. Jealous Dank could be dangerous. I pulled on Dank’s arm, “It’s okay. Really. I think he probably came because of Wyatt’s not being here. To, you know, show support. They were close.”
