I’m at a loss as to how to navigate this conversation. It would be different if he wasn’t my boss, but since he is, I have to be careful what I say. “It may seem like we’re rushing things, but we’re not. It’s…we’re not even officially dating or anything.”
Dane winces. “We both know that the last relationship he had based on sex didn’t…turn out so well. I would advise you to slow things down. Way down.”
I’m stunned by his suggestion. Is he really warning me off of Cord, his own brother?
“I know that sounds bad, but Cord can attach himself quite easily to…others. Especially pretty, young girls like yourself.”
I’m so confused. He’s implying that Cord’s been dating numerous girls, but Cord made it sound like the only girl he’s dated was Emmaline. He’s also alluding that Cord is obsessive, but yet I get the feeling that he’s the complete opposite. If I go by the conversation we’d had by the lake, up until this point, he’s been trying to keep his distance from me. Dane’s warning just doesn’t add up, not when it pertains to the Cord that I’ve been spending time with.
“I’ll be careful and keep your suggestion in mind,” I say lightly.
Dane regards me with an unyielding gaze. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that this conversation is to stay between us and only us.”
“Of course.”
* * *
Dane’s warning is still bothering me that evening. Since my mom and Mitch are out on a date in Manchester, I have the house to myself. I’d considered inviting Cord over, but I know he’s working late tonight on a special order that came in the other day. I don’t want to bother him, so I’ve decided to camp out on the living room couch and watch a couple of movies until bedtime.
Every so often, my eyes flicker to my phone sitting near my hip. It’s pointless keeping it so close since Cord and I have yet to exchange phone numbers. The fact that he hasn’t requested my number has bothered me more than it should, but he probably needs some space this weekend after our talk by the lake. I can’t blame him. Things have been a little awkward between us, and we haven’t even shared a kiss or held hands. I think he’s wary to make the first move. I am too.
I’ve been tempted to call Sidney to ask her advice, but I’m betting she’d be against the whole casually dating thing. That, and my phone has been pretty quiet today. If Sidney’s not text messaging me, she’s busy. I don’t want to bother her or Chelsea if they are out having fun with friends.
So here I am, trying to focus on a movie, but it’s impossible because of my conversation with Dane. I’m not sure what to think of his warning. I know that Cord is dangerous, I’ve heard the rumors of his temper. Yet, I haven’t seen anything in him that would cause alarm bells to go off inside my head. So he likes horror stuff, big deal. I knew a girl back in South Bend that still obsessively watched the Disney channel. We all have our interests, it’s just some might be a little weirder than others. As for Cord attaching himself to others…I just don’t see it. Cord is a loner at heart. Not once have I seen any hint of longing on his face betraying that he wants to belong to one of the many groups at school. He ignores everyone and doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.
Why would Dane say those things? Why warn me off? Is there a bad side to Cord that I have yet to see?
I exhale loudly and run a hand over my face. That doesn’t make sense, either. Cord has always been brutally honest with me, and he doesn’t seem like the type to hide parts of himself away. What you see is what you get. At least that’s the vibe I get from him.
It all comes down to one simple conclusion.
Either Cord is hiding something or Dane is.
A scratching sound comes from the living room window, and I automatically glance towards the sound. I can’t help but scream when I see the scary creature in the window. After jumping to my feet, it dawns on me that it’s likely Riley.
I lift my hand and give him the finger. “Asshole!” I yell.
The masked person moves away from the window.
I grab my phone and stride to the kitchen so that I can put the empty bowl, which once held popcorn, into the sink. There’s no point in sitting in the living room until he leaves, so I busy myself by cleaning the kitchen.
The kitchen window thuds as someone pounds on it.
It startles me as I swing around to face the window. Now a new mask stares back at me, one with glowing eyes. I toss the dishrag in the sink and lean forward to grab the string for the blinds. They immediately drop down and block the mask from my sight.
I turn away and start pulling down the blinds on all the other windows. I’m just leaning over to bring down the blinds across another one when a rock slams into the window, and glass shards fly all over me and the counter top. A gasp of alarm escapes me, because this has just become more serious than just a little prank.
With my heart pounding in my ears, I rush to double check that the kitchen door is locked, and when I find it’s still secure, I hightail it up the stairs to the second floor as fast as I can. Someone had deliberately broken that window. Prank or not, I’m calling the police.
The bathroom on the second floor has no windows, so I dart inside, slam the door shut, and lock it for good measure. I pull my phone out of my pocket and quickly call the authorities, and I’m assured that someone will be here shortly. I stay on the phone with the man and listen for any other sounds that someone may have entered the house.
After what feels like forever, the police arrive, and I am assured by the man on the other end of the line that I can safely go downstairs and let the officers in. Two men in police uniforms ask me questions, then as one searches the inside of the house, the other uses his flashlight to look around the outside.
They find nothing and call my mom and Mitch. When they arrive, the officers explain the situation and that they are writing it off as a prank, but they’ll continue to look into it and see if anyone else complains in the area.
As soon as the officers leave, I turn on my mom and Mitch, who are dressed really nice from their evening out. Mitch is inspecting the broken window, and my mom just stands there in the middle of the kitchen, a frown marring her face.
“You both know it was Riley,” I say as I fold my arms over my chest.
“Krista…” my mom says.
“He hates me. Who else would pull a prank like this?”
Mitch turns to face us, his brow creasing as he stares at me. I can tell that he doesn’t want to believe that his son did this.
My mom touches the base of her neck, looking uncomfortable. “Just because you and Riley don’t get along, that doesn’t mean you can just point fingers at him when something unfortunate happens.”
I gape at her as I unfold my arms with exasperation. “Are you serious? He’s been making my life as difficult as possible since we moved here.”
Mitch speaks up as he wearily loosens the tie at his neck. “How so? Is there more going on besides that intercom incident?”
Now I turn on him, meeting his gaze. “He and his friends have been sexually harassing me at school. They put a penis in my locker earlier in the week, and they’ve also been to the store.” I give him a look. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask my boss, Mr. Bodine. He’ll verify that they were there and that they were causing trouble.”
Mitch stares at me, disappointment flashing in his gaze as what I’ve said sinks in. “I wasn’t aware that things had escalated. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“Because telling you isn’t going to make him stop.”
Mitch rubs his jaw and looks back to the broken window, his shoulders tensing as he shakes his head. “I’ll have a talk with him.”
My mom touches my shoulder, and I glance at her. Her expression is troubled as she gazes at me. “I had no idea there was more that you were dealing with. I’m sorry, honey.”
I shrug. “School sucks, I can handle that. I just don’t want Riley messing with my job. I really like it.”
�
�He shouldn’t be messing with you at all,” Mitch says tightly.
I glance at him. “You’re right about that, but you can’t blame him for being mad. You had to have known that your affair with my mom would have a negative effect on him. You didn’t just hurt your ex-wife, you hurt your son, too.”
“Krista!”
Mitch holds up a hand to warn my mom to let it go. His brown eyes connect with mine, and he nods. “You’re right. Jolene and I were selfish, but we’ve been trying to make amends ever since. I will talk with Riley and see if I can’t get this situation sorted.”
Eleven
On Monday, I find Cord waiting for me at my locker. I flash him a smile before bracing myself as I open my locker. Nothing out of the ordinary jumps out at me, and I relax as I shove my books inside. After I grab my coat, I close my locker, and Cord silently walks beside me as we walk to the cafeteria.
We slip into line, and I can’t help but study Cord from the corner of my eye. He has his hands tucked into his jeans pockets, and he looks bored as we wait for the line to move up. His hair is pulled back into a short ponytail today, so I can see his handsome face clearly, and I take my time letting my eyes roam over his features. He’s got great cheekbones, and my gaze slides over the bridge of his nose and lands on those firm lips that have been pressed against my own a couple of times now. A shiver runs through me as I recall how it felt being pinned against the wall with his body, his hips moving…
I blink and try to focus my attention on the cafeteria. As I look around, feeling uncomfortably embarrassed for thinking about sex in the middle of the lunch line, my eyes momentarily connect with Cord’s.
He gives me a slow smile as his eyes gleam. He knows exactly what I’d been thinking.
With a roll of my eyes, I turn to face the line, giving him my back. Dane’s warning echoes in my head, but I firmly cast it aside. I think Dane is wrong, and I believe Cord is being genuine when he is with me. If anyone is hiding anything, I’m thinking it’s Dane. Just what exactly is he hiding, and why would he not want me around Cord? I’d like to talk to Cord about Dane’s warning, but I have a feeling that Cord is the type who would go straight to the source for answers. Since Dane is my boss, and that conversation was supposed to have been private, I’d catch major heat for sharing it with Cord. My best option is to never say anything about it at all.
The line moves forward, and a short time later, I have my lunch and we are heading outside. Our tree is a welcoming sight, and I sit down as Cord takes his place against the tree trunk. I pull the tab on my soda and set it down so I can start unwrapping the sandwich I’d bought.
“How was your weekend?”
His question catches me off guard, and I look up to meet his curious gaze. He’s never asked me about my weekends before. Then I remind myself that we’re kind of dating, so things are going to change somewhat.
My mouth opens to tell him about Riley’s prank, but then I change my mind. “Uneventful,” I lie smoothly as I reach for my can of soda. If Cord finds out just how far Riley took things this weekend, I’m sure it won’t be pretty. Cord can’t stand Riley as it is, so if I tell him about what happened, it’d be like pouring gasoline over an open fire.
His eyes narrow ever so slightly as if he can sense that I am lying. “I thought about seeing if you wanted to hang over the weekend…”
“Why didn’t you?” I ask.
“Is that something you want to do? Do things outside of school and the store?” he asks lightly.
Now is my chance to do a little digging. Not that I am suspicious of him, but I want to prove to myself that Dane is lying. “You’ve had a girlfriend before, haven’t you?” I ask as casually as I can as I reach for my soda.
Cord is silent as he gazes at me, and I can tell my question was unexpected. “Yes and no,” he says truthfully. “Yes, I’d had a girlfriend here or there when I was younger. You know, held hands, whispered during class, exchanged notes and maybe a kiss here or there. As I got older and Cordane’s grew more popular, people started finding me odd. Then the fight happened.” He looks at me questioningly. “You’ve heard?”
I nod, and after taking a sip from the soda I’m holding, I set the can back on the grass.
Cord’s lips turn down. “Not my brightest moment there, but I was fifteen, and the guy was talking shit about Dane. I couldn’t hold myself back, and he ended up in the hospital. Since then, girls have been wary of me. Then Emmaline was killed, and you know the rest. So no, I haven’t had a real relationship with a girl.”
“So you’ve only had sex with Emmaline and no one else before me?” I ask before I can retract the stupid question. It’s not really any of my business who he’s had sex with. I’d be offended if he asked me about my sexual history. “Forget it. Sorry,” I mutter as I feel my face heat. I look down at the sandwich I’d bought and begin unwrapping it.
“Emmaline wasn’t my first, and it’s fine that you asked. I’m an open book, so have at it. I have nothing to hide from you, Krista.”
I look up at him sharply.
His eyes hold mine. “You’re not frightened of me, and I’d like to keep it that way. I will always be honest with you, and there are probably times you won’t like it, but you’re going to get who I am without me sugarcoating anything. I’m pretty sure you can handle it.”
His bold honesty has me grinning, and I pick up my sandwich, feeling relieved that my question hadn’t offended him.
“Does it really matter who I’ve slept with?”
My amusement fades as he waits for me to answer. “Not really. I was just curious,” I say cautiously.
“I’ve been with two others before Emmaline, but they were each once and when I was out of town with Dane.”
I slowly nod. “Thank you for answering the question.”
Cord, sensing the discussion on his sexual history has passed, pulls out his sketch pad and pencil.
“Do you mind if I ask what you’re drawing?” I pick up my napkin and wipe the corner of my mouth before taking another bite of my sandwich.
He smiles as he offers me the sketch pad. “I’m surprised it took you this long to ask. I’m always designing new masks and prosthetics.”
After wiping my hands on the napkin, I take his sketch pad and start flipping through it. There are many designs of scary looking masks. The detailing and shading is amazing, and I can tell that Cord has major talent. When a drawing catches my eye, I flip back to it and stare. It’s a sketch of me. I’m sitting on the grass, my head tilted up to the sky as I enjoy the sunlight on my face. I actually remember that day. It was warm out, and I was bored during lunch, so I just settled back and enjoyed the feel of the sunrays on my skin. He’d even detailed the outfit I’d worn, right down to my sneakers.
I look up at him with amazement. “You drew me?”
“Does that bother you?”
“No, not at all. Your sketches are really good, Cord.” I hand the sketch pad back to him. “You could easily go to art school.”
“Thanks. I enjoy drawing, but I can only see my future with Cordane’s. I’d rather open a second store and design masks and stuff than draw scenery or some shit like that.”
“So you make prosthetics and do makeup too?” I ask.
“Yes.” He opens his sketch pad to a new page and rests it against his knee.
“Do you dress up for Halloween?” I ask as I watch him pick up his pencil.
He snorts as he looks up. “No, Krista, I don’t.”
My lips twitch over his expression. “Can’t blame me for asking.”
Cord shoots me a look and then turns his attention to his sketch pad, and soon his pencil is sweeping across it.
Since he’s in sketching mode, I turn my head and watch the other students that are braving the chilly afternoon breeze as they eat. I used to be just like them. I’d sit with my friends, laugh, and gossip while we ate. Life was so easy back then, and to be honest, kind of boring if I compare my old life to my new one here in N
ew Hampshire. Being an outcast isn’t as terrible as I’d thought it would be. I glance at my shoes, which are the combat boots today. Yep, I’ve slowly begun to wear my Cordane clothing to school. I’ve noticed the other students looking at me curiously, but I’ve ignored them. I want to be different. I want to be me, the person I’m becoming that isn’t a sidekick to my very outspoken best friend. I used to be a follower, and I would do what everyone else was doing. Here, I do my own thing and no one questions it.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Sidney and Chelsea, but our little threesome had always been surrounded by our extended friends. It was tiresome trying to fit in all the time. Sidney and Chelsea seemed to understand me, but the others hadn’t. Not even Shane. I can’t help but frown. I think Cord and I have spent more time together than Shane and I had in the six months we’d been dating. Once we’d began having sex, that was what he wanted to do most of the time. We hadn’t really just sat around and talked much after that.
Oddly enough, I feel more connected here. Not to the students or the town, but I feel more connected with the parts of myself that I didn’t realize were hiding. I may not like Ambler Ridge, but it’s helping me learn more about myself.
“Riley leaving you alone?” Cord’s voice cuts into my thoughts, and my attention focuses on him.
He has his head bent, and he’s still drawing.
“Yeah. I haven’t found anything odd in my locker since the penis.”
Riley leaving me alone seems odd. If Mitch talked to him over the weekend like he’d planned, then I’m betting I’ll be hearing from Riley real soon.
* * *
Well, that didn’t take long.
I sigh as I walk over to my car after school. There’s a mask hanging from my car’s antenna, and I recognize it from Saturday night. Riley had definitely been behind the prank at the house, and if I go by the mask he’s left me, he’s letting me know that he has no intention of backing off. I can’t say that I’m surprised.
WHO KILLED EMMALINE? Page 12
