“Not you.” Katrina glared. “I. Need. Maggie.”
“Stop—Okay? Taylor, let me go. Katrina needs a tutor in Chemistry. We’re trying to set up a schedule.” I already felt the best-friend-knife stabbing me in the back for lying.
Taylor released me. Her gaze shifted from me to Kat. “Are you sure you want to tutor her? She might put you in her witch’s brew.”
“Ha-ha. Why don’t you and your lame jokes take a hike.” Katrina tossed her hair over her shoulder.
I sighed.
Why me? Maybe deep down, Katrina had some goodness in her. Okay, who was I kidding? There had to be someone more deserving than her. Like the bag lady who waited outside the grocery store, trying to steal people’s pop cans. Or the Grim Reaper. Or, well just about anybody.
“It’s fine, Taylor. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”
“If you need back up, just scream.” She frowned, but gave me a quick wave before hurrying toward first hour.
When she’d walked out of earshot, Katrina said, “Why’d you tell her you’re tutoring me? I get better grades than you do.”
“It’s the only thing I could come up with. Besides, I didn’t hear you offering up an excuse.”
“Yeah, well, if you’d said something like me trying to give you fashion tips it would’ve been more believable.”
I dug my nails into the palm of my hand. What kind of punishment would I get for using magic on her? It couldn’t be worse than being forced to help her.
I calmed myself. “So, what did you want?”
“I wondered if you’d dreamed up a plan yet.”
“I’m working on it. But it’d be a big help if you toned down the attitude some.”
She snorted. “Then people will know something’s up. I told you last night, I’m not blowing my cover, so forget it.”
I imagined several ways to make myself disappear. First and foremost, moving to another country.
“I’ll handle it.” I followed her gaze to one of several posters for the Homecoming Dance.
“You’ve got three weeks to figure it out,” she whispered. A look of longing masked her face. For a moment, I thought I watched someone else.
When we got to first hour, I plopped down at my desk and Connor turned around. “Listen, I gotta apologize for bolting yesterday. I want to make it up to you.”
My heart skidded to a stop, running right into my ribs. Problem was, I knew Kat heard every word. So not good.
“No problem. My family can be crazy.”
“Are you eating lunch with me?” His smile beckoned me to say yes. And those eyes. How could someone be so flipping hot? Why did he have to be so nice?
Kat kicked my ankle, and I yelped. “Er…I can’t. I’m tutoring Kat. Maybe I can bring her along.”
The grin left his face like he’d been doused with cold water. “But school just started a couple of days ago. How can she need help already?”
“Um—she’s doing an accelerated program. She has to start off on-track or she’ll fall behind.” I offered what I hoped was a sincere look and fidgeted in my seat.
Maybe they should’ve called me the Fairy God Liar.
“Okay, why don’t you write me in for Monday, then? And no excuses. I’ve got something big planned.” He brushed his fingers down my arm as he turned to face the front of the room.
My dream guy wanted to have lunch with me. So perfect. So gorgeous. So—
Kat cleared her throat and I spun around in my desk. I’m so screwed!
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.” It wasn’t a total lie. I had every intention of going to lunch on Monday. Only I’d have Kat in tow. He didn’t say not to bring anyone.
But picturing Katrina and Connor together made me sick. She didn’t deserve someone as nice as him. Deep down, I knew it didn’t matter. The sphere had spoken. He was supposed to be hers.
****
Seth glowered as I picked at my turkey sandwich. He stabbed a slice of chicken, chomped it down in two bites, then pushed his tray back. What was wrong with him?
Across from us Jack nuzzled Riley’s neck until she giggled. They whispered sweet nothings to each other.
Talk about my gag reflex getting a workout.
“Are you really tutoring Katrina? I mean, come on, you could easily tell her to find someone else,” Taylor said.
Too bad it wasn’t that easy. “No, I can’t. Listen, it’ll look good on my college apps.”
“But you’re only a junior.” She tapped her cocoa-colored fingernails on the table.
“And this is the year to start getting stuff in order.” Wow, I sounded like my mom.
Taylor’s frown deepened. She leaned against the cafeteria wall. “Since I don’t want to ruin our whole lunch hour with talk of Katrina, what’d Connor want?”
“Oh, he asked me to have lunch with him Monday. But I’m not sure if I’ll go—Kat kind of seems more his type.”
Taylor’s fist struck the table, causing our lunches to jump.
“If she’s bullying you, I swear I’ll punch her in the mouth until her veneers come out her butt.”
I cringed. That certainly gave a whole new meaning to the phrase, “butt-chewing.” This wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.
“Just drop it.” Seth spoke up. I loved how he defended me. “You don’t have to force Connor down her throat.” He grabbed his tray then stood up.
“I’m not forcing him on her. She wanted him until that ho-bag Katrina showed up this morning.” Taylor’s eyes narrowed. “I’m just trying to be a good friend.”
“Yeah, well knock it off.” Seth stormed away. I leapt to my feet to follow him.
“I’ll see you later,” I called over my shoulder to Taylor.
When I caught up to Seth, I bumped his arm with my shoulder. “Thanks for back there.”
“No problem. Taylor can be pushy.”
We stopped at my locker to grab the books for my next class. “You’re telling me.”
“Hey, Maggie.” Connor jogged toward us. “Wish you got to come to the game tonight. I’ll be playing hard for you.” He winked.
My throat went dry. My pulse leapt into overdrive. “Thanks—good luck!”
His smile faded when he noticed Seth. “I thought you and Kat planned on studying?”
“Um—she had some cheerleading thing come up. Had to get ready for tonight’s game.” My face flushed.
“Just as long as you’re not avoiding me.” He laughed then hurried after his buddies.
Seth snorted. “Man, that guy’s annoying. You don’t seriously like him, do you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I think Kat wants to hook up with him.” I shrugged, clutching the books to my chest as we headed to class.
“And you’re going to let her?” He quirked an eyebrow.
I didn’t have a choice. Not if I wanted fate to turn out. “Probably.”
“Well, if you ask me, they’re a perfect match. He’s a tool and so is she. Besides, I’m sure you can find someone more interesting.”
My smile faltered. “Well, I don’t see anyone lining up. Just call me Maggie Winters, cat lady.”
Seth turned to me. “Maybe you’re not looking hard enough.”
My gaze met his. It sent strange tingles across my skin. So not the reaction a girl should have for one of her best friends. But even as the thought crossed my mind, I knew I was insane to even think about it. Besides, there was no way Seth liked in me in that way.
Chapter Nine
I plopped down next to Jack on the bench as my duffel bag skidded across the floor of the foyer. We stared out the window, waiting for Dad to show.
“I don’t know why we can’t drive ourselves to his house,” I muttered.
“Because then there’d be a way to escape.” He snorted. “Dad knows the only way we’ll stick around is if we’re locked in.”
I traced my fingers along the seam of my black leggings. Everyone we knew would be at the football game tonight. They’d
get to watch Connor score touchdowns. I sighed, imagining his smiling face. Then again, if I did go it’d only remind me he was off limits now. Stupid Katrina and her happy ending.
A horn blared from the driveway. Dad’s black BMW parked alongside the house. He never came to the door. I’m sure it had something to do with not wanting to have a run-in with Mom.
I stood up and grabbed my bag. Jack followed close behind.
“Hey,” Dad said when we climbed into the car. “Good to see you.”
“Hi.” I waved half-heartedly from the backseat, staring at his sandy blond hair cropped close to his head. He spun around.
“We’re going to Antonia’s for dinner.” He pushed his sunglasses up. “I’ve got some news I want to share with you.”
My chest tightened. What kind of news? Ugh, I hoped it didn’t have something to do with Thorna, his girlfriend. Maybe he planned to move farther away. Or better yet, maybe he’d decided to buy us another car.
Jack glanced back at me, his jaw set as Dad shifted the car into gear.
“How’s school going?” Dad turned onto Pine Street.
“Fine,” I said.
Jack didn’t answer. The tension in the car thickened like pea soup. I wondered if I’d have to ladle myself out when we got to the restaurant.
He continued the questions. “Are you guys dating anyone?”
“You’d know if you came around more.” Jack bristled in the passenger seat, his neck turning red, his hand clenched on the armrest. “I could’ve gotten six girls pregnant already and you wouldn’t even notice.”
“Don’t start, Jack,” Dad warned.
“I—um, I started tutoring.” Great. Me to the rescue. If my brother didn’t shut his mouth, he’d get us both in trouble. The last thing I wanted was to be grounded the whole weekend. It was bad enough we had to go. No need to make it worse. Not that I didn’t love Dad. It’s just he spent most of the time in his office, or off doing things with Thorna. Not exactly quality “family” time, but Mom said we had to go. Because it said so in the court order.
Dad smiled at me in the rearview mirror. “That’s great, Mags. It’ll look good on your college applications.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Uncomfortable silence blanketed the car. You’d think we were strangers. Although, I guess in a way that’s what we’d become. Dad didn’t know us anymore. He didn’t try. Gone were the piggy-back rides and Saturday movie nights. No more family-fun games or pool parties. He’d changed. I guess we’d changed, too. We weren’t the naïve kids he used to tuck in. We’d grown up; he hadn’t.
Soon we pulled up to Antonia’s, where Dad handed the valet his keys. We went inside. The warm splash of burgundy carpet and mahogany woodwork made it seem darker. The dim lights created more of a romantic atmosphere than it did a family one. Dad used to bring Mom here when they were together.
I slid into a cushioned chair closest to the wall. My gaze followed the floral patterns on the wallpaper. Maybe if I concentrated hard enough, my Godmother powers would kick in and speed the clock up.
“Order whatever you want.” Dad smiled as the waitress hurried to our table.
“An expensive dinner isn’t going to change things,” Jack said under his breath, picking up his menu.
Dad cast him a warning look.
“Can I start you off with some drinks?” The waitress glanced around the table. “Perhaps a nice white or red wine?”
“I’ll have a Sex on the Beach,” Dad said.
Jack snorted. “Do you mean the drink or with the waitress? You might want to specify.”
Dad’s eyes bulged. He clenched the side of the table. I went still. If there was a crayon called ugly red, Dad’s face would be on the wrapper.
He turned to the waitress. “I apologize for my son. He appears to have lost his manners tonight.”
I kicked my brother under the table.
“Ow!”
“Knock it off,” I whispered, as I pretended to bend down to pick something up. “Let’s just get through dinner.”
“Dinner wasn’t my idea.”
Like it was mine! Good grief, he acted like an idiot sometimes. I didn’t want to spend the whole night fighting. I just wanted to eat a decent meal, hear Dad’s news, and get back to his place to crash.
When the waitress finished taking our orders, Dad tried to start another round of meaningless conversation. He asked about our car, our friends, and whether or not we planned to go to the Homecoming dance. When he didn’t get much response, he reverted to boring talk of work.
I nearly cheered when our food arrived. The scent of steak made my mouth water. I gazed at my plate. Well-done steak with a side of red potatoes, green beans, croissant rolls, and coconut shrimp.
With my napkin in my lap, I picked up the steak knife and tried to cut my meat. The whole plate moved, nearly landing in my lap.
“Good grief,” I said under my breath. “All I need is a spell to cut this crap.” Bits of glitter fell from my sleeve. I watched in horror as the knife flew from my hand, plunging into a painting behind us. My eyes widened. The brass name plate beneath the painting said, Walter Crap. Oh, no. The spell took it literally, and cut the Crap all right.
Dad glowered at me. “Are you trying to outdo your brother tonight?”
“It was an accident.” I swiveled around and jerked the knife from the picture. “Like I’d throw a steak knife across a restaurant.”
Jack didn’t seem to buy it. His eyes focused more intently on me. I shrugged then stabbed my fork into the beans. Great. Now my stupid powers were getting me into trouble too.
Dad took a sip of his drink then cleared his throat. “If you two are finished with your shenanigans, I’d like to tell you the surprise I mentioned in the car.”
My mouth felt like sandpaper as I set my silverware down.
“You know that Thorna’s been living with me for several months now. And we’ve decided it’s time her daughters, Blythe and Georgia, moved in with us.” He smiled. “We thought it’d be nice to take the next step in our relationship. She’s in London, helping the girls pack.”
Jack pounded the table with his fist, causing the silverware to clank together. “First you replace Mom. And now us? Well screw you. I don’t need this bull-crap.” He shoved his chair back and rushed to the exit.
Several people stared at us then started whispering. Dad apologized and turned to me. But I was sick of being the go-between. I couldn’t stand Blythe and Georgia. They were snobs. And I hated his girlfriend almost as much as I hated Katrina. Dad had ruined everything. First with his affair. Now this.
“Of course, Jack has to cause a scene.”
I clenched the tablecloth and stared at my dad in disbelief. “Then why did you bring us here to spring the news? You knew he’d get mad.”
“I thought being in public might aid as a buffer, keep him from acting like this.”
What a load of crap. More like Dad didn’t think it through. Had he forgotten Jack’s anger issues? Or maybe he didn’t care.
“Well next time, just bring us home.” I stood up. “I’ll get him. But I doubt he’s coming back in.”
“Tell him he needs to finish his dinner. He’s not wasting my money. And tell him if he wants to act childish, then I’ll start treating him like a child.”
In the infamous words of Seth, what a tool! How did Dad expect us to take the news? Jump up and down, maybe? Throw our arms around him like it was the best thing to happen since the invention of zit cream? What the heck was he thinking? I stalked from the restaurant, my jaw clenched. Dusk had set in, the sun nothing but a memory now. The parking lot lights flickered as if they might go out. I shivered.
“Jack.” I glanced at the outdoor eating area. No Jack. I walked toward the back lot. A chill snaked up my spine. I rubbed my arms, my pulse thudding in my ears. “Jack, c’mon, just get through dinner.”
Trees waved back and forth, shaking like pom-poms as the wind picked up. Where
in the heck did he go? I kicked a stone. It rolled across the cement, pinging when it hit a metal trashcan.
The inky blackness bled across the lot. Thwimp. I looked up. The street lamps blinked out one at a time. I came up short and grabbed ahold of one of the lampposts. What in the world was happening? My legs trembled as I glanced around. Then I saw them.
Shadows detached from the trees, turning into elongated people creeping toward me. This wasn’t real. I had to shut my mind off. Everything would be fine. I took several steps back, then spun on my heel, running toward the restaurant.
Whoosh! Something swooped down. I ducked, throwing my hands up over my head. A swift breeze whipped past, and my hair blew into my face.
“You will die, Fairy Godmother,” a deep voice threatened in my ear.
This wasn’t good. I needed to get out of here. Fear embraced me as I raced across the lot. My footsteps thudded against the pavement.
I screamed as a dark mass pummeled the air toward me. Its claws scratched my cheek and something warm trickled down my skin.
“Wand!” The wooden rod appeared in my hand and I spun to face my pursuer. “Fire.”
A ball of flames flew from the wand, igniting a giant tree. Sparks sprayed across the pavilion. Great. Not only did I miss my target, but I’d just set the park on fire.
More silhouettes flocked together in the air like birds of prey. Grimms. How had they found me out so soon?
I darted between cars. One of the beings dove for me. The glint of a blade flashed, and a large black-winged figure glided toward me. I raised my arm to protect myself and felt the brush of the creature’s wing against my skin.
At the last second, someone slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. I glanced up to see a figure in chain-mail armor unsheathe a glowing sword. Whoever it was stood there ready to defend me. The Grimms screeched as they flew off.
My knight in shining armor had arrived. Or more correctly, my Knight of the Godmother Order.
“Do you have a death wish?” A familiar voice asked.
I gasped. “You? You’re my champion?”
Chapter Ten
Cinderella Complex Page 6
