Outsider: The Flawed Series Book Two

by Becca J. Campbell

  “But we’re swamped right now.” Josh gestured at the line of customers at the front desk.

  “Rules say I have to give you your fifteen minutes at some point. Besides, you look like you could use it.” Colby replaced the last book and headed up to the registers.

  While Josh usually took his breaks in the back room checking updates on his phone, today he needed to de-stress. He headed to the guitar section and found his old standby. Today, thoughts of Alex were what drew his fingers to the strings. How well she could see beyond his exterior, and yet there was one part he hadn’t shown her yet. His fingers plucked, searching for new combinations, for chords that could express his feelings. He strummed and cringed when the notes clashed. He tried again. Ack, that was even worse.

  The disharmonious sounds amplified Josh’s tension. He tried for several more minutes to pick out a new song, but couldn’t find a pattern that worked. A snort from behind pulled his attention away from the instrument. He turned and saw Benji giving him a disdainful look.

  “Dude, put the thing out of its misery already.” Benji chuckled as if amused by his own comment.

  “What are you doing here?” Josh asked.

  “Trying to order strings, if I could get anyone to help me.” He gestured at the unmanned help desk in the guitar section. “Do I know you or something?” Benji’s brows crumpled in confusion.

  Josh blinked. “Oh, I can help you.”

  “You work here?”

  “Yeah.” Josh set the guitar down and crossed to the desk with Benji following. “What did you need to order?”

  Benji rattled off the name of the strings he needed—one of the types they didn’t keep in stock.

  “I know you from Vicarious Jalapenos,” Josh said as he typed on the computer.

  Benji’s face broke into a grin. “Right. Always good to meet a fan.”

  “I’m not,” Josh said.

  Benji arched a brow. “Um, okay. In that case, you can send your hatemail to Idon’tgivearip@lame.com.”

  “That’s not what I meant. I met you at Alex’s apartment a few weeks ago—and I was at her birthday party.”

  “Oh. Yeah? Sorry, I’m not good with names.”

  “I’m Josh. Chloe’s brother.”

  “Chloe?”

  “Alex’s roommate.”

  “Oh, right. The blonde?”

  “Yeah.” Josh pulled up the item Benji had requested and entered his information into the computer. “Okay, you’re all set. You’ll get a call from us when they come in.”

  “Great. Thanks.”

  “So, do you guys have any shows coming up?” Josh asked. Seeing her band play was high on his list of priorities, especially since he’d missed the last show.

  “No dates are set yet, but we’re working on it. Like our Facebook page—we’ll post our shows there.”

  “Uh, right.”

  When Benji started to walk away, Josh spoke hastily. “You’re lucky to have Alex.”

  Benji turned. “Huh? Oh, right. She’s okay, for a girl.”

  Josh frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You know.”

  “Not really.”

  Benji shrugged. “It’s just hard to take girl musicians seriously sometimes. They can play all they want, but they’ll never play like a dude.”

  Josh’s mouth dropped open. “I can’t believe you actually think—”

  “Don’t get me wrong, it’s all kinds of hot—seeing a chick on the bass or drums, and it’s great for the band’s image, but it doesn’t go much beyond that.”

  “I can’t believe you’d actually say that about your own drummer. Alex is really talented!”

  Benji smirked. “Hey, man, chill out. I’m just sayin’. It’s cool if you don’t get it yet—when you get better you’ll understand what I mean. Ain’t no girl gonna outplay a dude.”

  Josh clenched his jaw and his fists.

  “Don’t give up though, bro. You’ll get there. I wasn’t any good my first time either.” Benji gave him a nod. Before Josh could summon a response, the guy had headed out of the shop.

  Unbelievable.

  By the time the store had closed and Chloe came to pick Josh up from work, his nerves were fried and his leg ached. He eased into the passenger seat of her SUV and sighed.

  “Rough day?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “How’s your leg?”

  “Better, but after standing for eight hours, it aches.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “You doing anything tonight?” he asked, thinking it might be difficult to get Alex alone.

  “Studying with Angie. Classes are getting intense, and we’re both worried about this big test coming up. It’s bound to be a late night.”

  That was good—Josh wouldn’t have to worry about his sister’s prying ears eavesdropping when he was talking to Alex, and it would be one fewer embarrassment if he made a fool of himself.

  He tried to keep his voice casual. “So…how’s Alex? I haven’t seen her since the other day when she picked me up from work.”

  Chloe shrugged. “She’s good. She’s keeping busy with school and the band, I guess. Our schedules are a little out of whack right now so I don’t see her a ton.”

  “Did she enjoy the party? She seemed pretty surprised.”

  “Yeah. Wasn’t that great? She didn’t expect a thing. I think she’s been a little homesick lately.”

  “Really?” Josh thought of what Alex had said about her old life being a distraction.

  “Yeah.”

  “So who was that guy hanging all over her?”

  “What? Oh, you mean Ferno? I’m pretty sure they’re just friends.”

  “He wasn’t like her old boyfriend or something?” He thought about Alex and Ferno spending an afternoon together, sipping hot chocolates and reminiscing.

  Chloe shook her head. “No.”

  “They seemed pretty close.”

  Chloe shrugged. “I think she just gets along well with guys in general. She would have told me if they’d dated. And she definitely isn’t dating someone now. I know that because I’ve been trying to hook her up with Cam.”

  “Gee, I hadn’t noticed.” Josh didn’t hold back the sarcastic edge to his voice.

  “Don’t you think they’d be cute together?”

  He closed his eyes and exhaled silently. “Does Alex know you’ve been trying to hook her up with Cam?”

  Chloe shrugged. “I’m pretty sure she’s figured it out. I’m trying to be patient and give her a chance to settle in here.”

  “So why’s it your business who she dates?”

  “I just want her to be happy. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Can’t she make her own decision about what makes her happy?”

  “I didn’t say she couldn’t. I’m just helping her out.”

  “Maybe she’s not interested in Cam.”

  “Why wouldn’t she be?”

  Josh couldn’t answer that.

  “Wait a minute. Are you into her?”

  He refused to meet Chloe’s gaze.

  Chloe slapped the steering wheel. “Oh my gosh! How did I not see this earlier? You are into her!” She chuckled.

  Josh turned to glare at her. “What’s so funny?”

  She shook her head and bit her lip, her focus on the road. “Nothing.”

  “That’s not a ‘nothing’ outburst. Tell me why the hell the idea of Alex and me together is so frickin’ hilarious.”

  Chloe stole a glance at him, the dubious expression not fading. “For one thing, you guys are nothing alike. She’s friends with practically every guy she meets, and you can barely say three words to a girl.”

  Josh grit his teeth. “How is any of that relevant?”

  “It’s not just that.”

  “Then what?”

  “I don’t think she’s interested in you.”

  “Have you asked her?”

  “It’s not exactly something that came
to mind.”

  “Fine.” Josh folded his arms and stared out the windshield as the vehicle turned off into their apartment complex.

  Chloe sighed, and her face changed to an expression of concern. “The thing is, I just don’t know if you’re right for her.”

  Josh stared at his sister.

  Chloe parked the car and killed the engine. “She’s nineteen. She’s practically starting over with her new life here, and what she needs is stability. She needs someone with drive and focus. Someone with concrete goals and a plan for his life.”

  Josh’s jaw dropped. “And that’s Cam? With his undeclared major and his job at the gym?”

  Chloe considered, then sighed. “No. Cam probably isn’t good for her, either. She needs someone like…” Her eyes lit up as if she’d had a revelation. “Someone like Benji.”

  “Benji?”

  “He’s so incredibly…” she began.

  “Arrogant? Rude? Self-absorbed?”

  Chloe frowned. “I was going to say attractive. Geez, jealous a bit are we?”

  Josh’s glare intensified.

  “Benji is—”

  He held up a hand. “Stop. I don’t want to hear any more. If I hear the name Benji one more time, I’m going to tear someone’s head off.” Josh exited the SUV before Chloe could respond. He stalked up the stairs to the second floor, wincing as each step jarred his leg. By the time he was at her front door, Chloe had caught up to him. He waited for her to unlock the door.

  “Alex isn’t here,” she said with a curt glance his way. “She’s at practice.”

  “Fine. I’ll come back later,” he said.

  Chloe looked like she was about to say something else, but she held back, and Josh didn’t wait for her to change her mind. He turned and walked to his own apartment. He could come back to wait for Alex’s return after his sister had left.

  ~

  Alex threw open the door of her apartment and violently dropped her bag on the floor. It was late, somewhere around eleven o’clock. Two steps and she was plopping down on the sofa with a loud umph without bothering to turn on the lights. It had been a horrible day. After grueling classes and loads of homework, she’d met the band at the warehouse to practice. They had gone over several of the songs Benji had been writing and ended up getting in a major fight. Guy had attacked Benji’s work. Benji had criticized Guy’s playing style. It all ended with Benji announcing that he was quitting the band. After he stormed out, Guy packed up and left without a word. Alex had stayed later, venting her frustration on her drums.

  She put her hand on her forehead. She was peeved at Guy for starting the fight. But Benji’s attitude had been worse. She had really thought he would be a winner, but having him join the band had been the worst decision ever.

  That’s when she noticed the light from under the bathroom door. She cocked her head. That was odd… Chloe tended to leave on every light in the apartment whenever she was there, and she wouldn’t have gone to bed this early. “Chloe?” Alex called.

  There was a muffled noise from the hallway and the sound of water running. A door opened and out walked Josh.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hi. What are you doing here?”

  “Just…uh, playing some video games. I left my game box here the other day.”

  “The TV’s off.”

  “Oh. Well, I just finished.”

  “Okay.” It seemed weird that he was here, but she didn’t have the energy to think about it right now. She blew out a huge sigh and let her head fall back onto the couch cushions.

  She felt his eyes on her. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  She tipped her head up to look at him. “I kind of want to be alone, if that’s all right.”

  “Oh. Okay.” But he didn’t move, just stood in her living room with his arms hanging limp.

  She rubbed her forehead with a palm and sighed again.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  “Just had a rough day, is all.”

  “Guy problems?”

  She shot him a glance, narrowing her eyes. “Well, if you must know, yes. I’m having a problem with a guy in the band…no, both guys in the band.”

  “Hmm.” Josh’s eyebrows were still pulled down in a wry expression.

  “Benji—”

  “Benji.” Josh said the name with sarcasm, rolling his eyes and grimacing.

  “What?” She crossed her arms. “What does that look mean?”

  “It’s just interesting that you have so many guy friends and, ironically, you have so many guy problems, too.”

  Her jaw dropped. What? “So what does all this mean?”

  “I think it means you need to find some new friends.”

  “Well, maybe I will, then!” Alex got up and angrily grabbed her bag, slamming the door as she left.

  What was his deal, anyway? It wasn’t like she was collecting boys on a string. She was just good at making friends with them. Didn’t he get that? All she really wanted was one decent guy who really cared about her.

  She got into her car and started driving. She really needed to bang on something. She drove back to the practice space. Entering the dark warehouse, she flicked on the lights and walked over to the drum kit.

  She sat down at the drums, grabbed her sticks, and pounded her heart out. She’d never been a big fan of heavy metal, but tonight, she put in her earbuds, cranked up some ear-piercing tunes, and zoned out, letting her sticks fly.

  Alex whaled away, pouring out her anger into the instruments. Crack. A stick broke. With a flick, she grabbed a new one. Crack. Another. Her heart was pounding and she was sweating. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this upset. And why did she keep thinking of her dad? She wasn’t mad at him. She was mad at Benji. At Guy. At Josh.

  She let the sticks fall and went to the couch, throwing herself onto the musty pillows and sobbing. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d cried.

  No, she did remember. It was years ago—the day she got her ability—the day her father had left. She grabbed a pillow and sank her face into the tacky patterned fabric that was already wet with her tears. Why couldn’t the whole world just disappear?

  ~

  The pieces were in place: the Wilson, the accomplice, and the car. Nic had been following the witch for several days waiting for the right moment. It was finally time. A lone streetlamp stood two blocks away, leaving most of the old warehouse building shrouded in darkness. Her car was the only vehicle in the lot when he parked his own newly acquired sedan. She’d been here earlier with the others, but after a short trip home, she’d returned alone.

  Nic crept silently to the door with Ethan trailing close behind. The shroud of night provided sufficient darkness for Ethan to see—at least it was enough that the freak didn’t have to cling to him.

  A rapid pounding from him inside helped mask their approach, echoing the accelerated beat of Nic’s own heart. It sounded like construction noises at first—a jackhammer or something, but he soon recognized the sharp, staccato patterns. She was playing drums, using her flashy feet along with what must also be fancy hands.

  He made a mental note: keep an eye on all her limbs.

  They halted at the door. His mouth salivated, anticipating the sweet taste of revenge, now so close at hand. The drumming suddenly died into silence.

  Nic motioned Ethan to stand on one side of the door while he waited on the other so they could nab her quickly. His pulse counted out the beats. After a count of sixty-six with no sign of her, he put an ear to the door, listening. It was silent beyond.

  He gave Ethan a signal and opened the door. It whispered across the threshold but didn’t creak. Nic scanned for the girl, then the light switch, finding both within a fraction of an instant.

  Alexandria Hailey’s pathetic form lay draped across the sofa, her head down, appearing deceivingly helpless. A faint tremble of sobs shook her body.

  Smug satisfaction took hold of Nic, empowering
him in a way he hadn’t felt since losing his ability. He flicked off the light, hands trembling, breath quickening.

  There was no protest to the sudden darkness because the girl’s head was buried in a pillow. Nic jabbed Ethan’s arm, but the man was already moving in the dark. Good, he understood his role. Ethan’s footsteps were surprisingly silent across the concrete floor, and Nic enjoyed a moment of confirmation that he’d done the right thing in selecting his accomplice.

  There was a dull thud and an “oof.” Then silence again.

  “She’s out.” Ethan’s low voice carried easily across the expanse of concrete and metal.

  Nic flipped the lights back on to find the young woman’s body slumped on the sofa, her torso sprawled across the cushions while her feet fell limply to the ground. For a moment he was concerned that Ethan had done more than he’d bargained for.

  “You didn’t kill her, did you?”

  “No.” Ethan’s voice had an edge of scorn. “She’s still breathing.”

  “You’ve done this before.”

  “Of course.”

  But it was Nic’s first kidnapping, and a momentary pang of jealousy flared. It didn’t matter. He was still the one in charge here. He grabbed the duct tape and started to walk toward Ethan.

  “Can you get the lights?” A hint of irritation this time.

  Nic remembered that Ethan was blinded by light.

  “Yeah, sure.” Nic flicked off the lights and turned on the flashlight, keeping the beam away from his partner. “Better?”

  “Yeah. Now come help me with her.”

  Within a few minutes the men had gagged and tied the witch. Nic felt her pockets, found a cell phone, and tossed it onto the sofa. Together, they dragged her to the door.

  The first phase of his plan was complete. Now for the good part.

  Josh felt like a complete jerk. He could tell she was hurting, and he’d just made it worse with his stupid jealousy. He wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere and not come out—ever.

  The weight of his stupidity rode heavy on his back, but he knew what he had to do. The thought of the confrontation didn’t just make him nervous, it made his stomach reel. How could he face her after that? But then again, how could he live with her mad at him? There was only one option: he had to go after her.