Rhett frowned, jumping up too. “What?”
“Your parents? Where are they?”
He waved the question away, shrugging. “They work a lot. My mom travels and my dad works in the city, so I don’t see them a ton.”
Mia frowned. “That’s sad. I’m sorry.”
“It’s no big. I see them enough. How are you feeling?”
The question took Mia off guard, and it took her a minute to figure out why he asked that. And then it all came rushing back to her. How could she have forgotten yesterday evening, the whole reason she was there to begin with? Her heart rate kicked up as she remembered running and the stalker attacking her. The vines coming up out of the ground and grabbing her ankles. Now that she had a night of sleep in front of the whole situation, Mia was more than sure that she must have made that up.
“I… I thought I saw something last night. Something not right,” she murmured.
Rhett’s eyebrows drew together in concern. “I’m sure it was nothing. The shock must have made you think you saw things.”
Yeah… maybe. Mia wasn’t sure what she had seen… all she knew was it hadn’t been normal.
But besides the fear, what she remembered the most was her pulsating throat, her aching palms and her throbbing ankle. She’d been almost sure she had a concussion and a broken ankle last night. Now here she was standing on it like nothing had ever happened. When she rubbed her neck, there wasn’t even any bumps or any sort of pain. When she glanced down at her hands, she found them as flawless as before. How… was that possible? “I feel great actually,” Mia said, glancing up at him.
Concern was edged into his forehead, but there was no reason to be worried. Mia felt more than great. She felt fantastic. Which was wrong, right?
“You’re sure?” he asked.
Mia nodded. “Yeah, it’s weird. I remember being in a lot more pain.”
“A little tea and sleep can fix anything,” Rhett said with a grin.
Mia gave him a doubtful look. “Yeah but not like that.”
“Anyways, I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’m sure your injuries just seemed worse than they were because of what happened. I already called the police this morning and told them to be on the lookout for a creepy stalker dude.”
“Wait, no. They’re going to call my mom then and then she’s totally going to freak out,” Mia said, grabbing his arm.
Rhett gave her a reassuring smile, placing his hand over hers. “No need to worry. The police chief is a, ah, friend. He knows how to be discreet.”
Mia frowned. “But isn’t that against like protocol or the law or whatever?”
“You want me to call him back and have him tell your mom?” Rhett asked, cocking his head.
“No. I just find it kind of weird.”
“Yeah, well, there are a lot of odd things about this town. I’m sure you’ve already noticed,” he said, slinging an arm around her shoulders and guiding her toward the door.
Mia resisted the urge to scoot in closer against his side. She tried to stay focused with him this close. “I have… And I wouldn’t mind an explanation.”
“I’m sure an explanation would be nice. I’ll see you later Mia, be careful,” Rhett said, opening the front door with his free hand. He took his arm from her shoulders and cocked his head, a fierce protectiveness overpowering his eyes. “Stay indoors or with someone. Even Angie would be preferable than being alone. I may have scared the guy off but… he’s still out there.”
Mia hugged herself and shivered. “No more running by myself. Got it.”
“Good. See ya around Mia,” he murmured. It almost looked like he was going to lean down and kiss her. For a second, Mia thought she might let him, but then she realized she’d already maxed out on impulsive, dumb things to do. She took a step back, breaking the moment and cast him a small smile. “Thanks. And thank you for saving me. He probably would have actually… killed me if not for you.”
Rhett’s jaw set. “I never would have let him get that far. I promise Mia. This will never happen again.”
Something deep in Mia believed him. “I know,” she whispered. Then without another word she headed down his steps and back to her house hoping her mom didn’t notice her coming from the right instead of the left. She felt his gaze on her the whole time. When she got to her front door, she couldn’t help but glance back at Rhett, finding him still watching her. He winked and waved. Mia grinned and waved back before opening the door and stepping inside, her head spinning and her heart fluttering.
Chapter Seventeen
The next few weeks passed by uneventfully which didn’t seem quite right to Mia. She and Angie went to the mall in the evening after the attack. Mia kept the attack to herself. She knew it would freak Angie out and she wouldn’t approve of Mia spending the night on the couch with Rhett.
For some reason, she expected the whole world to have shifted. She was attacked. Someone had almost killed her. And she had no idea why. No one would fill in the blanks for her, so Mia was stuck with the most troubling unsolved puzzle.
Lunches turned into a ritual for her, Angie and Kai. They all met around back and held court in the deserted parking lot of the school. Kai seemed pretty pleased with having Angie there every day. Mia was pleased to see the two of them getting along.
Angie was still, well Angie, so Mia wasn’t sure how much she cared about Kai or if she even noticed how much he liked her. Baby steps, right?
Things between she and Rhett were good. Their relationship had shifted that night when she was attacked. He was nicer – most of the time – and Mia didn’t go out of her way to avoid him. They didn’t spend as much time together as Mia, Kai and Angie did, but they still had quite a few moments. That was what Mia liked to call them: moments. Like something out of one of her dramatic romance movies.
Her mom was still super busy putting the finishing touches on her new bookstore. All the shelves were up and every day more and more boxes of books showed up either at the store or at their house. That weekend, Mia planned on helping her fill the bookshelves with them and organize everything.
On Wednesday, Mia headed for her car alone, twirling her keys around her finger. Angie had a dance committee meeting to go to after school and Kai had something with his family so Mia was left alone. She planned to go home, change and then head over to the bookstore to see if her mom needed any help. Mia was about to open the front door to her car, when she stopped dead in her tracks, noticing something on her window shield.
Tucked between the wipers and the glass was a piece of paper with a note scrawled across. Mia reached forward numbly and plucked it from its spot on her car.
You don’t belong here, was all it said. Mia swallowed hard, a lump growing in her throat. Her breath hitched as she glanced around and spotted several girls –including Lilac – walking toward her. Her heart pounded in her chest at the idea of an immediate threat. Were they the ones who had written this? Were they coming to like to beat her up or something? When they walked close enough to touch her, Mia shrank back against the door of her car, the note fluttering to the ground.
Lilac stopped and picked up the paper. A nasty smile twisted her lips when she read the note. She flicked the scrap at her. “It’s right you know,” she sneered. “You don’t belong here.”
“What are you talking about Lilac?” her friend asked, glancing at Mia with disgust on her face.
Lilac smirked and nodded at the paper on the ground at Mia’s feet now. “Someone sent Mia a little note telling her how we feel about having her in town. It wasn’t very nice,” she said, sticking her lips out in a pout.
Her friend chortled and gave Mia a disinterested once over. “Good. You’re a freak and you shouldn’t be in our town at all. You shouldn’t even be allowed in our school.”
Mia flinched as both girls laughed. Why they thought she was a freak was beyond her and really, she didn’t even care. It was just the fact that they hated her so much that they condoned someone making th
reats against her that made her heart pound against her ribcage and tears prick her eyes. Her hands balled into fists at her sides and she pushed the tears back. She was not going to give these girls the satisfaction of seeing her cry. “Why not? I haven’t done anything to any of you,” Mia said.
Lilac flashed a smirk at both of her friends. “Yeah, right, whatever you say. I’d just watch your back if I were you.”
The girl turned on her heels, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she did. Mia knew she should keep her mouth shut but what was the fun in that? “Why? Afraid I’m going to upstage you in track? Beat your record next year?” Mia called.
Lilac stopped dead in her tracks and sneered at her. “As if you could. Besides, coach wouldn’t let you on the team. It’s too late in the season.”
Mia shrugged, folding her arms. “I bet your glad coach wouldn’t let me on the team. I bet the idea of me being on the team intimidates you.”
“It doesn’t. You couldn’t beat me in a race,” Lilac snarled, spinning around to face Mia.
Mia smirked. “You keep telling yourself that.”
“Are you challenging me?” she asked, her voice sharp.
Mia hadn’t actually, but maybe leaving Lilac in the dust was the best way to get the girl off her back. So, instead of shrugging it off and getting in her car like she should, Mia stepped forward and nodded, head held high. “Yeah, yeah I am.”
Her two friends shared a surprised look over their shoulders, but if anything, Lilac looked even more furious. She scowled. “Fine. You have yourself a deal. Saturday morning. We start over there,” she said pointing across the parking lot at where a path into the woods started. The track team took that route while training.
Mia grinned, a thrill of excitement at the challenge rushing through her. “Deal.”
“Good. I look forward to watching you eat my dust.”
“Whatever you say,” Mia called, watching the girls stride off.
Mia grinned at herself, feeling pretty dang triumphant about how she’d stood up to Lilac. She started to turn toward her car, swinging her keys around a finger when someone cleared their throat behind her. Frowning, Mia lifted her gaze to find none other than Rhett standing in front of her. His arms were crossed, and a smirk graced his lips. “Really think you can beat her in a race?” he asked, jerking his chin at Lilac who’d gotten to her car.
Mia grinned slyly, leaning against the car door. “Were you spying on me?”
He shrugged. “I was walking to my car when I saw Lilac headed your way. Thought I might have to break up a cat fight… or sit and watch. It would be entertaining to see which one of you won.”
“Me,” Mia said, smirking. “Definitely me.”
“I don’t doubt it. So, you’re really going to race her?”
“Yeah I am. Just to prove to her that she can’t push me around. I don’t intimidate easily.”
Rhett’s eyes narrowed, dancing with amusement. “So, I’ve noticed.”
“So,” Mia said, opening her car door. “If you want a front row seat to Lilac’s humiliation, I suggest you get here early Saturday morning.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Rhett said with a wink before swaggering away toward his sleek black car.
Mia watched him go, fumbling to turn her car on while she was too distracted by him walking away. The words had come so easily to her. It had been effortless, bantering with him. Or had it been flirting? Mia made a face as she shut the car door. Oh no. Definitely not flirting. Grinning, Mia pulled out of the parking lot, too excited for Rhett to watch her beat Lilac on Saturday.
Chapter Eighteen
“Wait, you seriously said that to her?” Kai asked the next day at lunch.
Mia nodded, her face in her hands. “Was it stupid? I should have just left it be.”
He barked out a laugh. “Yeah probably, but hey, it’s too late now. I think this is going to be epic.”
“What’s going to be epic?” Angie asked, walking up to them. She looked a bit more out of place than usual. Her hair was thrown into a quick bun, and she wore a pair of jean capris and a tank top. Not her usual dressy attire.
Kai grinned up at Angie. “Mia challenged Lilac to a race on Saturday.”
Angie gawked as she took a seat in front of the two of them. “You’re kidding me. Why would you do that?”
Mia shrugged. “Because she got on my nerves.”
“Lilac’s like the best on the track team,” Angie said, “no one can beat her.”
“Except for Mia, apparently,” Kai said. “Man, I can’t wait to see this. It’s going to be awesome.”
“Or really bad. Lilac has a serious temper.” Angie gave him a sharp look as she opened her lunch box and pulled out a bag of carrots.
Mia scowled. “Tell me about it. I’m pretty sure her and her friends were the ones who left that note on my car.”
Angie frowned, glancing between the two of them. “What note?”
“It was some nasty note like, you don’t belong here or whatever,” Kai said flippantly. “Because that’s so mature.”
“I know right? And what does that even mean? What did I ever do to them?” Mia shouted, throwing her hands in exasperation.
Angie let out a sigh and shook her head. “Lilac’s crazy. Who knows why she does what she does?”
“Agreed,” Kai chimed in.
“I guess…” Mia muttered. “But I’m still going to kick her butt at the race on Saturday.”
“Whoop whoop!” Kai shouted, hand in the air.
Mia grinned and high-fived him while Angie just shook her head, crunching into a carrot. “I guess I’ll have to go to make sure Lilac doesn’t kill you for winning.”
***
Angie’s words rang in Mia’s ears Saturday morning when she got up early, threw on her leggings and a Nike shirt and sneakers and made her way to the school. Lilac did seem a little unhinged. The sort of unhinged Mia probably shouldn’t mess with. But if she backed out now, Lilac would see it as a weakness. Mia couldn’t let her think she’d scared her away.
No way.
Mia was going through with this. She figured if she beat Lilac and put her in her place, she’d back off and leave her alone. Even when she pulled into the parking lot and found that half the school had shown up. Word traveled fast. Though she suspected it had something to do with her having told Kai. She had a feeling he had loose lips.
As she shut the door, someone rapped their knuckles against the side of her car. Mia spun around and found Rhett there with his signature sunglasses on. She couldn’t help but smile. One of these days she’d have to ask why he wore sunglasses so often. “You’re actually going through with it I see,” he said, smirking as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
Mia grinned, raising her chin. “Of course I am. I’m not going to let Lilac scare me away.”
“Good. Make sure to knock her down a peg or two. She needs it.”
“That’s the plan.”
“And make sure to watch your back afterward,” Rhett said, his smirk no longer matching his more serious tone. “Lilac’s the kind to hold a grudge.”
“Even over a harmless race?”
Rhett tipped his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, so he could peer at her from over them. Mia’s face warmed at his sudden attention. Man… it should be a crime to look that good. And yes, she was aware that sounded cheesy. “Nothing’s harmless to Lilac.”
“Alrighty then. I’ll be careful.”
Rhett nodded and fell into step beside her as Mia turned to head to the small crowd of students. “You alright? I haven’t seen you much since the, uh, attack…” he said, glancing at her.
Mia grimaced. “I’m doing OK. Just a little more paranoid than usual.”
“That’s understandable. I just… I was concerned.”
Mia gave him a fake shocked look. “Rhett? Concerned? I thought that was against the bad boy code. You can’t have a soft side.”
He snorted and shook his
head. “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
Mia pressed her hand against her heart. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Rhett grinned, and they walked a minute in silence before Mia stopped, deciding at that moment to take a risk. She’d already challenged Lilac to a race. Might as well go all the way. “Let me see your phone,” she said, gesturing at Rhett.
He frowned but fished it out of his pocket and handed it to her. Mia went to his contacts and put her name and number in, then handed it back. “There, now you can text me if you get worried. That way no one except for the two of us will know you have a soft side.”
Rhett’s eyebrows shot up and he stared at his phone like it held the answers to the universe. Mia didn’t wait for him to say anything. She wasn’t sure she wanted him to say anything anyways. It wasn’t a big deal. Or at least that was what she told herself.
Mia walked on, Rhett coming up behind her. Lilac stretched in the middle of the crowd, her group of gal pals surrounding her. Kai was the first to spot her and waved enthusiastically. “Mia!” he called, running over. “Are you ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. I wonder how so many people came to know about this little race,” she said pointedly.
Kai grinned. “I don’t know… word travels.”
“I guess so. Anyways, let’s do this.”
Kai beamed like it was Christmas morning. Angie came bouncing out of nowhere and grabbed Mia’s arm. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Mia gave her a weird look. “You guys act like I’m about to face some evil beast or something.”
Kai snorted out a laugh. “Lilac and evil beast? Same difference.”
Angie shot him a glare, her grip on Mia’s arm tightening. “I’m being serious.”
“I know, but I’ll be fine,” Mia said, gently shaking her arm free of Angie’s death grip.
She glanced over her shoulder as she stepped into the throng of students, murmurs and whispers following her. Her eyes searched for those black sunglasses and dark hair until she found him standing on the fringes, arms folded and watching her. His lips curved upward when her gaze found him. Mia turned back around, blushing at being caught staring.
Wayward: St. Croix Falls Book 1 Page 12
