“You’ve challenged Fate, Nara. I’m worried what it’ll do if you go through with this.”
“I’m going,” I said in a tight voice.
Ethan raked his hands down his face. “I don’t want you going alone. I’ll come.”
“Thank you.” I was so relieved he was coming. “I’ll drive since this is my idea. I’ll pick you up on the way.”
***
Tugging my black coat tight around my dark blue cable knit sweater, I ran sweat-soaked palms down the front of my jeans and knocked on Ethan’s door. I was glad I’d worn my hair down and added some eyeliner on top of my mascara. I was suddenly nervous to meet Samson.
The door swung open and a tall blond guy stood in the doorway. “Hi, I’m Nara,” I said a little too brightly.
Samson might look young, but the set of his shoulders and the way he assessed me—a quick, parental sweep of his eyes—made him appear much older. He thumbed behind him with a smile. “Ethan’s upstairs. Come in.”
As I stepped into the foyer, Samson stuck out his hand. “I’m Samson, by the way, and don’t believe anything Ethan has told you about me.”
I relaxed a little and shook his hand, noting how different his bright blue eyes were from Ethan’s dark blue ones. “It’s nice to meet you, Samson…and it’s all been good, I promise.”
“Somehow I doubt it’s all been good.” Samson glanced at Ethan, who’d walked into the room.
“Hey, Nara.”
I read the tension in Ethan’s face, but didn’t want to discuss tonight in front of his brother. “Ready to head to the library?”
“Right.” Ethan tugged into a thick heather gray fleece he pulled off the back of the couch.
Broader and thicker than Ethan, Samson clapped his brother on the shoulder with a knowing grin. “Library…riiight. Don’t stay out too late, kids.”
“Kids?” Ethan rolled his eyes. “You’re only a few years older than me.”
“And a heck of a lot wiser.” Samson glanced at me. “Then again, I didn’t have a girlfriend like Nara in high school, so you must be doing something right.”
Heat shot to my cheeks and Ethan stepped to open the door. “Let’s go before he starts telling embarrassing stories.”
Samson’s laughter followed us out the door as Ethan pulled the door closed. “And now you’ve met my brother.”
The ride over to Jared’s was tense and quiet. When we got there, I’d just cut the engine and started to get out of the car, when Ethan spoke, “Nara, after the experiences in the library and the parking lot, I’m worried Fate might’ve changed tactics.”
I paused, my fingers tightening on the door handle. “What do you mean?”
He shook his head, his face rigid. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”
The party was in full swing, muffled music thumping. I glanced at the huge five-thousand-square foot house, tension building inside me. “I have to do this. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try to save Lainey.”
He gave a resigned sigh. “I know. Let’s go.”
As we walked up the driveway from the road, Ethan commented, “I’m surprised his parents allow him to have a party during the week, especially with a game coming up tomorrow night.”
Cool wind blew right through my sweater, making me wish I hadn’t ditched my coat. “Jared’s parents are big partiers. Supposedly they start partying on Thursday night and go through Saturday. I guarantee they aren’t even here.”
Standing on the porch, I skimmed Ethan’s edgy stance. “You going to be okay with all these people?”
“I’ll be fine,” he said in a clipped tone.
“Thanks for coming.” I hoped he knew I was sincere. The porch light’s glow shrouded his face in darkness, but I could tell he was studying my face.
He stepped close. “She’d better appreciate your friendship.”
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Cups of beer were shoved in our hands the moment we walked in the door. Lainey squealed our names and ran over, babbling, “More friends.” I could tell she was already tipsy.
“You have to meet everyone, Ethan,” she insisted. Grabbing Ethan’s arm, she dragged him to the basement where most of the partiers were.
Wincing, I thought of all the people he would brush against tonight. I hoped he could handle all the dark energy that would flow his way.
Several of my teammates were in the kitchen playing flip cup with a half dozen football players. I leaned against the doorjamb and watched Sophia flip her lipstick-stained cup with ease. She might be drinking, but she was more sober than Lainey. My gaze narrowed. Definitely in control and fully aware what she was doing…which was currently leaning down so Jared, who was across from her, got a full view of her good-sized breasts, nicely framed by her V-neck shirt.
I’d never wanted to rip someone’s hair out as much as I did at that moment, but I promised myself I would let certain events unfold naturally for Lainey’s own good.
Jared grabbed a grape from the table behind him and tossed it across the flip cup table and into Sophia’s shirt. The guys went wild with hoots and catcalls. I walked out. I might not plan to get involved, but I wasn’t going to watch it progress downhill either.
Dumping my beer in a nearby potted plant, I passed through a cloud of pot smoke floating from the bathroom area. In the living room, Miranda was sandwiched between two wrestlers on the couch. All three held cigarettes and were apparently competing for the biggest smoke ring. Ignoring them, I headed downstairs.
The music’s bass thumped even louder in the basement, and a whole group of people danced drunkenly on one side of the big room, while several guys were playing a serious game of foosball on the other side. Two sophomore boys from the JV football team manned the bar in the middle, pumping the keg and handing out beer to the juniors and seniors like it was water.
True to her word, Lainey was introducing Ethan around. Walking up to them, I said, “I’ll take over so you can have fun, Lainey.”
“Okaaaay, great. Be right back,” Lainey slurred slightly before she grabbed another cup of beer, then ran upstairs.
Standing near the group of people dancing, I glanced down at Ethan’s cup, saw the beer was half gone and raised my eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t drink?”
Ethan set the cup down on a side table and pointed to an alcove between the stairs and the bathroom. Following him, we ducked into the shadows underneath the stairs. I was surprised how much the small space blocked out a lot of the noise.
“I’m going to pay for this for a month.”
He sounded so disgruntled, I grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
Placing his arm on the angled wall above my head, Ethan moved close, forcing me to step back. He bent down and inhaled near my hair. “That’s nothing compared to the torture of not being able to touch you.”
My heart pounded at his closeness. In my dream, I was at the party by myself. Lifting my chin, I greedily inhaled his clean scent. I’d missed his amazing smell. Pent-up emotions arced between us.
When I turned my head at the same time he did and our lips almost met, I sighed away yearnings and tried to break the tension. “It really bothers me that you’re not in my dreams. I’m scared Fate will go after you next and we won’t have any warning.”
Ethan leaned back. “I have no idea why I’m not in your dreams. It’s been driving me crazy, but not because I fear Fate.” Desperate sadness reflected in his gaze. “It’s like I don’t exist in your life, Nara. At least not in your future. That terrifies me.”
The near panic in his voice ripped my heart open. “You’re very much a part of my life.” I reached for him, then caught myself, curling my fingers into a fist. Lowering my hand back to my side, I whispered fiercely, “You are my future, Ethan.”
Ethan started to speak when a loud scream sounded above us, followed by thundering footsteps.
“Oh, God, Lainey!” I’d been so wrapped up in Ethan, I’d almost forgotten about
my friend. Ducking underneath his arm, I ran up the stairs and pushed past people doing the same, except they wanted to see the fight, not stop it.
“You cheating bastard!” Lainey screamed. One of the football players held her back from Jared as the jerk quickly tucked his shirt back in his jeans and said, “Lane, let’s talk about this, babe.”
Sophia tried to slip out of the bathroom behind Jared, but Lainey broke free and yanked the girl around. She slapped her hard across the face before the guy snagged her arms again. “Back-stabbing slut!” Lainey screeched.
The moment she saw me, Lainey broke into tears and the guy let her go. I wrapped my arm around her shaking shoulders and led her away from the bathroom, where she’d apparently walked in on Jared and Sophia making out.
As I sat Lainey down on the sofa to talk, Ethan shooed the crowd, saying, “The party’s downstairs. Not up here.”
I appreciated his effort to give us some privacy and couldn’t help but smirk when he stepped in front of Jared and said, “Dude, you’re not who Lainey needs to see right now. You look like you lost a fight with a tube of lipstick.”
Lainey was sobbing, her face pressed in her hands. I stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry, Lainey.”
Turning her puffy-eyed, mascara-streaked face up, she hiccupped. “I—I wish I had lis—listened to you about her.”
“Don’t worry about that. Would you like me to take you home?”
She shook her head in fast, furious jerks. “I need to tell Jared what a complete ass he is.”
I pursed my lips. “I think he knows that. And so does everyone here.”
Her eyes widened. “Everyone knows…” she said slowly, then burst into tears once more.
“That’s not what I meant. Let me take you home,” I repeated gently.
“No.” She dug for her keys, pulling them from her pocket. “I can’t face anyone right now.” Standing up too fast, she stumbled forward, mumbling, “I’ll drive myself home.”
Before she took another step, I was by her side. “Lainey.” The moment I grabbed her arm, a prickly, electrical current zipped through me, followed by a thick heavy sensation in the air. It felt as if someone had just thrown an ice-cold blanket over me.
“I need to go,” Lainey said, resisting my hold.
“You’re not leav—” My lungs started to seize, cutting off my words. I coughed hard a couple times to expel the icy dampness spreading through my chest. As Lainey tugged against my hand, I straightened my spine and shook my head to release the pressure that pushed on either side of my skull. No matter what, I wouldn’t let Lainey drive. “I won’t stop,” I rasped.
The crushing sensation began to ease and I tightened my hold on Lainey.
“Are you okay?” Ethan’s concerned gaze searched mine. It had all happened in milliseconds, but I nodded, appreciating his presence more than he would ever know. Taking a deep breath, I pried the keys from Lainey’s fingers. “You’re too drunk to drive. Get your stuff and I’ll drive you home.”
Lainey let out a heavy sigh and her shoulders slumped as she walked over to the hall closet. While she shoved her arms in her coat, Ethan whispered in my ear, “I felt the cold and a charge in the air. The entire atmosphere around you changed, like a drop in barometric pressure.”
“You felt all of it?” I started to ask, but had to immediately move toward Lainey the moment I saw Jared come up the stairs from the basement.
Lainey had started screaming at Jared and I tucked my hand around her elbow. “Come on, Lainey. You’re too upset. Save it for later.” I looked at Ethan for help when she tried to shrug my hand off her arm.
Stepping beside us, Ethan wrapped his arm around Lainey’s shoulders. “Let us take you home,” he said in a calm voice, then escorted her into the cool night air, shutting the door behind them.
“It’s probably best if she goes home and sleeps it off.” Jared appeared a bit paler now that he’d scrubbed off the lipstick smears.
I glared at him. “You’re not getting off that easy. I just want her to have a clear head when she tells you what a total self-serving jerk you are.”
He actually looked upset. “Can you talk to her? It was a mistake. Sophia came on to me.”
“You had a choice and you made it. Now you’ll have to deal with the fallout,” I said, then shut the door behind me.
Chapter Twenty
Ethan and Lainey were waiting by her car when I walked out of the house. Tossing my keys to Ethan, I said, “Can you follow us in my car?”
As he headed down the driveway, I looked at Lainey. “Come on, hon. Let’s get you home.”
Lainey crawled into the passenger seat and immediately slumped down in it. Leaning over, I snapped her seatbelt around her and pushed her hair out of her face. She was still pretty drunk. Her dad would be furious if he saw her like this. “Is there a way I can sneak you into your house without your parents seeing?”
Lainey waved her hand, sounding sullen. “They went out on a date tonight. All wine and roses for them, while I get shit on. How freaking unfair is that?”
“They’re out?”
“Yes.”
Relieved, I turned to back out of the driveway.
“Why couldn’t he be like Ethan?” Lainey lamented in a half slur as I turned out of Jared’s neighborhood.
I glanced at her in surprise. “You want Jared to be like Ethan?”
She wiped her eyes with her coat sleeve. “Ethan treats you right. He might seem kind of strange, but his heart’s in the right place.”
“I didn’t think you knew Ethan all that well,” I said, flicking on the blinker before taking a left onto the main road.
“Did you know Ethan tried to save some kid in his neighborhood from being beaten by his dad?”
I turned wide eyes her way. “No. How do you know about it?”
“My dad told me Ethan called the police station to report the dude and now the kid’s in foster care.”
That must’ve been where the split lip and bruised jaw came from. “Ethan’s a good person. He just doesn’t always share that with everyone.”
When I stopped in her driveway and pushed the garage door button on her sun visor, Ethan pulled in behind us. Lainey unsnapped her seatbelt and wailed, “I’ve made a mess of things, haven’t I?”
Grasping her shoulders, I turned her toward me. “This wasn’t your fault, Lainey. Sophia’s finally showing her true colors and Jared only cares about Jared. I guess tonight you finally saw that for yourself.”
“I thought he loved me.” Tears welled once more and she began to cry again in deep, heart-wrenching moans. “I should…should’ve broken it off with him tonight,” she bawled.
“Wait until tomorrow, then he’ll know it’s not just drunken anger talking.” I rubbed her back, feeling so bad for how much she was hurting. After she calmed down, I walked her into her quiet house and up the stairs to her bedroom.
Lainey shrugged out of her coat and flopped onto her bed, throwing her arm over her eyes. I tugged off her shoes and sat down beside her. “Get some sleep and we’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”
Lainey sniffed behind her arm.
When I turned to leave, she said, “Nara?”
“Yeah?” She’d lowered her arm to look at me.
“Thanks for being my friend. I know I haven’t made it easy for you lately.”
I smiled. “Friends look out for each other. I’ll come by in the morning to bring your keys.”
Her trembling smile faltered. “You can leave my keys.”
No way. I’d learned my lesson in my dream last night. I shook my head, but kept my expression upbeat. “I’ll be here bright and early. Your parents won’t know. Don’t worry.”
Closing her bedroom door, I headed downstairs.
Ethan had moved to the passenger side of my car by the time I locked Lainey’s front door and tucked her keys away in my jeans pocket. I hopped in my car quickly, thankful he’d started the engine and cranked up the heat.
&n
bsp; When I put the car in reverse, he asked, “Think she’ll be okay?”
“Eventually. Right now she’s really hurt.” I drove off, pressing harder on the gas than I’d intended. “It probably would’ve been better if I’d prevented her from seeing them together in the first place.”
Ethan shrugged. “Maybe after hooking up with Sophia, Jared never would have cheated again. Who knows? The point is, now Lainey knows the facts and can decide if she wants to continue dating him.”
I sighed. “I know. You’re right.”
After several seconds of silence, Ethan said, “I’ve been so tense about this, I haven’t eaten. Let’s get some food. I’m starving.”
“There’s that new pizza place with the high-backed booths on the downtown mall.”
He grinned. “Sounds great.”
Forty minutes later, we were sitting across from each other, munching on the best California style pizza I’d ever tasted.
“I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Ethan said, taking another bite.
“I don’t see how you can taste anything through the thick layer of hot pepper you just shook on that slice.”
“Adding spice makes the flavors explode.”
Picking up another piece of pizza, I laughed. “I have this mental image of flames coming out of your mouth.” I pointed my piece of pizza at him and gave him a skeptical look. “So, you’ve never seen yourself in my dreams, huh?”
Ethan shook his head, then took another bite.
“How do you explain when you first told me you had my dreams, you said, and I quote, ‘Unless you count the end of the day—when we kiss.’”
“That’s because it was my dream,” he said with a look that could melt an iceberg.
Laughing, I threw my napkin at him.
After we’d staved off the hunger pains and were just picking at our pizza, Ethan looked contemplative. “About tonight. I’m glad things worked out with Lainey, but I keep thinking about the library and the accident in the parking lot. I’d dreamed your future, Nara. You said that your dreams had never been wrong, yet both those days felt skewed to me. Not just because I was determined to keep you safe, but truly off-kilter, almost like balance had shifted.”
Dark Roses: Eight Paranormal Romance Novels Page 79
