“For what?” he asked.
“For being you,” I smiled, laying my head on his chest and slipping my arms around his waist. I caught a glimpse of Dean who was seething in the corner. I rolled my eyes at him. Seriously, sometimes I swear he was worse than our dad. I felt prying eyes and I shifted slightly to see Kyle standing not far behind us. His lips were pulled into a tight line and I knew he had just witnessed the kiss between Roman and I. Josie, always the one to step in when needed, latched her arm with Kyle’s and turned his attention back to Sophia. Tonight was going to suck.
Once Dixon and Cassidy arrived, we decided to make a toast before we headed to the dance. “To good friends and a good night,” Roman saluted, holding his drink in the air. I looked around the circle to see Lucas and Kyle watching me. I shifted my eyes and caught Brennen staring as well. A cold chill ran down my spine and I shivered.
My head sprung up and the door to my room blew open. I seemed to be the only one to notice. I stepped out of the circle and took a step toward the door. I looked out into the deep dark hallway. I was being pulled closer and closer till I was at the entrance of the door. I placed my hands on the paneling and peeked out to the left. There was a figure standing not ten feet in front of me. The glow from his eyes was what froze me in my spot. I blinked and then he was gone.
A strange hand was placed on my shoulder making me jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Lucas said. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I lied.
“You seem spooked,” he replied.
“Just a little nervous. You know how we girls can get,” I laughed uneasily.
“You’re not like most girls,” he smiled charmingly.
“Ella, you ready?” Roman called.
“Yes.” I hurried back to him, threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him with a passion. I ignored the giggles and jeers and the projection from Dean ‘to get a room.’” When I pulled back his eyes were glazed and his cheeks were red. I smiled and he blushed even more.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“Just because I love you.”
He smiled and bent down for another kiss. “Alright you two, enough, or we’ll never make it out of here,” Cameron said, breaking us up.
When we arrived, everyone was handed a mask to put on before entering the newly renovated hall. Each mask was intricately decorated and each one was different. Some were painted with delicate designs while others were plastered with feathers, jewels, and glitter.
Roman helped me tie on my mask and then waited while two men dressed in all black and wore plain white masks opened the door for us. We stepped into a fairytale. The celebration was known for its decadence. It was a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection. That was something I could relate to.
The hall was decorated with gourds, pinecones, and different colored leaves. Ivy stretched up and down the pillars intertwined with tiny sparkling lights. Paper leaves fell slowly from the ceiling, crowding the dance floor. Each table had a colored bowl filled with apples and pomegranates, a tradition for this day. Brown, gold, and orange colors filled the room.
Each student was allowed one glass of wine tonight to celebrate. After the many drinks I already had in my room I thought it best to sip mine slowly. The buffet style meal was filled with breads, nuts, and vegetables, another tradition for this night.
With a group as large as ours, we occupied a few tables in the back and before we knew it the celebration was in full swing. “May I have this dance?” Roman bowed.
“Why yes kind sir,” I curtsied as he extended his arm.
Roman could dance when there weren’t certain steps involved. He claimed it was easier because when we danced together I took all of his concentration. He said admiring me and remembering what step to take next at the same time was too hard. I just shook my head and rested it on his shoulder. “May I cut in?” Lucas interrupted.
Roman looked to me for an answer. I wanted to run away screaming, but he took the look on my face as if I was saying he needed to be nice. “Sure,” he said, moving to swap places with Josie.
“Shall we,” Lucas extended his arm.
I hesitated. “As long as we stay here,” I said, trying to catch him off guard and hoping he’d slip up and admit he knew what I was talking about.
“Did you ever think that maybe you were so caught up in the moment that your mind took you to another place,” he said, sweeping me in his arms and guiding me across the dance floor, leaving me no choice but to follow his lead. “Ella, I’m not the bad guy.”
“I never –”
“You don’t have to say it. I can see it in your eyes. The way you look at me and how you pull away when I’m near.” He spun me away and then pulled me back gripping my waist tight. My breath caught and the song ended. “Thank you for the dance,” he bowed, kissing my hand. I was left standing on the dance floor completely lost.
My attention was then focused on the sudden yelling over by our table. I glanced over to see Cameron and Austin arguing. I made my way over to check things out. “You’re a dick! I trusted you!” Cameron yelled.
“Well maybe you shouldn’t have run off to Ireland to have a fling,” Austin spat back.
“For the last time, I went to Ireland to help Ella,” Cameron said, on the verge of tears. “I wasn’t the one who cheated. You did!”
Whoa, that was new.
“I only cheated because you did first.”
“For the last time. I didn’t sleep with anyone in Ireland!” Cameron yelled.
“Whatever, say what you want,” Austin said, convinced he was right.
“Look Austin, I can assure you that Cameron did not sleep with anyone while we were in Ireland,” I said, stepping in to help my friend.
“Thank you Ella, but you don’t have to say anything. Clearly he’s made up his mind.”
“That’s right. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for you,” Austin glared at me. “Birds of a feather flock together.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, glaring at Austin.
“All you sluts are alike,” he spat with disgust.
Dean jumped out of his chair so fast it skidded across the floor. Roman took a step forward and I put out my arm to stop him while directing the other one at Dean to stay put. Cameron stepped in front of Austin and stared him straight in the eye before she dumped her drink all over his head and kneed him in the groin. I gave him a take that look before she pulled me away.
“You ready, they’re about to start the dance,” Cameron said. I looked at her not fully understanding. “Gee whiz Ella, how much did you drink?”
I looked at her surprised at how calm she was after what just happened. I wanted to ask if she was okay. I knew she was putting on a fake façade to keep from falling apart. Then it hit me. All the guilt, frustration, and pain she was feeling. She had her guard down and I was able to reach inside her mind. Not that I purposely invaded her head, it was practically screaming at me. Guilt, embarrassment, anger, and sadness, and then… “Oh my god! You slept with Dean!” I almost shouted.
Cameron turned on me, eyes wide. She swallowed. “What did you say?” she looked terrified.
“You slept with my brother!” I said, narrowing my eyes at her. Not because she slept with Dean, but because she felt the need to hide it from me.
“Shh, keep your voice down!” she said in a harsh whisper.
“So it’s true. You cheated on Austin…with Dean?” It was hard to get the words out.
“Yes…no.”
“So you lied.”
“No. I said I never slept with anyone in Ireland and I didn’t.” She looked away.
“Then when…eww, at my house…that skank giggling in his room was you? Oh Cam gross, just gross.” This whole thing was very hard to stomach.
“Knock it off. You’re just saying that because he’s your brother. He’s nothing like you think.”
I still couldn�
��t wrap my mind around it. I looked at her trying not to be sick and when I looked at her face, I could tell. “You really like him, don’t you?”
She didn’t answer me, but I knew. This was a whole new complication I wasn’t ready for. “Please don’t tell anyone about any of this. No one knows, not even Sienna. Please Ella, promise me.” I nodded as she pulled on my arm and put me in position for the dance we had been practicing for all week. I caught sight of Lucas standing at the end of the line. He smiled at me and I had to look the other way.
“O.M.G did you guys catch sight of the two new hotties over there by the refreshments,” Sienna gushed.
I craned my head to look, but it was hard to tell who was who when everyone was wearing a mask. Granted the mask only covered our eyes, but it was enough to hide anyone with the way we were all dressed up. “I don’t know who you’re talking about?” I said.
“Duh, the babe with the killer blue eyes and the black hair,” she said like I should have known.
“You just described Roman.”
“Honey, this boy is no Roman. Just the way he stands, his presence, his essence. This guy is a man not a boy. Oh and his friend. Hello muscles from Brussels. He almost looks like the dudes bodyguard.”
I froze and looked at Josie. “You don’t think…no, it can’t be.”
Her eyes went wide. “I’m going to go check.”
“I coming with you,” I began as the music started. Roman was before me, hands out, and ready to go. I had no choice now but to dance. As we spun around the room my eyes searched everywhere. I found Josie by the refreshment stand and she was shaking her head no, indicating that our suspicions were wrong.
I let out sigh of relief and tried to enjoy myself again just as we switched partners. I was now with Brennen and he was a better dancer than I thought. “You know, you’re pretty light on your feet,” I teased.
“It’s a wolf thing,” he joked.
“You enjoying your new school?”
“I am now,” he smiled, making me feel a little uncomfortable. Seriously? Why am I a magnet for guys? Most girls would love the attention, but not me. Maybe because every guy I’d been with, trouble always seemed to follow. Sensing my unease, Brennen looked at me worried he said something wrong. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…you must think I’m the biggest ass.”
“No,” I said quickly.
“I wasn’t hitting on you. I would never try to go after someone who was taken. I mean you’re beautiful and if you weren’t taken it would be a different story,” he rambled.
“Oh,” I blushed.
“Okay I’m going to shut up now.” I smiled at him. I never felt uncomfortable around Brennen and dancing with him now I felt almost protected, relaxed.
“Do you have a girlfriend back home?”
“I did, but it didn’t work out. I’m okay with it.”
“If you’re interested I have some very cute single friends.”
“Thanks,” he laughed. “But I think I’m okay for now.”
Just as we were about to switch partners again, Brennen stiffened. His eyes burned a bright yellow, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Lucas had swooped in to take Brennen’s spot as my next partner. “So we meet again,” he said with a smirk. I looked over my shoulder at Brennen. His eyes were still bright yellow and fixed on Lucas. I couldn’t shake this feeling that something wasn’t right. “Hey, you okay?”
I turned my attention back to Lucas. “Yeah, sorry.”
“You know I was just kidding earlier. I hope I didn’t offend you?”
“No. I can hold my own,” I said, trying to make a point.
Lucas looked at me as if he accepted the challenge. “So I’ve noticed,” he smiled, making my stomach feel queasy. I was thankful that we didn’t keep the same partner for long. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my composure with him.
The music swiftly changed and we were once again rearranged into a new position standing across from our partners. Arms up and palms out, we took two steps forward, and then one back. Following in a diagonal line moving on to the next person and gliding smoothly in a circle. The only thing touching was our palms.
This continued all the way down the line until we came full circle. The music had switched again, but it was not the traditional music we practiced to. Not skipping a beat, everyone continued with the dance despite the change, except me.
The song, I recognized it. I knew it all too well. It caused me to miss a step. Fumbling, I was pulled back into the line by a stranger, a remarkably familiar stranger.
I was no longer dancing with the rest of my classmates. He spun me away from the group. I looked up into the eyes of the man who had swept me off my feet. His eyes burned with a love that ate a hole in my heart. He led me around the dance floor as if we had done this a thousand times and being in his arms it felt like I had.
I knew now everyone had stopped and was watching us, but I was too mesmerized by the deep, dark blue of his eyes. His eyes, his hair, his smell, the way he held me, and the way he whisked me across the dance floor I knew. “Am I dreaming?”
He shook his head no as our song stopped. “I love you la mia bella stella.”
And before I could stop him, he leaned down, and kissed me.
Chapter Twenty-eight
I was so lost in the moment I thought I was dreaming, until I heard Roman growl. I pulled back from Tristan’s embrace just as Roman slugged him in the face. He hit him so hard he fell to the ground and skidded back a few feet. “What are you doing?” I yelled.
“What am I doing? What are you doing?” he snapped.
“I didn’t do anything,” I said defensively. “He kissed me.”
Roman grabbed me possessively, wrapping his arm around my waist tight. “You have a lot of nerve,” he said to Tristan. “Stand up you coward. Show yourself,” he demanded.
Tristan smiled his cocky smile as he stood up and dusted himself off. He walked over and stood face to face with Roman. You could smell the testosterone pouring out of them. Brennen and Justin came to stand by Roman’s side. Billy, I figured, was the one to stand by Tristan. His temper was rising at the sight of Josie on another man’s arm.
And then there was me, who stood in the center of it all.
My heart was pounding a million miles per minute. Everything was silent. The only thing you could hear was the pounding pulses in anticipation of what was going to happen next. I took a step forward in between them. “Let’s just stop,” I said, pleading with Roman not to fight.
Roman looked down at me almost sad and then his eyes filled with rage again as Tristan started to laugh. I turned to glare at him. “Well, of all the people you could have picked I never would have expected him,” he said, ripping off his mask.
Roman went rigid. I could feel the heat coming off of him and heard a crackle. I took a step back and grabbed his hand trying to calm him. Tristan looked down at our link fingers, hurt crossed his face. “What are you doing here?” Roman growled.
“I came to take back what is mine,” Tristan said, looking right at me.
“You always want what you can’t have,” Roman spat.
“Who says I can’t have her?” he was just toying with him now.
“I say. Leave, you’re not welcome here. And tell your bastard father to leave us alone,” Roman growled.
“Wait, you know each other?” I said, looking back and forth between them. Roman tore off his mask and looked at Tristan disgusted.
I gasped.
I couldn’t believe I’d never seen it before, but now that they were both here, right in front of me.
“He’s my brother,” Tristan said, confirming my disbelief. I shook my head not wanting to believe it.
“Oh snap,” Josie said.
“More like, oh shit,” Cameron whispered to her.
“This has got to be a joke,” I said, laughing deliriously.
“This is not a joke. Ella, I made a mistake.” Tristan looked at Cameron q
uickly and then back to me. I looked at her questioningly for a second before Tristan brought my attention back to him. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I was convinced I was, but I was wrong. I came back Ella, for you.” He reached for me but I pulled away.
“Whoa, whoa, this is the guy. This is the asshole you cheated on me with?” Roman glared. He took a step away from me. My heart felt like it was going to explode.
“Clearly Ella has a thing for the damaged. Why else would she date you,” Tristan spat back.
Roman snapped and took a step forward to punch Tristan again, but I butted in. “Stop!” I yelled. “Enough!” They both turned to look at me, waiting for an answer. As if I was to choose right there and then. The way they were both looking at me, I couldn’t take it. I took a few steps back. I couldn’t take all the eyes on me. I felt like a trapped animal. “I can’t do this right now,” I said, running out of the hall. I heard several voices calling my name, but I just kept running.
I ran so hard and so fast I hadn’t even noticed I ran in the direction of the maze until I got to the entrance. Not wanting to be found and hoping to get lost. I entered the maze and found my way to the center. When I reached the fountain, I fell on my knees, and covered my face as I balled my eyes out.
How could I have been so stupid? How could I have not known they were brothers? All the signs were there; Deirdre telling me either of her grandsons would be happy. The hair, the eyes, the same cocky smile. How did I not recognize Roman in the picture? Because Tristan had told me it was his cousin and I believed him.
Not only was I too dumb to figure it out, but now the whole school knew too.
I leaned on the edge of the fountain and laid my head down on my arms to rest.
“And here we meet again. You just can’t stay away, can you?”
My back stiffened at the sound of his voice. I turned my head around slowly. “Jack.”
“Ella, Ella, Ella. I am growing tiresome of this game. Although I do have to say you make it so easy for me,” he smiled wickedly. “I have to say thank you, too,” he clapped. “I really did enjoy the show. I mean really, the look on your face when Tristan told you Roman was his brother, priceless.”
The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven Page 128
