Phoenix: Book One of The Stardust Series
Page 13
“Yesterday, we discovered that two men visited the home of your neighbor, Mrs. Martinez, asking questions.” Jessica’s mom? Oh, no.
Concerned, I interrupted. “Is she okay? They didn’t hurt her, did they?”
For the first time, Jackson’s voice warmed, losing its cool, professional tone. “She is perfectly fine. There is no reason to believe that she is in physical danger. But, we are concerned that she may have provided the men with information about you. So, you need to be extra cautious while we are still investigating this situation.”
As much as I despised the thought of the guys being forced to babysit me, his reasoning was sound. I was sure Mrs. Martinez would never intentionally hurt me, but she may not have realized why the men were asking questions. And it was probably too much to hope that the men had been unable to understand anything she said due to the language barrier.
Giving in seemed to have become my default these days. But, knowing I didn’t have room to argue, I consented. “Okay, I will stay with the guys as directed. But don’t think I’m happy about it.” I gave him a small smile, hoping he would realize that I was joking . . . sort of.
Jackson’s lips lifted slightly in response, and I relaxed a little. “Thank you, Haley. Finally, I wanted to let you know that I have found a potential part-time job for you at our office. The official title is a temporary office assistant, but you will basically be doing administrative work. Does that sound like something you would be interested in?”
My heart raced in excitement, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. “I don’t have any work experience, but I would be happy to do administrative work. Also, I don’t actually have a formal high school diploma or identification, and I would prefer to stay off the radar as much as possible. Is that going to be a problem?”
He didn’t appear at all disturbed by my admissions. “Don’t worry about any of that. Based on what the guys have shared about you, I’m sure you will have no trouble with the tasks required for the job. And, since it is a temporary position, it will be simple to keep you off the books.”
For not the first time, I found myself curious about the private security company. Why were they so willing to give me a job when I didn’t even have proper identification? That’s not normal, right? I started picturing a dinky office in a strip mall with stained carpet and the smell of burnt coffee permeating the air.
Jackson stood up, clearly ready to leave now that his business was complete. “I will move forward with getting things set up. The office is in San Jose, and you will be riding to and from work with one of the guys. Since your position is part-time, we will work your schedule around the team’s availability.”
He gave me a polite smile, “Haley, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon.” And with that, he walked out the door.
I remained at the table, stunned by what had just transpired. It didn’t help that Jackson Hart was so good-looking. As attractive as my other new acquaintances were, Jackson was in a completely different league. He had tall, dark, and mysterious down to an art. And at this point, I couldn’t tell if I was intrigued or disconcerted.
* * *
Considering I was going to be staying here a little longer, in Knox’s home, I figured it was time to clear the air. How could he be here and I didn’t know it? I thought through the layout of the loft and wondered where he was hiding. I hadn’t yet been behind the opaque glass door on the first floor hallway; maybe the answer lay behind it.
I got up from the table and grabbed my crutches. Once I reached the end of the hallway, I hesitated. Was I supposed to go in there? I knocked, but when I received no response, I gingerly opened the door. I peeked my head around, unsure what I was going to find.
A wooden table with metal legs and metal chairs sat in front of a garage door made of glass overlooking a delightful patio and garden. The glass door was a design feature I’d never seen before but immediately loved; it was an industrial loft’s equivalent of extravagant French doors. The garden was small and intimate, surrounded by the brick walls of other buildings.
I entered the room, noticing the potted plants on the stained concrete floor. A large chalkboard hung on the brick wall to my left, covered in stunning chalk art. To the right was a spiral staircase made of iron. My eyes followed the staircase to the second floor where about thirty or forty glass jars covering exposed lightbulbs hung from the ceiling. Imagining them lit at night, I smiled; they would probably look like giant fireflies.
I debated whether to head upstairs or outside, but the matter was settled when I heard noises coming from my left. Previously distracted by my new surroundings, I had failed to notice a door to the left of the chalkboard. Although the door was thick, I could make out a radio playing, scarcely covering the sounds of metal occasionally clanging on concrete. Considering Theo’s comment yesterday about Knox and cars, it seemed likely Knox was behind the door working in a garage.
I knocked on the door but wasn’t surprised at the lack of a response. With some effort, I pushed the door open as it squeaked on its hinges. The radio and sounds of the garage grew louder, and the smell of damp concrete, motor oil, and metal mingled in the cooler air.
The space was large with several bays, some with cars; dark metal tool boxes lined almost an entire wall. Glancing around, I didn’t immediately see Knox, so I continued walking. With no windows, the space was lit by fluorescent lights and the natural light streaming in through several large skylights. Peg boards hung above the tool boxes, covered in meticulously organized tools of all shapes and sizes. I was amazed by the number of items one could need for working on cars.
Finally, I spotted a pair of jeans with leather boots attached to them sticking out from beneath a car. Now faced with the prospect of actually talking with Knox, I wanted to turn and run. Before I could, Knox rolled out from under the car and spotted me. Crap.
I froze, unsure what to do. Since I was the one intruding, it seemed like I should be the one to speak. “Sorry. I knocked, but there was no answer, and I guessed you were in here since I could hear noises.”
He stood up and grabbed a white towel stained with black streaks. His muscles flexed as he wiped his hands on it, and I noticed smudges across his forearms and face. His skin glistened from exertion, and his dark T-shirt clung gently to his chest. It was a good look on him.
“Did you need something?” His voice was gruff as usual.
I looked down at the floor. “I met Jackson. It sounds like I’m going to be staying at the loft a little longer, which I assume you already knew. I was hoping we could talk more about why you felt the need to kidnap me.”
He sighed, stuffing a hand in his pocket. “Look, Haley. My hands were tied, and I wasn’t going to waste time dealing with your stubbornness. I knew you needed to get out of there.” He spoke in an even tone.
I gripped my crutches. “That’s it? So did you have anything to go on other than a hunch that I wasn’t safe?” Unlike our earlier confrontation, my voice was more controlled this time.
He scratched his chin with his free hand. “At first, no. But on our last night at the cabin, there was a break in at your dad's office. His file was taken.”
I frowned. “Why couldn’t you have just told me that?”
“Because even if I had told you, I wasn’t sure you would agree to come with us. And I didn’t want to take that risk.”
Knox brushed his hair back from his face, his green eyes staring into my own. I could easily picture him giving Theo a similar look, and suddenly everything clicked. He was trying to protect me.
I may not know why he cared, but I knew that he did. Whether he and the other guys were responsible for everything that had happened or not, he had gone above and beyond to make things right.
I remained silent, considering, and then nodded slowly. “I still wish you had talked to me, but I am very grateful for all you have done.” I paused. “Thank you for letting me stay here and for the new clothes.”
Ready for a change of subject, I cleared my throat. “So, where are the bats?”
Knox raised his eyebrows and tilted his head. “Huh?”
“You know. The bats.” I leaned forward as if to share a secret. “Isn’t this your Batcave?” I whispered conspiratorially.
He laughed, the sound deep and hearty, and I smiled in return.
“No bats. But lots of cars, cars that put the Batmobile to shame. Want to take a seat?” He gestured to a stool nearby.
He stood in front of the hood of the truck, and I sat on the stool watching, curious. I didn’t want to break his concentration so I stayed silent. While still looking at the hood, he spoke. “Do you know much about cars?”
I laughed. “Not really. Apart from how to drive one and how to change a tire.”
He nodded. “Those are both important skills; at one point that was the extent of my knowledge too.”
Looking at the hood’s contents, hands on hips, he seemed intent on solving something. Seeing him in the garage, I smiled to myself; it felt more like his home than any other part of the loft. While I imagined the process of fixing cars could be frustrating at times, it also seemed like it could be intensely gratifying. Sensing that Knox had worked out his latest kink, I figured I could speak now without interrupting his thoughts.
I fiddled with a loose screw sitting on top of the nearest toolbox. “How did you become so interested in cars?”
He picked up a part. “I guess it was like most things—part necessity, part interest.” He grabbed a tool from the floor. “I used to pick up odd jobs when Theo and I were younger. I noticed that I was most interested in the ones that involved cars, and not just because they paid the best. At first, I had no clue what I was doing, but I gained skills and knowledge over time.”
I continued playing with the screw, watching Knox while he worked. “My dad and I used to love listening to Car Talk. Click and Clack, and many of their callers, were hilarious. Our truck was pretty old but ran well. I kept hoping that something would break just so I could call them. I imagined imitating funny truck noises; then they’d tell me how to fix it, and I would be able to.”
Knox looked up at me and grinned widely, his mouth still closed. The smile reached his eyes, and I could feel his approval.
I snickered. “Obviously, that was kind of far-fetched considering the extent of my knowledge.”
He chuckled. “Perhaps a little, but it doesn’t have to be. You could learn.”
I grinned. “I’d like that.”
We remained there a while, me sitting on the stool observing, Knox working on the car. We talked occasionally, but silence felt just as natural as talking. Used to seeing Knox in crisis mode, it was nice to see him at home. I liked him better this way; living with him temporarily may not be so bad after all.
I didn’t realize how much time had passed until my leg started falling asleep. I stood, gently shaking it. Debating whether to ask my question, my insides danced with anticipation. “So, will you show me black beauty?”
He sputtered. “Black Beauty? That’s a horse. I think you mean the black beast,” his voice sort of growling playfully at the end.
I laughed. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
“Sure, I’ll even take you for a ride sometime.”
Admissions
I re-read the same sentence for the third time before shutting the book with a sigh. Knowing that Ethan could show up at the loft any minute was making me ridiculously antsy. I glanced at the clock again, the hands moving agonizingly slow toward eight o’clock. Even though it had been five days since overhearing his phone conversation, the sting of his duplicity was still fresh. I just wanted to get this over with so I could move on with the day.
Trying to distract myself, I watched Theo completing his homework at the dining table. It was odd seeing him in serious mode since he was usually so lighthearted. Of course, his clothes still gave off a fun-loving vibe. Today’s vintage tee was mostly covered by a casual tweed blazer, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His dark-wash jeans were once again rolled at the hem, displaying a pair of well-worn Converse sneakers. The combination probably would have looked odd on most guys but somehow looked effortlessly fashionable on Theo.
I was glad he volunteered to be my personal shopper and style guru. Now that I was starting a new life, however brief, I felt more motivated than usual to make an effort. And since I was visiting campus with Theo and Chase today, I even put a little extra time into diffusing my long, wavy hair and picking out the right outfit. Now, if I could just get rid of these stupid crutches . . .
As if on cue, I heard the front door open, and Ethan strolled in. My heart started pounding, a mixture of nerves and anticipation. He was the picture of confidence, dressed in dark slacks and, of course, a patterned button-down shirt.
I stood up to greet him and his eyes took me in from head-to-toe. “You look nice. But, I sort of miss seeing you dressed in my clothes,” he said with his trademark smirk.
Already embarrassed, I felt even more awkward when Theo came over and casually slung his arm around my shoulder. “Doesn’t she look great? And you haven’t even seen the good dress yet,” he said with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.
I avoided Ethan’s gaze, unsure how he would react to Theo’s easy display of affection. “Is that so? I’m looking forward to it.” He took a step toward us, “Now, it’s time to look at that ankle. You’ve been using your crutches, right?” I nodded.
I took a seat on the couch, and Ethan sat down close enough that our knees were almost touching. He drew my leg up and rested it on his thigh while he examined my ankle. “Any pain when you put full weight on that foot?”
“Not for the last day or so. It feels much better.” I refused to look at him, hoping he wouldn’t realize how uncomfortable I was feeling around him.
He lightly ran his thumb over my ankle a few times, and I automatically looked up at him in surprise. From behind his glasses, his warm brown eyes searched mine, silently inquiring. Can he tell that I’m trying to avoid him?
“Well, as long as you’re not in pain, you can go without the crutches. But, I don’t want you to overdo it, which means no running yet.”
I moved my leg away from his. “Okay, thanks. It will be a relief just to walk normally again.”
Ethan looked at me for a long moment before standing. “It was nice to see you kids, but I’m late for work. See you later?” He was looking directly at me, so I nodded before saying good-bye.
After he left, I felt my anxiety melt away. Hopefully it would be easier by the next time I saw him. I knew I’d eventually have to confront him, but I wasn’t ready for that just yet.
Theo went into the kitchen and came back with a gift bag and a playful grin. “Here’s a little gift to celebrate kicking those crutches to the curb.”
“What? Theo, you really shouldn’t have.”
“Oh, shush. Are you trying to spoil my fun?” He pushed out his bottom lip into a small pout. “Please?”
Unable to resist his endearing charm, I laughed. “Fine.”
I opened the gift to find an adorable pair of cork sandals with a wedge heel. I slipped them on and buckled the ankle straps. They fit perfectly and were surprisingly comfortable.
I hopped up from the couch, my skirt fluffing gently with the movement. Wearing what felt like a goofy grin, I said, “Thank you, Theo. They’re perfect.”
He gave me wide smile. “Of course they are.” He tugged my hair gently. “Okay, let’s hit the road!”
* * *
Today we were riding in Theo’s Outback. We bypassed the highway and drove on side roads for maybe ten minutes before we reached the entrance to campus. It was clear that we had arrived when a large redwood sign greeted us: “University of California Santa Cruz.”
Driving over rolling hills nestled among the redwoods, we passed signs for various schools and even a campus farm. The roads and sidewalks were bustling with shuttle buses, students on bikes, others walking, and some in cars. As we drove, Theo threw in random bits about the campus and its history. I was amazed that the campus had over twenty-five miles of hiking trails.
We turned off the main road and headed toward a large building. Several stories tall, it was covered in large squares of alternating metal and glass. It reminded me of an enormous rectangular Rubik’s Cube. The bike rack was full, and students walked by, passing the sign that said “Engineering.”
I finally spotted Chase standing outside the building beneath a group of trees. Wearing khaki cargo shorts and a button-down chambray shirt rolled up to his elbows, Chase looked even better than I remembered. He had on a backpack, and his hands were grasping the straps; when he spotted Theo’s car, he smiled and waved. My heart fluttered happily in response.
Theo pulled up to the curb and Chase came around to open my door. I hopped out and saw his eyes widen as he quickly looked me over, making me blush slightly. He reached a strong arm around me for a quick one-armed hug. “Hi, Haley.” I smiled and squeezed back automatically, surprised not only by the impromptu hug but how natural it felt.
Theo waved at us from across the passenger seat. “I’m off to class. Catch up with you for lunch. Be good!”
As Theo drove off, I suddenly felt shy, and I sensed that Chase did as well. I busied myself watching the passing students, intrigued by their clothes and hair. Some hurried by, some listened to music, and others talked with fellow students or on their cell phones.
Chase cleared his throat. “I thought you might enjoy a day on campus. Fortunately it looks like you ditched the crutches. Are you up to a little bit of walking? Our campus is pretty spread out.”
I grinned and lifted my foot. “We will see about these shoes Theo gave me, but it would be nice to stretch my legs.”