Black Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #2)

by Melissa Pearl

  “Just that I’m glad the Amy thing is over. It never should have happened in the first place.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh no.” Courtney gasped. “Harrison didn’t tell you? I thought he would have, you guys tell each other everything and oh crap… I’m so sorry.”

  “What didn’t he tell me?” Gemma forced her voice to remain even.

  “Well, you guys were broken up, so technically he wasn’t cheating, right?”

  Gemma’s chest restricted. Grabbing her stomach, she bent over and forced the question from her mouth. “Courtney, who is Amy?”

  * * * *

  Harrison slapped Bryan on the shoulder and couldn’t keep the grin from his face. Sauntering out into the sunlight, he felt lighter than he had in weeks. He admired Gemma’s tight frame as she paced the forecourt chatting to Courtney. He couldn’t believe how normal it felt to be back with her. It was like his hellish summer no longer existed and he was more than happy to keep it that way.

  He shone her a smile as she walked towards him. He felt an odd sensation stir in his belly. It wasn’t helped by the fact her eyes were down. He could see the tension in her muscles. He put on an extra large smile to compensate.

  “So, they’re still together right?”

  Her head bobbed. She glanced up with a short smile then dipped her head again.

  He cleared his throat and took a step towards her. “See, I told you everything would be okay.” Reaching forward, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and felt the panic as she flinched away from him.

  Don’t do this to me again, Gem. I won’t survive it.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She shrugged and looked away. “I gotta go. My Mom will be wondering where I am.”

  He stopped her retreat. Grabbing her arm in a vice-like grip, he spun her around. Trying to keep the shake from his voice was a waste of time, so he just went with it. “Wait a sec, what’s the matter?”

  She didn’t try and wriggle free, but she made him wait a solid minute before looking at him with stony eyes. “I was just wondering how Amy feels about us getting back together.”

  Damn it, Courtney!

  He was unable to respond with anything other than a fleeting look of regret.

  “You failed to mention her.”

  “Look, Gem.” He let go of her arm and ran a hand through his hair. “She’s not an issue. She’s not important.”

  Gemma scoffed. “Well, I’m sure she feels differently about that.”

  “I mean she doesn’t… she’s not important to me like you’re important to me.”

  Her lifeless glare physically hurt.

  “We’re not even together!” He bustled through an explanation. “She’s only visiting for a few weeks. She leaves for Memphis on Tuesday. We knew each other at one of my old schools, but it’s nothing.”

  She didn’t say a word as she stood there watching him fumble through an excuse. Her penetrating silence was unnerving.

  He stepped towards her and gently placed his hand on her arm. “Gemma, it’s you and me. I don’t want anybody else.”

  “You used to want her. She’s the ex you told me about. I remember.”

  His look was pleading. He could feel it. Gemma’s eyes remained hard and stony.

  “Does she know about us?”

  He looked down and sighed.

  Gemma let out a scornful scoff and turned to walk away.

  “Wait!” Panic tore through his system and he floundered for the phone in his back pocket. “I’ll call her right now. I-”

  “I don’t want to hear that conversation!!” She spun back to look at him. “I have spent the last five weeks fighting to get you back. What have you done?”

  He didn’t try to stop her as she ran for her bike. The Ducati squealed onto the road as she fish tailed out of the garage.

  He wanted to swear. He wanted to hurl his phone against the wall and watch it smash into a thousand tiny pieces. Instead he stood like a statue, reliving the last two weeks and hating himself.

  * * * *

  Two weeks earlier….

  It was mid-morning by the time Harrison stumbled in for work. Wiping his nose on his sleeve, he trudged into the office to find out where he was needed. He’d had another sleepless night, unable to ignore the dull ache radiating through his body. Trying to run from the pain, he’d spent the night on the internet watching movie trailers and random clips on YouTube.

  As dawn had breeched the morning sky he’d slipped into a restless slumber. It wasn’t until his neighbour started up the lawnmower that his body jerked awake and he realized the time.

  Bryan would be pissed.

  Clearing his throat, he waited for his stepfather to acknowledge his presence. After a decent wait, Bryan sniffed and looked up from his paper work.

  “You’re late… again.”

  “Yeah, sorry, I…”

  Bryan stood from his spot and slammed his clipboard down. “This isn’t good enough, Harrison, you can’t keep skipping out on me and showing up late to work!”

  “Look, I said I was sorry.”

  “I know! I hear it every damn morning!”

  Harrison’s lips pinched into a tight line as he shot the man a sullen glare.

  Bryan ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

  “You asked for work this summer and I’m paying you to turn up on time with your head on straight. You look hung over, have you been drinking?”

  “No.” Harrison scuffed his foot on the floor. “I just can’t sleep.”

  Bryan picked a pen off his desk and clicked it a couple of times before dropping it back onto his clipboard.

  “I know she hurt you. And not knowing why is a killer, but Harrison you have to face the fact that you may never know. You need to move on.”

  “I can’t.” Harrison said between gritted teeth.

  “Then learn. Find a way to live without her or you are going to look back on your life and wish you hadn’t wasted so much of it.”

  The words felt cold and painful as they sunk into his brain.

  “Whether she’s here or not, you are still alive and yeah, it hurts like hell. The only thing you can control is your reaction. Don’t let this destroy you.”

  Harrison looked away from his stepfather and gave a short nod.

  “Now, there’s a damn fine Caddy waiting for you in the garage. Go make me proud.”

  Harrison twisted around to look at the lime green Cadillac. He forced his lips to smile as he nodded at Bryan and went to work.

  He didn’t think he could do what Bryan was telling him to. His need for Gemma was almost obsessive, but he felt powerless to do anything. He’d never suffered from depression before. Everything about the last few weeks went against character. He was losing himself.

  For the first time Harrison felt a small spark of anger. It felt better than the pain and so he fueled it, arguing his way towards a healthy resentment for what she was putting him through.

  The rest of the day was spent pouring all his focus into re-tuning the engine. He pushed aside thoughts of Gemma every time they reached for him as opposed to drowning in the sweet imagery. He owed Bryan a decent day’s work and he wanted to give it to him.

  Unhooking the hood, he dropped it down and noticed a familiar face coming towards him. Her smile was broad and energetic. She bounced up to him and stopped by the wing mirror.

  “Hey.” She bit her lower lip.

  “Amy.” He tried to smile then cleared his throat. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, my aunt moved over here a few months ago and invited us for a summer break. We arrived a couple days ago. I’ve been following you on Facebook so looked you up when I got here. I thought we could maybe hang out.”

  She had been letting her red curls grow. They looked amazing as they fell over her shoulders. Without meaning to, his eyes ran the length of her body.

  “I was wondering if you were free tonight?”
/>
  Harrison’s eyes jumped back to her face. It wasn’t the face he wanted to see, but it was enough of a face to possibly distract him for an evening. Forcing himself to smile, he nodded his head. “Yeah, yeah I am.”

  “Great!” She gave a little jump and passed him a piece of paper with her details on it. “Pick me up at seven, okay?”

  “Sure.” Harrison looked at the address then glanced up to watch her prance back down the road.

  “Was that Amy Stewart?” Bryan appeared behind him, wiping his hands on a dirty rag.

  “Yeah.” Harrison shoved the paper in his pocket.

  “She’s looking good.”

  “Yeah.” He turned to grab the keys for the Cadillac and couldn’t miss the relieved smile on Bryan’s lips.

  An uneasy gnawing settled in his gut, chewing at the edges. Instantly regretting his decision, he grabbed up his phone and called for aide.

  Darren had been surprised to hear from him. Harrison’s brain had shut down the day Gemma started ignoring him and no amount of pestering from Darren could bring him around. The poor guy had been missing Courtney like crazy. Harrison had been no help. Thankfully Courtney had returned from Maine and Darren was feeling particularly charitable when he text. The couple agreed to dinner and a movie.

  It helped ease the blow of having a different girl by his side. Courtney and Darren always knew how to get a few laughs. Amy had been lively and full of laughter.

  He walked her back to his car, his hands firmly in his pockets.

  “Darren and Courtney seem cool, although I wasn’t sure if they liked me or not.”

  “It’s not a huge town, they take a while to warm up to new comers.” He didn’t want to utter the truth. He had been feeling it all night. Amy was no Gemma.

  “Well, I had fun anyway.” Her smile was golden.

  Harrison couldn’t help but smile back. “Ah, me too.”

  “We should do it again while I’m here.”

  “Yep.” Harrison pulled his keys free and bent to unlock her door.

  Sidling up beside him, she placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered, “I’ve missed you.”

  His muscles went taut. He shot her a quick smile and pulled her door open.

  “I sometimes regret not trying for the long distance thing… especially now that my aunt lives here, you know?”

  Harrison put his hands back in his pockets and looked at the ground. “It wouldn’t have worked, Amy.”

  “I guess.” She bit her lower lip. “I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I’m really glad I can have a couple of weeks with you now.”

  Her hand was back on his shoulder and sliding up to his hair. She smelt good as she leaned towards him. Harrison’s heart began to hammer as she stood on her tiptoes and placed her lips lightly on his. His first instinct was to respond. His hands moved to her waist and he was about to pull her in, when it all felt wrong.

  Stepping away from her, he licked his lips and gave his head a small shake. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  Amy tipped her head and frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “I…” He couldn’t. He didn’t even want to mention Gemma’s name in her presence. She had no right to that part of his life.

  “It’s like you’re dead on the inside or something.”

  “Maybe I am.” He shrugged.

  “Well if you let me.” She ran a finger down his cheek. “I can bring you back to life again.”

  He wanted to tell her that was impossible, but thought it might be mean. Instead he forced a smile and a nod before closing her door and driving her home.

  She didn’t try to kiss him again when he dropped her off, but she did give him an elongated hug.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  His mouth went dry, but his head bobbed.

  For the first night since Gemma left him, he slept.

  He saw Amy every night after that. They mainly hung out with Darren and Courtney. They’d been on their own a few times, but Harrison had made sure they kept it as fun and light as possible. They both knew it would ultimately end with her heading back to Memphis at the end of the summer. Amy kept on referring to it as their fling, although that expression never sat well with Harrison. She was just a friend and he didn’t especially want the benefits she was offering… no matter how hard she had tried to give them to him.

  * * * *

  Logically he hadn’t done anything wrong. He wasn’t with Gemma, so he hadn’t cheated. He’d only kissed Amy a few times and managed to deter any other advances. But as he recaptured the broken look in Gemma’s eyes he knew. None of that mattered. Gemma had been risking her life to bring him back while he had been using another girl to lessen the sting of her absence.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  St Augustine, Florida – 2011 AD

  Gemma jerked to a stop and jumped off her bike. Ripping her helmet off, she flung it on the ground and stomped towards the door. She wiped the tears from her face, before bunching her fist and pounding on the metal.

  Gabe looked confused as he opened the door.

  “You’ve been gone for hours, I thought it had worked.”

  “It did.” She stomped past him and thudded into the booth seat.

  “Then what are you doing here? And why are you crying?” Gabe slid into the seat opposite her.

  “Apparently I’ve been ignoring him for the last month!” Gemma flicked another tear from her cheek.

  Gabe grimaced with a nod. “I was wondering how that would pan out. Is he angry with you?”

  Gemma frowned. “He’s gone and got himself a new girlfriend!”

  “No way.” Gabe sat back. “He would have been heart broken.”

  “He says she’s not important, but…”

  Gabe’s eyes narrowed as he watched her. Gemma sniffed a few more times then found a large white hanky being pushed into her hand. She mumbled her thanks and loudly blew her nose.

  “I guess, technically you weren’t together.”

  “Would you quit it with the “technically” crap!” Gemma jumped from her seat and threw the hanky at him “I was in mourning the whole time! And if it hadn’t been for you telling me I could get him back then I’d probably still be hiding in my room! I felt like half a person when he was gone.”

  “He probably did too, maybe that’s why he tried to fill the void.”

  “Whatever.” Gemma slumped back into her seat.

  “Sweetie.” Gabe reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. He shot her a dry look before clearing his throat to continue. “I know you’re really mad with him right now, but that doesn’t change the fact you love him.”

  Gemma’s eyes filled with tears again.

  “He makes you happy. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself to hear what he has to say?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Please don’t tell me we wasted all those hours for nothing. You fought your guts out for that guy. Don’t stop now.”

  “I hate the thought that he was trying to get over me when I feel like I’ll never be able to love anyone else. It hurts.”

  “You’ll heal.”

  She shook her head as Gabe sighed.

  “Did he tell you he would rather be with this girl?”

  “No.” Gemma’s voice was tiny.

  “So he and this girl were over the second you came back into the picture.”

  Gemma shrugged. “I guess.”

  “Then that’s it.” He slapped his hands on the table and rose. “Get up.”

  She looked at Gabe in surprise as he hauled her to her feet.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m kicking you out.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t screw this up, kid. He wants you. You want him. Don’t come back to my caravan until you’re sorted.”

  “But… don’t be so mean! I came to you for sympathy!”

  “That’s the last thing you need.” Gabe winked as he dragged her down the stairs. “Trust me
, you’ll be showering me with gratitude tomorrow.”

  “Yeah right!” Gemma gave him a black glare as she reached for her helmet.

  “I love you.”

  “Whatever!”

  She shoved the helmet on her head and gunned her bike. The trip home was made in record time. Screeching into the garage, she ignored a quizzical look from Dom and shot up to her room.

  Slamming the door behind her, she locked it and fell onto her bed with a huff. She was about to start cursing Gabe’s name when a lump beneath her pillow made her frown. Reaching beneath, she grabbed the cotton and pulled it free.

  Harrison’s old shirt was covered with creases. She brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. His lingering scent made her smile. Turning she looked at her bedside table and spotted a framed photo of them. Harrison had taken it. She remembered giggling as he held the camera away from them and kissed her forehead. She ran her thumb over the image and felt that familiar warmth she’d been missing.

  She’d have to hide these things now. She couldn’t risk her parents finding them, but before she could put them out of sight, she had to reach for her phone.

  It rung in her hand as she went to make her call.

  “Hey,” she answered softly. “I was just about to call you.”

  “I couldn’t wait any longer. Gem, we have to talk about this. I can’t let you walk away. I need you to-”

  “I can’t talk right now.” Gemma closed the closet door behind her and snuck to the back corner. “I’m at home. It’s too risky.”

  “I gotta see you. You have to let me explain.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Outside your house.”

  Gemma’s heart lurched. “Are you insane? They’ll see you!” She shoved the photo and shirt in the back corner of her shelf and jumped up.

  “I’m in the bushes behind the pool.”

  “Get out of there now.”

  “I’m not leaving until you agree to hear me out.”