“Plus, the girls who work there think Abel and Gabe are hot, so they always give us freebies,” Crystal added.
“Maybe someone should text Esther,” Carly suggested. “To let her know we’re going to be late. I don’t want anyone to worry.”
Abel pulled out his cell. “I’m on it. Esther won’t care anyway. She’s been obsessing over this date with Jeremy all week. I don’t know what the hell for. I told him I’d kill him if he touches her.”
Crystal leaned forward, resting her hand on his shoulder. “Your sister is gorgeous, Abel, and you’re just going to have to get over it.”
“She’s still my sister, Crys,” Abel replied as Crystal took back her hand. “She’s already had her heart broken once, and I’m not about to let that happen again.”
Gabe cleared his throat. “You’re going to text her then?”
“Yeah, I think I can handle it, Hutchinson.”
Carly glanced back and forth between Gabe and Abel. They had to dislike each other for a reason, but she had no clue what it was. It couldn’t be that bad if they were still talking to each other, could it?
“Thank you, Gabriel,” Crystal told him as he parked in front of the small coffee shop. She reached over to muss up his shaggy, dark hair. “I owe you one.”
“Yeah, right,” he grunted in reply.
Carly managed her way out of the SUV, struggling to keep her feet from tripping in the heels. She caught Abel staring at her legs as they walked into the coffee shop. Maybe this whole night had been a bad idea.
Crystal slid her arm around Carly’s shoulders, and whispered, “Watch.”
“Watch what?” Carly whispered back.
“Abel, Gabe, you have no idea how much it makes my night seeing the two of you walk through that door together,” the young woman behind the counter called out. She was definitely out of high school, although Carly couldn’t place her age. “You sure look sexy in those suits. Going somewhere special tonight?”
“Homecoming,” Gabe answered, his fingers rattling on the countertop as Crystal pulled Carly in next to him.
The twenty-something behind the counter narrowed her eyes as she glanced at the girls. “Sounds like fun. What can I get you?”
“Nothing for me, thanks,” Gabe answered.
“Come on, Gabe. You don’t even want black coffee?”
“No, we’re just here for the girls.”
“I’ll have a medium non-fat vanilla latte,” Crystal spoke up. “Thanks for asking, by the way. What would you like, Carly?”
Carly noted that the girl’s nametag read Lila. “I’ll, uh, I’ll have the same, but with soy milk. Thanks.”
Lila rolled her eyes. “We don’t have soy milk here.”
“Oh, well, skim is fine.”
“Whatever. Abel?”
Abel pulled out a twenty and set it on the counter. “A small black coffee would be great, thanks.”
Lila winked as she took the bill. “Yours is on the house.”
“Appreciate it,” Abel said, fixing his gaze on Carly. “You decided to come tonight. I didn’t think you would.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Carly replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “Thank you for the coffee. I didn’t realize you were going to pay for it. I’ll pay you back.”
“How about you save your first dance for me instead?”
“We’ll see.”
“We’ll see,” Abel echoed with a grin. “What are our plans after the dance?”
“Carly has to be home by eleven,” Gabe answered for her, and Lila let out a laugh.
“Sorry,” Lila muttered. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a curfew.”
Carly ignored her, focusing her attention instead on the Great Lake view out the large picture window on the east side of the café. “You guys can still do something after I go home. I’m not going to feel left out or anything.”
“There’s not a lot to do around here anyway,” Gabe pointed out.
“I’m going to a party when I get off work,” Lila told them. “You guys should come.”
“Thanks, but I think we’re going to pass.”
“Well, let me know if you change your mind. Here’s your coffee, Abel.”
Abel grabbed it and took a sip. “Thanks, this is great.”
“No problem,” Lila said. “Anything for one of my two favorite customers.”
Crystal cleared her throat, dragging it out as she glared at Lila. “You sure look smoking hot in that dress, Carly. Where’d you get it?”
Carly hated that they were all staring at her. “Oh, at the Mall of America. My, uh, my mom helped me pick it out for Prom last year. It’s one of the last things we did together before she passed away. She loved getting dressed up and shopping and all that stuff, and she’d love that I’m going to Homecoming tonight.”
“I love that you’re here, too,” Crys assured her with a smile.
“Two non-fat vanilla lattes,” Lila announced as she set them on the counter.
Gabe picked up the cups and handed them to the girls. “Now can we go? Please?”
Crystal took a drink, and affirmed, “By all means.”
“Have a great night, boys,” Lila called as they headed for the door. “Can’t wait to see you soon!”
“I hate going in there anymore,” Gabe said once they were outside.
“I’m sure it breaks your little heart having girls drool all over you wherever you go,” Crystal joked.
Gabe pulled out his keys as they neared the SUV, but his casual gesture morphed to panic as he came to an abrupt stop.
Carly noticed that Crystal and Abel were frozen as well. She tried to catch Gabe’s gaze, but he seemed focused on something back in the trees. She peered into the dark of the woods, but found only black.
“We should go,” Gabe determined through clenched teeth. “Now.” He grabbed onto Carly’s arm and stuffed her in the backseat of the SUV before slamming the door in her face.
“Gabe, what’s going on?” Carly demanded as her friends piled in the vehicle. Gabe turned over the engine and peeled out of the parking lot. “Seriously, you’re freaking me out. What’s going on?”
Gabe’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel. “Nothing, I… just thought I heard something in the woods.”
Carly glanced from Abel to Crystal, who both had blank expressions as they stared out their windows. Something was definitely going on. “It’s not like a wild animal’s going to follow us, if that’s your concern… Gabe?”
Gabe and Abel locked eyes for several moments. The way they were staring at each other was weird, like they were having a conversation even though they weren’t speaking. Carly turned to Crystal for an explanation, but her gaze was still fixed out the window.
“Guys?” Carly begged, popping her head in the front seat between Gabe and Abel. “Is something wrong?”
“We just have to be careful around here, Carly,” Abel advised.
“Careful how?”
“You shouldn’t go out at night alone. Ever. Not even in your own backyard.”
“You’re kidding, right?” she asked.
“He’s not,” Gabe answered for him. “Just… trust us.”
nine
Carly was quiet during their meal, happy to let the others talk as she listened and watched and tried to figure them out. They were hiding something, obviously, but she didn’t know how to make them tell her what it was.
“You didn’t eat much,” Gabe noted as he walked beside Carly into the high school lobby later that evening.
“I wasn’t all that hungry,” she admitted. “I guess you were, though, since you finished off the rest of my pasta. I’d be sick if I ate that much.”
He chuckled. “That’s because you don’t have my metabolism.”
“Prepare to be amazed,” Crystal joked as she fell in line next to Carly. “This will be, I promise you, the lamest high school dance you’ve ever experienced.”
“It can’t be that bad,” Ca
rly laughed.
“Says the girl who transferred from the city.”
“Crystal, Carly,” Esther called as she headed their way. “I’ve barely talked to you tonight. You both look hot, by the way.”
“Thanks,” Carly said, gazing over Esther’s sleek violet dress and perfect pixie cut. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” Esther replied, planting a hand on her hip. “I heard your ex-BF from the city bailed on you?”
“Not exactly. My dad decided it was best he didn’t come, since I’m grounded and everything.”
Esther let out a laugh. “Principal Morneau dumped him for you? Nice. Well, maybe it’s for the best. We’ll still have plenty of fun without him.”
“Welcome to Homecoming,” Crystal said as she led the way into the gym. Red and white crepe paper covered pretty much every free surface, and helium-filled balloons occupied the rest. “It looks like a candy cane threw up in here.”
“It’s not that bad,” Esther countered. “Some music would help, though.”
“Is it a dance without music?” Carly wondered.
“They should let you DJ,” Gabe suggested as he rested his elbow on Carly’s shoulder. He was a good head taller than her when they were standing right next to each other like this. “At least then we’d be guaranteed a decent soundtrack.”
“Would you mind getting us some punch, Gabe?” Crystal asked. “And make sure Abel adds his special… You know.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Gabe obeyed with a wink, and took off across the gymnasium.
“Carly, let me tell you who you’ll want to dance with tonight,” Crystal said, resting her hand on Carly’s shoulder. “Besides Gabe, of course.”
Carly looked around and realized their group was segregated from the rest of the crowd. And not just that, but everyone was staring at them. She glanced from Crystal to Esther to Sharla, who had just joined them. Carly hadn’t really talked to Sharla much, but to everyone else in the room, they probably looked like the best of friends.
Someone started some music. It was lame, trendy pop music that made Carly want to throw up, but music all the same. She relaxed a bit when Gabe returned and handed her a glass of punch.
He brought his lips to her ear, and whispered, “Don’t worry, yours is clean. I don’t want you to get into any more trouble.”
“Thanks,” Carly told him.
“You should be in charge of music. This song’s terrible.”
“I can’t help but to agree with you there. Are we just going to drink punch all night? When’s the dancing supposed to start?”
“It can start right now,” Abel answered as he appeared beside her. He held out his arm, and added, “If you’d do me the honor.”
Carly knew she wasn’t going to have any fun if she didn’t at least try. She found a place to stow her cup, and took Abel’s arm. “Why not?”
Abel sported a smug smile as he paraded her to the middle of the dance floor, his arms folding in around her waist. The entire room seemed enamored of them, and Abel ate up every second of it. “I hope this doesn’t make you feel weird or anything, but you look really beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you,” Carly replied, deciding to give the poor guy a break. He was cocky, yes, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t at least be friends. “And thank you again for the coffee. That was really sweet of you.”
“Again, you’re welcome,” Abel replied. “I’d love to buy you another latte sometime, but maybe just the two of us?”
“I’m starting to see you’re perhaps a decent guy, Abel, but—”
“But I’m not Hutchinson.”
“Gabe and I are just friends, okay? I just… I’m not in the right place for a boyfriend.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” Abel said. “I just hope you’ll let me know when you decide you are.”
Carly had nothing more to say as they finished their song, and was surprised when Abel held her close as the next one began. This time the music was slower and a little bit more to Carly’s taste. She was actually having a pretty good time, except for the way Abel kept staring at her. She hoped she’d made it clear she wasn’t looking for anything more than friendship.
“You’re not much for talking,” Abel spoke sometime later.
“It’s been a weird night, and I’ve got a lot on my mind,” Carly said.
“I hope I’m not making it weird for you. That’s not my intention.”
She gazed up into his dark eyes and took the opportunity to ask, “Abel, what’s in the woods that I’m supposed to be so afraid of?”
There was a slight flinch at the corner of his lip. “Like we said before, wild animals.”
“Yeah, I know, but what kind?”
“You know, bears and wolves and stuff.”
“Oh, really?” Carly asked. “What about lions and tigers? Do I have to watch out for those, too?”
“You never know,” he replied. “You can’t be too careful around here.”
“I’d be more inclined to be careful if you guys weren’t keeping secrets from me.”
“Carly, we’re not—”
“Yes, Abel, you are,” she insisted. “You’re lying about something.”
“We’re not lying about anything,” he maintained.
“Lying, withholding information—it’s all the same to me. And neither one’s fair.”
“Look, I don’t know what to tell you.”
“The truth would be nice,” Carly suggested.
“May I?” Gabe asked as he rested his hand on Carly’s shoulder.
She jumped at the shock between them. “You want to dance with me?”
“Yes, I want to dance with you. If that’s okay?”
“We’ll talk later, Carly,” Abel said, and stepped away without another word.
Gabe glided his arms in around Carly, and her skin seemed to sizzle where he was touching her. The phenomenon was overwhelming, and she started to squirm in his arms. But it wasn’t just her body that couldn’t handle the reaction. Before she realized it, her mouth started to sabotage the moment as well. “I think it’s time you told me the truth, Gabe.”
The muscles in his shoulders tensed under her hands. “The truth about what?”
“The truth about what’s in the woods.”
“There’s nothing in the woods, Carly.”
“Stop pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about,” she pleaded. “You’re supposed to be my best friend. What are you keeping from me? Why won’t you just tell me the truth, Gabriel?”
He shook his head as he looked down to the floor. “Carly, I know you don’t want me to say it, but you look so absolutely gorgeous in that dress.”
A static shock snapped between them—but it was more than that. It was something she’d never felt before with anyone. Terrified, Carly tore away from him. “If that’s how it’s going to be, I don’t want to be your friend anymore.” She stormed out of the gym, away from the crowd. This was so bogus—this stupid school, this stupid town, and especially Gabe lying to her.
Carly spilled outside into crisp evening air and took in a calming breath.
“Carly, stop!” Gabe cried, his footsteps echoing behind her.
She didn’t care that he was following her. She didn’t care about any of it anymore.
“I said stop.” Gabe jumped out in front of her, forcing his hands onto her shoulders. “Please, Carly, you have to trust me.”
Something caught his gaze then, and Carly followed his eyes to the dark street behind them.
“What is it?” she demanded. “Gabe, tell me what you’re looking for out there.”
Silent, he pulled her close, his heart thudding against her shoulder. He wasn’t scared for some reason, was he? Even if Gabe wasn’t frightened, Carly sure as hell was.
“Tell me, or I’ll never talk to you again,” she threatened. “Tell me, or I’ll go out there and find out for myself.”
Gabe rested his lips against her ear, and whispered, “You
’re not going anywhere without me.”
She couldn’t deny the electricity forming between them, but that didn’t mean she had to acknowledge it. She pushed at his chest with the palms of her hands. “Then tell me what’s going on.”
He just stared at her, unfazed by her failed attempt to escape.
“Gabe, tell me, or I don’t care what’s out there—I’m going to run into the dark and not look back.”
Without warning, Gabe picked Carly up in his arms and thundered toward the SUV.
“What the hell are you doing?” she gasped as it registered that her feet were no longer on the ground.
“I’m taking you home,” Gabe hissed.
“Why do you want to take me home?”
“So your father can explain why he’s been making me keep secrets from you.”
Carly stilled in his arms as they reached the vehicle. “M-my father? Is this some kind of joke?”
“No,” Gabe answered as he settled her in the passenger seat. He sprinted around to the driver’s side, slamming the door as he got in. He double-checked the locks before turning over the engine.
Now Carly was officially scared.
Her mind raced as Gabe sped out of the parking lot, down the street, out of town. She steadied her breath as she looked over his face, fixing her gaze on his eyes—the very same pale blue eyes as the wolf from her dream.
Legacy: Bloodline Book 1 Page 9
