Carly watched them disappear before she closed and locked the door. The events of the previous evening replayed in her mind as she changed her clothes and brushed her teeth. She’d finally gotten everything she’d wanted from Gabe, but it couldn’t have come at a more dangerous time. Now she stood to lose everything if the ruskah for some reason overpowered him.
Don’t think about that, she instructed, gazing over her reflection in the bathroom mirror. For some reason, she didn’t look like the old Carly. Somehow, this new world she’d become a part of had changed her.
If only she could actually change and shapeshift for the first time, Gabe and the others wouldn’t be in any of this mess. If she could just shift, that would put an end to all this, and the ruskah would leave her alone.
But even in her new reality, Carly didn’t possess the power to simply will something to happen. No matter how long she stared, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to do anything to transform the face looking back at her.
Finally, she forced herself from the mirror and made her way downstairs.
Dad was frying eggs when she stepped into the kitchen. Gabe was sitting at the table, wearing one of Dad’s white t-shirts, nursing a cup of coffee. Carly was startled to note Paul seated across from his son, reading the morning newspaper.
Paul looked up from the paper to catch Carly’s gaze, a smile at his lips. “Good morning, Carly.”
“G-good morning,” she managed in reply. She didn’t know Paul well at all and had no clue what he must think of her, but tried to put it out of her mind as she took the open chair next to Gabe. Hopefully, Howard would be okay with them sitting next to one another. “I, uh, I didn’t expect to see you, Paul.”
“I’m too old for an all-nighter, but I stopped by earlier this morning to help patrol,” Paul replied, setting down the paper. “My boy had quite the victory last night with that ruskah. That’s something to celebrate.”
“There’s nothing to celebrate yet,” Gabe countered, glancing at Carly. “Not as long as that other thing’s still out there.”
“On the contrary, I hear there is something to celebrate. Congratulations, Carly, I couldn’t be happier that you’re dating my son.”
“Oh?” Carly asked as Howard set a plate in front of her. “I guess I didn’t know what you’d think.”
“What I think is that my son is absolutely enamored of you, and there’s no greater gift I could ask for than to see him so happy.”
“Dad,” Gabe grunted, turning his attention to the plate Howard placed in front of him.
“Son,” Paul teased with a wink.
“Maybe now’s a good time to talk about setting some rules when the two of you are alone,” Howard mentioned.
“Now?” Carly whined, heat at her cheeks as she stared down at bacon and eggs that she probably wouldn’t be able to eat.
“I just think—”
“Howard,” Paul interrupted, picking up the paper once more. “They’re juniors in high school. They’re responsible. Do they really need so many boundaries?”
Carly hadn’t known what to expect from Paul, but it certainly wasn’t that.
“I recognize we have different parenting styles,” Howard said, sliding a plate in front of him. “But I don’t think a few rules will hurt.”
“And I think if my son’s responsible enough to keep your daughter alive, he’s responsible enough to use a condom.”
“Okay,” Gabe announced, jumping up from the table. “I’ve reached my embarrassment overload for the day. Howard, I swear, I’m not going to let anything happen to your daughter. It’s daylight, it’s been a crazy night, and I could really use a break. Is it okay if Carly and I go out?”
Howard absolutely did not seem impressed by Gabe’s request. “Go out where?”
“Yes, kids, go,” Paul instructed. “Have fun. Just make sure you’re back before dark.”
Carly watched her father’s expression as he processed Paul’s power play. She’d seen all kinds of examples of how Paul spoiled Gabe, but she’d never personally witnessed anything like this. She thought Howard might need more convincing, but he hung his head as he sat at the table. Had Howard’s relationship with Paul always been like this?
“We’ll be back before dark,” Gabe promised, sneaking his fingers in around Carly’s. She had nothing to say as she followed him outside and settled in the Jetta beside him. “I’m sorry about that back there with my dad, he…”
“He’s proud of you,” Carly said as Gabe drove away from the house. “That’s obvious.”
“He’s used to getting his way.”
“That must be where you get it from.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Gabe agreed, hinting at a smile. “I thought we’d grab some coffee and maybe a muffin or two—since I didn’t get to finish my breakfast.”
Carly definitely wanted coffee, but wasn’t necessarily in the mood to face the woman behind the counter. Unless for some reason Lila wasn’t working this morning… Carly knew it was stupid to focus on the past, but—
“It is stupid to focus on the past,” Gabe urged, squeezing onto her hand. “You’re my girlfriend, Carly—that’s what really matters.”
She wasn’t sure how she felt about him hearing her thoughts, or if that was an admission, but Carly was certain of one thing—she absolutely adored that Gabe had called her his girlfriend.
Gabe had a silly little smile on his face as he said, “Don’t worry, I can’t hear all your thoughts.”
“Is that so?” Carly asked.
“You put up the barrier you want. I only hear what you want me to.”
“Well, that’s very good to know.”
Carly held onto Gabe’s hand as they stepped into the coffee shop, and sure enough, Lila was behind the counter. For a moment, Carly allowed jealousy to seep into her thoughts, but quickly stifled the emotion. She had better things to spend her mind on.
“Hey, Gabe,” Lila called out as if he were all alone. “How are you this fine morning?”
“Great, actually,” he told her. “I’ll have a large black coffee and two blueberry muffins, please.”
“Sure, whatever you’d like. And for your friend?”
Gabe held up Carly’s hand in his so Lila could get a good look. “Girlfriend.”
Carly didn’t mean to smirk, but she liked that Lila was pouting.
“Carly, what can I get for you?” Lila asked, staring down at the register.
Carly looked to Gabe, surprised that Lila had actually learned her name.
“She’ll have a medium vanilla latte with soy milk,” Gabe requested as he pulled a twenty from his wallet and set it on the counter. “Keep the change.”
“Soy milk, no problem. I’ll bring those right out,” Lila was pleased to reply.
“Soy?” Carly questioned as she followed Gabe to the table they’d shared during their last brief visit.
Gabe shrugged as they sat down across from one another. “I guess I got sick of you never being able to get the drink you want here. So maybe I came in last week after you and I got in that ridiculous fight, and begged Lila to stock some soy milk.”
Carly broke into a grin as she looked over his face. “You really did that?”
“She’s making you a vanilla soy latte, isn’t she?”
“Gabe, that’s… one of the sweetest things anyone’s ever done for me.”
“Aside from saving your life, right?” he joked.
“Well, that, too,” she conceded.
“One black coffee, two blueberry muffins, and one vanilla soy latte,” Lila announced as she set the items on the table. “Can I get you two lovebirds anything else?”
“No, we’re fine, thanks,” Gabe answered.
Lila nodded, and walked away.
He turned back to Carly, capturing her gaze again. “I was thinking that tonight we’d—”
“No,” Carly interrupted.
Gabe let out a laugh. “What do you mean, no?”
“I m
ean, if we talk about tonight and everything that might entail, it’s just going to make me sad. We can deal with it once the sun goes down, but until then, I just want to focus on you.”
“Me, huh?” Gabe asked. “I think I like the sound of that. Where should we go after this?”
“Well,” Carly started, amused by the shimmer of sparks as she brushed her fingers along his forearm. “I was thinking we could take a long walk down the shore. Just disappear until you need to eat again.”
“And what are we going to do once we disappear?”
Carly leaned over the table and brought her lips to his.
twenty-two
“We should head back,” Gabe determined as he glanced up at the setting sun.
Carly thought about untangling her limbs from his, but didn’t. They’d made quite a nest on the beach using a quilt that Gabe had found in the trunk of his car. The October air was chilly, but Gabe was so warm that Carly had hardly noticed.
She kissed him again, not yet ready to face their reality. “We have a few more minutes, don’t we?”
“That sun’s going down faster than you might think,” he pointed out. “Besides, I’m starving. I’ve got to get something to eat before I go on patrol tonight.”
“Fine,” Carly relented as she jumped to her feet. “I suppose getting something in your stomach should be a priority.”
Gabe grabbed the quilt as he stood to face her. “I was kind of hoping you wouldn’t give in so easily.”
“If you weren’t so hungry all the time, I wouldn’t have to.”
“Just wait,” Gabe warned as they stepped over to the Jetta. “Once you start shifting, you’ll be starving all the time, too.”
“Good,” Carly replied as he opened the passenger door for her. “Any tips on how to speed up that process?”
“If I had any clue, Carly, you’d already know.”
She clutched onto Gabe’s hand as he drove back to her house. The sun was going down fast, and they wouldn’t have much time together before he’d have to leave again. This was one of those times when she wished they were just two normal teenagers sneaking off to make out instead of supernatural beings defending their race. Oh, how things had changed since she’d moved to Sterling.
“Good, you’re home,” Howard called from the kitchen as Carly and Gabe stepped through the front door of Grant Manor. “I hope you’re hungry. I made spaghetti, and plenty of it.”
Carly eyed her father as she and Gabe joined him. Howard was alone in the kitchen, and in a surprisingly good mood. Was that Paul’s influence?
“You two had a good day, I take it?” Howard asked, tending to a pot on the stove.
“Yes?” Carly replied.
“Go ahead, have a seat at the table. I’ll have this out soon.”
“That’s it?” she dared. “No lecture?”
“Why would I need to lecture you when you’re old enough to be responsible for your actions?” Howard asked, pulling a pan of garlic bread from the oven. “Crystal called a while ago. She’s on her way over to stay with you tonight, Carly.”
Carly wasn’t sure what was up with this new version of her father, but she wasn’t complaining. “Well, Crys is my favorite babysitter,” she admitted, her stomach growling as she watched her father dish up plates for them. “Aside from Gabe, of course.”
Howard glanced at the young shifter as he brought their plates to the table. “We’ve got about twenty minutes until we should leave.”
Gabe didn’t hesitate to sit down and dig into the spaghetti and meatballs, shoving a forkful in his mouth like it was his last meal. Carly giggled as she took a sane bite. It still amazed her that he could eat so much and stay in such great shape.
“Like I said, your time is coming,” Gabe reminded her.
“I doubt I could ever eat that much at once,” Carly replied.
“We’ll just see about that.”
The doorbell rang, and Howard took off to answer it. “That’s got to be Crystal.”
“Abel and I are going to stick closer to the house tonight,” Gabe told Carly as he picked up a piece of garlic bread. “You didn’t want to talk about it earlier, so I’m talking about it now.”
“Fair enough,” she said. “Why you two?”
“Because Abel will make good backup if I actually get a shot at killing the ruskah. I don’t know if it’s stupid enough to come close to the house or not, but at this point, nothing would surprise me.”
“And what if it did get close to the house?” she asked.
“Mmm, spaghetti,” Crystal spoke as she walked with Howard into the kitchen. “It smells great in here. Hey, guys.”
“Hey, Crys,” Gabe greeted her. “Thanks for coming over.”
“Have a seat, and I’ll fix you a plate,” Howard offered.
“Thanks,” Crystal said, and settled into the table across from Carly. “What are we talking about?”
“I’m drilling Gabe on ruskahs,” Carly answered. “I want to know what would happen if it got in the house.”
“It would never make it that far,” Gabe promised. “They’re supernatural creatures, yes, but they still bow to certain physical properties. To my knowledge, they can’t walk through walls.”
“We’ve got you covered, Carly,” Crystal assured her as Howard set a plate in front of her. “Thanks, this looks great.”
“You’re welcome, and there’s more on the stove,” Howard replied. “I’ll be back in just a few minutes, and then we should head out, Gabe.”
Gabe nodded. “I’ll be ready.”
Carly watched as her father shuffled out of the room. She was still shocked by Howard’s new chill attitude, but wasn’t about to question it. This was a lot to process, what was happening with the ruskahs, and she needed Gabe’s help to see through it.
“Well, subject change,” Crystal spoke, twirling spaghetti around her fork. “I’ve been texting with that drummer, and we’re talking about meeting some weekend. In Duluth. You know, once I’ve got a break from helping keep you alive and everything, Carly.”
“But you barely know the guy,” Gabe was quick to point out.
“I can handle myself, Gabriel.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about. What if Carly and I went with you?”
“I’d be okay with that,” Carly agreed.
Crystal pursed her lips. “It’s not that he thinks I need a chaperone, Carly—he’s well aware that I could kick some guy’s ass if I had to. He just doesn’t approve of me dating someone without shifter blood coursing through his veins. I’m three-quarters on my own, Gabriel. That should be enough to perpetuate the species, even with a regular old human.”
“You can date whoever you want, just be careful about it,” Gabe advised.
“Have you ever dated any of the guys here, Crys?” Carly questioned. “In the group?”
Crystal chuckled. “Hmm, let me think about that. There’s my brother, and then there’s Gabe, who may as well be my brother.”
“What about Abel? I could totally see you two together.”
Crystal smirked, but something about the reaction seemed… forced? “Abel, yeah, that would work, because he’s so my type.”
“Is he?” Carly wondered.
“Or there’s Kyle,” Gabe mentioned, a goofy grin at his lips. “I’ve heard that kid’s thoughts, and he’s definitely into you. Why not make his dreams come true already?”
“Here’s a suggestion, Gabe,” Crystal countered, leaning over the table to glare at him. “Why don’t you—?”
“Are we ready to head out then?” Howard asked as he stepped into the room.
“Saved by the principal,” Crystal muttered, relaxing back in her chair.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” Gabe answered, hopping up from his seat. He turned to Carly as she stood to face him. “Have a good night, and don’t let your guard down.”
Carly didn’t care that they had an audience, she kissed Gabe on the mouth anyway. “You don’t either.”
Carly watched them disappear into the tree line before she fell back into her seat at the table. She made note of the spaghetti left on her plate, but had no appetite for it. Not with so much on her mind.
“Bold move,” Crystal spoke, carrying her plate to the stove to dish up another serving.
“Huh?” Carly managed in reply, shaking herself from her introspection.
“Kissing Gabe like that in front of your dad.”
“Why, how was I kissing him?”
Crystal grinned. “I just didn’t imagine Howard would be so chill.”
“I didn’t think he would be either,” Carly confessed. “But Paul was over today, and—”
“Say no more,” Crystal cut her off, resuming her seat at the table.
“What do you mean?”
“Let me guess,” Crys replied. “Paul voiced his opinion, and it suddenly became the opinion of the entire room. Or am I wrong?”
Carly tried to think about her interaction with him in those terms. “Maybe?”
Legacy: Bloodline Book 1 Page 22
