The Haunted

by J. A. Templeton

  “I can see the family resemblance,” I said.

  During one of the songs, a head-banging anthem about a girl who had done a boy wrong appropriately called Soul Killer, I looked over my shoulder to find Kade. He stood by the door, nodding in time to the music. At his side was Dana, who went up on her tiptoes to say something in his ear. She leaned in, her boobs rubbing against his arm.

  My nails dug into my palms.

  Without looking at her, he shook his head, and continued to watch the band. His gaze abruptly shifted to me. I smiled and turned back toward the stage, and told myself to not worry about what Dana was doing or saying.

  At the end of the three-song set, the crowd clapped and yelled their approval. Milo and his band mates beamed. As Milo set his guitar down, Megan threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “You were so good, love.”

  “Really?” Milo glanced from Megan to me, Cait and Cassandra.

  Cassandra nodded. “You were bloody brilliant.”

  “Incredible,” Cait said.

  He looked at me, brows lifted high.

  “You were great, Milo,” I said. “I’m so impressed.”

  “Thanks, Ri. That means a lot.”

  He turned to Megan, who planted a kiss on him, which he eagerly accepted.

  Shane clapped him on the back, and Milo hugged him.

  “Come with me,” Cassandra said, pulling me and Cait by the arms toward the bathroom. She shut the door behind us and locked it.

  “What’s up?” Cait asked, setting her drink on the counter.

  “Johan asked if he could call me sometime,” Cassandra blurted, looking from me to Cait and back again.

  That surprised me. Johan had made it clear that he and Cassandra weren’t together, but even more, it seemed like Tom really liked her.

  “What did you say?” I asked, hoping Cait would give her two cents, but she remained silent.

  Cassandra pulled mascara out of her purse and freshened up her makeup. “I said sure.”

  Cait’s mouth opened in disgust. “Oh my God, seriously?”

  I had a feeling all Johan wanted was a booty call, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. After all, maybe I was wrong. What did I know about guys anyway? The most important thing was to be a good friend, and at least be encouraging. “Hey, all you can do is see what happens, right?”

  “Right.” She leaned her hip against the counter and looked at Cait, her eyes narrowed. “Come on, say what’s on your mind.”

  “I think he’s buzzed and wants a piece of ass.”

  “Nice,” Cassandra said, and I could tell the words stung.

  Cait shrugged. “Sorry, Cass, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all. Like Riley says though…see what happens. But just be smart.”

  I could tell Cassandra’s excitement had waned. She glanced at me. “I told Cait about the ghost we saw on the ride home from Aberdeen. It was so fucking creepy,” Cassandra said, glancing at her reflection and running her fingers through her blonde curls.

  I nodded in agreement. “It was creepy.”

  “I wished I’d been there.” Cait took a sip of her drink. “I always miss out, damn it.”

  “Maybe next time your mum will actually let you go with us. She needs to get over the fact you have older friends who want to hang out with you.”

  It made sense that Karen would be overprotective, especially since we were all a year older than Cait. She reminded me of my mom when I’d started hanging out with Ashley, a party girl who was older than me.

  A knock at the door made us all jump and we laughed.

  “Just a second,” Cassandra said, pinching her cheeks.

  She glanced at us, ran her hands down the lace of her dress and flung back her hair. “Watch out, Johan.”

  ***

  As the night wore on, the crowd dwindled down to a group of about twenty of us. Unfortunately, Dana’s clique was part of that group. They wouldn’t leave for anything, and the problem was…my curfew of midnight was looming.

  Milo took a fork and tapped it against his glass. “Hey everyone. Let’s play a game.”

  Seriously? What was it with the Scottish and their games?

  “Never have I ever!” a few people said at the same time.

  Never have I ever? Even the name made me nervous. Then again, it couldn’t be much worse than Truth or Dare.

  “What’s Never Have I Ever?” I asked Kade, who took a seat beside me.

  “The first player says something he has never done—like, Never have I ever ate a bug. Then everyone who has eaten a bug would take a drink.”

  “So basically if you’ve done it, you drink?”

  He nodded. “Exactly.”

  Milo went around the room with a pitcher and filled up everyone’s glass with beer. Joni had arrived after Milo’s band played, and now she sat by Shane. “Since it’s my party, I’ll go first. Never have I ever—gone skinny-dipping.”

  Dana and her buddies were the only girls who took a drink, which brought whistles and laughter. Dana actually looked at Kade and smiled shyly.

  Ugh, I had to look away.

  Next it was Richie’s turn. “Never have I ever been caught shoplifting.”

  The whole group laughed, and a few people drank, including Cassandra and Megan.

  Next it was Shane’s turn. “Never have I ever—lied about my weight.”

  All the girls took a drink and Milo gave Shane a wink. I was beginning to get the idea that the boys did everything they could to get the girls drunk.

  “Never have I ever—kissed someone and regretted it,” Joni said giving Shane a coy grin.

  Nearly every girl took a drink, and a few guys as well.

  One of Dana’s friends went next. “Never have I ever—slept with someone.”

  Everyone drank…except for me. The only other virgin in the room smiled at me and nodded.

  I could feel my cheeks turn warm as everyone zeroed in on me. Apparently they didn’t know many nearly seventeen-year-old virgins. Even Shane looked surprised.

  “Nice!” Milo said, biting his lip ring and wiggling his brows. He glanced at Kade and winked.

  I didn’t see Kade’s reaction.

  “Never have I ever—snorted drugs,” the girl next to Dana said, looking straight at me. She slid a French manicured finger around the rim of her glass.

  Half the group drank, which surprised me a little. One thing about the game was you could find out a lot about a person.

  I was starting to sweat it…because I knew damn well what Dana would say next. She would ask about cutting. I wouldn’t put it past her, especially since she’d made the comment about my welts at the glen, and then there had been the razor blade in my locker the next day. Granted, she couldn’t have put it back in my textbook after I’d tossed it, but still…she knew.

  I glanced at Shane, who was watching me closely. He must have seen my apprehension because he abruptly stood up. “Sorry to bail on you guys, but Riley and I have to head out. We have fifteen minutes to get home.”

  It would take five to get home, but I wasn’t about to argue.

  “But we’re not finished,” Dana said, clearly pissed that she wouldn’t get her chance to call me out, which only confirmed my suspicions.

  “You need to have a serious conversation with your dad about your curfew, dude. This is ridiculous,” Milo said, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket and heading for the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Williams.” He looked at me and winked. “You too, Virgin Mary.”

  I suppose there were worse names to be called than Virgin Mary. “See ya, Milo.”

  I said goodbye to Megan, who didn’t budge from her spot. Cassandra walked up and gave me a hug, Cait right on her heels.

  Kade followed me to the door, and helped me with my sweater. “Let me drive you home, Riley.”

  I had hair tucked inside my sweater, and he reached up and pulled it loose. It was a sweet gesture, and he surprised me when hi
s fingers lingered, brushing a strand between finger and thumb.

  “You sure?”

  He nodded.

  “I’ll catch a ride with Joni’s sister,” Shane said, flashing a smile.

  I told my friends goodnight and followed Kade to his car. The whole way home I felt him watching me. “So, tomorrow…should I bring a movie?”

  After a long day of walking around Aberdeen, I was ready for a movie day, especially with Kade. “Sure, that would be great.”

  “Any suggestions?”

  I shook my head. “Um, not really. Just no action movies.”

  He laughed and a little shiver raced up my spine. I loved his laugh.

  I pushed the door open, stepped out, and pulled my sweater tighter around me.

  I was nearly to the door when Kade shouted, “Just a sec, you forgot something.”

  What did I forget? I had my purse and sweater?

  He was in front of me a second later, hands empty. Leaning in, he kissed me softly.

  A warm glow spread through my body. He had one hand at the nape of my neck, and the other he rested on my hip, pulling me closer to him.

  I slid my arms around his waist, my hands splaying against his back, feeling the play of muscles there. He deepened the kiss. He tasted sweet, like mint.

  Someone honked as they drove by, but neither of us broke the kiss.

  I gave a small groan, and he smiled against my lips.

  He pulled away slowly. His hand cupped my face, his thumb brushing along my jaw line. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first time we met.”

  “I’ve wanted you to do that, too.”

  The entryway light flicked on and I stepped away from him. “I gotta go.”

  “See you tomorrow,” he said, giving me one final peck before I walked inside the inn.

  Chapter 14

  I didn’t wake until after ten the next morning and immediately grabbed my phone. There were two missed messages—both from Cassandra, both mentioning Kade.

  I found it odd that Megan hadn’t called. She had been acting a little off last night, and I wanted to make sure that we were okay.

  I didn’t get why she was still so pissed about the Laria thing. I had told her not to stop the car but so had Cassandra. Oh well, it’s not like she’d been particularly friendly to anyone last night, except for Milo.

  I called Cassandra back, and listened to her tell me about the rest of the night. I was surprised when she said Kade hadn’t returned to the party after dropping me off. That made me happy. She mentioned that Dana kept watching the door, and finally took off with her friends at one.

  “Have you heard from Megan?” I asked.

  “She won’t pick up my calls,” she said, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Still pissed off about the ghost sighting, I guess.”

  I couldn’t understand why she would be pissed at us about that, aside from the fact we’d let her face the ghost alone.

  “Do you believe in ghosts?” I asked, knowing I needed to tread lightly.

  “Of course. My grandpa haunts my grandma’s house to this day…and he’s been dead since before I was born.”

  Maybe one day I could come clean to my friends about my abilities, but not today. I heard footsteps coming from Shane’s room. I glanced at the clock. Kade would be here soon. “I need to get a shower. Can I call you later?”

  “Sure, what are you doing today?”

  “Kade’s coming over.”

  She let out a loud gasp, and then laughed under her breath. “Damn, he’s not wasting any time, is he?”

  “I’ll call you later.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Thirty minutes later, I was ready to blow-dry my hair when the doorbell rang.

  Miss Akin didn’t answer it, and I didn’t hear Shane, so I quickly towel-dried my hair and ran my fingers through the straggly mess before I rushed down the steps.

  I whipped open the door.

  It was Kade. Wearing a white V-neck T-shirt, low-riding jeans and white sneakers.

  I swallowed hard, aware of what I must look like. Thank God at least I’d thrown on jeans and a navy tank top.

  “I know I’m early.

  “That’s okay.” I stepped back, covered the scars on my elbow with my hand. “You want to come in?”

  “Is it okay?”

  He closed the door behind him. He reached up, his hand easing into my hair, his thumb brushing over my lower lip. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. I was so glad he felt the same way about me as I did about him. My arms slid around his broad shoulders. “I can’t stop thinking about you, either.”

  His gaze shifted to my lips, and I don’t know which one of us leaned in first, but we kissed, our mouths fusing together, his tongue brushing along the seam of my mouth.

  I opened to him, and he moaned low in his throat, a sound that sent a spike of pleasure through me. My back was up against the wall a second later, and I was left completely breathless as he lifted me up. My legs wrapped around his waist, and he held me there with one hand on my bottom, the other curling around the back of my neck.

  I could hear his heart pounding as loud as mine.

  A door opened somewhere in the house and I groaned inwardly. Kade slowly eased me to the ground. “Is your dad here?” he whispered, putting some distance between us.

  “Riley, can you help me with the groceries please?” Miss Akin yelled from the kitchen.

  I sighed in relief. “I’ll be right there, Miss A.”

  Kade smiled, and that smile heated the blood in my veins.

  “Come on,” I said with a smile, walking for the kitchen when he caught my hand.

  I glanced back over my shoulder. “What?” The word hadn’t left my mouth when he kissed me hard. When he pulled back I instantly recognized that dark, heavy-lidded look in his eyes. That expression left me breathless. He wanted me as much as I wanted him.

  Miss Akin was obviously surprised to see Kade. Her eyes widened. “Good afternoon.”

  “Miss A, this is Kade. Kade, this is Miss A.”

  “I’ve never officially met you. It’s a pleasure,” she said, looking from Kade then back to me, her brows slightly furrowed. She looked a little concerned. Apparently it was different for me to be hanging out with Ian, a ghost she couldn’t see, compared to a flesh-and-blood guy.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Miss A, is it?”

  Miss A managed a tight-lipped smile. “Miss Akin, but the kids like to call me Miss A.”

  And she loved the nickname.

  Kade nodded. “So—do you need help with bringing in the groceries?”

  “Aye, indeed I do.” She started back toward the door.

  “No, Miss A…I’ll get it.”

  He walked out the back door toward the car, and I smiled inwardly. He could pour on the charm and it seemed to be working…hook, line and sinker.

  Miss A’s brows rose to her hairline. “Oh my…he’s a looker, isn’t he?”

  I laughed under my breath. I couldn’t help it. God, I was so happy. “Yes, he definitely is.”

  “I didn’t know you were having company today, else I would have baked something special.”

  Kade came in with four bags that he set on the counter, and Miss A fell silent. He glanced at me with a soft smile and my heart swelled.

  He went back for more and Miss Akin watched his every step, her gaze fastening on his high, firm butt.

  “Miss A,” I said in a teasing tone.

  She lightly slapped her cheek. “My goodness, I’m sorry. Here I am ogling your friend. I just can’t help but admire the view. So tall…and strapping.”

  He was both those things.

  I slipped away upstairs to blow-dry my hair, put on some mascara, blush and lip gloss, as well as a cute knit shrug that fell just beyond my elbow. The scratches on my arm and back had faded, but I still felt self-conscious about the scars.

  The more time I spent with Kade, the more I liked him
. I would have expected him to be a player like Johan, but he wasn’t. He had an irresistible charm.

  Kade forgot to bring a movie. Rather than watch a chick flick from my mom’s collection, which is all I had, we watched Braveheart, compliments of Miss A who sat down in her rocking chair and watched with us.

  She seemed terrified to leave us alone together for more than a stretch of ten minutes. Every single time she got up, Kade reached over and kissed me. Those kisses, and his touch alone made the hair on my arms stand on end.

  “What about some shortbread cookies,” Miss Akin asked, looking specifically at Kade.

  “I love shortbread cookies,” he said.

  She beamed, popped out of her chair and rushed toward the kitchen.

  Kade slid his arm across the back of the couch.

  I slid my head against his shoulder, and his arm immediately tightened around me. It felt really good to be in his strong arms. For a short time it was nice not to think about Laria.

  The front door opened and closed. I expected it to be Shane, and was shocked when my Dad walked by. Seeing me, he stopped short, his brows furrowed as he looked from me to Kade.

  Talk about horrible timing.

  I stood up and Kade did too. “Hey, Dad. This is my friend Kade MacKinnon.”

  Kade walked over to my dad and extended his hand. “Mr. Williams, it’s nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, Kade.” Dad shook his hand and looked at me. “Is Shane here?”

  “No, but he’ll be home soon.”

  Dad smiled tightly. “I’ll be in my study until dinner.” He turned back to Kade. “Miss Akin said your family had Riley over for dinner. I’d like to return the favor. Would you stay for dinner?”

  ***

  Dinner at my house was the polar opposite of dinner at Kade’s house. We sat in the sparse dining room as a family for the first time, instead of sitting at the breakfast bar, or everyone taking their plates to their rooms. Kade sat to my right, Shane across from us, Miss Akin at one end, and my dad at the other.

  It was a good thing Shane sat across from me since I suspected he was blazed. His eyes weren’t red, but they were glassy. He was quiet, replying in one word responses to every question Dad directed at him. Within ten minutes he’d inhaled two plates of lasagna and four bread sticks.