by E. A. Weston
“I just wanted to talk you about tonight,” Killian says, holding my stare. Feeling more than irritated with him, I sit down and ask Athena to give us some space. “What do you want to say?”
“I wanted to apologize for this evening. I was on my way to the club when a friend of mine asked me to have a coffee. I didn’t realize so much time had passed. Please forgive me?”
Forgive him? What the hell kind of guy asks for forgiveness? I watch his black eyes as they roam all over my face, wondering is this some kind of a setup. “Yeah, don’t worry about it. We both have other friends to hang out with.” His smile fills his face and he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“I will make it up to you, I promise. How about I take you out for lunch tomorrow?”
“Oh, no thanks. I have things to do. Look, it was nice meeting you and stuff, but I think it would be better if we just leave it alone.”
His face falls when he hears my ramblings and, to be honest, my own heart hurts. I don’t know why, but it does. My hands go to the back of my neck and I scratch like crazy, Jesus, this itching is driving me insane. Killian watches me curiously as I scratch away. Moving my hands to my hips, I stand, looking down at him.
“I don’t understand. I thought we were friends?” He smiles at me as he stands, his height putting us at eye level. I watch as he steps a little closer to me, making me step back. I don’t like him in my personal space.
“Yeah, we are friends, but right now I have things I need to focus on, so I guess I’ll see you around.”
Reaching out, I open the kitchen door, putting a wooden barricade between us. Killian nods at me then walks out towards the front of the house.
“I will pick you up at noon tomorrow,” he says, walking out to his car without giving me a chance to reply. My heels click on the floor as I run after him.
“Hey, I never agreed to go out with you again,” I call, trotting down the path to his car. Reaching it, I stop just at the edge of the grass, Killian watching as I frown at him.
“I will be here tomorrow and I expect you to be ready, but don’t wear those shoes.” He points down at my boots, then presses the button on the remote, making the car chirp and the lights flash. “Until tomorrow.” His smile is small as he climbs into the car, taking off without another word. Walking back into the house, I find Athena sitting at the kitchen table. She is shuffling her deck of tarot cards while mumbling something.
“What are you doing?” I ask sternly. I don’t like it when she gets all voodoo on me. She gave my mom a reading two days before they went missing, and since then I refuse to entertain the idea of it.
“What does it look like? I like that young man. He has character.” Her smile spreads across her face, making me blush.
“Yeah, well, he has the character of a stalker,” I retort.
She makes a noise in her throat and deals out her card spread. I watch from the safety of the door, her eyes zooming over the cards then they flick up to me.
“Would you like a reading?” Her words annoy me and she knows it.
“No, you know I don’t.” She flashes a smile at me, continuing on with her reading, hemming, and hawing as she goes.
“What do you see?” I ask, looking at the strange cards she is using.
“I see something big coming, something different that will test you.” Holding up my hand, I stop her.
“Me? Why are you reading me? I thought you were doing a general reading.”
Laughing, she shakes her head, “I am doing a ‘general’ reading as you put it, but you pop up and so does your new friend.” She frowns when she says it.
“Why? What’s my life got to do with him?”
Athena looks at me like I am a child and gives a weary sigh, turning over more cards. I watch as she moves her fingers over a single card: a naked lady with a full moon behind her. Athena looks like she might cry.
“Your future is entwined with his, Reagan. You never know, he could be the one for you.” Her words pull me up short.
“What? No way is that what you see—Killian and I getting married, having 2.4 kids? Ha! No way, Athena. I think your cards are wrong. He is weird and strange…”
I trail off as I picture Killian in my mind. He may very well be all those things but damn if he is not the most beautiful man I have ever seen. It should be illegal for a man to be that gorgeous.
“No, I don’t see kids. I see a life cloaked in mystery,” she says, stunning me again. Mysterious? I don’t get it; maybe it’s because I am looking for my parents. I point to the card with the lady and the moon.
“What does this one mean?” I ask. She waves me off, gathering the cards into a neat pile. “Athena?”
“It’s just a new beginning. Stop worrying.”
Worrying. Yeah, okay.
“Goodnight,” I say, making my way to bed. Worry has been my middle name for the last few years. If it’s not about my mom and dad, then it’s about money, work, school. You name it and I worry about it. I just need a day to relax and forget.
Chapter 10
Just before noon, the next day, my phone rings. “Hey, Alex, what’s up?” I ask, holding the phone between my ear and shoulder as I slip on my tennis shoes.
“You want to hit up the movies or something?” she asks, sounding bored. Crap, I hate when she gets like this.
“Sorry, Alex, I can’t. Is Ryder working?” I ask, hoping she says no and they are meeting soon.
“Yeah, he got some overtime this morning, so I am all alone. What are you doing?” Fuck!
“I am actually meeting Killian for lunch.” Opening my purse, I check my wallet. $20. It’s going to be a cheap ass lunch, for sure.
“Killian! What? I thought he stood you up for Savannah the Skank,” Alex asks, sounding pissed of at me.
“Yeah, he did, but I guess he wants to talk about it or something.”
“Fine, go have fun with mister hot and sexy while I watch crap on TV.” I feel like an ass now.
“Okay, listen, I will call you as soon as I’m back. Promise.”
Her one-word answers go on for a few more minutes before she finally hangs up. Running down the stairs and out the front door, I stop mid-stride—no Killian. Checking my watch, it is 12:10 pm. Maybe, he is running late. Taking a seat on the porch step, I pull out my phone and check my Facebook for a while. Alex already posting that she is alone and bored. By twenty minutes past noon, I am pissed off, so I call Mister “I’ll be here at noon, be ready.” I listen to it ring and ring. Leaving a scathing voicemail, I hang up. Walking back inside, I go to my room. Fuck this guy. Changing into my old jeans with the holes and my boots, I call Alex, telling her I am on my way.
Walking down the street, I pull my hair up into a ponytail. My phone rings inside my pocket. Pulling it out I see his number. “Save it. Thanks for the invite, but let’s just leave it.”
I hang up without giving him a chance to even say hello. Halfway to Alex’s house, a sleek black car pulls up beside me. The window rolls down and Killian looks out at me.
“Reagan, I am sorry. I had something to take care of.”
“Yeah, I bet you did. Probably took care of her twice.” I snort at my own joke as I march down the street. Killian pulls around and blocks my way. Jumping out of the car, he runs around the hood to me.
“Please, I’m sorry, can we start over?” he pleads. I don’t know this guy, and he seems nice but then weird at the same time.
“Look, I already called Alex and agreed to go to the movies with her,” I say, stepping around him. Killian grabs my elbow, stopping me. He looks into my eyes.
“Please? I will drive you to the movies.” He smiles at me. Pulling my arm away, I look at him.
“Okay, on one condition.” My smile spreads across my face, and he looks curious. “Let me drive your car over to Alex’s place.” Killian starts to laugh, shaking his head.
“No. No way,” he says, still shaking his head. Turning on my heel, I walk away, leaving him
to call after me.
“Okay, okay, you can drive.”
Holy shit! He just agreed. I run back to him, grabbing the keys from his hand. Climbing inside, I fix the seat and mirrors. He watches for a few minutes.
“How far away does Alex live?”
Smiling, I look over at him as I start the engine, listening to it purr to life. “Two blocks,” I answer, watching him relax back into the seat. Stepping on the gas, I tear off down the street and onto the freeway, laughing. The feel of this baby under me makes me miss my old car. Weaving in and out of traffic, I feel exhilarated. My speed increases as I race around the outskirts of Faircrest.
“You like my car?” Killian’s voice interrupts my fun. Glancing over, I see him relaxed and turned in his seat to face me.
“Yeah, it’s beautiful, but it makes me miss my old baby.” Sighing, I slow down as I pull off the freeway and onto Alex’s street.
“What happened to it? Did you crash it?” Killian chuckles at me.
“No, I had to sell it. I had some family issues,” I tell him, stopping outside of Alex’s house. Removing my seatbelt, I climb out of the car, trailing my finger along the hood as I walk up to get Alex. Killian steps out of the passenger side, watching me, his eyes following me all the way up to the door and back. Alex frowns when she sees him.
“We are watching a chick flick, so shut it,” she warns him.
Killian holds up his hands, stepping back away from her. He opens the door for us, allowing Alex to climb into the back seat. Sitting on the passenger side, I buckle my seatbelt.
“I take it you don’t want to drive?” he asks me, sliding in behind the wheel.
“What? You let her drive?” Alex looks appalled, her eyes darting between both of us. Killian nods at her. “Wow, you know she drives like she stole it?” Again, Killian smiles.
“Yes, I have had the pleasure of experiencing Reagan’s driving skills.”
Alex raises her eyebrows at him then settles back into the seat. We drive to the movies in silence. My nerves are getting the better of me as we walk into the theater.
“Are you okay?” Killian notices my discomfort.
“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Just ignore me.” I wave him off, pulling out my wallet. Killian pays for all three of us and he buys the popcorn.
“I think he is trying to get into your lady bits.” Alex laughs at me, bumping me with her hip.
“Oh, shut up, you. He is not!” I bump her back and she scoffs at me while pulling a “yeah, right” face, with her pierced eyebrow raised. Killian walks back to us, leaving a line of female jaws on the floor in his wake.
“Thanks.” I smile, taking the popcorn from his hand. My fingers brush his and I get another shock, making both of us jump. “Crap, sorry,” I say, rubbing my hand on my jeans.
We take our seats in the theater with Killian on my left and Alex on my right. He leans over to me, whispering into my ear.
“Okay, what did I just agree to see?” he asks, his hot breath down my neck making me shiver.
“Oh, I don’t know. Some romantic comedy. Sometimes Alex needs one,” I whisper back. He nods then looks around me to Alex. Once the movie starts, I settle back in my seat. Killian stretches his arm across the top of my chair, causing Alex to have a fit of giggles. Man, I will kill her. My neck starts to tingle again like fire ants are attacking me. I swear someone somewhere hates me. Trying my best to scratch it with the collar of my shirt, I sit there moving my head back and forth. I catch Killian looking at me funny. Shit, he thinks I am a flea-infested fool.
The feeling spreads down my shoulders and onto my arms. I can barely take it anymore and rip my nails all over myself. Alex jumps when I elbow her by accident.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she hisses at me. Shrugging, I keep with the scratching. Killian moves forward in his seat, looking at me.
“Everything okay?” Alex and I both smile and nod. He sits back in his seat, covering his mouth with his hand. Fuck, he is laughing at me! I need to get the hell out of here. Climbing over Alex, I rush outside. My body is on fire and I want to cry; it feels like a bad sunburn that is healing. It still hurts and it’s itchy as fuck!
“Are you sure you are okay?” I jump at the sound of his voice.
“Oh, yes, I’m good. Sorry. I think Athena changed the laundry detergent and I am all itchy.” Killian reaches over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder and rubbing gently. The feeling leaves me and I feel at peace, like that night at the club. His hands work across my shoulders, bringing a relief I have never known before.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome.” His voice in my ear has me sagging against him.
His rock hard chest presses into my back; his strong arms move around my waist, holding my hands in front of me. This feels so nice—to have someone hold me again. It has been so long. My dad was the last man to hug me properly.
“How do you feel now?” His voice is a soft caress against my cheek.
What!
I jump out of his arms, my face flaming with heat. “I am sorry. Jesus, I didn’t mean to do that.” I say, pointing at his chest, feeling a need to press myself back up against it. Killian frowns at me, resting his hands on his hips.
“You don’t need to be sorry. It felt nice…” He trails off, looking over to the entrance, avoiding my eyes. We stand in awkward silence for a few minutes until he turns back to me. He looks like he is in pain. “I have to go. I need to be somewhere,” he says, taking off out of the theater.
He did not just bail! I am shocked. Running after him, I find him with his hands on the roof of his car and his head lowered, breathing hard.
“Killian?” He looks up at me, straightening quickly. I catch a grimace cross his face. “Are you okay? You look like you’re in pain.”
“Oh, yes. I have a back issue and sitting too long hurts me.” His explanation is odd so I walk closer to him.
“Let me return the favor.” I smile, reaching for him, but he moves away.
“I am good.” He forces a smile at me. I feel really bad for him because he looks like he is in real pain. Pulling my purse open, I grab out some Midol.
“This is all I have. Sorry,” I say, holding out two pills for him. His smile widens.
“I am fine, thank you. Pain pills won’t work.” He shrugs.
I feel bad for him. Stepping over, I pick up his hand, placing the pills into it. Moving around behind him, I place a shaky hand onto his back and rub in slow circles. He groans, letting his shoulders relax, putting his hands back onto the roof of the car. I can feel his muscles through his shirt and his body heat is soothing me. My hands move up and down his back, feeling a lump on either side, from his shoulder blades down to the middle of his back.
“Did you have an accident?” I ask, curious as to the lumps that feel like raised scars. Killian stands up and away from me.
“Oh, no, nothing like that. Just some back pain.” He rolls his shoulders and his neck, sighing.
“Oh. My dad used to have really bad back pain, too. I can dig out his chiropractor’s number for you; he swore by him. Said he was some kind of specialist with magic fingers.” I laugh, remembering my dad saying those words.
“Really, magic fingers, huh?” Killian smiles at me.
“Yeah. I will find it and text it to you. I better get back inside before Alex sends a search party for me.”
He nods and we say goodbye. Walking away from him, I feel empty for some reason and it makes me uncomfortable. Once back inside the theater, I spot Alex standing by the wall, shoveling popcorn into her mouth.
“Hey, what are you doing out here?” I ask, reaching into the now empty popcorn container.
“Looking for you. What else would I be doing? So … was it good?” she asks before licking each finger.
“You’re gross and what are you talking about?” I ask, grabbing her sleeve and dragging her to the door.
“Well, you were outside for a while, so I figured you we
re making out with that man-god.”
“No, I wasn’t! He had a sore back so I gave him a back rub.”
Alex stops walking and stares at me. Then she bursts out laughing, doubling over clutching her stomach. Her laughter is making people look at her.
“What! A back rub—is that code for something?” She cackles at me.
“No, like I said, just a back rub.” I suppose it sounds odd, but then again, I am sure it seemed odd, too.
“Holy shit, Reagan, you are one weird girl. A back rub. Really. No kissing or rubbing the relic?” Alex wipes the mascara from beneath her eyes, still laughing at me.
“Okay, fine, it sounds stupid and weird now that you put it like that, but Jesus, I don’t know, I just had to touch him. And no rubbing the relic. You’re a dirty-minded chick.” Alex taunts me all the way home, telling me I should have gotten down on my knees and wrapped my luscious lips around his “relic”—showed him a good time. As soon as we arrive at her house, Ryder is waiting on the porch for her. Her eyes light up at seeing him.
“Okay, go play with your man. I’ll catch you later.”
I wave goodbye to both of them and make my way home through the mean streets of Faircrest.
Chapter 11
Killian
* * *
Back at my apartment, I just about make it through the door before collapsing onto the floor. The pain in my back is so great that I can feel the sweat trickle down my face. Pulling myself into the bathroom, I blast cold water from the shower, stepping into it fully dressed. This is the only way to dull the pain—ever since I met Reagan and she touched me. The pain has been getting stronger. I have tried to use magic to remove my glamor, but nothing is working.
For the first time in decades, I wish my father were here. He would know what to do. He could help me get through whatever this is. Memories flood my mind and heart—painful memories. I left my family, my world, and I feel so lost in this world. Still to this day, I wish I’d never left Avalon.
