The Mind Readers, Book 1

by Lori Brighton

  Chapter 12

  There was no one in the breakfast room when I came down the next day. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Lewis since our kiss. Part of me was a little nervous; what if he regretted it? Blamed it on the spur of the moment? Told me I was disgusting and he never wanted to see me again? Another part of me wanted to see him face to face hoping to understand what had happened.

  Aaron’s breakfast room was as impressive as the rest of the house and although stylish, I wouldn’t call it comfortable. A side table held a variety of food placed on silver platters that mysteriously arrived before anyone else did, yet the food was always warm. Piling some eggs and fruit onto a porcelain plate, I settled at the end of a long cherry wood table, and glanced at the many chairs. I felt lonely, staring at those empty seats, sitting in this oddly quiet house. Lewis said the other, younger children were kept in the dorms below, or they’d run rampart through the house. At the moment, I didn’t think I’d mind the craziness.

  My plate of fruit and eggs was suddenly unappetizing. I was too damn nervous about seeing Lewis to eat. I wasn’t wearing my typical zip up hoody. Instead, I’d actually made an effort and was wearing skinny jeans, a green sweater and make up. I’d even left my hair down, allowing it to fall in waves around my shoulders. I hoped I didn’t look like I was trying too hard.

  “Hey,” Olivia came into the room and settled a few chairs from me, pouring a glass of orange juice from one of the pitchers on the table. She was sulking, crouched over her glass like a caveman…or cavewoman. She was wearing black again, a sweatshirt and dark jeans. She didn’t look like she wanted to talk, but I couldn’t help but be relieved I wasn’t alone any longer. My relief quickly gave way to curiosity. How long had she been here? What had happened to her parents?

  “Two years.” She looked up at me, bringing that lock of hair to her mouth. Under the bright morning light streaming through the open windows behind me, she looked even paler than before, dark circles under her eyes, as if something was keeping her up at night.

  I drew my fork through my eggs. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been here two years. You were wondering how long I’d been here.” She didn’t look at me as she answered but picked up her glass and drank.

  I frowned. Okay, maybe being alone was better than having company. “It’s not polite to read my mind.”

  She looked at me, her dark brows drawn together in confusion. “Why? Haven’t you read minds your entire life? How is it any different?”

  “Because…just because it is.” I set my fork down, the metal clanging against the porcelain plate. I was annoyed with her because I knew she was partially right. “Lewis doesn’t read my mind.”

  “Aww, Lewis is it?” She laughed, a harsh, sarcastic sound that bit at my nerves. “So you and Lewis are together?”

  I flushed, wondering how the heck I’d answer that question. I mean, we’d kissed, but it wasn’t like we were registering for his and hers towels. And even as I thought the words I flushed with embarrassment, knowing she now knew.

  “You don’t have to answer.” She sipped her orange juice and smirked at me over the rim of her glass. “You think you’re the first one Lewis has led on?”

  Her words hurt, but even as I cringed, I forced myself to focus on the fact that she was jealous. After all, how often could Lewis really date when he lived on an island with a total population of three? “Listen, I get it, you were the only female here for a long time…”

  She laughed again. “You think I’m jealous?” She shook her head and stood, her movements jerky and stiff. “I’m warning you because I’m nice. You’re a pretty, new toy and just like all toys, he’ll grow bored with you.”

  Anger replaced my hurt. “If it’s so bad, why are you still here?”

  She shrugged and picked up that damp lock of hair, leaving her glass on the table. “Free room and board. Besides, I’ve no place else to go.” She slipped that lock of hair between her lips, chewing on the strand as she left me sitting there alone.

  Perfect start to the day. I took a bite of eggs, barely tasting the food. I wanted to ignore her remarks, but they bothered me. Not only had she implied that Aaron was using me, but that Lewis was going to dump me for the next available girl who came along. She was wrong, just jealous. Yet…what if she wasn’t? How well did I really know Lewis or Aaron?

  “Hey.” Lewis appeared in the doorway as if I’d conjured him. Wearing a blue vintage t-shirt that matched his eyes and dark jeans, he looked totally hot. Way too hot for me. I didn’t know if I wanted to throw my arms around him or cry. God, Olivia was right.

  “Hey,” I muttered, dropping my gaze to my plate.

  He moved to the chair right next to mine and plucked a grape from my plate. His warm, clean scent swirled around me, turning my insides to mush. Screw Olivia, what did she know about anything? His hair was damp, as if he’d just taken a shower. He looked and smelled so good I had to curl my hands on my lap to keep from reaching out to him.

  “About…last night.”

  Surprised, I stiffened. Was he really going to bring up the kiss? I held my breath and waited, part of me anxious the other half terrified.

  “I…We…” His cheeks flushed and his thick, dark lashes lowered as he stared at the tabletop.

  Please don’t say it was a mistake, please don’t say it!

  “Will you go out with me?” He looked up, sincerity in his gaze. “I mean, on an actual date.” He smiled and my heart did an odd flip. “We can’t really leave the island, but there’s a nice restaurant—”

  “Yes,” I blurted out.

  His smile widened and he grabbed another grape. “Good. Tonight then?”

  I nodded, too giddy to talk. Olivia had been wrong, the little witch.

  We didn’t speak, merely sat there, staring shyly at each other. I wasn’t sure how long, but it seemed like it hadn’t been nearly long enough when Aaron suddenly appeared, totally ruining the mood. He was smiling like always, but when he saw us sitting so close, his smile wavered. I scooted back from Lewis, embarrassed, although why I wasn’t sure. It’s not like we’d been doing it on the table.

  “Lewis, can you leave us for a moment?” Aaron asked.

  My heart plummeted. This couldn’t be good. Lewis slid me an unreadable glance then stood and left the room. I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to call out and beg him to stay.

  Aaron took Lewis’ vacated seat, his face fatherly serious. “Listen, I know you and Lewis have something going on.”

  Heat shot straight to my cheeks. “Did Olivia tell you?” I demanded a little shrilly.

  He brushed his hand through the air, dismissing my comment. “No, I…I read it, you don’t keep your thoughts to yourself very well.”

  Not the first time I’d heard that. I frowned, dragging my fork through my eggs. Oh God, what else had he read? I guess I’d known all along that he could hear my thoughts, but I hadn’t really figured he would. I sure as hell hadn’t liked it when Grandma read my mind and I didn’t want Aaron to either.

  He rested his hand atop mine, stilling my movements. “I know you like Lewis, but I think you need to take things slow.”

  My gaze jumped to him. Was he seriously having a father daughter moment with me? I had the sudden urge to glance back to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else. It was an odd feeling, like I was watching a play. It was certainly something I’d never experienced before. My annoyance and embarrassment gave way to curiosity. I was like some anthropologist, trying to decipher how monkeys lived in the wild.

  He released his hold and leaned back in his chair. “I just think you’re young. There are other things you need to focus on, like school and…” He stood and paced, obviously nervous. I smiled, having the sudden urge to laugh. This is what girls at school complained about? I found it rather…endearing. “And your abilities. And…”

  “Okay,” I readily agreed. Aft
er all, it’s not like Lewis had asked me to be his girlfriend or anything. We hadn’t even been on a date…yet. I smiled at the thought of going out with him tonight. What would I wear?

  Aaron arched a brow. “A date?”

  I flushed and looked at my plate, trying to dampen down my annoyance. Aaron cared about me, I should be flattered. But I wasn’t. “Just one.”

  He sighed. “All right. Fine.”

  I grinned, hiding it by taking a drink of my water.

  He rested his hands on his hips and looked at me, all stern-like. “But be back by ten.”

  “Okay.” I picked up a slice of red apple, unsure how to continue. I’d never had a curfew. Grandma pretty much let me go wherever I wanted whenever. As long as she knew about it.

  “Well then.” He started toward the door.

  “Aaron?”

  He turned and looked at me. Was that nerves that made his face all tight? Or was something else worrying him? “Yeah?”

  I looked at the tabletop, wondering how to say what I wanted to say without offending him. “I don’t…I mean…is there a way for you not to read my thoughts?”

  He frowned, silent for a moment. The grandfather clock in the corner of the room ticked the seconds by. “You don’t like the invasion?”

  “Would you?” I asked bluntly. When he didn’t respond, I quickly continued, afraid I’d pissed him off. “It’s just that my Grandmother read my thoughts and it drove me nuts.”

  He leaned against the door jamb and stroked his chin thoughtfully as if the idea that I might be offended over his intrusion had never crossed his mind. “I understand.” A smile spread across his mouth. “Sure, I can do that. But actually, before I forget, I’m here for another reason too. You have a lesson today.”

  My embarrassment gave way to excitement. I pushed away from the table, standing. “Oh, okay.” I was eager to learn more, whatever it was he had to share. “What about?”

  “Ironically, how to block your thoughts.”

  “Are you serious?”

  He winked. “The most important thing you’ll learn.” He took a step back. “Now, eat up. It’s going to be a long day.”