by ERIN BEDFORD
And there it was. The reason I was avoiding him, to begin with. Now, though, I felt bad for the guy and didn’t want to flat out tell him no. After all, he liked me because I wasn’t like the others. Though I wasn’t exactly sure why they didn’t want to be with him, anyway. Those girls were crazy.
Griping my bag strap, I shifted it back up on my shoulder. “No, I don’t have a date.” I could see the hope in his eyes, and I hated to kill it. “But I planned on going with Trina. You know, as a girl’s night.”
“A girl’s night? For a mixer?” Ian cocked his head to the side, clearly confused.
I grinned at him. “Isn’t the whole point of the mixer to get to know other people? If I come with a date, then how am I going to do that? I would feel like a dick if I didn’t hang around them the entire time, but then I would be missing out on the best part of the event.”
Ian nodded. “I understand. So, no date. How about instead, I’ll see you there?”
“Sure.” I beamed up at him.
He reached out and brushed my hair from my face, making my skin tingle. “Save me a dance? A slow one.”
Giggling like a silly school girl, I bit my lower lip and nodded. “Sure. I can do that.” I watched as Ian walked away from me, and I would be lying if I didn’t check out his butt as he went. That boy sure was hot. Definitely what Callie would call one of the local hotties.
My face heating with my thoughts, I spun around and headed into the library. I hadn’t completely kept to my plan, but I also hadn’t given in. I hadn’t promised Sabrina anything, but I also didn’t want to cause more problems than I already had. Promising Ian a dance wasn’t the same thing as showing up with him at the mixer. This way, I wasn’t picking any of them, and I could still have fun.
As I made my way into the main part of the library, my eye caught the other Broomstein brother. So, neither of them had been in class? I guess it paid to be an upperclassman.
Instead of hiding in the stacks, I walked straight toward Paul and sat down across from him. I didn’t look at him as I unpacked my things and opened my book to study. I could feel his eyes on me, and I wondered how long it would take before he asked me to go to the mixer.
Surprisingly, Paul didn’t speak up for a good ten minutes, and when he did, it had nothing to do with the mixer. “So, I heard Sabrina was being a bitch to you again this morning. I’m sorry.”
I kept my eyes on my book and shrugged. “Nothing to be sorry for. She’s in charge of her own actions. Why should you feel responsible?”
Paul sighed, his pen clacking on the table. “Because I know she’s only bullying you because of me.”
“You mean because she’s still in love with you?” I landed my sharp gaze on him, daring him to deny it.
Leaning back in his seat, Paul shook his head. “She’s not, you know. In love with me, I mean.”
I scoffed. “Could have fooled me.”
“She’s good at that. Fooling people into believing what she wants.” Paul tapped his fingers on the arms of the chair. “She’s obsessed with appearances and believes she and I would make the best couple on the outside. However, believe me, that’s the only interest she has in me. Political.”
“Because you’re a Broomstein and she’s a Craftsman?” I asked, trying to piece it all together. Though I was literally in the same town as my old life, it felt like I was in a completely different country. I had to learn everything from scratch.
“Yeah, something like that.” Paul rocked his chair back and forth on its hind legs. “But really, neither of us were happy while we were dating. Any of the times. If we ended up getting married ...” He paused and shuddered, letting his chair fall back to the floor with a loud thud. “I couldn’t imagine the level of hell that would be, let alone for any of our children.”
“Then why do it?” I leaned forward on my elbows. “Why pretend she wants you if she knows just as well as you that it wouldn’t work?”
Paul gave me a weary smile. “Her parents. If Sabrina is anything, she’s a dutiful daughter.”
I frowned at that. “Really? She would go to the lengths of perusing a guy simply because her parents wanted her too? Even if she doesn’t even like him?”
“Yep.”
“What kind of masochistic crap is that?” I gaped at him and sat back in my chair. I loved my parents more than anything in the world, but to go so far? No way. Of course, my parents would never think of asking such a thing of me. My grandparents, however ... the way my grandmother had started to plan my life right before my eyes told me they would definitely do something like this. At least, she would.
I’d have to be careful of her. No matter how much she was trying to let me be myself, there was a reason my mom didn’t want anything to do with them.
Paul made a sort of snort laugh, and my eyes jerked up to him. “What?”
“Nothing,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Just watching your face as you think. I sometimes forget that you didn’t grow up with this stuff.”
“And that’s a terrible thing?”
“No, it’s a good thing actually,” Paul murmured, his eyes becoming focused on the table. “You have no idea how much of a relief it is to have someone talk to you without having to think about what they are trying to get out of you and your family. I know with you, you’re only just talking.” He offered me a smile that made my heart flutter.
“You know,” I started not sure if I really should bring it up or not but decided to anyway, “your brother said something similar to me. You two aren’t as different as you think.”
I expected Paul to get angry or to start talking crap about his brother, but instead, there was nothing but sadness on his face. “I get that. For an outsider, our problems might seem frivolous, but just like Sabrina, we are all bound by our family name and the privileges come with obligations. Even if we don’t like them.”
“So, you’re an ass to each other because your parents say so?” My brows furrowed as I stared at him in disbelief. When he nodded sullenly, I wanted to smack him. “I’m sorry, but that’s stupid. He’s your bother. So, what if he made some choices you don’t agree with? He’s still your brother.” I shook my head in disgust. “I would have loved to have a brother, any kind of sibling really. To have someone to turn to and know no matter what they will always be there for you? The fact that you have that but shove it aside? It’s unforgivable.”
“Really?” Paul arched a brow. “You find that so offensive? Even if that sibling did something that was dangerous and marred your family’s name?”
I snorted. “If it’s dangerous, I’d make sure I was there to pull his ass out of the fire. Who better to watch my back than a sibling? Besides, who cares about what people think? You’re all going to die someday, and do you really think anyone is going to remember anything we do now?”
Paul quieted. He had a tense and focused expression on his face. His thoughts ran across his eyes a mile a minute. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke again.
“You know, I wished I’d met you before.” He smiled softly at me. “I could have used someone like you when this whole thing started.”
“Well, I’m here now. Kicking butts and saving families.” I gave him a thumbs-up and stuck my tongue out, causing him to laugh. I really loved that sound.
Standing to his feet, Paul put his books away and then looked at me. “You know, I had every intention of asking you to the mixer today before my brother got a chance, but I think now I would rather him have you and be happy than for me to stand in his way.”
My heart thudded loudly in my chest and my throat constricted. Wetting my lips, I stared up at him. “Actually, your brother already asked me.”
“Oh?” I was pretty sure he was going for curious and not dejected, but he didn’t quite make it there. I could tell that even though he wanted to let his brother have a chance with me, he wanted me for himself as well. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Flattered for one. I’d never had so many guys interested in
me at the same time. I was lucky to have one even look my way. Now that I was so popular, it was a bit overwhelming.
Tucking my hair behind my ear, I answered, “Yeah, just before I came here.”
“Well, I’m happy for him. I mean, you. Both of you.” Paul stumbled over his words, making me giggle. “Please just kill me now.”
“Well, I don’t know about that, but while I did say he asked me, I didn’t say I said yes.” I watched Paul’s face go from confusion to excitement and then he quickly covered it up with a useless frown.
“Why? I mean, why did you say no?” Paul shifted in place as if he couldn’t stay still. He shoved his hand into his pocket, trying to still himself to no avail.
I lifted a shoulder and dropped it. “It’s a mixer. It doesn’t make sense to bring a date.”
“Oh,” Paul said and then added, “So, I guess I’ll see you there?”
Unable to stop the grin from curving up my lips, I nodded. “I guess you will.”
Chapter 18
“I’m not going.” Trina paced the room, chewing on her nails until they were down to the quick.
“It’ll be fine. Stop stressing.” I leaned toward the mirror so I could apply my mascara.
“Pfft. Says you.” Trina stopped pacing long enough to glare at me. “You’ve got three guys dying to take you out on that dance floor while I have nothing but an ulcer developing.” She rubbed her stomach and used the bed to hold herself up. She had been freaking out for the last few days because she hadn’t had the guts to ask Libby to the mixer. Now, she would have to go to the mixer alone – well, with me - and hope that she could ask Libby to dance.
“I told you, we could just go together.”
“No way, I’m not going to be your buffer.” Trina scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You just don’t want to have to face all those hungry guys just waiting to eat you up.” She chuckled and pulled on her heels. She’d done some kind of spell that made her hair slick and straight. A yellow flower decorated her hair and matched the skin-tight dress that flowed around her legs when she moved. She looked great.
“You have no reason to be nervous. Libby is going to think you are hot.” I adjusted the top of my pale blue dress. I found a pair of sparkly white shoes to add to the ensemble, and I was ready.
“Look at you.” Trina grinned, looking me up and down. “Those guys won’t know what to do with themselves. So, tell me, which one do you like?”
I busied myself with searching for my bag under my bed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Trina plopped down on my bed and smacked me on the hip. “You know exactly what I mean.” When I didn’t answer, she bounced harder. “Come on, you have to have one that you like more than the other. I bet it’s Ian. He’s got that bad boy thing going on, and I hear he’s great in bed.”
“Pfft.” I chuckled and shook my head. “There’s more to someone than just how good in bed they are.” I paused and then grinned. “Like how good their butt looks as they are walking away from you.”
Cackling, Trina rocked back and forth on the bed holding her stomach like it was the funniest thing she had ever heard.
“But to be honest, I like them all.” I sighed, shoving my lip gloss and phone into my bag. “Well, what I know of them. I haven’t gone out with any of them yet. Not really.”
“Well, you better figure it out fast because one reason I like girls is that guys tend to have the whole pee-on-everything-I-think-that-belongs-to-me philosophy. Too messy.” Her nose scrunched up, and she waved her hands in front of her. “It would be funny to see them throw down for you though.”
I snorted and headed for the door. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. If anyone is going to throw down, it will be Sabrina and me. She’s so hung up on Paul and her having a happily ever after that if he even looks my direction, she’ll throw a huge fit.”
“So, you’re gonna steer clear of him?” Trina asked, watching my face curiously.
I gave her a sideways glance. “What do you think?”
Trina giggled and looped her arm with mine. “That’s my girl.”
You could hear the music from the quad before you even got there. The headmaster had the service staff set up a buffet table and decorate the area with Halloween decorations. Except these weren’t anything like the ones I’d seen back in high school.
The skeletons weren’t just hanging on the wall, they were dancing around on the makeshift dance floor. The jack-o'-lanterns glowed from within with magical flames that couldn’t be put out, and the ceiling was a starry sky with a full moon. It was the perfect setting to meet someone.
“Wow.” I gaped and slowly moved into the room, trying to take it all in. “So, this is what a real magical party looks like.”
Trina giggled. “Come on, you’ll get used to it.” She dragged me further into the room and started grinning and waving at people we knew. I kind of just followed her, still in a daze from the room, the environment, just everything.
I stared down at the punch bowl that poured glasses of punch on their own before handing them to waiting students. I didn’t know what Trina was talking about, there’s no way I’d get used to this anytime soon.
“Look!” Trina whispered in my ear. “There’s Libby.”
I followed where she was pointing to where Libby stood with Sabrina and Monica. They were all dressed to kill in what had to be designer dresses and heels that had to have cost ten times what I paid for my own.
“Doesn’t she look gorgeous?” Trina practically bounced next to me with excitement.
“Yeah and so do you, so go talk to her.” I untangled her arm from mine and pushed her in Libby’s direction. I watched as she started toward the blonde, sipping from my glass. Unfortunately, Trina only made it five feet before she bypassed Libby completely and darted into the bathroom. Shaking my head, I sighed. She’d get it, eventually.
“Hey Max, you look really great.”
I turned to see Dale standing beside me. His hair was slicked back, and his glasses were missing. Add that to his button-down shirt and dress slacks and any girl would be drooling, me included.
“You too,” I got out after swallowing my mouth full of punch. “I didn’t think you were into these kinds of things?” I gestured around with my head.
Dale tucked his hands in his pockets and ducked his head sheepishly. “Well, I’m not, but I knew you’d be here.”
Ah, there it was. My face heated, and I thanked the dim lighting that hid it.
“So, how are you enjoying your first wizard party?” Dale took a glass from the table, not at all awed by the magic keeping it going.
“Why do you call it that?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Why not a witch party? There are both males and females at this party.” I took a drink of my cup and then used it to circle the room. “Why can’t there be a gender-neutral name?”
Dale seemed at a loss for words, and for a moment, he started to stumble for something to say that wouldn’t offend me. I couldn’t take it anymore and burst out laughing and smacking him on the arm. “I’m sorry, I’m just messing with you.”
Frowning, Dale stared at me for a second and then smiled slightly. “You’re funny.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I try. Doesn’t always land where I want it to though.”
“I have to say I’m surprised to see you here alone.” Dale scanned the room, clearly searching for some mystery date. “Did the Broomsteins not ask you?”
“Oh, they did.” Dale’s face dropped, My heart ached for a second, and I couldn’t mess with him anymore. “But I told them I wanted to take the chance to meet the other students, and I couldn’t do that if I had a guy hanging around me the entire time.”
Dale’s eyes lifted and widened slightly. “Oh, am I doing that? Am I the guy?”
“No, no. I didn’t mean you. Not that I’m saying I’m here with you, but I don’t mind standing here talking to you.” I offered him a smile which he gave back to me a bit shyly. It was funny how d
ifferent Dale was from the first day I met him. He had been so abrasive and ready to hit me where it hurt with his prejudice against the privileged students. Now, he was so insecure about himself around me but at the same time still abrasive, if that kiss and his clear need to keep me away from Ian were anything to go by.
“Would it have bothered you if I had come with someone?” I was curious to see how he would react. Would he be jealous? Was he trying to piss on me like Trina said, marking me as his territory?
However, he completely surprised me. Dale simply shrugged, more relaxed than I’d seen him in a while. “No. I mean, I don’t have a claim to you. We aren’t dating. I don’t even know if you like me, even though I clearly stated my intentions. You did get that from the kiss, right?” His eyes bored into mine, searching for some sign that I understood him.
I moved closer to Dale and placed my hand on his arm. “Yes, I got that, and I like you too, but like you said, we’ve never gone out.” I paused and smiled coyly. “Maybe we should remedy that, don’t you think?”
Dale nodded rapidly. “Yes, yes. I think we should.”
“Great.” I tapped him on the nose. “I’ll text you.” Leaving it at that, I moved toward the bathroom where Trina had reappeared.
“Looks like you had no problem getting a date,” Trina grumbled, taking my cup from my hand and downing it. “I wish I had your confidence.”
I laughed. “Oh, believe me. I’m just making this up as I go along. Besides, Dale’s nice.” I flashed her a grin. “By the way, you’re wrong about the pissing contest.”
“Oh, really?” she leaned away from me, her brows raised.
“Yep. Dale didn’t seem to have a problem with me seeing other guys. Not that I’d decided to go out with anyone else just to be clear. Just nice to have options.” It was pretty relieving, to be honest. The only meaningful relationship I’d had was with Jaron, and he had been all too quick to let everyone know that I belonged to him. At the time, I found it endearing. I felt wanted. Now a part of me was glad he dumped me. There was something better waiting for me. Several someones, as a matter of fact, and one of them was walking toward me right now.
