After the last bell rings, Honor, Ethan, and I meet outside Moore’s class. Honor calls my phone, and we both put them on speaker. She tucks it securely inside her binder, then walks into the classroom.
“Miss Stevens,” we hear a muffled Mr. Moore greet Honor. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asks much too sickeningly sweet.
“Hi, Mr. Moore, I was just wondering if you could help me with today’s assignment,” Honor says and then I believe I hear her sniff.
“Sure, Honor. Have a seat.” The desks shuffling on the floor comes through as a screech on the phone. “Is everything okay?” Moore asks.
“Yes,” she sniffles. “I’m having trouble with what you taught today, that’s all.”
“And you’re crying because of chemistry? Honor, you’re a good student, sweetheart…” Moore pauses. “What’s going on? I can’t believe you’re only crying because of chemistry.”
Ethan and I look at each other – anticipation apparent on our faces.
Honor sniffs again. “It’s just…I broke up with Ethan…and I’m upset about it.”
My stomach clenches and I feel queasy hearing Honor say that. Because from what I saw today, maybe she really is upset about them breaking up.
“Why’d you break up with him?” Moore sounds genuinely concerned – no ulterior motive. But I don’t believe the act.
“He was trying to steal something that has been in our family for hundreds of years.”
“Ethan was?” Moore sounds surprised.
“Yeah…and I just…I don’t think I can trust him anymore.”
“Hmm,” Moore mutters. “You can’t trust Ethan.” He sounds like he’s making a mental note of it.
“No…and then there’s Storm. He and Ethan are fighting all the time. And it’s starting to really affect me.”
Why the hell is she opening up to him about us? That was not part of our plan.
“Brothers will do that. Especially when there is something, or someone, that they both want.” Moore explains.
“You think Storm wants our family…heirloom too?” she asks, surprised.
“Maybe. But more so I think he wants you. And Ethan has you.”
Ethan and I glance at each other again, but only momentarily. We are much too uncomfortable sharing this space between us right now.
“Not if I can’t trust him,” she reminds Moore, getting back to the whole reason she is sitting in his classroom.
“So…did he actually take the heirloom…or do you still have it?”
“Um…” she’s faltering. Honor backed herself into a corner.
I’m trying my hardest to tell her through telepathy that I took it and hid it. This way Moore will come after me and not her. I know she can’t read minds, but she can certainly read my emotions, so I try really hard to force my thoughts into my emotions.
“Um…no,” she says. “I…uh…I gave it to Storm to hide.”
“Oh…so Storm has it.” Again, it sounds like he’s making a mental note.
If Moore doesn’t know that I’ve already handed over the elixir, then maybe he isn’t working with Gaffer. Then who the hell is he?
“Yeah…look, I’m sorry, Mr. Moore. I shouldn’t have brought my problems to you. Really. I just came for you to explain today’s lesson, but…”
“That’s all right, Honor. Sometimes teachers play the role of therapist too. Please don’t apologize.” Moore does sound like the sweet guy Honor makes him out to be.
But I’m still not buying the act.
It takes Moore about ten minutes to explain the lesson to Honor when she tells him it finally sinks in. “Thank you so much, Mr. Moore. I appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, Honor.”
Honor slips out the door and begins walking down the hall right away. We run to catch up to her.
“Now does that sound like a man who has something evil to hide?” she scolds us both. “And all I felt from him were good intentions. I even felt his relief when I told him you had it,” she says to me.
Ethan and I remain quiet.
“And by the way…Storm, were you, like, sending me your thoughts?”
I smile. “I knew you would get them. Just like when we were trapped in the ice house and talked to each other silently,” I boasted.
“Yeah, well…thank you.” She smiles at me, and I’m hoping all is not lost between the two of us.
“Why don’t we all drive over to Honor’s house. This way we can talk and keep her protected at the same time. I’ll meet you guys over there.” I want to be the bigger guy – to prove to Honor I can be – so I let them ride over together. Maybe they still have things they need to talk about.
Honor pours us all some iced tea and we sit at the breakfast bar that separates her kitchen and living room.
“So what did you guys make of it? You still think he’s up to something?” Honor asks.
“Yes,” we both answer.
“Really?” she doesn’t believe us.
“I do,” I say first. “I’m just not sure anymore that he’s working for Gaffer. If he were, he wouldn’t have seemed so surprised that I was hiding the elixir…or the heirloom rather.” I chuckle. “Nice word you came up with.”
“I had to think of something.”
“Honor,” Ethan addresses. “What did you feel from him? Anything significant?”
“I felt what I always feel – someone who cares. He was scared for me. I truly feel that he is a genuinely nice guy. Whether you guys think so or not.”
“Okay…I’ll give you that,” I tell her. “But he knows we’re empaths. He knows I’ve already graduated from high school and I’m here to protect you. So the questions are…why does he know? Who the hell is he? And why is he here?”
“You’re sure he knows we’re empaths, Storm?” Honor asks.
“I am. He told me one day that he would spill our secret if I spilled his.”
“What secret? He told you a secret?” Ethan asks, annoyed I hadn’t told him.
“No…he told me nothing, but I was threatening to tell the principal that he took three vials of Honor’s blood. That’s when he said he knew what we are. He especially said he’d tell what Honor is. So…I need to know what he wants from her.”
“If he wants something from me, then he’s hiding it well.”
“Maybe all three of us should go to him,” Ethan suggests.
“I think he’ll see it as an attack if we all show up.”
“Honor’s right,” I respond. “He’ll get defensive.”
“Do you think what he wants is relative to the elixir anyway? Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”
“No, Honor, I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” I tell her.
Taking a sip of my tea, I am at a loss for words. I have no idea what to make of Moore and if I should even proceed in my investigation against him. Maybe it is irrelevant. I wish I knew for sure – to guarantee Honor’s safety.
“I have homework to do.” Honor goes for her backpack. “If you guys want to join me, fine, otherwise…I need to get working on it. I’ve got a headache, and I’d like to get my mind off of all this empath stuff.”
“Who’s staying with her?” I whisper to Ethan when Honor goes up to her bedroom.
“You are. I discussed it with Honor on the ride over. We both agree that you’ll be the best one to protect her. You’re more…” he trails off.
“Violent?” I finish his thoughts.
He snorts. “Yes, but I was going to say that you’re more experienced in this kind of stuff. I’ve never been involved in things like this. You’re just the better choice. Besides,” Ethan sounds sad, “Honor and I need a break. I don’t open up enough with her…I’ve been alone too long.”
“You? I’ve been alone much longer. What are you talking about?” I can’t believe he’s saying this.
“I closed my heart a long time ago. I hadn’t even considered opening it until I met Honor. But it’s still hard. You said it yourself – I don’
t even try to heal her when she’s sick. I’ve taught myself so well to tune every feeling out, that I’ve even been able to tune her out.” Ethan runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head. “I don’t know how you do it. You’ve been away from family nearly your entire life, yet you’re able to feel Honor’s pain and sadness and hopelessness…how do you do it? Out of everyone, I thought you’d have been the most callous.” Ethan’s eyes seem to gloss over, but I know he’s too proud to have me see him cry.
“I’ve wanted for so long to be wanted – by my dad, by my mom, by your mom. I was jealous my whole life. I am callous. And sarcastic. And nasty. But I was never able to close my heart and not care. It’s all on the outside. What I let you all see. Inside, I’m just a crumbling little boy.” I swallow my pride and let him in. “Honor was the first to actually see through the walls I built. Right away she saw that I was good – or at least part of me was. No matter how nasty I would be, she knew it was an act. I’ve lived with empaths before – none of them ever felt what I felt, besides maybe Summer, but then again she was just a kid. She trusted everyone.”
My heart was aching from being so honest, but relief was pouring from my shoulders like warm maple syrup. I always wanted a brother to talk to.
“But you’re not even empathic any more, yet you know what Honor needs. You know it right away. How?”
“Because I love her. I love her so much, Ethan, that it hurts. My heart feels everything she feels, because it is totally one hundred percent in love with her. I fell in love with her the first time I ever heard her speak. And I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry I fell in love with your girlfriend. That was never my intention.”
“Yeah, I was wondering, what were your intentions anyway? Why did you follow me to Jefferson?”
“When I was on the run, I ran to people…Gaffer’s people. They were after Hanna and Daniel’s daughter. I remember that Hanna and your mom were best friends, so I kind of stayed interested in what they were doing. I also remember respecting Hanna and Daniel for giving up their daughter to regular humans. I thought, wow, finally, someone is being set free from this life. But then their daughter showed up on the news. Word spread that you followed her to Jefferson, New Jersey, and I knew that couldn’t be good. Gaffer’s men would find you and Honor in no time. I didn’t know you anymore, and I couldn’t trust that you could protect her.” I started pacing Honor’s living room. “Ethan, you didn’t even know anyone else was after her, so I knew you wouldn’t be able to handle it. I had to follow you…her…I know Hanna and Daniel were like family to our family. I also knew I owed them for…killing them. And well, when you’re harboring their souls…sometimes they also like to tell you what to do.” I laugh, but it’s not a real laugh. “Anyway, that’s why I followed you both to Jefferson.”
Ethan nods. “Yeah, well…thanks, man. You’re right. I have no clue what I’m doing. Without you…” Ethan struggles to say something. “Without you, I think Honor would be dead already.” He nods nervously several times. Then he sits on the couch and drops his head in his hands. “I messed up. I love her too. But I messed it up. I’m not good enough for her.”
I sit down next to him and place my hand on his back. “I don’t think you messed up, bro. I think Honor just needs time…y’know…to figure things out. She’s confused.” This is hard for me to say, but my heart is opening for Ethan and I don’t know how to slam it shut. “We can both take good care of her. I believe that. When this whole elixir-Gaffer thing is over…and Honor makes her decision…and it’s you…I’ll back off. I’ll leave town and won’t look back. I promise, Ethan. She’ll be all yours.” I feel my throat closing, so I stop talking.
With his head still in his hands, Ethan shakes his head. “No. I’m not going to wait for her to choose. You’re so much better for her. You love her with your whole heart. My heart’s been closed for so long, I don’t think I’m capable of loving her enough.”
“You can’t leave, Ethan. She needs you here. We have to see this thing through.”
“No, I mean, I’ll stay until I know she’s safe, but afterwards…I’m going back to live on my own.” He lifts his head and looks at me. “I trust you to keep her happy.”
I pat him on the back and stand up. “Let’s drop this. It’s getting too morbid. Go do your homework with Honor. I’m going to sit out back in the tree.”
Ethan laughs. “No homework for you?”
“Nah. What for? I already have my damn diploma. Now go.” I fill my glass with more iced tea, grab a bag of cheesy garlic bread potato chips and head outside to climb the old tree.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
An angel’s voice wakes me from my nap in the tree.
“Honor. Hey.” She is sitting on the branch across from me.
“Storm, you were sleeping. Do you know how dangerous that is? You could have rolled off.”
I crumple the empty bag of chips and stuff it into my empty glass – which I’m surprised is still sitting in my hand. “I couldn’t have been sleeping too hard, princess,” I say, widening my eyes to force myself awake. “I was still holding onto my glass.”
“You’re crazy. If you’re tired, you just should have taken a nap.”
“I did.”
“On the bed,” she scolds. “Not in the tree.”
“Don’t fret about it, darling. I’m fine. Did you finish your homework?”
She nods. “Yeah. Ethan’s gone too. What did you say to him? He told me you were a good guy and I shouldn’t let you go. Did you threaten him or something?” Honor’s face is all serious.
“Thanks. You think highly of me, don’t you?”
Honor shrugs, but then she blushes.
“I guess I haven’t given you any reason to believe I’d be nice to Ethan, so I understand. But no, I did not threaten him…we just had a long overdue brother to brother talk.”
“Really?” she says with a smile so big she blinds me. Well, not really, but it was a huge smile.
“Really. We needed to come to terms with a few things and I…I think we accomplished that. I hope so anyway.”
Placing my glass securely between my legs, I reach my arms overhead and grab the branch above me. Being in one position for so long, I was in dire need of a good stretch.
“So what is our plan next?” Honor asks, her smile disappearing immediately.
I run both my hands through my hair and sigh. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I really was hoping I’d get some answers today from Moore. I’m not accustomed to just waiting for something to happen. I like to make things happen. But I’m really at a loss right now. I’m so sorry. I hate letting you down.”
Honor forces her smile now. “You are not letting me down. I know you’re doing everything you can. I just wish I could come up with something. Anything.”
“We’ll come up with something, darling.” I say softly. “When are your parents due home?”
“Shortly. They usually walk in about six. Why?”
“Wanna fix dinner for them? Is there anything here to make?”
This time Honor smiles and laughs. “What? Storm Sutherland is gonna cook?”
“Uh, yeah…How do you think I managed to survive on my own all this time? I had to eat more than just fast food.” I tap her on the knee. “C’mon. Let’s get dinner going.”
She hops down the tree first, and I’m disappointed. I wanted her to fall into my arms on the way down.
In the kitchen, Honor’s reaching for the pasta in one of the higher cabinets, and I can’t help but notice her shirt riding up – showing the very edge of her bra. If she only knew what that was doing to me, she’d refrain from reaching so high. It’s getting harder and harder for me to keep my hands to myself. When she turns around, I’m caught staring at her. Her blushing face puts a huge smile in my heart and I show it on my face.
“The pots are in the cabinet under the toaster,” she informs me. “Get the big one and fill it with water.”
“Okay, boss, but I thought I wa
s the one that was going to do the cooking.”
She looks at me with an expression that says, “Yeah, what’s your point?”
I say, “That means I do the bossing around.” Of course I smile when I say it.
Honor gives me a pretty little smirk and says, “Be my guest, I’ll go watch TV.”
My hand wraps around her elbow. “You know I’m teasing, don’t you?”
She allows me to keep my hand on her while she moves in just a bit closer. “Yes. Of course I know you’re teasing.” When her eyes find my mouth, I’m tempted to kiss her, but I’m afraid of rejection. What if her feelings for Ethan get in the way? What if she’s not ready for me yet? I’m still not sure I’m sticking around Jefferson after this is all over. Maybe she’ll run back to Ethan, and I won’t be able to go through that pain. Loving her hurts already. If she turns me down for good, I don’t know if I could stick around.
Laughing to myself, I think, living on my own, answering to no one, is a much easier life to endure. Love is for people with courage. The more I get to know myself, the more of a coward I realize I am.
In the midst of my pity-party, it doesn’t register that Honor is still looking at me. And I at her. My mouth does an involuntary quirk to the side, which causes her to make a little tittering sound. Her lower lip disappears inside her mouth while her top teeth graze them. Without thinking, I lick my own bottom lip and inch forward, moving my hand from her elbow to her upper arm. My other hand slides around her waist, and before I can change my mind, I lower my mouth to hers. When her hands wrap around my neck, I pull her so tight I am afraid I am going to break her. She parts her lips, and I slip my tongue inside. When our tongues meet, I taste peppermint – like maybe she had just had a peppermint candy.
While one of her hands runs through the hair above my neck, her other hand caresses my face. Hoping I am not making a huge mistake, I clasp my hands beneath her ass and lift her up. Her legs naturally wrap around my waist as I start walking toward her bedroom. I know Mr. and Mrs. S. don’t want her bedroom door shut, but I use the back of my foot and close it anyway.
Lowering Honor to the bed, she parts her legs and I move in between them, never taking my mouth off of hers. I slide my hand around her waist and under her shirt, slowly advancing toward her bra. Her breath hitches, so I stop and look at her. “You want me to stop?” My question comes out hoarse and raspy, barely audible.
A Man of Honor (A Young Adult Paranormal Romance) (The Honor Trilogy) Page 11
