by Kelly Oram
Then there was that whole thing where I’d accidentally spilled my secret to him. Sure, he didn’t know what I was talking about, but it wouldn’t take a genius to figure it out. As soon as Mike learned who Chelsea’s Angel was, he was going to put the pieces together, and then I had no idea what would happen.
This was bad.
To make things worse, I turned on my cell and found fifty-two missed calls and twelve voice messages. I was sure they were all from my father. Obviously, this morning’s news wouldn’t have gotten past him.
Oh, it was him, all right. I listened to each voicemail, and as they progressed he got angrier and angrier until he couldn’t even get clear words out on the last one. It was more a series of growls and grunts and incoherent shouting. He was going to kill me.
When I got to the last message, I was surprised to hear Carter’s cranky voice instead of my father’s.
“Your doctor is not a journalist, Jamielynn; he’s a ghost. I checked every database I had access to—called in a few favors to my contacts at the FBI, even—and I found nothing. Not a single hit. I don’t know who your mystery man is. I suggest you be extra careful. Also, the news was pretty interesting this morning, wasn’t it?”
Filter the sarcasm out of that last question and you’d get, “Quit with the moonlighting heroics before you get yourself killed, you idiot.”
It was nice to know he cared.
I was so wrapped up in the mystery of “Dr. Chang” that I didn’t notice Teddy until he was practically stepping on my toes. “Oh, hey. What’s up?”
Teddy frowned. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
“Just tired. I didn’t get much sleep.”
“I know jocks are supposed to have stamina, but did you two really go at it all night?”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I ended up yawning instead. “I left Ryan’s place by ten. I’ve just been a little stressed recently and haven’t been sleeping very well. That’s all.”
Teddy eyed me skeptically for a minute and then said, “You need coffee. Come with me.”
I’d already been through one cup this morning, but after the night I’d had another one didn’t sound like that bad of an idea. I needed to talk to him about Becky anyway, and this way I could feel him out a little.
I spent most of the five-minute walk to the coffee house just kind of watching him. He didn’t have a swagger exactly, but he walked with surprising confidence. And he smiled nonstop, as if he were simply thrilled to be alive.
“Doesn’t that get exhausting?” I asked as the barista handed us our orders.
Teddy found a small table in the corner of the café and actually pulled out a chair for me. I laughed at his chivalry, but he just widened his grin. “Does what get exhausting?”
“Smiling so much.”
Teddy shrugged. “I just have a lot to be happy about right now.” Before I could ask him what was so fantastic, he sipped his coffee and said, “So tell me about yourself, Jamie Baker. What are you studying in school?”
I was curious about the subject change, but I answered anyway. “I’m pre-law.”
This seemed to surprise him. “Is it the money or the arguing that you find appealing?”
I laughed. “Neither, really. I don’t want to be a lawyer. I don’t know what I want to do with my life yet. I just figure a law degree will give me a bunch of options. Plus, you know, it can’t hurt to have an understanding of all the laws.”
Teddy flashed me a smile so bright he could have given my wattage a run for its money. “The only people interested in understanding the law are people who want to enforce it—or those who want to break it. You considering a future as a criminal mastermind?”
He wasn’t really that far off base. There was probably a fine line between vigilante and criminal. Superheroes had to bend the rules a bit; there was no avoiding it. I’d already done it once when I helped put Mr. Edwards in prison on false accusations. Don’t get me wrong—he deserved his punishment—I just couldn’t accuse him of wanting to steal me so that he could study my superpowers, if you know what I mean.
“I just want to be able to help people somehow.”
“Ah. So you’re a do-gooder. Shady lot, your type.”
“Shady?” I asked, amused.
“Absolutely. A greedy man is only looking out for himself, but someone who’s always helping others? Who knows what they’re really up to?”
I laughed, but wasn’t really that comfortable with this topic. It hit too close to home, considering I’d decided to become a superhero just to make myself feel better.
“What about you?” I asked. “What’s your major?”
“I’m good with technology. Computers, electronics, gadgets, programming, code.”
“That means you’re really good with math.”
“It’s one of my favorite subjects.”
I groaned. “Good. You can tutor me.”
“Our relationship can be mutually beneficial, then.” At my questioning look, Teddy’s grin turned slightly devious. “I’m a bit of a hacker. Your understanding of the law could come in quite handy.”
“And you call me shady!”
“Ah, but you see, that’s just it. I’m straightforward about it. You know I’m out causing trouble somewhere. But someone like you? All doe-eyed and friendly, who needs an understanding of the law, but doesn’t want to be a lawyer? Someone who just wants to ‘help’ people? That’s more vague than a presidential debate. It’s meant to make you sound good so that no one will look too closely at what you’re really trying to accomplish.” Teddy leaned toward me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “You, Jamie Baker, are a woman of mystery—a girl with secrets.”
I tried not to let anything show on my face. This guy was sharp in a tricky kind of way—something we had in common. I liked that about him, but it could be dangerous seeing as how he was dead right about my secrets and all.
“I can’t decide if that was an insult, a compliment, or a threat.”
Teddy flashed those dimples again. “Well, it definitely wasn’t an insult.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. We fell quiet for a moment, sipping our coffee, and I caught the sound of a quick-shutter camera. Oh, how I wish I had no need to be specifically trained to listen for such sounds.
I glanced out the window of the café and, sure enough, sitting on a bench at a bus stop was an Asian man with a really nice camera. Like, telephoto lens nice. As in, spy-on-the-possible-mutant-from-a-distance nice.
Oh sure, he fit the look of a stereotypical tourist, but who takes a tour of Sacramento State University? I didn’t even do that over the summer and I was going to be a student here.
No way. He was here because of me. Because of the Chelsea’s Angel thing. I was sure of it.
I smiled at Teddy, and then took a long sip of my coffee, stalling while I tried to listen to the man across the street as he put his cell phone to his ear. “Confirmed sighting, Subject 4281. With the same civilian as at the hospital.” I paused a moment, and with all the street noise I couldn’t make out the conversation on the other end of the line, so I only got half the conversation. “Just talking over coffee, sir,” the man with the camera said. “I believe it’s some kind of date. Do we move in? Very well, sir. And if they leave, do we follow? Understood.”
CRAP!
It was one thing to think I was being followed. It was something else entirely to have it confirmed. And I have got to tell you, hearing myself referred to as Subject 4281 gave me the really bad kind of shivers.
Trying not to panic, I downed the rest of my coffee, ignoring the stinging as it scalded my throat. I forced a smile at a confused-looking Teddy. “This has been nice. Thanks for the coffee, but I need to get going. I’ve got a family thing in a little bit. Can’t be late.”
I started to get up, but Teddy dropped his hand over mine as I reached for my purse. “Really? A family thing? That’s all you’ve got? If you’re going to blow me off, at least be creative about it.”
I cringed. “Uh…I have no idea what you’re talking about?”
Right. Real smooth, Jamie.
“Yes, you do.” Teddy’s face turned grim. “You can tell that I like you, and you’re trying to ditch me.”
Okay, that was unexpected. I plunked back down in my chair, momentarily distracted from the creepy dude watching me. “What?”
Teddy sighed. “I like you very much, Jamie.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. “Me?” I gasped. “No! You’re supposed to like Becky!”
Teddy seemed confused at first. I watched him think back and put all the pieces together. He looked sympathetic, but his smile was almost rueful when he said, “Becky’s a nice girl, but she’s typical. She’s normal and predictable. You’re different. Intriguing.”
“I’m also taken.” It was hard to keep the anger out of my voice.
“Mr. all-American?” Teddy shook his head. “Won’t last.”
“Excuse me?”
Teddy shrugged his shoulders and met my glare with cool, confident eyes. “Not to insult your boyfriend or anything—he seems like an all right guy—but he doesn’t have what it takes to hang on to a girl like you.”
“How dare you! You don’t even know him.”
“Laid back, social, all-around nice guy. No real goals or aspirations other than to take you to dinner and a movie and then make out for a while every weekend?”
Again, I tried not to make a face. He’d just summed up everything I love about Ryan in five seconds and managed to make it sound so unflattering.
“He’s like your friend Becky—typical. Predictable. Simple.”
“Simple?”
“He’s a stereotype, and you’re anything but. You’re going to get bored with him.”
“Get bored? With Ryan Miller?” I laughed, but it was strained. Teddy was seriously starting to make me angry. “You obviously don’t know Ryan. Or me. Ryan’s not typical. He’s normal.” The “unlike you” was definitely implied. “He is everything I need. Everything I will ever need.”
I shot to my feet and threw out my coffee cup as I stomped out the door. Teddy followed me. “I’m sorry,” he said matching my quick pace on the sidewalk. “I didn’t mean to make you angry. Like I said, your boyfriend seems like a really nice guy. I just think you should re-evaluate your situation. He was your high school boyfriend, right? I don’t doubt that he was probably the best option at the time, but your life is different now. You’re not stuck in the little pond anymore. You’re swimming in the ocean now.”
I stopped and turned to him with a piercing look. “And what does that make you? A shark?”
“No. It just makes me one of the millions of other fish out there. A kind you’ve never seen before. Maybe one who’s much better suited for you.”
I had to hand it to him—there was no limit to his boldness. It’s a shame it wasn’t going to work for him in this case. “There is no one better suited for me than Ryan. Sorry.”
“How do you know?”
“I know, because he makes me feel whole. He makes me feel like I can do anything. I know, because I love him. More than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything ever in my entire life.”
Teddy looked frustrated, but not angry. “Okay,” he said, finally giving up. “Fine. If you really love him that much, if he really does give you everything you need, then who am I to try and get in the way of that?”
“Thank you.” I was exasperated, but my anger was already fading. He was being completely straightforward after all, which I had to respect. It’s possible I was over-reacting because I was stressed about being watched. I needed to end this conversation and get out of here. “I’m sorry I got defensive. Look, I’m flattered, but I’m with Ryan, okay?”
Teddy nodded and somehow managed to give me a genuine smile. “I had to give it my best shot though, didn’t I? That boyfriend of yours is one very lucky guy.”
I was surprised when I returned his smile, but I followed it with a sigh. “Are you sure you’re not interested in Becky? Not even a little bit? Because you seem like a really good guy. You know, the last five minutes notwithstanding.” He rolled his eyes at that last part. “I really think you’d be good for her.”
His smile turned sad. “I’m sorry. She’s a wonderful person, but she can’t really hold a candle to you. I wouldn’t want to lead her on when my feelings are clearly elsewhere.”
Ugh. And he was honorable, too. What a waste of such a good guy.
Teddy stuck out his hand and cautiously asked, “No hard feelings? Still friends?”
I thought about it for a minute and then accepted his handshake. “Still friends. But no more trying to steal me from my boyfriend. Got it? It’s not going to happen. I am happy with Ryan. I love him.”
“I understand. But if he ever does anything to mess it up, all bets are off.” When I laughed, Teddy shook his head. “I’m serious. If you’re happy, that’s one thing, but once he can’t—” Teddy caught the look on my face and wisely decided to rephrase. “If he can’t keep you completely satisfied—or does something to lose your good graces—I’d be a fool not to act.”
I sighed again. “Thanks, I guess.”
I shifted my purse over my shoulder and glanced at my stalker again. He noticed me looking and immediately started walking away down the street as if he hadn’t been watching me. Yeah. Nice try, buddy. Not falling for it.
“I really do have to get going,” I said. “I’m not just trying to ditch you.”
“If you say so.” Teddy gave me a strange look and glanced over my shoulder as if he’d caught me surveying my surroundings. “I’m going to hold you to that friendship thing, though. Maybe you, me, Becky, and Ryan can all hang out sometime this week.”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks for the coffee.”
“My pleasure.”
With that, Teddy headed off down the street. I waited a moment to make sure he was really leaving, and then headed off in the opposite direction. After about a block, I spotted two people following me. Neither of them was the guy with the camera.
I slipped inside a crowded restaurant, and as soon as I was out of sight I took off at superspeed. I was out the back door and up on the roof in time to see both men and a third I hadn’t spotted run inside the restaurant.
I concentrated and listened as the men secretly searched the restaurant. After a few minutes, they regrouped in the back parking lot. I crouched as close as I could and started filming them with my phone just as one of them spoke into his wrist watch.
No, I’m not joking. His freaking watch. Like he was James Bond, or the FBI.
“This is Demakis, sir. We lost the girl.”
From the guy’s earpiece I heard a raging voice say, “What do you mean you lost her?”
“She’s smart, sir. She spotted Reynolds. She knew we were following her. She ducked into a crowd and disappeared.”
I expected more yelling, but instead the voice calmly said, “Disappeared. Do you mean that literally?”
“It’s possible, sir, but not confirmed.”
“And the boy?”
Boy? What boy? Did they mean Teddy?
“One moment, sir.”
One of the other men pressed a button on his own spy-issue watch. “Reynolds! Status?”
“Subject heading west on Folsom Blvd. in a tan Honda Civic.”
The first guy relayed the message and the angry voice on the earpiece said, “Stay with him, but do not approach. He will lead us to the girl again.”
I stopped recording and crouched down completely out of sight. I stayed there long after the men left, fighting off a panic attack. This was so, so, so bad. And now I’d endangered Teddy, too, just by talking to him.
This was officially getting out of hand. Ryan hadn’t really believed me before, but now he had to. So did my parents. I cringed, looking at yet another message from my father. He called while I was on my way to pick up Ryan. I’d let it go to voicemail. I needed to see him in person before
we spoke. Of course, I also needed Ryan there for moral support—or possibly as a witness—because there was a chance my father might try to kill me the minute he saw me.
You’d think it was my parents who had the superhearing. I’d clicked the front door so softly, but they both heard me anyway. They pounced on me before I even had the front door all the way closed.
For a minute, they both just scooped me up into a Jamie sandwich and took turns looking me over as if making sure I was all in one piece. As was their custom, when they finally got over their initial worry, Mom sat down and started crying while Dad paced the room, his face turning a deeper shade of red with every step.
“You don’t understand,” I said, breaking the silence with my incredibly tired, incredibly small voice.
“You’re darn right, we don’t!”
“Dad?” He was yelling, but there was no doubt he was only angry because he was afraid. In fact, I’ve never seen him more afraid.
Taking a good look at my parents, I realized they weren’t close to falling apart; they were in the middle of falling apart. And again, it was my fault. Geez. The universe was just so unjust. Let someone almost die—feel guilty. Save a few people’s lives—feel guilty. Superheroism really sucks sometimes.
“Why, Jamie?” My father sounded broken. “Why would you risk your life like this?”
I thought back to Mike’s accident. The moment I consciously decided not to help him played out in my mind, and then I heard his somber voice telling me that he’d never walk again.
“Because I hate myself.” I didn’t realize how true it was until I’d spoken the words. “I’m a coward, and I’m selfish.”
My mom threw her arms around me. “Jamie, you know that’s not true. Why would you say something so horrible?”
“Because I let someone get hurt. Not just someone. Someone I know. Ryan’s best friend.”
“Jamie, you didn’t owe it to him to save him,” Ryan argued.
