“I would have kept my distance if I hadn’t been watching your underage self get drunk in a bar.”
“I’m not drunk.” I rolled my eyes.
“Either way, you’re supposed to be on the job.”
“I am!” I scowled. “Look, Kaplan wouldn’t have asked me to do this if she didn’t think I was capable.”
“If she knew what you were up to right now, she’d be seriously second-guessing her decision.”
My eyebrows rose. I found it interesting that he hadn’t told her already. So it wasn’t Kaplan who had ordered him in here after me. If anything, he was breaking the rules to give me a lecture.
Interesting.
“I can see you don’t trust me.”
He flinched, his eyes narrowing.
“This is my in with Quella, okay?” I glanced over my shoulder and watched her cozy up to one of the bar guys. I’d have to break that up soon. She was having way too much fun, although underneath her mask I could see that quiver of uncertainty. I turned back to Rhodes, needing to wrap this up. “She wants to party and let loose. She’s not going to open up to some goody-two-shoes. She’s already told me a little about her over-bearing father. I’m telling you, I know what I’m doing.”
He didn’t believe me. “You better not screw this up.”
“Hey, I want to find those girls as much as you do.”
A wave of agony coursed over his expression. The very idea of those girls suffering hurt him and I found myself softening towards this serious guy...until I kept reading him and noticed how little faith he had in me.
I sighed. “I know you think this isn’t going to work and I’m just some shitty babysitting assignment.”
His forehead wrinkled, his grip around my waist loosening.
“And now you’re a little afraid because you thought you were hiding that.”
He frowned and I took the chance to really prove myself.
“The truth is, you are hiding it...from everyone around here, expect me.”
The green of his eyes swirled with uncertainty and he licked his lips.
“I know Kaplan’s told you about my ability and you didn’t believe her.” I gazed up at him. “But now you’re starting to, and that makes you feel vulnerable.”
He let me go and I dropped my arms from around his neck. Very slowly his expression shifted, his disbelief ebbed away, replaced with a glimmer of awe.
I grinned. “Thank you.”
The awe scuttled into hiding behind his scowl. “I still don’t think you’re the right person for the job.”
“I know.” I nodded, trying not to be irked. “But there’s nothing much you can do about it, is there?”
His scowl deepened. I really had to end this conversation now.
“Thank you for watching my back.” I slapped his arm. “It’s nice to know someone so capable is close by.”
He appreciated the comment. My smile grew as I watched him fight a small grin.
With a little huff, he realized I could see it all and spun away from me before I could read anything else. I couldn’t help a small giggle before spinning back to find Quella. Her arms were raised in the air, her head tipped back with a laugh. She had three guys around her now, their hungry expressions making my stomach turn.
I muscled my way in between them and tugged on her arm.
“Let’s get out of here!” I yelled in her ear.
“But I’m only just getting started,” she whined.
“This place is getting boring.” I matched her tone. “There’s another place we can check out down the road! Let’s go!”
Quella stumbled after me with a giggle. We collected our stuff and I pulled her out of the bar before the guys could follow us. I really didn’t want to go anywhere else, but Quella wasn’t drunk enough to let me get away with lying, so we hit one more bar before heading back to our dorm.
It was a more sedate setting, but after another beer, Quella didn’t seem to mind. I certainly appreciated the calmer atmosphere. Unfortunately, I didn’t get too much more out of her. I tried to bring up her father again, but she waved her hand and said she didn’t want to talk about him.
“Let’s talk about that cute guy you were dancing with instead.”
My chuckle wobbled with nerves; I couldn’t help it.
“It was nothing.” I waved my hand, trying to keep my movements floppy. I didn’t want her to think I was still completely sober.
“It didn’t look like nothing.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Well, that’s what it was.” I shrugged. Nerves getting the better of me, I leaned across the table. “Hey, Quella, promise me something.”
“What?” She frowned.
“When we go out like this, whatever we get up to, has to stay a secret, okay?”
“You live a double life or something?”
I grinned. “I have a boyfriend who isn’t really into the party scene.”
“Oh!” She tapped the side of her nose and pointed at me. “I understand.” Her head swayed slightly as she nodded. “Don’t you worry, Caity. I am very good at keeping secrets.”
Awesome...and also not.
I slumped back into my chair, confident she wouldn’t spill the beans to Eric, yet also a little discouraged. I wanted her to be a gossip queen! How the heck was I supposed to get the goods on her family if she was a first-class secret keeper?
Maybe Rhodes was right. For all my cocky proof on the dance floor before, he was spot-on about one thing — I was way out of my depth on this one.
Chapter 15
Eric
I couldn’t help worrying about Caity just a little. I’d thought she was off when she got to the beach yesterday, but then she perked up. The afternoon had been worn away with laughter and light chatter, but I couldn’t shake the odd sensation she was hiding something. I tried to call her last night for a goodnight chat, but she hadn’t answered her phone.
I knew it was stupid. She wouldn’t hide anything from me and I hated that I couldn’t shake the feeling.
The toaster popped and I pulled out my two pieces, dropping them on the plate quickly and blowing on my fingers. I reached for the peanut butter and popped the lid, wondering what Caity had gotten up to the night before. I went to catch up with Mom and the girls. I’d invited Caity to join me, but she’d declined saying she wanted to meet her new roommate. I wondered what she was like.
Checking my watch, I bit off a piece of toast and reached for my phone, sending her a quick text to see how it was going.
“Morning.” Dale slumped into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and flicking a wild curl off his forehead. He used to have shoulder-length hair like mine to cover up his scar, but then did the big chop to prove he wasn’t afraid to claim his past. I had to admire the guy. It was a pretty massive reminder of the car accident that claimed the four other guys he had been partying with. I bet he was taken back to that night every time he looked in the mirror. People always stared at him, but he held his head high. He claimed he wouldn't change it; that car accident had saved his life.
Anyway, since Nicole moved to UCLA last year, he’d started growing it again. He’d made his statement, but apparently his girl liked twirling his curls around her fingers or something to that effect.
I rolled my eyes. The things we did for love.
Dale pulled two mugs from the cupboard and placed them down beside the coffee machine.
“So, sleep well?” I grinned at him.
He threw me a dry look that was swiftly overtaken by a hot blush.
I laughed and lightly punched him on the arm.
“How’s your mom?” Dale’s voice still had that morning croak. He pulled out a K-cup and popped it into his Kuerig. Steaming coffee poured from the spout and into his waiting mug. He pulled it from the machine and set it up for a second cup.
I finished off my first piece of toast and brushed my fingers over my board shorts to clean them.
“It was a good night. We just played a board ga
me with the girls and watched a movie. Cliff wasn’t around so it was kind of like old times...just the four of us. We had fun.”
“It’s cool that you still check in. I’m sure the girls appreciate it.”
“Yeah, they were a little sad that Caity didn’t come with me.”
“Didn’t she?” Dale moved to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of half and half, adding a little to each mug.
“Nah, she wanted to go meet her new roommate.”
A disgusted humph came from the doorway and I turned to see Nicole tying her bathrobe. She adjusted the collar then reached for her coffee, giving Dale a quick peck before glaring at me.
I rolled me eyes and turned back to my toast. “She did what was right for her. Would you drop it already?”
“I can’t believe you just let it slide so easily...unless you don’t really want her moving in.”
Spinning back with a scowl, I made sure she saw it before I relaxed my expression. “Of course I’d love her here, but she’s not ready and to be honest, I’d prefer she didn’t move in over living here just to make us happy. You know what she’s like. It took a lot of guts for her to make that decision.”
“Yeah,” Nicole mumbled, taking another sip before slumping against the counter. “I just wanted her to come with. I hate that she’s living with someone else.”
“She’s not gonna like her more than she likes you.” Dale rubbed Nicole’s shoulder.
“How do you know that? She’s probably been out partying all night.”
I cracked up laughing, nearly spilling the glass of orange juice I was pouring for myself.
“I’m sorry, are we talking about the same person?” I put the carton back in the refrigerator.
Nicole gave in with a small smile, running a finger over her eyebrow.
“You know she’ll have a better chance at staying your best friend if you just call her.” Dale pulled out his phone. “Come on, invite her over for lunch or something. You can’t stay mad at her forever.”
“She was kind of worried yesterday.” I backed up Dale.
Nicole huffed out a sigh. “Okay, fine.”
She grabbed Dale’s phone and found the number, quickly texting my girl.
Without saying anything, we all moved to the table to finish our breakfasts. Nicole ended up grabbing a banana while Dale poured himself some cereal. He was really sweet with Nicole, asking if he could get her anything. They were so natural and easy around each other. I could fast-forward a few decades and still see them doing this as their morning routine, murmuring to each other as they ate, sharing secret looks and laughs no one else could decipher. I gazed down at my plate and wondered if Caity and I would be like that.
A smile spread across my lips. Yeah, we could be.
My phone buzzed.
All good. Roommate is Quella. Seems nice. How was your night?
I was about to respond when a new message popped up.
Is Nicole for real or is she being coerced by Dale?
I chuckled and wrote.
Real
A few seconds later, I got back a big smiley face and...
So relieved. Okay, will be over soon.
“Caity’s coming.” I tucked my phone into my back pocket and finished off my toast with a grin. I couldn’t believe we’d been dating well over a year now and I still got a small thrill at the idea of seeing her.
*****
An hour later, Caity's Mini pulled up outside our place; I noticed her out my bedroom window as I was towel-drying my hair. I threw the towel in the laundry hamper and walked to the front door, opening it before she could knock. I was about to scoop her into my arms when I noticed a girl behind her. She had a long face, long nose, long hair. Everything about her seemed long...and tired. Her dark eyebrows shifted as she took me in, a small smile pulling at the edges of her mouth.
“Hi there.” I spoke over Caity’s head after giving her a quick kiss.
“Hi.” She swallowed, seeming nervous, and stuck out her hand. “I’m Quella, Caity’s new roommate.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Eric, Caity’s boyfriend.” I shook her hand and welcomed her in, trying to interpret the little smile on her lips. I let her pass us before looking at Caity.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “She kind of had nowhere else to go today and asked if she could come. She doesn’t know L.A. at all and I felt bad for her. I couldn’t say no.”
“That’s cool. I don’t mind. I just hope Nicole doesn’t get shitty about it.”
Caity’s eyebrows dipped. “Nicole will just have to get over it,” she mumbled, dropping her keys and wallet on the side table.
I smiled at Caity’s unusual show of feistiness and gave her a proper greeting.
She giggled against me when she tried to pull away from our long kiss and I wouldn’t let her.
I’d missed her last night and damn it, I kind of wanted a breakfast like Nicole and Dale had this morning. I tucked my thoughts away and cleared my expression before letting Caity go. I didn’t want her reading anything on me and filled my mind with calm, supportive thoughts.
She stepped past me before really looking anyway and walked into the living area just as Nicole and Dale appeared. Nicole stopped short when she saw Quella and her lips parted. A frown was forming on her face until Caity gave her the best set of puppy eyes I’d seen in a while. Nicole’s expression was dry as she tipped her head, but then her lips twitched and she broke into a smile, rolling her eyes.
“Hey, who’s this?” Nicole’s voice was bright.
Quella spun around and studied the company before breaking into a smile of her own. “I’m Quella.”
“Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands and then Quella took a moment to take in Dale. Man, I wished I could read people like Caity did. Quella’s expression was so bland, like maybe she wasn’t all there, but I bet Caity saw something else. I could sense a struggle for her not to react to Dale’s marred features.
“I’m Dale.” He stepped forward. “You’re new to L.A., right?”
She nodded.
“Welcome.” He grinned, his broad smile making the scarred side of his face crinkle unusually.
Quella’s nose twitched and I could see Caity fighting a grin. Man, she must be desperate to know what happened to the guy. The room pulsed with an awkward silence I had to fill.
“So, can I get you guys a drink?”
“Sure, strong coffee would be great.” Quella winked at Caity who did a little laugh in her throat before looking at me. I frowned at her, wondering what their secret joke was.
She cleared her throat. “Let me help you.”
I followed her into the kitchen and quietly waited as she helped me get the coffees ready. I loved that she knew exactly where everything was.
“Something you want to tell me?”
She spun to face me, her cheeks heating with color. “Yes. No. I don’t know.”
Her shoulders drooped and she leaned against the counter.
“Babe, what’s going on?”
“We went out last night, because she really wanted to.”
“What’d you do?”
Caity rubbed her temples and cringed. “We went bar-hopping.”
“What!”
Her eyes bulged and she slapped her hand over my mouth. “Keep your voice down. What’s so wrong with bar-hopping anyway?”
I gently flicked her hand off me and whispered, “Nothing, except for the fact that you’re both underage. How’d you even buy a drink?”
She looked to the floor and mumbled, “How do you think?”
“Martha Woodgrove?”
I cringed, wishing I’d never told him about my fake ID. I remembered pulling it from my wallet and the hysterical laughter that ensued.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I thought you kept that ID as a joke, not to actually use it.”
“I know, I know.” She squeezed my arms, looking guilty.
“I don’t get it.” I
peeked my head around the corner and heard polite small talk coming from the living room. “She doesn’t even seem like the partying kind and I know you aren’t. What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know. I just wanted her to feel comfortable around me and I asked her if she wanted to go out and then one thing led to another.”
It was impossible to hide my bafflement. If she’d pulled off my mask, all she would have seen was an amplified version of what I was already showing her. “No wonder she looks so tired. How are you feeling?”
She gave me a sheepish grin before looking to the floor. “You want to know the weirdest thing?”
“I’m not sure.” I crossed my arms.
“I didn’t get drunk, but I ended up pretending to get as drunk as her. The beer was so gross, I kept spitting it back into the bottle. It was pathetic.”
“Why did you do that?” I chuckled. “Why didn’t you tell her you’re not really a drinker?”
“Because I want her to like me.”
“What are you, thirteen again? This isn’t a popularity contest.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to live with her.”
“Neither do you.” I shrugged, and then cleared my throat as her expression changed.
“You’re so not okay with my decision.” She huffed.
“Yes, I am. I said I am.”
“Then act like it!” Her hands flicked through the air.
“I—” I held my breath for a moment, not wanting to start a fight. “I just don’t understand why you’re pretending to be something you’re not.”
Her jaw clicked to the side and she took way too long to answer me, like she was somehow trying to think of the right answer. Eventually, she sighed. “I don’t know either. It was just a slip in judgment, but...we had a really fun time.” She shrugged. “I’m not saying I want to go out partying every night or anything, but it was cool. She really let loose and she was funny. I know I made her feel welcome and relaxed and I’ve set us up for a good year.”
“Caity.” I placed my hands on either side of the counter, boxing her in. “You’ve made her believe you’re something you’re not. That’s not a good set-up.”
Snake Eyes (The Masks Series Book 3) Page 8
