Terrified, she looked for Rafe. All she could see was a huge wolf walking toward her. She tried to scream, but no sound came.
ↄↄↄↄↄ
“Reagan, wake up.”
Someone was shaking her shoulders, but she was having a hard time opening her eyes.
“Come on. I need to get you home.” It was Rafe.
Opening her eyes, she jolted up and bumped her head on something hard. “Where am I?”
“You’re safe. You’re in my car. Are you okay?” Rafe asked.
God, what have I done? And why does he keep telling me I’m safe? All she could remember from the previous evening was taking another drink at the edge of the woods. She must’ve passed out. After all, what else would describe the intense dream she had? She tried to remember the details, but few emerged.
“What did I do?”
“Nothing to be ashamed of,” he answered. Was that a smirk she saw on his face? Was he making fun of her?
Realizing it was morning, she slapped her hand to her forehead. “Oh my God, my parents are going to completely freak out!”
“Don’t worry about it. I took care of it.”
“How?” she asked.
“Check your outgoing texts.”
Reagan pulled her phone out of her purse, which was still draped around her. She looked at the last outgoing text to Serena: WITH RAFE. COVER FOR ME. Part of Reagan was relieved, but then she remembered Aspen. Oh, God, she’s never going to forgive me. Reagan felt sick to her stomach.
“Don’t worry about Aspen,” Rafe said.
Did I tell him about Aspen last night?
Pulling up to Serena’s, Rafe leaned over. “I programmed my number into your phone. Call me if you need anything. What happened last night is between us.” His words sounded like some kind of warning and caused every hair on Reagan’s body to stand up.
Reagan nodded, got out of his car, and headed up to Serena’s front door. Freaking out that her parents might be home and ruin the ruse, Reagan walked over a few houses and called.
Serena answered on the first ring. “Oh my God, I was so worried about you! Where are you?”
“Just outside your house. I didn’t know if your parents would flip out that I didn’t stay.”
“Don’t worry. We covered for you. I told my parents you ended up going over to Aspen’s. You know our parents don’t talk too often.”
“Thanks, can I come in? I so need your advice.”
“Sure.”
Serena was on the front porch when Reagan walked up, grabbing her hand and pulling her upstairs. “Spill it.”
Sharing all the details she remembered, Reagan told her friend about last night. “I’m so worried about Aspen. I know she likes Rafe. I don’t know what I was thinking. After a few drinks, I just didn’t care anymore.” Reagan started crying.
Serena wrapped her arms around her friend. Reagan gave a gasp from the pain. “Sorry,” Serena said. “I thought you’d healed up.”
Reagan hadn’t felt pain on her back like that since the hospital. She was starting to get scared and knew she needed to get home and figure some things out. “Can you take me home?”
“Sure. Oh, and don’t worry about Aspen. She was all over Tucker by the end of the night. But you should tell her.”
“I will. I promise.”
Serena drove Reagan home. When she walked through the front door, the smell of breakfast made her realize how hungry she was. Entering the kitchen, she was surprised to see her mom, dad, and Nana all sitting around the table.
“Glad you’re home and can join us for breakfast,” her mom said. “Did you have a good time last night?”
“It was okay,” Reagan said, piling food on a plate.
“Dex called this morning,” her dad said when she sat down at the table.
Reagan felt a surge of panic. Did he see her leave with Rafe last night? Did he tell them about their argument? She tried to quiet her nerves.
“He said you guys had a fight, and he really wanted to talk to you,” Dad said.
Mom stood and walked over to Reagan. “Is everything okay with you two?”
This was not the morning conversation she wanted to have. The throbbing in her back was becoming more intense. Reagan went over to the cabinet above the kitchen desk to find the Motrin.
Nana watched Reagan down the pills. “Are you feeling okay this morning, dear?”
All eyes were on her. “Actually, I’ve been having a lot of nausea and back pain the last couple of days.”
It felt good to say it out loud, plus it sidetracked all of them from discussing Dex anymore.
“We should get you to the doctor. You need a follow up, anyway,” her mom said.
Reagan nodded. She finished her meal and excused herself, running to her room. She zipped to the bathroom, took her shirt off, and grabbed a small mirror so she could see her back. It was throbbing, red and inflamed; she worried it was infected again. It looked so raw. Maybe she should listen to her parents and go see a doctor. Of course, God only knew what she did last night. Could she have made it worse? She really should call Rafe and find out more about what happened. Then again, he didn’t seem too eager to share details with her this morning.
She put down the mirror and sat on the toilet, lid down. The cool surface made her feel better. Leaning over, she put her head into her cupped hands with her elbows resting on her knees. Last night, she’d felt empowered and bold. She liked it. But was it only the alcohol willing her to do it? And as much as she liked the power, she hated hurting Dex and Aspen. Sure, Reagan might not want to be Dex’s girlfriend anymore—or did she?—but she didn’t want to hurt people.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Reagan, are you okay?” Nana asked.
Reagan stood up and opened the door. She leaned into her grandmother. “I wish I knew, Nana.”
“I noticed you weren’t wearing your necklace this morning,” Nana said.
Why was she so obsessed with that damned necklace? Reagan loved it, but there had to be more to it. She pulled away from Nana, and looked her in the eyes. “You’re not being completely honest with me.”
“You aren’t, either.”
Busted. “You won’t understand,” Reagan said, plopping down on her bed.
“Try me.” Nana sat down nearby.
Reagan couldn’t stop the flow of words at that point. She told Nana about the dreams, about the beastly wolf with golden eyes, about hearing voices, even the details of the night with Rafe; what Reagan remembered of them, anyway. When she finished, she closed her eyes and waited for the lecture. She was terrified to look Nana in the face.
“Reagan, dear, look at me.” Nana reached out, guiding Reagan’s chin upward. “I understand more than you think. Do you want to know why I gave you that necklace?”
“Yes.”
“This is between you and me. Your mother hates everything about who I am. That’s why I don’t come around much, out of respect for your mother’s wishes on how to raise you.”
Reagan knew her grandmother didn’t visit much, and Mom never really explained why. To be fair, Reagan had been too into her own life for the last couple of years to ask.
Nana continued, “I’m a Wiccan.”
“Wait, I know what that is. I watched some stupid Scooby Doo movie with Sam years ago with Wiccans in it. You’re a witch?” Reagan couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Not what society says a witch is. I don’t even like black, and I’ve never worn a pointy hat.”
Reagan sensed the sarcasm. “You’re making fun of me.”
Nana chuckled. “No. It’s just that society has placed such a stereotype on the word witch. Sure, I believe in magic, but that’s the easy part. Clearly this world is full of things we can’t explain. More importantly, I believe what we do in this life will affect us in the next.”
“The next?” Reagan was getting more confused by the minute. She was never taught to believe in reincarnat
ion. She diverted the conversation. “So what’s my necklace? Is it enchanted?”
“You really have been reading too many paranormal books,” Nana said. “Your necklace is a protection rune.”
Reagan knew the necklace made her feel calmer, and she found herself more comfortable having it on. But protecting her; that seemed silly. “Protect me from what?”
“I can’t tell you. But I want you to really think about your dreams and some of the things that have been happening to you. I think you know more than you’re letting yourself be aware of,” Nana said, taking Reagan’s hands. “But I want you to know I’m here no matter what’s happening. Your mom may want me to leave, but I’m not going anywhere until I know you can handle this.”
Reagan was confused and starting to feel frightened. She loved her grandmother, but had seen very little of her over the years. It was impossible to dismiss that Mom wanted some distance from Nana. There had to be more to it than simply religious differences. “Why does Mom want you to leave?”
“She wanted to raise you as a Christian. Something I have no trouble with. I know Christianity brings comfort to many. But she never liked what she grew up with. I fear your grandfather died a broken-hearted man, because his daughter wouldn’t accept either of us. I hoped she would come around, especially after . . .” Nana hesitated.
“Especially after what?”
“Especially after Sam died.”
What did Sam have to do with all of this? What am I supposed to know? Questions swirled, but answers remained elusive.
“I know this is all too much for you right now, but when you start to figure it out, I hope you’ll come to me. Be careful what you tell the doctor. The medical community isn’t much for anything outside the box.”
Reagan wanted to scream. What am I supposed to be figuring out? She felt like everyone was being cryptic, frustrating her with suggestions that Reagan knew more than she did. So many thoughts swirled in her head, but a sense of defeat hit hard. She just didn’t have the energy to fight Nana for clearer insight right now. “Thanks. I promise to come to you when I figure it out; if I ever do.”
Nana started to get up to leave, but Reagan placed a hand on her grandmother’s leg to stop her. “I’m really glad you’re here. I don’t want you to go.”
“I promise I’ll be here as long as you need me.” Nana stood up, then leaned down to kiss Reagan on the forehead. “I love you, my sweet Reagan.”
Reagan had no doubt of that, but everything else in her life felt like a giant riddle. One thing she knew for certain, she would never again be without her necklace. And she was going to find a way to get some control over her life again.
Each ring made Reagan more agitated. She withdrew into her shell more as each shrill sound pierced the air around her. Putting on headphones offered no relief. Again, the clanging of the phone was driving her mad.
She couldn’t handle talking to anyone today. Earlier, she picked it up and left it off the hook. Somebody must have put it back on. The ringing stopped. Not long after, her mother knocked on the door.
“Reagan, honey, can I come in?”
“Sure.” Reagan felt a mother-daughter talk coming on.
“That was Dex again. You’re going to have to talk to him eventually.”
“I know, but I can’t do it right now. I’d been wondering about us for a while, and we had a fight a week ago, and—”
Mom jumped in before Reagan could finish. “What did you fight about?
“Well, if you must know, he tried to force me to do something I didn’t want to do,” Reagan started. She had to get her mom off her back, and she figured the best way to make the Dex-talk stop was to be honest; brutally honest. “Mom, all Dex cares about is sex.”
Mom looked like someone had slapped her, making Reagan regret her decision about shocking honesty. “I’m sorry, but you did ask. Please don’t talk to Dad about this.”
“I should, but it’s not something he could handle right now.” It was clear Mom wasn’t ready to deal with this right now either. “One more question, who is Rafe?”
God, how does she know about Rafe? Dex! Damn him!
“Rafe’s a friend. He and his family just moved here. How do you even know his name?”
“Don’t worry about how I know, but I want you to be careful around him.”
Reagan was puzzled. “Look, I know you like Dex, but—”
“This isn’t about Dex. Quite frankly, if he’s pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do, I don’t want him coming around. It’s just that, well, I’ve been hearing some strange things about Rafe’s family. All I care about is keeping you safe. I couldn’t survive anything happening to you.”
Reagan saw a life full of worrying about her parents flash before her eyes. “Okay, I’ll be careful. Can you promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“Please don’t make Nana leave. I need her.” Reagan tried to read the look in her mom’s eyes, but it was impossible.
“I won’t. I promise. But will you promise me something in return?”
Reagan wondered where this was going to lead, but she needed to extend the same olive branch her mother had just offered. “Sure, what?”
“Don’t put too much stock into your grandmother’s theories.”
“Nana told me you guys disagree, but you’ve always taught me to not judge people. Heck, we even attended Delia and Courtney’s wedding last summer.” If attending a lesbian wedding in Boulder wasn’t accepting and non-judgmental, Reagan didn’t know what was.
“Mom thinks she’s helping, but it doesn’t always work out that way.”
Is Mom holding back from saying more? Reagan got the instant perception that was the case, but she decided now was not the time to push. Something more than a mere disagreement had torn them apart, that much Reagan knew for certain. But neither woman seemed eager to share the truth, even if it was only their version of it.
“I love you both, Mom, so don’t put me in the middle.”
“I won’t. I’m just asking you to use your own head and also listen to what the doctors are telling you. Speaking of doctors, I made you an appointment for Thursday. It’s with my doctor in Westminster.”
“The doctors don’t have all the answers, either. And I don’t want to go back on any pills. I didn’t like the way they made me feel.”
“Do you like the way alcohol makes you feel?” Mom asked, almost in a whisper.
Reagan was speechless. Where the hell did that come from? “Mom! Why would you ask me that?”
“Reagan, your dad and I aren’t stupid. You smelled like a bar when you came home the other morning, after Brent’s party and staying with Serena or Aspen. Or wherever you were.”
Okay, maybe she’d played them for stupid, or at least a little more naïve. Now, she wondered how much truth to divulge. She erred on the side of caution by starting with small truths. “You know I’ve tried alcohol before, but I did go a bit too far that night. I just wanted to escape, but I hated the feeling of not knowing what happened the next day.”
“Not knowing! How much did you drink?”
Realizing she stepped too far into the pool of truth, Reagan tried to bring the conversation back around. “It wasn’t just the alcohol; my back pain has gotten worse, too. I felt disoriented.” Reagan was glad she’d listened to all her doctor’s and nurse’s keywords while staying in the hospital. Disoriented seemed a good choice.
“Alcohol certainly won’t help you feel less disoriented. You need to tell all these things to the doctors, Reagan. You’re starting to worry me. Your choices haven’t been the best lately.”
Worrying her mom wasn’t something Reagan wanted to do in that moment. “I’m sorry. I’ll tell the doctor.” More lies. She didn’t intend to tell the doctor any more than absolutely necessary.
ↄↄↄↄↄ
“Miss Cooper, the doctor will see you now.”
“Thanks.” Reagan got up to follow the nurse and notice
d Mom trying to do the same. Reagan stopped and turned. “Mom, I’m seventeen, I can handle this.”
“I know, but I want to talk to the doctor, too. Get an idea of how we can help you. Our family needs to heal. We need to work together for that.”
Not what Reagan wanted to hear. She knew her mom was going to have a litany of things to tell the doctor, things Reagan intended to temper, but she couldn’t ask her mom to stay in the waiting room; especially after the mention of their family healing. Reagan wanted that, too.
The nurse measured Reagan’s height and took her weight before ushering them into exam room two. There her vitals were taken. “Please take off everything from the waist up, and put on the gown open in the back. The doctor will be with you shortly.”
Reagan did as she was told, keenly aware of her mother peering through the gap in the gown exposing the scarred flesh. She probably hadn’t seen it since the hospital in Wyoming.
They sat in silence waiting for the doctor. Reagan and her mom never had trouble talking before Sam died. They were always gabbing about something or another. But now they rarely spoke. Sitting in awkward silence made Reagan sad.
Twenty minutes later, the doctor graced them with his presence. “Hello, Miss Cooper, I’m Dr. Moore.” He reached out to shake Reagan’s hand. Then he looked at her mom. “Oh, and you must be her sister.”
Reagan hated it when adults did that, and it was always men. So stupid.
“Yes, I’m Susie, nice to meet you.”
He gave them a warm smile. “Let me take a look at your back, Reagan.”
Reagan let her gown fall forward. The doctor felt along her scars and took her arm. He looked at her over his glasses. “Guess you shouldn’t get into any more fights with grizzly bears, huh?”
Was this guy truly an idiot? Did he think he was funny? Maybe he had no clue her brother died at the hands of that beast. And it sure as hell wasn’t a grizzly. She knew that’s what her parents had been told, too, and she was damned sick of it.
“It was a wolf, not a bear.” The words shocked her. Oh my God, did I just say that out loud?
“What do you mean a wolf?” her mother asked. “Nobody’s ever mentioned a wolf.”
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 7
