Evergreen (Mer Tales, Book 2)

by Pandos, Brenda

  “They want to speak with you.”

  She pointed toward two men on the gangplank just outside the doors. Uh oh. From their stiff stances and starchy attire, they weren’t ticket agents. Cops more likely.

  Galadriel took my hand. “Just sing,” she whispered in my ear as they escorted us into the terminal. I squeezed her hand in return.

  “What seems to be the trouble?” I asked once we were separated from the rest of the passengers.

  The taller guy spoke first. “Yes, Mr. Helton, we need to check your IDs again, please?”

  “What for?”

  “You weren’t supposed to be on that flight.” He held out his hand, palm up.

  Galadriel inclined her head against my shoulder, as if to signal I should sing.

  With a coy smile, I turned to the agent closest to me. “We aren’t the criminals you’re looking for. You don’t need to check our IDs,” I sang.

  The guy’s eyes glazed over. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Helton. Enjoy your stay.” He turned to his co-worker. “They aren’t the ones we’re looking for.”

  I grabbed Galadriel’s hand and walked past the cops into the crowded hall.

  “They’re the ones on the cameras,” a woman barked behind us. “Don’t let them get away!”

  Galadriel took one look at me and we ran through the terminal to the baggage claim. We rolled in hysterics as we rounded the corner and plowed into another set of cops talking on walkie-talkies.

  “They went that way,” I sang, pointing behind us.

  They bounced into one another, then ran in the opposite direction.

  We scurried into the baggage area and spotted our bags. I lugged Galadriel’s two-ton pink suitcase off the conveyor belt, and she took my soggy duffle bag. Together, we headed for the taxi zone.

  We jumped into the backseat of the closest taxi, still laughing.

  “Did you see his face once we got away?” Galadriel said with a snort.

  “Where to?” the driver asked.

  “South Lake Tahoe, and step on it,” I said as Galadriel buried her head into my shoulder.

  “That’ll be $99 for the trip,” he said.

  “Sure.” I handed him my credit card.

  I slid my arms around Galadriel’s shoulders and she looked up at me with her big blue eyes. “That was the most fun I’ve had in—forever.” Her sweet breath hit me as she moved her lips closer to mine. She looked so beautiful, so enticing. I took one hand and brushed her soft cheek.

  “I don’t accept Visa, sir,” the driver said, snapping me to reality.

  “What?” I pushed Galadriel off of me.

  She looked at me, stunned, then folded her arms over her chest.

  “Cash only, sir.”

  Galadriel frowned and snapped on her seatbelt. “Just sing.”

  “No.” I glared at her and leaned forward toward the driver. “Can I pay once we get there?”

  I was sure Ash had money, or someone in the family could lend me ninety-nine bucks at least.

  “No, sir,” the driver said, his voice impatient. “And if you don’t have the money, then get out.”

  “Sing,” Galadriel said, more forceful this time. “It’s almost sunset and we either need to leave, or find water.”

  “I—” My conscience burned. We’d already ruined someone else’s day and kicked them off the flight, and now we’d rip off this guy, too. But the only thing I could think of was Ash.

  He sighed and restarted the meter. “Please get out so I can take a paying customer or I’ll signal the police.”

  “You’re such a coward,” Galadriel said under her breath.

  “Am not.”

  “Well, I’m not waiting. If you don’t sing, I will.” Memories of her horrible mermaid screech replayed in my mind. “Or maybe kiss him.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me.” She pressed me with an evil smile.

  “Fine,” I sang in defeat. “Please drive us to South Lake Tahoe.”

  Galadriel snuggled into her seat, pleased. “And step on it.”

  32

  :::

  ASH

  Thursday evening, April 21st

  After Lucy’s news, I didn’t have the strength to move. My only option, since Operation Fish and C.H.I.P.’s wasn’t working, was to run away—sooner rather than later. Though my parents would freak, I had to do it. I’d take the rainy day cookie jar money and buy a bus or train ticket. I had run out of options.

  But that wouldn’t happen until tomorrow. Tonight, Georgia and I were going out for dinner and a movie to celebrate my last day being seventeen. Though I’d originally balked at the idea, the plans were now comforting. At least I’d have one final hurrah with my good friend before I abandoned her unexpectedly.

  And like clockwork, the phone rang next to me.

  “Hey, Georgia,” I said, trying not to sound as if I’d been crying.

  “The movie is at seven-thirty. I’ll pick you up at six for dinner, okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said, still lying on the floor in a pathetic heap.

  “Have you been crying?”

  “No. Just allergies.”

  “What? I didn’t know you had allergies—“

  I don’t.

  “—well take a pill and get dressed. You’re going out and you’re not cancelling now. Okay?”

  “Sounds fabulous.” I smiled feebly, hoping some joy would be transferred into my voice.

  “Awesome. I’ll see ya in an hour. Dress cute.”

  “Yeah.”

  Our definitions of cute were vastly different. Jeans and a T-shirt would be my attire, period. She’d scold me, but I didn’t care.

  :::

  Georgia bounced in the driver’s seat to the music with an unusually wide grin as she pulled out of the Crazy Sushi parking lot toward the theater. I was still in shock Mom actually let me go out after everything. She apparently hadn’t checked my phone records to see I’d called Fin’s number on an OCD rampage the past two days.

  “I thought you saw this movie,” I said, wondering why she’d be so enthusiastic when she never mentioned the title to me once.

  “Movie? Oh, yeah. Crack of Dawn is good… so good.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “You’ll see.” She plastered on a huge grin.

  I joined in with her as she sang along to the radio. Her usual small talk was noticeably absent, quite possibly the aftereffects of sushi coma. I enjoyed the break. But once we crossed the state line, her face lit up like a firecracker.

  She turned into the Montebleu casino parking lot and I cringed. Mom wouldn’t be happy if she knew we were coming to this theater. Though we’d be within the safe bounds of those under 21, because of late Grandpa Franks gambling addiction, I wasn’t allowed anywhere near a casino, period.

  Georgia checked her phone again and giggled.

  “Who are you texting?”

  “Oh, no one,” she said, then peered out the window.

  A group of girls in short skirts huddled outside with their phones in their hands. I shook my head at the ridiculous attire for this chilly weather, regardless if they were clubbing or not.

  We parked and Georgia flopped her burgeoning bag over her shoulder.

  I chuckled. “What do you have in there, anyway? Did you not get enough sushi?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Though she’d regularly smuggled in a few snacks, it looked like she’d thrown in the whole refrigerator. But from the sound of her enthusiasm, the bag was a cover for something else.

  She teeter-tottered around the car in her heels and tapped her foot. “Hurry up, already.”

  I slammed my door and followed, but Georgia didn’t wait for me as she practically ran toward the casino.

  “We have plenty of time. The movie doesn’t start for another…”

  The group of girls out front—Shannon, Michele, and Chrissi—rushed Georgia for a group hug. Then the mob pulled me in, too. They cheered, “Surprise!” in
unison, bouncing lightly on their heeled feet.

  I tried to smile and look happy. “You’re coming to the movie too?” Dressed like that?

  “No, silly. We’re going to Déjà Vue!” Shannon pointed behind us to the new nightclub. “It’s 18 and over tonight.”

  Music poured from double doors as glitzy girls and guys stood in a line under the glowing blue sign. I suddenly felt very self-conscious and underdressed.

  “But I’m not eighteen yet.”

  “Not for a few more hours.” Georgia patted her bag before she pulled out a slinky black dress. “You’ll be looking older and glammed up in no time.”

  “But… they check IDs.”

  The entourage laughed and pulled me into the casino. As we crowded into a handicapped stall in the ladies restroom, someone teased my hair while another pulled my shirt over my head and replaced it with a dress that barely covered my butt. Make-up and some extremely high silver shoes completed my ensemble.

  “There.” Georgia pulled me out of the stall toward the mirror. She now wore a dress as well. “You’re finally cute.”

  A crown adorned the top of my head that read “Birthday Girl.” I blinked at my reflection. I’d never worn so much makeup in my life.

  “Thank you?” I said, not meaning it to sound like a question.

  “Perfect.” Georgia handed me a Dixie cup full of clear liquid. “A toast to the fabulous birthday girl. May the music rock and the guys be hot.”

  They all cheered and slurped down whatever was in the cups.

  “Drink.” Georgia nudged my arm, sloshing around the thick clear liquid tinged with golden flecks.

  “What is it?”

  “Something I swiped from Grandma Gee Gee’s cabinet,” Chrissi said with a giggle.

  I sniffed the liquid and recoiled at the pungent cinnamon scent.

  “Don’t be a poor sport,” Georgia whispered and held the cup to my lips.

  I allowed a swallow to pass into my mouth and coughed as the liquid burned my throat.

  “Okay, time to go.” Georgia pushed me toward the door.

  “Um… no.” I held up my hand. “I’m not eighteen.”

  “Don’t worry,” Shannon said with a giggle. “My older brother is the bouncer and he knows it’s your birthday. He said he’d let you in a few hours early.”

  Georgia packed up the last of her things and looped her arm within mine, ushering me outside into the crisp night air. I worked hard not to fall over as the vibrant colors and lights accosted my eyes.

  “What’s in that stuff?” I mumbled as the whirlwind of perfume, flowing hair, dazzling sparkles, and clicking heels took me through the parking lot.

  “Goldschlager,” Shannon said with a hum. “It’s so yummy.”

  Since I’d never drank alcohol before, I had no idea how my body would react. I didn’t expect it to feel like I’d jumped into a spinning crystal ball. We shuffled past the line to a side door where some guy with hulking tatted arms greeted us. Suddenly we were inside. I wobbled behind the girls, hoping the effects of the alcohol would wear off soon. After tonight, I’d never drink again.

  “You okay?” Georgia said, putting her hot hands on my cheeks. Her cinnamon breath rolled my stomach over.

  “Yeah.” I pushed her off of me. “It’s hot in here.”

  My eyes studied her iridescent hair, floating around her head like she was underwater. The beat of the music pounded into my chest, skipping across my heart. I needed air. I needed cold water. I needed something to quench the fire in my throat.

  “Let’s dance,” she said, whisking me onto the dance floor.

  A sea of people swayed hard back and forth like a school of fish. The mob enveloped me and I closed my eyes. My body felt weightless, like I could swim up to the ceiling.

  Hands grabbed my hips and swiveled me around. I stared up into a pair of chocolaty eyes.

  “Callahan? What are you doing here?” I asked, feeling like my voice was detached from my lips.

  “Heard you were having a party.” His white teeth glowed bright in the black light. “Happy Birthday.”

  “But…” I looked up at him as he kept me close to his body. I could smell his clean soapy scent and I wanted to dive my nose into his collar.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered in my ear. “I wish things hadn’t ended like they did.”

  “Aren’t you with Jaime now?”

  “We’re just friends.”

  He moved his hands further down, holding my hips against his. I molded into him like a rag doll. Something inside me liked it, needed it. His attention dulled the pain I felt from missing Fin.

  Fin.

  Slow, wet kisses tickled my neck. Callahan’s lips moved to my ear, his hot breath elating me as he sucked my earlobe. Goose bumps exploded across my skin. I snorted in laughter as my heart skyrocketed. He chuckled softly in return, then moved along my jaw toward my lips.

  “I can’t.” I pulled away. “Please…”

  Our bodies, glued together, continued to bend to the beat as if they had a mind of their own. His sheepish grin faded in and out of clarity, making me woozy. I knew I should sit down, distance myself from his intoxicating smell and electrifying hands, but I couldn’t.

  “You’re so good for me.” He brushed my hair from my face. “I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

  I swooned. Safety. Comfort. To be human and whole, far from mer drama. But he couldn’t protect me from Colin. No human could.

  “I’m a princess.” The words slipped out. I giggled, surprised I’d admitted it.

  “Of course you are.” He touched the crown on my head. “I’d always treat you as such.”

  I laughed, wanting to tell him Colin wasn’t trying to attack me after all, but thought I was his lost mermaid princess. Oh, and that he decked him a good one. And that my boyfriend was a fish, too, and that I had no clue where he was and was worried we’d never have a normal life together. I wanted to give up—to choose someone safe. Someone with less drama. Someone like Callahan.

  “You smell so good,” I heard come out of my lips.

  “You do, too.”

  I laughed. He had to be lying. Even I could smell the mosquito repellent over the perfume Georgia doused my body in.

  But he started again, kissing my neck lightly. This time I didn’t resist. I wanted him—his lips, his hands on me, his body as close as possible. Nothing like this had ever felt so good. This was all so easy. No drama. No decisions. Just Callahan and me.

  Fin.

  I tried to stop, but the alcohol made my arms limp. He was going to kiss me and I wouldn’t be able to stop him this time. The crowd suddenly split Red Sea style and kids tumbled out of the exits like a waterfall. The music stopped as house lights flicked on, blinding everyone.

  “Come on, Ash,” Callahan said, tugging my hand. “We have to get out of here.”

  The underlying word I finally heard being breathed over and over from the crowd became crystal clear. Cops.

  33

  :::

  FIN

  Thursday evening, April 21st

  A high-pitched wail ripped me from my sleep. I slowly opened my eyes. The backseat of the taxi was overflowing with fins and torn clothing.

  “What are you?” the driver exclaimed, followed by a string of unintelligible words in another language.

  He swerved off the side of the road and skidded the taxi into a fence. Everything played out in slow motion. A hazy blur of barbwire and wooden stakes uprooted and beat the side of the car relentlessly.

  “Sing!” Galadriel screamed.

  I turned to her, but my lips wouldn’t move.

  Galadriel shook my arm. “Fin, sing right now!”

  My tongue lay flat and heavy in my mouth. Did she poison me again? The driver fled the vehicle like a madman, flailing his arms. Headlights hit my eyes. Tires screeched somewhere in the distance. The twilight revealed we’d chanced fate too long.

  Galadriel pulled her body up and hung ove
r the front seat. Her thin tail circled around next to me. She forced the gearshift into drive. The car jerked forward, rolling slowly.