Beautifully Unnatural: A Young Adult Paranormal Boxed Set

by Amy Miles

  He shook his head. “I’m fine, for now.”

  Why was he staring at me? “Then what’s wrong?”

  “You’re in my bed and I’m tired. Although that’s not what I was thinking.” He grabbed a decorative pillow and leaned against the end of the sofa. “I’m not comfortable with you so far away. It would take Daniel two seconds to break through your window and snag you. I wouldn’t be able to get there in time. Now that he’s upped his threats, we can’t afford to sleep at opposite ends of the house anymore.”

  “I could sleep in my dad’s chair.” I eyed the recliner uncertainly.

  “You take your bed. I’ll sleep on the floor in your room.”

  I shook my head. “No way. That chair will be more comfortable for me than the floor. It’s hardly fair to let you be uncomfortable when you’re only here for my safety.”

  “Okay. It’s late. Let’s get ready for bed.”

  Get ready for bed. That sounded good. I turned and went upstairs to clean up. Out of the shower, I blow dried my hair then contemplated which PJs to wear, settling on a set that covered nearly every inch of me. I wanted to avoid tempting him, which would then torture me.

  Delaying my reunion with Zack a few more minutes, I rifled through my closet in search of what I would wear tomorrow, running my hand along the skirt section, then the jeans and tops. Stopping at the dresses, I picked up the hem of a gown covered in paper. Where the protective wrap ended, gold and cream fabric peeked out. I fingered the delicate lace.

  “Hey.”

  I jumped, my eyes darting to Zack who stood in the doorway, bare-chested and hair wet. My stomach did a little flip.

  “It got too quiet and I got worried that…”

  With great effort, I smiled and tried to keep my eyes on his when I really wanted to ogle his six-pack. “I’m fine.”

  “What’s that?” he nodded toward the hem of the dress in my hand.

  “Daniel planned on taking me to prom, so I got this. Now, the thought of going anywhere with him makes me want to vomit.” I glanced down at the gown again. “Waste of a perfectly good dress.”

  “Why not go anyway?”

  Was that his way of asking me to go with him? Since we were pretend boyfriend-girlfriend, why not pretend go to the prom together? I waited for him to ask.

  “People go stag all the time,” he said with a shrug of his shoulder.

  “Hell, no.” I gave him a dirty look. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  He backed away and disappeared, his footfalls getting fainter the farther he got. “Come down soon. Having you so far away makes me nervous,” he shouted from below.

  If only he meant that comment the way I would’ve meant it.

  When I joined Zack downstairs moments later, he’d already become one with the couch, his blanket tucked around him. I turned off the lights and curled up in the big chair, reclining it all the way back. The plush cushions enveloped me and I should’ve instantly relaxed. Instead, I lay there wired. Snuggling deeper into my comforter, I hoped I’d be able to take my mind off Zack. Eventually. It had been easier up in my room where he was farther away.

  I didn’t get Zack at all. He had to like me. Otherwise, why did he take every opportunity to kiss me? Could it really be that simple, like he’d said so many times — I was hot and he was still a guy? No connection other than having the right equipment?

  Feeling the energy radiating from Zack, I knew he wasn’t asleep. What I was about to do was scary and risky. Bad things could happen by putting myself out there and opening myself up. But I just had to. “Zack. If two people like each other, why is being together such a crime? I don’t mean mating and risking our chances of winning a battle. I’m talking about enjoying the moment with someone you care about.”

  “With that reasoning, I could hook up with Maya or Ashley, because they’re attractive and I like them too.” He exhaled loudly. “Earlier today, you asked me not to kiss you again, because it meant something to you. Did you change your mind?”

  He’d just lumped me in with every other girl, basically saying I wasn’t special to him, even a tiny bit. It felt like a massive weight pushed into my chest, the pressure crushing my heart and lungs. I wondered if I might stop breathing. How long could I live without oxygen?

  “I’m sorry, Autumn. You know I care about you or I wouldn’t be here. But what you’re asking for isn’t something I can give you. You have to let this go.”

  I forced my lungs to take in air. Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale.

  “I never meant to hurt you,” he said.

  But he had hurt me.

  Maybe it was a good thing. Maybe I could finally get him out of my head. The truth shall set you free, isn’t that what they say? Yet, I didn’t feel free and the truth didn’t make the rejection go down any easier. But at least now, once and for all with absolute certainty, I knew where we stood.

  “Don’t sweat it,” I said. “You did me a favor. Now I can move on.”

  He’d warned me all along. How could I be mad at him? It would’ve been helpful if he’d exercised more control, but who was I to talk? I held as much blame for our make-out sessions as he did.

  It had been exactly two weeks ago today since I’d first seen him and most of that time, we’d been at odds. I couldn’t be in love with him. Someday, I’d fall in love for real, with someone who could love me back.

  Zack’s breathing stayed uneven, telling me he was still awake. Mentally, I wanted to cut my ties to him, but even in the wee hours of the night, he was still all I could think about.

  † † †

  Saturday morning, we slept in and awkwardly went about our morning business, me pretending I didn’t care. He’d said good morning to me, but those were his only words until I invited him to breakfast. I’d put coffee on, then whipped up omelets and made toast.

  Zack looked like hell. He was pale, his hair exploded in every direction and he moved slower than usual.

  “You didn’t sleep well?” I saw him eyeing the salt and passed it to him.

  “I’ve had better nights.” He sprinkled the shaker over his eggs.

  “If feeling sorry for me disturbed your sleep, it shouldn’t have,” I said, forcing a smile. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, since his face was void of expression. “You warned me that first day car shopping. I should’ve listened. In any case, I’m fine,” I choked out when I really wanted to yell at him and play the blame game. But that would make us both miserable. The responsibility was on me anyway.

  “So, what are your plans today?” I asked in an effort to change the subject.

  “We have to take your car in.” He spread jelly on his toast and took a bite. “The last thing we want is for it to break down when we need it most.”

  I took another bite of my eggs. “Can we take it in later? I wanted to do laundry and some cleaning. We also need to get groceries and maybe spend some time with your mom while she’s up for it.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” He scooped up another bite of the omelet. “This is great, by the way. So far you’ve only scrambled them and they were good, but this is amazing.”

  “Thanks. It’s time-consuming though. School mornings I’m too rushed to do it right.”

  “Then I should wake you up earlier.” He grinned.

  “Ha ha.” I chuckled, relieved at the lighter atmosphere.

  “I think doing the car thing later in the day is good,” Zack said between chews. “The shop will be closed. I won’t have to wait to use any of the equipment and we won’t be in anyone’s way.”

  We finished breakfast, then divided up the chores and went our separate ways. After lunch, I finished the last of the mountain of our laundry while he went through the fridge sniffing things and tossing out anything bad. I made my shopping list, consulting him now and then.

  Ready to hit the supermarket, I realized all the curtains were still closed. I peered through a slit in the panels while I waited for Zack to stow his clean clothes. A suspiciously
familiar black Audi approached.

  “He drove by earlier this morning when I took a break from cleaning the kitchen,” Zack said from behind me. “Nothing to worry about. It’s a scare tactic.” He found the keys and opened the front door like he didn’t have a care in the world.

  I abandoned the window to face Zack. “You don’t find it annoying? Maybe a little bit unsettling?”

  “Why stress over it? I can handle Daniel.” He ushered me out and locked the door.

  I glanced around, scrutinizing every inch of the neighborhood, but didn’t see Daniel or his car anywhere. When would he attack — today or tomorrow? Could Zack really handle him or would Daniel play dirty and somehow catch Zack off guard?

  Maybe Zack wasn’t scared. But I sure was.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  We finished at the market and arrived at Zack’s house before dinner.

  “Mmm. Lasagna. I love you, Aunt Cara.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

  Meat lasagna. How could such a temptation be denied? I briefly considered throwing the whole vegetarian thing out the window. No point in fighting it. But I’d had enough craziness in my life without losing control over some stupid piece of food. I would resist, just as I had all week.

  Cara wiped her hands on her apron and smiled at him. “You better not love me just for my cooking. I left a corner of it without meat,” she told me. “We don’t want you going hungry.”

  “Thank you. That was nice of you.”

  “Well, it’s the least I can do, since you feed Zack every morning. Your mom’s waiting for you, Zack. She’s more tired than usual today. You should see her while she’s still up for it.” Zack opened his mouth and she cut him off. “Go. Both of you. I don’t need any help just yet.”

  “You sure?” I asked Cara as Zack disappeared into the hallway. Staying busy would make me less antsy about waiting helplessly for Daniel to pounce. It was coming. I could feel it. “I don’t have anything to do.”

  Trevor burst through the front door and spotted me right away. “Hey.”

  “Autumn.” Maya sprinted to me and filled me in on everything we’d missed after leaving Ashley’s party the night before. Ashley’s mom had stepped in vomit, almost slipping on the bathroom floor. When they were breaking up the party and sending everyone home, her parents found partiers making out in their bed. Cigarette butts were strewn across the lawn, a bed of flowers trampled beyond saving and a trash can tipped over with garbage littering the driveway. Now Ashley was limited to a certain number of guests — if she’d ever be allowed to have parties again.

  “That’s terrible.” I said, distributing a stack of plates around the table. “It seemed like everything was under control when we left.”

  Maya narrowed her eyes. “Somebody spiked the punch and I don’t mean with booze. I think it was Daniel. He probably figured her parents wouldn’t be able to tell the punch was drugged.”

  “Such a jerk,” I said. It made sense in a twisted way. If he wasn’t able to ruin my evening by harassing me, he’d upset me by messing with my friends.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Maya said. “We’re going to that carnival tonight. You and Zack should come. It’ll be fun.”

  I was so not in the mood. “Don’t you and Trevor ever want to be alone? You know, a real date, without us tagging along?”

  “We get plenty of time alone. It’s fun having you two go out with us, especially when you’re getting along.”

  “I’ll ask Zack, but he’s worried about my car. He wants to go to the garage and check it out.”

  Maya rolled her eyes. “On a Saturday night? Oh, please. You’re coming with us.”

  I decided to let Zack handle her. I barely had any brain cells left after worrying about Daniel’s imminent attack, much less anything else.

  † † †

  After dinner, Zack helped his mom to bed, while I started on the kitchen. He joined me a few minutes later, washing the pots and pans while I rinsed and dried them.

  “What are Trevor’s chores? Or do you do everything?”

  “I clean the kitchen.” Zack grinned. “Trevor handles all the laundry.”

  “Oh, that explains why you were so anxious to dump it on me earlier.”

  He laughed. I’d missed the easy camaraderie. Soon, Daniel would interfere and who knew what the outcome would be?

  He’ll come for us tonight, I think, Zack said silently. The more prepared we are, the better our chances. Always stay close to me, okay?

  I’d had even less time to relax than I thought.

  “You guys are coming to the carnival, right?” Trevor asked.

  Zack glanced at his cousin, shook his head and continued scrubbing. “Nah. Thanks, but I’m too tired. Slept crappy last night.”

  Trevor wrapped an arm around Maya. “What do you think? You and I can go to a movie tonight instead.”

  “Only if I get to choose which one,” she said, a gleam in her eye.

  “Sure,” Trevor agreed.

  Maya looked smug. She went for chick flicks. I giggled to myself, knowing he’d regret agreeing so readily. The happy couple went to Trevor’s room to check on movie times and we finished in the kitchen. Setting the sponge on the side of the sink, Zack wiped his hands on a dish towel and turned to me.

  “What now?” I asked out loud.

  Visit with my mom, then we meet up with Daniel.

  If he isn’t out front to see us leave, how will he know where we went? I asked. Or did you already arrange it with him?

  We didn’t talk about it at all. But how do you know he’s not around to watch where we go, just because we don’t see him? He headed down the hallway toward his mom.

  I followed, a rush of trepidation making me sluggish.

  Crap. That sucked. Maybe it won’t be tonight. He might wait a few days, I said hopefully.

  Daniel’s used to getting his own way and wasn’t gifted with patience. The only leverage he has left is surprise. He’ll attack and he won’t wait a second longer than he has to.

  Zack was probably right. Just great. I hated being so dependent on Zack and wished I’d taken a self-defense class. Or two.

  He tapped on Favianne’s door and opened it gradually. When his mom signaled for us to come in, he urged me ahead of him. As soon as she saw me, she patted the side of the bed. I scooted up onto the mattress and she took my hand.

  Trevor poked his head in. “Goodnight, Aunt Favianne.”

  She smiled sleepily. “Goodnight.”

  “Can I borrow you?” Trevor asked Zack.

  Zack glanced uncertainly at his mother and she waved him away. “Don’t stop your life for me. If I fall asleep, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He hesitated a moment, then slipped out of the room.

  “When do your parents get back?” she asked.

  “A week or two, I think.”

  She smiled. “Then Zack will sleep here again?”

  “Yes.”

  She scrutinized my face. “When I go, his family will take care of him. But it would be nice to know he has a girl to love him and watch over him.”

  I couldn’t be there for Zack. He’d never allow it. My eyes watered, but I didn’t wipe them. “I’ll do my best.”

  “I’m sure you will. Don’t let him push you away. He can be very independent and stubborn.” She leaned her head back against the pillow and closed her eyes. “He loves you, you know.”

  I blinked, unsure how to respond. What could I say? That her mother’s intuition was off? That Zack and I would never be together and what she thought she saw was a lie? “We’ve been hanging out a week. Love might be too strong of a word.”

  “He’s been slow to open up since he lost his father, but I see that he cares for you. Love can mean many things. Caring for someone, wanting to be near her for who she is. That’s the best kind of love.”

  Should I deny it? Tell her that he and I were thrown together, because of Zack’s habit of helping damsels in distress?

 
Her deep steady breathing told me she’d fallen asleep and didn’t require a reply. As gently as I could, I eased off the bed and left. In the hallway, I heard Zack and Trevor. I followed their voices, poking my head through the doorway of Trevor’s bedroom.

  “They’re okay cars, but for that price, you can find one with fewer miles on it.” Zack looked doubtfully at the laptop monitor. “Be patient. Don’t be in such a rush that you buy a problem. Besides, you have my Jeep when you need it.” He glanced at me. “Is she asleep?” When I nodded, his face fell. I’d make sure he spent time with her tomorrow.

  If we were still alive.

  He waved to Trevor and as we re-entered the hallway, he called out goodnight to his aunt. Handing me my purse, he ushered me out the door and to my car. Once he’d seen me safely inside — not without first scanning the area thoroughly — he started the Mustang and backed out of the spot.

  “Should we go straight to the auto shop?” I asked, lowering the window to feel the wind.

  “Yeah. Listen,” he cast me a quick glance, “if Daniel shows up, you have to remember not to do anything that’ll tell him you’re a shifter, no matter what.”

  “He’ll fight dirty, Zack. You know he will. If he’s about to hurt you, I can’t sit there and do nothing.” I took in a deep breath and stared ahead. “You can’t ask that of me. You can’t expect me to stand by and...” I couldn’t finish it.

  “Autumn, if they find out about you, it’s over.”

  I wasn’t going to let Zack get hurt if I could help, but I let the subject drop. “Why are you so sure he’ll go to the shop?”

  “He’s not going to follow us into a crowded place with witnesses. The garage is in an industrial area and deserted most of the weekend. There’s no better place to launch an attack. I think he knew that and did something to your car, so we’d have to go there.”

  “We should’ve taken my other car or your Jeep.” Anything was better than falling in line with Daniel’s plan.

  “He’d just do something to those cars too, if he hasn’t already.”

  “Oh, my God, Zack.” I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. There seemed to be no way to avoid a confrontation with Daniel. “Why are we even leaving the house?”