The three of us had been sitting in my living room. I was starting Joey’s action movie of choice when he said, “So, Ronnie, have you heard from McDreamy since the concert?” I stiffened and glared at Joey, silently asking what he thought he was doing.
“What?” Annie perked up from her spot on the couch, glancing between us. “What are you talking about, Joey?”
Joey had shrugged and said, “Ask, Ronnie.”
Which she did.
At the time, I was still struggling to comprehend the insanity of meeting angels, let alone learning I was Nephilim. I hadn’t wanted to tell Annie anything about Adrian, fearful of accidentally revealing the truth about the angelic world. But, as expected by my pushy best friend, I really didn’t have a choice. So, I revealed Adrian seemed interested in me, and he’d alluded to the fact he might see me around.
As you might imagine, Annie lost it.
She proceeded to conjure up scenarios in which I may run into my mysterious admirer. While, at the same time, giving me an earful for not telling her about the mysterious man sooner. I’d continued to glare at Joey as I defended my stance to my best friend, telling her there was nothing to tell. Adrian said hi, then he left when Joey arrived. That was it.
Joey remained silent during my explanation, looking unbothered by my irritated stare.
I hadn’t understood what prompted Joey to mention Adrian in the first place. Part of me wondered if he was jealous, but I’d dismissed the idea immediately. After all, he had no reason to be jealous. Joey was my best friend, not my boyfriend. And he’d never given the slightest indication that was something he would ever want to be. Joey was just being weird.
Several minutes later, Annie finally let the topic drop when I hit “play” on the remote, but now that she knows Adrian is the guy from the restaurant, I doubt I’ll be so lucky again.
“Zeke’s brother was the guy at the concert?” Annie can’t contain her shocked excitement. It makes the earpiece on my phone crackle with her elevated pitch. “Are you for real? That’s crazy.”
“Yeah,” I agree with her, “it’s crazy.”
“So… are you like… going to go out with Zeke or Adrian? I mean, Zeke kind of ditched you when he left without saying goodbye. If I were you, I’d go for Adrian. He seems more mature.”
I don’t bother asking what she means. She doesn’t know either of them well enough to make that claim. “I’m not going out with either of them. Zeke just wanted to say hello,” I remind her.
“Okay, but what about Adrian? You said he seemed interested at the concert. Why not date him?”
“Because he’s Zeke’s brother,” I tell her, “and that’s weird.”
Annie releases an exasperated breath. “How, in the world, is that weird? You had a crush on Zeke, but you never dated him. His brother is fair game.”
I shake my head and walk to my room. I can’t disagree with Annie more. Now that I know Zeke and Adrian are brothers, there is no way I can even think of dating Adrian without thinking of Zeke, or vice versa. It would be too weird.
And, let’s not forget, there is the fact both Adrian and Zeke are angels. I mean, I freaking saw them slay demons like it was nothing. Neither of them is the kind of guy my parents would want me to bring home, that’s for sure.
“I’m not interested in either of them.” I enter my bedroom. “We’re about to go to college. I don’t need to start a relationship with anyone. I need to branch out and meet people without bringing along any baggage from Valley Lake.”
I know Annie can’t argue against that logic. She’s the one who’d recently called me out on my introvert behavior. There is no way she’d want me to do anything which might impede my social life in college.
“When you’re right, you’re right,” I hear her say through the phone. Then, she changes topic, “Speaking of cracking up your shy cocoon and emerging like a stunning butterfly, how about you come with me to Freddy’s party tonight?”
I groan. I’d totally forgotten about the party Preston had mentioned.
“I don’t know,” I say. “I wasn’t really invited.”
“Yes, you were,” Annie corrects me. “I saw your social media profile on the party’s event page. You never check your account. The page lists you as ‘invited but no response’.”
“Oh.” I never considered the invitation had gone out online. Annie is right, I rarely log into my social media accounts. I tend to spend my free time doing other things like kickboxing, watching streaming TV, or reading. “I still don’t know. I’m not really friends with our classmates.”
“Puh-lease.” I imagine Annie rolling her eyes. “Everyone’s known each other since elementary school. Come on. It’ll be fun. We can practice breaking you out of your shell in a low-risk environment. What do you say?”
I want to say that the party will not be a low-risk environment. I may have known a lot of my classmates from childhood, but that doesn’t automatically qualify us as friends. Joey and Annie are, honestly, the only people I give that title to.
That being said, I know Annie well enough to know she isn’t going to let me get out of this easily. I sigh. “Alright.”
Annie gasps, “What?! Really? I expected you to fight me more.”
She’s laughing, and I chuckle as well. “Call it my newfound eighteen-year-old wisdom, but I know there’s really no point in arguing with you.”
Not to mention, I realize I may benefit from the distraction of a party. With the incredulous truths forced upon me recently, I could use a normal, teenage experience.
At least, I think I can. I’ll have to wait until the party to know for sure.
Sixteen
Freddy Hutchins’ lakeside home has transformed into a frat-house. Red plastic cups cover nearly every surface of the home, and electronic dance music blasts from his home’s surround sound speakers. All of the end tables are pushed against the living room walls, making room for a makeshift dance floor. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have left town to celebrate their anniversary, and their beloved son is taking advantage.
I pull my arms in and wind my way through the swaying crowd, cringing as sweaty bodies touch me. It’s almost like I’m back at the Young and Heart concert. My former classmates seem too busy enjoying the effects of alcohol to be bothered by the humid, uncomfortable atmosphere. I finally reach the kitchen and sigh, relieved.
Fancy light fixtures glow softly on the chips and dip spread out on the kitchen counters. I take a chip and pop it in my mouth as I search for my friend. Annie and I had arrived over an hour ago, but I’d since lost her to the sea of our graduating class. She’d disappeared to get water, but that was ten minutes ago. Now, I can’t see her anywhere.
I turn around to continue my search when a tall form intercepts me. “Hey, Veronica.”
Tilting my head, I look up, surprised to see who is in front of me. “Hi, Preston.”
His dimples show as he smiles. “I’m glad you came! Are you having fun?”
“Yeah, definitely,” I lie. I’ve barely spoken two words to anyone at the party. No one is blatantly unfriendly, but they’re obviously preoccupied with hanging out with their own friends.
“Great!” Preston lifts his hand, holding a cup of punch. “Want something to drink?”
I shrug, surprised by his attention. “Sure.”
He spins around and walks towards the glass bowl on the kitchen island.
Silently, I pray for Annie to return. I don’t know where she ran off to, but I want her back with me. The party isn’t my scene, and I feel like a freak on display for all of our classmates to sneer at. I need Annie to tell me I’m being dramatic and put me at ease.
Preston returns carrying an extra cup, filled with the red liquid. He offers it to me.
“Thanks.” I take a sip to be polite, and I can’t stop my face from puckering.
I cough. “Oh my gosh. What is that?”
Preston chuckles. “Rum, I think. Don’t worry about drinking it if you don’t like it. I�
�m not much of a fan either.” He shows me his nearly-full cup.
I appreciate the gesture and decide to admit, “I’ve never really had alcohol before.” Aside from sips of my mom’s wine during Christmas dinner, I never touched the stuff.
“It’s overrated,” Preston tells me.
I smile shyly and take another sip without thinking. This time, the flavor isn’t as shocking. I’m able to swallow without cringing.
“So… how’s life post-graduation?” I make conversation to prevent awkwardness.
“Fine.” He pushes back hair from his forehead. “Just ready to move away to college, you know?”
“Yeah, totally.” I can’t wait to leave the small town I grew up in. I never really fit in here. But I’m surprised Preston is eager to leave. As the high school’s star quarterback, he is a celebrity in Valley Lake. I imagine it will be different for him to move to a place where no one knows who he is.
“Are you going to try out for the football team in college?” I already know Preston didn’t receive any offers to play at a division one school. It’s the controversy of the decade for many of our town’s football fans.
“Nah, I think I’m going to hang up my helmet and focus on school.”
My eyebrows arch. I’m surprised by the mature statement. “What’s your major?”
“Computer Information Systems,” he says with a smile. “Surprising, I know.”
I return his smile. “Surprising, but cool. You’ll definitely land a job with that degree.”
“That’s the plan.”
I sip my drink, giving myself a moment to marvel at the fact Preston is speaking to me, and that I’m not nervous. Normally, I’d flounder through a prolonged conversation with my crush. Maybe graduation and turning eighteen has boosted my confidence without me realizing.
Though, I suspect my newfound confidence may come from spending a significant amount of time with four muscular angels. Annie might be right about my need to practice having conversations with attractive men.
Glancing around the kitchen, I realize it’s nearly cleared out. I hear a popular song playing on the speakers, and I imagine everyone has gone to dance to the tune. That’s probably where Annie is.
Relying on my newfound bravery, I ask Preston, “Where’s Tina?” The only downside of speaking with Preston is his mean girlfriend is due at any moment to deliver an insult.
“No idea,” he says. “We broke up.”
“What?”
Preston and Tina are the “it” couple at Valley Lake High School. Everyone thought they’d be high school sweethearts and eventually get married. I, at least, expected them to date through the first year of college. Then, maybe they’d break up after spending so much time living apart. I hadn’t experienced one for myself, but everyone says long-distance relationships are hard.
“Yeah. It was a long time coming. Tina’s great and all, but we’re just too different. Better to break up now than drag it out over the summer.”
I bob my head. “That makes sense.” I don’t dare say how I think Tina is a horrible person and he’s better off without her. My newfound bravery doesn’t make me that bold.
The sound of someone tapping on glass distracts us. Both Preston and I turn towards the noise, and I jump when I see a dark form knocking on the back door. Immediately, my mind turns to the demons that have attacked me on two occasions. I’m about to run when the motion-activated porch light turns on and I recognize the dark-haired man standing outside.
My eyes widen as they meet Gabe’s. He cocks his head to the side and knocks on the glass, again.
When I’d informed my angelic bodyguards about the party, they hadn’t been thrilled with the idea. But I quickly told them they didn’t have a choice. I wasn’t going to let their sudden appearance in my life keep me from doing what I wanted.
Besides, I doubt Annie would’ve let me bail.
The four angels and I agreed that Gabe and Mr. Cohen would monitor the party from outside. They promised no one would see them, and they wouldn’t bother me unless I was in danger. The last thought frightens me as I worry something bad must’ve happened to warrant Gabe’s appearance.
“Do you know that guy?” Preston asks.
“Yeah.” I walk forward and unlock the door. I step back as it swings open and Gabe steps into the house.
“Hello, Veronica.”
“Hey, what’s up?” I fidget, knowing Preston is watching the interaction. I observe Gabe’s face, searching for any sign there is danger afoot. I pray no demons have followed my invisible angelic vibes to the party. I don’t want anyone to get hurt because I decided to finally try and socialize with my classmates.
Gabe’s eyes twinkle as he says, “Nothing much. Just thought I’d come check out the party.”
My eyebrows turn down. “What?”
But Gabe isn’t given time to answer.
“Do you know Freddy?” Preston asks.
Gabe looks over my shoulder. I turn around and see Preston’s wide stance and crossed arms.
From behind me, I hear Gabe reply, “I’m a friend of his parents, actually.”
I frown, disapproving of Gabe’s lie.
Preston’s face pales. “Oh… uh. We’re just hanging out.” He’s worried Gabe is here to bust the party. I see Preston’s gaze dart toward the spiked punch bowl.
“Really?” Gabe’s arm moves into my sight as he reaches around and plucks the plastic cup from my fingers. He lifts it to his nose and sniffs. “Sure does smell like you’re doing more than ‘hanging out’.”
Preston’s throat bobs. “L-let me go find Freddy.” Without waiting, he rushes out of the kitchen to find the host of the party.
“Are you insane?” I whirl on Gabe. He’s leaning against the back door, smiling proudly. “Why would you lie about knowing Freddy’s parents?”
“It’s not a lie,” he surprises me by saying, “and I needed him to leave so I could talk to you.”
Foreboding hovers like a dark cloud over my head. “Why? What’s happened? What’s wrong?”
“Another yancor demon has been spotted around your house. He was careful to keep his distance, but Adrian found him anyway. They’re getting smarter.”
I know that doesn’t bode well for me. “How long until the nest is cleared?” I can’t wait until my life can resume some normalcy.
“No idea,” Gabe doesn’t sugar-coat it. “We’re trying to find the nest and neutralize the leader, but the yancor demons are proving themselves resourceful.”
“What does that even mean?” Gabe acts like I know what he’s talking about, but he needs to remember this is all new to me. I’d suspected the creatures weren’t intelligent when they attacked me on Mrs. Hall’s yard, but I don’t understand what is, or isn’t, normal behavior for the scaly demons.
“It means the yancor demons are organized, more than usual. They aren’t the brightest things, but they seem determined to not lose you as prey.”
I suck in a breath. “But why? What’s so different about me?”
Gabe’s eyes trail over me. I see his eyes flash before he says, “Many things, I suspect.”
Before I can ask what he means, Annie bounds into the kitchen. “Ronnie, there you are.”
I spin around and see her stop short when she sees Gabe.
“Oh… Hi.” She glances between me and Gabe, but her eyes linger on the handsome angel with each look. Annie shakes herself out of her stupor and closes the distance between us. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Annie.” She holds out her hand.
Gabe takes the offer. “Nice to meet you, Annie. I’m Gabe.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Are you… friends with Ronnie?” Annie’s coffee eyes swing to me and they gleam. I know she recognizes Gabe from the restaurant.
“We met at the restaurant,” I answer for Gabe. “He’s friends with Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins, apparently.”
Annie’s eyes widen like Preston’s had. “Oh…”
“Yep. What a coinciden
ce, right?” I don’t look to see Gabe’s reaction. I just pray he goes along with what I say.
“Totally,” Annie nods her head, rebounding from her initial surprise. “Are you from Valley Lake, Gabe?”
“Just visiting,” Gabe’s deep voice vibrates through the air, raising goosebumps on my arm.
“Well, welcome to Valley Lake,” she smiles charmingly.
“Thank you.” This time, I do turn and look at Gabe. He’s returning Annie’s smile.
“I’m actually here to take Veronica home,” Gabe continues. “Her parents are concerned with her being out at a party with no adult supervision.”
It takes every ounce of strength to not whirl around and object to Gabe’s statement. What does he think he’s doing?
“You know Ronnie’s parents?”
“I’m acquainted with them,” Gabe says the lie so effortlessly, even I’m inclined to believe him despite knowing his words are false.
Fortunately, Annie believes him.
“Well, you’re here now,” Annie says flirtatiously. “Don’t you count as an adult?” I see her check Gabe out, and I can’t ignore the uncomfortable twist I feel in my chest. I shift sideways. Now, I can see both of them as they continue speaking.
“Fair point,” Gabe surprises me by saying.
“Excellent,” Annie beams.
Then, both Gabe and Annie look at me. I fidget under their scrutiny. “What?”
“Nothing,” Gabe returns. “Enjoy the party. I’ll stick around for a bit. Then, we really should go.” There is a warning glint in his eye. The scouting demon really spooked him.
Annie grabs my hand and nods, agreeing with Gabe’s demand. “You got it. We’ll just catch up with some friends and then we’ll be right back.” She pulls me away before Gabe can say anything else.
We’re climbing the last steps toward the second floor when Annie stops and turns to face me. She’s leaning over me from the top step, and I look back at her with raised eyebrows. “What?”
“Don’t you dare ‘what’ me, Veronica Messenger,” she hisses. “What is going on with you?”
Claimed by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 1) Page 11
