Witch You Were Here

by ERIN BEDFORD

  I tried to pull away from Ian, but he kept his hand on my head. He shot a wicked grin at me before answering Charlie for me, “Oh, she’ll be coming any minute now, I’d think.”

  Paul burst out laughing the moment Charlie moved away from the door, but it quickly changed to a moan when I took matters into my own hands. If anyone would be coming, it would definitely be me. Ian predicted it after all.

  Chapter 9

  Sitting in my grandmother’s parlor a few days later, I couldn’t keep the grin off my face or keep my mind off what happened between the Broomstein brothers. I was supposed to be planning my coming out party, but I was afraid I hadn’t been much help. Not that my friends would be able to blame me if they had what I had running through my mind.

  While Paul and Ian had seemed concerned about what would be touching what, once the clothing came off and their hands got on me, it seemed all their worries went out the window.

  I wasn’t exactly sure how or when the brothers decided who would do what, but suddenly, I found myself on the bed and caught between the two of them. My mouth trailed over Ian’s body as fingers stroke between my thighs, turning my body into a hot ball of need.

  “Max?” Ian’s eyes widened and then gasped, his head falling back as I swirled my tongue around the head of him. I didn’t have long to revel in my control over him before I was moaning myself.

  Paul gripped my hips, while he thrust into me from behind. It wasn’t the exact position I had been hoping for, but I figured we could work our way up to the real fun.

  “Maxine?” A clink of dishes jerked me out of my memories, the odd sound completely out of place in the bedroom.

  “Huh?” I lifted my head off my hand, meeting Callie’s eyes.

  Callie scowled, “You weren’t listening at all were you?”

  I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry, what was it you were saying?”

  Callie tapped the papers in her hands on the counter and shook her head. “Forget it, I can tell your mind is on something else completely. So, why don’t we put the party planning to rest for now and you tell me why you have such a pleased expression on your face.” Callie pointed at my face with an arched brow. “Come on, what were you thinking about?”

  I blushed and ducked my head. “Oh, nothing. I swear. Did we decide on a band yet?” I tried to distract her, but I was outnumbered.

  “You’re not going to distract us.” Trina clinked her teacup against the saucer, sitting it back on the coffee table between us. “It’s clear her mind is in the gutter. See? Look how she’s blushing.”

  I clapped my hands on my face. “No, really. It’s nothing.”

  Callie giggled, leaning forward to point a finger at my face. “It’s no wonder you’re always thinking about sex. You have four guys. Four really hot guys. I don’t know how you ever leave the bedroom, to be honest.”

  Trina snorted. “I know, I wouldn’t.”

  I rolled my eyes, shifting to lean on the arm of the couch. “Yeah, well it’s not like that. We don’t just have sex.”

  “Oh, really?” Callie grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Then what else do you do? Compare the size of their wands? Or maybe you discuss whose stirring technique is better?”

  “You really should lay off the wordplay,” I groaned, smacking my head. “And for your information, I haven’t had sex with all of them yet.”

  “What?” Callie squealed, jumping out of her seat. “How the hell have you not tapped that yet?”

  Scowling, I crossed my arms. “Please don’t refer to them like they are just pieces of meat for me to use as I want.”

  Callie flushed, sitting back in her seat. “Sorry, I didn’t know you actually cared about them like that.”

  I opened my mouth to defend them, but Trina beat me to it. “To the outsider, it might seem like Max only wants those guys for their bodies. Even I can admit they are quite nice to look at. However, I’ve seen them together. It’s not about sex at all.”

  “Though it probably doesn’t hurt,” Callie interjected with a sneaky smirk.

  “The point is,” I jumped in before Trina could answer for me again, “I like each and every one of them. And no, I don’t compare them that way. They each bring something different to our relationship. I couldn’t possibly choose just one.”

  “Well, that could be a problem,” Trina mused, crossing one leg over the other as she picked her teacup up once more.

  “Why’s that?” Callie tilted her head to one side. “Why should she have to choose?”

  Trina took a sip of her cup and blinked her big brown eyes at us. “Oh, you’re really serious, aren’t you?”

  “Uh, duh,” Callie scoffed.

  I fidgeted in my seat. “I have an idea what you mean, but I can’t choose. No matter what that might say about me to the rest of the magical community.”

  Trina sniffed. “So, you’re just going to go unescorted?”

  “No!” I clamped my lips shut, my brows furrowed as I thought. “I mean, I haven’t decided what I’m doing yet. Can’t we just figure that out when the time comes? I still have to pick a dress, the caterer, the music.” I ticked them off on my fingers. “We have way too much to worry about before I have to think about who I’m going to go with.”

  Callie and Trina both looked like they were going to argue, but before they could, my grandmother walked in. “Ladies, good, you’re together.”

  “What is it?” I twisted in my seat to face her.

  Holding her phone in her hand, my grandmother’s face scrunched into a sour expression. “I’m afraid I have some troubling news. It seems that all the caterers I had listed for you are completely booked for the day of your coming out party.”

  “Hmm.” I rubbed my chin. “Well, that’s alright. We can just use a human one, can’t we?”

  Trina giggled but quickly covered her mouth with her hand at my grandmother’s glare.

  “No, we can’t just use a human one.” She crossed one arm under her elbow, waving her phone in my direction.

  “Why not?” Callie asked.

  I glanced from her to my grandmother. “Yeah, why not?”

  Trina made a noise, but this time she wasn’t getting away from my grandmother’s clutches. “Miss Morgan, why don’t you explain it to her? Maybe Maxine will actually listen to you.”

  Letting out a huff, Trina sat her cup down. “Not only would the magical community notice the difference in food quality, but the human caterers might come across something magical. Do you really want to be worried about wiping memories during your big day?”

  I scratched my face. “I guess I can see your point but still... what are we going to do for food then?”

  My grandmother made an annoyed grunt. “I can place a few calls. We might be able to get someone from out of town.” She turned her gaze to her phone, scrolling through the screen.

  “Or...” Trina began.

  All our eyes jerked over to Trina. “Or what?” I blinked.

  “We know someone here whose family owns one of the best restaurants in town.” Trina grinned. “And Max just so happens to be dating them.”

  I stared at her. “I am?”

  “That’s right.” My grandmother beamed, tapping her phone on her hand. “I guess your brazen ways have actually paid off this time.”

  “Thanks, grandmother.” I groaned and then turned my eyes back to Trina. “Who are you talking about?”

  “The Templars, of course.” My grandmother sniffed. “Aidan Templar is the sole son of the legendary Templar family. Not only are they known for their powerful seer abilities, but they make the most fantastic Boeuf Bourguignon.”

  “I love their Chocolate Mousse.” Trina smacked her lips together and rubbed her stomach. “I could live on that stuff.”

  I hummed, tapping my knuckle on my bottom lip. “So, you want me to ask Aidan if his family will do the catering?”

  “Yes,” my grandmother huffed. “I mean unless you want me to be the laughing
stock of the magical community.”

  I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. “Calm down. Don’t be so dramatic. I’ll ask him.” I stood and pulled my phone out. “And if anything, we can always serve pizza, right?”

  The gasp of utter horror that came from my grandmother was worth the smack on the back of the head I received in return. Wincing, I rubbed the offended spot. “I’m joking. Jeez. I thought you were supposed to be all proper and crap.”

  Hands on her hips, my grandmother growled, “Don’t test me, young lady. Just because I’m getting older doesn’t mean I won’t give you a good paddling.” She shoved her nose in the air and strode away, muttering under her breath about young people nowadays.

  Glancing between my friends, I gave a small laugh. “So, that was fun. We’ll have to do this again sometime.”

  “Oh no.” Callie grabbed my arm as I started for the door. “You’re not getting away that easily.”

  “What now?” I sagged, groaning. “I have a mission, remember?”

  “But I want to know what you were thinking about earlier,” Callie whined. “You never tell me anything about your sex life. I feel so jealous.” She stomped her foot and pouted. “Trina is your roommate, but I’m your best friend. How come she knows more than me?”

  Trina snorted. “Hard to not notice that much dick coming in and out of our room. My parents would have been so proud to find out I was dating four people as long as they were guys.” I heard the bitter tone to her voice and gave her a sympathetic look.

  Callie apparently missed it. It wasn’t that surprising. Callie tended to have a one-track mind.

  “Wahh, I want to be your roommate!”

  I sighed. “Callie, you have a roommate, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, but it’s not the same.” Callie wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes going to the side. “Amanda is fine. Boring really. All she does is study. I’m thinking about going to Georgia State next year instead.”

  “What?” I gaped at her. “And give up Brown?”

  Trina stood and adjusted her jersey dress. “I’ve got to go. If you need any more help, you have my number. I can’t wait to see what you pick for your outfit. Is it okay if I bring Libby?”

  “Sure. I’ll see you later.” I nodded, grateful that she figured out that I needed to have a talk with Callie.

  When Trina was gone, I took a seat next to where Callie collapsed on the couch. “Cal,” I placed my hand on hers. “Are you alright? Do you really hate Brown so much you’d go to Georgia State?”

  Callie gripped my hand in hers, leaning her head against my shoulder. “No. Not really. I’m just so afraid of losing you.”

  “Losing me?”

  “Yeah,” she breathed out with a sad expression. “You’ve found this whole other side of you, and well, I know you don’t mean to, and I know it’s part of growing up, but I feel like we’re drifting apart. Like you’ve left me behind somehow.”

  “Oh, Callie.” I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, hugging her. “I could never leave you behind. You’re not only my best friend but my sister. I couldn’t get rid of you if I wanted to which will never happen, no matter how many guys I have in my bed.”

  “Really?” She sniffed, rubbing her nose with the back of her hand. “With all the dick in your bed, there’s still room for me?”

  I groaned and shoved her playfully. “Please don’t say stuff like that. And no more talk about leaving Brown because you miss me, okay?”

  Callie ducked her head sheepishly. “Actually, that wasn’t just because of you.”

  My brows perked up. “Huh?”

  “Yeah, I decided to come back this fall not just because of you.” She let out a nervous laugh, not quite looking me in the eye. “Turns out Brown is a lot harder than I thought and so expensive. I kind of had to drop out and move back home.”

  “What?” I screeched, jumping to my feet. “How the... what the hell happened, Callie?”

  Callie stood as well. “It’s not a big deal. I flunked a few classes and lost my scholarship.” She waved a hand at me as if that were enough to get me to forget it. “Besides, I’ll be able to focus on school a lot more staying with my parents and not having to worry about money. Plus, I’ll be near you!”

  I pursed my lips. “I suppose, but I wished you’d told me before. I’m not the only one holding things back,” I chastised her, puffing my cheeks up with air.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.” Callie hung her head in shame. It didn’t last long because she perked up a second later. “So, Aidan. Which one is he again?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Do you want to come with me?”

  Callie pretended to think about it for a moment. “Oh hell, yeah! Wait. On second thought, maybe not. You might have to seduce him into helping, and I’m all for you having an active sex life, but I don’t want to be a part of it.”

  Seduce Aidan, huh? I wasn’t sure about that. Aidan seemed more like the kind who liked to wiggle their way into your life like a worm. He’d ended up in my bed with Ian before I knew I even wanted him to be there. I heated at the thought of seeing him again. Suddenly, the idea of seducing him into helping wasn’t so impossible.

  Chapter 10

  If I could imagine what a real wizard’s house would look like, it would be the Templar’s home.

  It sat on top of a hill with a winding driveway that crunched as I pulled through the iron and brick gate. The dark roof had a sharp pointy railing. The paneling which probably at one point had been a vibrant yellow was now faded and starting to peel. The yard was overgrown, and the wind blew through the leafless trees to make a creepy scratching noise against the windows of the house. All the house was missing was a storm cloud and some lightning for the full effect.

  “Man, talk about freaky,” I muttered to myself, climbing out of the car my grandmother and grandfather had forced on me. I held my phone tightly in my grip and made my way up the rickety porch. Licking my lips, I glanced back down at the text I had from Aidan.

  Yep, this was the address.

  Was Aidan playing some kind of trick on me? Someone had to be watching through the windows, recording me while they laughed at how stupidly petrified I looked standing here on this totally not-up-to-code porch.

  Okay, so that was a bit over the top. Aidan wasn’t like that. He was more the ‘hold onto me while we walked through a haunted house’ type, less the ‘playing pranks’ kind.

  Scowling at my lack of courage, I glanced up at Aris who hadn’t so much as shuddered. I guess if she thought it was alright then I shouldn’t have anything to fear.

  Yeah, right. Tell that to my knocking knees.

  Mustering up what little bravery I had, I reached a shaky finger out and pushed the doorbell next to the double doors. The paint was even worse this close up, and the windows were just moments away from falling apart. From the outside, I couldn’t hear the bell go off and only waited there a moment more before spinning on my heels and marching back to my car.

  “Max?” Aidan’s voice called to me, causing me to spin back around. The sundress I’d put on for this specific occasion wrapped around my legs and almost made me trip.

  My hand landed on the hood of my car, steadying myself while my mouth gaped at Aidan’s large form inside the broken-down house’s doorway. “So, you do live here? It’s not some trick?”

  Aidan raised a concerned brown and then amusement filled his eyes, a tick pulling at the corners of his lips. “Sorry. Glamour.” He waved a hand around the house’s exterior. “Come.”

  I stared at the large hand held out to me and hesitated. He had said there was a glamour over the house. If it was this creepy outside, who knew what awaited me on the inside?

  “Max,” Aidan’s voice deepened, and his brows furrowed, “please. Come.”

  Taking a deep breath in, I let it out in a rush before hurrying back over to him. I slid my hand into his, the beefy fingers curling around mine like a protective shield. I allowed him to lead me into the house,
my eyes searching around us the entire time as the broken-down exterior changed into something out of Home and Garden Magic Edition.

  To the side of the foyer, a living room set rearranged itself on its own. A broom swept and danced with a mop as the bucket of water tripped, dumping its contents at our feet.

  I jumped back, and the mop hurried to clean the mess up, giving me a small kind of bow before rushing away.

  “Now, this is what I call a house.” I grinned at Aidan as his crystalline blue eyes watched me intently.

  A flurry of short people rushed back and forth through the foyer, each of them holding something different. A tray of food. A large bouquet. Candlesticks. However, what drew my eyes to them were the pointed ears and large noses.

  “Are those...?” I pointed at them, trying not to stare.

  “Goblins.” Aidan nodded, leading me through an opening in their hurry. “They work for my family. Better than normal ones.”

  I thought back to Bella and Charlie and smiled. I bet they never thought anyone would refer to them as normal servants.

  “So, why the whole glamour outside?” I waved behind me where the door had creaked to shut on its own.

  Aidan drew me over to a wall inside the living area and jerked his head toward the pictures filling the wall. Rows and rows of fancy awards all in golden frames covered every inch. Everything from best pie to best restaurant for the last decade or so.

  “To deter unwanted guests,” Aidan grunted. “Can’t have a regular family dinner without them putting on a show. Everyone wants them to cook for them or caterer some big event.”

  Aidan’s words made me wince. Crap. That’s why I’d come over here for.

  Sensing my distress or seeing it on my face, a poker player I was not, Aidan tipped my face toward him, brushing my hair behind my ear. “What is it?”

  I squirmed in place not meeting his gaze, my teeth worrying my lip. “Well... I hate to ask, but it’s kind of a magical emergency.” At least that was what my grandmother had called it.