by J. N. Colon
I ignored the Nephilim. “I grabbed this one, Austin. I hope you can read it because I—” Jayson snatched the book out of my hand.
“I can read it just fine.” He tucked it under his arm so I couldn’t yank it back.
I propped my hands on my hips. “That’s for Austin and me. Get your own.”
“We’re working together.” Jayson twirled his finger between us.
My jaw hung open. “The hell we are.”
“Come on, J.J. She obviously wants to work with Austin.” Hannah’s hand wrapped around Jayson’s thick bicep. “I can’t blame her. He’s delicious as always.” She winked at the quarterback.
Mr. Football gave a goofy grin. “Thanks, Hannah. You’re not so bad yourself.”
Oh, gawd. Did everyone fall for her over-the-top sex kitten act?
“Great,” Jayson said, his fingers managing to slip into mine while still on my hip. “Then you two can work together.”
I dug my heels in as he tried to drag me away. “You are such a Neanderthal,” I hissed. “I’m not working with you.”
He rolled his eyes. “But I really need to talk to you.”
“Why?”
“It’s important,” he said through clenched teeth.
My pulse jumped. Had something happened? Did he find out why Astaroth wanted me? I glanced at Austin. He didn’t look too upset to work with Hannah. “Do you mind if we switch partners?”
Austin shrugged. “It’s fine.”
Hannah’s lips thinned as Jayson tugged me toward the back of the classroom far away from them. He pulled two desks together, and we sat across from each other.
My knees bounced beneath the faux wood top. “What is it?”
Jayson began flipping through the book, making a few humming sounds. “How did you get that scar?”
“What scar?” I had a ton of them from various injuries.
“The one on your ribcage.” He ran his finger along the spot on his own body.
“How did you know I had a scar there?” Clothes usually hid it. I didn’t normally walk around in a crop top unless I was at the beach. The few muddy ponds around town paled in comparison to the vast, sunny beaches of Charleston.
“When I stayed over the other night, your shirt had ridden up.” His eyes lifted, boring into mine with an intensity that sent my limbs quaking. “I saw it.”
My breath hitched. Just the mere thought of Jayson lying in my bed was enough to give me heart palpitations. “Oh, um…” Gawd. I couldn’t talk with him staring at me like that. He looked like he wanted to vault over the desk and plant one on me.
I wouldn’t have minded if he did.
I shook off the naughty images. “I slipped on some rocks at the beach.”
He leaned forward. “I wanted to kiss you there, but I thought it would have been creepy while you were asleep.”
Sweet cherry cheesecake. “I’m awake now.” Did I really just say that out loud?
“Yeah, you said that out loud, Angel Eyes.” Gold began to smolder in those hazel irises. “I heard there’s a spot in the back of the library no one ever goes…” He licked his lips.
All the moisture evaporated from my mouth. Was he seriously suggesting we sneak out of class to go hook up in the library? Was I seriously considering it?
Hannah’s loud, smoky laugh popped the bubble of lust. Whatever Austin said wasn’t that funny. She just wanted to remind me of her presence.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and glared at Jayson. He’d pulled me over here to discuss something important. I was beginning to think that was a lie. “Is that all you had to say?”
He sighed and leaned back, the plastic chair creaking from his weight. “I was curious.”
“You are ridiculous. You did that to keep me from working with Austin.”
“So.” He roughly flipped through the book. “Maybe I wanted to spend time with you. You are my soul mate. We’re supposed to like being around each other.”
“Easier said than done.”
Jayson dropped the book and crossed his arms against his chest. “At least I’m trying.”
I scoffed. “Lying to me about little Miss Red isn’t trying.”
His nostrils flared. “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you.”
“Same thing.” He wasn’t getting out of this so easily. “She was practically crawling on you in the hall.” My stomach clenched at the memories.
His hand reached across the table, grabbing mine before I could yank it back. “There’s no need to be jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” I muttered, letting my hair fall across my face to shield it. I didn’t want him to see the hurt flashing in my expression. It was pointless when he could feel it though.
He used his finger to tuck my hair behind my ear. “You’re the only girl on my mind, Angel Eyes. Always.”
I fought the smile attempting to break free. “Thinking of ways to annoy me.”
A lopsided grin curled his mouth, and that dimple winked at me. “That’s only part of the time. The rest is thinking of ways to make you blush.”
Damn. He was good.
“Are you still going to eat lunch with me?” His thumb made circular motions on my palm, spawning a set of hot flutters through my chest.
I casually lifted one shoulder. “Are you still going to give me your dessert?”
Jayson leaned forward, pinning me with a look that should be illegal, especially in public. “I’ll give you my dessert and then some.”
Chapter 4
My shoulder smacked into the wall as I turned the corner, rushing toward the cafeteria. I rubbed the throbbing spot, wincing. Son of a buttery biscuit. That was going to leave a mark. If my English teacher hadn’t detained me to discuss my essay topic, I wouldn’t be running to lunch.
Why was I in such a hurry? Jayson asked me to sit with him. He didn’t offer me his lettermen jacket or asked me to go steady. And we weren’t in the 1950s.
The bathroom door swung open, and Shannon Russel stepped out, blocking my path. “Lena Raven.” Her hot pink lips turned down in disgust. “I don’t know what he sees in you.”
My head snapped back. “Excuse me?”
Her brown eyes roamed over my plum-colored sweater and worn skinny jeans. “You’re nothing special, but you’ve got him wrapped around your finger.”
“No, I don’t.” Did she have a crush on Jayson? And here I thought the big brooding guy intimidated all the girls—besides Hannah.
She flipped her long, caramel waves. “He’ll realize what a mistake you are one day.”
The clack of heels echoed down the hall, and Melinda appeared, her gold ponytail swinging as she marched toward us.
Craptacular. Barbie just arrived to assist Midge in my annoyance.
She shot a sneer as her gaze roamed over my casual outfit. The two of them looked like they were headed out to a party. “Do you pick out your clothes blind?”
They shared high-pitched giggles.
“Good one. Very original.” Melinda would still have a dweller stuffed inside her if it weren’t for me.
She stopped beside Shannon and crossed her arms against her chest, pushing up her cleavage. “I’m only going to say this one more time. Austin is mine. Stay away from him.”
Oh, gawd. I wanted to smack my palm against my forehead. This girl was like a broken record. “I’m not interested in Austin.” We had this conversation in her car the night she punched me. Of course, she was possessed by a dweller then and didn’t remember. “Hannah was flirting with him in Spanish. Not me.”
Her harsh laughter grated on my ears. “Hannah likes Jayson. Now that she’s back, I’m sure he’ll discard you like yesterday’s trash. There is no way in hell he’d choose you over her.”
A pang sliced my chest, and I bit back the urge to run away in tears. Who wouldn’t choose the leggy redhead over short, clumsy me?
Shannon slipped her arm around Melinda’s. “Come on, chick. Let’s leave the loser alone before her ickiness
rubs off on us.”
The two hyenas twitched down the hall, laughing at my expense.
I swallowed back the acid oozing up my throat. They were just mean girls trying to get a rise out of me. I wouldn’t let their bitchiness make me feel bad. Besides, Jayson was waiting for me in the cafeteria.
Me. Not Hannah.
I continued toward the lunchroom at a slower pace. I didn’t want to trip and break my face. I’d look horrendous with a broken nose. When I finally made it, I took a deep breath before opening the heavy metal doors. Ugh, stop being so nervous! It was only Jayson.
I walked in, my eyes landing on the table of Nephilim. My heart took a flying leap to the rubber soles of my boots. If Hannah sat any closer to Jayson, she’d be in his lap. She also occupied the last chair at the table.
So much for sitting with him.
I trudged to the lunch line and grabbed a red plastic tray, ignoring the group of half-angels. Some kind of mystery meat swam in greasy sauce. I’ll pass. I grabbed my usual go-to of French fries and cake.
You couldn’t go wrong with French fries and cake.
After paying the lunch lady, I hurried to my spot with Jessica and Sebastian. “Hey, guys.” I slumped in my seat, choking back my bruised ego. If Jayson didn’t want to hang out with me, then screw him.
“What took you so long?” Jessica asked, spearing a cucumber with her fork. “You didn’t fall, did you?”
“No wipeouts.” I tore open a packet of ketchup and squeezed some on my plate of fries. “Ms. Harold wanted to discuss my essay.”
Sebastian scoffed. “Why would she do that during lunch?”
“Exactly,” I said, dragging a fry through ketchup. “How dare she take away from my eating and socializing hour.”
Jessica shook her head and grinned. “A teacher wanting to discuss school at school? The outrage.”
“I’m not sensing one lick of sarcasm from you at all.” I sipped my soda, twirling the ice around in my cup.
Sebastian dropped the chicken nugget back to his plate and wiped his fingers on a napkin. “Since we had so much success at the library last night, how would you guys like to investigate the Meriden Mansion?”
Jessica’s eyes widened. “That would be amazing. Do you think we could?”
She was really getting into this stuff, but I had a feeling it was because of Sebastian and not investigating the supernatural.
“I’m going to look into getting approval from the owners,” he said. “I think we have a good chance.”
“What’s the Meriden Mansion?” I tore open a little paper packet of salt and sprinkled it on my fries.
Sebastian pulled his phone from his pocket and typed away on the screen. “It’s this old mansion on the edge of town that used to be a bed and breakfast years ago. It closed down because guests were being visited by ghostly apparitions at night.” He passed his phone across the table
The picture of a rundown Colonial Revival manor showed on the screen. Ivy snaked around the dingy columns, and some of the faded black shutters precariously hung off the white siding. It definitely looked like it could be hiding a ghost or ten. “What’s the deal with the place? Why is it haunted?”
Sebastian took his phone back. “Back in the late 1800s, it was owned by Mitchel Robertson and his wife, Lucille. She went crazy and hung herself in their bedroom while Mitchel was out of town. He found her when he returned three days later.”
I winced. “That’s awful. What happened to the husband?”
“He followed her lead and jumped off the second story railing in the foyer.” Sebastian popped another chicken nugget in his mouth as if he weren’t discussing a couple of tragic deaths. “They both haunt the place.”
Jessica stirred her salad around, a slight frown marring her face. “You can hear Lucille weeping.”
Sebastian nodded. “You can also see Mitchel hanging around.”
A dark smile stretched across my face. “I’m in.” It was going to piss Jayson off. Perfect.
My nape suddenly prickled. Speak of the angel…
“I thought you were going to sit with me.” The Nephilim loomed over our table, his brow puckered.
I clutched the French fry so tight potato shot out the end. I hadn’t expected him to seek me out. He seemed too preoccupied with the return of Hannah to remember little old me.
I jerked my thumb over my shoulder. “Your bestie took the last seat.”
He shrugged his massive shoulders. “You could have sat in my lap.”
“Um, no,” I choked out. I could just imagine every eye in the cafeteria locked on us. I didn’t particularly like eating with a massive spotlight directed on me.
He grumbled and spun around, marching to his table.
“That dude has it bad for you.” Sebastian chuckled, his eyes dancing between the retreating Nephilim and me.
“No, he doesn’t,” I protested as a visible flush melted into my cheeks. “He just loves to irritate me.” Clearly, the Neanderthal wasn’t too broken up over missing our lunch date—or whatever it was. It didn’t take much to send him away.
Jessica squeaked. “He’s coming back.”
I whipped around as Jayson carried his tray in this direction. Behind him, Kale was laughing while Hannah looked like she’d sucked on a sour lemon. He took a seat next to me, scooting his chair closer until our knees brushed.
I blinked. “What are you doing?”
“I wanted to eat lunch with you.” He picked up his piece of cake and set it on my tray.
My mouth hung open as Jayson took a giant bite of his sandwich. He reached over, using his finger to lift my jaw.
I bit back a smile and turned forward. “Um, what were we talking about again?” My brain had gone blank.
Jessica was grinning ear to ear. “Investigating the Meriden Mansion.”
Jayson’s brows dipped down his forehead. “You’re trying to piss me off, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” There was no point in denying it.
“Your middle name should be trouble.” He shook his head and stuffed the pickle that was falling out of his sandwich back in. “Can’t you find something safer to do that doesn’t involve ghosts and abandoned houses?”
“Probably, but I like to keep you on your toes.”
Jayson grumbled under his breath. “I’m already living on my toes.” He returned to his food, shooting me halfhearted glares every couple of minutes.
Sebastian continued describing the Meriden Mansion and his plan for the investigation. A burning seared the back of my neck. I didn’t need to look over my shoulder to know who was shooting daggers with their eyes, but I did anyway.
If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under right now. Hannah’s steely gaze was sharper than Nephilim swords.
Chapter 5
The heavenly aroma of sugar, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and an array of fruits greeted Jessica and me as we entered the dessert bakery, The Sugary Spoon. Ms. Norma, the owner, waved at us from the teal counter as she rang up a customer. The afternoon sun sparkled on her long silver braid brushing her shoulder.
“Can you tell what Ms. Norma’s favorite color is?” Jessica asked, biting back a grin as she motioned toward the teal walls.
The bluish-green hue was everywhere—the checkered tile running across the floor, the walls, the counter, and even the to-go boxes stacked on the back shelf behind the register. “I’m going to go with teal.”
Jessica and I had been studying together at her house this Sunday, and I had a hankering for pie. She suggested we try to make one. I reminded her who she was dealing with, and unless she wanted to risk burning down her kitchen, she needed to nix that idea.
“Hey, girls.” A plump woman with an elaborate updo and rosy cheeks gave us a broad grin.
“Hi, Mrs. Gracin,” Jessica said, pushing her glasses back up her nose. “Taking a break from the fundraisers going on in the town square?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She dug another chocolate-covered pecan out of the
fancy clear, teal, and white bag. “We’ve raised a pretty good amount so far for the fall festival. I think we’re going to be able to afford a few new surprises this year.”
The Mystic Hollow town square was crawling with action. Various games and contests had been set up. I spied Mr. Jensen competing in a three-legged race in the park across the street with someone who looked like an older brother.
Was their entire family hot?
Mrs. Gracin’s warm blue eyes turned toward me, crinkles deepening as she smiled again. “There’s our newest member of Mystic Hollow.”
She worked in the main office of the high school and was the first person to greet me. While her sour counterpart Ms. Keating admonished me for showing up late on my first day, Mrs. Gracin kindly gave me a pass.
“Do you like our little slice of Heaven?” Mrs. Gracin asked before taking a sip of her hot apple cider.
More like a slice of Hell with a few sprinkles of Heaven. “It’s starting to grow on me.”
“I bet it is,” Jessica mumbled under her breath.
I ignored the hot flush in my cheeks and pointed to the bodice ripper Mrs. Gracin was clutching. “Good book?” A shirtless pirate was carrying an innocent maiden off to bed.
She grinned. “Absolutely. I just love a good swashbuckler.”
I didn’t even want to imagine the kind of smut in that book—probably the same smut that ran through my mind when Jayson was around.
“I saw your father not too long ago. He helped carry some boxes into the electronics store.” Mrs. Gracin fanned herself with the book. “He’s quite the strong man.”
“He’s a beast,” I mumbled absentmindedly as my gaze flickered to the store across the street. A shiver spilled down my spine. TVs & More was getting ready to reopen. The earthquake had been the beginning of the reign of evil in Mystic Hollow. I hoped the Nephilim cleared out the basement. Who knew what kind of dark ritual crap the demons left behind.
The bell over the door dinged, yanking me out of my dark thoughts. The other customer marched out, carrying three large teal boxes. I licked my lips imagining the sugary goodness inside of them.
