Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3)

by Kara Leigh Miller

  He cupped my cheek, his thumb stroking my jaw. His expression was compassionate. “If you want me to give them their memories back, I will.”

  I frowned, remembering how I’d gotten all mine back. “Do you have to kiss them?”

  He laughed. “Yes, but it doesn’t have to be on the mouth. When I erased myself, I kissed each of them on the forehead, and I did it so fast they never knew I was there or what happened.”

  Sighing, I leaned forward, resting my forehead to his. “Will that be easier? Giving them their memories back?”

  “I don’t know. No matter what we do, they’re going to have questions that we’ll have to answer.” He took my cheeks into his hands and lifted my head so I was looking into his eyes. “After I wiped your memories and you left, I did, too. I couldn’t stand to be here without you, so I took off for a while.”

  “Trent…” Sudden tears, hot and thick, burned the back of my throat. I’d never once stopped to consider what he’d done after I left Keene Valley.

  “If I give their memories back, we can tell everyone we broke up when you left, and I was so heartbroken I dropped out of school and left for a while. We started to talk again, and I visited you in California. When you said you were moving back to Keene Valley, we got back together. I introduced you to my cousin, Whitney, who you then spent the summer traveling with.”

  I smiled at how easily he could come up with a simple but believable lie. There would still be a lot of holes in our story.

  “If we do this, will Abby remember Isach, too? Did she ever forget him?” I asked.

  I had—I’d forgotten everything and everyone associated with Trent, but I’d been so wrapped up in him and his life. Abby hadn’t, so maybe her memory loss was different than mine. She’d actually dated Isach, and God only knew what he’d done to her. Maybe he’d used some sort of spell to make sure she did forget everything he’d done. Or worse, make it so she could never forget.

  “I don’t know.” He sighed. “It’s not like this gift came with an instruction manual. I have no idea how it works. I didn’t even know if kissing you would restore your memories.”

  I chewed nervously on the inside of my cheek. Restoring their memories seemed too risky; there were too many ways things could go wrong, too many questions we couldn’t answer. But the alternative was creating an entirely new story that made even less sense.

  “I’ll do whatever you want,” he said softly.

  “Give them their memories back,” I whispered.

  “Okay.” He stood, pressed a kiss to my forehead, then pulled me to my feet.

  Before he could say anything else, I crushed my mouth over his, tangling my hands through his hair. He yanked me closer and deepened the kiss, stealing my ability to breathe.

  Every flick of his tongue against mine reminded me exactly why I loved him so much, why I never wanted to be without him. And the thought of him kissing Abby or Ellie or anyone else—even if it was just on the forehead—had jealousy pooling in my gut.

  Maybe making up a story would be easier. The way I’d felt when I got all my memories back… it was intense and overwhelming and confusing. Did I really want to put my family and friends through that?

  Not to mention, there was no lie I could come up with to explain why I’d asked Abby about Trent, as if I had no idea who he was, and then suddenly be in a committed relationship with him.

  “I changed my mind,” I said, reluctantly releasing his lips. “Let’s just tell them I met you through Whitney.”

  He raised a brow. “You’re sure?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I think it will be easier. But… will they all get the same sense of déjà vu I had when I saw you?”

  “Probably, but it shouldn’t be as strong because I wasn’t as close to them as I was to you.”

  I nodded again. None of this made me feel better, but we had to tell them something, and if we could give them a story that spared them too much confusion, then that’s what I had to do. The last thing I wanted was for a surge of memories to trigger Abby about Rachel and Marc and Isach. She didn’t need to relive that if it was behind her.

  His face lit up with a smile. “Want to call and invite them to go camping with us?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, why not. Whitney is on her way, and it’s the perfect chance to test our story.”

  I bounced with excitement, squealing and clapping. I was finally going to get to see Abby and Ellie. “Wait, I don’t have my phone.” I’d left in such a rush earlier, I’d left it sitting on Trent’s nightstand.

  “Use mine.” Trent pulled his from his back pocket and handed it to me.

  I snatched it and dialed Abby’s number. She answered on the third ring, her voice hesitant, probably because she didn’t recognize the number.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Oh, my God. Chloe!” She shrieked, and I held the phone away from my ear. “I have been calling you forever. Where are you? Are you okay? Mom and Dad are freaking out. They keep calling your father, demanding to talk to you. Mom threatened to file a missing person’s report if she didn’t hear from you soon.”

  I cringed. “I’ve been traveling with a friend. I told you that, remember? And Dad said he told Aunt Beth.”

  The words sounded clunky to my own ears, and I prayed Abby believed them. If she didn’t, I had no idea what I’d do.

  “And that means you can’t return a call or text?” Abby said, accusation warring with concern.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I broke my phone, and I just haven’t been able to get a new one yet,” I said, hoping that would be enough to explain my lack of contact.

  “And this friend of yours doesn’t have a phone?”

  I knew Abby wasn’t going to just buy whatever story I told her. Calling her had been a mistake, but I was going to have to face her eventually, and doing so with Trent and Whitney as backup was much better than trying to do it alone.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I have no reason for not calling.” I figured just admitting I was wrong and asking for forgiveness was the easiest way to get past this.

  “So, where are you now? When are you coming home?” There was a loud bang on her end followed by a mumbled voice that didn’t belong to Abby. What on earth was she doing?

  “I’m coming home this weekend, but don’t say anything to Aunt Beth yet, okay? It’s a long story, and I promise I’ll give you all the details, but can you get out of the house for the night?”

  There was a long pause. “Why?”

  “That friend I was traveling with… We’re camping tonight, and we’re in Keene Valley.”

  Abby let out another shrill shriek of incoherent words, and I once again held the phone away from my ear. “Text me the address,” she said.

  I grinned. “Be sure to bring Ellie and everyone else, too.”

  “I cannot believe you’re finally back,” she said.

  I laughed. “Well, I am, and I can’t wait to see you, so hurry up, okay? There are a few people I want you to meet.” I spun around to stare at Trent.

  He was setting up a few more chairs and dragging logs to set around the fire pit.

  “See you soon,” Abby said.

  I ended the call and gave Trent his phone. “Can you text her the address? I have no idea where we are, so…” I shrugged.

  He tapped on the screen, then tucked his phone back into his pocket. “Done.”

  “Thank you.”

  After everything he’d done for me, those two words didn’t seem like enough, but I’d keep saying it until he knew just how grateful I was. Now, all I needed to do was convince everyone I’d had a totally normal summer hanging out with a friend.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

  Telling Lies Around the Campfire

  “WILL YOU RELAX?” WHITNEY SAID, SIDE-EYEING me. “She said she was coming, right? So, she’ll be here.”

  Still, I couldn’t stop fidgeting. When would Abby get here? Maybe Aunt Beth hadn’t let her out of the house. But then w
hy hadn’t Abby called to tell me that?

  Whitney, Wyatt, Jax, and Isach—despite everyone’s objections to his presence—had arrived an hour ago. Three other tents had been set up, leaving room for a couple more… if Abby and everyone else ever showed up. The firepit was ready to be lit as soon as the sun went down, and food and drinks were within reach.

  “That’s probably them right now,” Trent said, nodding toward the dirt road.

  I sprang to my feet. I couldn’t see a car, but Trent had heard one, and no one else knew we were here, so it had to be Abby. A brown jeep I didn’t recognize pulled to a stop behind Trent’s truck.

  Abby was out of the back door and barreling toward me. Even though I braced myself, she flung her arms around me so hard and fast I stumbled back a few steps.

  “Chloe! You’re really here,” she said.

  Soon, Ellie, and then Gina, had their arms wrapped around me from the side, and the four of us stood in an awkward group hug. Tears pooled in my eyes. I’d missed them so much, and now they were here. We were together again.

  Abby pulled away first, and her eyes were wet with tears, too. “Okay, you have a ton of explaining to do.”

  “I know.” I wiped my fingers under my eyes and took a deep breath. “And I will. I promise.”

  But for a moment, I just wanted to see her with my own two eyes. Abby’s hair was still wild and frizzy, and she’d lost a little bit of weight, but she looked good. Happy.

  “Hey.” Nick smiled and waved. “Good to see you again, Chloe.”

  “Hi, Nick.” I tucked my hands into my pockets. Behind him, Luke stood tall and lanky, more so than I’d remembered. “Hey, Luke.”

  He replied with a nod.

  “Where’s Tonya?” I asked, looking around for her.

  “She couldn’t get out of the house,” Ellie said. “But I told her we’d all video chat later, so we have to do that. She’s so excited that you’re back, and she can’t wait to see you. You are here to stay, right? You’re not leaving again, are you?”

  Laughing, I hugged her again. I’d missed her incessant rambling. “Yeah, I’m here to stay.”

  Ellie and Abby erupted into squeals of delight, and I couldn’t stop from smiling so big my face hurt. Gina stood off to the side, clearly not as excited as the other two. And then I was dragged into another group hug with the three of them.

  “Where can we set these up?” Nick asked, holding up a tent.

  “Oh, over there.” I turned and pointed to the empty spot near Jax’s tent.

  My gaze collided with Trent’s. He was watching me with sharp blue eyes, expression full of warmth and love. All I could think about was getting closer to him, feeling his arm around me as he instinctively pulled me closer.

  “C’mon, there are people you need to meet.” I nodded for Abby, Gina, and Ellie to follow me. “That’s Whitney, and her brother Wyatt. I spent the summer traveling with them.” I cleared my throat. “And those are their cousins, Trent and Jax.” I pointed to each of them in turn. “And that’s Isach. He’s a… friend, I guess. Everyone, this is Abby, Gina, and Ellie. And over there is Nick and Luke.”

  Whitney was on her feet in an instant, eyes vibrant as she greeted Ellie, Gina, and Abby. “Chloe has not stopped talking about you girls. I’m so happy I finally get to meet you. Did she tell you I’m staying in town and going to high school with all of you?”

  Abby’s jaw dropped, and she sliced a look in my direction. “No, she didn’t. Then again, she really hasn’t told us anything lately.”

  “Oh, well, we’ll catch up tonight. Don’t worry,” Whitney said, dismissing Abby’s look of concern with a wave of her hand.

  I tuned them out, my gaze lingering on Trent. He raised a brow, and my heart rate sped up. How could a single look from him do that to me? But it did. Every single time.

  “Need some help?” Trent asked as he wandered toward Nick and Luke. Soon, Jax, Wyatt, and Isach were helping set up the tents.

  “So, how did you all meet?” Ellie asked.

  I turned my attention back to her.

  “School,” Whitney answered before I could. “Our dad is a traveling salesman, so we move around a lot with him. We were in California for like the last month of school. People sucked, but Chloe was super nice. We were besties in no time, right?” She looped her arm through mine and gave me a cheesy grin.

  I laughed. “Right.”

  “Anyway, my dad’s job was transferring him. Again. And I begged to have Chloe come with us for the summer because I was tired of constantly having to make new friends. Her dad just loved me from the moment he met me, and he couldn’t say no. So”—she shrugged—“we spent the entire summer together.”

  If I thought Trent was a smooth liar, Whitney was a pro. I stared at her in awe. Whatever concerns I’d had about Abby not believing our story were dashed the moment Whitney opened her mouth.

  “And now you’re here, in Keene Valley?” Abby asked, her words shrouded with disbelief.

  Or maybe not. Abby wasn’t stupid. There was no way she was going to believe any of this. It was too coincidental. I should have known.

  “Yup.” Whitney unleashed a brilliant smile. “Chloe kept telling us she was moving back here, and we had to bring her home. Dad’s always loved the mountains, and with a lot of pleading, he agreed to let us stay here for our senior year. He still has to work, of course, so we’re staying with our uncle and cousins.” She nodded toward Trent and Jax.

  “Wait. Those two live here? In Keene Valley?” Gina turned toward Trent and Jax, brows raised. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and I’ve never seen either of them. I would remember if I had.”

  Ellie and Abby shared a knowing look that had unease spreading through me. I shifted on my feet.

  “Wait.” Abby narrowed her eyes at me. “Is that the Trent you asked me about?”

  I forced myself not to cringe as I nodded. Of course, she’d remember I’d asked about him. This whole thing was such a colossally bad idea. I should’ve just stayed away forever. Or spent more time coming up with a cover story that she’d believe.

  “Yes,” Trent said, stopping behind me. “Our parents lived here years ago, long before we were born, and they moved for Dad’s job. When our mom died a few months ago, Dad insisted on moving back. Said he feels closer to her here.”

  I glanced at him. There was just enough truth in his story to make it believable. I held my breath, praying his answer would suffice.

  “Huh,” Gina said.

  “Yeah, when I first met him, I had no idea he even knew where Keene Valley was,” I said. “Funny how things like this happen, huh?”

  With a wink, Trent slipped his arms around my stomach and rested his chin on my shoulder. I clasped my hands over his and relaxed in his embrace.

  Abby’s jaw dropped, and then she narrowed her eyes again. “Something you forgot to tell me?” She crossed her arms.

  “Oh, yeah. Um… Trent and I are together.”

  “Whoa,” Ellie whispered, her gaze glued to me and Trent. Gina elbowed her, and Ellie swatted at Gina.

  “Okay, that’s it.” Abby grabbed my arm. “You’re coming with me. Right now. And you’re going to tell me everything.”

  I laughed and willingly stepped away from Trent, but before I could get too far, he clutched my hand.

  “One second, and then she’s all yours,” Trent said to Abby.

  And then Trent’s lips were one mine. Abby dropped her hold on my arm, and I played with the hair at the nape of Trent’s neck, delighting in the throaty groan he gave me.

  He broke away from my mouth, but he didn’t release me. “Stick to the story and you’ll be fine, okay?”

  I nodded and hugged him. Over his shoulder, I caught sight of Jax. He was standing near his tent, eyes dark, gaze full of anger and longing. There was a sharp tug in my chest, an undeniable pull toward him. Swallowing hard, I tore my gaze from him and gently pushed away from Trent.

  “I won’t be too long,” I said
. When I turned back to my friends, they were staring at me expectantly. I took a deep breath. “C’mon.”

  I led them toward the cars, and we settled behind Nick’s jeep. The back hatch was still open, so I hopped up to sit in the open space. Gina, Ellie, and Abby stood in front of me as if they were worried I might try to make a run for it.

  “Okay, first of all,” Abby said, holding up a finger. “How dare you not tell me you had a boyfriend. Second”—she held up another finger—“holy crap, Chloe. He is the hottest guy I have ever seen.”

  Ellie and Gina nodded in agreement.

  I laughed. “He is, isn’t he?” I leaned around the jeep to sneak a peek at Trent, but I should have known he’d be watching me. He smiled, and I turned back to my friends.

  “And he has a brother,” Ellie said.

  “A twin brother,” I corrected with a sly grin.

  If only they knew I’d kissed Jax, too. They’d lose their minds. And the questions would never end, so I definitely wasn’t sharing that little detail.

  “A single brother?” Gina asked.

  Something dark and ugly, but all too familiar, landed in my gut like a lead weight—jealousy. Jax might be single, but he was off-limits. I froze. I had no right to think that way, or feel that way. Jax was free to do whatever he wanted. Still, the thought of him with anyone but me had nausea rising.

  “Things are… complicated for Jax right now,” I said, each word slow and calculated.

  They needed to know to leave him alone, but I couldn’t tell them why. I didn’t even fully understand why.

  “Too bad,” Ellie said.

  I tilted my head. “Don’t you have a boyfriend? You and Nick are still together, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” Ellie smiled like she’d just won the lottery. “Nick is the best. But it doesn’t hurt to look at man candy every now and then.”

  I laughed, so did Abby and Gina. Ellie certainly seemed a lot happier now than she had the last time I’d talked to her. Were her parents still getting divorced, or had things changed?

  Last I knew, her parents were still living in the same house, just in different bedrooms. I wanted to talk to her about it, ask how she was really doing, but I had no idea if she’d told anyone else yet, and I wasn’t going to be the one to spill her secret.