“Okay, what about Wyatt?” Gina asked. She rose up on her tiptoes and peered around the vehicles.
“Single,” I said.
“And Isach?” Abby asked.
“Single, but he’s a wicked jerk. I don’t even know why he’s here. No one likes him,” I grumbled.
But that answered my question from earlier—Abby had no recollection of Isach or what he’d done to us. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Isach was charming, and it would be easy for him to get close to Abby again. I was going to have to make sure that didn’t happen.
“Okay.” Abby nudged my leg so I’d move over. When I did, she sat next to me. “Spill it. What’s going on with you?”
“Yeah, you just disappear for months, and now you’re back. With an entirely new group of friends and a hot boyfriend that looks at you like he wants to devour you. It’s kinda weird,” Ellie said.
“I know. The time I spent in Malibu was… crazy.” I rolled my eyes. If they only knew the half of it. “But I promise everything is fine. And I’m good. Really good.”
Building off the story Whitney told, I explained how I’d met her and how we became friends—all lies, of course—how she’d introduced me to Trent and how it was instant fireworks between us—not all lies—how I’d traveled across the US with Whitney and her family and in the process I’d broken my phone—more lies—and finally how we’d ended up back in Keene Valley.
When I finished, no one said anything, and the silence made me uncomfortable.
“You guys don’t know what is was like for me in Malibu. It was horrible. People were so snotty. I literally had no friends until Whitney.” I hung my head, swinging my legs. When all else failed, play on their sympathy.
“Aw, Chloe.” Abby draped her arm around my shoulders and jerked me into an awkward side hug. “I’m sorry it was so awful.”
“Yeah. And your new friends seem really nice,” Ellie said with a genuine smile.
“They are.” I looked up. “I want all of us to be friends.”
I wanted that more than anything, I realized, and I hopped off the jeep. Even though I couldn’t tell them the truth about my new friends, I wanted these two parts of my life to be in harmony.
“Wait…” Ellie tilted her head. “Is that Jax the same guy you were tutoring?”
“You were tutoring?” Abby asked. “Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
I suppressed a groan and directed my attention to Ellie. “Yes, it’s the same guy. I had no idea he was Whitney’s cousin, but remember me telling you I thought it was weird how much he looked like Trent?”
Ellie nodded.
I prayed my continued lies and half-truths made sense, but the more I talked, the more convinced I became that I was only making everything worse.
“Well, turns out they were related.” I laughed nervously. “And I wasn’t tutoring that long,” I said to Abby. “Sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“Well, if you like them, they must be all right,” Gina said.
I smiled, grateful for her interruption. “Thanks.” I turned to Abby. “I am coming home sometime this weekend, but I wanted at least one more night with them.” I nodded toward the campsite. “Because I know once I walk into that house, Aunt Beth probably won’t let me leave again.”
Abby laughed. “You’re probably right about that.” She hopped off the jeep, too. “Okay, so let’s celebrate you coming home.”
We headed back toward camp, and I felt much lighter now that I’d explained everything to Abby and Ellie—and that they both seemed to believe it.
Trent was sitting in one of the chairs, Jax on one side of him, Wyatt on the other.
I sat on Trent’s lap; his hand rested on my hip. I turned his face toward me and left a lingering kiss on his lips. “I love you,” I whispered.
His flexed his hand on my hip, then squeezed, his eyes darkening. “I love you, too,” he whispered back, his hand coursing up my side, making me tremble.
Suddenly, I wished no one else was here.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
Celebration!
THE AFTERNOON WAS SPENT TALKING, MOSTLY Abby, Ellie, and Gina interrogating Whitney, Wyatt, Jax, Trent, and Isach. Nick and Luke were quiet, and I worried they weren’t having fun. Or maybe they just felt out of place. I knew what that was like, and I tried to include them.
At one point, Ellie sat on Nick’s lap, and his entire demeanor changed. The two of them were perfect together, and I hoped things lasted between them.
Abby and Gina hung on Jax and Wyatt’s every word. Jax didn’t seem to care, but Wyatt was reveling in the attention. It was the first time I’d ever seen him smile so much, or talk for that matter. He was normally so quiet.
Elbow on my knee and hand in my chin, I watched my friends, a permanent smile on my face. Senior year really was going to be so much fun. I might be able to pretend everything was normal, that I wasn’t the only cure to a vampire curse, or that a very angry coven of witches would eventually come after me again, or that I had a Zoya following me around.
“I like seeing you this way,” Trent said as he straddled the log I was sitting on and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“What way?”
“Happy.” He kissed my cheek. “You’ve been smiling all day.”
I twisted around, still smiling, and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
“If she glows any brighter, I’ll go blind,” Jax muttered as he walked by us.
I wanted to say something snarky about him reading my aura, or tell him to shut up, but I couldn’t do it. Seeing me with Trent wasn’t easy for him, and I didn’t want to make it any harder.
Instead, I asked, “What color?”
“Yellow.” Jax didn’t even bother to stop or glance back at me.
At least it wasn’t red. Still, that small snub cut deeper than I wanted to admit. Usually, Jax and I would joke about what color I was.
“We should go swimming,” Whitney announced.
I looked up at the sky, then to Trent, confused. “Can you guys go swimming?”
The sun was still out, and that was the main reason we’d stayed at camp all day—there was enough tree cover to block the sun.
Trent nodded. “The sun is low enough now, and if we keep most of our bodies underwater, we’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I stood and stretched. “I need to change first.”
All of us girls crammed ourselves into Whitney’s tent. Thankfully, Whitney had packed a swimsuit for me. It was a bright red bikini. I held it up and shook my head. Apparently, red was my color now.
I could only imagine what Jax would have to say about it. I cringed and mentally scolded myself for thinking about him, for caring what he thought. It didn’t matter. Yet, somehow, it did matter in a way I couldn’t explain.
“Are you changing or what?” Whitney asked, snapping me from my thoughts. She was already dressed in her white one-piece that looked as though it had been painted on her body.
“Uh, yeah.” I quickly changed into the bikini, grabbed the towel Whitney had shoved into my bag, and crawled out of the tent.
As soon as I got to my feet, Jax sauntered by. He was wearing black swim trunks that hung low on his hips, and there was a towel slung over his shoulder.
Instantly, I was back in that room with him. Shirtless and on top of me. His kisses scorching with a want so thick it had choked me. My hands roaming over his chest and back, his flesh smooth and hot beneath my fingers.
Jax stopped, did a double take, then frowned. “Red.”
“Whitney packed it for me,” I said.
His frown deepened, though I didn’t know how that was possible. “I wasn’t talking about your clothes,” he said before walking away.
I blew out a breath, my hands shaky. Abby, Ellie, Gina, and Whitney piled out of the tent behind me, and I moved out of their way.
“Trent said there was a lake not too far through those woods.” I pointed toward the tree line. Speaking of Trent…
where was he?
A moment later, he emerged from our tent wearing a pair of navy blue swim trunks and nothing else. His chest was bare, exposing every hard muscle and plane of his stomach. My breath hitched. Abby smacked my arm, hard, and I winced.
“What was that for?” I asked, giving her a dirty look, and then I realized her gaze was trained on Trent. She was staring just as hard as I was. Could she be any more obvious?
“You are so lucky,” she whispered.
I laughed and leaned forward so my mouth was near her ear. “You have no idea.”
Her eyes widened. “Have you two…?” Her gaze darted from me to Trent and then back to me. “You know…?” She inclined her head suggestively.
“No,” I said around a laugh. “I mean, we’ve come close a couple times, but we haven’t… you know.”
Abby squealed so loud a flock of birds took off with a squawk. I slapped my hand over her mouth. “Don’t,” I warned.
Ellie gave me a questioning look.
“I need details,” Abby mumbled around my hand.
“I know you do, but not right now. And definitely not here.”
The last thing I needed was for Trent—or anyone else—to overhear me giving Abby a play-by-play of how I’d almost given my virginity to Trent. Really, there wasn’t too much to tell. I never should’ve said anything to Abby. She was going to make a bigger deal out of this than it was.
Abby nodded, and I slowly removed my hand from her mouth.
I looped my arm through Abby’s and turned her in the direction of the lake. “Now, let’s go swimming.”
Thankfully, Abby dropped it, and I hoped she wouldn’t bring it up again later. Though I knew that was wishful thinking. Although, I’d much rather have her question me about what I have or haven’t done with Trent as opposed to the bogus story I’d given her about Whitney and how I spent my summer.
LATER THAT NIGHT, WE sat around the blazing campfire. Ellie was tucked snugly between Nick’s legs, his arms around her stomach. The smile on her face was priceless, and I couldn’t be happier for her.
Gina sat sandwiched between Wyatt and Whitney, though she was leaning much closer to Wyatt. Based on the way he kept brushing his leg against hers, I didn’t think he minded the extra attention she gave him.
Part of me wanted to warn Gina that getting involved with Wyatt was a bad idea, but how could I explain that to her? And was I one to talk? I was in love with a vampire. What right did I have to tell her it wasn’t okay?
Isach walked aimlessly around camp before settling in a chair next to Abby, who smiled at him. I curled my hands into fists. There was no way I was going to let Isach mess with Abby again. I’d killed him before I let that happen.
I stood, intent to go confront him, when a hand wrapped around my upper arm.
“Don’t,” Jax warned in a low voice.
I stared at his hand, then up at him. “Let go of me.”
“Do you really want to make a scene here?” He raised a brow, then slowly released his hold on my arm, but not before trailing his fingers down my skin, the touch featherlight.
I shivered involuntarily at the sudden lack of contact and bit my tongue to stop from demanding he touch me again. God, what was wrong with me?
I shook my head. “I won’t let him hurt her.”
“I know. And I’ll make sure he doesn’t, okay?” he said.
The pleading in his eyes made my knees weak, as if he were begging me to trust him. And I did. Even though I probably shouldn’t.
“Everything all right over here?” Trent took my hand, tugging me closer to him and farther away from Jax.
“Yes,” I said.
Raucous laughter drew my attention. Abby’s face was beet red, and she was clutching her stomach. Ellie and Gina were doubled over, and Luke was talking animatedly, his hands flailing. I smiled, but sadness crept up on me. I used to be part of their group, sharing in their secrets and inside jokes. But now I was an outsider, and Abby had taken my place.
“Who wants to make this little celebration a lot more fun?” Isach asked, standing. He reached for the cooler near the tree, opened it, and held up an ice cold bottle of beer.
“Yes,” Jax said, snatching the bottle from Isach’s hand.
Isach reached in and grabbed more. He handed one to Wyatt and Whitney, then held one out to Abby. She glanced at me, indecision warring across her face, before finally taking it.
I closed my eyes. This was not going to end well. Then again, for all I knew, Abby had been going to drinking parties all summer. Ellie, Gina, Nick, and Luke all accepted one, too.
“Chloe?” Isach held a bottle out to me, a challenge brewing behind his green eyes.
I didn’t trust him, and I stared at the bottle like it was a wild animal ready to attack.
“C’mon, Chloe. We’re celebrating, remember?” Abby said.
Everyone was watching me, waiting to see what I’d do. Reluctantly, I took the beer, though I wasn’t sure if I’d actually drink it. Trent took one, too, and we settled on a log in front of the fire. Trent sat behind me, on the log, and I sat in front of him, on the ground so I could be closer to the fire.
“We should play a game,” Whitney said.
“Would You Rather?” Luke suggested.
I groaned. “No.”
“Truth or Dare?” Abby said, eyeing me hopefully.
“Spin the Bottle,” Jax said with a laugh. Isach high-fived him.
I narrowed my eyes. Since when have those two been buddies? Last I knew, Jax hated Isach as much as I did, maybe more. What was going on with those two?
“Hide and seek!” Whitney bounced in her seat. “In the dark. It will be so much fun.”
And totally unfair to all the humans in the game, but I didn’t say that. “Or we could just tell scary stories,” I said.
“Lame,” Isach said, giving me a thumbs down.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, then let’s play Truth or Dare.” Not that I really wanted to, but Abby did, and I had her back. Always.
She smiled at me, excitement lighting her face. “I’ll go first,” she said shifting in her seat. “Okay… Whitney. Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” Whitney answered without hesitation.
“Who was your best friend before Chloe?”
Jax grunted with derision. “Oh, come on.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees, beer bottle pinched between his fingers. “If you’re going to play a game like this, at least make it interesting.” His gaze slid to me, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Ask something really personal. Like, what’s your biggest regret? Or what’s your most embarrassing or shameful moment?”
“When it’s your turn, you can ask whatever you want.” Abby sat up straighter, and I had to smile at how she didn’t back down. “Whitney, who was your best friend before Chloe?”
“My brother, Wyatt.” She nodded at him. “We move around so much it’s hard to make real friends, but I’ve always had him with me. Okay, my turn.” She angled her body in my direction, and I fully expected her to say my name. Instead, she leveled her stare on Trent. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare,” he said, setting his unopened bottle on the ground near my feet.
“I dare you to go jump in the lake. Right now. Fully clothed.” She grinned.
Laughing, Trent kissed my cheek and stood. And then he was gone. Chatter echoed around the campsite—until Trent returned a few moments later, soaking wet. Silence descended for about two seconds before everyone laughed, me included.
“My turn?” Trent shook water from his hair. “Jax. Truth or dare?”
“Dare.” Jax took a drink from his beer. “And make it good, huh?”
“Okay. I dare you to kiss any girl here.” Trent crossed his arms over his chest. “Except Chloe. She’s off-limits.”
I held my breath, waiting for Jax to say something stupid, something that would set Trent off, but thankfully, Jax kept his mouth shut.
“And me.” Ellie raised her hand. “I
have a boyfriend, too.”
“And I’m your cousin, so you come near me and I’m knocking you out.” Whitney laughed.
Jax stood, and Trent slapped him on the back. “Have fun.” Then, to me, he said, “I’m going to go change.”
I almost offered to go with him, because I did not want to watch Jax kiss anyone, let alone my cousin or one of my friends. But I didn’t want to be too obvious, either, so I remained seated.
“All right, which of you two wants to be the lucky girl?” Jax stopped in front of Abby and Gina.
“I do!” Gina jumped out of her seat before Abby even registered what happened.
“Lovely.” Jax swept Gina’s hair from her neck, his hands cradling her face.
The same exact way he’d done to me. My stomach tightened painfully. His lips brushed over hers, and her eyes fluttered closed. The poor girl had no idea what she was in for.
But I did. I knew how much passion Jax could pack into a single kiss. How he could steal your breath without ever trying. How he could leave you dizzy and craving more.
And then his mouth was on hers, their lips locked in a kiss that seemed to last forever. Gina had her arms around him, her hands clutching the back of his shoulders as if she couldn’t get him close enough.
Bile rose in my throat, and my vision blurred with rage. Casually, I glanced over my shoulder, looking for Trent, praying he’d come out of the tent.
“Whoa,” Abby said after several moments.
“Now that was a kiss,” Isach said, approval dripping from his tone.
I wanted to punch him in his stupid face. I returned my attention to Jax and Gina. She was back in her chair, looking dazed and much too happy, her lips plump and still wet from his kiss. I gritted my teeth.
“Who needs more beer?” Isach asked, giving us a short reprieve from the game.
Jax sauntered back to his chair, grinning. When his gaze met mine, he stopped and cocked his head. “Well, that’s interesting.” His voice was low enough so only I could hear him, and a shiver shot down my spine.
Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3) Page 11