by Julia Crane
Tristen preceded them out the door and Galen’s eyes caught hers. “Hey, Lauren.”
Without warning, Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. She had always really liked him. He never made her feel uncomfortable, and he wasn’t obnoxious like most of Tristen’s friends. Unable to stop the errant thought, she mused, If I were single, I would be so into him. Then she flushed as she realized what she was thinking. That was so not fair to Tristen.
“Hi, Galen.” Lauren smiled at him and hoped she wasn’t blushing. I love Tristen, she reprimanded herself. So much.
His amber gaze lingered on hers until he passed through the doorway.
Outside, Garret smirked as he whipped his car keys from his pocket and dangled them in the air. “I’m driving.”
Great. Garret had a lead foot and liked to antagonize the cops. Lauren hoped they would make it to Tony’s in one piece.
His shiny red Jaguar was parked on the street—in direct violation of Tristen’s homeowner’s association regulations. Garret was such an arrogant jerk. Lauren shook her head, but kept her opinion to herself.
“Shotgun!” Connor yelled.
Lauren, Tristen, and Galen piled into the back—a tight fit with Lauren squished between the two men. She glanced to her left, sneaking a peek at Galen, who had his face turned away, his long fingers tapping on his knees absently. His thigh felt abnormally hot where it rested against hers.
Oh my gods, I have to stop being stupid. She sighed. Galen was Tristen’s friend—her friend. Just a nice guy. She leaned her head on Tristen’s shoulder and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the sensation of Galen pressed against her other side.
It was a good thing she didn’t get car sick, because the ride to the club was long and twisty. When the car rolled to a stop, she was surprised to find she had dozed off. School, cheer, tutoring…it had been an incredibly long day. She wanted to spend time with Tristen, but she wished they could just be at home.
They piled out of the car, and everyone followed as Tristen pushed his way to the front of the line. Lauren could hear the mumbles: “Who the hell do think they are?” Some people whispered, trying to figure out who was famous in the group. None of them was famous, but they were gifted and attractive; both worked in their favor at popular night clubs.
The large burly bouncer with the clipboard and the earpiece nodded, and another bouncer behind him opened the door. Loud, throbbing music pulled them into the darkness.
Tony’s was big—several rooms, in fact. But the front door opened into the main bar and dance floor, where strobe lights bounced off the walls and smoke from a fog machine made the room look mysterious.
Lauren smiled; it was a good crowd to disappear in, to let loose and enjoy herself.
Connor, Garret, and Galen took off in different directions, on the prowl for their enjoyment for the evening. Lauren didn’t envy them; she much preferred to be in a relationship. She squeezed Tristen’s hand, and he turned and gave her one of his brilliant smiles. His teeth and white shirt glowed beneath the black lights.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and tugging her close. He pressed a kiss to her temple.
Lauren realized it was the first time he’d spoken to her since she got to his house, but she let it slide.
It was impossible to hear anything between the hundreds of voices and the band, so Lauren just relaxed and enjoyed the music as Tristen pulled her onto the crowded dance floor.
She truly loved dancing. It was freeing to feel the music and let her body take over. They danced for hours, bodies moving together to the beat, stealing kisses and fingers trailing over each other modestly, but with a heat that brought a flush to Lauren’s face that had nothing to do with being hot.
Some time later, Tristen’s arms tightened around her waist and he put his lips to her ear. “Thirsty?”
She nodded gratefully, and let him lead her off the dance floor before he went to get them a drink.
Leaning against the wall, Lauren watched the chaos that surrounded her. Half-dressed girls everywhere and poor guys chasing them around, hoping to get lucky; it was like a circus. The funny thing about girls at clubs was that they worried more about what other girls looked like than the selection of guys. Everyone wanted to be the girl who turned heads when she moved.
Lauren’s gaze moved to her left and she froze. A tall, blond light fairy made his way to her side, carrying an extra drink in his hand.
Oh no.
“You look thirsty,” he told her with a grin. “What’s a girl as hot as you doing all by herself in a place like this?”
Lauren leaned in and yelled, “I’m not by myself. I’m with my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? Who cares? Here, have a drink.” He pushed the cup of reddish liquid toward her.
“No, thanks.” Lauren turned, hoping he would get the picture, but he was persistent and probably not used to being turned down.
“Just one dance, then?” He gestured to the dance floor with the drink. Some of the liquid sloshed onto the floor. She identified him as one of those golden boy types, probably captain of the football team and unable to take no for an answer.
She really wished he’d leave before Tristen came back. She didn’t feel like dealing with a scene. She pretended the guy wasn’t beside her until he grabbed her arm. Then she got mad. Lauren opened her mouth to spout off something rude, just as Galen headed her way.
“Hey, mate. I think the girl said no,” Galen said loudly. His Irish accent usually got anyone’s attention. Lauren’s heart skipped a beat—he was riding to her rescue like some kind of knight in shining armor.
“Is this clown your boyfriend?” The blond smirked. “You should get yourself a real man.”
Lauren rolled her eyes.
Galen took a step forward, meeting the light fairy’s gaze. “I suggest you get the hell out of here before you get yourself into more trouble than you can handle.”
“You don’t seriously think that you could take me?” The guy puffed up his chest like a rooster prepared to fight.
“I know I can,” Galen said easily, his jaw clenched.
There was a beat, and then the guy’s pretty face contorted in pain and his knees buckled as he fell against the wall. “What the hell?”
Galen hadn’t touched him, but Lauren had no doubt that he caused the guy’s sudden pain. She snapped her head in Galen’s direction; he looked as relaxed as ever.
She wasn’t sure what his power was, but she knew she was witnessing it now. It was incredibly powerful.
“You’re going to turn and leave and never talk to this girl again,” Galen intoned. “You understand?”
The guy nodded his agreement and, just like that, the look of pain washed off his face. It happened so quickly that Lauren wondered if she had made it up. The guy handed the extra drink to Galen and left in a hurry.
Lauren couldn’t see Galen in the darkness, only broken by a fast-moving strobe light, but she had a feeling he was smiling.
“What did you do?” she yelled in his ear.
“Just a little mind control. I told him he was in pain, so he believed it. He won’t remember a thing.” He shrugged. “I don’t feel like dealing with one of Tristen’s outburst tonight. I don’t feel like cleaning up his mess as usual.” His eyes softened and, in a move so quick she thought she imagined it, he reached out and brushed his fingers over her wrist. “I know that can’t be easy on you either.”
Her heart thudding, Lauren swayed into him, fighting a strong urge to throw her arms around him. She jumped away. That wouldn’t have been smart. She just smiled and yelled, “Thank you.”
The oddly tender look on his face vanished, replaced by passive indifference. “No worries. I got a free drink out of the deal.” He tossed back the contents of the cup, then crumpled it and threw it into the nearest trash can.
Just then, Tristen pushed through the crowd towards them, his face smoother and happier than she’d seen it in a while—all
the more reason to be happy Galen showed up when he did. Lauren accepted her drink with an appreciative smile and gave her boyfriend a peck on the lips.
Galen saluted them and took off without mentioning the incident. She owed him. She had never considered Tristen’s friends her own as well, but now it seemed she might be able to count on Galen if she needed. He, at least, seemed to like her.
Lauren gazed up at Tristen. He drank his beer, his eyes on the crowd. Knowing her boyfriend’s temper, she felt oddly comforted to think of having Galen on her side.
Chapter 10
Lauren’s shoulders slumped. The most obnoxious word in the English language had been posted next to the number for Keegan and Anna’s flight—a flashing red “Delayed.”
Why were flights never on time?
She made her way through the crowded airport, clinging tightly to her purse strap as she elbowed a path to the escalator. She rode it up a level to the information counter. The line was four deep and Lauren groaned. She really didn’t want to spend her entire afternoon at the airport.
After fifteen minutes of shifting on her feet and trying not to huff impatiently, she finally reached the desk.
“Excuse me,” Lauren said politely as she leaned her elbows on the desk. “How long of a delay are you expecting for Flight 2809 from Seattle?”
The blonde woman behind the counter glared at Lauren as if she were put out by the question. Her severe bun was so tight it made her eyes slant, and her airline jacket was too big on her bony frame. She pursed her lips at Lauren before turning her gaze to her computer screen.
Lauren waited, her fingers drumming on the counter as the woman pecked away at her keyboard.
After a moment, the airline worker finally glanced up and, sounding bored, said, “Two hours. Mechanical problems.”
“Thanks,” Lauren mumbled and walked away.
What was she going to do for two hours? She could go back home, but by the time she got there, it would be time to turn around, and with her luck, she would get stuck in traffic.
She looked at her watch and dropped into a hard plastic seat to wait. Reaching into her jacket pocket, she pulled out her phone and texted Tristen: stupid flight delayed.
Bummer. did you eat? get lunch.
Unfortunately, she’d eaten at home only an hour before. With a sigh, she responded, not hungry. what are you doing?
She knew he was at work. It was the only time he ever texted replies so quickly; he kept his phone out on his desk. She just asked to get him to open up or something.
Work.
She waited a minute, but when nothing followed the text, she took out her frustrations by pretending to choke her phone. It earned her a couple of stares and one young mother even got up and moved with her infant, but Lauren felt better after she did it.
They texted for a few more moments about her plans for later, and then she told him she loved him and dropped her phone into her purse. She leafed through a gossip magazine left on the seat beside her. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have your life on display like the stars. She wasn’t really interested in what the mag had to say, so it lasted all of twenty minutes.
Too bad she hadn’t thought to bring her school books. Lauren set the magazine back on the table and got to her feet. She walked around for a while, just taking in people as they were coming and going. Lauren had always thought it would be fun to work in an airport. She liked to watch travelers, a mass of people from every walk of life in one place. She smiled at a frustrated mother who was pushing a stroller and carrying a toddler, and she watched couples say goodbye, some laughing and some crying. Business men and women rushed by in their pressed suits with their regulation carry-on suitcases, not paying attention to anyone.
A whiff of coffee caught her attention. Lauren looked around and saw the familiar symbol of her favorite coffee shop. She turned and moved in the direction of caffeine, relieved to have something else to pass the time.
The line was long, but she had plenty of time, so she took up her post at the end. When she made it to the front of the line, she smiled at the frazzled woman behind the counter. “Carmel mocha.”
“Anything else?” The woman’s question was shrill, as if her nerves were on edge.
Okay, so maybe working in an airport might not be that fun after all.
“Umm, sure. I’ll have a piece of carrot cake.” Lauren figured it wouldn’t be enough to ruin her appetite for dinner with the girls.
The woman told her the total, and Lauren paid with a twenty. She peeled a five from her change and tossed it into the tip jar.
The woman met her eyes over the register and said gratefully, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Lauren nodded and made her way to the end of the counter to wait for her order.
As she watched the second barista—a tall, cute guy with a baby face—she noticed an old woman sitting nearby at a corner table. The lines on her face gave away her age, but her eyes were still young and alert. The petite lady wore a navy blue polka dotted dress that looked like it came from the fifties. She seemed to be watching Lauren.
Lauren gave her a slight smile and looked away, studying the display case of sweets. A moment later, her eyes darted back to the woman; she was still staring.
“Lauren!” the barista called as he shoved a cup and a bag over the counter.
Lauren turned to get her drink and cake. As she walked away from the bar, she couldn’t help glancing over again. The woman inclined her head towards the chair across from her, a short white braid sliding across her shoulder with the movement.
It wasn’t as if the old lady looked dangerous or anything. Lauren shrugged and crossed over to the table, standing awkwardly in front of the woman.
The woman smiled sweetly. Her blue eyes danced as she intoned, “Have a seat, child.”
“Umm, okay.” Lauren pulled out the chair and lowered herself into it as she placed her coffee and cake on the table.
“You remind me of my granddaughter.” The woman’s voice was soft and crackly. “What’s your name, dear?”
Lauren was relieved to find out that it was simply a coincidental resemblance that had driven the woman to stare, and not that the woman was a nut job. “Lauren, and yours?” Lauren blew on her mug before she took a sip.
“Rose.” She took a sip from a steaming mug in front of her, her dark eyes studying Lauren. “I don’t see many of our kind anymore.”
Our kind? Rose was a fairy? Well, that was pretty damn cool. “You’re a—?” Lauren raised an eyebrow.
Rose chuckled and toasted Lauren with her mug. “Yes, dear. We both have wings.”
Lauren almost choked on her coffee. She looked around to see if anyone had heard, but the place was too crowded and noisy.
The old woman smiled sadly. “My granddaughter’s name was Sarah.”
“Was?” Lauren couldn’t help but ask.
“She died when she was about your age.”
“What happened to her, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Rose’s thin lips pursed, and then she let out a breath. “She fell in love with the wrong man.”
Lauren stared down into her coffee, afraid to look up. Even though Rose was talking about her granddaughter, Lauren got the feeling she meant Tristen. She was probably just being paranoid.
Slowly, Lauren lifted her head and whispered, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Just be careful.” The woman patted her lips with a napkin and dropped it on the table. Then she was gone.
What in the hell? Lauren glanced around the small coffee shop, trying to see where the old woman had gone.
She had vanished into thin air.
Had Lauren made the whole thing up? She reached across the table and grabbed the napkin Rose had used. There was a smear of pale pink lipstick across it.
Lauren sat back in her chair and fought the urge to scream. Why did it seem like everyone was warning her against Tristen?
Keegan’s auburn c
urls bounced with each step as she and Anna made their way down the long corridor. Lauren wanted to run and throw her arms around her friends, but, because of stupid airport regulations, she had to wait for them to clear security.
Anna noticed her first and nudged Keegan. They both waved frantically as huge grins spread across their faces, and they picked up the pace.
Lauren hadn’t felt this excited in a long time. She felt so grateful that they had decided to visit her. She needed this. Hopefully being around them would make her feel like her old self again. She had the week off from school, so she would be under considerably less stress.
A fleeting thought of Rose drifted into her mind, but she pushed the strange meeting away. She just wanted to catch up with her friends.
Keegan almost plowed Lauren over as she threw her arms around her. Lauren laughed and hugged her back, then took a step back to look over her two best friends. It didn’t seem like they had change too much. Keegan looked as cute as ever in an off-white, knee-length dress and a forest green cardigan. She looked like the elf that she was, even with her pointed ears hidden behind her curls.
Anna’s style had toned down some since high school. Her hair was actually one shade, and it was a natural color for once—mahogany. Her pixie cut had grown out a bit, and she wore black skinny jeans with an off-the-shoulder fuchsia top. Lauren smiled when she noticed Anna had on her worn-out Converse sneakers. Some things never changed.
“You look…” Keegan paused and gave Lauren a once-over. “…tired.”
Lauren laughed. “Gee, thanks. I was just going to say you look amazing, but, instead, I’ll say you look short.”
Keegan made a face.
“Let’s go grab our bags and get out of here,” Anna cut in as she put an arm around Lauren’s shoulders, and they headed down the escalator to wait for their bags.