“Since when do people call you ‘Old’ Bart?” Cael smirked.
“Ah, hell. I started it when I was feeling under the weather last year. I had a kink in my neck, could hardy turn my head and was feeling like an eighty-year-old geezer. The name stuck for some, like Gerry.”
“Hey, if you’re going to stay here in Whisper Cape, we’ll need to come up with a plan to tell people why you don’t remember them,” Gerry suggested. “We can’t just tell them I erased your memory.”
“I guess a lot of people here know me?”
“Well, some. You’ve been here before. You know, visiting Bart. People have met you. They’ll expect you to remember them and want to know why you don’t.”
“Right. I guess we could say I got hit over the head or something … hey, why was I at your wedding anyway?”
Bart and Gerry stared at each other for a moment. “You came with me,” Bart said, squeezing his strong arm tighter around Cael’s shoulder. “Listen, there are lot of things you’ll find out as time goes on. Let’s get out of here and go home. You look beat.”
Chapter 8
Addie paced the length of the sofa in the living room at the beach house. The carpet would begin to wear out if she didn’t stop. She didn’t like the plan, not one bit. When Gerry called and informed her it would be best to tell others, like Darcy and Jared, that when Cael found Finn, they’d struggled and Cael fell, hitting his head and losing part of his memory, it just didn’t seem like it was going to fly. On top of that, everybody was going through a lot to keep the fact that Cael and Addie were formerly in a relationship from him. Everyone agreed it would be better if he fell in love with her again on his own rather than being told he had loved her. Was that the best way to handle situations like this? Someone was bound to slip up sometime. Wouldn’t telling him about her trigger some memory of their love? Unfortunately, there was no easy solution. Gerry couldn’t even be sure how permanent his memory extractions were, and admitted he’d never heard of anyone ever gaining their memory back after he’d erased it. He’d removed the Eidolon situation from Darcy’s and Jared’s minds, as well as Lieutenant Whealan’s, and they never showed any signs of remembering anything about what really happened. Then again, Gerry hadn’t removed their memories of the entire event, only the supernatural aspects of Eidolon, or Ed, as they knew him, being able to compel people and animals to do his hideous biddings.
She plopped down on the sofa in front of the fireplace and stared out the large picture window, watching the big orange ball make its slow descent into the ocean. Clouds flowed in from the north, adding majestic colors and illuminating the sky with blood orange and deep purple. It would be nighttime soon and she hoped the clouds didn’t get any darker, threatening the possibility of an evening shower. She hated driving in the rain but she needed to get to the bar and grill. It had been a week since Cael had come back and she hadn’t seen him since those brief moments at Breena’s party. She let him have his space, not pushing herself on him. Waiting for him to … to what? Remember her? She needed to stop pretending that would happen. Maybe she should go find him herself.
Darcy and Jared were asked not to mention anything about the past involving Ed, or Addie’s relationship with Cael. They must have believed Gerry’s story about Cael hitting his head, because Darcy had come over a couple of days ago, telling Addie how sorry she was. She didn’t like lying to her friends but deep down she knew it would always be that way. Having supernatural abilities required secrets and lies. She hated it. How Bart and Gerry got Cael to agree to the story of Finn getting the upper hand was beyond her. Cael was a prideful man, very much full of himself most of the time. The Cael she knew would never admit to defeat without putting up an argument.
Now that Cael was back and she knew he was safe, Addie reluctantly agreed to return to her bartending position at the bar. Tonight would be her first time back at work since he’d disappeared. In fact, she hadn’t been back to the bar since Maia and Gerry’s wedding, the day Cael vanished. Bart mentioned he and Cael would be going to the bar tonight. It was Friday night and Aiden and The Wave Runners band would be performing. Aiden had been pestering her to come and listen. Of course, he’d been trying his damnedest to coax her out almost every night since Breena’s party. Aiden had been by her side throughout the entire week making her dinners, even showing up with take-out breakfast. She had to admit, Aiden had been a lifesaver. They’d become good friends and she found herself trusting him more and more every day. She’d confided in him about things she didn’t normally discuss with people. She even told him about the crystal she wore around her neck. Addie didn’t know what she would have done without him. So, she promised Aiden she’d return to work and would be at the bar to listen to the band. They had a new member taking Finn’s place, so it should be interesting. Maia mentioned that the band was still very good, even without Careen’s magical voice. Aiden’s voice was great too, and the band didn’t particularly need the addition of a female voice to bring out the crowds. Addie closed her eyes, remembering how much they had all wanted this, she had wanted this, for the Cliff Hanger from the beginning. With the addition of the band, it was more than just a place to hang out, eat and drink. The residents of Whisper Cape now had a place with entertainment, a place to enjoy good music and let their hair down, a place to dance. It was also attracting people from some of the nearby towns like Rockaway Beach and Cannon Beach.
It was a good reason to go and besides, she needed to be visible and available to Cael. How else would he ever fall in love with her again if he never got the chance to see her? Cael was alive. She had to be thankful for that.
After taking extra time perfecting her makeup, Addie slipped into one of the short tight skirts she knew Cael admired. Hell, he couldn’t keep his hands off her whenever she’d worn one of them. He’d been attracted to her before, wouldn’t he be again?
She arrived slightly after the dinner rush began. Gerry told her to start her shift a little late, to ease back into the swing of things. The place was packed and the hum of voices and laughter filled the small bar and grill with excitement and anticipation. She placed a pint of beer in front of Aiden—of course, he had to be here. “Thank you, darlin’.” She should be grateful he cared, considering how poorly she’d treated him at first. He’d been a good friend during all the uncertainty with her life’s future, her love life, to be exact. She smiled at him, glancing up as Cael and Bart strolled in through the large wooden door. She felt the smile quickly fade from her face. Every freakin’ bar stool in the place was occupied. She’d hoped he’d be able to sit at the bar so she could talk to him. Catching herself ogling Cael as he and his uncle scoped out the place for a table, Addie blinked and tried to appear busy cleaning the bar countertop, anything to keep from looking anxious or nervous. Cael’s jeans clung snug to his well-defined thighs and the top two buttons of his black shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of the small patch of soft hairs on his chest. His dark hair a bit longer than when he disappeared, he ran his hand through it, pushing it all back as they headed to the corner table, the same table Cael sat at the first time he’d come into the bar. To think she’d actually thought she’d hit him with her truck and left him for dead. Then she remembered the relief when she saw him walk into the bar that night—relieved she hadn’t killed him. She’d still been frightened he’d have her arrested because at the time, in her head, it had been a hit and run crime scene, even though she couldn’t find him anywhere. Of course, she hadn’t hit him after all. He’d simply vanished from her sight.
Her stomach knotted in the silly way it had when she’d first met him—a mixture of fear and excitement as little fluttering wings danced around inside close to her heart, tugging. Fear he might never love her again and excitement that they’d resume their happily ever after with a couple of kids, just like he wanted. Well, maybe she wanted that too now. God, she’d given him such a difficult time about that. Now she regretted it. Placing her hands over her empty womb she considered; maybe a cat
and a dog to keep the baby company and of course, they’d continue living in the beach house forever.
“You okay, love?” Aiden’s voice pulled her out of the fairytale her mind wanted so desperately to be living in.
“Yeah, just peachy,” she said and coming to her senses, thought those were dreams from another time. Looking at Cael now, she didn’t see how it would ever happen, because he didn’t seem to be the slightest bit interested in her. Turning away before Aiden could ask her anything else, she strolled toward the middle of the bar, opened up the small fridge, and pretended to look for something inside. Coming up empty-handed, she closed it. The last thing she wanted was for Cael to get the impression that she and Aiden were a couple. Letting Aiden accompany her to Breena’s birthday party had been a mistake. It probably appeared as if they were more than friends, especially after the way Aiden caught her around the waist when her knees had buckled while re-meeting Cael. Sure, they had been spending some time together; Aiden made it almost impossible not to, but it didn’t mean anything just because she’d given into his kindness. Yes she’d accepted his generosity and concern about her eating properly, and they’d been hanging out and being friendly, but they’d just sit around and talk, sharing ability stories mostly. There really was nothing to it. Aiden had never made a pass at her, and even though Addie knew how he felt without him confessing anything, they were just friends.
Darcy was over at the men’s table in a flash. Boy, you’d think she had some hyper speed power the way she got there so quickly. She looked cute too, in her tight jeans with the glittering flaps on the back pockets that showed off her curvy rear end. Addie watched her friend stand in front of her boyfriend, smiling as she placed little cocktail napkins in front of each of them. Cael looked up at Darcy and smiled, his blue eyes twinkling with delight. Oh, she’d better not be flirting with him! Darcy was a great friend, but Addie wouldn’t put anything past her, even though Darcy and Jared were heavily in love with each other. Darcy always commented about how gorgeous Cael was, and Addie knew he didn’t remember Darcy anymore than he remembered her. It would be just like Darcy to tease him just to see if she could get a reaction. At a time like this, Addie almost wished she wasn’t behind the bar mixing drinks but instead out and about, waiting on tables. The fact that Darcy wore some pretty salacious clothing did not help Addie’s ego at that moment, as she noticed Cael’s eyes roaming up and down Darcy’s body. Addie flicked her hand up and the tray Darcy balanced on her hand fell to the floor with a crash. Empty beer bottles clanged and rolled around. Addie cringed and then smiled; thankfully, none of them broke. Darcy always prided herself on how well she balanced those trays. Addie watched all Darcy’s tip money scatter around the floor, and a little twinge of guilt crept up her spine as Darcy became all flustered and apologetic to Bart and Cael. Well, Darcy shouldn’t have acted so … so available. Besides, making the tray topple over was a harmless and virtually uncontrollable urge.
Addie glanced at her watch. In twenty more minutes, the band would start and her shift would be over. She stared back at the table and winced. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Aiden’s eyes following hers and he frowned. The last thing she wanted was to cause him any pain.
She needed to be able to spend some time with Cael and Bart without seeming to barge in. How could she engage in a conversation with them when they were all the way across the room? It wasn’t like she could just walk over and sit with them, or could she? She knew Bart. Why not? She glanced at Gerry. He looked at her and nodded knowingly as he approached her, standing by her side while wiping a glass. “You want to take off early, it’s okay with me.”
“Thanks, but I don’t know what to do. I’d hoped that there would have been some seats here at the bar for Cael and Bart, making conversation a bit more spontaneous and casual. But walking over to that table and plopping down in a seat with them seems a bit too forward, considering Cael really doesn’t know me.”
“Bart knows you. It’ll be fine. You’re just a jumble of nerves, that’s all. Go on, walk over there and say hi. He met you at Breena’s party, right?” She nodded. “I’m sure he’ll remember you from then. You’re not that easily forgotten, sweetheart.”
Apparently, she was forgettable, at least with Gerry’s help, though she didn’t want to point that out and make him feel any worse about the situation than he already did.
“Here.” Taking off her apron, she chucked it nonchalantly at Gerry’s chest and he caught it in his hand, making her smile. “Wish me luck.” As she strolled past Aiden, he stretched out his arm and touched hers gently. She studied his handsome face. His kind gentle mannerisms made her stop in her tracks. She knew how he felt. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she’d never given him any indication that they would have a future together.
“Good luck.” Not the words she expected to hear from him. “I mean it.” His slight smile told her it must have been a difficult thing to say.
“Thanks.” She sucked in her bottom lip as she made her way, weaving between the tables to get across the room to the corner table where the love of her life sat.
“Hi, Bart.” She looked at Cael. “Hi.”
“Hey, the girl from Breena’s party, right?” Cael gave her a sexy grin and she almost fell into his arms, but simply nodded instead. “Addison.”
She breathed in deeply, trying to squelch every instinct to wrap her arms around him and hold on like she’d never let go. Trying to keep it together and not bombard him with knowledge of their history together. Trying with all her heart not to cry because he didn’t remember her. She’d known instantly that everybody was right when Cael walked in tonight with unfamiliarity written all over his face. She couldn’t tell him. Sure, he recognized her as the girl from Breena’s party, but everything else was blank. She had to keep from telling him. Otherwise, how would she ever know if he loved her, really loved her like he had or if there would simply be affection through an obligation of being told what used to be?
“Most people call me Addie.” She decided to see his reaction to that. He had never called her Addie, ever.
He shrugged. “Hmmm … you strike me as more of an Addison. But if you prefer Addie, then …”
“No, Addison is fine.”
“Come joi …” Bart began but Cael interrupted him.
“Would you like to join us, Addison?”
Her heart raced so fast she thought it would pop out from thumping so hard against her chest. “Sure. I guess I could.”
“Would you like a drink?” As Cael asked the question, Darcy appeared carrying three pints of Guinness draft. She knew. Addie smiled in spite of the guilt she now harbored from making Darcy drop her tray earlier. Nonetheless, a warm fuzzy feeling grew inside her, and she appreciated her friend’s seemingly precognitive gesture, even though Darcy didn’t possess any supernatural abilities. At least none that Addie knew about. Of course, when it came to Addie and Cael, she guessed Darcy didn’t need any super powers to know how she felt or even what she liked to drink. Embarrassing though; she didn’t want it to appear as if her sitting with them had been planned.
“I brought you one too, Addie. When I saw you head over here, I thought you might like a drink after working all evening.” Darcy smiled and placed the three pints on the table. Darcy, you are a lifesaver. Addie would have hugged her right then, if she hadn’t been already sitting down.
“Thanks, Darcy.”
“No worries.” She shrugged. “Saved myself an extra trip back here.”
***
Cael noticed the tight short skirt. Hell, how could he not? The way the fabric hugged her curves was enough to send any man into fantasyland. Did she always dress like that while tending bar? It didn’t seem like the best choice of clothing, considering how gorgeous she was. Men must flock here just to get a glimpse of those long shapely legs. He blinked as an unwelcome surge of energy heated his blood and his face warmed. Jealously? Where did that come from? Addison crossed her legs and he had to repositi
on himself in his seat at the sight of her milky white thigh. She intertwined her slender fingers in her lap as though she didn’t quite know what to do with them and he wondered, fleetingly, if she had the ability to read his thoughts. Shrugging off that idea and calming the erotic vision her exposed thigh instilled, he noticed a shyness about her. Yet at the same time, he sensed a powerful essence seeping from her. What was that? He had a sudden urge to run his fingers through the golden brown curls draping loosely over her shoulders. Her brown eyes picked up the light golden color from her blouse. But her thoughts were a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. She wasn’t like other women he’d known. Most of them were usually easy to read. Maybe things were different now that he was thirty, but it used to be, they’d get one look at him and immediately undress him with their eyes. Boring. He tried his damnedest not to portray an air of conceit—knowing he was a good-looking guy—but it was hard sometimes when they were so obvious. But this Addison was different. He honestly could not get a clear reading from her convoluted emotions.
“So, you’re a friend of Breena’s?” Cael asked, wanting to know why someone Addison’s age would be friends with a little girl. Maybe it was something simple, like she was Breena’s babysitter or something. But wouldn’t his mom have said that instead of “It’s complicated?” And who the hell was that guy who’d so graciously wrapped his arm around her waist when they’d been introduced? Did Addison possess an ability? Had all the people at the party possessed abilities? He’d been gone a long time. Not gone, he corrected, just robbed of his fucking memories.
She nodded but kept her eyes focused on her drink. Most definitely shy.
As he studied her, it was almost as if some alien took over his body and he couldn’t stop himself from blurting out, “I have to wonder why a woman of your age would be friends with a little girl?” Not very tactful, he admitted.
A Secret Fate Page 8