So, I went into cover up overdrive and managed to spin a tale that explained everything. It took a long time, but with the journals we had found to back us up, I pulled it off.
Payne looked to my uncle. “I always thought it was my dad. Even before the other day. I just always… I never even considered anyone else.”
Uncle Mark nodded. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
We walked to the door and left the deputies to deal with Weeder. Someone had already removed Eli from the scene.
I asked Uncle Mark if I could have a moment alone with Payne. He gave Payne a good look up and down and then moved toward his car and got in.
“Payne,” I said. “There’s so much I need to say to you.”
“I know,” Payne said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m not sure what to say.”
“You saved me. You saved my life. I just…” I couldn’t find the words. “We need to talk when we can be alone.”
Payne gave me that grin of his that made my heart flutter. “I like the idea of being alone with you.”
I laughed. “I bet you do.”
Payne reached up and played with my hair, and those erotic flashes danced through my mind again. “Bristol, I never would have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you.” Payne touched my cheek. I could feel the warmth of his fingers, the tingle of being close to him. I felt vulnerable and at ease all at the same time.
I jumped as my uncle honked the horn from the car.
Payne sighed. “We definitely need a few uninterrupted moments.”
I laughed as we made our way to the car. Payne opened the front door for me before climbing in the back. As Uncle Mark pulled away, I looked out the window toward Weeder’s house. There at the edge of the lawn was Jared, standing with his puppy. He smiled at me and gave me a quick wave before fading away.
* * * *
Uncle Mark told Payne to wait in the car as he walked me to the front door. I looked at my uncle’s face and knew that behind the impassive facade there was a flurry of conflicting emotions just waiting to bubble out.
“Uncle Mark,” I said as I stepped to the door. “I’m sorry that I’ve been such a handful.”
“Bristol, you scare the hell out of me,” he said. “I don’t wanna lose you. We’ve had more than our share of tragedy in this family.”
I tried to stifle a sob and failed miserably. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I didn’t want to finish the sentence.
Uncle Mark gave me a hug and kissed the top of my head. “Shh, it’s okay. Just please tell me you’re not going to get into the habit of letting Payne put you in harm’s way.”
“This wasn’t Payne’s fault,” I insisted. “If either of us is to blame, it was me. Please don’t be mad at him.”
Uncle Mark took a step back and looked into my eyes. “Oh, it’s like that, huh?”
I shrugged. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Uh huh.” Uncle Mark nodded. “So, you’re dating the McKnight boy now.”
“Uncle Mark,” I said. “I told you I don’t date.”
“Uh huh,” he repeated. “That’s even worse.”
“Worse?” I questioned. “How so?”
“It’s a family trait,” he answered. “Blackburns don’t date. We just meet the person that we belong with. And then that’s that.”
“Uncle Mark,” I responded, “I’m seventeen.”
“I was six when I met Eve. Never looked anywhere else. Never wanted to,” he explained. “He better treat you right.”
“He saved my life,” I said. “If it weren’t for Payne, I wouldn’t be here. All he cared about was keeping me safe. He was incredible. Fearless. He…” Uncle Mark was looking back at me smugly. “But we are not dating!”
Uncle Mark leaned in and gave me one more hug. “Uh huh.”
Chapter Ten
Well, That Took Long Enough
Journal of Bristol Blackburn
Saturday, April 20th
I’ve been avoiding my Journal since coming to Spirit. Maybe it’s because my life has become one big OMG moment after another, and I just didn’t know how to put it into words.
It’s been a week, and I still haven’t heard from Payne since That Day at Weeder’s. He’s been absent all week. In fact, there hasn’t been a single McKnight in school since then. This is driving me insane. I feel like my life’s on pause until I see him.
I’ve left him messages, texts, and emailed. I’m starting to feel like I’m stalking him, but I can’t help it.
I miss him. I want to know how he feels about me. I want to figure out how I feel about him. And for the love of all that’s holy, maybe, just maybe, I want enough time alone with him to see if we actually will kiss one another.
Why is that so bad?
I asked Ian, since I’ve seen him hanging out with Payne. He told me that it’s common for Varick McKnight to pull the children out of school whenever there’s an unexplained tragedy. Ian seemed very interested in the feud between Blackburns and McKnights. He peppered me with a whole bunch of questions, none of which I answered. Thankfully, the excuse that I’m new to all of this seemed to work well.
The McKnight’s aren’t the only ones who’ve done a disappearing act either. I haven’t been visited by Jay either.
It’s not like I’m not used to the idea of ghosts moving on, but I really liked Jay. And I didn’t get the impression that anything that had happened would be enough to trigger him to finally move on. Unless it had been the sight of me first thing in the morning. That could have been it.
I should be happy if he’s moved on, but I guess there’s a part of me that feels more than a little abandoned. I guess I thought that I was important enough to him that he would have found a way to say goodbye.
I’m starting to feel like one day, I’ll wake up, go downstairs, and find that Uncle Mark packed up the boys and the dogs and left me here alone, without even a note.
If he does that, I wonder if he’ll take Grandpa with him?
“I know you’re waiting for him,” Jay said the moment I closed my bedroom door. There he was, propped up on my bed, looking totally relaxed and as gorgeous as ever.
I folded my arms and fixed my coldest are you kidding me stare on my face and aimed it right at him.
“Who I’m waiting for is none of your business,” I said as I picked up a brush for lack of anything better to do.
“Darling, don’t be like that,” Jay said. “I know you’re probably disappointed I haven’t been around, but I’m here now. Talk to me.”
I gave him one of those over the shoulder looks. One I hoped made him feel small and insignificant. “Has it occurred to you that I have nothing to say to you?”
Jay gave me his best Cheshire grin. “No, it hadn’t. Because you and I both know that it’s not true. Darling, I’m truly sorry that I haven’t—”
“Haven’t what?” I asked. “Haunted me in days? The last time I saw you, you wanted to run away. I guess if I’d I gone along with that, it would have just been me. Look, I know those of us in the here and now probably have different priorities than those of you in the ever after, but in case you hadn’t heard, I had a bit of an incident where I almost switched sides. And quite frankly, I prefer being alive right now. So, you can imagine it was a bit upsetting.”
“I know about what happened,” Jay said. “Where do you think I’ve been, darling?”
“How am I supposed to know?” I said, throwing my brush down. “Maybe you were hanging out with other ghosts like Casper and Nearly Headless Nick? I don’t know, and I don’t care. The point is you weren’t here.”
Jay sat up, offered me a sympathetic smile, and patted the bed next to him. I simply cocked an eyebrow and pulled over a chair.
Jay sighed and shook his head as if he were dealing with a stubborn child. I swear I would have killed him if he weren’t already dead.
“Bristol, I am sorry I haven’t been available to you,” Jay said. “But I had my re
asons. I tried my best to keep watch on the McKnights. I have seen how events like this can set them off. I really don’t want to alarm you, but I’m afraid you might be in danger.”
“What do you mean in danger?”
“Darling, what do you think I mean?” Jay said. “The McKnights have been together, dissecting everything that happened. I do believe there are some in that family that are quite insane. The running theory is that you somehow orchestrated everything just to charm Payne into revealing his ability.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I said.
“Perhaps,” Jay responded. “But Varick McKnight can be very persuasive. Besides, you can’t stand there and tell me that you’ve no reason to distrust Payne. You’ve foreseen Payne murdering you.”
I shook my head. “I don’t believe it. Payne won’t hurt me.”
“Then why hasn’t he seen you?” Jay asked. “Why hasn’t he talked to you since that day?”
I had no answer. Seeing this, Jay brought out the big guns.
“Bristol,” Jay said. “Payne told his family about you. About everything.”
“No,” I replied. “I don’t believe that. I know his secret, too. And he promised me.”
Jay was now intimately close.
“Then where is he?” Jay asked.
I had no answer to that either.
“Are you saying I should tell my family what I know?” I asked.
Jay shook his head. “I’m afraid it would only put them in danger. Your ability is passive. You see things, feel things, that others can’t. Payne’s ability is physical. In a fight where lives are on the line, he has the advantage. I believe he is far more dangerous than you’ve seen in your dreams.”
I hated to admit it, but I was becoming scared. “Then what the hell am I supposed to do?”
“Leave with me,” Jay said. His eyes became even more intense as he spoke. “If we leave now, before they make a move, things will go back to the way they were before you arrived. I know you don’t want to see your family in danger. I can take care of you. Our relationship may not be the stuff your dreams have been made of, but if you let me I can find ways to satisfy you.”
I had no idea how Jay envisioned us together, but there was a part of me that wondered if it couldn’t be wonderful. And the thought of something happening to my family was devastating to me. I had so fallen in love with them. I would do anything to protect them.
But there was a part of me that was selfish. I loved being here. I loved being a part of this family. I didn’t want to leave. This was my family, my home.
And I wasn’t ready to give up on Payne.
“No, I’m not going,” I said. “I’m not leaving Uncle Mark and the boys. And you still haven’t convinced me that Payne wants to hurt me.”
“You would choose him over me?” Jay asked.
“I can’t be with you,” I answered. “But there is something there between Payne and me. As much as I try and deny it, it’s there. I need to figure out what it is.”
Jay’s eyes grew cold. “Bristol, I can’t protect you forever.”
“I’m alive,” I said. “That means taking the chance of getting hurt. I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m staying.”
Jay’s face hardened. “When things start to happen, remember I tried to save you,” he spat.
Then he was gone. The change in his demeanor had been so abrupt, it was striking. There was a part of me that felt like crying. I knew I’d hurt Jay. It stinks to be rejected, even when you’re dead.
When my uncle knocked on my door, I screamed. He burst through to find me leaning against my desk, my hand over my heart.
“Bristol, are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “I was just… lost in thought, and then you startled me is all. Sorry.”
“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” he said.
I swear I could hear Ricky laugh from his tank.
“I’m okay, really,” I insisted. “What’s up?”
Uncle Mark shook his head, probably deciding it must be a female thing. Then he pointed his thumb toward the door. “You’ve got a visitor.”
Grateful for the distraction, I ran downstairs assuming I’d find Maggie. Instead, I came grinding to a halt at the foot of the stairs at the sight of Payne McKnight in my living room. He was sitting on the couch, trying his best to ignore the stares coming from Grandpa and Zack.
“Bristol’s been wondering where you’ve been since, well… you know what happened,” Grandpa said.
“Yeah, since you know what happened,” Zack echoed.
Payne smiled. “I’m sure she has. You know as well as I do how my family sometimes overreacts. My grandfather can be overprotective. I haven’t been allowed out or near a phone until today.”
Grandpa considered Payne. “Your grandpa’s probably wondering why a McKnight is spending so much time with a Blackburn. If I’m being honest, it’s crossed my mind once or twice as well.”
“Yeah,” Zack agreed. “Me, too. Once or twice. Maybe even more than that. I haven’t counted or anything.”
“Mr. Blackburn,” Payne said. “Quite simply, I find her amazing. If she’ll let me, I’m hoping to spend more time with her.”
Grandpa and Zack slowly looked at each other and then back to Payne. Together they asked him, “Doing what?”
Behind me, Uncle Mark clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention our way. Payne shot out of his seat and took a step in my direction. Grandpa and Zack simply watched him watch me.
“Zack, don’t you have homework to do?” Uncle Mark asked.
Zack’s shoulders slumped. “Aw, Dad. It’s only Saturday. It ain’t due ‘til Monday.”
“Why don’t you get to work?” Uncle Mark said. “And ‘ain’t’ ain’t a word.”
“Man,” Zack grumbled as he stalked up the stairs.
“Dad, don’t you have anything better to do?” Uncle Mark said. “Something that doesn’t involve sitting here giving Payne the third degree?”
Grandpa considered that. “No, not really.”
“Well, find something,” Uncle Mark insisted. “Or I’m going to have to think long and hard about finding something for you to do. Old Mrs. Gibble is always happy to have you over for tea and biscuits.”
“Mrs. Gibble makes tea that smells like dirty socks,” Grandpa responded. “And her biscuits can take out an eye.”
“She’s a sweet, lonely old woman who could use a little companionship,” Uncle Mark said.
“That’s what she’s got her twelve parrots for,” Grandpa grumbled. “She’s been married three times. Didn’t the last two choke to death on her biscuits?”
“Just the last one,” Uncle Mark corrected.
“All right already.” Grandpa gave in, turned toward the TV, and reached for the remote. “There’s got to be a game on or something. That okay with you, Sherriff?”
“It’ll do,” Uncle Mark said. “Payne, you said you wanted to talk with Bristol. Well, here she is. I assume you want to see Payne?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Feel free to invite Payne to dinner,” Uncle Mark said with a smile. “No being alone in your bedroom. I’ll just be in the other room. I’ve been putting off cleaning my service revolver for a while now.”
I hid my smile.
“Payne, why don’t we take a walk?” I asked.
“After you.”
I took Payne’s hand and pulled him through the kitchen and out the back door. We quickly crossed the yard to the fence that led to the path through the woods.
“Follow me,” I instructed.
I waited until we reached the spot he and I had first met. I hadn’t realized Payne probably had been hurt that day, but he’d healed within seconds. For that alone I wanted to rip his head off. But really, what would be the point? He’d probably just grow a new one.
I stood there, letting the thoughts flutter through my mind, fully aware that Payne was waiting for me to say something to him. Well, just let him wait. H
e’d let me wait this whole time. I refused to feel bad for him.
“So, Payne,” I finally said, looking him up and down. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure,” he said. “That’s why I’m here.”
I took a small step closer to him. “Does it hurt?”
“Huh?”
“When you get injured,” I clarified. “Like right here, when we met on your dirt bike? Or when Weeder shot you? Does it hurt?”
“Yes,” Payne answered. “Very much so. I heal quickly enough, but the pain is just as intense as it would be for anyone. Why?” he asked with a grin. “Concerned for me?”
“Just curious,” I said in a sweet and tender voice. “I guess I wanted to know if you would feel enough pain to make it worth my while to kick your ass.”
Payne’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Then amusement spread across his face. “You want to hurt me, Bristol?”
I gave him a quick slant of the eyebrow. “I’m thinking about it. Why don’t you tell me why I shouldn’t?”
“Because you like me?” Payne said.
“Payne,” I yelled. “Where the hell have you been? I watched you get shot. Twice! And then you just disappear off the face of the earth.”
“I wanted to see you,” Payne insisted. “You have no idea how badly. My grandfather wouldn’t let me out of his sight. Took my cellphone. Kept having me go over that day with Weeder. It’s been driving him insane that you now know about me. Grandpa says we’ve given our enemies a huge advantage.”
“Did you tell him?” I asked. “About me?”
“No,” he answered. “I’d never betray you. Did you think I would?”
“I didn’t want to,” I said. “But you disappeared. I had no idea what was happening. Then Jay said you’d told your family everything. After everything that’s happened, everything I dreamed…I don’t want to believe it.”
“Who the hell is Jay?” he asked. “How would he know what I did or didn’t say, anyway? There’s no one in my family named Jay.”
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