Second Nature (Crimson Cove Mysteries Book 2)

by Tara Brown

  They paused, staring at the handsome face and beautiful eyes. Finally, the blonde broke, “We knew the police were looking for him. He asked us not to tell anyone we saw him. He said he was in trouble for drinking and driving. He’d crashed the car and his evil stepdad was pissed.”

  The brunette nodded. “He was here about fifteen minutes before you. He can’t have gotten far. Black hoodie and jeans and a bowl of swamp.” She sighed, beaming. “Of course. He loves it.” Her eyelashes fluttered as her cheeks flared.

  “That was him by the woods!” I turned and ran, clunking along in my riding boots. I hurried for the road back to the cottage, taking a shortcut through parking lots, cutting past Subway and some bar. I was just about to cross the road when I saw another dark-gray, almost black, hoodie. I stopped to shout at the dark-haired guy wearing it as he walked along the side of the post office. He paused when a girl in a white tee shirt and jeans with long blonde hair walked out from behind the post office. He took the grocery bags from her hands as she wrapped her arms around his neck. I gasped as they embraced and kissed.

  My stomach froze, hardened and aching. My heart felt like it might have slipped out of my chest and dropped onto the sun-warmed concrete, gushing everywhere.

  Ashton had fled to another girl?

  He wasn't alone. He was working the girls at the ice cream shop and whoever this girl with the grocery bags was.

  “LAIN!” Jake shouted and caught up. His shouting my name made the other two stop and turn. They were too far away for me to tell if it was Ashton, but by the time I realized they were running into the woods behind the post office, they were gone.

  “Was that Ash? Who’s the chick? Man, smart. He’s got the girls all over this shitty little town keeping his secrets.”

  A sound slipped from my lips, a sound I didn't mean to make. It was a sob.

  “Lainey? You okay?”

  I shook from the sobs leaving my lips. I didn't even really know why I was crying; I’d spent my entire life watching him kiss Rachel.

  Jake wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him. “It probably was just some girl who was helping him. You saw how loyal those girls at Scoops were.” He rubbed my back and I cried like a stupid little girl. “If anyone is good at playing pretend with girls, it’s Ash. He has a lot of practice.”

  It took a minute for me to be able to even hear his words. I pulled back, sniffling and wiping my face with the back of my hand. “I don't kn-know-know why I’m cr-cry-crying. I-I-I’m s-sorry.”

  Jake dragged me back in, wrapping himself completely around me. “Don't stutter. That means you’re really upset.” He leaned over, consuming my body with his. He even kissed the top of my head the way my dad did when I was little.

  I let Jake, the equivalent to Vincent in my mind, hug me. I let him comfort me as if I'd lost something truly important to my heart. But at some point I had to realize I hadn’t lost anything more than a daydream. Ashton was my friend’s brother and my other friend’s boyfriend, and he was never mine. I was crying because a wish upon a star never came true. It was nothing more than that. And I was acting like a fool.

  I forced myself to woman up and pulled back again. “Thanks.” I admitted my defeat and humiliation with a nod as I wiped my eyes. “Let’s go to the cabin and see if he went there.”

  “He won’t go there.”

  “We still need to check. We need to warn him about Sage.”

  “If it’s Sage.”

  “Right.” I sniffled and walked back to the parking lot where the car was. He walked beside me, not needing to talk, thank God.

  It dawned on me then, Jake might have a thing for Sage. He was pretty determined it wasn’t her. I wondered if I had crapped all over his wish too. Maybe Sage was his star, and he had been biding his time to make his move since she and Vince had broken up. I always thought Sierra was the one for him and it was sad because Sage had a thing for Jake. But then Sierra told me how into Vincent she was, and I realized it was Sage and Jake who were more than messing around.

  He drove silently, maybe brooding over the whole Sage thing. I owed it to him, and to Sage, to be sure. “Let’s not tell Ash I think it’s Sage. You’re right; it might not be her. We should be sure.”

  He shrugged. “Ashton might have a reason for all those pieces of paper, and he might have a reason for the ransom note. We should check with him before we even think it’s Sage. Just to be sure.” He parked the car a ways down the road from the cottage and got out. “If we walk up, he might not have a chance to run again.”

  I got out and followed him up the road. He turned and waited for me. There was something about the way he looked that made me sorry I’d said that about Sage. His blue eyes were filled with something, an emotion I couldn't read. If he liked Sage he had to be worried that she was the killer and had a secret life going on.

  I felt the same way, and she was just one of my friends, not the person I daydreamed about. I did have a million memories of her that were close to my heart. If I hadn’t seen everything I had, I wouldn't have believed it either. But to me the proof was in the pudding.

  We hurried along the forest’s edge to the lake and up the lakeshore to the house, getting slower and quieter as we reached the beach near the cottage.

  Something moved in the window, making me freeze and slide my body up against a tree. Jake snuggled in next to me, leaning forward and nodding. “It’s him. He’s there.”

  “What if it’s not him?” Neither of us could really see.

  He looked down on me. “Then I’ll kick the shit out of whoever it is.” He winked and ran for the house, rushing the door and jumping inside. I could hear the commotion and struggle as I ran after him but didn't see what was going on.

  Someone screamed as Jake grunted, and I hurried through the door to see Ashton on the floor with his face pushed into the hardwood and Jake on his back, bending his arms up his spine. Ashton being the quarterback, he didn’t have the brawn Jake had.

  “Jake! What the fu—”

  “Ashton?” I dropped to my knees, cutting him off. His eyes darted to mine.

  “Lain?” He grunted as Jake released him. “What are you doing here?” He shoved Jake back. “Dick!”

  “Saving your ass.” Jake grinned. “Where’s the girl?”

  Ashton scowled and rubbed his chin. “What girl?”

  “We saw you, kissing that blonde.”

  I didn't want to be talking about this. “It doesn't matter. We came to warn you and see if you were okay.”

  “By jumping on my back and attacking me?” He shot Jake a look.

  “I thought you might run again.” Jake shrugged.

  “Where? Out into the swampy reservoir?” Ashton snarled back.

  Jake laughed. “Good to see you’re okay, man.” He slapped him on the back and got up, offering a hand to Ashton.

  “I’m fine. I just didn't want my sister to get attacked.” He took Jake’s hand and stood up. His expression softened as he turned and offered me a hand up. I took it, sighing like a moron when our hands touched. He lifted me to my feet. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” I frowned. “Just worried.”

  “Me too. I’ve wanted so badly to come and check on you. All of you. How’s Sage?”

  My lips parted, but it was Jake who spoke, “She’s got some things in her closet we need to discuss.”

  “Like what?” He turned and looked at Jake.

  “A ransom letter to Rachel, asking her to meet behind the pool house on the night of the party, a phone with the words ‘answer me’ on it, and a lot of cut-up ransom note letters and glue.” Jake recalled perfectly what I had told him.

  “What?” Ashton looked pale. “She had all of that in her closet?”

  “In a box in the bottom drawer. There was a hollow spot where she kept her private stuff.”

  “Yeah, I know it.” Ashton nodded. “Why would she have all of that?”

  “We don't know. We were hoping yo
u might know.” Jake folded his arms across his broad chest.

  “I know it’s not hers. She might have been framed by the killer and not even know that stuff is there.” Ashton looked deep in thought. “Oh God, they might be trying to pin this all on Sage now. Unless that was always the plan. Get me out of town so they could frame her?”

  It was a scenario I hadn’t considered, unless you counted the scenario where all of us were being framed. But not Sage alone. I had been so pissed at her I had assumed she was the killer.

  “Like Vince,” Jake added. “The letters he got were filled with really disgusting photos of girls, the kind you go to jail for.”

  “Gross.” Ashton winced. “And I got a letter threatening me and Sage, making me leave town. If I didn't, Sage was next.”

  “So you knew Rachel was dead?” I gave him a sympathetic look.

  “I don't want to talk about this now.”

  “We need your side of the story. What you saw and heard and know.”

  “I wanted to come and find you and tell you. If anyone could solve this, it’s you.” He offered a pathetic smile.

  “You shouldn't stay here anymore. If we found you, someone else will easily. A PI is looking for you.”

  Ashton smiled. “I already saw him. I paid him double not to find me. He’s leading my parents and the police all over hell’s half acre. And he’s watching them so I know if they’re coming out here at all.”

  “He didn't tell you we were coming?”

  Ashton shrugged at Jake. “I didn't think I needed to be protected from you guys.” He laughed bitterly. “Apparently, I was wrong.” His eyes burned.

  Jake grinned back.

  “You can stay at my house, if you want.”

  Ashton gave me a narrow gaze. “I don't want to bring you into this.”

  “I’m in it up to my eyeballs. I’m drowning in it. My house is where they found Mr. Henning.”

  He winced. “How’s Andrew?”

  “Doing better than any of us.” Jake scoffed.

  “I have an attic that no one goes into, ever. And my dad is never home. My mom won’t know you’re there. The staff never goes up there. It might be safer than here.” I didn't want to add that if Sage was the killer, the cottage was the last place he should hide. “We won’t tell anyone. Only Jake and I will know you’re there.”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Jake’s eyes burned.

  “Let me grab my things.” Ashton turned and hurried into one of the bedrooms. I watched him packing his backpack.

  “What about the blonde?” Jake whispered.

  “I don't know.” I shrugged and followed Ashton around the cottage, not letting him out of my sight for even a second. My heart was broken that he had found someone so quickly, but at least he would be at my house. Maybe I could show him how much I liked him and make him realize I was the right girl for him.

  Chapter Ten

  Sister Wives

  I sat next to him in the large armchair and logged onto World of Warcraft, clicking on a realm with low player activity so it wouldn’t lag as badly. “You pick your race, gender, and class here. Then you do the finer details like hair color and features you want.”

  He clicked on human, making me wince. “You want to play alliance?”

  He paused. “The horde guys are all really hideous to look at.”

  “Not the blood elves.” I clicked on race and made him a male paladin. “See?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “I guess. The ears are sort of frightening.”

  I cocked my head. “Ash, you do realize this is a cartoon, right?”

  “Yeah.” He laughed. “I just don't want to be ugly. Is that wrong? Does it make me shallow?”

  “Yes.” I shook my head disapprovingly and clicked on the name generator. “When you enter the world you will go to the start. This is the training section so you can learn how to use the toon you’ve created.”

  He clicked and finished making his character—a tall dark-haired blood elf named Elderan. He was handsome and strong with his paladin armor. “I do look good as a blood elf.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You sound like a girl.”

  “You sound like a girl.” He gave me a look. “A nerdy one at that. You’re the one hooking me up to this game.”

  “Yes, corrupting your coolness.” I smirked. “What else are you going to do for the next few weeks while we figure out who the killer is? I can’t get a TV and an Xbox up here. You’re lucky I have this air mattress and extra bedding, and my grandma’s old furniture is up here.”

  “No, I’m lucky the attic has a balcony I can piss off of when I get desperate.” His eyes darkened with his brow lowering. “You know it’s not Sage, right?”

  “No.” I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “We are all suspects, Ash. Me, you, Jake, Sage, Lindsey. All of us. Our parents too. No one is off the list. Guilty until proven innocent. I’m sorry. And the letter-making supplies in her closet are pretty suspect.”

  “She’s being framed. Or even worse, I was being framed, and she found them and hid them. She might be protecting me.”

  It was another scenario I hadn’t considered.

  “No matter what you guys are being made to think, my sister couldn't hurt a fly. Not even a mean one like Rach. And no matter what Rach did to Sage, neither of them deserves the fate they’ve been given. Rachel could be a bitch, and she had some extracurricular activities that would shock the strongest stomachs, there’s no doubt. But she didn't deserve her death. The most evil person in the world doesn't deserve a death like that.”

  “Did you see her?” I asked.

  “When?”

  “In the woods. After she got killed.”

  He looked down. “I don't want to talk about that right now, if that's all right with you.” He glanced down on me, lifting a hand to my face, cupping my cheek. “I imagine you won’t ever be free of that image.”

  “Ever,” I whispered as my eyes hazed over, ignoring his touch and reliving the moment I came upon her and Sage. The shaking and screaming and crying would haunt me along with the images I saw.

  He put the laptop down and hugged me. “I’m so sorry you girls got dragged into this.”

  I melted into Ashton, realizing this was one of at least three of the main fantasies I had regularly.

  “The whole night is still such a whirlwind of crazy.” He sighed and hugged tighter for a second before letting go, like he was ready to move on. I wasn't, but making it weird while we were alone in the attic wasn't a great option so I let go too. I got up, taking his warmth and smell with me.

  He was so beautiful. Even there, locked away like a criminal, he was perfection. I was a puddle of goo over the way his tee shirt stretched across his chest and tightened in the arms. My eyes lingered too long when I noted how big and strong his hands were. His chiseled face and dark-blue eyes made me shudder. When he smiled my heart beat faster, which was surprising since I hadn’t thought it had made the journey here with me—not since seeing him with that blonde girl. But neither of us had brought her up so I was living on the lie that she was gone. A figment of my imagination.

  I stepped back again. “I better get back downstairs before they notice I’m gone. If you need anything, your balcony is directly over mine. Just shout down. I’ll leave the patio door open.”

  “If I get lonely maybe I’ll just hop down.” He winked and I flushed with color. My eyes lowered and I giggled. It was officially the worst response ever.

  Until I stuttered, “I-I-I’ll see y-y-you later.” I waved and walked to the skinny stairs.

  “I’ll just be here, learning my trade as a paladin.” He snickered, maybe not even noticing I was a moron in every way.

  When I got down to the main floor I opened the door carefully, listening for movement or even breaths. When I heard nothing I slipped out into the hall and closed the door, locking him in and everyone else out. I pocketed the key and walked to my room.
<
br />   Just as I opened the balcony door, Mazy walked into my room with Jewels in her arms. “Mom says you have to come downstairs for dinner tonight. She’s not letting the staff bring you food.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s being a tyrant down there. She even made Dad come home for once. He’s slamming back the gins and sweating for no reason. Something’s up.” She placed the cat on my bed and walked to the door, pausing and looking back at me. “Why do you look weird?”

  I shook my head. “I don't.”

  “Oh my God, that date with Jake was awesome, wasn't it? He’s so hot.”

  “It was more than I imagined it would be.”

  Her eyes lit up, sparkling with gray-blue color. “For reals, did you have sex?”

  “What? Ewwww, no!” My face burst into crimson so deep even the trees outside didn't make the color on my cheeks. “Jesus, Mazy!” Someone above us, someone who should have been playing his game, sniggered. I coughed to cover the sound of him eavesdropping from the deck above me.

  She giggled and left the room. Her mission to torment me was complete. She was smart and acted like she was somewhere around thirty-five, but hopelessly stuck in the body of a just-about-twelve-year-old.

  I sighed and followed her, fanning my face and hoping the color was fading.

  When I got downstairs I knew she was right. Dad looked like he might cry and Mom had a terribly cold look in her eyes. I assumed it was my attitude at her, but when we sat she dismissed the staff, “We’ll eat alone tonight, thank you.”

  The servers walked out, giving each other looks.

  My stomach tightened as I glanced at them both, wondering what it could be. Had they heard from the killer again? Was the missing cell phone that belonged to Mr. Henning finally turned in?

  Nervously, I reached forward, scooping some potatoes for myself and passing them to Mazy. I didn’t know what else to do with my hands.

  Dad didn't take food and Mom took so little it was pointless. Neither of them had intended to eat, that much was obvious.

  “We have some news. I am so sorry to inform you both that your father and I are going to be taking a little break,” she spoke pointedly.