by K. G. Reuss
“You don’t need to, Maggie,” Lance said gently. “I get it. I’m just worried about you. Are you sure about Brax?”
“More than anything in my life,” I answered. “I love him. I’m going to tell him.”
“I knew you did.” Lance looked wistful. “He’s your Maggie.”
I cocked my head at him.
“Just like you’re mine,” he finished sadly. “But I want you to be happy. Just know that with Brax, it’s going to be rough. Dangerous.”
“You know the truth about him, don’t you?” I ventured.
“Yeah,” he replied. “How do you feel about that? Knowing what he is and his reasons for being here?”
I shrugged. “I only know he’s my angel. Everything else doesn’t matter to me,” I replied.
“God, Maggie.” Lance sighed and came in for a hug. I wrapped my arms around him. “Why are you so damn sweet? And forgiving? And caring? And absolutely perfect?”
“Because I have good friends like you to keep me on the straight and narrow.” I chuckled, pulling away and wiping my eyes. Lance smiled down at me fondly.
“Since I’m about to lose you, how about that kiss I never got?” He grinned teasingly at me.
“Maybe someday.” I chuckled. “If you’re good and Brax says it’s OK.”
“He’s sure dirtied you up.” Lance laughed, shaking his head at me.
“I know. I love it.”
Chapter 72
Wandering around searching, I couldn’t find my phone. Brax wasn’t there yet. Maybe he’d called or texted me. If he hadn’t, I was going to do it. Tell him. I was having a mild panic attack that he hadn’t shown up yet.
I ran out to Chelsea’s car. There it was. I grabbed my phone and checked for messages. Nothing. Sadness filled me. I was just about to call him when I saw him walking up the steps to the house. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him stand at the door, obviously unsure about entering.
He was going to leave. I knew it before he did. Rushing forward, I came up behind him, hoping that maybe I’d be brave enough to say the words that were haunting me.
“Hey,” he said, surprised, as he turned around and saw me.
“Hey,” I answered, hoping my smile looked encouraging. “I was wondering if you were coming.”
“Yeah, I-I got caught up doing some things.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Why are you out here?”
“I went back to Chelsea’s car to grab my phone. I-I was checking to see if you’d called or texted…” My cheeks heated.
“I did call and text. For days. But not today. I finally got the message. But I’m here now,” he said, his voice low and sad. “Happy birthday, angel.”
He reached forward and gave me an awkward hug.
“Thank you,” I said, not wanting to let him go. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“About what?” He looked at me fearfully.
“Um, we can go inside and hang out with everyone. I’ll talk to you about it later. I think I might need some social lubrication to do it.”
He touched my arm, stopping me from going inside. “I want to talk to you about something first. I know you saw me last week helping Claire. I swear it wasn’t what it looked it. Lance called me because Claire was wasted, and he was worried about her. I went because… well, because I felt responsible for helping introduce her to drugs in the first place.”
“Tell me about that night when you met her,” I asked hesitantly, not knowing if I wanted to hear it but knowing I needed to.
“It wasn’t a big deal, angel. I wasn’t even looking for anything that night. I couldn’t be with the girl I wanted, so when Corbin invited me to have some fun with him and Claire, I went along. We left the club and went back to Corbin’s house. There the party got a little heavier than I would’ve liked. But … I didn’t stop it. Corbin convinced Claire to do a strip tease. I was not into it. But I did kiss her. That’s all I did with her. And I felt horrible afterwards. I threw up in the bathroom. I know you and I were nothing then except friends. But kissing her felt like a betrayal to my heart. That’s the truth. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all of that when you met her. But I didn’t want to disgust you.”
“Last Friday when I saw you two, I saw you kiss.” My heart ached for him. I was breathless and hot, side effects from being in his proximity. Even after everything, I still wanted him desperately. Please God, let him say words that won’t hurt. That won’t shatter my heart further.
“You saw her kiss me. I did not kiss her back. She likes me. I didn’t know that when I went to help out. But you’re the only one I care about. When you wouldn’t take my calls all weekend, I thought you’d changed your mind about accepting me for who I am. And if you have, I understand. I won’t lie, I will hate walking away from you. But if it’s what you want, I will.”
I searched his face. He wasn’t lying. And I’d been a fool to think otherwise. I’d caused us both so much heartache over the past week. I was ashamed of myself.
“No. I believe you, Brax. It just hurt to see you with someone else. I always felt like you were too good to be true.”
“That’s you, angel. You’re too good to be true. Forgive me for not telling you everything before and for hurting you?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I know you’d never hurt me on purpose. I let my insecurities get the best of me. Forgive me for staying mad all week?”
“"You don't even need to ask me that, angel. Without a doubt, yes. Now let's go socialize at your party for a little while.” His lips met mine in a sweet kiss that made my toes curl.
I knew we couldn’t stand on the steps kissing all night, so we went inside. Voices clamored around us. Everyone wanted to greet Brax, and I had to make my rounds. But all I wanted to do was get back to him and tell him that I loved him. When I saw him talking to Corbin, I felt better. Maybe they were patching things up and would get along now. As I watched, I realized that couldn’t have been the case though because I noticed Brax snapped at Corbin who only smiled like he usually did before walking away. Straightening my shoulders, I couldn’t stand to be away from him any longer.
“You look tired,” I commented as I went up to him.
“I am, angel. It’s been a long week,” he murmured, reaching out for me and cupping my face tenderly.
“You don’t have to stay. Go home and rest. I won’t be upset.”
“I won’t be able to rest,” he replied sadly. “Not without you. Besides, I haven’t even given you your present yet.”
“Then come outside. We can be alone there, a-and you can give me my gift, which, by the way, you didn’t have to buy me.”
“What makes you think I bought you something?” he teased weakly, making me flush. A soft chuckle slipped through his lips as we went out to Andrew’s downstairs patio.
“What is it?” I asked, taking the pink package from him, smiling.
“Open it and find out,” he murmured, leaning against the railing beside me. I eagerly tore through the delicate pink paper like a kid on Christmas morning. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the perfect hand-knitted hat and scarf inside. I couldn’t stop the waterworks from flowing. I looked up at him as a tear slipped down my cheek. He’d had such a hard time knitting at Bonnie’s and still, he worked hard to figure it out. “You can wear them when we fly. That is if you ever want to go again.”
“I do want to go again.” I said. “They’re all black,” I added thoughtfully, rubbing the collection of knots forming the most thoughtful gift I’d ever received.
“Like my soul,” he answered tiredly with a tiny chuckle.
“They’re beautiful, like your soul,” I corrected him, placing the gift on the table beside me.
“I love you, Brax Shepherd.” My heart lightened with the admission. The words were easier to say than I thought they’d be. I leaned into him and captured his lips with mine. He seemed stunned because it took him a moment to recover, but when he did, it was like fireworks had gone off inside of me.
He pulled me close to him. I felt safe. Protected. I was his, and he was mine. Always. Forever. And then he said the words that made my heart soar, “I love you, too, angel.”
Chapter 73
We lay wrapped in one another’s arms all night, kissing and whispering sweet things. When I realized I needed to get up and get moving around in case of an Alan situation, Brax was less than willing to let me go, which sent my heart into orbit.
“Stay, angel.” He wrapped his arms tightly around me, his way of letting me know that I was his. “You can be safe here.”
“I can’t,” I sighed. “My mom—I have to be there for her.”
“You’re eighteen now, Mags. You can leave. You’re legally an adult—”
“I know I can, but I have to get things situated.” I kissed him deeply. “No one would even talk to me on the phone about apartments because of my age. I promise tomorrow I’ll start the phone calls. I want to get my mom out. Then I can go.”
“Bring her here,” Brax said in a rush. “She can live here. Hell, here…” He climbed out of bed and rustled around in his drawer for a paper and pen. He quickly scrawled his name on it and handed it to me. “It’s yours.”
“Brax—what?” I stared at the deed to his house, stunned. “Did you, I mean, are you giving me your house?”
“Yes, problem solved. I don’t need it. I have more. I can get more.”
“I don’t, I—wow. I can’t accept this.” I pushed it back at him and gave him a kiss. “Thank you, Brax, but no. I can do this on my own.”
“I don’t want you to do it on your own.” He frowned. “You’re my girl, my angel, Maggie. Let me do this for you. Please.”
“I appreciate the sentiment. Believe me, I do. It feels like charity, and I don’t need it. My dad left me a lot. I can pay you for the house—”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m giving it to you. It’s a, um, one-day anniversary gift.”
“You’re crazy.” I laughed loudly, loving him even more if that was possible.
“I’m serious too.” His lips pressed against mine firmly, deliciously. “It’s yours. Everything that’s mine is yours. House, Rusty, all of it. You can even take my car and motorcycle. I want this.”
I wanted this too. But… “What if we—I mean, if we break up—” I asked worriedly, pulling away from him.
“Won’t happen. And even if you someday decide you don’t want me, it’s still yours because I gave it to you. I’m giving this to you. Just accept it already.” His face was determined.
“OK.” I knew he wasn’t going to let it go. It was incredibly generous. “I accept your gift.”
“Thank the Devil.” He grinned happily at me and gave me one more kiss. “Let’s go pack your stuff.”
“No.” I had to put the brakes on. Alan would freak out if we just left. He’d never let us leave alive. “This has to be done in steps. We have to be careful about how we do it. Alan will lose his cool if he knows we’re leaving. It has to be little things at a time.”
“I have beds, dressers, everything you guys need. Just get your clothes—”
“It’s more complicated than that. We have memories to pack up, photographs. It’s our entire life, Brax. Trust me. We’ll get there. Soon. I promise. Besides, you look like you’re getting sick.” I traced his soft lips with my fingers, feeling so much joy and contentment in the touch. “Rest. Please. We can worry about this later. I’ll start gathering some things now. In the meantime, I’m worried about you. Please try to eat and sleep.”
“OK,” he grumbled. “Just—if he comes to your room, Mags, call me. Please.” I watched as he went to his dresser again and pulled out paper, pen, and white chalk.
“What’s this for?” I asked as he held out the items.
“Watch,” he muttered, scribbling a pentagram on the paper with the pen.
“Brax—” My voice came out thick and scared. “What-what is that for? Is that a-a pentagram?”
“Yes. Draw it wherever you can when you need me. Call my name three times while touching it. I promise I’ll come. I didn’t give you the details before, but I think it’s important now.”
“I don’t understand why I need to draw demonic symbols to reach my boyfriend—” A sick feeling of foreboding washed over me. Images of things I should’ve already known flooded my mind. Wings, black eyes, dark veins, inky tears. Beneath the light of a demonic star, these things took on a new meaning. I pushed them away, not wanting to acknowledge the possibility that he was… no, I couldn’t.
“Maggie. Do you trust me?”
“I…yes,” I answered without a doubt. “I trust you.”
“Then promise me that you’ll do this if you need me. OK?”
“OK,” I agreed, taking the chalk in my hand, my stomach clenched into knots. “But I swear to God if I get possessed, I’ll die.” I knew I sounded like a drama queen, but I was serious.
“You won’t get possessed. I promise that too, angel,” he replied gently. “I’ll keep you safe from all the darkness.”
“You’d better.” I kissed him gently, my heart warring with the terrifying thoughts in my mind. “You’re all I have.”
Chapter 74
The following weeks with Brax were magical. We laughed and kissed one another whenever we could. Each night I became his princess and he my knight as he rescued me from my bedroom once the world was sleeping. The way he looked at me made me realize that this was love. This was how it was supposed to be. Chalk, black wings, and pentagrams aside, this was it.
Between working on the final stages of the carnival, studying, and spending time with one another, I wasn’t able to see Corbin as much. Which was just as well. Occasionally, he’d wink at me or send me a text, reminding me of his birthday gift. His offer.
The night before the carnival, Brax stayed in my room with me, holding me all night. When we woke, I scrambled to get ready and he chuckled and told me he’d take care of opening up and I’d be fine to show up when I was ready.
As much as I wanted to be there with him, I also wanted to look my best. I made sure to dress in the skirt he liked so much, the one with the pink flowers on it and tulle beneath. After one final check in the mirror, I made my way down to the carnival. There I found Zach and Andrew at the ice cream stand. Quickly, I shot a message off to Brax for him to come find me and waited with the guys for him to turn up.
I didn’t have to wait long. He found me almost immediately, making me wonder if he’d flown to reach me.
“You smell delicious,” he growled in my ear before kissing me swiftly.
“It’s my ice cream.” I giggled. He leaned forward and took a giant lick, winking at me.
“You two are so cute,” Andrew commented with a smile. “It’s almost as gross as sharing those germs.”
“I happen to like my boyfriend’s germs,” I shot back, kissing Brax soundly.
“Nice.” Zach grinned.
“So. Everything is going smoothly. We…” He kissed the tip of my nose lightly, making me giggle. “…should definitely hit some rides together.”
“OK,” I answered excitedly. Brax snatched my ice cream when I went to toss it.
“There are kids out there starving. We don’t waste food,” he teased, a sexy glint in his blue eyes. “Which is why I plan on eating you up later.”
My face flamed red. But his words made butterflies flap wildly in my stomach and my toes curl with the possibilities. When he tugged me toward the rides, I went easily.
“Hey! Brax! Maggie!” Jess called out, stopping us from getting to the Ferris Wheel.
“Go on. Hold our place. I’ll see what she wants,” he offered with a kiss. I nodded and moved away before I had to talk to her. We hadn’t really spoken since our tiff in the car on my birthday. I didn’t trust her as far as I could throw her with Brax, but I trusted him and that’s what mattered.
I made my way to the Ferris Wheel and waited in line for what felt like forever. I was just climbing
into the cart when Brax stormed forward and got inside, the tension rolling off him. I swallowed hard, not wanting to be the first one to talk. But I was worried. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the safety bar and didn’t look at me.
“Are you OK?” I asked.
“No.” He turned to face me. “When were you going to tell me about you going to meet up with Corbin?”
I stared back at him, frozen. None of my friends wanted me to talk to Corbin. And I’d promised I wouldn’t. But I’d sort of assumed everyone was getting along well enough for that desire to be out the window.
“Maggie, what’s going on?” he pleaded. “Has he done something to you?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He hasn’t really done anything to me. He’s just been a friend. He’s been going through a rough time too. We’re sort of just counseling one another—”
“Bullshit!” Brax shouted, making the people in the cart above us look behind them. I jumped in my seat, frightened. “Bullshit,” he hissed, lowering his voice. “He’s not going through anything, Maggie. He’s using you. He’s trying to get you—”
“And he won’t,” I cut him off evenly. “I love you, Brax Shepherd. I don’t think you understand how much. For better or for worse, I’m yours. Nothing will ever change that. Not even me hanging out with Corbin from time to time.”
“Mags, he’s dangerous. Please, try to understand. I don’t want you around him.”
“Jess is dangerous too,” I supplied softly. “And yet, I let her take you in a dark corner and talk to you. And you know why? Because I trust you, Brax. I do on my life.”
“I trust you too, baby. It’s him I don’t trust!”
“Maybe that’s your problem,” I shrugged. “But maybe just this once you should.”
“Never,” he growled. “I don’t want you around him, Maggie. Please. Do this for me. I’m begging you.” Desperation filled his eyes. He seemed truly concerned. He didn’t actually believe that he’d lose me to Corbin. Did he?