by Nicole Rae
She was so lost in her mental preparations,that she didn’t pay attention to the path right in front of her. She ran smack dab into a person. Thankfully, a strong person so they didn’t fall. The force of it though knocked Emily back a few steps. Whoever it was, they were solid. It startled Emily, making her gasp loudly, as she brought her hand up to her chest. She willed herself not to have a heart attack.
Breathing hard, Emily collected herself enough to speak. “I’m so sorry,” She stammered. “I didn’t see you I was watching the dog over there.” Emily pointed awkwardly in the retriever’s direction.
“It’s no problem. I stopped to watch the feast too.” His voice was like velvet.
Her mind swayed with recognition. She knew that voice, but from where? She brought her eyes up to see him for the first time. A picture flashed into her mind. His ocean blue eyes seemed to wake her memory out of a deep sleep. It was her rescuer from the night in the alley. “It’s you.” What a dumb thing to say, she thought feeling incredibly stupid. She could have come up with something more intelligent. The last time she saw him she at least had an excuse for acting like an incoherent moron.
“Yes, and it’s you. I was wondering how you were after the other night.” His sentence ended in the most magnificent smile Emily had ever seen.
“I’m fine. Thank you for saving me,I mean.” Well, at least she half way managed a full sentence, sort of. It was ridiculous, but she couldn’t stop gazing at him like a pathetic little school girl. She felt like the Retriever, just before it pounced on the pastry box. It was incredibly easy to get lost in his amazing eyes. It felt as though she was somehow swimming in the endless deep blue of them.
He seemed to notice and it made his grin grow cockier. “Don’t mention it. I’ve always been a sucker for damsels in distress. I just happened to be in the right place at the wrong time.
“Well either way, I really appreciate it. I owe you one,” she said with a tremendous amount of gratitude. It suddenly dawned on her where they were standing. The now not so dark alley she had been jumped in was directly to their right. Her heart began to pound furiously at the sight of it.
His eyes followed her glance. “Well apparently, this has become a meeting place for us. Were you trying to relive a moment?” He said with mock disgust.
A hysterical giggle burst from Emily’s lips without permission. “No definitely not.” Emily cleared her throat trying to quiet her moronic nervous laughter. “I could do without this place. I only come passed here because it’s on my way home from work.” She made a gesture behind them toward the front of Blake’s. “I work at the book store,” she babbled idiotically.
“Would you like some company?” He asked, sounding as if it didn’t matter to him either way.
“Um, what?” Emily said totally surprised. She could feel the flames licking up her cheeks and here this guy was standing there all casual as if he was completely unaffected by their odd situation.
“I thought you might like me to walk you home. Maybe it’s not the best idea.” He began to walk around her in the opposite direction. As he did, he gave her a very guy like nod.
Crap, Emily thought. He must have misunderstood her reaction. She couldn’t let him go. There were still so many questions about the other night. The morbid details may have felt very fresh but she still didn’t have all the answers.
The chance to get those answers was trying to walk away. “Wait.” Emily said hastily. She put a hand up as though she could stop him. “I’d like it if you walked me home. That is if the offer is still there…” She let her voice trail off hoping he would pick up the thread and accept her request.
He took a deep breath and turned back around to face her. “Of course, the offer still remains Emily.” Without another word, he started off down the side walk leaving her behind him a few steps.
The mysterious hottie walked about as fast as Emily jogged. She had to scramble to catch up. The awkwardness made her feel very inept. Her anxiousness allowed her to catch up quickly though. How strange. He was sweetly walking her home but acting all arrogant at the same time. Emily wondered if this cool bad boy persona was just an act for her benefit. She remembered him battling her attacker effortlessly with no hint of
apprehension, but squelched the thought. He was obviously a bad boy. The mysteriousness that radiated off of him was electric.
As she glanced at him periodically, she noticed that his face was wiped clean of any emotion. It was impossible to get a read off him at all. The silence was driving her insane. She had to get him explaining, or it would be too late. The distanceto Emily’s house wasn’t far.
“How do you know my name? How did you know where I lived the other night? Where did that guy go in the alley? Did you do something to him?” The questions shot out of her mouth like bullets from a machine gun but she couldn’t help herself. Once the words got started they had a mind of their own. It was as though she had no control of her mouth what so ever. He probably thought she was nuts. That would be understandable, she thought she was nuts too.
An almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “My my, so many inquiries, so little time. So you have a strongrecollection of the other nights events do you?” He almost seemed surprised. It was clear he was trying to not let it show but it was still there.
That wasn’t a normal reaction. There was definitely something more behind his words, some hidden meaning that one way or another, Emily had to get to the bottom of. The surprise on his face was confusing. Why wouldn’t she have her memory? It’s not like he could have known she had blocked it out at first.
“Well… I didn’t at first.” Emily shrugged. “I guess it just came back to me.” She watched closely for the expression to change, though it stayed in perfect control.
“You must have a strong mind to have repressed such terror and then regain it so quickly.” He grabbed her elbow helping her off the curb across the street.
She hated realizing it, but they had already crossed several blocks. It seemed like they had only been walking seconds and not the several minutes it had to have been. She had to get him talking. Time was running out and he would be gone again. ”You still haven’t answered my questions.” She pressed, hopefully encouraging him to explain things further. Apparently, he wasn’t going to offer up any information without a bit of prodding from her part.
When they reached the next street, he promptly dropped her arm as if he had been burned. Geez, it’s not like she had a disease or something. It wasn’t like he was obligated to be all gentlemanly in the first place. Emily knew how to walk just fine by herself. The sting on her ego was blazing like a raging wild fire. She knew she shouldn’t care, but the feeling of not being good enough coursed, deep within her core. Thanks to Sam, that seed was planted long ago.
“You’re right, I haven’t answered.” He retorted sharply. He said nothing else as if his words were answer enough.
That just wasn’t enough for Emily. She deserved answers and was going to get them one way or another. Suddenly, bravery settled in. All hints of shyness melted away with every step.
“And then?” Emily pushed harder. If he would just look at her, he would see the look on her face was fierce and smoky. At least that was the look she was going for anyway. Knowing him, it would probably hold no intimidation at all.
It was at least another block before he said anything. “I’ve been in the bookstore before. One of the employees said she had a co-worker named Emily. When you said that you worked there, I guess I just made the connection.” He looked casual but his voice faltered.
He was lying. “Um no. You knew my name that night. You just found out I worked there today. Not to mention the fact that I don’t work for a girl.” She shot back shooting him an equally cold side long glance.
“Alright calm down. No need to get angry. So you caught me. Let’s just say, I’m very observant of my surroundings. I’ve seen you around.” He did sound apologetic, even though he was still
obviously lying.
It was crystal clear that she was going to get nothing else from him on that subject. She’d let it go for now. There were more important things to worry about then her name anyway. Plus, he seriously made the simmer down motion with his hands when he told her to calm down. That was completely unexpectedly cute and annoying at the same time. Emily hated the affect he was having on her. She wasn’t really sure what that affect that was but didn’t really want to know either. There was no time in her life for complications.
“And the jackass from the other night? What happened to him?” Emily’s thinly lined brow rose fiercely with her accusing glare. She tried to sound tough so he would take her seriously. This honestly wasn’t hard since she really was getting aggravated.
“I simply encouraged him to take his business, elsewhere,” he said the last word slowly as if to display its double meaning.
“Which means? Emily was feeling annoyed at his evasions it’s not like she was asking him to recite the Battle Hymn of the Republic backwards or something. Which for future reference, probably wasn’t a good idea, since Emily didn’t even know it forwards.
“Alright alright. I used just a bit of force but under the circumstances, I had to do what was necessary. He hurt you I wasn’t just going to give him a lesson in politeness and manners.”
They turned the corner onto her street. Her time was running out. It was annoying that the conversation reallywasn’t going anywhere. Although, he had just admitted to fighting for her honor, so maybe it could be excused. That was kind of sweet really.
When they reached her driveway she looked up to the garage. Oh thank God, she thought relieved. The garbage can she had strategically placed partially in front of the door was still in place. That meant Sam wasn’t home. The placement was something she did often. Emily wanted fare warning he was home in case he tried to be sneaky and park in the garage.
She stared at the driveway for a moment trying to think of her next question. It would have to be carefully chosen if she had any hope at an actual answer. Absently, she noticed the driveway was getting some pretty dangerous looking cracks. They would need to repave soon. It was totally weird that she would think of that right then but the cracks really were a serious tripping hazard.
“Who are you really?” I’ve never seen you around here before and I have lived here my whole life.” There was that short time she and her dad were out of town after her mom died, that didn’t really seem relevant though.
“I haven’t lived here very long but I have gotten to know my way around fairly easily. It’s not like Lakeview is a big city. I read maps well.” He was still evading her questions. His answers were vague as if getting to know Emily would be horrible or something.
Fine, if that was the way he wanted it, she didn’t need to be his friend. It’s not like she cared if he didn’t want to exchange friendship bracelets or anything. There was no point in getting close to anyone anyway. She would just be leaving for school anddidn’t have time for personal relationships, platonic or otherwise. Emily had distanced herself from her family and friends after her mom had died. She had inadvertently severed all ties not wanting to strengthen any bonds that may break leaving her alone again. She missed her mother so much it was hard to breathe sometimes. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing another person that was close to her. That problem in her life was at least easy to solve. Don’t want to get hurt then don’t get close enough to be hurt. The only problem with that was that it left her spending an awful lot of time by herself.
“Oh, and to answer your other question, my name is Sebastian.” As he spoke he gave her a slight bow as if in formal introduction to a Queen.
Did he really just do that? What time warp did he come out of? Well, she guessed it was kind of cute in a dorky sort of way. “Well Sebastian it’s nice to meet you. Thanks again for helping me the other night with the” What was she supposed to call her attacker? Should she reveal her suspicions to this guy? No way. She hardly knew him he would think she was nuts. “Uh, thanks. Youknow, for helping with that guy the other night.” Giving Sebastian no further chance of getting under her skin she turned and headed up the walk. When she glanced back to tell him goodbye more politely he was already gone. Damn it! He did it again.
How does he do that? Whatever, she thought as she turned back to go inside. He was a very frustrating person, who seemed to be quite self-assured. Emily hated arrogant conceited people. It’s great when people have confidence as long as they understood there were boundaries. Her mom always said that no one person is better than the next and that had always stuck with her. Logically she couldn’t be too mad at him though. Technically, she had turned from him first trying to immaturely gain the upper hand. Somehow even in doing that, he still managed to one up her. Emily couldn’t figure out what it was about him that drove her so crazy. He seemed to bring out a competitive drive in her that had never been awakened before. It was so maddeningly annoying, yet for some reason she liked it.
CHAPTER 9 The kitchen in her house was bright and cheery. There was a large fluorescent light fixture overhead,but that wasn’t what brightened up the room. Its main color was a pale blue. It wasn’t dull, and it wasn’t so annoyingly bright it hurt your eyes. It gave it a real homey feel. Honestly it was kind of adorable, in a cheesy kind of way. The scalloped white lace curtains were homemade. Emily’s mother never thought it was a good idea to purchase curtains from a store. Melissa always said with the right sale at a fabric store, someone could purchase the perfect material. Which could be used for curtains and allow their personal flare shine through.
As much as it may have seemed like it, her mother wasn’t cheap. Or at least she didn’t have to be. Back then Sam didn’t drink that much, so they had plenty of money. Her mom just figured if they cut corners that would leave them money to do other things. One of those things was a college fund for Emily. Between medical bills for her mom’s hospital stay, funeral costs and Sam’s binges, it was totally deflated. Emily knew her mom would roll over in her grave at the thought of the savings fund that was no more.
The big pot was in the top cupboard where of course, she couldn’t reach. She had to use a stool her father had made for that very purpose for her mom. Melissa was not graced with a models height,that’s for sure. Unfortunately, Emily was stuck with the same vertically challenged fate.
She had decided on making spaghetti for dinner. It was easy enough. Sam would return home from his busy day at the bar totally inebriated. That meant he wouldn’t notice if she didn’t make a gourmet sauce. The jar kind would have to do. Once the meat was simmering and the noodles on boil she got to work cleaning out the fridge. It hadn’t been done in a while. If she didn’t do it they would surely have months old leftovers in there growing more mold than there was food.
The jingling of keys sounded outside from the back door. Why on earth was he coming in the back? She never even heard the sound of the garage door rolling up. It was old and partially rusted so it made its presence known quite loudly. Emily liked to think of it as its own personal alarm system. Even in her bedroom she could be woken from a dead sleep when her dad came stumbling in late.
Boots clomping on the hard wood floor broke into her thoughts. “Hi Emily…” He slurred and then his voice faded out. Sam gave her a sloppy version of a warm smile, making Emily nervous.
Sam was never in a good mood after a whole day at Moody’s Tavern. He would n ormally consume enough liquor to kill an army. Maybe Janice convinced him somehow to take a cab, which would have been a miracle. It had always scared Emily to think of her father driving home so intoxicated but it did her no good to say anything about it. As he would say, acting like his mommy would only get her a fat lip. Her lips were too thin,but that wasn’t the way, she wanted to make them full and pouty. She plopped a big helping of pasta for Sam on a plate and sat it down in front of him.
Her dad looked at the meal in front of him and asked, “What’s for dinner?”
; “Steak and potatoes dad,if that’s okay,” she replied sarcastically. She tossed the towel she used to keep his plate from burning her hands onto her shoulder as she grabbed her soda. Pepsi was truly the greatest beverage ever invented. The caffeine was speaking to her from within the confinement of the can.
“That’s good darling I love spaghetti.”
He shoveled a bite in his mouth so big, Emily thought for sure he’d gag. It was kind of evil, but she figured at least if he did, then he might pass out early. She didn’t feel like babysitting him and it was only a matter of time before his temper reared its ugly head.
“How was your day Em?” Sam still slurred, though he managed to speak in between bites.
What is this? Since when does he care about her day, or anything about her life in general for that matter? She noticed a single bead of sweat drip down her dad’s forehead. Whisky always made him sweaty. His body’s probably trying to purge out his overconsumption of poison, yuck.
As they ate, she found herself staring at the lines of her father's face. Sure he was middle aged, but the years since her mom died have been etched into his skin like several grief tattoos. There were permanent creases on his forehead. Lines fanned out on the outside of each of his eyes like spider legs. Instead of smile lines, his were indented into a grimace. Sam was still handsome in his own way, but his face definitely was weather beaten. He had acquired an unattractive spare tire, which hung over his belt. Even still, she could see the lines of his muscles along his chest and arms. With each rise of his fork, his muscles rippled slightly, as though trying futilely to wake up.
She normally didn’t make it a habit to gawk ather dad’s physical appearance. It just pained her to see how much he had let himself go. Plus,usually Emily couldn’t look at him for long because he would get paranoid and think she was plotting some conspiracy against him or something. He was a very paranoid man who thought there was a reason for everything and in his mind that reason was never good.