Soul Stone

by Gladden, DelSheree

  “Absolutely,” Tanner says.

  It’s not a long walk, unfortunately. I patiently wait through their man-hug, reassurances that Bas will keep me safe—like I need him to protect me—and another round of thanks from Tanner. Finally, Bas gets in the truck and leaves Tanner and I to say our goodbyes.

  “Be careful,” Tanner says while pulling me into his arms.

  “I will.” I reach up and kiss Tanner lightly.

  He smiles and brushes my hair back. “I know I’m usually pushing you to be nice to Bas, but feel free to put that on hold until you get back.”

  I laugh and punch Tanner softly. “Finally! A little jealousy!”

  “Can you blame me?” he asks. He looks a little guilty, but his smile is still intact.

  “Blame you? No way. I’ve been waiting for you to get jealous. Good grief, I was beginning to think you didn’t care.”

  Suddenly, Tanner’s lips crush mine. His hand behind my head tightens around my hair and pulls me even closer. A deep-seeded warmth erupts in my belly. My hands tighten around his shirt, closing any remaining distance between us. I can feel Tanner respond, his kiss becoming more passionate.

  A sharp blare of the horn from Bas’s truck startles us apart. He gets daggers from Tanner and I this time. He merely shrugs and taps an imaginary watch. I don’t want to leave, but I know he’s right. My dad has to get back to work.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” I say wistfully.

  “I’ll be waiting.” Tanner drops one more quick kiss on my lips before letting me go.

  I climb into Bas’s truck and sigh. He doesn’t say anything as we drive. I’m glad for his silence. Maybe he’ll keep it up the whole trip. I seriously doubt it, but I can dream, right? In reality, he hasn’t been that bad this week, but I’m nervous to spend so much time alone with him. A few short minutes later we pull into my driveway next to my dad’s Lexus. Bas’s eyes light up.

  “That’s the car we’re taking?” he asks.

  I can’t help laughing. He looks like a kid on Christmas morning. “Yeah. Feel free to stop drooling at any time.”

  I hop out of the truck and head for my dad, who has just stepped out on the porch. He welcomes me with a big hug, one that a touch of nerves makes a little too tight. I practically have to pry myself out of his grip. Luckily, Bas walks up and my dad turns his attention to him.

  “Thank you again for going with Arra,” my dad says.

  “It’s no problem, Dr. Malo.”

  My dad shakes Bas’s hand and says, “I’ve told you before, you can call me Robert.”

  Of course he can. It takes me a moment to stuff away my sudden, undeserved irritation and focus. “Dad, did you get any lunch? I can make something really quick if you haven’t. Bas and I haven’t eaten yet either.”

  “Actually,” my dad says, “I ordered you some food from the diner. It’s on the kitchen table. I already ate. I have to get back to the hospital in a few minutes.”

  “Well, I better give you these, then,” Bas says as he offers up the keys to his truck.

  My dad takes them and wraps his fingers around them. I can tell by the way he just holds them for a minute that he’s doubting the intelligence of this plan. I’m a little offended, but I can understand where he’s coming from.

  “Dad,” I say softly, “it’s going to be fine. I’ll call you as soon as we leave, and when we get there. I’ll have my phone on the whole time if you want to check on me, too. We’re going to be fine, though.”

  “I know,” he says with a forced smile. My dad turns to face Bas, his expression serious. “Take care of her. Call me if there are any problems.”

  “I will, sir.”

  Dad nods, but hardly looks any less anxious. Finally, though, he announces that he has to get back to work and drives away in Bas’s truck. At first I’m glad to see him go and take his anxiety with him, but as I watch him turn toward the hospital, I have to admit my own nervousness starts rearing its ugly head. I try to drown it in a burger, but a few minutes later as Bas and I get into my dad’s Lexus, I have to take a deep breath before sliding my key into the ignition and actually starting the car.

  I’m sure Bas notices the fact that my hands are shaking just a little, but for once, he doesn’t take the opportunity to mock me for it.

  “Ready?” he asks casually.

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yep. Let’s go.”

  My eyes glance down at the GPS unit when we back out and it starts talking to me. I feel a little better hearing the mechanical voice guide me through the familiar streets of Grainer. My nerves inch up a little more when we leave town and head for the highway. My hands tighten on the steering wheel as traffic begins to pick up, but Bas starts yammering away about archery and my grip begins to lighten up. I realize he’s doing the same thing he does with Sibeal to make her feel more relaxed, but I don’t mind at all.

  A smile makes its way onto my lips when I turn to glance at him. He smiles back, but doesn’t say anything about it. We cruise along the highway chatting more easily than we ever have before. Bas tells me all about the competitive archery team, about the indoor season coming up this fall and the summer season he usually misses most of because his family goes to Ireland every year during the summer. We talk about our classes, especially graphic design.

  Everything goes smoothly until the GPS tells me to merge onto the ramp for the interstate. I’m not the only one trying to get onto the bigger road. It feels like every car on the highway is suddenly crowding me on the ramp. I can feel my heart rate climbing, but I fight to control it.

  A driver cuts in front of me at the last minute and I have to slam on the brakes. If my hands didn’t have a death grip on the steering wheel, I know they’d be shaking. The horn honk from behind startles me into hitting the gas. We jerk backward, my hands white on the steering wheel.

  Somehow, I make it onto the interstate, but I wish I hadn’t. Cars fly past me. My foot seems unwilling to press down any harder. More horns blare at me as the faster traffic zips in and out of lanes to get around me. My palms are getting sweaty. The irrational fear that they will suddenly slip off the wheel and send us into another lane plagues me. My eyes dart around to the other drivers as my heart starts pounding. One car in particular darts back into my lane after having passed me, narrowly missing the front of the car. I hit my brakes again. Screeching tires from behind me and more horns kick my whole body into panic mode.

  “Bas!” I squeak, not even able to verbalize what I need.

  His hand is calm as he places it on my wrist. “Arra,” he says softly, “turn your blinker on.”

  “I can’t!” My chest is pumping in and out and my panic sends my breathing into overtime. I can’t get my hand to let go of the steering wheel!

  I almost cry out when Bas’s arm darts in front of me. I can’t see! But it’s only a second before he moves again, my right blinker pulsing out its regular rhythm as if nothing is happening!

  “Arra,” Bas tries again, “take your foot off the gas pedal. You’re going to be okay. Just ease off the gas slowly.”

  What? Is he crazy? I don’t know, but I force myself to trust him. Or at least I try to. My foot won’t budge. “I can’t. I can’t,” I cry as tears start pouring down my cheeks.

  “It’s okay, Arra.”

  Bas’s voice is the only calm thing in this car. I flinch when his hand touches my leg. I can’t figure out what he’s doing touching me like that until the car starts slowing down. His free hand grabs the steering wheel as he slowly directs the car onto the shoulder. He finally pushes my foot off the gas pedal completely and we coast to a stop. Bas yanks up on the parking break and turns the engine off. Immediately, he wraps his arms around me.

  I feel like such an idiot sobbing in his arms over attempting to drive on the interstate, but it doesn’t stop me from burying my face in his chest. “I’m so sorry,” I cry.

  “It’s okay, Arra. We’re fine. It’s okay.” As he whispers to me, his hands run comf
ortingly up and down my back. He presses me closer and says, “Don’t cry, Arra. We’re both okay. We’re off the road now.”

  I don’t know how long Bas sits there comforting me. Shame keeps my face buried against his chest long after my tears have stopped flowing. I struggle to calm my heart and mind as images of what could have happened race through my head. All the while, Bas talks quietly, brushes my hair back, and rubs my back softly. Even after my heart stops jumping around and I can breathe normally, something keeps me from pulling away.

  Bas is the one to finally lift me gently from his chest. He pushes damp locks of hair out of my eyes. “Are you okay?” he asks. There is no mocking or contempt in his eyes, only concern.

  I nod, too embarrassed to say anything.

  He smiles. “Are you sure?”

  For some reason, I start laughing. Bas just stares at me. When I see his worry deepen, I wave off his concern. “I’m sorry, Bas. I made such a huge fool of myself. You have no idea how embarrassed I am right now.”

  I shake my head, but Bas’s hands slip off my shoulders to take my hands firmly. “Arra, you don’t need to be embarrassed. You got scared. It happens.”

  “What was my dad thinking, letting me drive on the interstate!” I say with shake of my head.

  Bas finally cracks a smile. “First time on a big road?”

  My head drops in defeat. “I learned to drive on a closed course. My mom was too scared I’d get in an accident. The biggest roads I’ve ever driven on are the streets of Grainer. I usually have to compete with two, maybe three cars at the most. I’ve never even gone more than forty miles per hour!”

  When I look up, I can tell Bas is trying not to laugh. For once, I don’t mind. We both start chuckling at the same time. He rubs his hand across his forehead. “Yeah, maybe this was a bit of a stretch.”

  In a flash, all my amusement drops away. My face falls as I turn to look at Bas. I try to speak, but my throat closes up and I have to fight for words. “Bas,” I finally say, “I am so sorry. I never should have agreed to this, or drug you along with me. You could have gotten hurt and it would have been my fault.”

  “Arra,” he says, squeezing my hands, “it’s okay. We’re fine.

  “But …”

  He shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

  I’m not sure if I believe him, but I can tell he’s not going to argue it with me anymore. When Bas starts to pull away, my hands clamp down on his and he stops. I look down, startled to realize I am still holding both his hands. I look up, embarrassed all over again, but Bas only smiles.

  “I was just going to trade you places. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Oh.” A strangled laugh escapes my lips. I pry my hands off his and prepare to slide over to the passenger seat. “That’s probably a good idea.”

  Bas laughs and opens the door. As he walks around the front of the car, I will my head to stop spinning and my emotions to chill out. Part of me has this irrational fear that if Bas goes too far away I’ll break down again. The more rational fear that as soon as he steps back into the car it means we have to get back on the interstate locks my hands together.

  My eyes are closed against the sight of the flurry of cars just a few feet away as Bas climbs back into the car. The whirr of the engine starting makes me jump. A slight creaking announces that the parking brake has been released. I try to breathe as Bas flips on the turn signal and merges onto the interstate again.

  I’m pretty sure I’ll sit like this the whole way to the airport until I feel Bas’s fingers prying mine apart. I look over at him, surprised. His eyes flit down to his hand sandwiched between mine before coming back up to look at me.

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, okay?”

  I nod slowly.

  My eyes close again, but Bas’s promise is strangely reassuring. Slowly, the tension leeches out of my muscles. My heart finds its normal rhythm again and eventually my lungs match its slow and steady pace. A stray hair in my face pulls one of my hands away from Bas’s, but the other hand refuses to budge. When we finally pull up to the airport pick up area, it’s still there.

  “Hey, is that your brother right there?” Bas asks.

  I look up and spot David looking around for us. I feel a little guilty that my meltdown made us late to pick him up, but the smile on his face when he sees me, tells me he’ll forgive a few minutes spent standing on the curb. We pull up to him and he leans down to make a stupid face at me before pulling the door open. I jump out and launch myself at his chest.

  “David!”

  He sweeps me into his arms with a grin. “Arra, it’s so good to see you!”

  “I’ve missed you so much, you have no idea!”

  David laughs, erasing away the whole interstate experience. “I’ve missed you too, sis.” He keeps one arm around my shoulders, but turns to look at Bas. He pauses, suddenly unsure. “Uh, are you Tanner?”

  “No, Bas, actually. Sebastian Wallace.”

  I look over at David, confused about why he asked if Bas was Tanner. I told him last night that Bas was driving up with me. David catches my look, but he seems confused, too.

  “Oh, sorry. I thought…never mind. I must have just gotten mixed up. It’s nice to meet you, Bas. My dad’s told me a lot about you.”

  “He has?” I ask as they shake hands.

  David nods. “Sure. Bas wants to study architecture like I am. Dad suggested he come up and tour the campus with me some time.”

  Well, that’s news to me.

  The pair of them launch into a discussion about college and designs while they put David’s bag in the trunk. I seem to be forgotten until they come back and David reaches for the back door.

  “David, you can sit in the front. You have longer legs.”

  He shakes his head. “No, it’s fine. Go ahead and sit in the front with Bas. I can talk just as easily from the backseat.”

  “Are you sure?”

  David pauses and watches my expression for a moment before saying, “Yeah. Take the front.”

  I shrug, not sure why he’s acting so weird. Regardless, I climb back into the front seat and immediately turn around to face him. “Okay, spill. Tell me everything about college, your apartment, your friends, everything! You know I’m dying to hear every detail.”

  And he does. We spend the next two hours talking, laughing, and listening to David recite stories of him and his friends and a few crazy professors. I’m amazed at how fast the drive goes. It’s definitely way more fun than the drive up. When we pull up to the house for David to drop off his stuff before heading to the bonfire, I get out with him to unlock the door while Bas waits in the car.

  It only takes a minute for David to ditch his bag in the spare room and he’s back at the front door with me. I reach for the door knob, ready to take off, but David grabs my hand to stop me. I look over at him, more than a little perplexed.

  “David, what’s wrong?”

  “Did you and Tanner break up?” he asks.

  “What? No. Why would you ask that?”

  “Well …” He pauses and scratches at his head. “Why were you holding Bas’s hand when you pulled up?”

  My eyes widen as I realize he saw that. I scramble to explain. “It wasn’t romantic if that’s what you’re thinking. Good grief, David, I would have told you if Tanner and I broke up, and I would think you’d know me better than to cheat on my boyfriend.”

  “What else was I supposed to think?”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  David towers over me. “Then why were you holding his hand?”

  I grimace, not wanting to tell him, but knowing I have to. “I may have freaked out a little bit when we got to the interstate.”

  David eyes me. He wants the whole truth.

  “Okay, I freaked out a lot. I panicked when all these cars started driving around me and honking their horns. I totally froze and Bas had to basically grab the wheel and steer the car off the road before I caused an accident. Eve
n after I calmed down, getting back on the interstate with Bas driving was too much. He took my hand to help me calm down, that’s it.”

  I hate the skeptical look in his eye. Doesn’t he know me? “I would never do that to Tanner,” I snap. “And I don’t even like Bas like that.”

  “Really? He seems like a good guy. You two were getting along just fine on the ride back, too. I’d be surprised if you didn’t like him at least a little.”

  “Us getting along like that is a rare thing,” I say. “He pushed me into a row of desks this morning and bruised my elbow. His favorite hobby is getting me in trouble at school.” I shake my head, frustrated with this whole conversation and annoyed at the guilt creeping into my thoughts. “Trust me,” I say, “Bas is a friend, that’s it.”

  “And you think the same is true for him?”

  I laugh at the suggestion, but not like I would have when we first met. Even still, I am adamant as I say, “Absolutely. I am the last person Bas would ever be interested in.”

  “Then why couldn’t he keep his eyes off you?” David counters before walking out the front door.

  I shake my head at him, not willing to even consider what he just said. If Bas was watching me, which I doubt, it was probably just to make sure I wasn’t going to freak out again. I think David has some serious jet lag if he thinks Bas wants anything other than to annoy me on a daily basis.

  Convincing myself of that isn’t as easy as I expect. The way Bas held me after my meltdown was so kind and gentle, his touch so soft, it won’t let me dismiss David’s words as easily as I would like.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Introducing David to everyone seems to take forever. Sure, pretty much all the juniors and seniors are at the bonfire, but it’s still not that many people. The problem is, David is attractive, and the girls of Grainer rarely get new blood to fawn over. Luckily, David doesn’t seem to mind too terribly much. I watch from Tanner’s arms as David soaks up all the attention comfortably.

  “Bas said you did great on the road,” Tanner says next to my ear. He leans down and kisses my cheek.