"Of course Elijah," she says softly, saddened about the pain I just inflicted on him.
"Before you go I have a message for you from my mother."
He stops and gazes into my eyes. The moonlight bounces off his dark hair turning it a shade of blue. "Never mind, I can't do this. Jesson knows all of the details. Talk to him before you leave. And Elijah, promise me that you'll never do that to Sam again." He nods somberly and moves aside to allow me pass him.
Elena takes my hand up in hers. "If you only knew how much you loved him before, you wouldn't blame him."
"So now you're on his side."
"He's my brother in arms Brennen, and he's wounded, trapped and alone."
"Do you have any idea what it's like for me to have these memories of a love so crazy passionate and beautiful? And yet, when I look at him I feel nothing Elena. The memories don't connect. It’s like that movie The Vow, where the girl wakes up from a coma and she can’t remember she’s married to Channing Tatum. I mean who wouldn’t want to go along with that scenario, but she has no freaking clue who this guy is. And it’s based off of a true story. Makes me wonder if she was one of Nehemiah’s failed brain scrambling victims."
"I'm so sorry Brennen. Come on I'll take you back. Don't forget to act surprised when they call your name," she's says, back to her usual sensible self.
She takes me back in time and it is the strangest feeling. Seeing the same things happen all over again. Emily asks me who I think will win. I give her a wry grin before they announce our names.
My sweet Sam, lifts me up and spins me around as the crowd cheers for us. This is the man I know and love. He whirls me around the dance floor so that my feet feel as though they barely touch the ground. Only Sam can make me float like this.
"I love you," I whisper in his ear.
"I know you do. You make me feel more loved than any man on earth. I'm going to marry you one day Brennen Elizabeth Hale. I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you know just how much I cherish you." He seals his lips over mine and the crowd hoots and hollers as Sam kisses the hell out of me.
Chapter 7 ~ Nice Night for a Swim
"Bren, let's move this affair back to your house."
"Sounds good to me," I say more than ready to have some alone time with Sam. We take the limo back to my house. Emily takes the opportunity to pour us a cocktail from a flask she managed to smuggle in her tiny clutch.
"None for me thanks." Sam holds his hand up.
"You don't drink?"
"Nothing hard, I might have a beer or champagne on New Year’s."
"I can respect that." I say snuggling into him. Jesson looks far away and I wonder what he's thinking about. With the way Emily just generously served herself Sam's portion I'm sure I'll get the chance to question him later when she passes out.
"Easy Emily, I’m not cleaning up your puke later on tonight." Jesson rolls down the window and takes Emily's cup and empties it onto the freeway.
I've never seen him in a bad mood before. Emily looks confused and hurt by his comment. The mood in the car is getting thick enough to hang a coat on. I hope the whole weekend doesn't go this way.
When we get back to my house I know I have to do something to lighten the mood. Even I'm still perturbed by Elijah's interference.
"Has anyone ever been night swimming in the ocean?" I ask setting our crowns down on the entryway table.
"That sounds like a good way to drown Bren." Emily says already backing away.
"We have swim buddies. It's a little scary at first, but it's really fun."
"Sharks are not fun, they have flesh ripping teeth and I hear they love to munch on the thighs of unsuspecting teenagers."
"These guys will keep us safe. Sam is practically an Olympic worthy swimmer." Not to mention the four other guardian angels in the room. I need to do something, the anxiety welling up inside me is maddening.
"I'll never take my hands off of you." Sam says softly bumping his forehead into mine. Emily glances up with pleading eyes. I take her hand and lead her up the stairs to change.
The water is still chilly, summer hasn't fired up her relentless rays on my little coast yet. I slip in anyway despite Sam trying to reel me back in. I need something to take my mind off of Elijah. I splash a reluctant Sam with my toe.
"Ooh you're gonna get it Hale." He rushes me and pulls me into deeper water. I squeal out as the coldness wraps me in its icy arms. The propensity of the inky water consumes our bodies, shrouding us in darkness.
"I've always lived near the ocean, it's going to take more than a little cold water to keep me out."
Sam smiles and dives under like he’s finally in his element. We’re both creatures of the water that is for sure. I glance up at Emily and Jesson still contemplating on joining us. He takes her hand and leads her in even though she looks scared to death. I go over to her and Jesson dives under joining Sam body surfing in the largest waves.
"Are you okay? We can go back to the house if you're afraid."
"No I'm fine. It’s just his kiss was so confusing. I don’t know if it was an act for the camera or if he wanted it to happen.”
"It's his loss. I can tell he at least likes you as a friend, so maybe that is what you should treat him as unless he makes his intentions out to be more. I think the best relationships start out as great friendships."
"I just wish he would have told me upfront so I wouldn't pine after him like a lost pup."
"I don't think Jesson has ever dated anyone, so maybe he just doesn't know the proper etiquette."
"Really?" she asks, and somehow I think I just made him ten times more appealing in her eyes.
"Yes now come on." She follows me out to where the guys are. Night swimming is scary fun like going to a haunted house. You don't really know what's out there but you know something really wants to get you. Something is lurking in the darkness, and the fact that you can't see what it is, makes every turn heart stopping.
Sam glides over to me, kissing me with salty wet lips. "I think I'm ready to relax with you in my arms and a crackling fire place." He says in his low register effectively turning me to Jello. He slides his finger over my lips.
“Is this the injured digit?” I ask coyly. He nods liking where this is leading. “I told you I’d kiss it better.”
“Your kisses are like magic.”
"Shark!" Will calls out circling above us. He darts into the water and my nerves hit the panic button to my rear end.
"Let's go, last one to shore has to cook breakfast!" I count heads while getting away as fast as I can. Sam smiles and away he goes. Upon hearing Will, Jesson grabs Emily by the waist and helps her reach the shore faster. Something bumps my leg. I clench my teeth and try not to scream and alarm them to the situation.
A second later, Will flies out of the water with an eight foot shark dangling in his hands, still thrashing and chomping at the air. That has to be the strangest thing I've ever seen in my life. Jesson busts out laughing the moment we're on shore. I can't help it, I start cracking up as well. As long as I live, I will never go night swimming again.
"What's so funny?" Sam asks looking at the pair of us.
"Racing you, like we would stand a chance." I can think of a good lie as easily as breathing and it has me wondering how much angel blood is really coursing through my veins.
"Guess I'll be burning your eggs in the morning." Jesson admits.
"I'll help you, since I'm pretty sure we tied." Emily gushes. Great, it seems his rescue mission gave Emily just enough fuel to keep the fire lit.
After we are showered and dressed, Sam gets the fire place going outside and I put the stereo on. We lounge on the back porch and rehash the day. I go inside to make some tea and Jesson follows. He readies the cups while I set the kettle on.
"Emily really likes you, if you don't feel the same about her you should tell her."
"I like her too."
"You like her like a friend or like a girlfriend?"
&nb
sp; "I can't like a human in any sort of romantic premise. We're not made that way."
“But you kissed her.”
“It was her idea. She wanted to recreate the famous sailor pose.”
She failed to mention that little tidbit. My heart breaks for her.
"What about Elijah?"
"Perhaps his soul bonded with yours because you're not wholly human."
"What do you mean his soul bonded?" The tea kettle screams and I jump, snatching it from the burner to silence it.
"You mean you can't feel it?"
"Feel what? I'm new to your world, remember."
Sam walks through the open glass door. "Need any help?" he asks.
"No, I think I have it. Thanks."
I try and understand just what Jesson was talking about. When I'm with Elijah I don't feel anything, do I? All I feel around him is awkward. Jesson invites Emily to join him and I presume he's going to break the news to her. I’m sad for her, but better she learn the truth now, than spend the weekend craving the one thing she can't have.
Sam and I kick back on the porch swing. He motions for me to put my feet up on his lap. I do and he begins to rub the soreness away from dancing in heels all night.
"I am the luckiest girl on the planet."
"I had the best time tonight. I can't believe we won prom king and queen," Sam comments as he continues melting me with his gifted fingers.
“Why? You reign over my heart with absolute monarchy. It’s no surprise you’ve managed to capture the hearts of our fellow classmates as well.”
Emily and Jesson walk back up the porch steps seemingly happy and holding hands. She stretches out her arms and says she turning in, Sam follows suit. I still want to finish the conversation with Jesson, so as soon as I’ve settled in them in their rooms, I head back to the living room.
The trio of angels sit in around examining a tooth from the shark, which thought I looked like a tasty hors d'oeuvre tonight. Jesson comes out and joins us, choosing to sit on the arm of the sofa like he’s not fully committing to staying. I take a seat on the hearth of the fireplace, allowing it to warm my back.
"What did you tell Emily?" Everyone stops talking and stares at Jesson. I can tell he's not a spotlight kind of guy.
"I very nicely explained that it was not my intention to lead her on and that I hoped we could still be friends because I honestly like her as a human friend."
“Did you actually use the words human friend?” I ask, while raising a brow.
“Um, I don’t think I did. I’m sorry, I’m still getting used to interacting with your kind,” he admits, looking embarrassed. Now I feel bad for both of them.
"No, I’m sorry for putting you on the spot. She looked like she took it well. You must be quite the charmer. I expected her to come back in tears."
"Jesson is some kind of charmer alright," Elena laughs out and I feel like I'm missing an inside joke.
"How about Will, the shark tamer over here?" Inara rubs Will's broad shoulders.
"Yes, thank you Will. I'm in your debt."
"Glad to help and no, I think we're about even on the scorecard." Will's deep baritone voice fills the room.
"Goodnight everyone."
"Goodnight," they sound off. Jesson catches up to me at the bottom of the stairs.
"Earlier our conversation got cut off.”
“Yes, sorry about that. Do you want to go somewhere private and talk?” I ask. He nods his head off to one side. He follows me up the stairs. His bare feet padding over the warm wood is the only sound in the silent house. I lead him out to the catwalk. The black ocean is churning now, gray clouds are building in the distal corner of my world. The moon penetrates their masts with fragments of silver light turning them to lavender down, a pillow for God’s weary head to rest.
“Elijah mentioned to me once, that when you weren’t close by him, he felt like part of him was physically missing. It made me wonder. You see, there is this myth that souls are made in pairs. Sometimes the two find their way back to each other. This is rare because though they are made in pairs they don't go into the world that way. Some are born hundreds of years apart, some on the other side of the world. This is where angel's coined the term soul mate. Human's throw the word around so much these days that it's lost its meaning. But I think Elijah is your soul's mate."
I glare at Jesson who still bears a sappy grin on his face. "Myth, isn't that what you called it." He sighs with a heavy chest. Lightening illuminates the sky. It flashes out over the sand turning it into a colorless powder for a moment.
“Look, call it what you want, but our kind usually don’t experience love like that. We’re made to love only one. It's very rare that we ever find that bond with anyone else.”
I rub my temples hard as if the pressure could fix my brain. I sink down to the floor and Jesson follows pulling me in against his chest. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that I’ve known Elijah for a very long time and I’ve never seen him like this. Elena told me what he did at the dance tonight and it was wrong. But what you and he share can only be true love.” Jesson’s words send me over the edge. The tears I’ve held back all day have broken through the dam. Hot and salty streams run between my lips and sear my neck.
“No, don’t cry Brennen. Elijah will kill me if I made you cry.” I bury my neck into his neck and he holds me close. “Tonight he told me to look after you. They still haven’t taken him, he feels like their toying with him. But he’s honoring your wishes and staying away. He feels terrible.”
“I believe he does. And I believe everything you’re saying Jesson, but I’ll tell you what I told Elena. Nehemiah fried my brain. I have all these holes in my mind and when I try to connect the dots they just won’t.” I shake my head in my hands again.
“I know, and I’m sorry Brennen. Come on let’s get you to bed.” Jesson opens the door to the catwalk for me. I climb under the covers and he sits down on my bed. “No matter what happens, I’m here for you. I’ve known Elijah for a long time but if in the end you still don’t choose him. I’ll be here if you need a friend.”
As tired as I am I can't fall asleep. I finally take out Elijah's journal and finish it by the time the dawn begins to break over the water. In summary I've had my life saved by Elijah more than the sum all of my fingers and toes combined. That, coupled with how much he loved me, makes me so angry at myself for ever disregarding simple instructions that could have saved both of us so much heartache.
Tell Sam we were at dinner and he fell asleep on the way home: that’s all I had to do. Now Elijah is somewhere without the grace of his creator. He's truly alone in the world, probably getting tortured or locked away, and it's all my fault.
Chapter 8 ~ Culmination
Emily and I stand in our cap and gown and pose with the guys while her mother, the scrapbook queen, makes sure we hit every pose just right. Over all, it's a somber day for me. Other than my few friends, no one will be cheering for me when I walk across the stage. I at least wish my mother could come down, and be here.
In the end, Sam ended up making Valedictorian and I can't wait to hear his speech. He helps me up into the cab of his monstrous truck. He wanted this time alone with me on the way over. I don't know about him, but my gut is twisted into knots. After today, our high school days will be over and change will come down on us fast and hard like a hammer. I only have two weeks before my internship starts, but Sam's dad has already started their move. And once he leaves for Texas, I won't see him again until Thanksgiving. I hate this. I hate knowing that it was basically my fault he didn't get into Harvard.
The angel's devised a plan to keep me as far away from him as possible because of his mark. It's why I have two and a half angels watching my every move. It's why Sam has one the size of all three of mine combined. Nothing can go wrong, or so they hope. I wonder if these people have ever heard of Murphy's Law. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, in the worst possible way at the worst possible time. They sh
ould know that this applies to me at least twice a day.
Sam's arm rides along my shoulder with his other hand on the wheel. I love being right here, his girl. He looks so professional in his white shirt and blue tie. His gown is adorned with special cords and a stole to signify he is the elite among the many. I knew he was this when he was dressed in scuffed boots and faded t-shirts.
My future was preordained and I wonder how much of my success is my own. Would I have gotten into Harvard without their fate bending hand? I was always afforded the top schools even though my father was not a rich man. Even my grandmother's inheritance, where did it all come from? How long has all of this been planned?
"Hey, are you okay? You've been off in another world for a while now." Sam asks blessing my cheek with a kiss.
"Was I? I guess I was just reliving all of my high school memories."
"I remember the first day I met you. I could see you were beautiful, but when you spoke to me, I knew that you were something different. You're like no one I've ever met before. Graceful, inside and out, I said to myself."
"I liked that you said Ma'am. I knew you were nothing but good. I knew you would never hurt me." I cringe as flashes of him and Peyton kissing play in my mind. But this Sam didn't kiss Peyton no that happened on my other path. This Sam has been with me since day one.
"My dad made sure all of us kids knew to mind our manors, even when no one was watching."
"Well you sure were a gentleman at my house all weekend after prom."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," he says half laughing.
"Sam you’re leaving, we aren't going to see each other for months." Sam pulls the truck over and puts it in park. He tips my head up so we're eye to eye.
"I know and it’ll be hard. I'm gonna miss the hell out of you. But I believe in us. I think we'll get through it. Don't you?" he asks, looking up at me with his soul capturing amber eyes.
"As opposed to what, breaking up?" I blurt out.
"Don't even say that. Look, here's how I see this going down. We get to school and at first we'll talk several times a day, then we'll get busy with school and so maybe it will be a call before bed. We will miss each other but we'll be too busy to notice. Before you know it, the break will be here, and you'll be back in my arms."
My Soul to Save (Soul Keeper) Page 6