Book Read Free

Magnetic Shift

Page 11

by Lucy D. Briand


  “And then what, Lorna?”

  “I walked into the barn and things just rose.” She raised her hands. “Like this, and just floated there. And when I screamed, everything fell.”

  I backed myself up against the counter. How could I have been so stupid? I had, against my better judgment, allowed myself to maybe experience what it felt like to kiss someone. Someone whom I’d wanted to kiss so desperately, and what had that gotten me? I almost got Lorna killed. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t.

  Lorna’s eyes teared up again. Colton wrapped his arms around her and soothed her back with a rubbing hand.

  “Take her to the family room,” I told him. “I’ll go wake Annabelle up.”

  Just then, Dean pulled into the driveway. I rushed upstairs to avoid hearing Lorna recount her horrid experience, knowing full well it had been my fault she’d been traumatized.

  Annabelle slept quietly in her Tinkerbell bed, oblivious to the commotion happening downstairs.

  I sat on the floor against the far wall, watching her peaceful sleeping face, and cried. I needed to keep my distance from Colton. But how? My heart was drawn to him. I’d had crushes. I used to gawk over the guys who worked at the yard over the summers. There was this one guy who’d come back two years in a row, and we’d gotten pretty close, but I didn’t feel nearly as pulled to him as I seemed to be to Colton. He hadn’t triggered my curse the way Colton did. Not that it mattered how I felt. I could never let myself go there with him. I could never let my feelings screw all this up for me.

  My only choice here was to find a way to co-exist in this family without losing control.

  chapter twelve

  Colton retreated to his safe spot and I stared out the window at the clouds. Work had become my number-one focus these past few days. It’d given me something constant, controlled, and similar to what I used to do for Roy. I felt like myself again. The lack of supervision allowed me to test my ability more fully, something I never got to do under Roy’s watchful eye. Things like the levels of energy needed for long-range reach, weight tolerance, and manipulation for easier control with attracting and pushing away objects. It gave me a better perspective of what I could control, and it also distracted me from thinking too much about what I’d done to Lorna. Thankfully, she wasn’t the skeptical type and believed the barn to be haunted. She never even suspected my involvement, but had forbidden any of us to go anywhere near it. Colton tried explaining to her that the shelf couldn’t handle the weight of those tools and that it was just a coincidence that she’d been there when it gave way, but she would hear none of it. “I know what I saw,” she kept saying. That meant I’d lost my favorite spot to hide out in other than my room. If only Lorna knew that she had an even bigger threat than some silly ghost living in her attic—a dangerous freak.

  I indulged in a private chuckle. Pfft. The freak in the attic. Sounded like a good premise for a horror flick or a suspense novel.

  Unfortunately, I hadn’t been able to erase the almost kiss with Colton from my mind, which caused a few mishaps when the thought popped into my head during my ability experiments. I was lucky no one questioned the racket going on at my workstation.

  The jet was due to land in Vegas in about five minutes and Colton’s cheeks were still drained of all color. He’d be asking for my hand again soon, a comfort I hadn’t had the heart to take away from him. What would he do next season without me? Suffer in silence, I guessed. Like he did before I came along.

  Ding. The overhead seatbelt light came on and Colton came back to sit next to me. I offered him my hand as I’d done when we’d boarded. He took it, his eyes wide. Things were awkward between us now. I avoided any talk about me or the kiss that might have been. I became determined to keep Colton at arm’s length.

  Nancy waited for us outside when we landed and whisked Colton away for more media appearances. If my memory served me correctly, he had a radio gig this afternoon.

  Dean and I headed off to the track.

  The garage area was crawling with security. Last week’s sabotage had hit the news and NASCAR was taking every precaution to make sure it didn’t happen again. I spent my time catching up on my online classes, doing some sightseeing, and helping out at the garage—the old-school way, of course. It’d be hard to blame ghosts here.

  Friday morning, I woke up early. Colton had an early qualifying run scheduled and just because I wanted to avoid a close relationship with him didn’t mean I couldn’t cheer him on.

  Sporting my black Guardian Auto Insurance shirt and green Fizzy Pop ball cap, another of Colton’s sponsors, I headed out to the hauler. I hooked my headset around my neck, clipped the scanner to my waistband, and made the climb up to the top of the hauler. I had the roof to myself today. Dean watched from the pits, keeping a close eye on things down below. Last week’s incident had him nervous and suspecting that someone had been out to ruin their season. In my opinion, the culprit was obvious, but the officials couldn’t place the blame on Carl Stacy without proof.

  “Everything workin’?” Lenny said over the scanner.

  “Ten-four,” Colton responded. “I hear you loud and clear.”

  “You’re up next.”

  “Sweet. Let’s go do this thing!” Colton hollered. I could almost see the grin on his face in the sound of his voice.

  He took to the track, jerking the car side-to-side to warm up his tires, and then hammered it to full speed. He entered the turns high, then dipped down low, following his line in every turn.

  “She’s gripping good,” Colton said.

  “It shows,” Dean answered. “You’re lookin’ good out there.”

  Colton sped through the turns with great ease, not one tug or wobble. Pride swelled inside me as I watched him. I was beginning to know what it felt like to be part of something, part of a team. I hadn’t felt that since Mama had passed, and it felt good.

  Colton ducked back into the pits.

  Dean cued his mic. “Good job, Colt. You got the pole by a long shot so far, but there’s still many more to go.”

  Colton was already inside the hauler when I went back to store away my headset. His black fire suit hugged his body in all the right places. I’d become more aware of Colton’s appearance since we nearly kissed in the barn four days ago. Not that I hadn’t noticed how gorgeous he was before—obviously—but now he looked somehow different. His appearance was now enhanced by his personality. He wasn’t just the hot guy who called me a little girl on that first day, he was so much more. He was just so damn hot—inside and out. To make matters worse, when I snapped out of my thoughts, he took off his ball cap, raked both his hands through his flattened hair, slipped out of the top half of his suit, and hoisted the hem of his sweat repelling short-sleeved shirt over his head. This had to be what heaven looked like. I shook my head and cursed under my breath.

  “Something wrong?” he asked, grabbing a t-shirt from the shelf.

  “Huh? Uh, no, nothing’s wrong.”

  He smiled, causing his eyes to glint as they creased. Damn him.

  He flipped his t-shirt over and pulled it over his head. I tried to look away as his arms and abs flexed. Yeah, right. Who was I kidding? What girl could look away from that?

  “Okay,” I said awkwardly. “I’m going back to the motor coach.”

  I turned to leave, but Colton loosely wrapped his fingers around my wrist. “Wait.”

  I snapped my hand back, startled. A sharp pounding thundered in my temples.

  “Sorry. I … I was about to head to one of the concession stands. You wanna come with?”

  Was he serious? “Are you nuts? You’re going to get mauled by fans.”

  “I can’t keep avoiding them—they’re the reason I get to do this every week.”

  I readied myself to say no, no way, not a chance, but my lips betrayed me. “Sure, why not?” Why not? Because around you, I levitate steel objects and almost kill people, that’s why not.

  He reached behind him and pul
led another t-shirt from the shelf.

  “Here, put this on while I go change. It’ll help sort through the real fans from those just jumping for an autograph to sell on eBay.”

  I unfolded the shirt, which had Link’s face printed on the front. I laughed. “Nice decoy.”

  “Yeah, it works too. And here …” He reached for the top shelf, pulled down two Watson’s Steel and Lumber ball caps, and handed me one. “Matching fan gear. What do you say?” Before I could comment, he disappeared into a room down the aisle. Oh, good Lord, what was I doing?

  I changed in Dean’s office and emerged to find Colton already dressed. “You ready?”

  I switched hats, leaving my Fizzy Pop one on the shelf. “Lead the way.”

  As much as we tried to blend in with the crowd of race fans, Colton got spotted a few times. But without an ounce of annoyance, he signed everything from t-shirts to program guides to toy car replicas and even one chick’s cleavage with a smile and a thanks for rooting for him. Especially on that last one. The cutest were the kids, the little ones whose eyes would grow wide at the sight of him when they’d realize who he was.

  We managed to order our food and find a spot in the shade to eat, away from the massive crowds.

  “You’re one popular guy,” I said, dipping my French fry into the little container of ketchup.

  “I try.”

  “You love it, don’t you?” I bit into my fry.

  “I do. It’s all part of the gig.” Colton raised his burger with both hands. “The fans are the best part.”

  “I don’t think I could do it. I like being able to slip into the shadows, unnoticed.”

  He put his food down. “You would.”

  My lips curved into a slight smile. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You need to live a little, Lex. You’ve been cooped up way too long. You don’t even realize that you have so much to offer.”

  “Ha. Yeah, right. Like what?”

  “For starters, your mad mechanic skills.”

  I leaned back. “Okay. I’ll give you that one. I’m good at that.”

  “Secondly, you’re great with kids.”

  “Not so sure about that one.” I crossed my arms.

  “Come on, Annabelle loves you. She talks about you all the time when you’re not around.”

  “That kid says she loves anyone who’s not the one trying to put her to bed.”

  “Point taken. But you also …” He paused.

  “But I also what?”

  He laughed, reached over, and wiped the corner of my mouth with his thumb. “Ketchup,” he said, then transferred it onto a napkin.

  The gesture caught me off guard. “Thanks.” I grabbed my own napkin and wiped the corners of my mouth. “So, what else were you going to say?” I didn’t care about the warning signs flashing in my mind. I ignored them. I wanted to know what else Colton thought I had to offer.

  He stared, as if debating whether to tell me or not, then looked down to push a fry around his basket with his finger. “You have a great smile.”

  Heat crept up the back of my neck and up to my cheeks. I grabbed a leftover fry from my basket and threw it at him. “Whatever.”

  He jumped too late to dodge my fry attack and picked it off his lap, laughing. “No, really. I mean it.” His eyes met mine and his smile faded, showing me his more serious side.

  I glanced down at my watch as an excuse to look away. “We better get back if you don’t want to miss the start of Link’s practice.”

  Colton looked down at his now-empty food basket. “I’m not watching him practice.”

  “How come?”

  He shifted in his seat. “I have a … a thing.”

  “Oh.”

  “But you’re right.” He looked back up at me, a frown tugging at his lips. “We should get back. I need to shower and get ready.”

  We returned our baskets to the concession stand, trashed our wrappers, and headed back through the crowd. By the time we crossed through the heavy security at the gates to the infield, my head had calmed. I’d managed to not lose it, although I wasn’t quite sure why that was.

  Dean stepped out of the motor coach as Colton and I arrived. “Where have you two been?”

  “Grabbing a late lunch,” Colton said.

  “Don’t forget, you got that thing later. You better get a move on and get ready.”

  Colton looked uncomfortable. “I know.”

  “Why don’t you take Lexi along with you? She might enjoy it.”

  Colton glanced at me then back at Dean. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Dean tapped him on the arm. “Oh, come on.”

  I shook my head. “No, that’s okay. I’d just be in the way.”

  Dean grinned wide. “Nonsense. It’s a party, after all.”

  “A party?” Confused, I glanced at Colton, who was now averting his eyes as he slipped his hands in his pockets.

  “Yeah, Gwen’s birthday party. You remember Gwen, right?” Dean added.

  Gwen’s birthday? He was actually going to that thing? Of course, how could anyone say no to Bimbo Barbie Gwen? I stepped back slightly. “Oh, I’m not sure she’d be very happy to see me there.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s a fan of the team and you, my dear—” he flicked the beak of my cap “—are part of the team.”

  I groaned internally.

  “It’s settled, then. Colt, show our girl here a good time. Maybe take a detour down the Vegas strip to see the lights on your way back.” He winked. “Just don’t be too late. You have practice early tomorrow.”

  Dean walked away, leaving me and Colton outside the motor coach.

  I turned to face him, touching his arm to get his attention. “You don’t have to take me. I understand.”

  “You don’t get it.” He kicked a pebble hidden in the grass at his feet. “I want to take you, it’s just—”

  “Don’t worry about it.” I reached for the door.

  “No.” Colton’s head tipped up, revealing the sparkles in his eyes. “I want you to come.”

  chapter thirteen

  I stepped out of my room and into the kitchen wearing the aquamarine cocktail dress I kept in my luggage in case an occasion ever called for such fancy attire. The double-layered hem puffed the skirt out from the sash that was cinched way too tight at my waist to breathe, but gave me an amazing hourglass shape. The built-in bra and the one-shoulder strap design left my right shoulder bare and a tad more naked than I was used to. The little make-up I wore felt unnatural and heavy on my lids, and the long earrings dangling from my ears were annoying the crap out of me. Bottom line, I felt ridiculous, overdressed, and stuffed like a sausage.

  Colton emerged from his room at the far end, his suit jacket draped over his arm, adjusting his green silk tie. In that instant, my mission to find my shoes and any thoughts of my uncomfortable attire melted away.

  Hot damn.

  His black dress shirt, tucked into the waistband of his black dress pants, showed off his wide upper body. His hair, usually flattened by his ball cap or tousled by his helmet, was carefully groomed and hung down each side of his temples to his cheeks, making his mismatched eyes more noticeable and just totally gorgeous. Now I really couldn’t breathe.

  He looked up and froze, his hand still gripping the knot of his green silk tie. His lips parted as his gaze drifted over me. I gulped. My cheeks radiated with heat. “What?”

  His eyes lingered a second longer, and then he looked away, pursing his lips. “Nothing. You ready?”

  “I guess, yeah. I just need to find my shoes.”

  Realigning my focus, I struggled to get a grasp on my surroundings, as though I’d just gotten off a theme park ride. Not that I remembered what that felt like, since I hadn’t gone to a theme park since Mama took me to Disney World when I was six, but I imagined this came pretty close. I looked in the small closet near the door, and then returned to my room, half shutting the door to peek behind it, s
till unsure where I’d put those damn heels I dreaded having to walk in.

  I located them near the tip-out wardrobe, snagged them by their flimsy straps, and sat on the edge of the bed to fasten them. I got one done, but couldn’t seem to contort my arms in the awkward angle needed to buckle the other. The tiny buckle kept slipping through my fingers, and I couldn’t get the little hook in the loop of the strap. Why couldn’t they make these things out of metal or stainless steel? It would make my life that much easier. The buckle slipped again and pinched my finger.

  “Shit.”

  A light knock at the door jumped my pulse. “You need help in there?”

  I brought my finger to my mouth to ease the sting. “I’m fine. It’s just these friggin’ shoes, sandals, whatever.”

  Colton inched the door open, spotted me, and moved closer. “Here, let me help.”

  I let out a frustrated breath, catching the tail end of it in the back of my throat as he knelt down on one knee in front of me. His hand reached down, cradled my foot and ankle, and lifted it to rest on his knee. His warm hands made my heart race. I watched as he maneuvered the buckle with ease and precision, and wondered what else those hands could handle, but I quickly shooed the thought away as awareness of my cursed senses heightened. My eyes pinched closed, and I forced myself to suppress the tingling magnetic vibration pulsating in my temples, just like I’d practiced at the shop. Only, the more I fought against them, the stronger they got.

  “There,” he said, bringing my foot down off his knee. I opened my eyes and blinked as he extended his hand to help me up. I met his gaze and instantly, my mind calmed and the pulses slowed. Not sure why, but I wasn’t going to complain.

  I accepted the gesture. He pulled me up and paused, his hand in mine. His eyes trailed from my toes up to my face. He cleared his throat and released me. “You clean up nice.”

  I smiled. “So do you.” Oh boy, did he ever. This was bad. This was not the staying clear of Colton I had in mind, but I couldn’t help it. He was just too … Aaargh!

  “We better get going, if we don’t want to be late.”

  I nodded, afraid to open my mouth and say something stupid like “you’re hot,” or “let’s just stay here together, in my room.” Snap, Lex, get your mind out of the gutter.

 

‹ Prev