My heart pounded. I whipped my head around and watched as the white out dissipated to nothingness in the bright lights and nothing was on the road. Cooper barked until I placed my hand on his head and he quieted. Dad slept. The wind calmed. I got out of the Jeep; the skid marks of my three sixty stood out on the road and glistened in the moon light. Looking around, the sky was clear, and the night was crisp. I heard the jeep door open and my Dad stumbled out.
“Everything ok?” he slurred.
I walked over to him and ushered him back into the car. “Yes, go back to sleep.”
“Okay.” He crawled back in.
I gave one glance back to the road, and drove home.
Gabriel
New Year’s Eve came quickly following the Christmas night incident. Dad asked me the following day how he got the large bump on his head. I exaggerated and told him he had hit his head getting out of the jeep. He had nodded, which made him grimace and then went back to bed. I didn’t even tell Brooke about it, the whole thing was so bizarre that I’m not even sure how the events had transpired.
Brooke picked me up around eleven thirty that morning and we traveled along I-225 until we got to I-70 and then the off ramp to Pena Blvd. The drive was quiet, which was a first for both of us when we got together. Brooke seemed uncharacteristically withdrawn. I didn’t mind though, the Christmas night fiasco was still bothering me and I appreciated the thinking time. But even as I watched the countryside go by, my consciousness couldn’t shake the creepy feeling the red eyes had left upon me. They had disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared. Their unmistakable color reminded me of the experience at the school in the hallway when Ms. Pendragon had arrived, but those had vanished in the blink of an eye just as these had. And then there was the noise of the helicopter. An unforgettable sound, but not quite like any I had heard before. But as I searched the sky after the whiteout for any indication that it had flown by or landed, there was none. There weren’t any cars around for the figure I saw, either. Maybe the light from the headlights could have made their eyes look red, just like in a picture, but didn’t explain why nobody was around. I just didn’t get it.
“There’s something for you in the glovebox.” Brooke said breaking me out of my reflection.
We had just passed 58th Ave. and the white peaks of the terminal were just on the horizon. I popped open the glovebox and a bag of caramel corn rolled out into my hand. I squeaked with pleasure.
“Since you thought I was holding out on you at Christmas.” Brooke smiled.
“You were.” I tore open the bag and presented it to her. She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “No, thanks.”
“Good. More for me, since you hogged the pumpkin pie at Christmas.” I popped several into my mouth and savored the taste.
“I didn’t.” She snarled.
“Whatever.” And we lapsed back into our respective silences as the blue demon horse sculpture came into view. I was thankful we were here during the day so the freaky red eyes didn’t give me the shivers.
It wasn’t long before we parked in the west garage and walked toward the terminal. Gabriel was coming in on British Airways and we’d meet him where they exited the tram. As we walked toward the tram exit, I remembered my Dad telling me stories about a time when you could greet people as they exited the plane. He explained how people would propose to their loved one or how families would be reunited. He said it always felt like a family gathering with people cheering and not caring if you were a part of their family or not. At that moment, everyone was connected. It sounded very romantic. He had met Mom there from a trip with flowers one time. He said the concourse erupted in cheers, just as if they all knew one another. He also mentioned the tearful departures of couples young and old, each saying their heartfelt goodbyes.
Now with the restriction since 9-11, the terminal just didn’t have the same homey feeling as the concourse did. I wouldn’t know, since I never knew any different. But since I watched a lot of old movies with Dad, I kind of got the feeling he was right. How great would it be to walk out of the plane tunnel and be looking for someone you cared for, not seeing them and then the crowd parting and there they would be; your world, the absolute love of your life, holding flowers, a sign, a ring, or just their smile that you missed terribly. How great would that be to know that kind of feeling. Someday. Maybe. I laughed to myself.
Brooke scanned the arrival’s board. “Looks like he’s delayed.” She looked at her phone. “Let’s go grab a good spot.”
We meandered through the terminal until we came to the entrance. The water feature was running and we made our way over to the spot that gave us a good view of the exit. We sat on the wall.
“I’m going to get a drink. Want anything?”
I fished in my pocket for money. “DP.”
She waved my money away. “I’ll get it.” And headed off into the crowd.
I sat dangling my feet, absently eating the caramel corn as I watched the people go by. The airport is the best place to watch people. So many different walks of life. It’s just fascinating to try and think of where they are going, or coming from, or what experiences they have had up to this point in their life by the way they dressed or acted. I think an airport would be a great place to do research for your PhD if you were a sociologist. I loved it.
I was watching a particular Latino couple busily arguing when someone touched my shoulder and almost made me fall back into the fountain.
“Whoa, sorry JJ.” Christian steadied me with his hand.
My heart raced. “Don’t sneak up on me!” I punched his shoulder.
Christian smiled his perfectly white disarming smile, which in turn made me smile. “I’ll remember that.”
“Good.” I offered him some caramel corn.
He shook his head and stepped back. “No, thank you.” He said with some distaste.
“What are you doing here?”
“Picking up a friend of mine, she’s staying for the semester.” Christian looked around.
“Wow, not a girlfriend?” I asked. Brooke wouldn’t be very happy at that notion.
He laughed, which was light and deep. “Oh, no. Just a family friend.”
“That’s good.”
“What are you doing here, and where is Blue?”
My eyes widened. Brooke has many nicknames, well one really, just Cinnamon, and she hated it when people called her Blue. I don’t even call her that unless I’m annoyed at her. Usually that nickname is reserved for very special people who she really, really likes, and that would be reserved for her family only. So, to hear Christian use it didn’t bode well for him.
“Uhm, I wouldn’t…” I started when he spoke.
“Hey, Blue.” Christian called out.
I turned and the look on Brooke’s face was precious. You’d think someone had placed a puppy in her lap, with the way her blue eyes were all wide with adoration. Her steps slowed, and the drinks in her hands trembled as her face flushed a little. Appalling.
“Christian.” She finally forced out.
Quickly handing me my drink she hugged him, which he returned warmly. I blinked back more surprise. An unpleasant smell wafted briefly over my nose. Someone must not have showered for it smelled of rotten eggs. With all the passengers and people in the terminal, I couldn’t place it.
Christian wasn’t known for his overtness, and the way the hug lingered, you’d think they were best of friends. I got a little jealous.
“Don’t mind me.” I grumbled sipping on my drink.
“What are you doing here?” she asked with a nauseating giggle after it.
More white smile. “I was just telling JJ, how I was picking up a friend…”
“A girlfriend.” I interjected maliciously and got the desired response. Suspicion leaped into Brooke’s eyes.
Christian caught it too. “Just a family friend,” he said looking at me.
I mock smiled.
Brooke’s eyes relaxed. “Oh, good. We’
re just waiting on my cousin. Is she coming up through here?”
“Oh, no. She’s just getting her luggage. I just happened to see JJ, and thought I would say hello.” He hugged her again. “Well, I should be going.”
“Bye.” I waved to him.
“Bye.” Brooke said.
“See ya Blue; enjoy the rest of your break.” Then he was lost to the crowd.
Brooke grabbed my arm. “Come on.”
“No.” And held my ground. “Why?”
“I want to see if she is pretty or not.” She tugged even harder. People were starting to appear from the tram exit.
“No. She’s probably beautiful and you are ugly.”
She turned on me. “You’re such a bitch. Take that back. No one is prettier than me.” She flopped her blue hair.
“Everyone is prettier than you and I’m certainly not going with you now that you called me a bitch.” I hunkered down on the wall. “Go by yourself, if you are that insecure.” I waved her away with the caramel corn bag.
Her eyes narrowed, then she looked at her phone. I knew she was calculating how much time she had before her cousin might show up.
“Fine.” She turned and walked quickly towards the baggage claim.
“Take a picture, ugly.” I yelled to her.
She was soon lost to the crowd. I went back to watching the people as they began greeting loved ones or friends as they came through tram exit. More people gathered, and soon there was a large group between me and the exit door. I sipped, munched, and waited. I couldn’t remember very much detail from the picture, but as more and more people were coming out the exit, I began to worry as Brooke failed to come back. I stood up on the fountain wall and was quickly told to get down by a security guard. Frustrated, I continued to watch the exiting people, but no one even came close to matching the faint description I vaguely remembered.
Finally, I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I did that several times, and on the last deep breath, the aroma of caramel corn tickled my nose. I quickly exhaled and breathed in again and the aroma was stronger. My body felt suddenly warm and sleepy, just like you are after eating a good Thanksgiving dinner. I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids were heavy with sleep, and a warm contentment coursed through my body.
“JJ?”
An unfamiliar voice spoke to me. For a moment, I couldn’t be sure if I was dreaming or not. The voice was soft, deep, and strong. It reminded me of a wise sage from the Kung Fu movies my Dad made me watch when I was a kid. Fluttering my eyes opened, I gazed into the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. Warm hues of golden hazel peered at me with soft centers of black that seemed oval in their appearance. One pupil was slightly larger than the other, but both held a deep fountain of understanding and peacefulness. For a moment I was lost upon a golden field of wheat. As I blinked, the handsome face came into focus and a small gasp escaped my lips. Perfect colors of golden brown skin, white teeth, harvest wheat colored hair, and a strong jaw completed the statuesque figure before me.
“JJ?” he asked again.
My head bobbed awkwardly in acknowledgement and I accidentally dropped my drink, which he caught in one catlike motion.
He handed it back to me with a smile, “Might want to be more careful.” His musical voice said.
The caramel scent didn’t last and I found myself on the verge of hyperventilation. Then, “Gabe!”
He turned as he welcomed Brooke into his arms. “Blue!”
With the spell broken, I slid off the wall and found myself breathing in large gulps of air. What just happened? I watched them for a moment as the drink and caramel corn bag shook in my hands. My knees felt weak and pit had opened in my stomach.
“Oh, it’s so good to see you!” Brooke hugged him again. “You look great, you old man.”
Gabe laughed. As I peered up, he had on a white cotton long sleeve shirt, brown cargo pants and brown leather shoes. As people walked by, the loose fitting shirt rustled revealing the taunt body underneath, and I sucked in my breath again.
“You might want to wipe the drool off your chin.” Brooke mocked me.
My face flushed as I involuntarily wiped my chin, which was dry. Scowling at Brooke, who laughed at my discomfort, I regained my composure.
“I’m Gabriel.” Gabe offered me his hand.
While I fumbled to shake his hand, another voice spoke. “Do I get a hug, Cousin?”
Turning, a separate Adonis stood next to Gabriel; but if Gabe was the day, then this young man was the night. Midnight hair framed a perfect face. Dark brown eyes that were almost black, gazed out coldly, and a mischievous grin couldn’t mask the cruelness that was harbored at the corners of the grin.
Brooke looked angry and confused. “Why is Set here?”
“The change was last minute.” Gabriel quickly answered, stepping in front of me as if to protect me from any harm.
The aroma again threatened to wash over me and carry me away.
“Do I get a hug, Cousin?” Set said again.
Brooke eyed him, then stepped up and quickly embraced him, which was short and unaffectionate.
“Has something changed?” Brooke asked.
Set nodded. “Yes.”
Concern flared in Brooke’s eyes, and she nodded curtly. I stepped away to catch my breath.
“Who is this, morsel?” Set offered his hand. His dark brown eyes surveyed me.
“JJ, this is my cousin Seth.” Brooke said.
“Nice to meet you.” His grip was strong, like Gabriel’s, but where his was gentle, Set’s was more like a vice. He lifted my hand and kissed the top of it. It was cold, sending shivers up my arm and neck.
“Set.” Brooke warned.
Set laughed darkly as he released my hand. “Nice to make your acquaintance.” He turned to Brooke. “I’m sure there are other delicacies you are acquainted with?”
Brooke punched him in the arm, hard. I’ve seen her punch other guys with less force and the bruises they leave, but Set turned angry eyes upon her like the punch was more of an annoyance than anything else. He delivered a punch just as hard. She didn’t flinch. I’d hate to see the bruise that punch was going to leave. Gabe quickly stepped in and defused the situation. “This isn’t going to help. May we go?”
Brooke turned on her heals and nodded with her head for them to follow.
As I fell into line, I noticed we passed the baggage claim. “Don’t you have luggage?”
Gabe turned to me and I melted into his hazel eyes again. “Should be delivered tomorrow. We had to send it, cheaper than paying the baggage fair.”
I nodded, thinking it was strange to mail your clothes, but as I gazed into his eyes, anything seemed possible.
The ride home was quiet. I was told to ride in the back with Set, as Gabe protested that I should be allowed to sit in front. Brooke shook her head. I said I didn’t mind sitting in back, even though Set made me uneasy. After getting in, I knew I’d have a perfect side view of Gabe’s face and that was the only reason I wasn’t upset. Set appeared uninterested in my company and he quickly shut his eyes. His breathing eased, making it seem he had fallen asleep.
Brooke turned up the music, which was a little too loud, but shouldn’t have kept me from hearing whatever conversation the two were having, though it did. Watching his lips move, they talked the entire way back to my house, but I couldn’t hear a thing. Several times, Gabe caught me watching him and each time my face grew hot as I tried to busy myself with something outside the window. Also, Set would grunt a laugh during points in their conversation and each time Brooke would gift him with a hard stare through the rearview mirror.
We pulled into the driveway in front of my house, Brooke parked the car and everyone got out except Set.
“Thanks for going with me, we still on for tonight?” Brooke hugged me.
“We don’t have to, if you want to spend time with your cousins.” I said, trying not to stare at Gabe.
Brooke shook her head. “No way. Should
be fun watching all the drunks downtown. I’ll come get you around nine, and we’ll ride the train down.”
“Okay.” I turned to Gabe and held out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
He took it in his warm hand. “My pleasure.”
We held hands for the briefest, longest, moment then he gently pulled his free of mine. I felt as if a part of me was being taken away. I smiled awkwardly again and retreated to my front porch.
“Dress warm.” Brooke yelled as they pulled out of the drive. I waved to them. Standing there, I felt warm, while I watched the car disappear down the street.
“I don’t have the money for the wedding that your imagination is conjuring right now.” My Dad said startling me.
Blushing, I punched him in the arm. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” I entered the house, a warm feeling began to spread throughout my body. I hung my coat on the coat rack, meandered over to the couch and plopped down. Cooper sprinted from the kitchen, half jumped into my lap and I rubbed his ears. “Beautiful.”
My Dad laughed. “The dog or the young man?”
“Dad!” I acted shocked at his statement, but I knew he wouldn’t buy it.
“Handsome guy.” Dad smiled. “Who is he?”
“Brooke’s cousin.” I kissed Cooper on the nose. “He’s here from Japan visiting for the semester. I told you this already.”
“Not that he was staying.” Dad leaned forward. “Lucky for you.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I ignored him.
“Now I won’t have to call an escort service to get you a prom date.” He laughed.
Mortified, I stared at him. “Am I that ugly?”
“No, you are that picky.” He got up, came over and kissed me on my head. “Try not to grope him tonight. Try and wait until the second date.” He walked off to the kitchen.
“He’s not even going tonight!” I yelled at him. “I’m not a slut, you know.”
“Never said you were, honey.” He yelled back, “But the last time I saw that look in your eye, you came home crying because he wouldn’t kiss you!”
Dragon Amour (Dragon-Half Breed Book 1) Page 5