by J. L. Weil
“Sure, thanks.”
“Common on,” Gavin said, lacing his fingers with mine. “Let’s go before Sophie swindles her way out of kitchen duty.”
I had already seen most of the main floor with the open layout the house had, so he took me up the winding staircase.
“This is Sophie’s.” He indicated to the first room on the left.
Her room was bohemian chic. An iron-wrought bed lay in the center of the room draped with bold jewel-toned bedding. A crystal embellished teal canopy tailored the corners of her bed. It looked like she had her own private bath off the room.
Down the hall and to the right we came to another bedroom.
“Jared should be here shortly. This is his.” Messy summed up Jared’s room in one word. The room looked and smelled like a fraternity.
Our hands were still joined as he led me around. I loved the feeling of our entwined fingers and wasn’t willing to give his up any time soon. There was an underlying spark of awareness.
“And this one is mine.” He walked into the room angled at the end of the hall.
Gavin’s room wasn’t at all what I expected. I figured he’d have black walls and heavy metal posters, which made no sense since he didn’t actually listen to heavy metal. His room was much neater than Jared’s to my great pleasure. He did have a black framed bed with a book shelf as the headboard lined with black and white photos. A large stereo and TV housed with CDs, DVDs and an Xbox sat across the bed. The scent of him was everywhere – taunting me.
It felt naughty being alone in his room. Not like the time we spent in mine.
“Let me show you the best part.” He led the way to a set of French doors. They opened to a circular balcony with a spectacular view of the ocean just steps from the house.
I leaned over the railings and inhaled the fresh air of the evening tide. “This is amazing,” I said in awe. “To wake up to this view every morning…” My voice trailed off, taken by the crashing waves.
“You want to check it out?” he asked with excitement. Clearly he appreciated the sea as much as I did.
I nodded my head.
While we waited for dinner he took me for a walk along the ocean’s rocky shoreline. “What do your parents do?” I had removed my shoes earlier and my feet buried in the sand as we walked.
“My dad is a historian and my mom is an artist,” he answered.
“Did she paint the mural in the library?” I looked up into his face. Our arms swung together as we strolled on the beach.
“She did. It’s not quite done yet,” he explained. “She paints a lot of mythology and folklore.”
“It’s stunning,” I praised. Stopping, I bent down to grab a glittering shell that caught me eye.
He looked out into the indigo vastness of the ocean. The sun was setting, casting an assortment of oranges and purples at the horizon.
“It’s a depiction of Morgana le Fey.” His glance returned to me. “She reminds me of you.”
I snorted, “Your kidding right? That painting was beautiful.”
Nibbling on his lip ring he considered what I said, looking sinful and serious. “So are you.” His tone had lowered.
I wanted more than anything for him to kiss me. Right there with the lapping waves and sea salt teasing my wits. Maybe if I thought about it hard enough I could somehow have what my heart desired.
He took a step closer. The heat from his body infused mine and a sharp gasp escaped me lips. My head was lost on a turbulent of raw emotions. Kiss me now, my mind demanded.
The depths of his eyes darken and his mouth crushed over my mine in an assault of power. Excitement rippled inside me like chain lightening. His hands gripped my sides, pulling me in and steadying my swirling head all at once. He tasted of dark promises and pleasure beyond what I could imagine. Filling my entire being with flames, I encircled my arms around his neck, nothing between us, our bodies collide. My mouth traveled lavishly over his, loving the feel of his cool hoop rubbing against mine. As first kisses went, this was unworldly. The flavor of him was an addiction I wasn’t able to fulfill. He made me dizzy, weak and feel exactly what he claimed – beautiful.
The kiss ended as fast as it began. He pulled away, keeping me at arm’s length. I moaned at the lost of his lips and opened my eyes. Gavin gazed longingly at my swollen mouth before shutting his eyes again. He laid his brow on mine and I breathed the familiar scent of him mixing with the misty spray. Our quickened breathing synchronized in heavy rhythm.
Dropping his hands from my lower arms, he broke the spell. “We better get back inside.” His voice was thick with huskiness.
I had to fight every muscle in my body not to pull his mouth back to mine. His self-control was staggering, which was both annoying and honorable. No longer touching, we turned back towards the house. The slow walk back allowed me barely enough time to control my thrashing heart.
As we got closer to the kitchen I heard animated voices bantering back and forth. Gavin and I stepped into the dining nook where I was greeted with smells of spaghetti sauce and garlic. My stomach rumbled in response. I hadn’t had appetite earlier and my stomach was in serious protest. The remaining of his family was gathered, including the brother I yet to meet.
A hush fell over the room as we stepped in. Sophie smiled beside her eldest brother.
“Jared this is Brianna. Be nice,” Sophie warned him.
A laugh snickered from his chest and a wolfish grin spread across his face, looking similar to Gavin’s, but without the seriousness. He had a boyish charm, the devils smile and irresistible dimples. Jared pulled out his chair and walked to stand in front of me, smiling the entire time.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you beautiful Brianna.” His voice almost as seductive as his brothers, but failed to send my heart sputtering in overdrive. Instead his smile was contagious and I found myself answering his devilish grin.
“You too,” I said, my voice having yet to recover from the emotional onslaught.
“Here I saved you seat.” He pulled out a chair beside him.
Gavin growled and eyes darkened, brewing with a violent storm.
“Jared,” Lily warned in a stern tone. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, but Gavin was not happy. There was a thick static in the air, suffocating the room. No one else seemed to notice, but I knew they felt it.
“What?” he answered in mischievous laugh. “I’m just being gracious,” he defended with charisma.
Dinner was delicious and it felt so inviting being included in a family dinner. It was so full of commotion, laughter, and so opposite of my own dinners at home. I never realized what I was missing in not having a large family.
“It’s Saturday night. Let’s go out,” Gavin suggested over the chatter.
“There must be a bowling alley or something in this town,” Jared added in exasperation to my left. He didn’t seem like the kind of soul to sit idly around. He screamed action.
“Yeah there is, but –” I was cut off.
“Great. Let’s get out of here,” Jared swiftly interrupted my rebuttal.
I royally sucked at bowling. Gutters were the only thing my ball hit.
Chapter 10
HOLLY RIDGE BOWL WAS NO sight to see. There were ten bowling lanes, a small arcade and a bar in the corner that served only beer and frozen pizzas. As we walked through the alley only two of the lanes were currently occupied. I could not believe that I had let them talk me into this. It was going to be so humiliating.
The four of us went up to the register and Jared requested a lane.
“We should play on teams,” he suggested. “A little competition, what do you say.” There was a gleam in his eyes.
“Jared and I against Gavin and Brianna,” Sophie recommended.
Gavin turned to me. “You okay with that?” he asked grinning. I knew he could see m
y discomfort.
“Sure,” I agreed. “It’s your loss,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Have a little faith Bri. With me by your side, we can’t lose,” he assured with too much confidence.
“We’ll see little brother,” Jared countered loving the banter.
We gave the guy behind the register our shoe sizes and set off for lane six.
“Any chance we’re using bumpers?” I asked as we wound our way down.
Jared laughed, but I wasn’t being funny. I would have totally used bumpers.
“Not a chance,” Jared replied still grinning. “Trust me. We won’t need them the way we bowl.”
Great. Was that supposed to make me feel better? What were they bowling fanatics? I had no idea what the heck I got myself into. “Lovely,” I retorted sarcastically.
I set off in search for the lightest ball possible. Maybe they would let me just watch? Picking up a few of the bowling balls, testing their weight I resignedly decided on a blue seven pounder.
Sophie was setting up the order into the computer when I came back with my sparkling blue ball. I took a seat next to her and waited dreadfully for my turn.
“Thanks for coming with us,” Sophie said next to me. “This is the first time we’ve really been out since we moved here.”
Her words penetrated the wall of dismay I had going, making me feel remorseful for wallowing in self-pity. They were new in this town. I should be making them feel welcomed.
“Sure, no problem.” I attempted to muster up some enthusiasm.
Jared was the first one up and in perfect form threw a strike. There was no doubt in my mind. I was going to get slaughtered. He strutted off the lane and Sophie gave him a high-five as he took his seat.
Gavin was up next. He looked adorable in his t-shirt, black jeans and the multi-colored block bowling shoes. Keeping with theme the Mason family had going, he of course threw a strike. This was going to be a long game, I thought miserable.
Being the good sport that I am, I grinned at my partner on his way back to our seats. “Nice work. At least one of us will score points.”
He sat beside me smirking. “It’s all in fun.”
“Wait till you see me bowl,” I said somberly.
Sophie at least didn’t get a strike. She knocked eight of the pins the first time and on the second wasn’t able to pick them up.
“Your turn Brianna,” Sophie called after her last throw.
“Here goes nothing.”
I walked up to the lane and grabbed my blue ball. Fitting my fingers in the hole, I aligned my feet with the triangles on the floor. With a quick pray, I sent the ball sailing down the lane. Halfway down it started to curve, riding on the line. I backed up afraid to look, but even more afraid not to. A lonely crack sounded as the ball knocked over only one pin. My shoulders sagged a little.
“At least you have great form,” Jared razzed.
He was rewarded with a punch in the arm from Gavin.
“What?” He pretended innocence then winked at me while I waiting for ball to be retrieved.
My next throw was slightly better. I was able to take down three more pins.
“Don’t let them get to you,” Sophie encouraged as I sat down next to her. “It’s really a brotherly competition – a power struggle between the two of them. I don’t know why they enjoy it so much.”
“Are they always like this?”
She nodded her head. “They are forever trying to outdo each other but not aggressively. It’s all in fun, as frustrating as it is for the rest of us.”
“Yeah… I can see that,” I agreed.
“It’s so nice to have another girl around. I’m always caught in the crossfire. You balance the scales now.”
“I’m not all the graceful,” I jested.
“You are a lot of things you don’t believe.” There was a prophetic knowledge behind her words. As friends went, Sophie was pretty uplifting to have around.
My next few turns where no better than the first. Actually they were worse.
Gavin leaned in closer beside me. “Let me give you a tip. Think about what you want the ball to do, visual it before you throw and keep the image as you release. Works for me every time,” he swore grinning.
“You’re joking,” I said in disbelief.
He lifted his brow.
“Fine.”
My next turn, I thought what could it hurt and gave it a shot. I did exactly what he said. I envisioned the ball gliding down the middle of the lane, hitting it dead center. Ignoring everything I thought I knew about bowling, I let the ball soar down the lane. Not expecting much as the ball thundered the pins, I was stupefied when all the white pins fell.
I jumped in the air and bounded down the lane straight into to Gavin’s arms. He twirled me once before setting me back on my feet.
“See, I knew you could do it,” he cheered.
“Beginners luck,” Jared joked beside me.
I stuck my tongue out at him and he hooted with laughter.
The strikes kept on coming and the competition never let up. Something about the way they played struck a chord with me. I started to really pay attention. No one was that good, not without some help, my skeptically mind rationed. It wasn’t the way they bowled or their form. What made me leery were their eyes.
Each time Gavin or Jared bowled they would line up and eye the pins. It was then that I noticed the bizarre glow in them, the same glow I saw at the coffee shop. Before the release their throw the gleam shined brightly. Over the last few frames I came to expect to see it. I considered it to be a trick of lighting, but the moment Sophie went to bowl her eyes remained the same. No glint, no glimmer, no unearthly glow.
When the game ended Gavin offered to drive me home. We had dropped my car off earlier on the way. The prices of gas were outrageous and I needed to save a buck where I could.
The night was late and the moon was mostly hidden. Gavin’s shadowy form was outlined by the neon blue of his interior lights. I shifted in the leather seat laying my head on the back of the headrest, watching him.
This was the first time we had been alone since we kissed earlier and I wasn’t really sure what to say. So of course I complicated matters by saying what had been on my mind the better half of the night. A part of me thought I was making a gigantic mistake by bring it up. He could very well think that I was a lunatic. I didn’t want to admit how much that would hurt, but I knew that there was no way I was going to let this go, especially if there was an off chance that I was right.
“You’re different.” My quiet voice broke the silence through the steady purr of his engine.
“What do you mean?” He had both eyes still on the road, but I knew he wanted to look at me. His jaw tightened ever so slightly.
“I don’t know, just different.”
“Different how?” he asked, his voice had stiffened and I knew I hit a nerve.
Heaving a heavy sigh, “I know that you are something else –” I explained warily. He gave in and looked at me with a perplexed expression. “Tonight… I saw your eyes glow. Jared’s too. I’ve seen it before.” I rushed the end of the confession – absurd as it was. “What are you?” I asked.
Cutting his gaze back to the road, he was silent. “I’ve been too relaxed with you,” he mumbled, chastising himself. Or at least that is what I thought I heard.
“What are you a werewolf or something?” I was only half teasing. Though a part of me actually thought he might just be a werewolf.
“Bri do you really think that I am any different than you?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted more unsure than ever.
“I’m not,” he said seriously.
It was hard not to believe him. Maybe this whole thing was just me. Maybe I was the one who wasn’t normal. Right now I didn’t even know what th
at meant. We didn’t talk at all on the remaining way home – each caught in our own thoughts.
When he pulled up to my house, I hadn’t the first clue how to undo the tension. “Gavin –”
He cut me off. “Bri just let it go.” He tried to sound lighthearted but failed. I could still hear the strain in his tone. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
I nodded and got out of the car without another word, no matter that I had a hundred more questions and an apology I badly wanted to utter at the tip of my tongue.
That night I laid spread on the bed, my hands propped under my chin and feet dangling in the air. The television was on low while I artlessly riffled through the channels, not really paying attention to the screen.
I was mentally trying to dissect the puzzle of Gavin and his family or the possibility it was all me. There was the crazy way I felt about him. He caused elevated emotions and I was drawn to him in an irrevocably pull, both terrifying and confounding. Uncontrollably compelled by him, I was taken in by the sultry sapphire of his eyes.
Then there was humming vibration I sometimes got when he or Sophie touched me. Or the strange lit of his and Jared eyes, like at the coffee shop or tonight. He might want me to drop the suspicion yet my mind was having a difficult time of it.
How had I let any of this happen? It was stupid – absolutely stupid to fall for someone like Gavin. He could be so grating and his smirk infuriating. Those seemed petty and insignificant excusing compared to the sputter of my rapid heartbeat. He made my head spin and left me feeling breathless when we were together.
I fell asleep with the television flicking in the background, the barely auditory voices drifting with me in dreams. And like most of my dreams they were of Lukas, a detail that ate at my guilt. When seconds before all I could imagine was Gavin. How messed was that?
Chapter 11
“I MISSED YOU,” HE SAID as soon as he saw me. We were in a park sitting on a marble bench. There was an elaborate stone fountain bubbling at the heart. Robins and blue jays sang from the treetops, chasing each other through the branches.