Leaning forward, Caity flicked on the radio, tapping her fingers on her knees as we caught the beginning of the five o’clock news.
“…eight kidnappings in the last three weeks. No one knows what’s become of these missing girls or if the cases are even connected, but there is speculation that a serial killer may be on the loose. Police are struggling to find a solid lead and people are calling for FBI involvement—”
Caity flicked it off, her nose wrinkling. “I hate hearing about that kind of thing. It breaks my heart. I can’t even imagine what those poor parents must be going through.” She shook her head.
“The idea of a serial killer lurking around isn’t much fun either. I don’t understand people sometimes.”
“Me neither and being able to read behind a mask doesn’t always help. Some people are just sick and twisted, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
I nodded, hating that she was right...and glad we were nearly there so the conversation could come to an end. The Davis’s driveway was full of cars, so I parked on the curb, taking a quick peek at my mother’s house, which sat right next door. I noticed her car parked outside the garage, along with a black Ford Mustang. It looked old school, like it’d been lovingly restored...a real American muscle car.
I smiled. That was good. It meant Mom was still dating that mechanic guy, and I kind of liked him. I made a mental note to pop over before we left.
Racing after Caity, I caught up to her just as she burst through the door.
“Hey, everyone! Sorry we’re late!” She threw a wink over my shoulder and headed for the sunken lounge where everyone was gathered around Max and Holly who were over from Hawaii for a surprise visit. That was why the family was getting together. Even Toby had driven up from San Diego.
“What’s going on?” Caity stood at the top of the stairs and looked down into the lounge.
Brody’s head popped out from the fray. “Aunt Holly’s pregnant and they’re moving back to L.A. because Uncle Max doesn’t have any family and he doesn’t think they can raise a baby all by themselves without Grandma’s help.”
I kept a close eye on Caity’s face as she absorbed the news. A smile bloomed across her lips, but I couldn’t help wondering if she was a touch disappointed. Not in a mean jealousy kind of way, just in a now I feel even more separated from them kind of way. Everyone was so much further through their lives than us.
Caity already felt like the alien of the family and now that Holly, the young free spirit, was settling down, she’d feel like she’d have no one she could relate to.
Pillow talk had told me a lot in the last nine months.
I reached for Caity’s hand and gave it a little squeeze.
“Wow. Holly! That’s so great.” Caity put on her best sunshine smile and descended into the living area with her arms outstretched.
Holly laughed as she hugged her kid sister. “I was actually pregnant at the wedding, but I didn’t realize it. We had it confirmed three weeks ago. That’s why we wanted to come over for this trip, so we could tell everyone in person.”
“So how far along are you?”
“Ten weeks.” She squealed. “Isn’t it the best news?”
I walked into the living room and shook Max’s hand, murmuring my congratulations. He gave me a nervous smile then chuckled as Mr. Davis slapped him on the back.
“So when are you guys moving over?” Caity stepped away from her sister, shifting to my side and giving Max a smile.
“Well, I’m going to stay from this point on and Max will go back and pack up our place.” Holly’s loved-up expression was radiant. Caity’s mom looked ready to fly, her eyes brimming with tears, her lips stretched into a broad smile.
“You’re going to live here?” I swung my arm across Caity’s shoulders.
“Uh-huh, until Max finds a job.”
“That’s awesome. Congratulations.”
“It’s going to be so nice to have you home.” Mrs. Davis rubbed her daughter’s arms, a fresh batch of happy-tears brewing in her eyes. Holly turned and gave her mother another hug which Layla, the older sister, dove into as well.
Caity hung back beside me, suddenly jerking in my arms when her brother Toby jumped down the stairs and gave her butt a hard slap.
“Ow! Toby!” She whacked his arm and I curbed the urge to deck him.
I really hated how he treated his kid sister sometimes. He was the baby of the family before she came along shortly after his fourteenth birthday. Everyone else had swooned; Toby had made it his life’s mission to tease Caity senseless. He claimed it was a rite of passage, having to put up with teasing from his three older siblings for so long, but I wished he’d drop it. The guy was in his early thirties, yet he still acted like an imbecile.
“Looks like the world’s moving on without ya, little sis. More babies for you to look after.” He chuckled, taking a swig of his beer. “See, I told these guys when Mom got pregnant with you, you’d be good for something...plus, your old room’s gonna come in handy, too. Hello nursery, right?”
“What?” Caity jerked again, but this was out of pure surprise.
“Toby, shut your mouth.” Layla, now free from the hug, shot her brother a glare and rolled her eyes at Caity.
“You’re turning my room into the nursery?” Caity looked at her mother, forcing a smile when the older woman glanced at her.
“Yeah, that’s okay, right?” Holly waved her hand.
“Sorry, honey, I haven’t had a chance to tell you. It’s not like you’ve been around much lately.” Her gaze ran over me before landing back on Caity. I swallowed, trying not to let the look bother me. Her parents approved of us together, but maybe they didn’t approve of the pace we were setting.
Holly tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “Mom figured yours is the best location. It’s warm and dry and the perfect size. Max and I will be just next to it in my old room... and when you’re home for the holidays, you can sleep in Toby’s room.”
“Where will Toby sleep when he stays?”
“I’ve graduated to the guest room.” His smug smile was damn irritating. The guest room was the best room in the house, not counting the downstairs suite that belonged to Caity’s parents. It looked out over the ocean, had a huge bay window and a skylight where you could see the stars at night. It was the biggest upstairs room by far and it was lush.
I pressed my lips together, squeezing Caity’s shoulder as I remembered the weekend we spent in there when Caity’s parents were away.
“What’s the big deal, sis?” Toby nudged her with his elbow. “It’s not like you’re entitled to the guest room. You’re the after-thought this family never meant to have. When it comes to the pecking order around here, you, little girl, are at the bottom of the food chain.”
“Toby, shut up. You’re such dick.” Holly punched him in the arm and shot Caity a sympathetic smile.
“No big deal. I know he’s only kidding.” Caity’s laugh was hard and plastic.
Seth jumped up behind his younger brother, throwing him into a headlock. I pulled Caity away from the action before our toes got trampled.
She looked up at me with a smile I saw straight through. I kissed her nose and let her read me. She blinked a couple of times and looked away, staying pretty quiet for the rest of the evening.
Thankfully, dinner was served soon after Toby’s brainless comment and conversation rose around different areas of the living space. Caity and I went out on the deck with Layla and the kids. It was funny watching them eat and tell their cute little stories. Jake was nine and told jokes like a pro, with his little six-year-old brother butting in at frequent intervals. Layla kept rolling her eyes at her sons while encouraging her daughter to finish just a third of her meal.
“Come on, honey, just a few more mouthfuls.”
I was so enrapt by it all it took me a few minutes to realize Caity had returned inside. Jumping up, I collected my plate and walked it into the kitchen, scanning the room for my girl
friend. With a little frown, I rinsed my plate and stacked it in the dishwasher before walking to the main hallway. I spotted the tail end of her slender legs disappearing up the stairs.
No one had seemed to notice her departure, and I was pretty sure no one would notice mine either. Running a hand through my hair, I made my way down the hallway, guessing Caity had returned to a room that would soon become a nursery.
3
Caitlyn
I walked up to my room and nudged the door open with my toe. My desk and the surrounding floor were covered with empty boxes, ready to pack up all my stuff and store it away. I plopped onto my bed and scowled at the blank walls. I’d spent the night here less than a week ago and they hadn’t said a word. Admittedly, Holly must have arrived and told them yesterday and they’d sat on the news while scrambling to empty out my room. I couldn’t believe they’d made this big decision without consulting me and had already gotten to work.
Holly was only ten weeks pregnant for crying out loud. It felt a little extreme to be moving over so soon, and how long did they think it would take Max to find a job? They obviously planned on mooching off Mom and Dad for as long as they could.
I scowled, deep-down knowing the expression was brought on by hurt more than anything.
Toby was right...I was the after-thought no one meant to have.
I bit the inside of my cheek and looked across the room. The door gently swung open and I glanced back to see Eric leaning against the doorframe. His empathetic smile was totally going to break me.
I looked to the floor, digging my big toe into the carpet. “They’ve taken down my posters already.”
With a soft sigh, he entered the room and sat down beside me.
“I used to watch you from that window, you know.” I squashed my sheepish smile. “I used to live for the days you mowed the lawn.”
He chuckled, running his finger down my forearm and threading our hands together.
“I always got the sense someone was watching me.” Leaning his head against mine, he kissed my ear and tears sprang out of nowhere, lining my lashes.
“Why my room, Eric?” I drew in a ragged breath.
He squeezed my fingers. “Best location?”
I huffed. “Toby’s old room would have worked.”
“Yeah, but it probably smells like farts and stale sweat.”
I giggled. “It totally does.” I bit the corner of my lip, cutting off my laughter. “I don’t get why this bugs me so much. It’s immature and silly to feel this way. I don’t think I’m moving back home after I graduate, so what’s the big deal?”
“Maybe it’s the fact they went ahead and did it without even discussing it with you.”
I nodded. That was totally what it was. They hadn’t counted me into the decision. My opinion was worthless. Yet again, it made me feel like the invisible alien of the family.
“I guess I am always the after-thought.” I sighed.
Eric let go of my hand, his fingers moving to my neck and tenderly kneading the muscles. “Toby’s a jerk. He shouldn’t have said that.”
“He’s just thoughtless; he always has been.”
Eric’s massaging fingers shifted, making way for his soft lips; they nuzzled and tickled the sweet patch in the crook of my neck until I couldn’t help a smile. Eric sat back and grinned at me, running his fingers lightly behind my ear. “You may be his after-thought, but you’re always the first thought on my mind.”
My smile grew and I leaned forward to peck him on the lips.
Pulling back, I rested my hand on his face and drank him in. “Not to get way somber on this already melancholy conversation, but...” I bit the corner of my mouth. “I seriously feel like you’re the only person on this planet who couldn’t live without me.”
“I couldn’t.” His look was so earnest I didn’t need to peel away anything. There was no mask, just genuine honesty. Eric loved me, more than anything else.
“I couldn’t live without you either.” I smiled. “Never break up with me, okay?”
“I’m not planning on it.”
“Good.” I breathed in through my nose, my eyes once again stinging with unshed tears.
“You’re my girl forever.” He grinned before kissing me soundly and murmuring, “My sexy girl-next-door.”
“My Hercules.” I chuckled against his lips, swinging my leg over his thighs. He pulled me onto his lap, running his hands up my back and pressing me against him. I sighed into his mouth, grabbing two handfuls of his luscious hair and diving into another magical kiss.
“Want to go back to your place again?” I panted. “There’s this view I really want to admire.”
He pulled back with a laugh, running his eyes down my body and squeezing my hips. “I just need to go check on Mom first. I’ll be back in about half an hour and then we can get out of here, okay?”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“You’re already having a challenging day. I won’t unleash my mother on you as well.”
I grinned, about to say it was no trouble, but then his mask slipped and I could tell he wanted to go on his own.
“You want to check that the mechanic’s still treating her good?”
He nodded.
“And you don’t want me to be a distraction.”
He nodded again, his cheeks heating with a blush.
“Okay.” I reluctantly shuffled off his lap and pulled my shirt straight. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should; my mother adores you. I won’t get anything but gushy sentiment out of her if I take you over there.” He stood from the bed and winked at me.
We stepped out the door, threading our fingers together as we made our way down the long hallway and into the living area.
The ladies were congregated in the lounge, huddled on the couches chatting. I noticed Holly’s hand on her stomach and guessed the conversation was all about babies. I cringed.
“Back soon.” Eric kissed my forehead and called out to everyone that he was popping next door.
The front door clicked shut and I crossed my arms, slowly turning to survey the room.
“Way to skip clean-up duty, sis.” I rolled my eyes at Toby who was pulling out a chair at the dining table. He slapped a deck of cards down as Dad opened the black box of chips. Max and Seth handed him a twenty-dollar bill each and he started counting out chips.
I glanced back into the lounge then listened carefully and heard the strains of a Disney movie coming from the den. Weighing my options with a wrinkled nose, I finally headed for the table.
Leaning against one of the free chairs, I watched Toby shuffle the cards. “What are you playing?”
“The men are sitting down to a game of poker, Peanut.” Dad grinned at me.
“Can I play?”
“Men only, sis.” Toby tapped the deck on the table, ready to start dealing.
“Why? You afraid of being beaten by a girl?”
He paused, his eyebrow arching. “Do you even know how to play?”
I smiled. “Are you going with Five Card Draw or Texas Hold ‘Em?”
“Does it make a difference?”
“Nope.” I shrugged, pulling out the chair and sitting down.
Toby sighed, running a hand through his hair and throwing Dad a desperate look.
Dad glared back at him, his silent warning clear.
“Okay, fine. We’ll go with Five Card Draw, because that’s easier to explain. Now the way you play—”
“Toby,” I stopped him. “I know how to play both. Eric’s grandfather’s been teaching me. I don’t mind what we play, just deal me in.” I leaned on the table and pulled a few rumpled notes from my back pocket. With a smile, I handed over my two tens and got back twenty dollars’ worth of chips. “Thanks, Dad.”
“You sure about this, honey?”
I ripped off Dad’s mask and saw his uncertainty was actually worry. He thought I was going to lose, big time. I gave him a gentle smile.
“I’ll be okay.” I clicked my chips together and looked across the table.
The little smirk Seth was wearing made me puff with pride. Behind his mask was a very impressed older brother. He didn’t think I had any chance of winning, but he was proud of me for trying. Max, always a little jittery anyway, seemed more nervous about playing his own game, and Toby...Toby looked smug. I whipped his mask off and saw he was actually way more than smug. He thought he was going to trounce me and he was looking forward to doing it.
I gathered my five cards and splayed them out in my hand. Usually when I played Eric’s Gramps, Clayton, I made a special note to keep the masks in place. It was cheating to read the other players, but after glimpsing Toby’s arrogance, I was so ready to cross that line.
Gazing at my hand, I noticed I had two fours, a king, a five and a two.
Hmmm. Slightly challenging to know what to do with. Did I risk trying to win on a low pair or did I go for the straight?
I glanced over my cards and skimmed each face, making sure they were all mask-less. Dad had his lower lip out and was nodding; he obviously had an okay hand. Max was frowning, shaking his head with a scowl, so he’d no doubt be folding unless he scored some decent cards in the exchange. Seth was grinning ear to ear and Toby had a deep frown.
I pulled every mask back up to compare what I’d seen and all of them were sitting like neutral dummies, their emotions tucked into hiding. I pressed my lips together, concealing my own smile as I peeled back each mask again.
“Max, you’re first.” Toby nodded at him.
Max chewed on his lip, scowling again before throwing one chip on the table.
“It’s a two dollar ante, dude.” Toby gave him a pitiful look.
With a sigh, Max picked up another chip and threw it in the pot. Seth threw in his two with a confident grin and then raised another two. Dad followed suit and so did I, throwing in my four chips. Toby considered the pot for a minute before throwing in four chips and turning to Max.
Snake Eyes Page 2