An angel? Am I in heaven?
He has dark blue eyes and long, golden hair brushing his shoulders. Definitely an angel. I am in heaven.
“Cassie!” a voice calls.
The angel disappears and I hear a splash. I try to raise my head, but the throbbing turns into hammering, and I groan. When I turn my head to the side, I realize I’m on some sort of boulder in the middle of the ocean.
“Cassie!” the voice calls again. It sounds like my best friend, Leah. I hear an engine. She must be on a boat or Jet Ski.
I open my mouth to call to her, but nothing comes out. The action alone takes up so much energy that my eyes droop.
Through the fog in my head, I hear the engine approach. A hand shakes my shoulder. “Cassie? Are you okay?”
I open one eye. “Leah?”
She’s sitting on a Jet Ski, dressed in her wetsuit. Her green eyes are wide in alarm. “Thank God you’re alive.”
When I try to sit up, my head spins. “Easy,” she says, climbing out of the Jet Ski and settling near me on the boulder. She wraps an arm around my shoulder and helps me into a sitting position. “We need to get you to the hospital.”
“I’m fine,” I mutter. “What happened?”
“You wiped out. I saw you go down and I grabbed the Jet Ski to go after you. I’m taking you to the hospital. You have a nasty bump on your head.”
I finger the spot. Ouch. “How did I end up on the boulder?”
Her eyebrows crease. She scratches her dark brown hair. “Did you swim here and pass out?” She takes me in her arms, hugging me close. “You have no idea how freaked out I was when I saw you lying here. I’m so glad you’re okay.” She pulls out of the hug. “I was searching forever. I really thought…” Her voice cracks. “I really thought you died. Don’t you ever do anything like that again!”
I stare down at the small waves hitting the boulder. “There was a guy. An angel. An angel saved me.”
“An angel?” She surveys the area. “I didn’t see anyone.”
“Maybe I went to heaven.”
She doesn’t say anything. I know what she’s thinking—that I hit my head and am talking nonsense. Am I?
“And when you called my name, he disappeared. I’m telling you the truth, Leah. I’m not crazy.”
“O-kay. What did Angel Guy look like?”
Those eyes. So deep, so blue, like the ocean. And golden hair that I’ve never seen before, not even in the movies. “He was beautiful.”
Her eyebrows crease again. I know she doesn’t believe me, but I couldn’t have been hallucinating. The hands rubbing my fingers were real. His face was real. He was real.
Or was he? I shake my head because none of this makes sense. Maybe I am hallucinating.
Leah gets on the Jet Ski and helps me climb on behind her. I’m still a little groggy and dizzy, but my headache is disappearing by the minute. She steers us toward the shore.
I look back at the boulder. He had to be real.
We make it to the beach and climb off the Jet Ski. Leah wraps her arm over my shoulder. “Feeling okay?”
“Fine.” I keep looking back toward the ocean, hoping for—I don’t know. For Angel Guy to pop out of thin air and reveal himself?
“I still think you should see a doctor. We hear so many stories of people hitting their heads and thinking they’re fine, when they sustain major head injuries and—”
“Leah, quit worrying. You’re worse than my mom.” Mom has never really liked me spending most of my free time hitting the waves. I guess as her only daughter, she wants someone more…like her. A daughter who would go shopping with her and give her fashion advice and stay up into the early hours of the morning talking about guys.
Leah stops in front of Misty’s Juice Bar, the place she’s currently working at, and faces me. “You’re just so reckless, Cass. I know I’m not a great surfer, but even I know you shouldn’t have been in the ocean with those waves.”
I press my lips together.
She touches my arm. “I know you’re still hurting from the breakup with Kyle—”
“We are not talking about that.” I nod toward the shop. “Your boss is giving you the death glare. I’ll see you later, okay?”
Rubbing my head, I notice the pain is almost completely gone. I squint toward the ocean. It’s wishful thinking, hoping my board will somehow emerge. Chances are it’s in pieces at the bottom of the ocean.
My eyes move to the sky, which is growing a little gray and cloudy. We’ll probably have a storm later today or tonight.
When I enter my beach house, a familiar scent tickles my nose.
“Mom?” I hurry into the kitchen and find her sitting at the table, munching on a chocolate bar and flipping through a magazine. I take in her familiar chin-length, dyed red hair and light pink nail polish.
“Cassie!” She stands and pulls me into her arms. I bury my face into the side of her neck, feeling the stiffness of her business suit against my arms. She’s been gone for over two weeks. As much as I enjoyed the freedom, I missed her terribly.
She steps out of the hug and studies me like she hasn’t seen me in years. “You look great, honey. Except, what happened to your head?” She reaches to touch the bump, but I move back.
“Oh, nothing. I tripped on the stairs. So um, how was your trip?”
“Busy, but good.”
I peer into the living room, where her suitcases are lined against the wall. “Need help unpacking?”
She bites her lower lip, regret clouding her eyes.
My heart sinks. “You’re leaving again?”
She sighs and drops down on the chair, running her hands through her hair. “I fly out again tonight. Sorry, Cass.”
I walk to the cupboard and rummage around until I find my gummy worms. Mom works in sales. She travels all over the country selling a new line of women’s cosmetics. It’s been her dream job ever since she started college. Then I came along when she was in her last semester and ruined her plans. She got her degree, but had to kiss the dream goodbye. Dad was chivalrous and married her, but he left us when I was ten. Not very chivalrous. Now that I’m eighteen and will start college in the fall, Mom can finally live her dream.
I stick a worm between my teeth and slice it in half. She was a complete mess when my dad left us, and now she’s finally putting her life back together. I can’t take that away from her, no matter how much I miss her.
She gets to her feet and takes me in her arms again. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t think I’d have to travel this much.” She draws back and looks into my eyes. “You know you’re always welcome at Uncle Jim and Aunt Lisa’s and the gang if you get too lonely. And Leah’s parents would love to have you over any time.”
I don’t say anything, just continue to devour my worms. I stayed with Leah the first few times my mom was away. We had a blast. But after a while, I wanted my mom. That’s how it’s been for the last few years of my life—just Mom and me. But I suppose I need to get used to this, to the future. College, a real job, my own apartment.
She touches one of my blonde braids that’s curled over my shoulder. “And there’s always your dad.”
I push away from her.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry.” She reaches for me again and plays with the bottom of my braid. “He’s trying, Cass. At least give him a chance.”
“Mom—”
“That’s all I’m going to say. Just to give him a chance.”
I clench my teeth.
Mom squeezes my shoulder. “We have the next six hours to spend together. Let’s make the most of it. What do you say?”
I force a smile onto my lips. “Okay.”
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Note: this except contains profanity.
Chapter One
Cruiser
“Elvis, feet off the furniture.”
Mom barges into the room. Steps in front of the TV.
I munch on a potato chip. “Name’s Cruiser.”
She folds her arms over her chest. Stares me down. I clench my jaw.
“You’ve been back only a week and all you’ve been doing is stuffing your face with junk and watching even more junk on that damn TV. Why can’t you be more like your brother? Reagan spends his afternoons out with his friends, or playing the violin, or doing extracurricular activities—”
“I get it.”
She shuts her mouth. Lifts a finger. “Don’t interrupt me.”
I’m sixteen years old. Don’t go wagging your finger at me.
She steps closer to me. Hovers. “I don’t know what nonsense your grandfather put in your head, but in my house we do as I say. And right now, you’re getting up and cleaning this mess.” She gestures to the potato chip bags and empty soda cans cluttering the table and couch. “Do you understand me?”
“I get it. Can I watch my show now?”
She pushes my legs off the table. Stomps out of the room. I prop them back on and tune in to Navy SEALS: Untold Stories.
A soft voice floats in through the window. Plants itself in the depths of my soul. I grunt and stalk over, preparing my mind for the sight I know will hurt me. I push aside the curtain and peer out. Almost drag it back when I see her sitting on his lap.
Lex Woods.
She’s cuddling my brother as they sway back and forth on the swing my parents built when we were little. Her wavy black hair blows in the wind. My hands itch to run down her body, slide down her thigh. I imagine sneaking in kisses as the wind carries her hair off her neck. Wish I could pluck her off the swing, into my arms.
I snap the shade shut. My twin never bothered to send me the memo that they got together. Six months ago. Not even an email.
I plop down on the couch.
The lovebirds appear ten minutes later, hand in hand. I yank my eyes away from their interlocked fingers, to the TV screen.
Rey drops himself on the adjacent recliner. “Pass the chips, Cruise.”
I grab the bag and hand it over. Keep my eyes on Rey. I don’t want to meet her gaze. Can’t. Haven’t seen her in over a year. She’s so beautiful.
She sits on the recliner’s armrest and twists her body away from me.
Rey chomps on some chips. Washes them down with my nearly-empty can of soda. Flicks it at my face. I catch it in my hand and hurl it back at him. Rey’s what you’d call physically uncoordinated, so it comes as no surprise that the can bounces off his shoulder and onto the floor.
My gaze creeps to Lex. Her eyes are on my face, for half a second. She jumps to her feet and says, “Let’s go.”
“Where are you two off to?” I ask.
“This new restaurant opened down by the beach.” Rey stands and puts an arm around his girl, pulling her close. “Derek told me they have these sweet baby ribs.” He grins down at her. “Perfect for our special night.”
“Special night?”
“Our six month anniversary.”
Fuck.
“Have fun.” I turn back to the military channel.
“Man, you need to find a chick and double date with us sometime.”
I emit a fake laugh. “I got enough girls lining up, Rey.”
Lex tugs on his arm. “I want to be back in an hour. Rosie’s coming home from physical therapy.”
My eyes slowly trek to hers. “How is she?”
She presses her lips together before saying, “None of your business,” then grabs Rey’s arm and pulls him out of the living room. I mute the TV. Though they’re whispering, I hear every word perfectly. Must be twin telepathy or something.
“Hey, hey,” Rey says. “He was just asking.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, and I should stop blaming him for everything that happened. But I just feel like…never mind. Let’s go.”
“Sure you’re okay?”
A seven-second pause. Yeah, I counted.
“Let’s go,” she says again.
The door shuts.
I get to my feet and scan the room. It’s not such a mess. I almost forgot how crazy Mom gets.
After cleaning up, I stretch my arms. Walk to the door. I feel like going for a ride.
Mom’s on the phone in the kitchen. Dad’s at work. Rey’s out with Lex.
No one will miss me.
Chapter Two
Lex
I push the door open and step into the living room. Just like every evening, my eight-year-old sister is perched on the sofa, staring at her laptop. Her wheelchair is close by.
“Hey, Rosie.” I sit down and wrap my arm around her shoulders. “How’d it go?”
She’s wearing her favorite outfit today—jeans and a T-shirt with the words “Real Girls Have WHEELS” sprayed across the front in hot pink letters. I bought it for her a few months ago, and Rosie fell in love with it the second she saw it.
Her gaze is still on the screen. “Fine.”
“Do you like the doctor?”
She clicks the mouse. “Yeah, he’s nice.” Digging around in her pocket, she pulls out some stickers. “He gave me these. I told him I’m too old for stickers, but he said I’m not too old for anything.” She rolls her eyes. “Want them?”
I smile. “Okay. I think I have my old sticker book somewhere.”
I’ve lost count of how many doctors Rosie’s seen over this past year. Twenty? Thirty? Each one starts off the same. He learns about her situation, examines her, and then sets up an intensive plan that “will surely bring even the smallest results.” Every time, Mom’s eyes shine with hope. Mine used to shine the same way. So did Dad’s, and Rosie’s, too. But the light left our eyes after a year of seeing…nothing. Mom’s just won’t die.
Rosie continues playing her game. There’s so much I want to say, but the words stick in my throat. No one understands what she’s going through—she’s made that clear. The last time I told her to keep her chin up, she yelled, “Leave me alone.”
Rosie hugs her pink, worn-out stuffed elephant to her chest.
“So the program was intense, huh?” I ask, squeezing her close. She shrugs. “Are you tired?”
She shrugs again.
My fingers play with her black hair. It was soothing when Mom did that to me when I was younger. Rosie’s head droops toward my shoulder.
“I’ll tell Mom to help you get ready for bed. Okay?”
She doesn’t protest, unlike the years before the accident. It’s only seven o’clock. If things were different, if Rosie was her old self, her head wouldn’t rest on my shoulder and she’d whine to stay up as late as her big sister.
I head to the kitchen where my parents are at the table drinking coffee, and sit down near them. “How’d it go?”
Mom takes a few sips before turning her full attention to me. “It’ll be hard to adjust to at first, but Dr. Griffin is positive this new program will do wonders for Rosie.”
My father’s staring at his full cup. “Dad?” I ask.
He doesn’t answer at first, as if his thoughts are drowning in the liquid. After a moment, he gets to his feet, and the coffee sloshes onto the table. “It’s useless.” He spills the rest down the drain.
“Jack—”
“It’s useless, Lisa!” He dumps his mug in the sink. “This new program will cost us more than I make in half a year. And for what? To be told once again that Rosie will never walk?”
“Dr. Griffin—”
“Is no miracle worker!” He glances toward the living room and lowers his voice. “It’s been over a year and Rosie hasn’t regained any movement in her legs. The chance of a recovery is slim to none.”
Tears glisten in Mom’s eyes. “Jack…”
“Why do you insist on dragging our daughter from one doctor to another? Leave it alone. Come to terms with the fact that Rosie will never walk again. Count your blessings, Lisa, because we sure have plenty.”
He marches down the hall and locks himself in the den, which he likes to call
his study even though there’s nothing there except for a TV and a recliner. He does that a lot.
Mom rubs her temples, sighing as though someone’s sucking the energy out of her body. Heaving herself up, she pours her coffee down the drain and stands there, shoulders rising and falling as ragged breaths leave her mouth.
Finally, she turns around, gives me a strained smile, and wanders to the refrigerator. “Are you hungry?”
“I went out with Rey. Look what he got me for our anniversary.” I hold up the heart pendant hanging off my necklace.
Mom shuffles through the shelves. “Hmm?”
I let go of the pendant. This isn’t the first time my words get lost in the air. “Never mind. I already ate.”
“Oh, that’s right. How was your dinner?”
I don’t know. Lately things have been off with us, and I hoped tonight would fix that. But it didn’t. We don’t seem to click anymore.
I remember how we wouldn’t shut up when we first started going out. Rey would tell me about an article he read in the Wall Street Journal, or about a documentary he watched the night before. I’d tell him some juicy gossip going around at school, or about a new TV series or movie I was obsessed with that he had to watch. One time he and I had a heated discussion on the research paper he was working on for his political science class. As each date progressed, my heart started opening up to him until it leaped into the palm of his hand.
I don’t understand what’s wrong.
“It was fine,” I tell Mom, who’s munching on a celery stalk. Dark circles hug the bottom of her eyelids, almost identical to my sister’s.
“Put Rosie to bed, Mom. She’s falling asleep on the couch.”
I say goodnight to my little sister and lock myself in my room. Plugging in my earbuds, I crank up my iPod and start the reading assignment for my science homework. Three long chapters.
My phone rings. I scan the screen and grab it. “Happy Anniversary again!” I say.
Rey chuckles. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Nothing much. Just reading some bio.”
“Yeah, did that already.”
“Of course you did,” I tease.
Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) Page 19