Lucy took advantage of the pause and started in on another infamous story about her best friend, Laura Jane. Colin ignored her and watched me with a knowing gleam. My stomach quivered as a trail of grease drizzled down his chin. After a minute, Mom tried to motion to him, then ended up handing him a napkin to wipe his mouth. But by that point, I’d lost my appetite. I resorted to pushing my peas around on my plate.
Everyone, including Dad, seemed a little glazed over. When Fin had come to dinner a few weeks ago, Dad had interrogated him about his future goals and dreams. But today, he was silent.
“So is Jack your dad’s brother?” Mom asked.
Colin’s eyes lit up. “Yes.”
“I have to say, we’ve missed having the Helton’s around since they’ve left, especially on the pier. People come into the store often asking about Captain Jack’s. Fin had said they were looking to sell the business. Are you and your father planning to take over—what’s your father’s name again?”
I groaned inside for her continually mentioning of Fin’s name.
“My dad’s name is Alaster,” Colin said as he pitched a brow. “We aren’t sure yet. My uncle Jack isn’t a very savvy business man, I’m afraid. We might need to sell the Empress to get out of debt.”
My jaw tightened. Sell the boat? What a filthy liar.
“And where did you move from?”
“Lucy, can you pass the peas, please?” I asked to interrupt. “And what were you saying about Laura Jane?”
But Colin had another plan. And just like that, he broke out in song. “It’s nothing to worry about, Mrs. Lanski. Let’s change the subject.”
Hearing his ugly tune made me want to take my steak knife and push it against his conniving merman throat. How dare he come in here and manipulate my family like this. I stomped on his foot.
“Owww,” he said, and stopped singing.
“Ashlyn!?” Mom glared.
“I accidentally stepped on Colin’s foot.” I pushed out my chair and ground my heal in. “Excuse me. Potty break.” And I’d like to barf.
Mom apologized as I exited the room. Besides enduring Colin’s crap, having my phone taken, and losing my appetite, I didn’t know what else could go wrong tonight.
After ten minutes, a soft knock on the door rattled my nerves. “I’m in here!”
“Sorry, darlin’. I thought you’d be done by now,” Gran said. “I’ll go upstairs.”
“No.” I flushed and quickly opened the door. “I’m finished, Gran. Sorry.”
“Didn’t mean to rush you. You get old and things don’t wait for you like they used to,” she said with an endearing smile.
She patted me on the shoulder and went inside.
I returned to the dining room, only because I didn’t want Mom to hold my phone hostage longer than she’d planned. But she was staring at me with a frown.
“Who’s ‘Fish’?” she mumbled. “They keep texting you.”
I gulped, wishing I had mer mojo powers to stop her from speaking and force her to give me my phone. I’d reprogrammed my contacts for such a time as this, so she wouldn’t know.
But as if an omen followed over my head, things were about to get worse. No one caught what she’d said, though, and I took my seat. Everyone had finished eating.
“I bet it’s Fin.” Lucy produced an evil smile.
Colin shot me a look. “So you are talking to Fin.”
“No,” I defended.
Lucy leaned forward. “Oh, yes she is. They’re more than just talking, Colin. They’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”
I glared at Lucy while Colin stared at me, puzzled. Dad remained dumfounded and Mom did the only thing she could do to salvage the meal: get rid of Lucy.
“Lucy, clear the dishes. I think it’s time for dessert. Anyone want pie?”
“But…” she said and pouted. “By myself?”
“This is Ashlyn’s friend, so clean up. Once you’ve finished, you can join us in the living room for games. Do you play Gin, Colin?”
“Uh, yeah,” Colin said uneasily.
Lucy stormed into the kitchen and crashed around the silverware to show her frustration.
Vindication at last. She was finally getting her just rewards, not for what she should have, but it still worked in my favor.
“Don’t mind Lucy.” Mom shooed Colin and me into the living area. “Fin’s a thing of the past. Right, Sweetheart?”
I took a controlled breath and faced her. “Actually, in all honesty and respect, my relationship status isn’t any of Colin’s business, Mom.”
Mom chuckled and pointed to the couch. “Sit and visit while I dish up pie. Would you like some, Colin?”
“Yes, Mrs. Lanski. Please.”
“Oh, you’re such a polite man.” She smiled before she hurried away.
Colin held out his hand to me. “Lead the way.”
“Dad!” I yelled. “Aren’t you coming too?”
I needed back-up, fast.
“Yes.” He came into the room and sat down in the chair next to me.
“Isn’t there anything you want to ask, Dad? Like Colin’s goals and dreams? Or if he has any dark secrets?”
Colin coughed, choking on his spit apparently.
“Yeah, I do,” Dad said, finally snapping to. “Uh, do you like it here in Tahoe?”
Colin smiled. “Yes. I like Tahoe a lot. It’s so much more free than where I come from.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Dad said, “and what does your dad do?”
Colin looked directly at me. “He’s a treasure hunter.”
“That’s interesting. Does he troll the lake?” Dad asked.
“Yes, he does.” Colin smirked.
“I bet that takes some specialized equipment.”
Yeah, Dad. Go! Ask more questions!
“You should come by and take a look sometime. You’d be amazed.” Colin sang again and Dad gazed off into space as if he were sleepwalking. No one was a match to the mer mojo, but I wouldn’t concede.
“Well, don’t be modest, Dad,” I said with a nervous laugh, nudging his arm. “He does have a gun, just so you know. And knows how to start fires and hide evidence, ‘cause he is a fireman. And he would like your social security number—to check your record of course.” I smiled sweetly at Colin.
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “You’re so feisty,” he said with a smile. “I like that.”
“If you’re trying to win me over, it’s not working. And I don’t know what kind of mind tricks you’ve done to my parents, but I’m not interested in you. It’s time for you to leave.”
I closed my eyes when the musical notes came out.
Crap.
“Where’s Fin?” he asked
“I don’t know.”
“Why’d your sister say you were talking to him then?”
“My sister likes to lie to get me in trouble,” I said robotically.
“So who were you talking to on the phone earlier?”
“Callahan.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Who’s Callahan?”
I couldn’t stop myself from adding in a few extra details. “This super hot guy from school who’s nice and wonderful, and I can’t stop thinking about him.” I leaned in and whispered. “He’s my secret boyfriend.”
Colin’s expression darkened. “Then why did your sister say Fin was your boyfriend?”
“Like I have a clue.”
“Interesting.” He pushed up the side of his lip into a lopsided grin. “I say you forget about him, and start thinking of me that way.”
“I don’t want to.”
His lips pulled into a straight line. “Why are you being so difficult?”
“Because you’re ugly and stink like fish.” I couldn’t help my smile. Hey, he’d asked and those under the mer persuasion had to tell the truth.
He sat up, dazed and confused, and smelled his armpit. I almost busted up in laughter when the ring tone, My Jolly Sailor Bold, chimed on my phone.
>
Double crap.
My heart sank. It was way past sunset in Florida. Why was he calling? How could he be calling?
“Hello?” I heard my mother ask. “No, this isn’t your Ginger Girl.”
If Colin found out I lied to him, he’d haul me off to his house, turn me into a fish, then most likely take me to Natatoria. I had no choice. I did the first thing that came to mind and doubled over with heaves, anything to get my mom off the phone. If that didn’t work, I’d stick my finger down my throat.
21
:::
FIN
Monday night, April 18th
I lay on my back in the water, admiring the stars as insane thoughts crossed my mind. I wondered how long it would take to swim to the Pacific Ocean, cutting through the Panama Canal. Between Ferdinand using the last of the essence, Galadriel’s crazed laughter when I said Ferdinand had better have news from Natatoria, and Ash’s mom hanging up on me, I’d finally had enough. No one would control my destiny anymore.
But after hours of waiting for Ash to call, I grew impatient and yelled at the sky. The silence screamed back at me, drowning me softly. Why hadn’t Ash called back? Did she even know I was waiting? I needed her, especially after today.
Then the phone rang, but from a number I didn’t recognize.
“Hello?” I asked.
“Fin?”
A weight lifted off my chest. I sunk underwater for a second, and sung to her in Natatorian that I loved her.
“I take it you missed me.” She giggled. “What did you say?”
“That I loved you more than anything. Poseidon, this has been the longest day of my life. What happened? Why’d your mom answer your phone?”
She groaned, sweetly. “I love you, too, and I am so sorry. I’m grounded again and tonight was the worst of my life. Please come home. Please take me away from here––from this. Please.”
My throat tightened and my eyes watered. I couldn’t bear to hear her heartache. I wanted more than anything to do just that—to take her away so she’d be happy and with me forever.
“Okay.” The words of surrender slipped out on their own.
“What?” she asked, her voice breathless. “How? When?”
I didn’t know, but I wouldn’t let anything stand between us—not after today. I’d get to her, somehow. But driving the RV after the week we’d just survived unnerved me. And swimming around Central America would most likely bring on a new set of dangers. Could I fly? All the cameras and security—I’d have to do a heck of a lot of persuading.
“I’ll figure out something.”
Silence lingered on the line, then a sniffle followed.
“Ash? Are you okay?”
“Yes. That—that would be the best birthday present ever.”
I smiled, filled with indescribable joy as she quietly sobbed. I hadn’t planned anything as spectacular as this for her birthday, more like balloons and eighteen sets of eighteen roses so her family knew for sure I loved her, but this idea was better, perfect.
“When will you leave? Tomorrow?”
I exhaled hard. “Possibly. I need to map a route, but I won’t wait long, I promise you that.”
Then an idea hit me. I could take out the table and bench seats, and put a portable pool in the living area instead. That way I could drive the most direct route and stay anywhere I wanted. Screw driving from lake to lake.
“I can’t believe you’re going to be coming back.”
“Me neither,” I said as the waves rocked me back and forth. I’d never felt more at peace about my decision. “And don’t worry about being grounded. I’ll persuade your family the moment I get there.” She chuckled lightly. “What phone line are you calling from anyway?”
“Oh,” she sniffled, joy infused in her voice. “Mom took my cell, but she didn’t say anything about the home line being off limits.”
I laughed. “Ingenious. What happened this time?”
“I’d made Lucy walk through the school parking lot in the snow.”
“You didn’t,” I gasped sarcastically. “What a mean sister you are.”
“Yeah, well. She deserved it. She made me late.”
I wanted to sympathize in the injustice of her grounding, but I couldn’t concentrate. I’d finally decided to stand up for myself and my brain was spinning a mile a minute. There was so much to plan. How soon could I be in Tahoe if I drove every second of daylight?
“I can’t believe I’m going to see you in a few days.”
“I know. Me neither. I can’t wait.”
Her soft voice curled my fin. She’d be in my arms in less than five days.
“Nothing will have to change. I’ll stay at my parents’ house.”
“Um…” she said with a hard swallow.
“Don’t tell me my uncle burned down the house.”
“Oh, of course not,” she said with a nervous giggle. “It’s still there.”
“Then what’s wrong? Are you worried they’ll return?”
“Sort of…” Her voice lowered.
“I’ll be careful. There’s a lock on the hatch to the lake and deadbolts on the doors, too. And I’ll bring my dad’s gun with me. If anyone tries to come back, I’ll be ready.”
“Okay.” Her voice was still filled with anxiety.
“Hold on.” I plugged in the most direct route on my phone, hoping a definite date would alleviate her worries. “It’s 3,000 miles. If I drove nonstop twelve hours a day, I could get there in four days.”
“Only four days? Oh, Fin,” she crowed.
“I need to smooth things over with my parents first. I need an excuse actually—a good one.”
“What if…” Ash’s voice suddenly sounded sneaky and completely adorable, “you said that Colin was back? And he was threatening my family.”
For a second I imagined this to be true and my blood boiled. “If he were, Poseidon help him. Yeah, I think that’ll work.”
“Good,” she said, sounding satisfied. “Then tell them that.”
We decided email would be the best way to communicate in case she couldn’t stay on good terms with her mom. She also wanted to know the exact moment I’d arrived in Tahoe. I wanted to surprise her instead. If only I could drive with the bottom half of my body underwater somehow. Regardless, we’d be together again and nothing would stand in our way.
After hours of planning and dreaming together, Ash eventually drifted off to sleep. Her soft breathing kept me company as I listened in, unwilling to hang up. Just knowing she was there—safe—connected me to her.
I was about to close my eyes when I saw my Dad’s dorsal fin speeding in my direction.
Crap.
Reluctantly, I hung up the phone.
22
:::
ASH
Tuesday afternoon, April 19th
With wet hair from swim practice, I jumped into Mom’s car anxious to get home and read my email. Had Fin left yet? All day I’d felt naked without my phone. I didn’t actually say good-bye last night like I’d wanted, instead I fell asleep and at 4 AM the soft beeping of the cordless signaled the battery had died. In the morning, I tried calling and left a message instead. I hoped he wasn’t angry with me for being so rude.
My heart fluttered as I wondered where he was. He’d said he’d more than likely leave later in the day, after he bought food, a mini swimming pool, and a hose. Four days would put him here on my birthday. I couldn’t wait.
Guilt and dread swirled in my belly. Though the excuse I’d fed him about Colin was accurate, I feared telling Fin the real truth. I wanted to, so many times, but when I opened my mouth, my voice froze up. But I had to tell him now, otherwise he’d be walking into a trap.
An idea hit me. A decoy. If a barrage of official phone calls, and formal letters from an out-of-state agency appeared, Colin and Alaster would have to take the bait. After all, besides Colin’s stupid crush, that’s all Azor wanted—the Helton’s delivered on a silver platter. If I could lead them
away from Tahoe to somewhere coastal, like Maine, I’d be home free.
Then Fin would never have to know how bad things had become, and once he arrived, he could fortify the house and everything would be cool, perfect even. By the time Colin and his dad realized they’d been tricked, we’d be long gone in Florida at college. It could work, if I was smart enough to pull it off.
Evergreen (Mer Tales, Book 2) Page 13