“How long do you really think that we can keep this up? It’s insane. We’ve been lucky so far, but that’s bound to run out sooner or later. All it takes is for one person to see you, or my parents to find out you’re here, and the jig is up.”
“And I haven’t even told you the best part yet,” Henry continued. “My mom ran into your mom at the store. That old bat Mrs. Brewer saw you leaving your own house the other day! She said some hoodlum was nosing around. You were wearing that huge hoodie. No wonder she thought you were up to no good.”
Yikes. “Crap. What did my mom say about it?”
“She was just warning my mom that there are thugs in the neighborhood casing out houses! She found out that Kayla was cutting school, too, and is really pissed off at her. I think she’s basically grounded for life.”
“Good. She needs some type of intervention. Have you seen her much since I’ve been gone? She’s dressing like a whore. I just hope she isn’t acting like one, too.”
Henry sighed loudly. “I didn’t want to tell you. She handled your death really badly. I guess this is her way of rebelling. That’s another reason I think you ought to come clean about being back. It might help Kayla. She always looked up to you.”
A wave of sadness washed over me. “But everything has changed,” I said wistfully. “When I reveal myself, it’s not going to be like old times. Just like they had to come to terms with my death, there’s going to be an adjustment period.”
“When are you planning on telling them then? I’m just not sure there is ever going to be a good time.”
“Just give me a bit longer,” I begged. “I won’t leave the house during the day again. And you must admit, it hasn’t been that difficult hiding from your parents.”
“True,” Henry conceded.
“I’ll do it soon,” I promised.
Chapter 18
The next morning I was a ball of nerves. Henry’s parents had both left the house at the crack of dawn so I was able to move around freely. That was a good thing, because I couldn’t sit still. It was a combination of excitement at seeing Lucas and utter fear at finding out what Mr. Matthews was really doing.
Henry immediately picked up on my change in mood. “What’s your problem today?” he asked, popping some bread in the toaster.
I laughed nervously. “Gets a little stir crazy, being here all day. No problem though,” I added hurriedly.
“I was thinking I might ditch school today. Maybe we could catch another movie. Do something fun for a change. You know, it’s no cake walk sitting around my bedroom with you all the time.”
“Most guys would be thrilled to have a girl in his bedroom 24/7,” I cracked. “And skipping school sounds like a terrible idea,” I said hastily.
“Why’s that? I haven’t cut class in ages; ‘bout time I gave myself a break.”
“Er,” I struggled to come up with a good reason. “There’s only a week left of class and then you’ll be completely free for nearly three whole months. And you have to tutor me at some point this summer. I thought we talked about that so I could start back next year as a senior.” Even to me, the reasoning sounded lame.
But Henry was suspicious. “I know what’s really going on,” he said.
Shit!
“You said it yourself – you’re going stir crazy,” he continued. “You just want me out of the house so you can go out on your own. Do some more shopping, knowing you.”
I laughed in relief. If only Henry knew what I was really up to. “No, no,” I assured him. “Trust me, after what happened when I snuck into my house, I wouldn’t go gallivanting around again.”
“You’re going to be late,” I said, pushing him jokingly. He fake-fell off the kitchen stool, and I retaliated by tickling him.
“No, stop, stop,” he cried in between fits of laughter, which only egged me on more. Henry lost his balance, pulling me down with him.
“Ahhh!” he screeched as we toppled to the floor.
“Are you okay?” I asked, still giggling.
“I’m fine.” Henry had the same expression as two nights before, when he kissed me.
He held my gaze for several seconds. I found myself wanting to kiss him more than I’d ever wanted anything else. I started to lean in.
Suddenly, Henry jumped to his feet. “I’d better get going,” he said awkwardly, picking up his book bag and hurriedly leaving without even saying goodbye.
I shook my head, trying to clear away the confusion. This time, I had wanted to kiss him. Had he simply not picked up on my signals, or was he really not that into me? After I’d had some time to think about Henry’s ‘reason’ for kissing me the other night, I had come to the conclusion that he must feel something for me but the timing wasn’t right, with everything else going on. Could I be completely wrong? Maybe it truly was a drunken mistake.
I couldn’t do this right now! I had to get ready and walk the couple of blocks to where Lucas was picking me up.
Chapter 19
I was standing at the pick-up point. I kept looking at the clock on my cell phone impatiently. What the hell? Where is he?
After Henry had left for school, I hadn’t wasted any time getting ready. I had showered (yes, dead people have to bathe) and put on the outfit I’d labored over yesterday afternoon. I was a little worried that I might have gone overboard with the makeup, but that was probably because I didn’t wear it very often. I had lined my eyes with a smoldering charcoal liner, applied a small amount of peach eye shadow and dusted my face with some powder.
It was 10:15. I had been waiting for 15 minutes now. It really wasn’t a great idea for me to be standing in plain sight. There wasn’t much traffic on the residential street at this time of day, but if a neighbor looked out the window and saw me standing there for eons, they might get suspicious. Mrs. Brewer was already spreading that story about wild teenagers looking for houses to rob.
I was trying to decide if I should call Lucas or find a place to hide until he arrived, but just then he pulled up. He rolled down the passenger side window. “Sorry I’m late. You know the drill,” he said, cocking his head towards the backseat.
“I doubt anyone can see in through these tinted windows,” I commented. But I obligingly climbed into the backseat and lied down.
“Everything alright?” I asked.
“Just stupid politics,” he said. “I got a surprise call from my boss that I had to take.”
“About me?” I asked curiously.
Lucas didn’t answer, and I knew better than to push him.
“Thanks for doing this for me,” I said, trying to get the conversation rolling. I don’t even think Lucas has noticed my outfit!
“Yeah, you never told me where exactly we’re going. I’m just heading downtown. You got an address?”
“It’s downtown near the old bridge, by the law firm Wilson & Sons.” That was where David Matthews works.
“What? You didn’t tell me we were going there!” Lucas snapped.
“You didn’t ask!” I retorted. “It’s not like I told you any lies!”
This is getting off to a wonderful start.
From my position in the back, flattened across the three seats, I studied the back of Lucas’ head, trying to gauge his reactions by any movements he made. He glanced over his shoulder at me. “I have a little bit of a history with that law firm. It’s a funny story. Maybe I’ll tell you sometime.” He smiled.
“Just ignore me. I get grumpy in the daylight,” he quipped.
“I’m sorry, I totally forgot about that. I shouldn’t have asked you to do this for me. Are you ok?”
“Yes,” Lucas assured me. “Like I told you before, I have to take a pill that lessens the sunlight’s effect on me. But I still have to wear dark clothing and it’s very uncomfortable if I come in contact with direct sunlight. I’m hoping we can wrap this up before the hottest part of the day. Today is supposed to be a real scorcher.”
“It shouldn’t take too long. I have to fo
llow Henry’s dad.” I explained what had happened yesterday.
When I had finished, Lucas sighed. “I know you want this to turn out a certain way, Aurora. Even though you know what you heard, there’s this part of your mind that has convinced you it’s some big misunderstanding.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I whispered.
“There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s not reality. It’s what happens on TV, and at the end everyone laughs about the hilarious debacle,” he said. “I wish I’d have asked you for more specifics yesterday; I wouldn’t have agreed to take you. I don’t think you should meddle in other people’s affairs. There are some things that are just off limits.”
“Oh, and watching me in the privacy of my home isn’t one of them?” I asked, annoyed.
Lucas winced. “That’s business,” he said quietly. “And if you want to get brutally honest, I shouldn’t be crossing business with pleasure, period. It was a mistake to take you to dinner, to try and explain things. It’s just going to get me – and you – into trouble. Just like with Henry’s father, this situation can’t end well.”
“I could help you,” I argued. “You allude to all these risks you’re taking by talking to me, but you won’t tell me what any of them are!”
“We’re here,” Lucas said tersely.
I guess that conversation is over.
“Where should I park?” he asked. I peeped up from my hiding place. I could see the building in the distance.
“A block over?” I suggested. I glanced at my cell phone. “Oh, no! It’s almost 11. He’s meeting the mystery woman, er person, at 11. I don’t exactly know where,” I added sheepishly.
“Ah, this gets better and better.”
“Well if you hadn’t have been so late!”
“Sit up,” Lucas ordered. I did as I was told. He was pulling into one of the parking garages that litter the corner of every street downtown. He drove to one of the empty levels near the top, and we hopped out of the car.
“I’m not sure where to go!” I said frantically. It was pushing 10:50. I’ve blown it now.
“Lucky you picked me as your side kick.” Lucas flashed me an adorable grin. I stared at his teeth, trying to see if they looked pointy. I don’t think I had ever seen him smile so openly before. “They only change when I’m angry,” he explained to my unasked question.
For once, I was thankful to be dead. If this were the human version of me, I’d have turned as red as a tomato. “I’m sorry.” Here I was again, apologizing. It seemed to be a common theme with Lucas. “This whole thing is just so new to me. Can’t help but stare.” That night at the pizza café when he was so pissed off at me and I couldn’t understand why his face completely changed. I bet his teeth were out then!
Lucas pulled out a small device from his trench coat, which was in the passenger seat, and studied it in silence. I took the opportunity to discreetly check out his appearance. It was the first time I had seen him not in that coat.
He was dressed casually, in dark jeans and a long sleeved black shirt. It was fitted and I could see the outline of his ripped body underneath. I forced myself to look away. At least I know he has a human body. Or more like a God’s body!
“Let’s go.” Lucas put on his trench coat and slipped the device back into one of the pockets. He started walking toward the exit. “I’ve located David. He’s walking west down Pike street. We can catch up with him if we hurry. You stay close behind me,” he instructed. “And try not to act like you’re up to anything.”
We were outside of the garage now. Lucas pulled the hood of the coat over his head. “If anyone tries to talk to us, just follow my lead. This is another reason I try to avoid daytime excursions. A man in a hooded coat in the dead of summer usually attracts a few stares.”
“It’s kind of an overcast day,” I offered. “No chance you could ditch the hood?”
“’Nope.”
We walked in silence. Lucas pulled the device out of his pocket again and stopped to look. “What is that thing?” I asked him.
“Locator.”
That cleared it up, I thought sarcastically.
Just up ahead, I saw a man round the corner. It was Mr. Matthews! And he was walking right towards us.
“That’s him!” I hissed.
Immediately, Lucas sprung into action. He nudged me towards the wall of the building we were next to and positioned his hulking frame in front of me so that anyone walking towards us would just see his back.
He pulled the hood off at the same time, revealing his disheveled jet-black hair. He gritted his teeth. “Are you okay?” I asked worriedly.
I couldn’t see Mr. Matthews but I guessed he was still several feet away. Beads of sweat had started to form on Lucas’ forehead.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” he said through clenched teeth. I peered around his shoulder and could see David was about to pass us, briefcase in hand. He was completely focused on whatever he was doing and I’m not even sure he saw Lucas standing there.
When he had passed, Lucas pulled the hood back over his head in relief. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead. “Let’s go,” he said gruffly. “I don’t want to be here any longer than necessary.”
We followed David at a respectable distance for another quarter of a block. It looked like he was going to keep walking, but at the last minute he turned sharply and passed through an entrance. I looked around, trying to find a sign.
“It’s a hotel,” Lucas informed me. “This creep is going to a hotel.”
“What!” I buried my head in my hands. I couldn’t believe this was really happening.
“I told you, if you lower your expectations of mankind you’re much less likely to be disappointed.”
How was I going to break this to Henry?
“Hey.” Lucas touched my arm. I looked up.
“This stinks,” I muttered.
“Yes, it does,” he admitted.
Just then a group of men and women in business suits filed past us to enter the hotel.
I was confused. “Excuse me,” I called out.
“Yes?” A snippy woman in a steel gray suit stopped and looked down her nose at me.
“Um,” I stuttered, completely thrown off.
“Can I help you?” she asked in an impatient tone.
Lucas stepped in front of me and the woman’s demeanor immediately changed. She actually smiled, for heaven’s sake!
“We were looking for someone who had an appointment in the vicinity. Is there some kind of meeting going on here today?”
“Yes, there’s an ABA meeting.”
“ABA?” I echoed.
“American Bar Association,” she said snottily, as though it was the dumbest question she had ever heard.
“Thanks,” Lucas called out as she was walking away.
“That’s it!” I said excitedly. “I bet Mr. Matthews is going to that!”
“And it was originally going to occur in his house?” Lucas looked skeptical.
Oh, yeah. That. “It could happen,” I said, knowing full well how implausible that sounded.
“If it means this much to you, we can try to find out for sure. I’ve got to get indoors for a minute, anyway. Being outside really takes its toll.” I noticed Lucas was sweating again.
“Just try to stay close and let me cover you, in case this guy is still hanging out in the hotel lobby.”
I dutifully did as Lucas had instructed, attempting to stay shielded behind his back as we walked into the large lobby. He pulled off the hood. “Phew,” he breathed a sigh of relief.
“I don’t see him,” Lucas said quietly, after surveying the room.
I stepped out from behind his massive frame. “What now?” I asked.
“We’ve come this far. Let’s see if we can get any info at the front desk.”
We headed to the check-in area at the far side of the lobby. “We’re looking for someone,” Lucas said to the man at the counter. “I was wondering if you could tell me
if he’s attending the ABA conference this morning.”
The concierge looked around nervously. “I suppose I could check the sign-in roster, but I’m not really sure I should be giving out that information. I’ll need to consult my supervisor.”
“No need for that,” Lucas said quickly. “His daughter,” he said, pointing at me, “just wanted to make sure he got back into town from his trip and made it here in time. His cell phone is dead,” Lucas explained.
“I guess I could take a quick look.” The man still didn’t sound convinced, but he opened a drawer and pulled out a notepad anyway. “What’s his name?” he asked.
“David Matthews,” Lucas answered.
The man scanned the clipboard. “Ah,” he smiled. “Yes, your father signed in for the conference. D. Matthews 2 minutes before 11 am. You missed him by 5 minutes.”
“Thanks so much,” Lucas said.
We turned to go.
“Mystery solved?” Lucas said, but it was more of a question than a statement.
“I hope so,” I replied. “Maybe we could watch Mr. Matthews again later this week, just to make sure?”
“No way,” Lucas responded quickly. “I’ll stick to my paid assignments, thanks.”
It was slightly more overcast when we got back outside. Lucas looked relieved. I had no idea this was so difficult for him, I thought guiltily. But it shows that he likes me, maybe just a little, or he wouldn’t have done this at all.
We hurried back to the car. I was about to hop in the back seat when Lucas stopped me. “I know I can be a little over-cautious at times,” he admitted. “My windows are tinted, as you’ve pointed out on more than one occasion. I don’t think anyone will spot you in the front seat.”
I grinned. “Works for me!”
We didn’t say much on the way back. I was deep in thought. I really wanted this to be the end of the mystery, but my gut told me that it wasn’t. Unless I was inaccurately remembering the conversation I’d overheard, it wasn’t about going to some lawyers meeting.
Instead of the usual pick up/drop off spot, Lucas stopped a few blocks from Henry’s house in the opposite direction. “In case anyone saw us earlier,” he explained.
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