by Deanna Chase
“You seem… unsettled.”
“I’m just tired,” she said. “I’ll perk up after the caffeine kicks in.”
Chad turned and spotted Levi slumped down in one of the chairs, holding a cup from Incantation Café. “Hey, man. How’s the head?”
“Better,” Levi said, but he was studying Luna, and he looked troubled, too. Like he was worried about something.
That was all the confirmation he needed. There was definitely something up with Luna. Had something happened between them?
“Ready?” Luna asked him.
“Sure.” Chad glanced back at Levi. “You okay here for a bit?”
“Yep.”
“He’s gonna be better than okay. I’m going to give him a manicure,” Lena said and winked at him.
Levi snorted. “Oh, yeah? Who decided that?”
“I did.” She swept out from behind the reception desk. “I’m taking pity on your poor cuticles. But don’t worry, if you don’t want polish, I won’t force it on you.”
“Do you have blue?” he asked.
“Honey, we’ve got every color you can think of. Follow me.” She led him to a room just off the reception area. Before she slipped in behind him, she glanced back at Luna. “Take your time. I’m going to pamper him a little after everything he went through yesterday.”
“Thank you,” Luna said, her expression soft.
Hmm, Chad thought. Maybe whatever was bothering her wasn’t about Levi at all. He hoped not.
“Come on,” Luna said, leading him down the hallway to the massage rooms. Opening one of the doors for him, she asked, “How’s your hand today?”
“Stiff.” He held it out, trying to flex it, but he couldn’t even straighten his fingers.
“Let’s see if we can change that.” Once they were inside, she said, “Go ahead and lie down on your back.”
He quirked his eyebrow at her massage table. “Fully clothed?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes. This is a hand job, not a full body massage.”
“Hand job?” he asked, sputtering with amusement and no small amount of lust. “That definitely seems like I should strip down.”
“Stop.” She laughed.
“That’s better.” He grinned at her, loving that his words had caused the moment of levity.
“Better than what?” She pulled a stool over to the massage table and took a seat.
“When I walked in, you looked like your dog had died. At first I thought something had happened between you and Levi, but now I think it’s something else. Want to talk about it?”
She let out a heavy sigh, and the crease between her eyebrows reappeared as she frowned. “You’re right, it’s nothing to do with Levi. He’s great. Scared and not sure if he can trust us yet, but that’s to be expected.”
Chad took his place on the massage table. “Understandable. So, what happened?”
Luna adjusted her chair and then took Chad’s hand in hers. After drizzling some oil on her fingers, she started to work the muscles in his palm. “I got a letter from my birth mom,” she blurted.
“Your birth mom?” he echoed, shocked. As far as Chad knew, Luna hadn’t known who either of her birth parents were. When had that changed? “Since when have you been in touch with her?”
“I haven’t.” She swallowed. “This was the first contact.”
“Wow.” He wanted to reach out and squeeze her hand or put a soothing hand on her arm, but she was busy working the tension out of his fingers. Instead, he caught her gaze and held it. “What did the letter say, and why does it have you so freaked?”
She moved to the pad of his thumb and dug deep, making him hiss, but she ignored his response and kept working the area. “Why do you think I’m freaked?”
“Maybe it was the fact that before you started talking with me, you were so pale you looked a little haunted.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Really?”
“Yeah. I think Levi was worried, too,” he said gently, wanting to make her aware that whatever she was going through might be affecting him, too.
“Damn. I don’t want him to worry about anything other than getting better.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “My mom is supposedly a recovering addict and wants to meet to make amends.”
“I see.” Chad knew it must’ve been a huge blow for Luna to find out the mother she’d always wanted to meet was an addict. With her background involving potions, including the relapses her foster mother had gone through, it would be hard for Luna to trust the recovery would stick. “And how do you feel about that? Do you want to meet her?”
“I did,” she admitted, working his index finger. “But now? I don’t think so. She’s a potions addict, Chad. I just can’t.”
“You know you don’t have to, right?” he asked, his voice gentle. “Just because she gave birth to you and reached out, that doesn’t mean anything. She gave up the right to be in your life over twenty years ago. This is one hundred percent your call to make. Either choice is valid. Understand?”
Her eyes filled with tears as she nodded.
“Hey.” He pulled his hand out of hers, sat up, and wrapped both arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. “You’re okay, Luna. I promise.”
“I know,” she said into his shoulder. “But thank you for saying it.”
“No need to thank me. That’s what I’m here for.” He pulled back and wiped one of her tears away.
“You’re a good friend.” Her smile was watery, but that lovely spark he loved so much had returned to her beautiful eyes.
Friend, he thought. He was glad she considered him one, but sitting there on her massage table, holding her, he was acutely aware that he wanted so much more than friendship. He wanted her. His gaze dropped to her pink lips and he worked to keep his breathing steady.
“Chad?”
His name on her lips almost made him shudder. But he held it together and raised his gaze to look her in the eye. “Yeah?”
“You should let me finish working on your hand.”
“Right.” With the spell broken, he laid back down and let her spin her magic.
Twenty minutes later, she placed a warm hand on his shoulder and in a quiet voice said, “All done. How do you feel?”
“Like I could take a nap right here,” he said.
She laughed. “That’s what you look like, too. But we have a teenager waiting for you to entertain him all day.”
Chad groaned. “But this table is really comfortable.”
“It had better be.” She grabbed his good hand and tugged him into a sitting position. He knew it wasn’t at all how she’d deal with a regular massage client, but this was an informal thing and he wasn’t even paying for the massage. She waved a hand, shooing him toward the door. “Go on. I told Levi you’d take him shopping for some clothes and essentials. The poor kid has nothing with him.”
“I’m on it,” he said as he stood. “I’m also going to take him by Barb’s garage. She asked me to take an inventory of her old furniture so she can start to get rid of it. I get first dibs, so if there is anything you need for your house, let me know. I’ll haul it over for you.”
“You can’t do that, Chad. She said you get first dibs, not me,” Luna said.
“Of course, I can. Mostly she just wants the stuff gone, and if I take it, she’ll be thrilled, especially if it’s for you.”
“Why’s that?” Luna asked.
“I dunno. She just likes you. She keeps saying I should ask you out.” Oh, hell. What had he just said? The words had flown out of his mouth before he’d even given them any conscious thought.
Luna stared at him for a long moment, not saying a word.
“She’s just trying to pair everyone up. Don’t overthink it,” Chad said.
“I’m not… overthinking it. But I do think you should ask me out.” Her cheeks took on a rose flush as she glanced away. “Last night was fun… or it was until Levi called. I was just thinking that, um, well, maybe we should—”
Chad pressed a finger to her lips, stopping her. “Don’t say it.” He grinned, feeling all lit up inside. “It’s my turn to do the asking.”
Her smile reached her eyes, and she said, “Okay. I’m waiting.”
He laughed. “Let me take you out Friday night. Dinner? Dancing? Maybe a moonlit walk on the beach this time?”
“The beach? You want to take me to the coast?”
“Sure, that’s where the dancing is,” he said easily. “It’s a fundraiser actually. Cocktails, silent auctions, live music. Sounds stuffy and boring, but I promise it isn’t. The Art Council puts it on, and all the proceeds go to supporting youth programs in Eureka.”
“And you’re involved how?” Luna asked.
“I’ve played piano for the organization before.” He glanced down at his hand, realizing it didn’t feel stiff for the first time in weeks. “Hey, my hand feels great by the way. Better than it has since the injury.”
She beamed at him. “I might’ve used a little of my healing magic. I hope it’s helping you heal and not just masking the pain.”
“Me, too.” He pressed his palm to her cheek. “Say yes to Friday.”
“What about Levi?”
“He’s a teenager. He can fend for himself for a few hours.” Right? Chad pictured Levi hanging out by himself at Luna’s house. Certainly, he was capable of taking care of himself, but what would happen when he was inside his own head? Kids who’d suffered trauma like he had were often unpredictable. “We’ll work something out. I’ll ask Candy if any of the teenagers in town have something going on.”
Candy was Hanna’s cousin and worked part time at the café. She was an outgoing, friendly girl, who likely would befriend Levi on her own. It was just her nature. Chad would make sure they ran into each other while he and Levi were out running errands.
“That would be good,” Luna said, nodding. “I know he’s old enough that he doesn’t need any sort of babysitter, obviously, and I don’t want him to feel like we think he does, but I worry. I know what I was like when I felt alone at that age. It wasn’t pretty.”
“He probably needs someone to talk to,” Chad said.
“Yep. I agree.” She glanced at the door. “But first I’m going to make an appointment with Lorna White to find out what we can and can’t do for Levi.”
“Good. The sooner the better.” Lorna White was Keating Hollow’s resident attorney. Chad just hoped she had decent experience with family law. “Let me know if you want me to go with you.”
“I will.” She raised her gaze to his. “Now, about Friday…”
“Yeah?” he asked, nearly holding his breath. Say yes, he thought. Let me hold you close while we dance the night away.
“The answer is yes. What time will you pick me up?”
Happiness flooded his chest, and this time when he looked down at her, he couldn’t resist. He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. She was so soft, so sweet, so his.
Gods. He’d barely touched her and was already claiming her. He pulled back. “It’s a date. Let me know any furniture you’re looking for and I’ll check Barb’s storage. I assume you could use another bed for Levi?” He paused and studied her. “Are you sure you’re good with him moving in indefinitely?”
Her head bobbed. “More than sure.”
“That’s what I thought, but I didn’t want to assume. Okay, a bed for Levi. Anything else?”
She chuckled. “Just about everything else, Chad. You’ve seen what little I have. But most important is a second bed, barstools or a kitchen table and chairs, and a couple of dressers.”
Chad tapped her list into his phone. “That’s a good start. I’ll text you pictures of what we find, and you can say yeah or nay. Cool?”
“More than cool.” She looked up at him with wonder in her eyes, and he recalled it was the same look she’d had when he’d told her she could have his spare bedroom when she turned eighteen. Surprise, hope, trust, it was all right there at the surface, and he loved that he’d been the one responsible for putting that look in her eyes.
“Good.” He couldn’t resist. He leaned down and kissed her again. This time he slipped his tongue past her lips and tasted honey. “Yum. Perfect.”
She leaned into him, deepening the kiss and letting out a tiny moan of appreciation.
Jeez. If she did that again, he was going to pick her up and toss her on her massage table. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “You probably have clients coming soon.”
“Ten minutes,” she confirmed.
“Right. Text ya later.”
“You better,” she said and opened the door for him.
After he was gone, Luna pulled the wrinkled card out of her pocket and stared at the number. Then she walked over to the phone and dialed.
Chapter Sixteen
Chad parked his truck in front of Incantation Café. “You hungry?” he asked Levi.
The teenager shrugged.
What the hell did that mean. “I don’t speak teenager. Want to elaborate?”
Levi mumbled something as he turned his head and looked out the window.
Chad decided he’d be annoyed if he wasn’t so amused. He could just hear his mother telling him he was trying her patience. “I didn’t catch that. Want to try again?”
“I don’t have money,” he barked out.
“Ah. I see. Well, the good news is you don’t need any. It’s on me today.” Chad jerked his head toward the café. “You can buy some other time.”
Levi let out an incredulous huff of laughter. “With what, dude?”
Chad shrugged. “You’ll get back in school and maybe get a job. I’m in no hurry. Now let’s get food and then head to the store for essentials.” Without waiting for an answer, Chad jumped out of the truck and strode into the café. A few moments later, Levi joined him.
Candy appeared from the back room, her dark hair pulled up into a thick, curly ponytail. She took one look at Levi and gave him a sassy smile. “Well, hello there. You’re new in town.”
Levi turned his attention to her and nodded slightly. Candy was a pretty girl with flawless bronze skin, big dark eyes, and a trim athletic body. Chad figured any teen boy would go loopy for her. But Levi didn’t seem interested in that way. Instead he leaned his hip against the counter and said, “Great makeup.”
She beamed, her smile lighting up the room. “Thank you. I’m a makeup video junky. All that time must be paying off. Love that shade of blue polish. What’s it called?”
He shrugged. “No idea. Lena over at the spa did them.”
Candy rubbed her hands together in excitement. “Perfect. I’ll ask her. Now what can I get you two?”
She took their orders and said she’d bring everything out when it was ready.
“So. Candy,” Chad said to Levi as they sat down. “What do you think?”
Levi gave him a flat stare. Then his expression turned wary as he said, “I’m not into girls.”
“Right,” Chad said quickly, wanting to put him at ease. He’d figured that out pretty quickly while watching their exchange. “I meant do you think she’d be friend material?”
“Dude,” Levi said, sounding annoyed. “Why are you trying to fix me up with someone I met a half-second ago?”
Chad’s face warmed. Then he laughed. Levi wasn’t a toddler. He didn’t need anyone to facilitate playdates for him. Honesty is the best policy, right? It was worth a try. “The thing is I want to take Luna out on a date on Friday. And while she knows you can take care of yourself, she’s a little hesitant about leaving you alone so soon since your... accident.”
“You mean so soon since my uncle beat the crap out of me,” he said, careful to keep his tone neutral.
“Yeah. That. Sorry, man.” Chad ran a hand through his hair. “She’d probably just feel better if you had some friends to hang out with. That’s all.”
“Friends,” Levi muttered. “That’s not… never mind.”
Chad tilted his head. “Friends aren’t what?�
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Levi blew out a breath, and Chad could almost see the moment when the kid came to the same realization Chad had only moments before. Sometimes it was just easier to tell the truth. “I’ve only had one friend, my best friend, and when his parents found out I was gay a couple of years ago, that was it. Cut off.”
Chad’s stomach roiled. There wasn’t much in this world he hated more than bigotry. Especially when it was unloaded on kids. “That’s really messed up. I’m sorry that happened.”
“Me, too.” He glanced out the window.
Son of a… Chad didn’t know what to do with that. All signs pointed to Levi being a decent kid with a kind heart. He wanted to pull the kid into a giant hug and promise that life would get better. That it wouldn’t always be that bad. But who was he to make any such claim? He had no idea what the future held for him past the next few days or weeks. “I know it’s cheesy and I’m an old-dad type, but you can count me as a friend, Levi.”
The kid flicked his gaze back to him. “I hope you didn’t mean that in a creepy way.”
Chad jerked back, startled by the comment. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “Gods, Levi. No.”
“Then why?” Levi demanded. “I don’t get it. You and Luna, you two are like saviors who just flew down from heaven, if there is such a place. But I don’t deserve that. I’m not special. Why are you putting yourselves out like this unless you want something from me?”
Chad sat back with his arms crossed over his chest, studying him. “I’m here because when I was slightly younger than you, my step dad was an abusive asshole, and I didn’t feel like I had anyone to turn to for help. I was terrorized for longer than I care to talk about, and I often wonder what might have been different if I’d told just one person. One adult who might know what to do or say to change things for me. Our situations are different, Levi, but you needed help and it makes me feel good to offer that help. No kid should be alone and scared. So the reason I want to help you is because my fourteen-year-old self wished so badly there was someone I could have turned to back then. I’m doing it for the kid I used to be. Or at least I was at first. Now I’m doing it because I like you. You’re a cool kid who deserves a break. If you want to know Luna’s reasons, you’ll have to ask her.”