“Come on,” he said. I followed him down the gravel path that was probably a driveway in another life. I touched my fingers to my lips. His kiss was different from Matt’s, or any other kiss I ever had. My lips tingled. Maybe it was me.
The last house on the dead-end road looked vacant. We walked up the leaf-filled driveway to a dark brown two-story with white trim. An image flashed across my mind.
“It used to be white,” I said.
“What?”
Huh? “Never mind.” I shook my head and wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. Where did that come from?
I tagged behind him as he went around the house to a section of bushes under an empty window flower box. He knelt down, stuck his hand under a patch of leaves, and pulled out a small, metal box containing a house key.
“Whose house is this?” I whispered after he unlocked the side door and let us in.
“My grandpa’s.”
I nodded and walked around. The kitchen counters were bare. Sheets covered furniture in the small living room that faced the lake. The stairs were to the left, I thought, and turned to confirm their presence. I was overwhelmed with a déjà vu feeling. I couldn’t understand why.
“How long has your grandfather been…?” I started, but he cut me off.
“He’s not dead. He’s in a home.” He glared at me for a second and walked to the kitchen.
“Ooohhh…. This is Neal’s… dad’s… house.” I knew Neal’s dad was in a home. Aunt Barb told me that.
Lucas ignored me and opened the bottom drawer beside the stove. He pulled out two plastic red cups and a bottle of whiskey. “Want some?” he asked, though he poured a cup and drank it back before waiting for my reply.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
“You’re probably right. You’re already stoned,” he said and smiled.
Was not. Oh, yeah. I was.
“If I knew you wanted to party this afternoon, I would have had a brownie.” He opened the cabinet below the sink and knelt on the floor. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small baggie and pipe with duct tape on it.
“I wasn’t planning to party today,” I mumbled.
He stood up and walked closer to me. I giggled.
“You probably need to sober up before we see my dad.”
“Huh,” I grunted.
“Or I need to get high too,” he said and chuckled.
I raised my eyebrows, almost hoping he would. I hadn’t felt this great since before Dad died. He sat on the counter, opened the bag, packed the dried, leafy contents in a small pipe, and lit it with a lighter.
I watched in fascination. There were a few football players back home that smoked pot, but I never watched them, or joined in, for that matter.
He inhaled, and I smelled the sweet aroma. He handed it to me without a word, and I mimicked what he did. Taking a deep breath, I choked. My throat felt constricted, and I coughed. He laughed. Tears formed in my eyes. After I caught my breath, he coached me. “Hold it in for a second,” he said the next time I tried.
“I’m not feeling anything,” I told him. He didn’t answer.
He had pretty eyes. Not dreamy like Ben’s, but pretty.
I giggled. Boys weren’t supposed to be pretty.
“Yeah, we can’t go home for a while,” he said and took a hit.
“Oh-my-god. My aunt’ll be so pissed. When are we going home, anyway?”
“I dunno. It’s early.”
“Where’s my phone?” I panicked and patted my pockets until I felt where I left it. Checking the time was difficult. The numbers blurred even though I held it in my hand sturdy.
He slid off the counter and put his arm around my waist when I started to sway. Despite the chuckle brewing inside me, I welcomed his kiss. I put my hand on his chest, and he pulled me closer. I tasted marijuana mixed with whiskey on his tongue. His hands roamed my back, and I found myself walking backward until we reached the couch in the living room.
I felt woozy and floating. Things moved in slow motion. Lucas leaned me back on the sofa and kissed my neck. When his lips found mind, they were more gentle. He stopped and looked at me. “Will you go to homecoming with me?”
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. “Ye-yes.” My voice cracked.
He kissed me again, and his hands wandered from my side to my chest. I didn’t care. I was fully clothed. His fingers soon found bare skin when he lifted the edge of my shirt. He rested his hand on my stomach, as his lips wandered to my neck. I wondered what I should do now. The gentle tickle was relaxing. I didn’t want the sensation to stop and eagerly kissed him back when our lips met again. His hand wandered upward, sneaking under my bra until it reached my breast. I tingled at his touch.
This wasn’t like me, but it felt good.
I should stop him. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Deep down, I wasn’t sure I wanted to stop. It was the first time in weeks I didn’t feel the pain of loss. I felt accepted.
His fingers scanned the waistband of my jeans as if teasing what he planned next. I definitely wasn’t ready for that. My reactions were slow. I tried to reach for his hand. Instead, he pulled mine toward him, placing my palm on the bulge in his pants.
I jumped when my phone buzzed, signaling a text message. Lucas barely noticed. When his phone vibrated in his pocket, I giggled.
“Wait,” I said, pulling away. This was moving way too fast for me. My words stopped him like disconnecting a lamp from its power source. “I can’t do this.”
He sat up, cleared his throat. “Okay.”
My phone buzzed again and his vibrated, almost at the same time. His eyes were somber as he answered the call.
“Hey… yeah.” He cleared his throat again. “Just hanging out. What’s up?” He glanced at me. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be there. See ya.” When he ended the call, he said, “Drew’s having people over. Let’s go.”
“To Drew’s?”
He nodded.
“Right now?”
His eyes widened, as he nodded again. “Unless you want to stay?”
“No… do you have a bathroom here?” I headed toward the kitchen as if I knew where it was.
“Yeah. Turn right,” he answered from the living room. “Hey, Em? I’m gonna call my dad and back out of dinner.” His words were muffled behind the closed bathroom door.
I straightened my hair, wiped the smeared eyeliner from under my eyes, and put on a fresh coat of lip gloss. Suddenly, I wanted to go home.
My phone buzzed again, as Lucas locked the house. It reminded me that I hadn’t checked it the times before. Melissa’s picture popped up on the screen, notifying me of her incoming text. I couldn’t read the words very clearly, so I couldn’t reply.
“How long does this last?” I asked.
“What?” He looked at me after he hid the key amongst the plants. “Your high?”
I nodded.
“I dunno… I’m fine… You’re not?”
I shook my head and walked beside him down the driveway.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure it will wear off.”
“You’re sure?” I questioned. “Wha’ does that mean?”
“Nothin’… I mean… I don’t know… I’m not sure what’s in the brownies.”
I glared at him.
He chuckled. “Well, not exactly. Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”
Great.
We walked in the middle of the road in silence, past where I parked my car. A patch of dense trees blocked the view of the lake.
“So what did you tell your dad?” I asked.
“That Drew was having people over, and you and I were stopping there for pizza.”
“And?”
“And what? He’s fine with it… We’ll do dinner another night, I guess.”
Halfway to the corner, partially hidden behind thick brush, was another driveway. “Who lives here?” I asked as we walked by a house between Lucas’ grandfather and Drew’s. It was a single-story cottage wi
th similar siding to the Crandon house with white-and-red shutters.
“No one.”
I shot him a look.
“It’s been empty since I can remember.”
“Really?” I was surprised and even more shocked as my feet carried me toward the house in a light jog.
“Where are you going?” he called when I was already there. My right eye twitched, but I swore a light flickered in the window. I shouldn’t be doing this. Should I?
“Are you sure it’s empty?” I yelled.
He nodded and waved me back. I ignored him.
I peered into the window and jumped when my phone vibrated. Texts buzzed. Calls vibrated.
“Hi Aunt Barb,” I said, answering the phone.
“Just checking you and Lucas are skipping dinner with us. Right?” she asked.
“Oh… Yes... Sorry. I should’ve called. Ah… Drew’s having people over… I guess they’re ordering pizza.”
“You’re not there yet?”
“Um... No… Just walking up to the house,” I lied.
“Okay,” she said, hesitating before speaking again. “Did Melissa reach you? She called here.”
“No. Well, yes. I guess. She just sent me a text but you called, so I didn’t read it yet. Why? Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all… Okay, honey… Well, I’ll see you later, then… I love you.”
“Me too,” I said and ended the call. Guilt ran through me. At least I didn’t need to go home. I wondered what Melissa wanted if she called my aunt.
Lucas looked impatient and motioned me back. “Come on. We’re free for the night.”
“Okay, okay,” I mumbled, joining him in the road. I scanned the list of text messages as I walked, but I found myself swaying into Lucas. He grabbed my phone and put it in his pocket.
“Give it back!” I attempted an evil look, and then laughed.
He grinned. “Come get it, if you want.” He raised his hands above his head, tempting me to dig in his pockets. I smiled but didn’t take him up on it.
“Fine. Have it your way.”
He grabbed my hand, as we reached Drew’s front door. Lucas let us in without knocking, pulling me along, hand in hand.
I heard Drew’s voice first. “You made it!” he said and gave Lucas a high five.
“Emma,” Drew said. “Look who’s here.”
I wasn’t surprised to see Claire sitting on a stool at the island, but I didn’t expect to see Matt beside her. I felt my face go pale and was suddenly sick to my stomach. Melissa jumped out from behind Drew and screamed my name.
“Surprise!” Lucas held up the hand connected to mine and leaned down as if to kiss me. Instead, I turned my head.
“Wha-What… are you doing here? Oh-my-god!” I said to Melissa.
“I know. I couldn’t tell you,” she said.
“Hey! Missed you,” Lewis, Melissa’s boyfriend, said and then gave me a hug.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Matt stand up. The look on his face was cold, though he attempted a weak smile when our eyes met.
By the time Matt reached me, I was crying, full-blown tears.
Chapter 75
Ben's Story
“She saw you,” I said to Bianca after Emma left the window of the vacant house on Lake Bell. “You realize that, don’t you?” Bianca Beringer was smart, beautiful, and incredibly annoying. Yet, I promised Jorgenson I’d give her a chance.
She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to one side.
“You shined, Bianca… when you came through the portal. Did you do it on purpose?”
Her hard eyes softened.
“I know you’ve got field experience. You have to know how to contain the aura when you shift.” I tried to control my voice.
“I… I…” Bianca began. “I didn’t think she was that perceptive.”
“She’s high right now. Of course she’s more perceptive in this state of mind.” I raised my hands in the air and quickly dropped them to my side. “Exactly what experience have you had in the field? I mean, come on, Bianca. This is rookie 101 training here.” I wiped my brow.
“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t realize she’d be here. I didn’t think anyone would be here, actually.” Bianca seemed sincere.
I paced the old living room with the window overlooking the lake. It was calm and peaceful, a typical fall day on the inlet. Though its serenity didn’t relieve my anger.
“Where are we, anyway?” she asked aloud, while her thoughts filled with other questions. And why are we here? I thought we were on the trail of the hybrid?
Bianca and I spent the afternoon interviewing the new hybrid detected in Chicago. It was a woman, first one in a century, according to Commander E. She didn’t offer any new locations from the man captured a few weeks earlier, though she did provide an image of one of Victor’s previous disguises, buried deep in her memory.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “This is where I grew up. The house I lived in when I met Elizabeth… err… ah, Emma,” I said. “And to answer your other questions, we are tracking Victor. The sighting the hybrid had was down the road a-ways. I wanna check on Emma first.” I looked her in the eyes. “You can stay here, if you want. I’m going over to Drew’s for a few minutes.”
She nodded. “I’m really sorry,” she mumbled. Her thoughts were apologetic. It wasn’t like Bianca to be humble. She lived a rather privileged life, born to wealthy German parents. She was accustomed to getting most everything she wanted. That was, of course, until her life contract ended abruptly when she was twenty-four years old. She was filled with rage ever since.
“If you’re with me… it’s on my terms. Got it?” I stared through her eyes to her soul. Her shielding power was impressive but not good enough to block me. I watched her spirit genuflect as her human shoulders dropped in surrender.
I turned and left the house, knowing full well she was in tow.
Chapter 76
Emma's Story
There was something about the way Matt looked at me that reminded me of the day we broke up, Labor Day weekend. His weak smile didn’t make up for his sad eyes.
Disappointment encompassed me like thick smoke. First Melissa’s, “You’ve changed,” comment followed quickly with a, “But that’s okay,” remark and then there was Matt’s avoidance. His mediocre hug when I arrived reminded me of our final words that night on the island.
“Don’t let Westport change you,” he said back then. It seemed like eons ago now. The memory of that tearful goodbye haunted me. As the evening at Drew’s progressed, I started to feel more like myself. Gone was the lightheaded, dizzy feeling I had. It was replaced by a layer of guilt so heavy my shoulders ached. A permanent image of Melissa’s expression burned in my thoughts and seemed more defined as I came down from my high.
Melissa’s laughter caught my attention. She cozied up on the couch with Lewis, a beer in hand, and chatted away with Drew and Claire. Molly and TJ sat at the island with Trent. I felt isolated and out of place. It was like the first time I went to one of Drew’s parties.
I walked out to the porch to seek refuge. The bright moon cast a shimmer over the dark water. I pulled my sleeves down to my wrists. The fall air was crisp. I wished I had a thicker sweater with me, I thought, when I heard his voice.
“I didn’t expect you to fit in so quickly,” Matt said, leaning against the porch railing exactly like Ben did a month earlier. I wished it were Ben. He left already. “I mean, I’m glad you did. But I… ah…um… well, I guess I didn’t expect you to have a boyfriend already.”
“I don’t,” I blurted out, even though I knew what it looked like. I walked toward him, wanting to reach out to him, to touch him. I raised my hand the way I used to, just before he’d pull me into his arms, but when I realized he wasn’t even looking at me, I quickly lowered it.
“Melissa said you had some-thing with a guy. I thought she said his name was Ben.”
> I tilted my head. That wasn’t exactly what I said to her.
“I met him,” Matt said. “Ben. Seems nice.”
He glared at me. I turned to look at the dark lake. It was black outside, except for the ripples in the water. I bit my lip, not wanting to cry. I wrapped my arms tight across my chest.
Silence.
I glanced at Matt and looked away quickly. Why did I hurt so badly again?
“Tell me you’re not dating Lucas.”
“I… ah…” I said. Then, anger crept in. “What do you care?”
“I do care. I came here to ask you to homecoming. Then Melissa said you were interested in some guy, but I didn’t think it was Lucas. What’s up with that?”
“I… I don’t like Lucas,” I said, and then mumbled, “not like that. Not really.”
“So you didn’t come to the party together? And you’re not hanging out… or going to the dance with him then?” Matt’s direct question sobered me up completely.
“I… I am… but…”
“But what? He’s always in trouble. You know that, right?”
“He’s not like that.”
“Emma, he got arrested for drugs.”
I shook my head.
“Distribution, Emma. Not just using. Drew talks about him all the time. He’s like the local dealer at your school.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to, Emma,” he said, turning to face the water. “And to think I was worried about you. I volunteered to help Lewis and his dad today, just to see you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You should talk.”
He turned back toward me and said, “What does that mean?”
“You’ve got Aimee. You took Aimee… who I hate… to the dance and not me.”
“As friends!” He raised his voice.
I was silent. Friends?
“You dumped me two weeks before homecoming. What did you expect me to do?”
Tears welled in my eyes. “My dad died. What did you expect from me?” I clenched my teeth, fighting back the anger and waterworks.
He sighed and when he spoke again, his voice was soft. “I know that, Emma. I tried to be there for you.” He reached his hand toward my arm, but I pulled back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
I covered my face with my hands and took a deep breath.
This time, when Matt pulled me close, I let him. He wrapped me in his arms and apologized as I cried. But as soon as his hold loosened, I escaped to the house and took a hit of pot when Lucas offered it.
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