Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (48 page)
“Good morning, birthday girl,” Sam greeted her, standing and giving her a big hug.
“Happy birthday, Cat,” Rachel said, pushing Sam aside and pulling her close.
Taylor smirked, “Yeah, happy b-day, Red Freak. Hope this one turns out better than last year.”
“Of course it will. We’re doing it my way this year…no surprise,” Rachel replied. She let go of Cat and swatted at Taylor’s hair. “He really does love you, you know,” she continued, smiling at her.
“I know he does,” Cat grinned as Taylor made a face at her behind their mom’s back.
“So, how does it feel to be seventeen?” Sam asked, as Rachel filled Cat’s plate with food.
“No different than sixteen, I guess. Except I don’t feel weird…er,” Cat answered.
“You look weird, though. Okay, Mom, leave the hair alone. I’m sorry,” Taylor complained. Standing up, he gave his mom a kiss on the cheek, fist bumped his dad, and tugged on Cat’s hair as he flew out of the room.
“I swear, boys never grow up! I mean, look at your father. Prime example,” Rachel commented, pushing Sam away as he tried to pull her hair. “Now off to work with you. And please act like a grown-up while you’re there. I don’t want to have to go and speak with the dean about you again,” Rachel giggled as Sam reached out to grab her and missed as she ducked, moving to the other side of the table.
“I’m off to school so you guys can have some alone time,” Cat joked. She chuckled at the shock on her mom’s face as her dad grabbed her and went in for a kiss. Putting on her coat, Cat smiled at the laughter coming from the kitchen.
The cold wind tore through her as Cat opened the door to the Jeep. Julie came sprinting across the road, bundled up so that her eyes were the only parts showing.
“Darn, its sooooo cold! I wish we were in Florida right now,” Julie moaned, climbing into the passenger side.
“Yeah, it’s a little nippy, huh?” Cat rubbed her hands together as the heater finally kicked in, sending them much needed warmth.
“Happy birthday, Cat! You have to wait for your present until tonight, though. I can’t believe a year has passed since your last birthday.”
“Don’t remind me. I’m still mortified that I passed out in front of everyone and missed my cake. This year I feel great, and I’m going to get some cake. Even if I have to eat it as soon as the party starts. I want cake!” Cat giggled as Julie rolled her eyes.
“So you don’t even want presents? Well, I’ll take mine back. Or better still, I’ll just keep it. I want one anyway.”
“Want one what?” Cat asked innocently.
“I may be cold, Catherine Colvin, but I won’t fall for that. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Okay, I’ll wait, but we better get a move on because here comes you-know-who and her little monster. And the last thing we need is to be late for school.”
“Put your foot on that gas, girl, and let’s go! That lady drives me nuts,” Julie said and then cheered as the Jeep took off down the driveway.
“Silly girls driving so fast! Parents should have a strong grip on them and not let them act like wild animals. Thank goodness you don’t drive, Fredricka. Now pee so Mummy can go inside. It’s colder than the dickens out here. Not on Mummies boot you naughty girl! I swear, you need glasses,” Maude Roberts reprimanded, dragging the little pooch behind her.
That night Cat’s birthday party was in full swing by seven. The young ones had taken over the living room forcing the grown-ups into the kitchen and study.
“I think Cat looks wonderful, given what she’s gone through. I’m so glad Dr. Bane found out what was causing her illness. Last year was just awful,” Amanda’s mom, Aurora, stated.
“Yes, it was. And of course it doesn’t hurt that Harold Bane is such a hunk,” Matt’s mom, Lilly, whispered which caused everyone to laugh.
“Quiet, he might hear you. We don’t want him getting a bigger head than he already has,” Rachel giggled, watching the door. “And we definitely don’t want any of the kids to hear us. Even though you’re absolutely right. Though I will say Harold has some competition now with Gerard McNeil in town.”
“Oh I know, and isn’t his English accent to die for?” Lilly stated.
The men heard the women laughing from the kitchen and wondered why.
“You must have half of Astoria High here for your birthday,” Duffie shouted over the music.
“Yeah, Taylor hates that all of his friends love me,” Cat joked. “Hey, where’s Leif?” she asked, looking around the room.
“He’s hiding over there in the corner. He heard that two of the girls who’ve been driving him bonkers are here. He’s just trying to avoid them,” Duffie replied.
“I don’t blame those girls. If I wasn’t already hooked, I’d probably join them,” Cat replied and then jumped as two arms came around her waist.
“Join who?” Ryan asked close to her ear.
“Oh nothing, just girl talk. And didn’t you learn anything from the last time you startled me from behind?” she asked with one eyebrow raised. “And where have you been? The birthday girl has been neglected and-” Cat didn’t get to finish her sentence before he twirled her around.
“Sorry, but I had to hang out with the guys for a bit. But now that I’ve done my duty, I’m all yours.” Ryan’s smile made Cat melt.
“You’re forgiven. Now please go and fight that crowd and get us something to drink. Everyone’s threatened me with birthday spankings, even though I’ve told them I’m too old for that, so I’m trying to keep my back to the wall.”
“Your wish is my command, ladies. I’ll be right back.” Ryan slightly bowed and plunged into the crowd.
“Cat, if you didn’t already have your claws in him, I’d give you a run for your money,” Duffie sighed. Cat laughed, linking arms with the gorgeous dark-skinned Brit.
“Uh-oh, here comes Amanda, and she doesn’t look happy,” Cat murmured.
“So somebody needs to give the waterboy some serious tips about dating,” Amanda stated. “If I was Hannah, I’d leave his arse.”
“So what travesty did Matt commit now?” Cat asked.
“Well, you see that girl he’s dancing with over there?” Cat and Duffie nodded. “That’s the third girl, other than Hannah, he’s danced with tonight. I mean, he did ask her if it was okay, but still. Ugh, men! They’re all pigs!” Amanda’s anger subsided as a mischievous look came across her face. “I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to find a guy to ask Hannah to dance. Let’s see how Matt likes that,” she stated defiantly and then walked off.
“Amanda’s definitely an intense person, huh?” Duffie asked.
“Uh, yeah, just a little,” Cat joked. “At least now she’s kind of found her niche with The Damianic Bombshells. She used to be all over the place. We never knew which version of Amanda we were going to get. At least now there’s some consistency,” she continued with a laugh.
“Hey, why aren’t Bridgette and her band here tonight?” Duffie asked.
“Maybe we’re not cool enough for them to show up. Their loss.”
“Just between you and me, there’s something off about them. And what’s with Mrs. Rosenbaum being their fangirl? Kind of weird if you ask me,” Duffie commented.
“Alright, I’ve got refreshments here. One fruit punch for my birthday girl and one pink lemonade for the Duffster,” Ryan stated, handing the pair their drinks. They both thanked him and Cat gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Cat, you have a phone call,” Rachel announced, coming up behind her, and competing with the music.
“Who is it?”
She laughed. “I didn’t ask. I’m not trying to play the part of nosy mother here.”
“You, Mom? No, never,” Cat replied sarcastically.
“You hush. It’s probably someone wanting to wish you a happy birthday,” Rachel said, gently guiding her in the direction of the foyer.
“Maybe you should give my father some advice on that subject, Mrs. Colvin,” Duffie joked.
“Oh, where is Gerard? I did invite him,” Rachel asked.
“He’s doing inventory at the store and scheduling some local author book signings. He said he might stop by later, though,” she responded with a smile.
Picking up the phone in the front hall, “Hello, this is the birthday girl,” Cat said. There was silence. “Hello?” she repeated again.
“Happy last birthday to you…happy last birthday to you…happy last birthday, dear Catherine…happy last birthday to you!”
An eerie chorus of voices sang.