Gossamer (17 page)

The corner of his mouth tugged up. “I can’t say all, but most grants are guards. Serious comes with the job.”

“So, you’re a guard?” He nodded. “Hmm.”

“Hmm, what?” A smile still played at the corners of his mouth.

“I’m not surprised. You’re observant and cautious. Protective. But, I guess that comes with the job, too.”

“Protective?” His tone doubtful as he repeated my word choice. “I don’t know about that. My job is to sense danger and act upon it if necessary. Safety–I provide safety. I think protectiveness is fueled by emotions, typically, and that goes beyond my job description.”

I was taken aback by Grant’s comment. It seemed almost cold. “But, you told my parents you’d protect me?”

We finally arrived at our destination and I could see Conor already waiting. Grant stopped and looked at me.

“And I will,” he said and walked away.

I was locked into place. My brain incapable of processing his comment and walking at the same time. Was that his way of saying he cared about me? Which really didn’t mean much. I cared about my friends, too. Oh, but I really wanted him to mean something more.
Don’t read too much into it.
I forced my mind to clear and approached the guys.

Grant filled Conor in on Lexie’s plans to pick us up. He seemed to like the idea of not having to walk the entire way and I could have sworn he liked the idea of seeing Lexie one last time.

The three of us stood silently waiting for her. The humid night air left my skin clammy. A few minutes later a black car pulled up alongside the curb. The tinted passenger window glided down and Lexie peered out at us.

“Need a ride?” She asked with a wicked grin. I grinned back. I was going to miss her. I opened the door and decided to let the boys fight over who got the front seat. Grant stopped me and told me to sit in the front. Although I’m sure he was being a gentleman, I had a strong feeling they didn’t want to deal with the onslaught of questions she was sure to have.

They squished into the back and I climbed in. I pulled my seat up as far as possible, feeling sorry for Grant as he tried to contort into such a small space. I felt bad for Conor too, of course.

As soon as we were buckled, Lexie’s car coasted onto the quiet street.

“Okay, first where to?” She looked at me expectantly. I glanced back at the boys. Grant spoke up giving her directions. She nodded, not even caring that we were asking her to drive us practically out of town.

She laughed. “It’s pretty funny you’re making your big getaway from Pansy Lane.”

“Thank you!” I over exaggerated my words and rolled my eyes at Grant. “See. Joke. Funny.” He grinned and shook his head. I faced front again as my heart fluttered from the adorable way he looked at me.

“Now, spill!” Like a kid on Christmas morning, Lexie could barely contain herself. “What’s going on with you guys?”

While waiting for her I had been thinking of what I could say. I had some ideas but once I started talking it came out easier than I expected.

“Well, I’m going on a little road trip with the boys.”

She arched an eyebrow at me. “You running away Kylie?” She asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“Actually, yes.” Her jaw dropped. “Well, I sort of stumbled onto some information.” Grant shifted uneasily in the backseat. “I discovered I was adopted.” I paused for her reaction.

“You’re shitting me?” She loved drama. “That does actually explain why you look nothing like your parents.”

“That’s exactly what I thought,” I said. “Anyway, I found out I was adopted and my parents never told me about it. I confronted them and they ’fessed up, but I’m upset they kept it from me. You know?” This was for the most part not too far from the truth.

“So this is why you weren’t at school today, isn’t it? I knew there was something going on.”

I hadn’t even thought about it, but that actually worked out perfect. I went with it. “Yeah, it is. While I was at home today, thanks to the Internet, I found my birth mother. She lives only about four hours away. Crazy, huh? She’s that close and I never knew.”

Lexie stayed quiet as she digested this information.

“Well, I want to see her. In person. I don’t know how it will go but I have to try. Grant offered to come with me, but since he doesn’t have a car he talked Conor into driving us.”

“That’s awesome.”

I was kind of stunned she didn’t ask more questions. Like for one, why was Conor’s car on the edge of town.

“We figure it will just be a day trip or so. I’m pretty pissed at my parents right now though, and since I’m legally an adult now, there is not much they can say or do. I guess I’ll just figure out what to do when I get there.”

“Wow, Kylie this is very bold of you. I’m proud of you. Although a little bummed you didn’t ask me to take you on this excursion.” Lexie’s mouth formed a small frown.

I shrugged. “I thought about it, but I didn’t want to get you into trouble. Your parents would eventually realize you were gone, at least I think they would.” I stopped and we both laughed at her parents, not really funny, lack of parental skills. “When they did they would get mad. Then there’s school. You can’t afford any more absences if you want to graduate.”

“Yeah. I guess you’re right. Damn you for always thinking about my best interest.” She said playfully as she glanced at me then returned her focus onto the road. “You better hurry back, Kylie. Only a day right? It better not be more. I will miss you way too much.”

My heart ached, but I smiled. “I’ll hurry. You won’t even know I’m gone, and I promise to keep in touch.” She seemed satisfied by this. Once again I was surprised how easy this was, it reminded me of my conversation before dinner with my parents and my convincing Lexie to go home last night.

We chatted a bit more and way too quickly made it to the car. It was a bit off the road and hidden by trees.

“I love you and all, Kylie, but I am not getting my paint job scratched up to give you curb service.” She parked a safe distance off the road but not too close to the dense overgrowth of trees. “Well I guess this is it.”

We got out of the car. Lexie walked around to my side and gave me a giant hug.

“Be careful, Kylie. And snap a picture of your mom and text it to me. I am dying to know what she looks like. She has to be beautiful to have created this.” She motioned to all of me. I laughed. “I’m serious.”

And I could tell she was.

“That or your dad was smokin’ hot. Probably both because, damn girl, you’ve got some good genes.” She smiled as she spoke.

My cheeks warmed. I never did take compliments well and her saying this in front of Grant made it that much harder. “Seriously, Kylie, you’re beautiful. Everyone sees that but you.” She gave me a big hug again and whispered, “And I mean everyone.”

She pulled away and glanced at Grant. I looked over at him too. He stared right at me and my cheeks burned even hotter.

“Okay, stop. You’re crazy, Lexie...and of course that’s why I love you.”

Conor seemed anxious to head out so I said my final goodbyes to Lexie and she said hers to the boys, lingering a bit on one. Conor smiled, but truly seemed sad to leave her. Their bond fascinated me.

Eventually, she walked to her car and before getting in, called out to me. “Oh and Kylie.” I faced her. “You better call or text. I want details...about
everything
.” She shifted her gaze to Grant as she drew out the word everything.

My eyes widened. “Stop,” I mouthed to her. She laughed and hopped into her car. I shook my head and turned to find Grant watching the whole thing. If I thought I couldn’t be any more embarrassed tonight, I was wrong. I immediately looked down, unable to make eye contact.

I climbed into the backseat behind Conor, who was driving. Grant climbed into the passenger seat, buckled up, then turned around.

“That was a good idea, having Lexie come pick us up.” Conor started the car and pulled into the road.

“Yeah, that walk would have sucked,” I replied. Grant laughed. “Although it went a lot better than I expected. I thought Lexie would be cool with it, but it’s crazy how easy it was.”

“Well you were fantastic,” Grant said sincerely.

Conor jumped in, “No kidding. You may only be half-Fae but you definitely got all the charm.”

I wrinkled my nose. “What do you mean?”

“You know. Faery charm.”

I furrowed my brow. Grant watched my reaction.

“You don’t know, do you? I suspected it from watching you at school.” My heart fluttered. He watched me at school? “I thought you seemed to get people to see your way but it was hard to tell. It’s so subtle I couldn’t decide if it’s just the fact you’re naturally appealing or if it was some of the Fae charm.” And I’m appealing. Now my heart raced. “But after it worked last night, I knew, it’s definitely Fae charm. I wasn’t sure how strong it was but tonight you proved you can charm just as easily as a full-blooded Fae. Not that you aren’t always charming.” He winked. “But, you know, it’s just an extra boost.”

If I were to pass out right here in the back of the car, I wonder what he would think?
I was pretty sure I might hyperventilate. He had no idea what hearing things like that come out of his mouth did to me, and then the wink. Forget it, I was gone.

“Oh for sure,” Conor cut off my dreamy thoughts, “that was charm. Haven’t you ever noticed you can persuade people and you make friends easily?”

I considered that. “Well, sometimes I feel like I can be persuasive, but who can’t be when they want to? Although tonight with my parents was a bit too easy and this whole thing with Lexie is crazy. She should have asked more questions last night and tonight.”

Grant laughed as he watched me process this. “Now that you know, go easy on us. Okay?” He winked again. After my heart started working again, the new information sunk in. Could I persuade them to do whatever I wanted? I chewed on my lip as I imagined the possibilities. This was surreal.

Conor spoke up as he watched me through the rear view mirror. “Although we aren’t as susceptible to it. It works best on humans.” He smiled, obviously guessing my thoughts. Grant laughed again and shifted to face forward.

As we drove, I mulled over the things I’d learned, replaying everything and trying to make sense of it. It seemed like the conversation that had started this had happened days ago, when in reality it had only been a few hours. The car slowed, and I snapped out of my reverie. Conor had pulled into a twenty-four hour gas station.

“I have to fill up real quick. We have a lot more driving to do.”

“I’m going inside to get some drinks, want anything?” Grant asked.

“Actually, I’ll just go in with you.”

We both got out and said nothing as we walked side-by-side toward the brightly lit store. Grant held the door open for me and as I stepped in, the clerk, who looked only a few years older than me, immediately sat up.

“Hi there. Can I help you with anything?” He wore a polite smile but his eyes raked my body in a not-so-polite manner.

“Um, I’m okay thanks.” As I said this Grant moved in beside me. Seeing my very tall, well-built companion, the gangly guy at the counter sat back down and slumped his shoulders.

“Well, let me know if I can be of any help.”

Grant stared at him but said nothing. The guy eventually glanced down and went back to reading the magazine spread on the counter.

We headed over to the drinks. Grant reached for several sodas and looked at me. “What would you like?”

“I’d actually love some water.” He pulled out several bottles of water as well.

How long was this road trip going to be?

“Want some snacks?” He headed over to the chips. I spotted the sign for the restroom, and not wanting to be that girl who made them stop so she could go to the bathroom, I figured I might as well go while I had the chance.

“Um, just grab me whatever you’re getting. I’ll be right back.” I pointed in the direction of the bathroom.

“Sure,” he said, then returned his attention to the chip selection.

I walked up to the girls’ bathroom door and turned the handle. Locked. I noticed the sign.

Please see attendant for key
.

Are you kidding me?
I rolled my eyes and went up to the clerk. As I approached he perked up again.

“What can I do you for?” He asked, once again not looking at me, or at least not at the parts he should be looking at. I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I need the bathroom key.”

“Sure, let me get that for you.” He reached down and produced a giant rectangular block of wood with a key dangling from it. I took it, mumbling, “Thanks, I’ll try not to lose it.” Which, in turn, made him laugh, a bit too much.

Geez, it wasn’t that funny.
I walked back to the bathroom, finally able to get in. When I finished, I washed my hands and splashed some cool water on my face. All that walking earlier had left me sticky and grimy. I toweled my face and hands dry. At least they were clean. I lugged the humongous key ring back up to the guy. Grant stood at the counter getting ready to pay, and I was grateful I wouldn’t have to deal with the clerk alone again. I slid the block of wood across the counter avoiding eye contact.