Something Witchy This Way Comes (21 page)

“What the hell are you going off about? Does this have to do with your parents?” She rounded on me, her eyes shooting daggers. “Poor Hayden. At least your parents know you’re alive. And all those trophies must have taken a while to win. Years?”

I shifted my weight to the other leg and looked away a moment, wondering what she was getting at. It felt like a trap. “Yeah, why?”

“You’ve been able to defend your mom and yourself for a while. Several years later and everything that goes wrong is still your dad’s fault? When is your life
your
responsibility?”

“Step-dad,” I corrected. That was a mistake. Her face flushed an even deeper shade of scarlet and she looked like she was about to pummel me.

“Get out of my room. Now.” She pointed to the door. “You can sleep on the couch or go home. Whatever.”

Chapter Nineteen

Tessa

No boy had ever spent the night at my house. Thankfully, my parents hadn’t come home.

I needed to get Bree to school but my car still sat in the driveway at Hayden’s house. Once again, I was at his mercy.

He darkened my doorway. “Hey.”

I spared him a glance, long enough to notice his bare chest and his well-defined arm muscles bracing the doorway to my bedroom. “What’s up?” I continued putting away the mountain of clothes I’d taken out of the closet during my quest for anything to wear that I wasn’t completely sick of.

“What time do we have to leave so Bree’s not late for school?”

So he remembered. A thin layer of last night’s annoyance peeled off. “Twenty minutes.”

“Okay.”

Unfortunately, his behavior and our argument the night before hadn’t dampened my lust for him at all. I stayed focused on my clothes, hoping he’d leave before I begged him to put a shirt on — or jumped him. I was grossly disappointed in myself and my compromised standards.

Why was he still standing there?

“Hey, I’m sorry about last night, with Chait. I, uhm…” His eyes strayed across the room. “I got a little jealous. It was a stressful day. It was late. Sorry.”

Did he have to go and admit he was jealous, apologize and be shirtless — all in one breath? And, Holy Mother of God, his sculpted six-pack threatened to override any good judgment I had left. The slow smile creeping over his face told me I’d been caught ogling. “Yeah, nice abs.” I took pains to make sure I sounded bored. “Now, would you please put a shirt on?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned. “I’ll be ready in about five minutes. Need any help with anything?”

The last bit of anger melted away and all I wanted to do was kiss him for his offer of help. “Would you mind finding Bree and make sure she’s ready and not playing? I’ll start on her lunch in a minute, then make breakfast.”

As we headed out the door twenty minutes later, I grabbed Bree’s lunch and my purse. “Bree, let’s go.” I’d seen her a minute ago. Where was she? What happened to Hayden?

“Yeah, but if you marry Tessa, you can read to me every night.” Bree entered the living room clinging to Hayden’s hand.

“I don’t think your sister likes me
that
much.” Hayden wrinkled his nose at her and she giggled. “C’mon, let’s get you to school, midget.”

I opened the door, feeling invisible as Hayden passed through the doorway with Bree, chuckling and poking her in the ribs.

“Are you picking me up from school today?” she asked, face hopeful.

“We’ll see. It depends on your sister though. Sometimes, when I’ve been bad, she throws me in the dungeon.” He gave her a look of terror. It was hard not to smile.

“The dungeon?” She squealed. “No way.”

Hayden chuckled, plopped her in the back seat of the borrowed SUV and buckled her up.

I could totally see myself doing this with Hayden every single morning forever. But who was I kidding? He’d last two mornings, tops.

 I couldn’t fall in love with him. Nope. Not an option.

* * * *

We stopped by the principal’s office before first period. I went inside to talk to Mr. Linton while Hayden waited in the corridor. Eager to be amenable, Mr. Linton agreed to have the recommendation letter ready after my last class. Then he asked me to relay to Hayden that his services were no longer needed.

If Linton didn’t tell Hayden personally, Hayden had less chance of being detected. I think I did okay at hiding my relief — not to mention my surprise that he hadn’t brought up the whole kidnapping fiasco. He was probably saving it for our meeting after school.

Now that Hayden was off the hook, he’d have little, if any, interaction with Fawn or the principal. I could tell Hayden what he was. I smiled, imagining his reaction at learning he had powers, like me. Once Hayden became comfortable with his abilities, Chait would never again wonder who’d win in a fighting match. Hayden would, for sure. Wait. Maybe that wasn’t good for Hayden to know.

I didn’t have a choice though. Hayden had to be told.

At lunch, I masochistically sat where I could watch several girls sit with Hayden, Brad and Skyler. A scan of the cafeteria told me the location of my new guard. A blond guy. Kind of cute. He was the only new student and he’d shared all my classes so far. He was very good at his job because I could never quite tell that he was watching me.

I didn’t need a guard. Not that I wasn’t in any danger, but both sides had told me that the real threat wouldn’t arise until I chose sides. More likely, the guard was a spy to keep them informed of my activities.

By the time Nadia and Corinne arrived, I’d already started eating.

“Where have you been all weekend?” Nadia took the spot next to me.

“I called four times. I was getting worried about you.” Corinne sat across from me, scowling.

I couldn’t tell them that two rival sorcerer groups were vying for my affection or that I’d been kidnapped. Although I had to admit, describing to them how Hayden rescued me would’ve been fun. But the only truth I could give them was that I’d spent the entire weekend with Hayden. Knowing my friends, they’d get their hopes up that I might snag the hottest catch in school. I had to present it in such a way that Hayden didn’t look like a hero or I’d never hear the end of it.

“Hayden monopolized me all weekend. I think he’s trying to pull a Blane.” I gave a little snort for emphasis, hoping they’d buy it.

“
All
weekend?” Corinne bumped her shoulder against mine.

Nadia’s leaned in. “Tell us everything.”

 “We weren’t making out or anything.” I set my burger down and gave them my somber face. “We trained at that karate studio on Fifth, then hung out after. I can’t imagine him actually being serious about me, can you?” I held up hands out in an empty gesture.

“I guess not.” Corinne’s shoulders drooped.

Nadia dejectedly unwrapped her sandwich. “Are you sure he’s not maybe a little bit sincere?”

“How long have we been exposed to Hayden and his friends?” I asked.

“When you put it that way…” Nadia sighed. “What a waste of a royally hot guy.”

Good. They were buying it. Though I hated lying to my friends.

“Speaking of hot guys, what was the deal with the dude at Delia’s Saturday night? I almost fainted when I saw him.” Corinne looked to Nadia for affirmation. “Wasn’t he the most gorgeous guy you’ve ever seen? Nice too, from what I could tell. What did he want?”

“Oh, yeah, super cute.” How could I explain Chait? “I met him at the liquor store when I stopped for a soda and mentioned I was working that night. He showed up. Who knew?”

Hayden sat his tray down next to Corinne. “Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” Corinne waggled her eyebrows at me. “Here, take my spot so you can sit across from Tessa.” Judas slid over and Hayden moved in.

I wondered what his friends thought about Hayden traveling in the wrong social circles. But those thoughts deserted me when I saw Brad zero in on, then move toward the same boy he’d pushed around last week.

“I’ll be right back.” I darted in front of Brad, blocking him from his destination two tables away. “Hey, Brad.”

He beamed. “Hey, Tessa. Tired of Hayden already?”

“Actually, I’m doing a favor for a friend and wanted to ask you something. It’s for a paper she’s doing.”

“Sure. Ask.”

I smiled. “Let’s just say you did something unspeakable, something so vile you would never tell a soul.” That was all I needed to say before his mental pictures rushed me and I had the ammunition I’d hoped for. “For instance, if it involved hot oil, duct tape and getting robbed by a prostitute. You wouldn’t want anyone to find out, right?”

He stared at me, mouth open, shaking his head.

I smiled sweetly. “I didn’t think so. So I’ll tell you what — never let me hear of you bullying anyone, and I mean
anyone
, ever again or that story goes public. Got it?”

He nodded, wide eyes fixed on me.

“I thought you’d see things my way. Have a nice lunch.” I patted him on the cheek.

Hayden was still watching Brad when I reclaimed my seat. “What the hell did you say to him? He looks terrified.”

“I saw him eyeing that boy again. You know the kid he always steals from when you
stand by and watch
?” I raised my brows, emphasizing the last words to make sure he got how I felt about it.

Hayden blew out a breath. “I’ll say something next time, okay?”

“Too late. I already fixed it. When someone’s in trouble, they shouldn’t have to ask for help. It’s called compassion.”

“
You
didn’t have to ask for help over the weekend, did you? Damn it, Tessa. I’m trying, okay?” He averted his gaze and brooded.

“Only because you want to sleep with me. That poor boy doesn’t have the same body parts, so no one thinks about him.”

He stared at his tray a moment, then stood. “Forget it.”

Nadia’s eyes followed his retreating figure. “Wow, what was that all about?”

“Damn, you really like him, don’t you? Pity the fool you fall in love with.” Corinne snorted.

“Corinne, really? You were with me for the whole Blane thing. You want me to go through that again? Because Hayden is the perfect guy for that.”

“I don’t know, Tessa,” Corinne said doubtfully. “Hayden’s used to getting his way with girls, but he’s not like Blane. Hayden says it like it is.”

Corinne spoke the truth. So why was I getting so worked up, grumpy and stirring up every other negative emotion? Because he’d been nice to my little sister and I’d imagined Hayden as part of my daily morning routine. God, I’d even fantasized about the three of us doing another day trip.

Time to ’fess up. I glanced from Nadia to Corinne. “I
do
like Hayden. Too much. He does these things that make me melt, you know? And—” My eyes found Hayden. “But he’ll never be that guy who’ll stay forever. I don’t know if there’s a forever guy out there for me. But if I’m going to invest, I need at least the hope of it. He’ll get tired of me. Don’t you see?”

Nadia covered my hand with hers. “He probably
will
break your heart,” she said solemnly, “but think of the wild ride getting there.”

I laughed. “You have no idea.”

“Does that mean he kissed you again?” Corinne gasped. “Did you sleep with him?”

“He kissed me twice total. That’s it.”

“Sounds tasty.” Corinne’s eyes twinkled. “I hate to have to remind you of this, but you’re only seventeen. You can date and have fun. It’s okay. No one will judge you.”

“Yeah, Tessa, it’s not life or death. Date him, have a good time. If it gets weird, dump him. It won’t make you a slut or a horrible person.”