Something Witchy This Way Comes (24 page)

His brows wrinkled in the center. “From what I saw Saturday, you won’t be easy to take out.”

“In a group of thousands, I’m sure someone can handle me. Let’s move on. What are the two factions fighting for?”

David paused, his eyes darting around the room. “I’m not sure you need to know this.”

I glanced over my shoulder and flagged Tessa. She came over right away.

“Did you want something else to drink?” Her eyes moved from me to David.

“Yeah, in a minute. David is reluctant to cough up the information I’m requesting.”

“Really?” She turned to David. “Why’s that? I’ve asked Hayden to help me. How can I figure out what I’m going to do if you guys withhold information?”

David threw his hands in the air. “Fine. Whatever you want to know, ask.”

“Hey.” I grinned at Tessa, reaching into my pocket for a ten-dollar bill. “Will you bring me a cappuccino?”

She snatched the money. “Be right back.”

“What’s at stake here? What are you fighting for?” I asked, back to business. I had a feeling I didn’t have much time. I intended to squeeze him for as much as possible while I had the chance.

David lifted his mug to his lips and I wondered if he was stalling. He swallowed and set it down. “Witches aren’t the only ones with real power. There are vampires, werewolves and other types of shifters, all vying for their place in the world. Each has their own ruler. For centuries, longer actually, we’ve stayed low key because the combined forces of the supernatural world still couldn’t match human numbers. They’ve always run things and we’ve always let them.

“We could take over, if we really wanted to, but then humans would become slaves or worse. Boris’s people feel that superior life forms should be ruling over their inferiors. But they don’t realize that going mainstream means they’d have werewolves and vampires to contend with. It would become a battle to see which species could gain ultimate control — as if we’re not all fighting enough already. And werewolves are a nasty bunch. Vampires aren’t much nicer. The bad vamps are really bad. If they had their way, humans would be slaves bred for food. I doubt they’d stop at regular humans, since any of us would do.”

I shuddered inwardly. “So, what you’re saying is that you’re all too busy fighting amongst yourselves for any one group to take over?”

He nodded. “That sums it up.”

“Which is a good thing for humans. Why haven’t you already told her this?”

“We haven’t had the chance. It’s only been a few days.”

 Maybe it was David’s words or maybe it was the delivery. I didn’t know. He either had the purest of intentions or he was an Oscar-worthy actor. I wanted to believe he meant every word. “Do you trust Rena?”

“Here you go.” Tessa set a steaming mug in front of me, along with a five-dollar bill and two quarters.

“My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail,” Rena purred from behind David. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have missed the first part of this meeting.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t get an invitation either.” David tipped his head back and smiled at her. “Pull up a chair.”

“You sure Hayden won’t mind?” Rena claimed a chair and sat between David and me, forcing Tessa to move out of the way. Rena turned away from David and shot me a look that said she wanted to hook up. I didn’t believe her. She wanted something else. But what?

I played along, flashing a smile. “Nah, I won’t mind.”

“Rena, can I get you something to drink? Espresso maybe? Latte?” Tessa asked.

From the way she avoided eye contact with me, I guessed Tessa caught the interchange between Rena and me. I’d have to set her straight. But not this second. I glanced at David to find him watching Tessa. His expression had changed to curiosity. Maybe a little appreciation thrown in. I thought I saw a hint of something else too, but wasn’t sure what. Like he knew something we didn’t. Was it my imagination?

Oddly enough, the way David looked at her didn’t bother me. With Chait, it seemed different. And it bothered me. Lots.

“Black coffee with sugar, thanks.” Rena found her purse and rifled through it, slyly peering at David.

“So how old are you guys?” I asked, wondering how many years he had on Tessa, in case I’d misread his expression.

“Rena’s around forty.” He looked to her for confirmation and carried on when she nodded. I would’ve guessed early twenties.

“He knew William Shakespeare.” Rena’s mouth curled up on one side.

“I’m not
that
old,” David retorted. “I met Abe Lincoln though.”

Still too old for Tessa. Speaking of her, I needed to make sure she wasn’t mad. “I’ll be right back.”

When did Chait sneak in?

Tessa leaned over the counter from her side and he bent over the other toward her, a mug between them. Damn, they looked cozy. Tessa spotted me and straightened. Chait looked over his shoulder and gave me a nod.

Chait’s arrival was perfect. “Hey,” I said. “Did you know Rena’s hot for David?”

“Yeah.” Chait turned again to study the two for a moment.

“She was flirting with me to make him jealous. I flirted back because, you know, I’m not interested in making enemies. Yet.” My voice softened as I bellied up to the counter alongside Chait and gazed at Tessa. “Besides, it’s hard to think about any other girl when Tessa’s around.”

She looked down, cheeks flushing.

“Nice one, Hayden. I’ll have to remember that line,” Chait said blandly.

“Won’t do you any good. Tessa’s already heard it.” I smirked.

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Guys. Can we not start this again?”

“Chait, how old are you?” Inquiring competitors wanted to know.

“Nineteen.”

“Nineteen in human years or sorcerer years?” I asked.

He chuckled. “Real years.”

Damn. He wasn’t much older than us and wouldn’t look like a pervert.

“I was about to ask Chait what he was doing tonight.” She eyed me as though urging me to take the hint and invite him into our circle.

“You and I have plans after work. You don’t have a shift tomorrow though, right?” I switched to Chait. “Tomorrow night. My house. Seven.”

“Okay.” He shrugged.

“Witches always move in twos or threes?” I asked Chait. It was bad enough we had to involve Chait. Bringing in anyone else took me further out of my comfort zone. “Can you make an exception tomorrow? Tessa and I would rather keep this between the three of us.”

“No problem. They won’t be expecting me to sneak out. ” Chait picked up his coffee, strolled to David’s table and took
my
chair. Douche.

“We have plans tonight?” Tessa asked. “Wanna clue me in?”

“Don’t worry. You and I will be in separate rooms.”

I returned to our table, grabbing a vacant chair on my way. “So, what did I miss?”

Chapter Twenty-one

Tessa

Exhaustion clung to me like a spider web that sticks to you no matter how many different ways you try to wipe it on something else. I propped up my leg against the dashboard and scooted against the car door, my head leaning against the passenger side window. It had been a long day. I hoped whatever Hayden had planned would be quick so I could drive home and go to sleep.

Hayden pulled up in his driveway and I slogged into his house after him.

He pointed to the leather couch once we’d gotten inside his house. “Wait here.”

I plopped onto it, closed my eyes and listened to him patter down the hallway. A moment later I heard water running. Was he taking a shower? He seemed to be gone forever but I didn’t care, so long as I could keep my eyes closed.

When he stood in front of me again, he held out his hand.

I took it. “No funny business, right? Because honestly, I’m too tired to fight it. Unfortunately for you, I’d just lie there and be no fun.”

He laughed softly. “Remember, I told you we’d be in separate rooms.”

Hayden led me down the hallway to the bathroom and opened the door wide. The lights were off, replaced by more than a dozen candles. There was water already in the tub — with bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles.

So he
had
heard me. And remembered.

Hayden pointed to a pile of folded clothes. “Pair of sweats and a t-shirt, so you’ll have clean clothes to put on. If you want.”

What a sweet, thoughtful thing to do. On impulse, I stretched up on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. I saw the hunger and the intensity in his eyes and I knew I couldn’t stop it. Even if I wanted to. Which I didn’t.

As if in a daze, I watched his lips lower to mine. They touched softly, the gentle pressure of his mouth coaxing mine open. A moment later — much too soon — he stood straight again, our lips separating. Was that desire I saw in his eyes? Was it possible he wanted me as much as I wanted him right then?

He smiled and touched my cheek. “Have a nice bath.” Then he was gone.

After melting in the steamy water and bubbles, I was too tired to drive so Hayden took me home. He saw me safely inside then parked his car around the corner where it would be less likely seen in case my parents decided to make an appearance.

The babysitter left and I settled Hayden in my room to sleep while I went off to snuggle with Bree on her tiny bed. I hadn’t seen her since dropping her off at school that morning. I hated working nights. When Bree and I moved out, it would only get worse since I’d be working longer hours to handle expenses. It would be worth it though.
She
was worth it.

* * * *

Today would be different — no meeting with Fawn or Mr. Linton, no shift at Delia’s later. Hayden and I could get in a lesson at his house right after school before Chait arrived. But if we stayed at Hayden’s, I’d miss my chance to see Bree before she fell asleep. Mornings weren’t enough.

At lunch, I invited Hayden to sit at our table. Bryce was there with a few of my other dorky friends — yet he
still
joined us, taking a spot right next to me.

“Hey, why don’t we have Chait come to my house?” I whispered when the others got involved in conversation. “That way, I can spend some time with Bree.”

Hayden mulled it over a moment. “We might need the extra space at my house. We’ll bring Bree with us. She can eat and sleep there as easily as anywhere. Meet with Chait later, get in a lesson and hang out with Bree in between. That way it won’t really matter what time Chait comes over.”

“Yeah.” I gnawed my bottom lip. “It makes more sense, I suppose.”

“We can carry Bree to the car when we’re ready and sleep at your house.” Hayden glanced at our tablemates, his voice remaining low. “So… that party I told you about this Saturday, did you want to go?”

I gave a half laugh. “Not really.”

“Do you want to do something else? It’s still four days away, but I thought you might be one of those compulsive planners.”

I stared down at my plate. “I don’t know. I’ve been out a lot. I’ll probably want to stay home with Bree.”

“So stay with her. Once she goes to bed, the babysitter can watch her for an hour or two while she sleeps.”

My eyes scanned the area, landing on my guard, then Brad who immediately looked away. “The thing is… you and I spend a lot of time together already. You should go out, meet other girls.”

He covered my hand with his and gazed at me. “I don’t want to meet other girls.”

My stomach flipped and churned. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Nadia and Corinne frozen in their seats, their eyes glued to us. I reclaimed my hand by pulling it away. “You should though, right?” I whispered, huddling closer to him to ensure no one heard. “It’s not going anywhere with us. Think about it, Hayden. I’ll be eighteen in about a month. Instant guardian. Being with me means playing Daddy to Bree.”

I looked down and squeezed my eyes shut while powering up to give Hayden the rest of my speech. Letting him kiss me for twenty-four hours straight would’ve been my first choice. But he’d never stick around, not if it required that he become a responsible adult.

Why put off the inevitable?

After a deep breath, I made eye contact with him again. “I like you. But you won’t always be there for me. So why start something we can’t finish?”

“Who says we won’t finish it?” He reached for my hand again.

Maybe Hayden meant that sincerely now, but who knew if his feelings would last? I snaked my hand away. “The last thing I want is to walk away feeling like I made a huge mistake. So let’s not make the mistake, okay? Go to Skyler’s party and be with other girls.” I almost choked on the last two words. “I have a lot going on right now. You need to concentrate on you. Don’t forget you’re about to be discovered.”

“Fine.” He returned his attention to his lunch and didn’t say another word until we sat in the library later to tackle his lessons.