Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (50 page)

“I’ll come back and walk you to class,” Roman said,
placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

Once he left, Josie turned to me and said, “You know
I don’t care if Roman stays over, but a little warning next time
would be nice.”

“Sorry about that. It was an accident. We both just
fell asleep.”

“Ugh, how boring.”

“What did you expect?” I laughed.

“I thought maybe I rubbed off on you a little, but I
guess not.”

“I look at that as a good thing.”

“Hey,” she pouted, making me laugh harder. I got up
to head into the bathroom to get ready for class. “Is Roman always
this grouchy in the morning? Because I might rethink this whole
staying over thing.”

“No, I think it’s just the lack of nookie. We were so
used to having our own room it’s been, well, three weeks this
weekend, since we…you know.”

She rolled her eyes. “Had mad monkey sex?”

“Mad monkey sex? What is that? You know what, don’t
tell me.” I closed the door to the bathroom and got ready for
class.

Roman walked with me as promised and then we parted
ways. Every day was the same. Roman would walk me to class and then
I’d see him at lunch, dinner, and training. We would hang out for a
bit afterwards and then part ways. I myself was desperately missing
having my own room and was looking forward for when Roman and I
could find some
‘alone’
time together.

Josie spent most of her time hanging with Cassidy or
the other angels. I couldn’t say that I wasn’t jealous. I got my
best friend back and the most I’ve seen her was when we ate or
slept. I understood the need to hang out with the other angels, but
Cassidy? Really? Their sudden budding relationship had me worried.
I hadn’t seen Kyle that much either. We would run into each other
from time to time, but it was usually in passing on our way to
class. We would exchange a quick hello and that was it.

No one had commented on my blue streaks since the
first day or the rumors that were quickly fading. My life was
finally becoming somewhat normal and I was going to take the
opportunity to enjoy every minute of it.

Friday was here before I knew it and I was looking
forward to relaxing this weekend, except that I promised Josie I
would go to the party with her. I wasn’t crazy about going
considering the last time I went to a school party Mackenzie had
played a prank on me where I ended up covered in blood. Josie
promised she would not let anything happen, but I knew some things
were just unpreventable.

Not having spent that much time with Josie since
she’s been back, I agreed to go. According to Cameron and Dean,
this was the party of all parties because it was the welcome back
to school party. Funny thing, I could have sworn they said the same
thing about the last one. Roman was only going because I was,
although I knew he would have rather taken advantage of the empty
bedroom and so would have I, but I promised him that Josie said we
could have the room to ourselves tonight and she would crash with
the other angels.

Josie was getting ready for the party and jabbering
on and on about all the hot guys she and Cassidy had met this week.
She started telling me about this new hot vamp she had her eyes on.
“O.M.G. Ella, I can’t wait for you to meet Lucas. He is like a
total babe. He kind of reminds me of,” she stopped, all of a sudden
not wanting to finish the sentence.

“He kind of reminds you of who?” I pushed.

“Oh, um, just this one guy I know,” she said, going
back to doing her makeup.

I didn’t push any further. I already knew who she was
referring to and I wasn’t going to go there. Not enjoying the
awkward silence, I decided to skip ahead. “So tell me more about
this Lucas guy.”

I could see in her eyes she was going to approach
this slowly. “Well, like I said, he’s a major babe and of course
Cassidy already has her hooks in him, but I’m not worried. She can
slut it up all she wants, but let’s be honest here. You and I know
there’s really no competition,” she said, brushing her hair off her
shoulder.

I laughed. “Oh how I missed you.” I got up and went
through my closet for something to wear. I pulled out jeans and a
t-shirt and got dressed.

“You’re not wearing that, are you?” Josie looked at
me horrified.

“What is wrong with my outfit?”

“Ella, we’re going to a party, not a hoedown.”

“Hoedown…isn’t what they used to say to you every
time we found you passed out at a party?”

She looked at me aghast, jaw dropped. She retained
her composure and came back at me. “That’s funny, because if I
remember correctly, most of the parties consisted of let’s see how
long it takes for Ella to take her top off,” she smirked.

“Hey, that only happened once, and it was because
some asshole spilled his beer all over me and Kyle gave me his
shirt not two seconds later to put on.”

“That’s not how I remember it.”

“How would you when you were passed out?” I countered
trying to keep the smile from my face. She hit me and I smacked her
back. Our small feud turned into a war. She chased me around the
room. I laughed hysterically, hoping over the bed, and almost
falling on my face.

Josie smacked me in the face with a pillow. “You’re a
punk.”

I sighed, getting up, and looking for something else
to wear. “How is he, Kyle?” I asked, turning back around.

“He’s good. Trying to adjust like the rest of us.
He’ll be there at the party tonight. If you want I can ask him to
bring an extra shirt, just in case,” she giggled and I just shook
my head turning back to the closet. Josie joined me, shaking her
head at everything I picked out. We compromised on a jean skirt and
a cute purple top. I reminded her I had a boyfriend and was only
going to this party for her so there was no need for me to dress
up. She reminded me just because I had a boyfriend didn’t mean I
was dead.

Roman met us outside our room and frowned when he saw
my outfit. “What, you don’t like it?”

“No, I do. You look amazing, but that’s the problem.”
I raised a brow at him, confused. “I just don’t want to have to
pummel a guy for thinking impure thoughts about you.”

“Roman, most boyfriends would be flattered that other
guys think their girlfriend is hot.” His frown deepened. “You want
me to go change?”

“No,” he said uncertain.

“Roman, at the end of the night who am I going home
with?” He didn’t answer. “You and only you and that’s all you need
to worry about.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m working on it.” He gave
me a kiss on the cheek. “But you don’t maybe have a longer
skirt?”

Josie pushed us out the door. “Get over it Roman. She
looks hot and she’s not changing.”

He sighed, taking my hand, and walked us to the
party. I was hoping to make a quick appearance and then head back
to my room to spend some much needed time with Roman, but of course
that was wishful thinking.

Kyle was there as Josie promised. Since I hadn’t
really seen him much, I thought I’d go over and talk to him. Roman
spied some of his friends. I told him to go ahead and I’d be fine
on my own. He kissed me sweetly and smiled before he walked away. I
took a breath and made my way over to Kyle. “Hey,” I said, greeting
him with a smile.

“Hi,” he said, giving me an awkward hug. He was
hanging with the other angels. They seemed to have developed their
own little clique. I waved to Sophia and Dylan. Sophia waved back
cheerfully while Dylan scowled at me. I didn’t know the two males
so Kyle introduced me. “Ella, this is Nathaniel and Derek.”

“Just Nate,” the tall lanky one said. His light brown
hair was cropped short and his brown eyes showed kindness. His skin
was a golden brown from what looked like a leftover tan from many
times spent at the pool or beach.

Derek, the other angel, wasn’t so welcoming. His
piercing violet eyes dug into mine. His long, blonde hair covered
the majority of his face and his tall muscular figure said he was
one you didn’t want to mess with. “Derek, don’t be a dick,” Kyle
said. “If it wasn’t for Ella you wouldn’t be here.”

“Exactly,” he said with a British accent and walked
away.

“Way to go princess,” Dylan said, following after
him.

“I…” I had no idea what to say.

“Never mind them,” Nate said. “They’re just full of
themselves thinking they’re better than everyone else.”

“Why are they so mad? And I thought the reason you
were all here was because you’re going to help others like you? How
does this have anything to do with me?”

“Oh sweetheart, you have more to do with this then
you realize,” Nate cooed.

“What is he talking about?” I asked Kyle.

“Nothing,” he said, giving Nate an aggravated
look.

“Kyle, I know when you’re lying.”

“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” he said,
placing his hands on my shoulders. “Nate, go get us some drinks,
would ya?”

Nate hurried off to the refreshment table and Kyle
turned his attention back to me. “So, what’s new with you?”

“Really? You really expect me to just ignore the fact
that for some reason you guys are here because of me,” I said,
crossing my arms.

His gave my shoulders a squeeze. “Ella, like I said,
it’s nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about.”

“Don’t patronize me.”

His arms dropped from my shoulders. “Just drop it
Ella,” he growled, causing me to take a step back. I’ve never seen
Kyle get so angry with me before. Not wanting to make a scene and
press my luck, I dropped it. I didn’t believe him but I knew with
Kyle, once he had his mind made up he wouldn’t budge.

Sensing my slightly frightened expression, he quickly
stepped forward, and apologized, but I wasn’t going to let him get
away with treating me like that. I took a step away from him
letting him know that this was not okay.

“Hey Kyle,” Roman said, coming up behind me. When he
noticed my tense expression he asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Fine,” I said. Roman looked to Kyle not convinced.
Nate returned with the drinks looking just as confused as Roman.
“Come on.” I took Roman’s hand and pulled him away. We joined Riley
and Justin. I risked a look back over my shoulder and saw Kyle and
Nate arguing. Kyle slammed his fist into the wall behind him,
causing stone to break and fall to pieces on the ground. Thankfully
only a few people nearby had noticed the incident.

Kyle stormed out of the party almost knocking Josie
over in the process. “What’s his problem?” she asked.

“Nate said part of the reason you guys are here is
because of me.”

Josie took a sip of her drink. “Don’t listen to Nate.
He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Josie, please don’t lie to me.”

“Ella,” she pulled me aside. “Honestly, I don’t know
all the details, but what I can tell you is you have nothing to
worry about.”

“Why do I feel you guys aren’t telling me the whole
truth?”

“Ella, I promise you. It’s not as big as you think it
is.”

“Josie.”

“Ella, really, would I lie to you?” I made a face
saying, ‘yes, you would’. “About something serious?” I sighed.
“Trust me, okay?”

“Yeah.” I gave it up for now. No sense in ruining the
mood. If Josie said it was no big deal than I had to trust she was
right. I changed the subject. “So is your lover boy here?”

“Yes,” she squealed excited. “Come on, I’ll introduce
you.” She pulled me over to a crowd of people which included
Cassidy, Sienna, Sophia, and a few other new students I met earlier
this week. Josie was practically jumping out of her knee high boots
in anticipation of introducing me to this new guy she was fawning
over. She taped him on the shoulder and he turned around to greet
me.

I could see the appeal, he was very attractive. His
medium bronze hair stood up all over the place in protest. Looking
like he took hours just to get them to go in all different
directions. He had broad shoulders and a strong build. He was so
tall I had to stretch my neck just to look up into his eyes, eyes
that were the color of amethysts and dangerously engrossing.

The more I looked, the more I felt drawn to him. Like
there was an invisible force pulling me closer and closer until I
was touching him. I was hypnotized by his eyes and for a moment, it
was only him and me in the room. I heard classical music playing in
the background. “Ella…hello…Ella?” Josie nudged me. I took a step
back. The noises from around me grew louder and I remembered I was
at a party. Josie looked at me funny. Apparently she had been
trying to get my attention but I was too enthralled by this guy to
even notice.

I shook my head embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t
mean to,” I blushed.

“It’s okay,” he said in a husky voice. His smile only
enhanced the draw. “I’m Lucas.”

“Ella,” I managed to get out.

“Yeah, I got that.” I looked away feeling like an
idiot.

Roman walked up beside me, startling me. “Hey,” he
said, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I turned around and you
were gone.”

“Sorry, Josie wanted me to meet someone. Roman, this
is Lucas.” He shook his hand kindly and then threw his arm around
me. It took everything I had not to knock it off. I knew what he
was doing. He could put on a face all he wanted, but I knew he was
only pretending. I let it go anyways. No sense in starting a fight
over something silly.

Josie put her attention back on Lucas and I found
myself still not able to tear my eyes away from his and from what I
could tell, neither could he. Something about his eyes seemed
familiar. I looked a little deeper and I swear I could see
different forms shaping inside his irises. Startled, I took a step
back. “Are you okay?” Roman asked. “You look a little flushed.”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just a little warm
in here.”