Evergreen (Mer Tales, Book 2) (11 page)

:::

FIN

Monday afternoon, April 18
^th

The moment I walked into American Eagle, I knew letting Galadriel tag along was a mistake.

“Oh, Fin-n-n,” she crowed, “this is perfect for you-u-u.”

She fanned a red and white checked shirt on the hanger like a flag. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. We came here for one purpose: jeans.

Board shorts caught my attention though. I thumbed through a pile on the display while Galadriel disappeared to the back of the store. Maybe a few new pairs and some flip-flops were a better idea, considering the weather in Florida. No one wore jeans here and mine had frayed where I’d sewn in the Velcro strips.

“What about this one?” she yelled across the store, holding up a bright yellow sequined bikini top against her chest.

I glared and shook my head, again. She’d promised to be good, but our definitions apparently weren’t the same. I quickly grabbed three pair of shorts and a pair of jeans—no time like the present to adapt to our new surroundings—and headed for the cashier. Then I’d drag Galadriel out of the store for being such a pain in my scales.

“Is this it?” the brown-eyed girl asked while snapping her gum.

“Yeah.” I handed her Dad’s credit card. Galadriel slid in next to me and put a silver bracelet on the top of the pile.

“This too.” She gave me a wink.

“No.” I moved the offending item off to the side.

“He’s so mean to me.” She smirked at the clerk. “Just add it in.”

“No,” I said again.

The cashier’s eyebrows puckered. “Can I see your ID, Jack?” she asked.

Galadriel snickered. “Yeah, Jack. Let’s see some ID.” She clicked her nails on the counter. “He had the worst bed head that day when they snapped the shot. I told him to comb it at least.”

The back of my neck burned. If Galadriel had stayed at the house like I’d wanted, I would have purchased my items already and been gone without a scene.

I patted my pants. “Oh, I don’t have it on me.” I tried charming her with the smolder I’d used hundreds of times on weak-minded girls. “It’s me. I swear.”

Her countenance darkened. “I could lose my job.”

I looked up. A camera hung on the ceiling, making things tricky. Galadriel nudged me with her foot. She knew what I needed to do. Would I bend my moral mer ground and use persuasion to get what I wanted?

“This actually isn’t Jack. He’s dead in the ditch we just left him in,” Galadriel whispered as she lifted her index finger to her lips and shushed. “And we’ll do the same to you if you don’t ring up these items. Or, we could take these and go like we did at that last store, huh, Fin? Oopsie. I said your real name.”

The girl blanched.

“Crap.” I sang the song of our people and the worry melted off the clerk’s face. “Please forget we were here and charge the card with our sale.” The girl slid the card through the reader and smiled, following my gentle suggestion. I held up my wallet and flashed an ID anyway, for the cameras watching us.

Galadriel grabbed a pair of earrings. “Can I have these?”

The girl nodded, still under my spell.

“No.” I grabbed Galadriel’s hand and twisted. “Put them back.”

Galadriel’s face soured as she yanked her arm away. “Testy.”

I snagged the bag and charged through the doors. Behind me, a snap of a metal clicked—the silver bracelet Galadriel stole, no doubt. She’d never be allowed to go anywhere with me again.

“You’re no fun, Fin.”

I spun around and stared her down. “No fun? You swore you wouldn’t make a scene.”

“I didn’t make a scene.”

“Seriously?” I let out a gust of air. “Why do you have to be such a—?” I withheld my insult.

She glared. “Say it. You know you want to.”

Within her eyes I saw pain mirrored from my own soul. Did she long for someone, too? Or was she trying desperately to fit into a world that would never accept her, at least not as she was—a mermaid.

“Forget it!” I moved past her and walked to my Jeep.

When she didn’t follow, I turned to find her sitting on a bench, head in her hands. Yet another uncontrollable mood swing. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another.

“Galadriel, if you don’t come, I’m leaving you here.”

“Lia? Is that you?” I heard a guy call from across the street. “Lia!”

Galadriel stood up and bolted to my side. “Come on, Fin. Let’s go.”

She yanked my arm in the opposite direction of the approaching guy. Anger spread across his face as he formed his hand into a fist.

“Who’s this guy?” he yelled, firmly walking in our direction.

“My-my brother. He’s cool, Matt.”

Matt squinted at me, then turned to Galadriel. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried.”

“I—nowhere.” She looked down and kicked a rock.

“Who is this, Lia?” I asked, moving aside so she couldn’t hide behind me. “We haven’t properly been introduced.”

She gave me an evil eye. “A friend from the college—”

“How can you say that, Lia?” Matt interrupted. “We’re more than just friends.” He took her hand. “I’m so glad to find you. You’re all I think about, all I care about. And I can’t imagine a day away from you.” He stooped to one knee. “Lia, will you marry me?”

Galadriel gasped and jumped backward. “Please, Fin—make him stop.”

Confused, I studied the skin on his ring finger and found nothing. If he wasn’t promised to her, then why was he so obsessed?

Galadriel gripped my hand harder. “Please.”

In order to avoid a scene, I conceded and did the worst thing imaginable. I sang to him that his Lia had died, that he needed to move on, that he’d find someone else just as special.

Galadriel’s shoulders stooped as the guy broke down in tears and ran from us.

After a moment, she looked up at me, relief plastered on her face. “Thank you.”

Anger surged again. I gripped her shoulder and gritted my teeth. According to Sissy, this wasn’t the first time this had happened. “Why is he so attached to you?”

“How would I know?” She shrugged me off and slid into the passenger seat.

“Did you kiss him?”

“No…” She checked out her face in the mirror and pushed aside her hair with her deformed hand.

I clamped down my jaw. “You don’t think it’s odd men are pledging their lives to you?”

“No.” She shot me a look of pain and motioned I get inside.

“Did you kiss him or not? Just tell me the truth.”

She put on her sunglasses and stared forward. “He… he might have accidentally kissed me.”

“Accidentally?” I grabbed her arm and made her face me. “Then why doesn’t he have the mark? And why don’t you want to be with him?”

She remained tight lipped.

I squeezed a little harder. “Tell me.”

She flinched. “You really want to know? Do you?!” She flung off her sunglasses. “He’s not my first, okay? Does that make you happy? You can go back and tell everyone—brand me as a tramp.”

“You
are
promised,” I said in shock, “to who?”

“It’s none of your business.” She wiggled out of my grip and folded her arms. “I want to go home.”

I knew if an unpromised person kissed someone who was promised, they’d bond to them and the other wouldn’t feel a thing. Though the bond wasn’t quite the same as being promised, the person still felt a strong attachment from the kiss. I was disgusted, not only because she’d kissed Matt, but for her mate she’d disrespected.

I couldn’t withhold my sneer. “How cruel.”

“You’re so much better than me, aren’t you? It was an accident, Fin. But you’ll soon see. You’ve only been separated for a few days… pretty soon, all you’ll feel is impending doom that you’ll never see your delicate flower again.” She looked up with wild eyes.

“You’re crazy.”

“Am I? Is it so horrible of me to want to stop the pain?”

“What do you mean?”

“After Matt kissed me, I no longer felt that awful ache inside… It just went away.” She jumped out of the Jeep and traced her hand over my cheek, stopping at my chin. “And, it helps… for a while.”

I pushed her off, my stomach flipping in revulsion. “You’re disgusting! Get away from me and don’t ever put me in that position again. Next time, I won’t erase the memory of whoever you kiss. You got it?”

She burst into tears again and ran away from me like I’d done something wrong. I scrubbed my hand through my hair, torn whether or not to let her walk home. Then I smiled. Galadriel no longer had me by the scales. I knew her best-kept secret and with it, I’d no longer be trapped in her web.

But what if Ash was tempted to kiss another guy? I’d hoped she’d never let that happen, but…the thought made me sick. Yes, the longing sucked, but to think of her kissing another. Poseidon! I’d rip his head off.

:::

ASH

Monday early evening, April 18
^th

I bounded into the house, giddy to call Fin and tell him about the ridiculous interview, when the smell of pot roast tickled my nose. I froze.

“Ashlyn, honey,” Mom said. “Is that you?”

In the anxiety and rush of everything, I’d forgotten Mom had invited Colin for dinner. Instead of running back outside (like I should have), I tried to tiptoe up the stairs for a quick escape. I’d lock myself in my room if I had to. They couldn’t make me eat with him—the enemy. I’d almost made it to freedom when the third step creaked loudly.

“Oh, there you are.” Mom dusted her hand off on her most favorite apron—the one with our painted handprints as a Mother’s Day gift years ago. “Your new college sweatshirt looks nice on you. That reminds me, I’m going to have to get one of those bumper stickers with
my money and child go to FAU
. How’d the interview go?”

Confused at her cheerfulness, I tucked my hands into the kangaroo pouch of my new FAU sweatshirt in shock. “It went okay.”

“Well good. I made your favorite. Drop off your stuff in your room, hang up your towel, and come on down.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I need a little help with small talk. He’s not all that chatty.”

I gave a half smile. Of course he’s not. The fish-face couldn’t possibly know about human culture or even newsworthy facts for conversation.

“I’ll be right down,”
as in never.
“Let me freshen up.”

With my phone in hand, I closed my bedroom door and sat behind it, creating a human door stop. No one would barge in without flattening me in the process. This was Fin time, and neither Colin nor my mother would snatch it from me.

“Fin,” I half whispered.

“Ash,” he said in relief. “Why so quiet?”

I grinned sappily and leaned my head against the door. His voice magically healed me every time we spoke. “Mom’s on a rampage again. But I couldn’t wait to call you. I’ve had the craziest day.”

“Rampage? Why?” he asked.

Fish-face is messing with her head for one…
“I don’t know,” I said quickly. “We don’t see eye to eye. It’ll all be over soon when I move to Florida.”

“Yes-s-s,” he said with a grin in his voice. “How was the interview?”

I giggled as I told him what happened, complete with details of Georgia’s cannon ball that sprayed Coach during the interview. With my other ear, I paid attention to the commotion downstairs. I knew eventually Mom would demand my presence and I’d need to hang up before Fin clued in on what was really going on.

I worried about what would happen if I told Fin his uncle and cousin were here. His family would come to my rescue, then what? What would stop an army of evil fishdooers from capturing Fin’s family like they did the last time? I could never see Fin again. The thought sent dread into my soul. Things with Colin were under control and as far as dinner went, little did Mom know a bout of stomach flu was about to hit and I’d have to decline dinner.

Fin rolled in hysterics with me at my retelling and I adored him even more for caring about the smallest details in my life. But what I hadn’t mentioned was my eighteenth birthday Friday. I didn’t want Fin to feel like he needed to do anything special considering our circumstances, though Georgia wanted to throw a big party. My secret wish was to have a virtual date on the beach and talk with Fin all day. But Georgia insisted on something, so we’d made a date for Thursday night: sushi and a movie since we didn’t have school Friday.

“So,” I said, hopefully. “Please tell me the case for the phone came today.”

“They shipped it to the wrong address,” he said, his voice saddening. “So I special ordered another from a store down the street. It should be in tomorrow.”

“Oh, really? Awesome. But I have bad news.”

“Oh, no. What now?”

“My mom has a friend over for dinner, so I have to cut things short.”

“How long do you have?”

“Um—”

As I looked at the clock and listened again. Lucy yelled, “She’s on the phone with Fin.” My heart stopped.

“Ash? Are you still there?”

I couldn’t talk. Only air whooshed out of my mouth.

“Ash?”

Just breathe, Ash.

“Yeah.” I swallowed down the rock lodged in my throat. “I have to go now, actually,”
and die.

“I miss you already.” Fin sounded disappointed.

“I—I miss you, too. I can’t wait ‘til you get that case ‘cause I can’t stand this anymore.”

“We’ll talk all night tomorrow.”

“Good.” I forced a smile. “I—I love you so much, Fin.”

“I love you, too, my ginger girl. Goodnight and sleep tight.”

I held my breath and waited for him to hang up.

In sync, the door slammed into my back. “Ashlyn? Why is this door blocked?”

“Geez, Mom. Hold on, will ya?” I barely made it to my feet before she pushed opened the door the rest of the way.

“What are you doing? We’ve been waiting for you.” Her eyes were frantic, searching for what could possibly have delayed me. “You’re not even changed yet. What’s taking you so long?” She zeroed in on the phone. I tucked it in my kangaroo pouch.

“Sorry. I needed to make a call. I’m coming.”

She held her hand out, palm up and combed her fingers forward. “Give it to me.”

“What? Why?”

“Your sister said you made her walk across the parking lot in the snow this morning and she ruined her new Toms, and now you’re being rude to our guest. Phone. Please.”

That little snitch.

“Did she mention she used all the hot water, too? And that she almost made me late this morning?”

Mom’s eyes narrowed. “No… I’ll have a talk with her about that. She shouldn’t have worn those shoes in the first place, but I still want your phone, at least for the evening.”

I pursed my lips. Like she’d ever enforce punishment on her lovely Lucy. I wanted to scream.

“Ashlyn, I don’t have time for this.”

Reluctantly, I gave her the phone. “Can I have it back later?”

“If things go well tonight, we’ll see.”

My mouth snapped shut as a snide remark bounced on my tongue.

“I’m sorry,” I squeaked out, hoping it would help.

Her face remained stern as she tucked the phone into her apron pocket and exited into the hall. “I know you miss Fin, but that doesn’t mean you can sulk around here and ruin the atmosphere for everyone else. Colin is a nice boy and I’d like you to get to know him, so… let’s put on a smile, okay?”

I sighed. Little did she know the depths of persuasion Colin had used on her. She’d never be like this with any other boy stalking me. I gulped down my pride and followed, dragging my feet. At the bottom of the stairs, Colin stood with my sister at his side, both of them smug as a catfish. Hot anger pulsed in my veins. Never before had I desired to punch someone as I did now. If it weren’t for the fact I’d never see my phone again, I would have.

Mom let out a cleansing breath. “I apologize, Colin. Here’s our swim champion.” She rubbed my back in glee before ushering everyone into the formal dining room. “Let’s all sit down and eat.”

Colin’s eyes twinkled, his swagger even more pronounced than before. The biggest secret I’d managed to keep from him was out in the open, and for that, I wondered why he didn’t just mer mojo everyone, throw me over his shoulder, and cart me off now and forgo the pretenses of dinner.

But he didn’t. He just smiled at me, like he enjoyed watching me squirm.