Evergreen (Mer Tales, Book 2) (14 page)

:::

ASH

Tuesday afternoon, April 19
^th

With wet hair from swim practice, I jumped into Mom’s car anxious to get home and read my email. Had Fin left yet? All day I’d felt naked without my phone. I didn’t actually say good-bye last night like I’d wanted, instead I fell asleep and at 4 AM the soft beeping of the cordless signaled the battery had died. In the morning, I tried calling and left a message instead. I hoped he wasn’t angry with me for being so rude.

My heart fluttered as I wondered where he was. He’d said he’d more than likely leave later in the day, after he bought food, a mini swimming pool, and a hose. Four days would put him here on my birthday. I couldn’t wait.

Guilt and dread swirled in my belly. Though the excuse I’d fed him about Colin was accurate, I feared telling Fin the real truth. I wanted to, so many times, but when I opened my mouth, my voice froze up. But I had to tell him now, otherwise he’d be walking into a trap.

An idea hit me. A decoy. If a barrage of official phone calls, and formal letters from an out-of-state agency appeared, Colin and Alaster would have to take the bait. After all, besides Colin’s stupid crush, that’s all Azor wanted—the Helton’s delivered on a silver platter. If I could lead them away from Tahoe to somewhere coastal, like Maine, I’d be home free.

Then Fin would never have to know how bad things had become, and once he arrived, he could fortify the house and everything would be cool, perfect even. By the time Colin and his dad realized they’d been tricked, we’d be long gone in Florida at college. It could work, if I was smart enough to pull it off.

I parked and skipped down the dock in glee, anxious to start on my mail campaign. Those stupid fish-for-brains mers had no idea who they were dealing with. I bounded up to Mom’s office at the store with my swim bag in hand to drop off the keys, when I spotted her—anger had whittled deep grooves into her forehead. I was dead meat.

She lifted a stack of papers off the desk from her new paperweight (my phone) and waved them in my face. “I’m so frustrated with you. Sit.”

I sank into the cushions of the loveseat across from her desk. This wasn’t going to help operation get-mom-back-on-my-good-side I’d planned to execute today.

“I don’t know what to do with you anymore, Ashlyn. I’d hoped after your swim meet on Saturday, your attitude would have turned around. That you’d see that there’s so much opportunity knocking at your doorstep. That you have incredible potential and so much ahead in your future.”

What possibly could this stack of papers be?

“And I even encouraged a new relationship for you with a boy so much more worthy of your affection—”

I cringed. She had nothing to do with that. If it weren’t for Colin’s meddling she’d still be crowing in joy over my relationship with Fin, and how he’d bounced me out of my depression.

“—and after last night, I’m so embarrassed with your behavior.”

I tried not to smile. I’d successfully puked all over Colin, maiming the upholstery in the process. Mom was furious, but it forced Colin to leave. Cleaning the couch afterward was totally worth it.

“Mom,” I said, scared to comment for fear I’d make things worse. “I’ve already told you I don’t like Colin. He has some weird manipulative hold over you and Dad. Don’t you see it? Dad didn’t hardly ask any questions last night. When Fin was here—”

“I don’t want to hear about Fin.” Mom smashed her hand against the desk. “If anyone has a weird manipulative hold…” She groaned. “Do you know what this is?”

I squinted, trying to make out the fine print. “Looks like a bill.”

“Yes! It’s the phone bill. And you’ve exceeded your minutes this month to the tune of three hundred and eighty-nine dollars.”

“I what? No way. There’s a mistake.” My mouth fell open. “How?” I could barely talk to Fin as it was. We couldn’t have talked over 1,000 minutes this past week.

“This is absolutely ridiculous, Ash. Fin is consuming all your time and thoughts. Your grades are suffering. You’re even on your phone during class. And to think your dad and I were actually contemplating buying you a car for your birthday. And then there’s college to consider. I—I don’t know what to do. We’re looking at investing some serious money so you can try out for the Olympics next summer and you’re distracted with this boy.”

She put her head in her hands. I wanted to say something eloquent, rational even, but Colin’s mer mojo had messed with her mind.

“I don’t know what to do, Ash. You’ve been unreasonable and irresponsible, and none of this happened until you met Fin. He is the source of all your rebellion and it has to stop.”

My blood boiled at her accusation. “He is not, Mom!” My voice shook. “He’s the reason I’m here. Why I’m alive. He pulled me from the lake that day I fell in, and I didn’t take out the boat because I had a death wish. It was an accident. And I’m glad it happened. It brought the best thing into my life. I love him, Mom and I’m never breaking up with him. So if that makes you worried, then cut me off. But I will be leaving to go to Florida in June. And I’m going to school on my scholarship with or without your blessing, so deal with it.”

I took a deep breath, shocked at myself for telling her the truth, finally.

She blinked at me in disbelief. “After everything your father and I have sacrificed for you, I can’t believe you’re talking to me like this.”

“I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I’m trying to be honest. I’m practically an adult and I don’t like Colin. He’s the source of all of our problems, don’t you see? Please, Mom… I need you to believe me.”

“Fine. I get that you don’t like Colin, so I won’t push you anymore.” She looked at me with tears glistening in her eyes. “But you’re throwing away your life over a boy and I have to do what’s right for you. I’m shutting off your phone and you aren’t to talk to Fin anymore. It’s over. Do you understand?”

I balled up my hands and threw down my bag on the floor. I couldn’t look at her. She couldn’t do this to me.

“It’ll never be over,” I yelled as I ran out of the store and down the beach. This was absolute insanity and Colin had to be stopped.

:::

FIN

Tuesday morning, April 19
^th

“There you are.” Dad swam up to me while I drifted in the warm Atlantic current.

I paused, concerned about his stoic demeanor. “What’s going on?”

He stared at the phone with curiosity as it floated next to me. “Does it work okay?”

“Yeah.” I narrowed my eyes, wondering why the sudden interest in the phone. “So what did Ferdinand say?”

Dad scratched his beard and paused. “I just found out that Ferdinand can’t talk. He’s apparently a mute.”

“He’s a what?” Suddenly, Galadriel’s acerbic laughter made sense. “How is that possible? I heard him mumbling in Natatorian.”

“It’s not really words. I guess Sissy found him a few years ago, wandering the Atlantic, and took him in. He’s quite odd and does his own thing, but he has helped them find lost mers occasionally. They’ve never heard him speak.”

“You’re kidding me.” I rubbed my hands through my wet hair. “That’s just great.”

“So, I’m leaving with your mom for Loch Ness tonight to talk to Badger’s brother-in-law, Dorian. I need to know what’s going on and how serious all of this is. We can’t put Tatchi’s rescue off any longer if things are getting heated in Natatoria.”

I swallowed hard and turned from him, conflicted. I wanted to tell him I was going to California and use Ash’s excuse—that she was in danger because Colin and Alaster were there—but I didn’t want to freak him out, especially not now. “You aren’t going in, are you? To get Tatch out?”

“I’d love to sneak her out, but she’d never leave willingly. And this is about justice, too. Azor broke the law and since the Council hasn’t enforced a punishment that fits the crime, I will take things into my own hands. I need Badger to round up my men.”

“You’re talking about a war.”

“I was hoping somehow to avoid it, but….”

Challenging the King’s son would throw the entire civilization into chaos and Dad didn’t know I’d wanted Ash to be with me when that time came. This was all happening too quickly.

“When are you planning to actually go in?” I asked.

Dad grimaced. “If the King isn’t letting mers in or out, I need to get a message in to Badger somehow. We’ll be in trouble if they seal the gates for good. I also need to take stock in who’s captured, get weapons, and formulate a game plan.”

My stomach knotted. Though I’d promised Ash I’d leave tomorrow, I wondered why Dad wasn’t asking me to go with him. Was now a good time to be running off for California, especially if the rescue would be happening within the next few days?

Dad twitched his tail back and forth impatiently. “So, with your injuries, I don’t think you’ll be strong enough to flash swim the entire way.”

My mouth fell open and I turned away, insulted.

“Mom and I want to get there in a day.” He watched me pensively. “And I’d like to bring the cell phone incase we need to contact you. I’m sure we’ll find service along the coast.”

Like a child, I snatched the floating phone from the water and held it as if he’d arm wrestle me for it. “But, I need my phone.”

“There’s a phone at the house.”

I hesitated, gripping the phone harder. This was Ash’s only way to contact me while she was grounded. She didn’t know the beach house number.

He creased his brow. “I’ll bring it back in a few days.” He held out his hand.

We stood off for a moment and then reluctantly, I handed it over. I still had his credit card. I could buy a new phone for the trip and email her the number.

“Hans and Sissy are going up to Iceland to see about things there. Ferdinand is doing better, but who knows if he’ll stay. Just keep Galadriel out of trouble.”

“Whoa.” I backed up in the current. “I’m not babysitting Galadriel.”

Dad’s shoulders dropped as he shook his head. “I don’t understand why you’re fighting me. Don’t you get how important this is? Galadriel needs to think we’ve gone to the Bermuda gate to investigate because that’s most likely where Ferdinand escaped. I’m not going without your mom, and that only leaves you. I know you two don’t get along, but we need your help.”

I lowered my head, ashamed at myself. Not only for the fact I wouldn’t keep track of Galadriel, but they’d come back from Scotland and I’d be gone. “Fine.”

“Good.” He gave me a quick hug and pounded me on the back. “I’ll see you soon, Son. Just stay by the phone and don’t let her get under your scales.”

“Yeah. Travel safe.”

“I will.” Dad nodded and began to swim away.

“Hey,” I said quickly. “Could you try to get some essence from Dorian, for Ash?”

He smiled. “I’d already planned to.” He gave me the thumbs up.

I smiled, sick inside, feeling like a spineless jellyfish for what I was about to do.

:::

ASH

Tuesday afternoon, April 19
^th

I stomped through the sand, kicking any innocent rock I could find. No amount of deep breathing would slow my racing heart. Though Mom acted out of persuasion, I couldn’t believe how irrational she’d become. I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I needed to get Colin and his dad out of town, and fast.

As I continued to walk, my pace slowed. Water shushed lightly against the granite rocks on the beach, stealing my attention. Cold wind dusted over the frigid water and sent a familiar chill over my skin. I’d developed a love/hate relationship with the lake after falling in. She tempted me with her calming and elusive waves, promising if I were to dive in everything would be okay.

“Ash.”

I froze at evil-fish-doer-number-one’s voice, loathing it more than ever.

“Colin,” I turned to greet his smug smile with a tightlipped frown, “stalking me now?”

He pressed his eyebrows together. “No. Just keeping an eye out. You never know what dangers lurk in those waters.”

I sneered.
Like you? You little….
I composed myself, unwilling to stoop to his level, and perched a sweet smile on my face. Who needed letters when I could tell him face-to-face?

“I have good news for you.”

His eyebrows rose, perked in interest.

I glanced at his Silence is Golden but Duct Tape is Silver T-shirt and couldn’t help myself. “You told me to tell you once I heard from Fin. He’s in Maine and I think he’d like his shirt back,”
freak.

His eyes grew. “Really?” He tapped his chin, oblivious to my insult. “Where in Maine?”

“Saco Bay. But I don’t think they’re staying, so you better
chop chop
if you’d like to find them.”

I turned my back and strolled in the opposite direction.

“Oh, no, no, no.” He appeared at my side. “I’m not letting you get away from me that easily, cutie. We’ve got a few things to discuss, including our future.”

I shoved my finger into his face. “Look, punk. I don’t like you. First: you stink like fish bait. Second: you creep me out, okay? And third: you do weird mind mojo to my family. So I want you to leave me alone, or I’m going to file a restraining order on you.
Capicé
?”

“A what?”

“Seriously? You don’t know what a restraining order is? It’s like you live in a hole.”

His nostrils flared. “I’ve been trying to respect you—but you make it so difficult. My dad says to just do it, but I can’t and I won’t without your permission.”

My forehead crinkled and I walked faster. “He what? You both are sick. People are people, not puppets to play with.”

“I have to see.” He fastened his hand onto my waist and tugged at the edge of my jeans by my hip.

“What are you doing?” I slapped his hand away and moved backward.

He grimaced before the musical notes poured from his mouth. Suddenly, I realized what “do it” meant and I wasn’t about to play along this time. I turned and ran with all my might, losing a shoe in the process.

“Wait!” he called out. “Get back here!”

I pushed my feet harder into the sand, prepared to run the entire way home if I had to.

He caught up easily and latched his hand onto my arm, spinning me around. “How are you able to do that?”

“Ouch,” I cried out. “Stop! You’re hurting me!”

“You have to obey me.” He gritted his teeth. Understanding suddenly flashed in his eyes. “Unless it is true…”

I tried to slip from his grasp and my feet stumbled out from under me. I landed on my butt. “Get away from me.”

I tried to get up, but he grabbed my shoulder and flipped me over, face down in the sand. He loosened my pants off my hip once again. I kicked, unable to make contact with him, afraid of what he’d do next.

“Let go of me!” I yelled and tried to scream, but his body weight pressed against my lungs making breathing difficult.

I fought, refusing to succumb to him. I might have been promised to Fin, but Colin could easily still steal my virtue—right here in public, right here on the beach. I clawed my hands forward, shredding my nails against the loamy surface. Was no one around? Could no one see I was about to be raped?

“Hold still,” he said with a grunt, pinning me in place.

I continued to struggle, but was no match for his strength. Maybe if he knew I was Fin’s girl he’d stop. I turned to look at him, to plead for him to knock it off. Through the curtain of my hair, I witnessed a fist land perfectly into Colin’s square jaw. He sailed backward and went down cold a few feet from me. I flipped over and looked up in amazement into chocolate eyes—Callahan.

“What are you doing?” I gasped out.

“Stopping him,” he said with a questioning expression before he offered his hand. “Come on, before he wakes up.”

I’d never heard a more beautiful suggestion. Beyond, at the picnic tables, Jaime stood with her hand over her mouth. I stumbled forward in a blur and let Callahan escort me to the cab of his truck. Jaime got in on the other side, sitting between us. I held back my tears, my breaths coming out ragged.

“Thank you,” I finally managed after a long painful stint of silence.

“Who was that guy?” Callahan asked, disgust in his voice.

“I don’t really want to talk about it.” I looked out at the crystalline water, wishing Fin would pop up out of the waves and save me from this madness.

“Really? You should press charges, Ash. What he did, or was about to do—that wasn’t right.”

“It’s complicated and really it was nothing.” I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat. If we told the cops, Colin would just persuade them. I wanted to forget; hide in my house and wait ‘til Fin returned. He’d fix everything when he got here.

“It wasn’t nothing. I can take you to the precinct now. Both Jaime and I are witnesses.”

Jaime nodded quietly.

“I need to get home first,” I said, unsure what to do next. Maybe that’s what Colin needed, a little heat so his dad would get upset. Then they’d realize I wasn’t worth the trouble and investigate Maine instead.

“Has this happened before?” Callahan asked.

“No,” I said quietly as he pulled the truck up to my house.

He jumped out and walked around to open my door. His hand, warm and strong, held mine as he helped me outside. The memories hit hard. Last time we were here was after Senior Ball and he’d almost kissed me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, wanting to beg for his forgiveness for dumping him without saying a word.

“You’re sorry? That asshole attacked you.”

“No. About everything else.” I swallowed hard, hoping to loosen the lump in my throat.

“Ash, it’s fine.” He shook his head. “Just promise me you’ll be more careful. Tell your dad at least.”

“It’s not fine. What I did wasn’t right, and it wasn’t you. I promise. I should have called.”

He laughed. “Really? You’re going to use the ‘it wasn’t you, it’s me’ excuse now?”

I looked down in shame. “I had a really tough time after my accident and I needed time alone.”

“Well then follow that instinct and stay away from that loser. You need to take better care of yourself.” He put his hand on my shoulder, melting me with his eyes.

“I know…” I soaked in his tenderness, noting a kind and gentle soul.

He patted me on the arm and let his hand linger. “I’m here if you need anything.”

Jaime watched us, anxiety and jealousy on her stricken face.

“I’m good, thanks.” I forced a smile.

He stared into my eyes a little too deep, as if he longed for something more from me. I ached inside, wanting to return his act of kindness, but we couldn’t be friends like that—not anymore. I’d been wrong about Callahan. He did genuinely care and his initial feelings weren’t some whim fueled by fleeting lust. I gulped, wondering if we’d be a couple still if I had never taken out the boat.

“Jaime’s waiting for you.” Her name snapped him from his trance.

He looked away. “Talk to you later.”

“Later… and thank you again.” I nodded.

“And if you don’t do something about that jerk,” he said as he rounded his truck, “then I will.”

I shook my head. If Colin saw Callahan coming, mer mojo would come into play and Colin would return the sucker punch easily.

I watched the two of them drive away, and instead of going inside, I crumpled onto the porch swing. Under my dirtied jeans, my knees ached, and my hands were a mess of grime and blood.

I glared at Fin’s house, afraid of what Colin might do. I prayed he’d leave Tahoe. Over the small ridge, a set of eyes watched me from Fin’s porch—Colin’s dad. Before he disappeared into the house, I heard his bitter laughter.