From Gods (2 page)

Chapter 2

The sun’s rays seeped through the window, warming Skylar’s face. From the intensity of the heat, she knew it was going to be another scorching day. Squinting against the brightness, she let out an irritated moan.
Grrr…is it morning already?
She wasn’t ready to start the day.

The moon had been full and brilliant last night, capturing her eyes. She’d left the curtains halfway open, wanting to escape in the beauty as she lay in bed. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to close them before she fell asleep. Moving a bit to the right to dodge the light helped, but then she smelled eggs and bacon, which made her stomach rumble with hunger. Instead of taking her time getting out of bed, she sprang right up.

Quickly, she washed and changed into shorts. She realized the curtains were still open as she pulled a T-shirt from the drawer, and was startled to see the shadow of a man behind the curtains at the house next door. She rushed to close them, not wanting to give a peep show—especially when she was only wearing her bra and shorts.

That’s odd
, she thought. Skylar recalled Mrs. Song, who was a widow, occupying the house next door. What was a man doing there? She brushed it off, thinking it could have been her son or a friend. After she looked presentable, she went downstairs to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Auntie Kelly,” Skylar greeted, giving her a warm sideways hug and a kiss as she inhaled the aroma of the food. Scrambled eggs…Skylar could hardly wait to take the first bite. Kelly stopped stirring the eggs and turned to wrap her arms around her niece.

Auntie Kelly was also wearing shorts and a T-shirt. She looked like she just got out of bed, especially since she wasn’t wearing any makeup, but despite that, she looked great. Just like Skylar’s mom, she was naturally beautiful with flawless skin. With her hair dyed lighter, she looked young for her age.

“Good to see you too,” Kelly replied cheerfully, releasing her hold and placing her hands on Skylar’s cheeks, forcing her to look in her eyes. “You are getting more beautiful every time I see you.”

Skylar felt her cheeks turn warm. Shyly, she looked away. She was never good at taking compliments. “Thank you.”

Kelly released her hands, smiling. “How’s your mom?”

“She’s good…I think.” Skylar hesitated, though she didn’t know why her answer was uncertain. Perhaps it was the fact that her mom was in love, something she wasn’t used to. It had been just the two of them for the longest time until she met the second love of her life. Mom was happy, and she was happy for her. But was she really in love, or was she lonely? What did Skylar know of real love anyway?

“Her fiancé is treating her well?” Kelly continued to ask.

“Yes...from what I can tell. I mean…he’s nice. I like him…I think,” Skylar mumbled, shrugging her shoulders then turning to Kayla, who was already sitting at the table, still wearing her pajamas.

Skylar plopped down next to her. Kayla looked irritable, and was obviously not paying attention to their conversation.

“So…Auntie Kelly, how about you? Dating anyone?” Skylar asked. “Mom doesn’t share that part of your life.”

Kelly blushed. “There is a good reason why she doesn’t. Nothing serious. If I’m lucky enough to meet someone and fall in love again, I’ll be sure to let you know.” She winked.

Skylar could tell her aunt felt uncomfortable discussing that topic, so she stopped asking further questions and turned her attention to her grumpy cousin. “You’re up early this morning. You didn’t wake me up.”

“Didn’t want to bother you so soon,” Kayla grumbled and rolled her eyes.

Skylar knew Kayla’s eye rolling wasn’t meant for her and wondered what was up. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when Kelly approached and placed Skylar’s plate and a glass of orange juice in front of her. “Thank you, Auntie.”

“It’s my pleasure to feed my favorite niece.”

“I’m your only niece.”

“Is that so?” Kelly laughed, smirking. “Then I’m happy to feed my only niece.”

Ready to devour her breakfast, Skylar kept one eye on Kayla and the other on the view beyond the windows. The dining room was her favorite spot in the house. The long windows provided a clear view of the front yard. Beaming in from between the branches of the trees, the sun’s rays gave the illusion of heaven’s light.

“How was the drive here?” Kelly asked, nipping at the bacon she had just taken out of the pan.

Kayla almost spit out the juice she had just drank, and coughed several times to get her breath back. Skylar shook her head, silently asking Kayla not to say anything. “It was fine. Nothing happened,” Skylar reassured.

Kelly arched her brows in confusion, looking suspiciously from Skylar to Kayla. She parted her lips to speak, but then closed them and shook her head with a grin.

“What’s wrong?” Skylar finally asked when Kelly turned to wash the dishes, giving her the chance to talk to Kayla. She could hardly get her words out; her mouth was too full of eggs.

“I have to work at the diner today.”

“Okay…so we’ll change our plans. No big deal.”

“Then I have to work tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after…you get the point?” Kayla sighed heavily. “We are short on waitresses. Mom says she can’t afford to hire another one right now, and it also takes time to go through the interview process. So I’ll have to fill in the shifts.”

“Sorry, Skylar,” Kelly said, seeming to have eavesdropped on their conversation. “I know you had plans, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work around them. This can happen when you own a diner. When you go to college, make sure to pick a good career.”

Skylar took her last bite of eggs. “Maybe…I can help at the diner?”

Kelly and Kayla both flashed their eyes happily at Skylar. “Yes...we can work together, then I won’t be so bored,” Kayla uttered, emphasizing the word “bored.”

“You’ll be too busy to be bored.” Kelly’s eyes steeled at her daughter. “But…that is a great idea. I could use the extra help. Let me ask your mom if it’s okay. I don’t want my sister getting mad at me for making her only child work during her last summer before she goes off to college.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine, Auntie Kelly. Plus…Mom wanted me to look for a job so I can start learning about finances. Besides, I should start paying for my own gas. But you don’t have to pay me. I would only work for the experience…and plus, I’ll get to be with Kayla.”

“Nonsense! Of course I’ll pay you. It won’t be much, but it should help pay for your gas. Did you hear that, Kayla? Skylar thinks she should pay for her own gas…hint, hint.” 

“But I practically work for free. It’s against the law to pay me so little,” Kayla pouted.

“I’m your mother. I can do or say anything within reason. Now, hurry up and eat, ‘cause both of you are due at the diner in one hour,” Kelly said, scrubbing the counter near the stove. After the grease marks disappeared underneath the sponge, Kelly excused herself from the room.

“What a way to spend a Saturday,” Kayla whined.

“It’ll be fine. At least we can be together. You’ll have to teach me…I won’t know what I’m doing.” Skylar got up, cleared their empty plates, and set them in the sink. After she washed them, she turned to see Kayla still in the same position, her eyes glued blindly to the refrigerator, elbow on the table, and her right fist propping up her head.

“Hey…it’ll be okay,” Skylar cheered. She hated seeing Kayla upset.

“I know. It’s just that we had our summer all planned out. We’re supposed to go to the beach and get a tan.”

“We can go out at night…and plus, there are the weekends. Too much sun isn’t good for you anyway. And you already know going to the beach is not my first choice for fun. I only go for you.”

“That’s where the cute guys spend their summer, and you are grossly too positive,” Kayla teased. “Gross, gross, gross. But that is why I love you.”

“You know I’m not like that all the time…right?”

“Girl…I’ve seen your dark side, and all that self defense stuff from the classes your mom made you take. I bet you can do some major damage,” Kayla giggled, pulling Skylar in for a hug, leading her out of the dining room. “Maybe the hot cop will be there.” Kayla twitched her brows up and down. “They do eat, you know?”

“I hope not. I don’t think I can breathe around him,” Skylar exaggerated.

“Hmmm…maybe I can cuff the two of you together.”

“Then I’ll definitely faint.”

Chapter 3

Kelly’s Diner was always a fun place to be. It was small compared to most restaurants, but it was cozy and just big enough to accommodate the local customers. Inside, the tile floor was always squeaky clean. Toward the back was the restroom and the kitchen, but the coolest part of the diner was the large opening where the chef could be seen cooking.

It was shortly after the breakfast rush, and the aroma from the food still lingered. The diner was quiet and empty except for the music that filled the air with a welcoming ambiance. 

Being that this would be Skylar’s first job, she overflowed with excitement and nervousness. Though her stomach tumbled with anxiety, she could hardly wait. Mostly, she would be making her own money, and that alone thrilled her tremendously.

“Hello, Jack. Hello, Mona,” Kayla greeted. “This is my cousin, Skylar. You remember her, don’t ya?”

“Hey, Kayla,” Jack said from the kitchen, holding up a spatula. “I may be old, but I have a good memory, especially when pretty girls are involved. Of course I remember. Welcome back, Skylar.”

“Hey, Jack,” Skylar replied, blushing.

“Hello, Skylar,” Mona welcomed her warmly. She wore all pink and a white apron. Mona had lost some weight from what Skylar could remember, and had dyed her hair to a lighter shade of blonde. But what she remembered most was Mona’s love of perfume. She smelled like honey mixed with wild flowers.

“So what can I fix you ladies?” Mona asked cheerfully.

“We’re not here to eat. We’re here to work,” Kayla moaned.

“You mean…you gotta hang out with the old folks today?” Jack chuckled. His pearl white hair was unlike any Skylar had seen on old people before. It was the purest, prettiest color she had ever seen. Though she recalled Jack being around fifty, despite his white hair, he looked young for his age.

“Speak for yourself,” Mona snapped playfully. “I’m very young. At least you girls get some relief from the heat. It’s all day air-conditioned here.”

Kayla and Skylar giggled.

“Well…I better show Skylar how to work the cash register, and then I’ll help Mona wait tables,” Kayla informed, tugging Skylar along with her.

“Go right ahead,” Mona muttered, heading toward the table with a wet cloth in her hand. “Is it your first time behind a cash register, Skylar?”

“First job ever,” Skylar said timidly, looking embarrassed.

As Jack prepared the food for the lunch rush, Kayla showed Skylar how to work the register— what to do when they paid cash or with a credit card. After several rounds of practice, Skylar was set.

“Easy, right?” Kayla asked.

“Yup. Got it,” Skylar replied enthusiastically. “Oh my God! This is so much fun. I love to punch in the keys. I could do this all day.”

“You’re such a cute dork. Let’s see if your enthusiasm is still there at the end of the day.” Kayla shook her head, giggling. Then she went to the back and came out with white aprons and hair ties. “Here, put this on and tie your hair back. It’s my mom’s law.” She rolled her eyes.

Skylar frowned in discontent, but she did as told. Looking at her attire, the long apron looked like a skirt on her, especially since she wore shorts. “Cute,” she commented sarcastically. Struggling to pull her hair back in a ponytail, she turned her back.

“Remember…you offered to work here.” Kayla reminded her, dragging out her last word. Laughing, she walked toward the back door just as the door chimed.

“Welcome back to Kelly’s Diner, boys,” Mona greeted, leading the guests to their table. 

After Skylar’s hair was neatly tied, she turned to see the incoming customers and froze. Sure, her cousin had joked about it, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d see him there. Mortified, her eyes shot down to the buttons on the register. She didn’t want to face him again after he had scolded her.
Stay calm. No big deal. Cops eat lunch too. But of all the places, why did he have to eat here?
 

Skylar reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone to text Kayla, who was still in the storage room.
First day on the job and I’m texting
. She shook her head. This was not professional, but it was her auntie’s diner after all. Keeping an eye out for customers, she placed her phone under the counter to hide it.

He’s here!

Who?

The cop.

You mean the hot cop?

Yes!

I’m coming right out!

Skylar glanced toward his table. Her eyes flashed downward when his eyes met hers. As blood rushed to her face, she hoped he wouldn’t recognize her. He didn’t smile or acknowledge her, not that she should care. He was on duty the day they met, so maybe he didn’t remember her. Cops pulled many people over on a daily basis…so what was another face to him?

Kayla burst out the door and then slowed her pace. Since Mona was already attending to them, she went behind the counter to observe, but pretended to be busy wiping the long counter. Feeling the vibration from her cell phone, Skylar pulled it out from her back pocket and noted it was from Kayla.

Both are hot. Which one?

The one with the black T-shirt.

What? Both are wearing black.

Sorry. Only had eyes on my cop.

Which one? I get the other one. lol!

He didn’t notice me.

I’ll make him notice.

No!

Mona took the order and gave it to Kayla, then Kayla gave it to Jack. After the sandwiches were made, instead of passing the plates to Mona, she took them herself since Mona was attending to other customers that had just walked in.

“Hello…are you guys new to our diner?” Kayla asked with the most polite voice that she could conjure up, while placing their lunches in front of them.

“No, we’ve been here a few times, but I’ve never seen you before,” the cop’s friend answered, seemingly taken by her charm.

“My mom owns this place. I help out once in a while. My name is Kayla.” She pointed to the name-tag pinned on her shirt. “And my cousin over there….” She pointed to Skylar. “Her name is Skylar.” The guy’s eyes gazed in the direction she pointed, but not the cop’s.

Skylar let out a small smile and looked away.

“So…what are your names?” Kayla inquired.

“My name is Nicholas…Nick…and my brother’s name is Mason.”

Mason
? Skylar was eavesdropping on their conversation. She was sure she’d read his name-tag correctly, and it read “Officer Doug.” Frazzled, she brushed it off. There was no choice. Clearly his name was Mason…his brother Nick even confirmed it. Besides, in her opinion, the name Mason suited him better.

“We’re having a party at the beach tomorrow night. Want to come?”

Kayla’s face beamed brighter than the sun. “Sure, but can I bring my cousin?”

“Of course. You can bring whomever you like, as long as it’s not your boyfriend.”

“You’re in luck. I don’t have one right at this moment. So…when and where?”

“Meet at Point Beach at nine, and don’t come too late. Look for the bonfire. Our group will be the only ones there. And…you don’t need to bring anything, just yourselves, and a bathing suit if you want to swim; or maybe don’t bring one and go skinny-dipping instead.” He winked.

Kayla laughed, the kind of laugh only Skylar could understand…a combination of a flirtatious and a nervous laugh. Then Kayla focused her eyes on Mason since she hadn’t heard a peep from him. He gave her a short grin when she did.

“Well…I’ll leave you two alone so you can eat. If you need anything else let me know.”

Skylar saw her cousin flirting easily with the guys, and if Kayla could, she would be floating in mid air at that moment. Skylar wished she could flirt with boys like Kayla, but ever since she’d broken up with her ex-boyfriend, she’d lost her confidence.

Things had been moving too fast, but what was fast to her was not fast to other girls her age. She had given him everything…well, almost everything—not her virginity, thank God. So when he broke her heart, it broke her. Kayla had never liked him and told her many times that he wasn’t good enough for her…but what did that mean, anyway? He was her first boyfriend, and for her, he was good enough.

After Skylar rang up a bill, she was bored standing behind the register. To keep herself busy, she turned to dust the counter behind her. She twitched when the sound of someone clearing his throat startled her.

“Umm…hi…sorry…how can I help you?” she said, turning to see something black. She looked up. When she noted who he was, she froze, and wanted to hide.

“I’d like to pay the bill.” His tone was low and soft as he handed the slip to her. The same, sexy tone went straight to her stomach, causing a tingling sensation.

“Sure…of course.” She paused while looking at the screen. Feeling the weight of his stare, she suddenly forgot what to do as warmth flushed to her face.
What do I push first?
Finally, it all came back to her. “That’ll be twenty dollars and twenty-five cents.”

When he handed her the exact change, his hand brushed against hers. She gasped inwardly from the mere touch of his skin. Then a millisecond later, she jerked back from the shock he had just given her, sending electricity down her spine. “Ouch.” Startled, she looked right at him.

Flinching in the same way as her, he frowned, looking baffled and then annoyed. “I’m sorry,” he murmured under his breath, and curled in his fingers to make a fist.

“That’s okay,” she accepted and lit a small, quick grin. After all, it was an accident, though she couldn’t understand how it had happened. The diner had tile floors, not carpet, and it wasn’t windy. It was the hottest month of the summer. But what did she know about these things, anyway?

From the corner of her eye, she saw Nick stand, looking their way and honing in on their conversation. He grinned slyly then sat back down.
Did he find Mason shocking me amusing?

Contemplating whether to thank him for letting her go instead of giving her a ticket—though she still had no idea why she was pulled over—she thought she’d ask before her shyness got the best of her. “Umm…I want to thank you for letting me go. I mean…thank you for not giving me a ticket. It was nice of you. Though I still don’t know what I did.” She didn’t know if she should have said the latter part.

Mason gave her a mysterious look, as if she had told him she was from outer space. He leaned in, making her pulse race. “You...remember me?” His words were slow and soft, almost mumbling, as if he didn’t want others to hear. He even rattled his hand, gesturing to lower her voice as he looked over his shoulder to his brother.

“Yes…of course,” she said flatly, but when he prolonged his stunned expression she thought twice. Puzzled, she asked, “Should I…not? You pulled me over and looked inside my trunk as if I was a thief hiding something. I mean…look at me…do I look like a thief to you?” She couldn’t believe she had the courage and the nerve to say those things to him. Mason being out of uniform looked less intimidating—it was easier to speak up to him.

Mason gave a quick smile, seemingly amused, but shortly after he looked distressed. Without eye contact, he spoke nonchalantly. “You must have the wrong guy. I didn’t pull you over. If you’d like, you can pretend that I did.” Then he walked out the door without his brother.

What did he just say?
Skylar blazed with anger; if possible, fire would’ve flamed out of her body.
What nerve. What a jerk.
Her eyes stayed rooted to the door through which he’d just exited.