Goddess Bound: Goddess Series Book 6 (Young Adult / New Adult) (8 page)

Chapter Nine

Talking Adin into letting Calli drive her had been a major feat, and even then the only way she’d kept him from tailing them to her BFF’s house had been the honey-do list she’d given him. Since she’d be staying at Adin’s house for the time being, she needed some things moved over there. Her clothes, shoes, toiletries, and anything else he thought she’d need to keep from having to run across the street to get. Of course, that had just been an excuse to keep him occupied. She’d have him move furniture, too, if she thought she’d be sleeping in a different room than he’d be staying in, but she knew better. At least he had enough to keep him busy while she visited with Calli.

Legacy had showered quickly and put on some comfy clothes before saying her goodbyes to Lissa, Olive, and Adin then climbing into Calli’s car. The drive had been pleasant, but not exciting. They’d chatted about classes, but not much else. When she’d finally pulled into her driveway, Legacy noticed Calli glancing at River’s house a little longer than typical with a forlorn look on her face.

“I hope you know you’ll be bringing me up to speed on the River situation,” Legacy said, pointing to his house and getting out of the car before Calli could respond. Her friend quickly followed her into the house. “Are your parents home?”

“Are they ever?” Calli asked, raising an eyebrow. Then she sighed. “No. They’re meeting with investors to purchase some land in the Florida Everglades.” Rolling her eyes, she continued, “Like people will be falling all over themselves to move to a swamp.”

“Isn’t that Federal land anyway?” Legacy asked, avoiding the necessary topics of discussion a little longer.

“Parts of it, yeah.” Calli walked into the kitchen, and Legacy followed. She grabbed the bowls while Calli retrieved the chocolate ice cream from the freezer. As she scooped out the ice cream, she said, “There’s nothing to say about River.”

Legacy stared, waiting for more. When Calli didn’t continue right away, Legacy took a couple of bites of the chocolate heaven before probing. “What do you mean?”

Calli ate her serving quickly, almost as if she hadn’t even tasted it. “I mean nothing has happened.” She walked her bowl to the sink, rinsed it, and then placed it in the dishwasher. Legacy was savoring her ice cream. If she was going to consume the calories, she was going to enjoy every last evil one of them. Calli obviously didn’t feel the same way.

“Nothing?”

“Nope.” Calli finally looked at her. “Right after you disappeared, he just changed. I mean, he’s been focused non-stop on finding you. I didn’t take it personally at first. I mean, I was worried sick about you.” Calli’s eyes started to water and she took a deep breath. “I couldn’t fault him for leaving no stone unturned. I’d have been pissed if he didn’t do everything in his power to rescue you.”

“Okaaay, so what’s the problem?”

“I tried talking to him, and he was always short with me. I think he felt guilty for you being taken. I
know
Adin did.”

“I can see that.” From what little she’d learned since she’d been back, the two guys had been practically inseparable.

“It’s more than that. I walked down to my pond a lot to think. I felt helpless while you were gone, and I was alone with my thoughts a lot. A couple of times I saw him coming home. He looked right at me both times, but didn’t stop and talk. Not just to say hi or anything. And the second time, I was literally walking in front of his driveway and he had to stop and wait for me. I hesitated, wondering if he was going come out and chat, but he shut the gate right after he pulled in. If that wasn’t a sign he didn’t want to talk, I don’t know what is. And school hasn’t been any different.” Calli sighed as she sat on the stool across of Legacy. “He’d been busy making sure people forgot you weren’t at school, but if he wanted to talk to me, there was plenty of time. We lost the playoffs in March Madness, so basketball season ended a couple of weeks ago, which means cheer practice for the seniors did too. We were both in the gym, with nothing to do, but he never came over to talk to me. Before school, he never went to our morning spot either. We went to lunch with the rest of our classmates, but I rode with Ellen and he drove himself. He has been avoiding me, Legacy.”

“I-I don’t know what to say. That doesn’t make any sense. He was insanely into you before I was taken. Saying he was obsessed is putting it lightly.”

“Yeah, well, maybe you being kidnapped put things into perspective for him. And me.”

“And you? You can’t tell me you don’t like him anymore. You can’t just turn off your feelings.”

“Maybe not, but I don’t want to be with a guy who ignores me. Besides, maybe he realized I wasn’t
special
enough for him or that his feelings for you were stronger than he realized.”

The way she said “special” made the hair on the back of her neck stand. “He doesn’t care about me like that…like
you
. And what do you mean you’re not special enough? You have never been one to be insecure.” Legacy leaned across the bar toward her, waiting.

“I mean I’m just a normal girl. He’s a god. You do the math.”

Legacy shut her eyes. Calli wasn’t normal. Not by a long shot. She opened them as she took in a big breath, ready to just unload the truth. “Well, you’re wrong about that. There’s something else I learned while I was away. Something I didn’t want to say in front of everybody else.”

“And what was that?”

“That you’re connected to all this too. Welcome to club, Callirrhoe, nymph and fellow Greek freak.”

“What?”

Legacy chuckled. “The look on your face is priceless.”

“No way. That can’t be,” she said as she stood.

Legacy just smiled as she went back to eating her ice cream. “’Fraid so.”

Calli yanked Legacy’s empty bowl away as soon as her spoon landed in it. She rinsed it and tossed it into the dishwasher just a little too forcefully. She kept her back to Legacy for several seconds then turned around. “I want the full story.”

And she got it, but there hadn’t been much to tell. Seth obviously hadn’t felt the need to elaborate on it. Or anybody else’s story either. After about five minutes of mulling it over, Calli shook her head. “Where does it all end? First you, then River, then Adin, now everybody in town? How come we didn’t know about this? Do my parents know? What about—”

“Whoa. I have no idea why. I spent months learning what all I could after I was blindsided. If you want answers, you’re barking up the wrong tree, girlie. Totally clueless chick right here, remember?”

Calli sighed. “There must be a reason.”

“I’m sure there is. I just don’t know why.” Legacy continued talking to her about the wonders of Greek mythology, hoping her questions were born out of genuine curiosity and not fear. At least this concept wasn’t completely foreign to Calli like it had been Kate.

“It doesn’t change anything with River,” Calli blurted out.

Legacy frowned at her. “We weren’t talking about River. We were talking about you and your destiny.”

“I know, and if River’s avoiding me because I’m not good enough for him, I don’t want him to come sniffing around now that I am part of the madness. He can suck it.”

Although Legacy hated the hurt look in Calli’s eyes earlier, she was happy that this passionate part of her friend was coming through the sad exterior. This was more like the Calli she knew. Too bad her ire was aimed at River, but it seemed as if he did deserve it. Legacy would be talking to that bastard soon enough to get his side of things.

As the minutes stretched to hours, slowly Calli was acting more like herself. They’d both eaten another bowl of ice cream, which her BFF ate slower. After a few hours had passed, Legacy knew she wouldn’t be able to hold off Adin too much longer. Plus, she had missed him like crazy. Thinking about him made her realize she still didn’t know what day it was, so she asked.

“Um, I think it’s the twenty-sixth. Why?”

Legacy smiled. “Adin’s birthday is the twenty-ninth.”

Calli’s eyes got wide. “I totally forgot.”

“His isn’t the only one coming up.” Legacy winked at her.

“We are not talking about me. Though it does fall during spring break. Several people are going to the beach. We should totally go.” The sparkle in Calli’s eyes was answer enough for Legacy. Her oldest friend was having boy trouble and had been stressed out while she’d been stuck in Hades. A trip to the beach to celebrate Calli’s birthday and Legacy’s freedom sounded like an excellent idea to her. 

“Definitely,” Legacy said as she smiled at her, then she chuckled. “I should probably let Adin know he can come get me
before
he comes and busts down your door.”

“True. If he breaks my parents’ house, we might not get to go to Florida for spring break.”

Legacy chuckled as she pulled out her cell phone and sent a text to Adin. He was there within minutes. Literally. They both got up from the bar and walked out the door.

“Were you parked outside her gate?” Legacy asked, shaking her head.

“Sorta. I was at River’s.” Adin jogged up the steps and hugged her before she had a chance to walk to his car.

“What about my stuff?” Legacy asked, trying to sound indignant and doing a poor job.

“All done.” He stepped back, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward his Porsche.

“I’ll see you at school,” she called back to Calli, who chuckled at the sight of Adin stuffing her into his car. She waved as Adin ran to the driver’s side.

He backed out and sped down the street. “In a hurry?”

“No,” he said slowly. “Not technically.”

She didn’t know what to make of that, so she looked out the window until they got to Adin’s house. It was so weird being on her street but turning into a different driveway.

“The Jillians’ old house?”

“Yep.” Adin smiled, jumped out of the car, and ran to her door before she could open it. “After Mildred Jillian died a couple of years ago, her kids have been renting it out since they live out of state. When the last renters moved out a few weeks ago, I had my attorney contact the executor of her estate to make an offer.” He helped her out of the car. “They jumped on it. Seems they didn’t like being landlords, but didn’t want to deal with the fuss of updating the house to put it on the market either.”

They walked hand-in-hand up the stairs. Adin didn’t even let go of her hand to unlock the door. “Home sweet home,” he said as he walked her in and shut the door behind them.

“It smells like paint,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

“Yeah, you should’ve seen the tacky wallpaper that was everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It took a week with crews working around the clock to get it, the gold shag carpet, avocado green appliances, brass fixtures, chipped sinks and tubs, and faux wood doors out. The outside wasn’t that bad since it’s brick. I just had the windows, eaves, overhands, and roof replaced.”

“Just,” Legacy mocked. “Sounds like you did a total remodel in a week. Who does that?” She shook her head incredulously.

“Hey now, there are television shows that do brand new houses in a week. Besides,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I needed this place ready for when you got back. Since the oracle warned it’d be by the end of spring, I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of time to get it ready.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond. His lips came over hers in a feather-light kiss. “Gods, I missed you so much.”

Her world turned upside down when he picked her up into his arms and cradled her to his chest. “My legs work just fine, Ad—”

He cut her off with another kiss, and suddenly, she didn’t remember that her legs worked just fine. Thoughts of tripping herself just so he’d have a reason to hold her, if he hadn’t been already, shamelessly crossed her mind. Thank gods self-mutilation wasn’t necessary.  They were moving now as he kissed her. Ascending stairs, going down a hall, and their kiss intensified. He shouldered passed a door, and then Legacy landed softly on a bed.

“Our room,” was all he said as he came over her. He kissed her hard, holding her head so his lips could explore. After he consumed her mouth, he broke away panting. “You’ll get the rest of the tour later.”

She chuckled breathlessly. She was happy. Very happy. She hadn’t had enough time with Adin after he’d come back from his father’s house enduring his ascension. She had every intention of making up for lost time. Every second of it.

After he kissed his way down her neck, grabbed the hem of her shirt, and pulled it free, he sat up between her legs and looked down at her. “I’ve been so scared. But I—”

“Hey,” Legacy whispered as she sat up and rubbed his cheek. “I’m fine. Things are going to be dangerous for the next couple of months, but I know you’ll keep me safe.”

He gritted his teeth as he nodded with a short, quick movement of his head. “Damn right I will.”

Seeing the look of fierce determination in his eyes spurred her to distract him. “I think I need to get something sexy to wear for you on your birthday.”

Adin gaped at her before a shocked laugh escaped him. “I seriously haven’t thought about my birthday.” Then his eyes turned serious. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I’ve been going insane without you.”

She gently eased toward him and took his upper lip between hers in a soft kiss. If a discussion about his birthday wouldn’t distract him, she knew what would. She slipped her hand up his leg and squeezed him through his jeans. He groaned into her mouth as he took control of the kiss and crushed her to the bed.

Oh yeah, she would be distracting him well into the night.

Chapter Ten

“Want an iced latte?” Calli asked, though it was obviously rhetorical since she grabbed the Victoria’s Secret shopping bag Legacy was carrying and dragged her to the coffee stand right outside of Old Navy in the mall.

Legacy had wanted to go straight home after school because she knew Adin would be worried about her. He’d spent the morning trying to talk her into not going to school, at least for the rest of the week. Since River had spent four weeks keeping everybody at school ignorant of the fact that she’d been abducted, Adin had argued he could do it for two more days. She wasn’t agreeing to that. Her boyfriend had too much guilt inside of him about her abduction, and the sooner he got over all the what-if scenarios and was just happy she was back, the sooner he could get back to normal. Granted, she had only been back for twenty-four hours and she knew it was going to take him a little time, but no way was she going to feed into his fear. Going back to school right away had been her tough-love treatment. Good thing she found his pouting incredibly sexy.

And River had done an excellent job of keeping her classmates and teachers incognizant of her attendance…or lack thereof. She’d come back to school and everything had been as if she’d never left. It was as if all assignments had been turned in, tests taken, projects completed. She’d even “missed” two days because she’d gotten sick. He’d really gone above and beyond her expectation of his ability.

She’d talked to him some, but whenever she’d tried to bring up Calli, he’d either change the subject or get still as stone and not say a word. The subject was off limits to him. He’d said so after the third time she’d brought it up today. Well, he was an idiot if he thought she was going to drop the subject completely. It hadn’t made any sense. She would be getting the answers one way or another, but she’d have to bide her time, wait for the right moment, then pounce.

At lunch, the discussion had turned to prom. Gods, her life was like night and day. She’d gone from learning about her ascension, to trying to still enjoy her senior year of high school, to being abducted and thrown into the possibility she might never see her loved ones again…to back to being a senior in high school and dealing with teenage stuff. It had been very surreal. When Ellen said she was going to a dress shop after school, Calli had turned to Legacy and asked her to go dress shopping too. Prom was a month away, and she knew her BFF had probably been too consumed with her being kidnapped to have been looking for the perfect prom ensemble. She might not have a date yet, but Calli was still the fashionista of the school. Her dress was expected to be killer. And now, time was of the essence. Of course, getting Adin to understand this had been a different feat entirely. She was pretty sure she saw his Porsche in the parking lot of the mall. If she didn’t love him so much, she’d be pissed. But if she was being completely honest, it did make her feel safe.

“Skinny caramel macchiato for me.” Calli glanced at Legacy, waiting.

“Same thing. But put the sugar and fat in mine.” Looking at Calli, she whispered, “Believe me, there are things far more evil than sugar.” Legacy chuckled.

Calli rolled her eyes as she smiled. “Evil, thy name is chocolate. I’ve had so much ice cream that I am not risking it. I have a dress to fit into.”

“We have to find it first,” Legacy said as she retrieved her drink while Calli paid. Once Calli’s was ready, they started walking toward Dillard’s. “Any word from Kate?”

“No, but that hasn’t stopped her from becoming Ellen’s ass-kisser. It’s like old times with them. Though, Ellen doesn’t realize it had ever stopped.”

“True, but since Ellen and everybody else thinks Seth up and moved in with his cousin out of state, she thinks Kate should be at her beck-and-call with her pucker ready.”

“Ugh, I can’t stand her. I’d rather not give her any spare thought, and now I have to watch out for her in case she might unknowingly do something to interfere with my ascension or even kill me. Just want I need…to be bested by a cold-hearted, self-centered debutante. Medusa spending months trying to do me in? No biggie. Hades kidnapping me and taking me to the underworld? No prob. But a blonde-headed bully who’s more worried about her manicure than finals? That will be what does me in? Really? I’m totally insulted.” Legacy rolled her eyes.

Calli chuckled. “I’m not touching that with a ten foot pole. C’mon. Let’s leave and go to some specialty shops. We’re not going to find anything here.”

Legacy raised an eyebrow as she shook the bag she was carrying. “I’ve had plenty of luck.”

Calli rolled her eyes. “Unless you plan on wearing that red nightie to prom, that’s not what I mean. Though, I’m sure Adin will be panting like a dog in heat when he sees you in that.”

“I plan on making his birthday memorable.”

“Memorable? With an outfit like that, you’re likely to ruin him.”

Legacy laughed then winked. “That’s the idea.”

“Vixen. But now that you have the appropriate attire for one important event, it’s time for us to seriously tackle another. My dress needs to be legendary.”

“I’m surprised you’re not having one custom made,” Legacy said, giving her friend a knowingly look.

“You’re joking, but I’ve thought about it. Actually, I still might. I just need to get some ideas of what I want.”

Legacy shook her head. Only Calli would be able to pull off a custom dress in under a month.

“Don’t give me that look. We have to look hot. No way am I going…” Calli trailed off then gasped. She grabbed Legacy’s arm and turned her around. “I just saw Zach,” she whispered as her eyes darted around.

“Zach?” Legacy frowned. “
Zach
, Zach? Your ex-boyfriend who dumped you before homecoming Zach?” Legacy tried to turn. She could give that jerk a piece of her mind, but Calli wouldn’t let go of her.

“Yeah.” She grabbed her stomach. “Oh my god, my tummy is in knots. I haven’t seen him in months. Do you think he saw us?” Legacy wasn’t sure if that question was one of hope or worry.

“I don’t know. I didn’t see him.”

“Calli,” a deep voice said from behind them. They both knew exactly who it was. Slowly, they turned around to face him.

“Zach,” Calli said, her voice trembling a little. “Good to see you. How have you been?”

He just stared at her without responding at first, and Legacy got the feeling that she could be standing here naked and he wouldn’t notice. He looked at Calli with such awe that even she was momentarily speechless. Finally, he said, “Er, I’ve been good. Busy with school, but good.” He took a step closer to her. “You look—” He breathed hard and looked away. He shook his head slowly, smiling, then looked at her again. “Wow, you look really good.” His tone was matter-of-fact, but his glowing face belied whatever nonchalance he was going for.

“Thanks. Um, so do you.” Calli shrugged. So they were
both
going for fake indifference.
Okay.

Zach finally tore his eyes off of Calli to acknowledge Legacy. “Hey. How’s it going?”

I’ve been living in Hell.
Probably not the best answer. “Good,” was much easier.

Zach looked at Calli again. “Well, it was good to see you. Really.” He nodded as if to reinforce what he’d just said.

“Same here.”

Zach licked his lips and opened his mouth. He closed it and frowned slightly. “Yeah, really good.” Then he turned to walk away. That had been weird, but she knew Calli would be so much more affected. Legacy braced herself for another night of chocolate ice cream for dinner and was just about to suggest it when Zach whirled, surprising them both with his suddenness, and took two giant steps toward them, stopping right in front of Calli, closer than he’d been before. “Go out with me,” he said almost frantically. “I-I know I don’t deserve to ask. You have every right to say no. And you should. I wouldn’t blame you. But, God, I’ve missed you. You don’t know how many times I’ve picked up the phone to call you and hung up before it rang.” He looked at Legacy as he took a step back and shoved his hands in his pockets. “We can double.” Then he looked back at Calli. “Keep it casual. Light. I-I’d just like to see you again.”

Legacy looked at Calli, who was gaping at Zach. “Er.” She looked at Legacy and then back at the guy standing before her. “Um, I guess so,” she said, her voice shaking. Then she nodded. “Sure. Why not?”

Zach’s shoulders slouched as if he’d been tense waiting for her reply, and he smiled brightly. “Cool. Great. Um, how about Friday?”

Calli looked at Legacy, and she shrugged. The only thing she had planned was to spend time with Adin on Saturday since it was his birthday. She was free on Friday.

“Okay. Friday.”

“Friday,” he repeated as he smiled at her. Then he seemed to realize he was staring. “Right, sooo a movie?” His throat moved as he visibly swallowed. Legacy would find his nervousness cute if she hadn’t owed him a bitch-slap for dumping her BFF before her big night.

“Umm…” Calli looked at Legacy and then back at him. “Let me talk it over with Legacy and get back to you after seeing what time is good for Adin.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll call you tomorrow to find out the details?” He waved his hand nervously. “Or you could call me? My number’s still the same.” He shoved his hands back into his pockets and rocked on his feet.

Calli nodded. “I’ll text you.”

He half-smiled, but his eyes were glowing. “Looking forward to it.” Then he turned and walked away. He looked back a few seconds later as he ran a hand through his hair. He smiled at Calli before turning forward and walking away with a little pep in his step.

Legacy looked at her BFF, who seemed to be frozen in the moment. “Calli?”

“Hmm?” She finally looked at her.

“You okay?”

“It’s just a date.” Calli shrugged. “Besides, it might be fun to spend time with a man who actually wants to be around me.” Her eyes hardened as she started to walk. Legacy fell into step beside her. If the look on that face was telling, then the story she was reciting didn’t bode well for River.

And Calli had called
her
a vixen.
Pfft
…Calli knew how to break hearts too. Nope, this didn’t bode well for River at all.

* * * * *

Legacy got to school early the next morning. Adin had been more than just a little shocked at the news of their upcoming double date. He’d been pissed. Not at Legacy, of course. But because he, too, had ill feelings toward Zach. Legacy would never forget the night he’d broken up with her BFF and left her a crying mess at the football game. It had been the same night that Adin and River had first come to blows. No, Zach and Calli’s breakup hadn’t been easy on any of them, but she would stand behind her friend’s decision to go out with him. Honestly, she preferred the idea of a double date the more she thought about it because she could witness how Zach acted around Calli firsthand and judge for herself if he was worthy of another chance…assuming that was what he was after.

But Calli wasn’t her only best friend, which was why she’d left the house early. She’d sent River a text first thing this morning and told him she needed to talk to him in private about something she’d learned. It wasn’t a lie. She did need to talk to him about learning of Calli’s heritage. When she’d talked to Adin about it last night, he’d seemed confused about the whole thing. He didn’t know much on the history of nymphs, and even suggested that River might know more about them. It gave her a reason to seek out information from him, and an opportunity to let the info of the upcoming double date
slip
. He might not want to talk about why he was avoiding her, but Legacy saw nothing wrong with throwing the fact in his face that he was screwing up with Calli. She cared about the hard-headed fool. Gods, she had to dish out tough-love to both of the guys in her life. What was wrong with men?

“Hey.”

Legacy turned around on the bench and watched as River approached. “Hi.”

He tossed his backpack down on the table and sat across from her. “Damn, it’s so muggy out here. Are you doing this?” River asked he waved a hand in the air and glanced around them.

“No. Actually, I feel very in control.” She glared at him. “About a lot of things.” She hadn’t really thought much about how her emotions would affect the weather since she’d been back, but in this short time, she had felt as if she dominated her body and mind to the point of errors seeming nearly impossible. Maybe that hadn’t been a new development. It could have happened while she was away, or maybe her ability to harness her emotions had been an ongoing process, which being away for a month really proved how in sync she was. Not that
that
was the issue at the moment.

“If you called me here to bitch about Calli, I’m going to jet. I told you she’s fucking
off
limits. ”

“Don’t get your panties in a wad. I do need to talk about Calli, but it has nothing to do with you.”

His jaw ticked, obviously not happy to talk about Calli at all. “What?”

“I didn’t say anything the other day, but while I was in Hades, Seth said she was a nymph created in the likeness of some chick named Callirrhoe.”

River didn’t even flinch hearing the news. “And?”

“And? Is that all you have to say? And? What the hell’s wrong with you? I just told you something major about her that I learned while I was
kidnapped
and you act like I just told you it’s cold outside.”

“It’s muggy and hot. Not cold.”

Legacy stared at him, searching for words. She shook her head when she came up empty. What had happened to her best friend?

River sighed and rubbed his hands roughly against his face. Then he folded his arms across his chest and glared at Legacy. “I already knew, okay?”

“What?” Legacy yelled. “You knew who she was and you didn’t say anything? Why would you keep something like that—”