Lost in Starlight (Starlight Saga) (22 page)

He’s not paying much attention to the screen, either. He keeps stealing glances at my profile and puts the popcorn on the floor near his feet.

“Your hair smells like wild cherries,” he whispers.

Reaching out, he caresses my cheek, running his fingertips softly down to my chin, and then he gently nudges my face in the direction of his. Hayden leans closer and kisses the freckle on the right side of my mouth, then places a chaste kiss on my lips, and that’s the end. I’m no longer in control, not of my muscles, or my thoughts, or my emotions. In the electrifying instant that our lips meet my heart belongs to him alone. The kiss deepens, and a slow shudder runs through my body. He becomes bolder and his hands run through my hair, gripping my neck to cradle my head before kissing me passionately again. Electricity fills my body, and the pace of my heartbeat has no pattern. When he pulls back, we cling to each other, as though unsure exactly what it is we need from one another, but silently acknowledging it.

Oh, my. I’m definitely going to need to rewatch the movie when it comes out on DVD.

“What are you doing to me?” I whisper, looking up into his blazing eyes.

Hayden clears his throat. “If I’d never met you, Sloane, I have the strangest feeling that I’d spend the rest of my life looking for someone just like you...”

And then he kisses me again and again.

The next day after school, I relax against my headboard, with Jinx in my lap and my Hello Kitty notebook propped up between the pillows. Leaning over as far as I can without disturbing Jinx, my fingers pluck my iPod from the dock and choose
OneRepublic’s
“Counting Stars,” pressing
repeat
so the music will play on a loop. Tunes help me think. Unhappy at being disrupted from his nap, Jinx flexes his claws into my thigh to remind me who’s boss.

I should be studying and finishing my homework, but instead I flip to a blank page in my notebook and tap the end of my fuzzy pink pen on my chin. I need to figure out a way to get out of writing that bio and the hacker piece on Hayden for the
Haven Gazette
. Instead, I’m preoccupied with all the relationship secrets, the dangerous deceptions, and the raw emotions tainting my heart. Worrying all the time that his family will find out is getting tiresome. I’m not sure I can take this pretending-not-to-be-together much longer.

Frowning, I decide to make a list.

Pros of Dating Hayden:

Hot as Hell

A Gentleman

Defender of the Innocent

Animal Lover

Saves Lives (Mainly Mine!)

Good Kisser

Likes Curvy Girls

Cons of Dating Hayden:

Secret Relationship

Stuck-Up Hybrid Relatives

Possible Shock Therapy

No PDA at School

Threat of Mind-Erase

The good points far outweigh the bad, and I rub my eyes when Hayden’s gorgeous image haunts my mind. The cons are super scary, but worth the risk.
Hayden’s worth the risk.
He’s changed my life. Made me feel beautiful for who I am and the way I look. Taught me to be more compassionate of others by observing his selfless acts of bravery and the way he stands up to bullies. His quiet tenderness, romantic heroism, and honorable protectiveness of my well-being.

All really great attributes. The ones that count.

Almost as soon as I begin thinking about the other massive “dos and don’ts” for dating alien-hybrids, I realize it really doesn’t matter. Hayden makes me super happy, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

My cell vibrates on the nightstand shocking me back to reality. Snagging my phone, I knock my notebook onto the floor and flip Jinx out of his comfy spot. The screen’s lit up with my best friend’s face. I have a quick choice to make. Hit the red “Decline” button or the green “Answer” button.

Do I really want to keep stressing my dating situation with Hayden?

I tap “Answer” and say, “Masterson Mortuary, you snuff ’em, and we stuff ’em.”

“Funny.” Viola giggles. “Studying?”

“Not really. What are you up to?”

“One of the seniors is having a bonfire tonight at North Shore. Should be fun and I miss hanging with my bestie. Pick me up?”

Being so wrapped up in “Hayden World,” I’ve been neglecting my best friend duties. And I’ve missed hanging with Viola, too.

“I’ll be over in a few,” I say and hang up.

Lifting Jinx off the bed, I give him three kisses on his cute little head. My big toe hits the notebook and I pick it up. These pages contain too many secrets. Maybe I should destroy it.

The rational part of my brain scoffs. Why bother? Who would even believe it? I review scary movies and mock horror stories, so if anyone ever happened to read my notebook, they would just think I was making this stuff up because I want to be a screenwriter. Now that I think about it…this whole crazy story would make an epic film.

Undecided, I tuck the notebook safely inside a zippered compartment inside my purse.

After applying my makeup and brushing my teeth, I dash out of the house. I arrive at Viola’s modest Victorian home fifteen minutes later and honk. She comes running out and gets into the Jetta.

“Hey, girl,” she says, buckling her seatbelt. “Ready to party?”

“I’ll be designated driver.
You
can do the partying.”

She shrugs. “Suit yourself.”

I hit the gas and drive us over to the North Shore Beach. Through the windshield, the setting sun’s fiery rays light up the darkening sky in the horizon.

“Do you think Hayden will be there?” Viola asks, applying dark garnet lipstick in the visor mirror.

“He hasn’t mentioned it. Maybe I’ll call him when we get there. Are Tanisha and Raymond going?”

“Tanisha texted me and said they’d be there in about an hour. Something about a major hair dye disaster.”

I laugh. “What color this time?”

“Red highlights that turned orange.”

“Ohhh. Not good.”

We park in the crowded lot and get out. Most of the senior class is gathered on this remote beach area and getting hammered around a huge bonfire. Bamboo tiki torches have been lit and stuck in the sand around the mingling students, along with blankets and lawn chairs situated at different angles near the roaring fire. Several ice chests filled with beer have been commandeered by the football and basketball teams, and music flows through two speakers attached to someone’s iPod. Even munchies have been provided and kids are roasting hot dogs over the open flame.

Not one to drink myself silly, I sit on a wool blanket beside Viola and observe my classmates getting progressively drunker and dumber, while obsessing about all things Hayden, and whether or not Tama might still be on the island. And if my secret boyfriend will even show up tonight.

Good times.

When a plastic bowl of gummy bears comes within reach, I snag the sugary goodies and cradle it in my lap.

Viola shakes her head. “Such a sugar junkie.”

“You get your high, and I’ll get mine.” Grinning, I stuff a few gummies into my mouth.

“Graduating Seniors! This is our year!” Max Phelps hollers. He’s standing in front of the bonfire and holding up a bottle of beer. “I have an idea. How about a wet T-shirt contest?”

“Yay! Woo-hoo!” Emma and Kaitlyn cheer in response as they stumble toward him.

Like I said, drunk and dumb.

I roll my eyes and glance at Viola. Someone has handed her a beer and she’s chugging the foamy liquid down as if she’s been roaming the desert for days. I spot Zach in the crowd partying with his fellow teammates. His nylon basketball tank is wrinkled, and his board shorts hang low on his hips gangsta-style. Viola lowers the drink and watches Zach closely. The firelight subtly flickers over her heavy makeup and illuminates her black dress and thigh-high boots. Her dark hair is slicked back in a bun and held together by chopsticks.

I nudge Viola with my shoulder. “You need a napkin? You’re drooling.”

She flinches and shyly smiles. “What? No.”

“Admit it. You think Zach’s hot.”

Viola sighs. “He’s got it going on, but I’m
not
his type. You know, disgustingly perky and blonde?”

“Like Emma or Kaitlyn?”

“Exactly. But if he ever wants to visit the dark-side, I’m game.”

I roll my eyes. “Honestly? I think he’s a major douchebag. Don’t waste your time.”

“Why are you being such a hater? You’re all buddies with Hayden now. Maybe you can find out if Zach’s single.”

“No way. Don’t get me involved. He’s not good enough for my bestie.” She looks over at me and I shrug. “He’s not a very nice guy and he’s always cracking fat jokes around me.”

“That bastard!”

I nod. “You got that right.”

Viola slings an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t let him get to you. You’re beautiful, Sloane.”

I grin and lean my head on her shoulder. “Damn right.”

“So, what’s going on with you and Hayden? Anything interesting to report?”

“Not much. We like each other, and we’ve actually become really good friends.”

“Friends? What’s that about?” She frowns. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Sloane, and it’s more than just puppy-lust.”

“Doesn’t matter. His family is extremely selective about who he’s allowed to date.”

She frowns. “What? This isn’t the Victorian age! If you guys wanna be together than you should.”

“I wish it were that easy,” I mumble.

If Zach is here, then maybe so is his older brother. I look around for Hayden. As if my gaze is a hybrid-seeking missile, it locks onto his back. I admire those dark wash jeans that frame his perfect butt. Cute. He’s talking to a few guys on the basketball team on the other side of the bonfire. He turns as if sensing my stare and smiles at me with a wink. My heart gallops in my chest, missing some beats, unable to find a regular rhythm.

Slapping another boy on the shoulder, he makes his way over to us. He’s stopped three times by other girls with enough liquid courage to flirt with him or try to get him to dance, but Hayden politely brushes past each one.

“Hello, ladies,” Hayden says when he finally reaches us. “Having fun?”

Viola raises her bottle. “A blast.”

“I am now,” I say with a big smile.

Hayden plops down on the blanket between us, and his thigh brushes mine. My adrenaline does this rapid hormonal-pumping thing. I inhale his scent, everything spicy and masculine and oh-so-sexy.

“Up for a walk alone on the beach, Peaches? We could get away from all the craziness and score some quality alone time,” he whispers in my ear.

“Yes, please.” I blush, earning my nickname. “I mean, that would be nice.”

Actually, it would be
really
nice, considering the fact that every other girl here is flirting with him tonight—blame the consumption of alcohol—and I already can’t wait to ditch this party. But what those girls don’t know is that he’s
all
mine.

“Once everyone’s distracted, we’ll sneak off.”

“You’re not drinking?” I ask.

“No way. I drove here, and just say no, right?”

“Right.” I smile and nod. “What’ve you been doing?”

“Homework. Video games.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yup, and whenever I’m playing
Super Mario
, I imagine you’re the one I’m rescuing.” He bumps my shoulder with his and grins. “Keeps me motivated.”

Oh, my. I can’t stop grinning like a lunatic.

Zach belches noisily. He triumphantly raises both hands over his head with a huge smile, but when his gaze locks in on the three of us sitting together on the blanket his grin instantly vanishes.

Code red!

I clench my jaw.
Please, oh, please don’t come over here. I really don’t need your fat insults tonight.

I lift a strand of hair and chew on it. Hayden reaches out and stops the anxious movement. For a second, his large hand holds my small one. His blue/green gaze is so exotic, and his smile warms my heart. We’re both lost for a moment until someone loudly clears their throat. Hayden and I flinch and scoot apart.

Zach takes a swig of beer and almost tumbles over. “How’s the fire over here?”

My throat closes and I have trouble swallowing. Oh, god. Did Zach see us touching?

“You joining the fun, Viola?” Zach asks. “Most of the girls seem up for it.”

“No thanks,” Viola replies dryly. “Count me out of the wet T-shirt competition.”

“Are you sure? You’re looking pretty damn hot tonight.” Zach eyes Viola up and down with a smirk, and then he jerks his head in my direction. “But we all know who would win—
hands down
.”

Heat flushes my face and I grind my teeth. Zach annoys the shit out of me and I have half a mind to throw my bowl of gummy bears at him. But surprisingly, his insult doesn’t have quite the same ego-deflating effect as it did before.
Go me!

Hayden shoots his younger brother a dirty look. “You’re drunk. Shut up and sit down.”

“Don’t bother, Hayden,” I say under my breath and cross my arms over my chest.

Zach lurches closer, like a hissing snake that might strike at any moment. A stream of beer spills from his can onto the sand near our feet. The kids closest to us stop and stare, as if eager for a good fight.

Cue the awkwardness.

Hayden scowls up at his brother. “I’m not in the mood for your shit tonight.”

Second that.

Zach puts up his hands, still clutching the bottle. “Protective of your new little friend, bro?” He raises his eyebrows. “Maybe
little
is the wrong adjective.”

He can’t think of better insults? Zach is like the classic jerk in every horror flick. Maybe I’ll get lucky and one day zombies will eat his brains.

Hayden’s expression darkens. “I’m warning you, Zach.”

“Or what? I won’t be the one getting in trouble with you-know-who for spending time with you-know-what,” Zach says, throwing a look of disgust in my direction.

“You need to go home.” Hayden’s tone is low, controlled.

“But the party’s just getting started!” Zach crouches down to stare at me face-to-face. “Or did someone finish all the food already?”

Before I can stop him, Hayden shoves his brother backward hard, causing Zach to fall on his back, his beer spilling all over his chest.

Surprisingly, Zach doesn’t say anything rude. He laughs. “Just having some fun, bro,” he slurs. “You’re such a buzzkill!”

“I think your basketball buddies need you at the keg,” Viola says. “Girls are lining up for the contest.”

Zach drunkenly gets to his feet and swirls around, shouting, “Hey! Don’t start without me.” He shambles toward the group without a backward glance.

Disaster avoided.

Tanisha and Raymond appear with happy smiles. Tanisha takes a seat by us on the blanket while Raymond wanders off in search of cold beverages.

Hayden nudges my arm. “Sorry about that. My brother’s a jackass.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to people making stupid comments like that,” I say, looking out at the ocean.

“But it still doesn’t make it right.” Hayden’s fingers glide down my arm. “Hey, while my brother’s busy squirting water on those girls’ chests, let’s make a break for it.”

I lean closer to Viola. “Hayden and I are going for a walk. Distract Zach if he comes looking for us, okay?”

“Got it.” She wiggles her fingers at me. “Go have fun.”

Hayden sneaks away first and wanders behind a sand dune, leaving the rowdy teens and the horrible boob contest behind. I wait about five minutes, then stand to stretch and pretend to go look for the bathroom. I glance over my shoulder to make sure it’s safe and that Zach’s still preoccupied with partying before rushing over to Hayden. Once we’re a safe distance away, he takes my hand. We steal within the cover of shrubbery outlining the beach.