Midnight Runes (The Bestowed Ones) (13 page)

“It was a slow process.”

“I do everything I can to keep you out of this and you undo it all.”

“I have a right to know what’s going on. It’s not my fault you disappear from my life because it’s easier for you.”

“If you’re using him to get to me, stop. He’s not the type to be used.”

“Thanks for the warning. I can take care of myself.”

“I have to figure out what to do from here.” He sounded more concerned than necessary. “You make my life so complicated.”

“Thanks for the call. Always great to hear from you,” I said before I hung up on him.

I stared at the phone, contemplating my next move. Why did everything have to go so wrong every time I talked to him? I was tired of doing everything on his terms, and only when he felt like including me.

But I had bigger issues. Landon knew the true motivation behind why I started talking to him, and now Trevor knew I was hanging around Landon. I didn’t know what he planned to do. Would he confront Landon? I couldn’t protect him from himself, and if he was foolish enough to start trouble over Landon going to my school, then he deserved the repercussions. And what did he care anyway? We weren’t together. He was probably just upset that I had a way to access his new secret life.

I typed up a fast message to Elyse.
I need to talk to you! Call me!

Okay, give me ten.

My head was spinning by the time Elyse called, and I could only talk to her about the first issue—and only part of it at best. The other I’d have to figure out on my own. I still hadn’t told her the guys knew each other. What would happen if they both went to homecoming? My brain turned to slush.

“Would you think I’m crazy if I wanted Trevor to go with me to homecoming? He just called to ask me about it.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. Just got off the phone with him.”

“Did I hear you right? He called you?”

“Yeah. He said that he was hoping I’d want to go with him.”

“Do you think he’ll show up at the game Friday night?”

“I don’t know, but thanks for giving me something else to worry about. Would you please answer my first question?”

“No, I wouldn’t think you’re crazy. I think it’s a tough decision, though. I’m not sure that I would if I was in your situation, but you’re more forgiving than me where he’s involved. I’d support you either way. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Alright. Just start talking and we’ll figure this out.”

“On one hand, it’d be nice to have him as my date. I mean, I know we’re all going as a big group, so I don’t need one, but it would be really great to see him and talk to him. Maybe it could be like things were back to normal. On the other hand, I’m not sure I want him there or that I want to see him. It might just confuse things even more. And having Landon
and
Trevor there…I just don’t know.”

“Would you rather go with someone else? I know of the perfect date. You already mentioned him,” she teased.

“Are you trying to help me or further complicate my life?”

“Help you! I’m always trying to help you. How could you ask me that? A definitive answer like wanting to go with someone else could help you decide.”

“I can’t even clear my head enough to think about it. What else ya got?”

“Nothing else. It’s your decision. Do what you want to do, and don’t think about anyone else. Make a mental pro/con list. That usually helps, and you already have one started. Call me with your results.”

“Thanks,” I said sarcastically. “I’ll get right on it.”

“Tell me about driving with Landon today.”

“Ugh. I still can’t believe he came to the door and met my parents!”

“How proper.”

“Yeah. My mom loved it.”

“What did you talk about in the car?”

“All different stuff. He mostly asked me questions, but I got a few in,” I said.

“Sounds like he wanted to get to know you better. Maybe that’s why he wanted to spend some time with you.”

I made a face. “I guess.” It didn’t seem like he needed any more time to get to know me. He was so good at reading me already. How could he be so accurate after only knowing me for a month and a half?

“Hey, Jared just showed up. Call me tomorrow if you want to do something. We can go to the mall or to the library. I’ll have to fit in some time to work on my English paper, and it’s not going to happen tonight. Bye,” she said with a smile in her voice.

Now I definitely didn’t want to start my homework. She was having fun on another Saturday night, while I sat at home.

I switched thoughts between Trevor’s homecoming and Halloween offer, and how I might have confused Landon’s insistence to drive me as repayment for the Emilee thing.

I resigned that my homework wouldn’t get done. I left everything out in case inspiration hit. At least I could do it with Elyse tomorrow. We could suffer through it together, and I could have someone to talk to. I turned on my MP3 player and sprawled over my pink and grey flower comforter. I switched from band to band until I found the right music.

Motivation never came, but after a few hours, sleep did.

T
he next day, I went grocery shopping with my mom. I felt a little guilty for closing myself up in my room last night. It wasn’t like I didn’t spend any time with her yesterday—we cooked and ate dinner together, but I had some thinking to do, and sometimes I just wanted to be alone. Luckily, my parents understood my need for space.

I helped my mom put away the groceries before I called Elyse to find out when she could meet up at the library and do homework.

I drove to the library and found her in our usual spot in the far corner, all the way in back. We typically had the entire area to ourselves, since it was the farthest study section from the main entrance. It gave us a chance to talk without bothering others.

Once we settled in, I asked what they ended up doing last night.

“We went out for coffee and rented a movie. Very low key. Although something much more intriguing happened.”

“What happened?”

“You’re going to freak.”

“Okay.” It was never good when she upped the dramatics.

“We saw Trevor last night when we left the coffee shop. He didn’t see us because we were already in Jared’s truck. But guess who he was with?”

I bet I knew. I couldn’t breathe.

“Landon! Can you believe they know each other? How is that even possible?”

I took a deep breath. “Landon was part of the group Trevor was with at Alyssa’s grad party when he left the psychic’s table, and he was with the guys who showed up at Trevor’s party.”

“Look at you being all quiet about it.”

“I wasn’t positive until Landon confirmed it,” I justified, which wasn’t exactly the truth. I would have recognized Landon anywhere. “I don’t know what it means, but maybe I can find out what Trevor’s been up to through Landon.”

“You sneak! I bet that’s not the only reason you’re cozying up to Landon. But you know I’ll help any way I can. Just let me know. I just think it’s so crazy they know each other when Landon just moved here.”

“I know, it’s like they’re in the same club,” I joked. “They probably have a mutual friend, because Trevor doesn’t seem to like Landon.”

“He’s competition, Brynn. Of course he doesn’t like him.”

• • •

Monday and Tuesday passed without incident. Landon came to school, bruise-free from what I could see. Meeting in a public place seemed to work out for them.

I didn’t know how to act around him anymore. I couldn’t help but feel I ratted him out to Trevor. Landon had kept that information from Trevor so he wouldn’t know he was going to my school, but why? It’s almost as though Trevor had been waiting for someone new to come around me since he made a point to ask that question at dinner and then again the last time we talked. Complicating it more, I felt a certain amount of loyalty toward both of them.

I started to feel sick Tuesday evening. It began with a dry cough, and once the sneezing started, I began to worry. A runny, congested nose and a pounding headache sealed the deal. I called it an early night and crashed.

School wasn’t a possibility the next day, and I hated missing school. The work added up quick, and I had to be selective of who I borrowed class notes from, because so many teachers used what they say in class on quizzes and tests. But I was too sick to care.

I traded off sleeping in bed and on the couch. It was the best time to have my favorite movies playing in the background, but I could only stand so much TV every day. In the midst of being half-awake, I spotted Landon sitting in the living room chair. Of course by the time it registered and I looked again, he wasn’t there. My mild fever was high enough to make me slightly delirious.

Overall, I missed two days. On Friday morning, I found Elyse at my locker.

“Glad to see you’re feeling better. I’ve missed you.”

“It’s good to feel normal again. I never fully appreciate my health until I’m sick.”

“So I have to fill you in on a bit of gossip going around.”

“Oh, yeah?” I leaned in. Elyse usually had the juicy stuff.

“Rumor has it you and Landon skipped together.”

I drew back in shock. “What?”

She shrugged. She didn’t believe it. She knew I’d tell her. Eventually. “Just sayin’.” She knew how much I hated missing school and that it would take something pretty important to make me do so.

Landon sauntered over. “Nice of you to finally show up,” he said.

“You should talk. I heard you were out too.”

“What else did you hear? That we were together the last two days?” he mocked.

“How do you hear this stuff?” Elyse asked.

“I pay attention. We don’t want to be late for class. Give them more reason to speculate,” he taunted.

I felt all eyes on us when we walked into the room.

Well, maybe not every pair of eyes, but enough of them. Let them talk. This was crazy. I never skipped with my boyfriend. Why would I skip with a friend? I wondered who started that ludicrous lie.

I
magine Dragons, the band Elyse loved, added a show in a city near us, so we bought tickets and got ready at my house. None of our friends were able to go. Their excuses ranged from having to work, already having plans, or just couldn’t go. Maybe they didn’t like the band enough and didn’t say so because Elyse was so into them. In the end it was just the two of us, and we looked forward to a fun girls’ night out.

I was secretly relieved Landon wasn’t coming. I still hadn’t figured out how to act around him, and it caused me unnecessary anxiety. Should I apologize for telling Trevor? It wasn’t like I knew it was a secret I had to keep, and there really wasn’t a way out of Trevor’s questioning. Plus, having an ulterior motive was not my style, and it felt especially strange to know that he knew I had one, even though I knew he had one, too. Did I pretend he didn’t know? Or did I just accept that he knew? Or did I carry on how I wanted to? Maybe he thought I was upset with him when I was a little distant all week, or maybe he didn’t. I didn’t really care either way. I wasn’t going to ask him to come along with us. This concert was Elyse’s thing, so I let her determine who to invite.

We knew it would be standing-room-only in the small, seatless venue, so we left soon after getting ready. I drove us to the old converted church that functioned as either a concert venue or dance club depending on the night. Spotlights highlighted the tall steeple, making it easy to pick out amongst the surrounding buildings in downtown Pontiac. We parked in the lot nearby and shivered in line waiting for admittance; it wasn’t the best idea to leave our jackets in the car. The bouncer verified our tickets and stamped each of our hands with quick-drying ink to show we were underage. We followed the crowd into the main room, and I couldn’t help notice the piped-in background music didn’t match the genre we were here to see.

A group of guys by the bar made catcalls as we passed. I made the mistake of glancing their way to determine who they had focused their attention on. I met their cold, calculating gazes, and a bad feeling passed through me. Two of the four broke away and followed us, looking overconfident. Elyse and I managed to weave our way between enough people to make it halfway to the stage, but we didn’t manage to lose them. They talked to our backs as if we were participating in the conversation, inviting us to hang out with them after the show, offering to show us a good time.

Neither Elyse nor I acknowledged their presence, although we were hyper-aware of their nearness. Starting a conversation between ourselves wasn’t going to happen while they hovered around us, and I didn’t want them learning one detail of our lives.

Trying to ignore them proved futile so I stood on my toes and searched the perimeter for a bouncer. After I spotted one, I waved my arm to get his attention.

The guy closest to me huffed in annoyance. “Hey, I’m talking to you. It’s rude to ignore me,” he said as he put his hand around my waist and drew me close. His fingers cruelly dug into my side.

I tasted bile as it rose in my throat. I quickly spun toward him, and the action broke his contact as I’d hoped. “Don’t touch me,” I said through clenched teeth.

Elyse moved closer to my side. She looked over at the guy who followed her and said, “Not going to happen.”

By this time, the bouncer made his way to us and read the situation. “These guys bothering you?”

“Yes,” we answered.

He addressed the guys. “Come on, guys, find other girls, ones that show interest. Plenty of other pretty girls to approach tonight. If you don’t leave them alone, I’ll kick you out.”

The guy who touched me leaned in too close and I cringed. “You’ll see me again, that’s for sure.”

After they left, the bouncer spoke again. “I’ll keep an eye on them. And I really will throw them out,” he assured. “They’re regular troublemakers.”

“Thanks,” Elyse said. “Spencer, right? Didn’t you graduate a few years ago from Lake Orion?”

“Yeah, three years ago. I thought I recognized you two. Seriously, stay as far away from them as you can. I’ve suggested to the owners that they ban them, but they spend so much at the bar it takes precedent. They’re really aggressive, and I hope they leave you alone. I’ll watch out for you as much as I can,” he said and then returned to his post.