Reveal (Cryptid Tales) (9 page)

“
When
will I see you again?”

“
Oh, I dunno.” I blush. He’s standing so close to me I can feel the heat coming off of his body. I try to keep my knees locked so I don’t fall over.

“
How about later today?”

“
Later, today, like today, today?”

“
Yeah, I mean unless you want to wait until tomorrow, but then you have school and I…”

I interrupt him. “Today is great!” Well that sounded overly enthusiastic, but he is the one who suggested today.

“
I’ll text you. And this time I promise, we’ll get together. Goodnight Shay.” He reaches around me to open my door and I get in.

“
Bye Hugh.” I smile as I start the engine. He closes the door and walks away from me in the glow of my headlights as I begin to reverse. I stay until I can’t see his shadow outlined against the trees anymore.

As I’m driving I realize I am totally ridiculously in love with a boy who is part cat. I am surprised I can even drive I am so freaking excited. I should be freezing in this weather, but I’m practically sweating because my skin feels like it’s on fire. I turn on the radio to keep me company on the fairly short ride home. Ke$ha’s
Your Love Is My Drug
is on and I’m singing at the top of my lungs when I turn onto my street. I look down at the clock and see that it’s almost four a.m. Whoa, Mom would freak out if she knew I was out this late. I quickly turn off the music and headlights. I enter my driveway at a super slow pace and park as quietly as I can. I close the door silently and head to the back of the house. I left the window in the living room open so I could get back in. After I climb over the windowsill I close the window and tiptoe up the stairs past my mom’s room. I can hear her snoring so I know I’m safe. I get to my room, silently close the door, and slip into bed. I hug my pillow and close my eyes to dream of the tall, dark and handsome boy, Hugh,
my
Hugh.

I see the sun and hear a voice as I groggily open my eyes. “Shay, Shaaaaay. Shay!”

I rub the sleepiness out of my eyes. “Huh?”

“
Yo, get the hell up. Mom is gonna beat your ass.” Chad is looking down at me. He’s already dressed in his usual sports t-shirt and jeans, looks like the Yankees today.

I sit up, “What about Mom?”

“
She’s been trying to wake you up for almost an hour. There’s some college guy downstairs. He says he knows you.”

“
WHAT?!?” I shoot out of bed and run past him out of my door and down the hall. I screech to a halt at the top of the stairs as I see him sitting at the breakfast bar with my mom discussing her latest lecture. I sprint back to my bedroom to see Chad sitting on my exposed bed; my purple bedspread is lying on the floor.

“
How long has he been here?”

“
I dunno, half hour I guess.”

“
Oh geez, you have got to get out! I have to change!” I push his laughing self out the door and fling open my dresser to look for a clean pairs of jeans and a low cut top. A girl’s gotta give it her best shot, right? I change quickly and head to the bathroom to throw on some make up and brush my teeth. I check my hair, as always it’s hanging perfectly straight. I pull a brush through it as fast as I can and grab a pair of metallic flats on my way out of my bedroom. I stumble to put them on as I go down the stairs and miss the last step successfully falling on my butt, right in front of Hugh.
Oh my God, how absolutely embarrassing
. I shut my eyes and hope that I’ll wake up in my bed and this morning never happened, but then I hear the laughing. I look up and see Hugh’s hand extended to help me up. I take a deep breath, “thanks.”

“
No problem. Graceful fall by the way, you didn’t hurt yourself did you?” He smiles at me and I roll my eyes at him.

“
No I’m good, thanks.” As I tear my eyes away from his chiseled tan face, I can see my mom standing behind him beaming. She’s giving me those knowing eyes, like she likes this boy, and I’m lucky she hasn’t killed me yet. Mom’s super into karma so she probably thinks me falling on my ass in front of Hugh is because she tried to wake me up and I wouldn’t move. Nice one universe.

I stand up slowly noticing my butt hurts and I still have a shoe in my hand. I remove my hand from Hugh’s and I slip the flat on my foot while leaning on the railing. “So I see you’ve been talking to my mom.”

Mom chimes in, “Well since you didn’t get up the ten times I called you, I figured you just wanted us to hang out. Hugh is in my freshman Psych class. We were just discussing the Order of the Solar Temple and the impacts that mass suicides have on our society.” Mom had that gleam in her eye, the one that says she could talk about the crazies all day.

“
Well that’s super interesting, but Hugh and I really should get going.”

Mom raises an eyebrow, “And where is it exactly that you’re going?”

“
I, uh, well…” I stammer. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea where we’re going. I don’t even know how Hugh knew where I lived.

Luckily for me Hugh saves the day, yet again. “We’re going out to lunch at the coffee shop on campus. I thought it would be good to sit outside since it’s actually kinda warm out today.”

“
Yep, the coffee shop.” I add though I’m disappointed, at least we have a destination.

Mom sighs, “Well have fun. Do you have any homework Shay?”

“
Nah Mom, I finished it yesterday at work.”

I hear a noise upstairs, “But I know that Chad does!” I hear a lot more shuffling in the upstairs hallway and laugh to myself, serves him right for listening in.

“
Ah, well yes then. Have fun you two! It appears I have some parenting to do.” She grabs her coffee mug and makes her way up the stairs. As Hugh walks over to the door, she winks at me over her shoulder. I smile and shake my head as I grab my jacket and walk through the front door that Hugh is holding open for me.

As we get into his yellow pickup I finally notice what he’s wearing. My seat creaks as I sit down and I observe his boot cut jeans and a black sweater that makes him look like he’s in his mid twenties, and hot, very, very hot.

We begin the short drive to the college. Hugh drives slowly; putting down his window slightly by hand crank to breathe in what is finally fresh spring air.

“
It’s nice today isn’t it?” I offer, hoping to start up conversation.

“
Yeah, it’s beautiful outside. Makes me miss home though. I’m going back there next week for spring break.”

“
Oh to Texas?”

“
Yeah, it’s going to be great, home cooked meals, I don’t have to do my wash, and best part is no classes.” He quickly adds, “I really like your mom’s though, so don’t tell her I said that OK?”

“
No problem, you’re almost done with freshmen year, I can bet you’re getting burnt out. Did you understand the solution to the last problem you texted me?” We’re speaking so fluidly like nothing even happened last night. For now I’m happy to ignore it.

Hugh looks lost in thought. “Oh yeah, the problem, it was easy once you explained it. Thanks for that.”

We pull into a metered spot in front of the old brick building the coffee shop sits in. He turns off the truck and as I go to get out he grabs my arm.

“
Shay, wait. I need to tell you something.”

Oh great probably that we have to watch out for dogs or something equally ridiculous.

But instead all he says is, “I’m sorry.”

“
Sorry for what?” Now I’m even more confused.

“
For springing everything on you last night. I wanted to get together again after that night at the store, but I didn’t know how to start the subject with you. And Jeremy told me how you would be coming to find him soon so I just waited. I only hear his whispers so it’s hard for me to understand him sometimes. I had to see if for myself to believe that you really are one of us. I’m sorry I couldn’t trust you before. I really am. I get it if you’re angry with me.”

He looks at me with those puppy dog eyes and I can hardly stand it. I totally trust him, everything about him screams loyal and honest. He is easily the best person I have ever met.

“
Hugh, I’m not angry. If anything I’m relieved. At least I know I’m not alone anymore, which is all I’ve ever really wanted.”

I smile at him and he squeezes my hand, we’re in this together now, I can feel it.

We spend the next several hours chatting at the cafe. I love hearing about Texas and how Hugh grew up on a reservation. He talks about another group in Kentucky that they visit often, but besides them, they really don’t know any other tribes. They shy away from other clans to maintain their secret.

When he notices it’s getting dark Hugh says we should head back to my house. He wants to make a good impression on my mom, it’s cute.

Mom greets us on the porch claiming that she’s out due to the nice weather, but I know she’s just out here waiting for us.

When Hugh leaves he shakes her hand, I can tell she’s really going to like him by the relaxed expression on her face.

“
I’ll call you later Shay. Good night.” He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before walking away. When I turn towards Mom I’m practically bouncing with excitement.

Mom grins, “Looks like you’ve got yourself a boyfriend.”

My lips can hardly contain my teeth I’m smiling so wide and I say, “I think I do.”

Days pass and for the most part I spend them with Hugh. We hang out at his apartment or go for runs together. His apartment is small, just a two bedroom with a living room and kitchen. There’s not a lot of furniture and nothing hangs on the walls, but it’s in a great old building with exposed brick walls so it stills feels cozy.

Hugh even visits me at work and does homework. It’s just nice to have a companion, someone to be with. I feel like this is what I’ve been waiting for, for as long as I can remember.

On Sunday morning he picks me up super early.

“
So I thought we’d take a road trip.” He says smiling at me.

“
A road trip? But I thought we were going to the college.” I am so confused, is this some sort of test?

Now he looks uncertain. “Shay, did you check your texts this morning?”

“
No, sorry I guess I left my phone in my wristlet last night.” I open the wristlet and check my cell. I have two unread texts.

Get ready for an adventure- Hugh
Hmm.. Save!

I know you’re not scheduled to work today but what are you doing tonight?- Liv
I’ll have to text her back later today.

“
Well I’ve seen it now, so what’s the plan?”

He smiles while keeping his eyes the road. “We’re going to see my parents.”

Well this is moving fast, meeting the parents so soon, I’m suddenly regretting wearing my favorite band t-shirt. “Oh, nice, they’re in town?”

“
No.”

“
Well then where are we meeting them?”

He pauses at first, almost for effect, and then he says one simple word. “Texas.”

“
WHAT?!?” I can’t believe this, I feel like I’m being kidnapped. Super hot captor, but I’m his hostage nonetheless.

“
Shay,” Hugh says calmly, “you have off this week for Spring Break right?”

“
Yeah I guess I do, but what about my mom and Chad? I have to tell them! And I didn’t even pack anything.”

He points to a black bag behind his seat. “Has everything we need in it.”

“
Doubt it, and you still didn’t answer the question about my mom.” I say almost accusingly.

“
We’ll call her when we get there. Trust me, she’ll be cool with it.”

“
Oh and you know this because, what, you’ve taken her class?” He knows nothing about her; she’s going to flip out.

“
Not because I know her, because my parents do.”

“
Hugh, what are you talking about?” I don’t understand any of this and I’m getting tired of all the mystery.