Seers (21 page)

Have a good night.”

“You too,” he returned. And then he was gone.

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Nineteen

The rest of the week passed by quickly, just more of the same. No Demon sightings, though. Aaron and I continued to be tense around each other, though we’d both tried to make amends. I didn’t go early to American Lit anymore, and he and Jaxon joined us at the special needs table during lunch. But though we both made efforts, things just didn’t feel right. I wondered if they ever would again, but I knew I shouldn’t be thinking things like that. I needed to be positive. Then, of course, a small part of me had to wonder if I wanted this relationship to last in the first place.

I didn’t linger on that thought, though.

Lee was all excited about the double date for Friday, and Aaron tried to pretend that he was too. But after he’d learned that Patrick would be there, well . . . he just wasn’t very happy with me—like it was entirely my fault. Patrick wasn’t looking forward to it either, but he was perhaps the best pretender of us all. I was probably the worst. The night had disaster written all over it, and by the smirks Lee sent me, I knew she knew it too. I wondered more than once why I considered her my best friend.

But despite my misgivings, Friday night arrived undeterred.

Patrick had agreed to drive, but I knew that was only because he didn’t want anyone knowing that he lived in an abandoned warehouse. Originally Aaron had suggested that each guy pick up their date, and then we could just meet at the restaurant. But Lee

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wouldn’t have any of that. She was going all out for this thing, and I wanted to strangle her for it. I knew she was trying to make a point. She wanted me to admit that I had feelings for Patrick—

and that was certainly not happening. I mean, friends as good as Lee sometimes know more about you than you do yourself, but sometimes they just think that they do. It was an unfortunate thing, but I supposed I’d just have to make the best of it.

While I waited for them to pick me up, I loitered in the kitchen, trying to tell myself I didn’t need a cookie, but craving the sugar just the same.

Suddenly I heard Grandpa’s voice behind me. “Just take one already,” he stage whispered. “Resistance is futile.”

“Star Trek again?” I pretended to be horrified. “Grandma would be appalled.”

He moved around me, and lowered himself into his usual seat at the table. “She likes ‘em just as much, despite her teasing. Sometimes arguing is just another way to show love.” I took his advice without thinking, taking the two long steps to the cookie jar with a sigh. “You’re an awful influence on me,”

“I think your figure will survive.”

“Grandpa!”

“Get one for me too, huh?”

I frowned as I handed his over, and then asked if he’d like some milk. He nodded once, and I hurried over to the fridge, pulling open the wide door with one tug.

“You look cute tonight,” Grandpa said by way of conversation.

“Going out with Aaron again?”

I glanced down at my clothes, feeling a little guilty at how much I’d actually tried this time—and knowing the reason why.

Because I hadn’t gone this all out since I’d first started dating Aaron. I was wearing a new pair of dark jeans—the kind that are really flattering, though you don’t like to say so and brag. A lay-ered top with a maroon and brown theme tied in with some cute brown boots I hadn’t worn for a long time. A necklace with varying 160 K • • •

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sizes and colors of stones complimented the outfit. I’d curled my loose lying hair, so I actually had some volume. I didn’t use much makeup, but my mother had always said the trick wasn’t to hide, but accentuate, and I’d followed her advice perfectly.

“You’re letting all the cold out,” Grandpa reminded me, and I snatched up the milk and hurried to close the fridge.

I returned to the table, milk in one hand, two cups in the other. I poured us each a glass, and then took my seat across from him. We ate for a short moment in silence, then Grandpa cleared his throat.

“So, is it a date with Aaron?”

I nodded, and pulled another bite-size piece off my cookie.

“Yep. We’re doubling tonight.”

“Are you nervous, girl?”

I glanced up, hating that I was so easy for him to read. “A little. What gave it away?”

“You’re biting your lip. You only do that when you’re nervous.” I pressed my lips together, then shoved a piece of cookie in my mouth.

“Why’re you nervous?” Grandpa pressed.

“I don’t really know,” I said slowly.

I could feel his eyes on my face, but I didn’t meet them. I sipped my milk, then noticed the morning paper still lying on the table beside us. “Anything new that I should know about? School’s useless, remember?”

He blew out his breath, and then shoved the last bit of cookie into his mouth. “Well, the Death Train’s still moving, but that’s about it.”

The Death Train. I’d nearly forgotten the mysterious string of accidental deaths. “Still unexplainable?” I asked, taking another quick drink.

He bobbed his old head, and reached for the paper. “Yes, but it’s really starting to puzzle the police. There’ve been two more accidents, but there’s something very calculated about them. The

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weirdest part is that they’re progressing geographically in the same direction.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s almost like the deaths are marking a trail. The most recent death took place at a gas station just outside of Santa Fe.

Some people are starting to worry that it’s some kind of possessed serial killer with inhuman powers.”

“What do you think it is?”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t dare guess. Hope it stops soon, though—cuz if it keeps moving in the direction it’s going now, it’s going to cut clean through our town.” He caught the worry on my face, and waved a quick hand, dropping the paper back to the table at the same time. “Now, now, don’t go getting all worried—your grandma would kill me.” There was a firm knock on the door, and I quickly stood. I moved to take my cup, but Grandpa spoke quickly. “No, I’ll take care of this mess. You have some fun tonight. Don’t keep the poor boy waiting.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Grandpa.”

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you, too.” I pulled in a deep breath and straightened my shirt as I walked out of the kitchen. I heard Grandpa’s quick—

“Don’t be nervous!”—and then I was opening the front door.

My breath was knocked out of my body.

It was Patrick standing on my doorstep. His hands were deep in his pockets, his shoulders hunched slightly inward. His mouth—which had been forming a thin line until he’d twisted back around as I opened the door—was now parting in an actual gape, though it was small. His blue eyes were serious, but widening as they trailed over my body. When they returned to mine, they were almost glowing with an emotion I can best describe as wonder.

He was wearing a crisp pair of jeans—light like usual—and a black button up shirt, rolled characteristically to the elbows. I’d 162 K • • •

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never seen him in black, and the effect was impressive. He’d very recently showered, and the scent of clean soap lingered on his skin.

His longish hair was slightly damp, causing it to appear darker than it really was.

He swallowed hard, and the lump in his throat bobbed against his open collar in a very masculine way. His mouth snapped closed as an after thought, and he straightened his body with a quick motion.

“Kate.”

It was all he said, but, strangely, it said it all. I was humbled by his appraisal of me, and a thin blush bloomed over my face.

“Hello, Patrick.” His name nearly got stuck in my throat, which only caused my blush to deepen. Why couldn’t I speak as smoothly as he did?

His eyes ran over my face, taking in the added color, before he finally turned to the side, pointing across the yard to his idling car with one open hand. “Um, Lee said it was all right if I escort you to the car—we’ll be picking up Aaron next.” I absently scratched my left temple, pushing a wide curl back as I did so. I knew the motion looked nervous, even as I did it, but I couldn’t help myself. “No, um, that’s fine. Thank you.” He nodded once, and then rolled awkwardly onto the balls of his feet. “Shall we?” He asked at last, slight unease twisting his lips into a thin smile.

“Oh—right.” I closed the door quickly, and then joined him on the porch. We walked together down the few steps to the sidewalk, then followed it to the driveway. We walked mere inches from each other, but never touched. In an effort to distract myself from him, I took in the sight of his car—a rather new looking Nissan Altima, midnight blue in color.

“Nice car,” I commented, glad that my voice didn’t crack this time.

“Thanks.” He cast me a quick smile, but we didn’t have time to say anything else. He opened the back passenger door for me,

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since Lee was already in the front, and I climbed inside. He closed it for me, and while he walked around Lee peeked around her seat at me. “He cleans up pretty nicely, huh?”

“Stop it,” I hissed, knowing she’d know exactly what I was talking about.

Patrick opened his door and sank inside while Lee turned back around. “Kate looks really nice tonight, doesn’t she?” She asked him loudly.

I wondered if all Gothic people were this rude and annoying.

He nodded once, but didn’t verbally reply. A muscle in his jaw was working, though, and I don’t know that I’d ever seen him this tense. My heart was thrilling at all the possible reasons for his stoic behavior, even as I ordered myself to stop thinking like that.

I needed to concentrate on Aaron. This was my chance to prove to him and to Lee that Patrick and I were only friends. Maybe I could even succeed in proving it to myself, though I highly doubted I’d be able to ignore the intense emotions he inspired in me.

My thoughts ended as I watched him shift the automatic into drive, and we pulled away from the curb. He never once glanced in his rear view mirror. It was like he was afraid of catching my eye.

I wondered briefly if he’d even been in a situation like this before, or if it was as alien to him as it was to me. I took a small measure of comfort in that thought.

Still, I knew that I’d already entertained too many thoughts about him. It was time to focus my attention on someone else.

And so I settled back into my seat and glared at the back of Lee’s headrest, hoping she’d get a lethal dose of my negative energy.

Her diabolical plan was all too clear at this point. I’d originally thought she was merely going to force me to watch Aaron and Patrick interact with each other. A torture, true, but one that I could have handled. I could pretend indifference for an evening. But no, that wasn’t enough for her. She was going to dangle him in front of me, goad me with her eyes, taunt me with small remarks meant to make us all squirm. She wanted me to reveal my attraction to 164 K • • •

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Patrick in front of my boyfriend. It was her way of helping me free myself, or see the light, or something similarly messed up. Well, it wasn’t going to happen. I wouldn’t let it.

Patrick wasn’t making this any easier, it had to be noted. It was like he was intentionally trying to make himself even more desirable than usual. As if his probing glances and quiet words weren’t enough to drive a girl crazy.

Lee was going to pay for this.

“You know,” Lee said suddenly, breaking the short silence.

“These cars must be really popular or something.” She glanced over her shoulder at me. “Remember Toni? His car was exactly like this. Same color and everything.” I was able to keep my face smooth until she turned back around—then I grimaced to myself. Of course! How dumb could I have been not to realize that Patrick’s car and Toni’s car were one and the same? I was trying so hard to keep my two new worlds separate, I hadn’t realized that Lee had spent time in the very car Patrick was going to be driving tonight.

I glanced in the rear view mirror, desperate to see if Patrick was freaking out like me.

But he was still avoiding me, it seemed—completely focused on the road. “Toni?” He asked Lee, sounding perfectly curious.

He was a good liar. I should try to remember that, even though I trusted him almost implicitly at this point. A part of me wondered how that had happened, after our rocky beginning.

“Just this college guy I went out with last weekend,” Lee explained, not bothering to hide her excitement at the words college guy. “He was at my party, and I ran into him at the mall last Saturday. He’s a freshman.”

“A freshman, huh?” There was the slightest twinge in his voice, and I knew he was fighting a smile. “A mature guy, then?” I barely hid my snort, but luckily Lee was talking again.

“Don’t get jealous or anything—nothing’s going to happen.” Lee pointed quickly. “Turn on this street.”

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Patrick followed her instructions perfectly, and before I was ready we were pulling up to Aaron’s house.

He was already outside, throwing a Frisbee toward his two youngest brothers, who were eagerly jumping up and down, reaching and pushing for the flying disc.

Aaron yelled something to them, and then lightly jogged over to the waiting car. He opened the back door and slipped inside, leaning over to kiss me briefly before closing the door.

“You look great, Kate,” he said, his voice heavy from playing with his brothers. He put on his seatbelt, and glanced toward the front of the car. “You too Lee. And Patrick—thanks for driving.”

“It wasn’t a problem,” Patrick said, some deeper emotion throbbing behind his words. He twisted the wheel and let off the brake, and we were back to driving, an awkward silence pervading the atmosphere.

Surely he didn’t need to be holding the gear shift so tightly—

or at all? His knuckles were turning white. He was making me even more nervous.

Lee leaned forward against her seatbelt, and began pushing buttons on the stereo. “What kind of music do you like, Patrick?