Spirits (Spirits Series Book 1) (10 page)

“Why were they screaming? Did they see something?”

He cuts his eyes to me, “There is something dark there Journey, promise me you won’t provoke it.”

I’m seriously
creeped out, worse than before. It’s freaky just thinking it’s a possibility, but finding out it’s true. I nod my head, “I don’t own and a Ouija board, if it makes you feel better.”

“You believe me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, I hope
I didn’t scare you but I thought you should know. Just be careful.”

“I will. So I guess I can forget about you coming over sometime?”

“That depends.”

“On?”

“Whether or not you plan on doing something stupid.”

“Well, I’m just going to be honest with you,” I fret for
a second, “I do plenty of dumb and klutzy things on a daily basis.”

H
e laughs and shakes his head, “If spilling drinks is the worse you do I think I’ll be safe.”

“I also have a tendency to trip up
stairs.” I admit like an idiot.

“We’ll have to work on that, I don’t want you to fall
and hurt that pretty face.” A smile plays at the corner of his lips as he stares at me with his big brown eyes.

The colony of butterflies may have taken up permanent residency in my stomach. I don’t know what to say.

“Carson!” A guy yells and we both whip our heads around to see who it is.

He combs his fingers through his bl
ond hair, “I’ll be right back. Don’t run off, okay?”

“Staying put.” I nod and watch
as he walks to the white Mustang convertible.  Carson, the guy driving and the girl in the passenger seat, look at me while they talk. I look away quickly, now that I’ve been caught being nosy… my stomach flip-flops. Ugh I still haven’t eaten! My spilt latte turned my coffee cake to mush and I’m guessing my body is no longer satisfied with my liquid substitute for breakfast. I don’t understand how any one could be anorexic; this girl’s got to eat.

     “That’s
my brother and sister. They’re going to Hilton head and want me to go with them.” Carson says standing in front of me.

“Oh, cool. I guess I’ll see you around.” I say standing.

“Actually I wanted you to come with us, if you want.” He smiles.

I’d be stupid to tell him no! “Sure.”

“Awesome.” He grabs my hand and pulls me to the car.

My parents are going to blow a fuse!

He hops over the side of the car and scoots to the passenger seat.  “Come on.”

I can’t, I’ll face plant in his lap. “Grace is not my middle name if you haven’t already gathered that.” I shake my head.

His brother chuckles, “With those long legs you should be able to step right over.”

Carson glares at him briefly, “Just get out and let her in.”

He shrugs and climbs out. “After you.” He says looking down at me with his green eyes and a smirk.

I push the driver seat forward, my foot gets
caught on the seatbelt and I’ll be darned if I don’t nearly face plant in Carson’s lap anyway. He catches me and chuckles.

“I’m so sorry.” I gush
ready to put my head in my bag to hide. His sister giggles but doesn’t look at me. They probably think I’m a bumbling idiot!

“Are you okay?” Carson asks
as I situate myself in the seat.

“Yeah, I’m fine.
” I say softly with a nod as I buckle up.

“All good now?” His brother asks
looking at me through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, let’s go.” Carson pushes against the driver seat.

“Since Carson isn’t going to introduce us I’ll do it myself. I’m Daelynn.” She turns around and smiles extending her dainty arm.

“Journey.” I
introduced myself as I shake her hand.

“Cool name.”

“Thanks, so is yours, very unique.”

“It’s okay, I’m finally getting used to it you wo
uldn’t believe the dumb crap kids say about it.” She shrugs.

“I’ve received some ribbing over my name as well. Don’t let it bother you.”

“Blake.” Carson’s brother says piercing me with his green eyes again.

I l
ook away quickly and he chuckles softly.

“Journey just moved here from Manhattan.” Carson informs them.

Daelynn squeals, “I’ve always wanted to go there! I hear they have shops that are tres chic. What’s it like? Why’d you move here? Do you have a sister? How old are you?”

“Lay off the
energy drinks Dae.” Carson says grinning.

“I had orange juice thank you very much.” She sticks her tongue out at him and crosses her arms.

“To answer your questions. There are very nice stores, some of them you have to make serious bank to shop in though. Manhattan is busy and really fast paced. My parents thought a change of scenery would be nice. No sister, I have a twin brother. I’m seventeen. Did I miss any?”

She grins hugely, “Nope. So your brother, what’s his name?”

“Drew.”

“Huh, seems he got the short end of the stick as far as names go. Is that short for Andrew?”

“No it’s just Drew.”

“I guess it’s not to bad. Where is he?”
Carson rolls his eyes, “If you couldn’t tell she’s boy crazy.”

“Am not,” she huffs, “I like to meet new people.”

“I’m sure you’ll meet him eventually. How old are you?”

“I’ll be sixteen this month. Oh you should totally come to my birthday party! It’s going to be
fab!”

“Um… I’m not much for parties or large groups of people, especially ones I don’t know.”

“You’ll know us and you can bring your brother.” She beams, “It’ll be fun and you can get to know some of the group you’ll be in school with. See it’s a win-win situation.”

I open my mouth to tell her I’ll think about it but Blake speaks up, “She’s not going to take no for an answer. If that means she has to drag you out of
your house kicking and screaming she’ll do it.” He smirks.

Well that might just be what it takes.

“She’s right you know, better to start school knowing as many people as possible,” Carson says then looks to her scrunching his nose, “even if they are lower on the totem pole.”

D
aelynn rolls her eyes. I catch Blake looking at me again and he smiles. “Like that’s bothered you before Carson.”

Carson shoots Blake a look, it’s one I’ve seen plenty of times from Drew. The one that says shut up now or you’re going to get it later.  Blake smirks and cuts his eyes back to the road as he messes with the CD player. I look at Carson questioningly and he shakes his head clearly annoyed. “Anyway, do you like to swim?” he asks me.

“Yes but it’s been a while since I’ve been to the beach.”

“We’ll go tomorrow then, if you’d like.” He looks at me shyly.

I’m not completely incompetent. This boy has it down pat; heart breaker should be tattooed across his forehead. But I’m a sucker for cute guys with killer eyes and the way he works those big browns like decadent chocolates makes me melt.  “Sure.” My heart skips as it slips out and I realize I’ll have to wear a bathing suit in front of him. Definitely buying a cute cover up between now and then, I’d wear jeans but I’d look plain stupid and completely miserable sweating my butt off. Not attractive at all.

“I’d say we’d go today but I’m sure
Daelynn is going to have us running from one store to another, I hope you like to shop.“ Blake says.

“All girls like to shop, right Journey.”
Daelynn says shoving his arm.

“I guess most girls do, my friend Kadence can spend all day perusing.” I stop mid sentence and look at the passing cars. Those were the fun days.  Trying on whatever she shoved at me, her hoping she’d somehow convert me into a girly girl.  I swear she thought I was a life size Barbie doll at times.  It irked her when I’d put all the dresses, skirts, high heels and accessories back for jeans, tees and sneakers; but it gave me a good laugh.

“It must be hard for you, having to leave all your friends behind.” Blake says.  I guess he noticed my mood change, of course you’d have to be blind not to.

Carson slips his hand to mine, “I know it’s not the same but you’ve got me and you’ll make new friends.”

Blake rolls his eyes and turns the volume up as I force a smile.

“And I’ll be your new shopping buddy, of course you’ll have to drive. I don’t get my own car until I’m seventeen and this jerk refuses to let me drive his.” She pokes Blake
.

“I told you I’d let you when you have a little more experience under your belt.”

“Well then someone needs to let me drive every once and a while. Believe it or not I don’t enjoy being chauffeured around.”

“You don’t have a car?” I ask Carson.

“No ma’am, I have a motorcycle,” he grins devilishly, “wanna ride?”

Great one more sign he’s a bad boy. “Maybe…”

“You’re not scared are you?”

“No, but I’m not sure if my parents will be cool with it.”

He bites at his lip, “I’ve got that covered, most adults like me.”

“We’ll see. If they agree to it I’ll…”

“Oh, we’re going to bet on it?”

“Should we?” I ask smirking.  There’s no way my parents will let me climb on the back of that
death trap.

Carson glances at
Daelynn and she nods happily.

“If they allow you to then you have to go to
Daelynn’s party with me. I do have to tell you though, the odds are in my favor.”

“You’re on, but when you lose I get to ask one personal question
and you have to answer honestly. Oh and just FYI I’m good at distinguishing the truth from BS.” I purse my lips and quickly shake it off. I don’t even need to look at myself to know I was making a mom face! It won’t happen again, but on the bright side at least it wasn’t the butthole face!

“Oh just so you know my party is semi-formal. If you don’t own a dress and heels you should buy some.”
Daelynn giggles, I’m guessing it’s from the mortified expression I can’t hide.  Me plus high heels equals a bad combination.

“Of course if you are going as Carson’s date
you can’t really wear high heels, he’s not that much taller than you.” Blake says seriously.

“You can wear stilettos if you want, as long as you are on my arm it doesn’t matter to me.” Carson squeezes my hand, “I don’t necessarily need my date to be shorter than me,” his eyes trail down my long legs, “besides I’m sure you’d look killer in a pair, perhaps that should have been part of the bet.”

“It’s not to late to add it in, however I get to add something also.”

“Whatever you want.”

Blake glances at Carson from the rear view mirror with a not so pleased look.  Daelynn notices it also. “I have a feeling things are going to be very interesting with you around Journey.” She giggles.

Carson brushes the hair away from my face and gives me a look I can’t describe.  All I know is what it does to me and I’m not sure if I like it.  “I have that feeling too.” He says.

Putty in his hands, that’s what I am and it scares me worse than the unseen evil living at my house.

     “
Yay! Everyone out of my way, it’s time to get my shop on!” Daelynn jumps out of the car before Blake can put it in park.

“Careful Sunshine.” Blake points at her.

Carson shakes his head, “I’m worried about all the old ladies she’s going to knock down to get to the sales. She’s lethal when it comes to shopping.”

“Why
, not lil’ ole’ me.” She turns on the southern charm batting her lashes innocently and I can’t help but laugh.

“Where do you want to look first?” Carson asks me as he climbs out of the car.

“Umm…” I have no clue nor do I really care, but I don’t divulge that.  Blake holds out his hand and I gladly take it getting out.  My luck I’d fall out the car and break something. “Thanks.”

He shrugs, “Not a problem, better safe than sorry.”

Yep he thinks I’m a total klutz.

Carson comes around the car quickly, “I’ll take it from here.”

Sibling rivalry, gotta love it.  Blake sort of frowns and releases me.

“
Dae knows all the good places to buy nice dresses, if you don’t already own one.”

“You are so sure of yourself.”

“My parents say that’s a good thing.”

“I’m curious about something.” I glance at him; he’s watching me and I really wish I knew what he’s thinking.

“What might that be?”

“Do you always get what you want?”

“Usually,” he peaks his brow.

“And what is it you want now?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Well do you think you’ll get it?”

“I sure hope so.”