Spirits (Spirits Series Book 1) (18 page)

“Good,” she pats my hand, “now do me a favor and see what your brother and
Daelynn are up to. I don’t think Drew knows how to be as well behaved as you.”

I nod, “Good night, love you.”

“Love you too sweetheart.”

     “I like your mom.” Noah says as I start up the stairs.

“Yeah, she’s cool.” I whisper.

“So are we going to your room?”

“After I check on Dae and Drew. Have you seen Kadence?”

“
No nor anyone else.”

“Good. I hope they keep their distance.”

“Right now I think you only have to worry about Kadence, she has a loose screw.”

I try not to laugh, “She does at times. I can’t believe she kissed that guy after ranting about
Daelynn like Drew was cheating on her. I told them both they shouldn’t go there and I’m sure she’s vexed at me because Drew actually listened for once, although he should have known better to begin with.”

Noah silently chews his cheek.

“What?” I drop my voice nearing Drew’s door.

“I’ll meet you in your room.”

     “Hey,” I say walking in without knocking; thankfully I don’t witness anything inappropriate.

“Hey yourself,” Drew says without looking away from the TV, “everything okay?”

“I guess…”

He glances at me and I quickly shake my head no. I want him to be on the look out for crazy Kay, I hope she get’s it together.

“I win!” Dae says triumphantly, “How’d you like getting schooled by a girl?” She drops the controller on the bed and bounces playfully grinning at him.

“That was cheap, I wasn’t paying attention to the game.” Drew pouts.

“Highly unexpected, I’d never have guessed you’re a gamer.”

“When you have two older brothers who are crazy competitive with each other, like I do, you learn these things.”

“How?” Drew asks.

“They got tired of losing to each other and thought it would be easier to win against me. It was to begin with until I got so aggravated I asked Blake for tips on beating Carson and visa versa. They don’t ask me to play often anymore.” She smiles proudly.

“You know you are supposed to let your boyfriend win, boost his ego.” I inform her.

She shakes her head, “I don’t do handouts,
if you want to win you have to beat me.”

I guess competitiveness runs in the family… “Well I’m going to my room for a little while.” 
Dae looks between Drew and me trying to decide what to do. “It’s fine if you want to knock him down a few more pegs.” I grin loving that Drew, Mr. Game expert, got beat by a girl.

“You sure?” She asks trying to hide her excitement.

“Yeah not a problem, just leave the door open.” I say walking out.

“I’m not taking it easy on you this time.” Drew warns.

“Like you were to begin with.” She scoffs.  Their playful banter follows me down the hall.

     Noah is kicked back on my bed. I can’t help but wonder how often he does that when I’m not around, or when I am… 

He watches as I put my things up, “Did you have a banging time?”

I burst out laughing, “No more slang words for you.”

“I used it in the correct context.”

“No one really uses that word anymore, besides it seems weird coming from your mouth.” Pausing at the closet I decide to skip it and shove my flip-flops under the bed instead.

“Are you wary?” Noah asks as I plop down beside him.

“Of?”

“The closet, I noticed your hesitation as you were poking fun at me.”

“Some what, occasionally I get this sense of dread.”

He nods.

“What happened to her?”

“Why not ask her yourself?”

“What if she doesn’t want to tell me or the memories upset her and bad things start to happen?”

“I think you should at least try to contact her, who knows perhaps you can give her some sort of comfort.”

“Do you think that’s what she wants?”

“Maybe.”

“What makes you hang around?”

He sighs and rolls to his side facing me, “Honestly I’ve asked myself the same question throughout the years. To begin with I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I loved this place. My family was here until my siblings grew up, married and moved away which was fine considering they visited my parents from time to time. Then my parents passed away and I was still stuck here.”

“Did they know you stayed?”

He has a distant look on his face, “I appeared to them once, nearly gave my mother a heart attack. She screamed, called me a demon, told me to leave,” he stops and looks at me sadly, “it broke my heart, the people I loved most were afraid of me. I wanted to leave then but it was to late.”

“Why?”

“I’ve lost my way Journey, we’ve all lost our way.”

“The others want to leave to?”

“Some but not all.”

My cell phone interrupts our conversation and I start to ignore it b
ut it’s Blake.

I’ve been thinking about you today. Are we still on for tomorrow? Blake.

“Carson?” Noah asks displeased.

“No what’s your
aversion to him anyway?” I ask as I text.

I know this is going to sound horrible
but I thought about you more than I probably should have today. Yes, I am looking forward to tomorrow. Where are we going? Journey

“Finished?” Noah asks as I glance at him.

“I can listen and text at the same time, or do you require my undivided attention?” I ask smirking.

“That would have been considered rude in my time.”

“I’m sure many things we do now would have been thought of that way in your day, or sociably unacceptable.”

“Like the way y’all dress,” he begins.

“Choose your next words wisely.” I interrupt him.

“So I shouldn’t inform you that women of the night dressed more modest than y’all do these days?” He grins.

I smack him on the arm and he looks at me surprised. “I warned you, besides I thought you liked the dress. And now that I think about it what do you know about those kinds of women?”

His face turns bright red.

“Either you were a very naughty boy or I’ve embarrassed you.” I bite on my lip waiting for his response.

“I,” he glowers at my phone at it buzzes in my hand.

It pleases me to know that, though I hope I can keep your mind off of him tomorrow… I’m not telling you what the plans are, you’ll have to wait and see
.
Blake

Can you at least tell me when to be ready and if there is anything in particular I should wear? Journey

“Go on, do tell.” I glance at Noah.

“I was not ill behaved if that’s what you were suggesting.”

I heard you wore a killer dress today… Blake.

I can’t help but groan.

“What?” Noah asks.

Carson? Not sure if I want to know if he had anything else to say… Journey.

“Why don’t you like Carson?” I ask Noah again.

“I think he’s hiding something from you.”

I can’t help but chuckle, “Well aren’t we the pot calling the kettle black?”

“You are referring to why I don’t tell you everything?”

“Duh, you have your reasons, whatever, but I’ve only known the guy for two days. I don’t expect him to tell me everything right off the bat. I haven’t told him much about myself, not the stuff I feel he doesn’t need to know immediately.”

Your body feels as amazing as it looks, especially in a tiny bikini
…
Blake.

Not cool! There was nothing PG or up going on! Journey.

You don’t have to explain. Blake.

I feel like I do. I am NOT one of those girls that’s fine with “seeing” every Tom, Dick and Harry. I’m not exactly sure what first base consists of but I’ve probably never even mad
e it that far considering I’ve never even kissed a guy! So if Carson made it sound like we were all over each other he’s full of it and I have NO problem calling him out on it. As a matter of fact I’ll text him right now. Journey.

Whoa, chill. I figured he was stre
tching the truth to piss me off. I just wanted to make sure. I swear I didn’t take you for one of those girls anyway. Though I’m shocked you’ve never kissed a guy. I bet you crushed a lot of egos. Don’t worry about blessing Carson out he’s just trying to make me drop out. Blake.

Well it vexes me to know he’s putting
ideas in your head. Yeah he touched me to pick me up and throw me in the water but I’m sure that’s not what you thought by his statement. Journey

Noah puts his hand over the phone, “You are upset?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Your expression was not one of happiness and you were typing away like a mad person. What is the matter?”

“Carson.”

“I told you so.” He says but not in a rude, rubbing it in sort of way.

“Spending time with two brothers is not the wisest decision I’ve ever made. I guess some feather ruffling statements are to be expected.”

The phone goes off again but he doesn’t remove his hand. “Did he say something to taint your reputation?”

“Are you going to defend my honor if so?”

He smiles wickedly, “It could easily be done.”

I don’t think he’s kidding and it’s kind of frightening. “No, it’s alright.” I say quickly.

“Are you certain? I wouldn’t mind keeping him in line.”

“Positive but I appreciate the offer, now could you move your hand?”

He sighs and reluctantly removes his hand.

Not at all, I’ll overlook any more comments from him. I was going to pick you up around 4 if that’s alright and you can wear whatever you want. Blake.

Sounds good. That will give me enough time to help with yard work, I’m sure mom will be happy :/ Journey

LOL! I’ll come give y’all a hand if you’d like. Blake

Well that’s a tempting offer… but I’d feel bad, although I’m sure she’d pay you considering no landscapers will come out to even look. Shocking, right?
Lol. Journey

Spending time with you would be better than cash ;) Blake

Trying to score brownie points? Journey

…
is it working? Lol Blake

A little ;) Journey

Then I’ll see you bright and early. Goodnight. Blake

:*
Advance kisses for the help tomorrow! THANK YOU!!! Goodnight. Journey

I
like :* Blake

“What are you cheesing about?” Noah asks.

“Better but it still sounds strange. Blake is coming to help me with yard work in the morning.”

“Interesting.” He says softly.

“What are you scheming?”

“Nothing, I was thinking your mom
will be pleased. Perhaps you can get Carson to come help as well.”

“I’ll pass, this is awkward enough.”

“The more people helping the quicker it will get done.”

“You just want to watch me squirm.”

“Not moi, that wouldn’t be very nice and I’m a nice guy Journey.”

“I’m hoping so.” I smirk.

“Hey,” Daelynn says tapping on my door.

“Goodnight.” Noah whispers before disappearing.

“Yeah,”

     “Sweet, I like your room.”
Dae says looking around.

“Thanks, my mom actually designed it. Did you have fun playing with Drew?”

She grins and cuts her eyes to me, “I enjoyed hanging out with him. Have you talked to my brother?”

“Which one?” I can’t stop the guilty smile forming.

“I take that as it wasn’t Carson,” she sits beside me shaking her head, “I’d hate to be in your shoes.”

“They’d be to big for you.”

“I can’t help that I’m petite,” she crosses her arms, “but Drew doesn’t seem to mind.”

“No, you’re right up his alley, the only thing that could make it better is if you were a cheerleader. I just don’t get guys fascinations with them.”

“What about a dancer?”

“Do you dance?”

She giggles, “Do you think I got this body from sitting around and playing video games all day? Ballet since I could walk.”

“I took that when I was younger.”

“Awesome, you didn’t do pageants by any chance did you?”

“No, I don’t like to be in the spot light if you hadn’t noticed.”

“You would have done well in them. I’ve been doing them since… forever. My mom wants me to model.”

“Are you?”

“I’m short, I’ll never make it big.”

“You never know. I think you should go for it if that’s what you want. Break their stupid rules. You don’t have to be tall and stick thin to be beautiful.”