Spirits (Spirits Series Book 1) (19 page)

“Okay, look who’s talking.”

“I’m not a stick, I have curves thank you very much and I work hard to keep them where they should be.”

“And how might that be?”

“Yoga-lattes, with my mom, although we haven’t done any since we got here and surprisingly I miss it.”

“The work out or the time with her?”

“Both, we’re close, she’s just been so busy since we moved.”

“Well when you start back I want to join. I’ve heard it’s a great work out and obviously it is, your mom looks amazing. She is seriously going to have some of the women around here jealous.”

“If she ever leaves the house to meet any of them.”

“Mom and I are going to get mani-pedi’s at this fab spa tomorrow, y’all should come with.”

“Can’t, I’m helping with yard work then I’m going on a date with Blake.”

She smiles hugely, “Oh girl, Carson’s gonna crap a gold brick! Where’s he taking you? What are you wearing?”

“Carson knows and I think it’s bothering him, he hasn’t text or anything. I don’t know where we are going he won’t say and I’m not sure what to wear.” I frown.

“Well Carson deserves it.” She says and quickly covers her mouth.

“Why?”

She shakes her head clamping her lips together.

“
Dae, come on that’s so not fair.”

“You can’t say anything, swear!” She holds out her pinky.

“Swear.” I assure locking mine with hers.

“So, about a year ago Blake was seeing this girl, they had been dating for a couple of months, well one weekend Blake was supposed to be gone but came back early and found her and Carson making out. Their relationship hasn’t been the same since.”

“Understandable…” So am I payback for Blake? Am I some sort of stupid competition between them?

“Journey, are you okay?”

I shake my head feeling a bit sick, “What if neither of them really like me?”

“I knew I should have kept my big mouth shut.
” She groans, “I honestly don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“I refuse to be just another notch on either of their head boards. I don’t want to get my heart broken.”

“Seriously Journey, if anything you will be the one breaking a heart. They really like you, I can tell. Besides I over heard them arguing about you last night. They were both telling the other to leave you alone, which they both refused of course. You’re not a game to them, they genuinely like you and want to know you better. I promise, you hold all the cards.”

“Blake’s coming over in the morning.” I mumble.

“Y’all going out that early?”

“No, he’s helping with yard work.”

“See he really does like you, he hates yard work.”

That makes me feel somewhat better… not really. Now I’m going to be wondering about everything! I wish I wouldn’t have asked. I swear I have the worst luck when it comes to guys!

“Chill girl, it’s going to be all good.”

“Swear to me that if you find out otherwise
you’ll tell me.”

“I swear and if it turns out they are being feminine cleaning products I’ll beat the crap out of both of them!”

“Okay,” I nod. I don’t know what to do. Stop seeing them? What if my fears are wrong and they do like me? I will have closed that door already. I guess all I can do is hope for the best… That is going to be difficult considering I’m not the most optimistic person and I have very little faith in people. I was just beginning to think I could change my way of thinking.

     “So where am I sleeping?”
Daelynn asks after getting out of the shower.

“We have a guest room.”

She looks uncomfortable at the thought.

“Or you could sleep in here, I’ll get some extra blankets and sleep on the floor.”

“Don’t be silly, I’m not kicking you out of your bed, we’ll share it.”

And just when I was getting used to having my bed back. At least I do
n’t have to worry about Kadence. Ugh Kay, I wonder what she’s doing with that… whatever he is. I hate to say it but it couldn’t have come at a more convenient time although I hope she is safe. I’d search for her but I’m afraid of what she might do to Dae and I’m not all that enthused about it now that she seems to have made a new friend that freaks me out a whole lot. I hope she stays away. Maybe having Dae in here will help me sleep better…

I had an amazing time today. Hope
Daelynn isn’t driving you crazy. Carson

“Which one is it now?”
Daelynn asks as we lay down.

“Carson.”

“Are you going to text him back?” She asks as I stare at the phone.

“Yes, I’m just trying to think of what to say.”

“What would you have said before I opened my mouth? That’s what you should go with. He isn’t faking, he’s not a good actor, neither of them are.”

I did too, thanks. There are a few things I want to talk with you about but it
can wait until we see each other again. Dae is cool. She hung out with Drew for a while. Journey

Should I be worried? Carson

I guess that all depends on your answers. Journey

That does little to ease my mind. Carson

Now I feel bad, he’s going to be stressing until who knows.

I can come over now. Carson

It’s not that important. Journey

Tomorrow morning? Carson

Wednesday? I have a ton of stuff to do tomorrow. Journey.
Like be with your brother all day… Jeesh it shouldn’t be this complicated.


I guess I’ll just have to wait until then. Carson

Okay, goodnight. Journey

Sweet dreams. Carson

    
“Is everything okay?” Daelynn asks as I fiddle with my hair nervously.

“Yeah, lets get some sleep.” I say reaching for the lamp.

“Can you leave that on? I don’t want to sound like a baby but your house gives me the creeps.”

“Apparently you’re not the only one
.”

“They say this placed is cursed.”

“Really, why?”

“I’m not certain. I’ve heard a lot of stories, theories, some to do with the Native Americans that lived here first, some to do with the first settlers. I haven’t researched it though. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could just contact the
dead and ask them?”

“Cool? Not so sure about that, wouldn’t you be scared?”
“To begin with probably, you know Carson and Blake both swear they’ve seen ghosts, so have plenty of others that live around here.”

That doesn’t surprise me one bit, this place is crawling with them.  “Interesting. I read that it’s the most haunted city in the U.S.”

“So they say. Okay, enough with the ghost stories, I’m going to sleep before I’m to freaked out to.”

    
Daelynn struggling wakes me up; at first I think she’s trying to fight with the covers until I look over. I bolt up and attempt to pull Kadence’s hands from around Daelynn’s neck. “Stop!” I shout as Dae looks at me horrified.  Kadence glares in my direction but it’s like she isn’t seeing me. “Noah!” I call out hoping he’s near and can help as I continue prying at Kay’s fingers, “Please stop, this isn’t you.”  The corners of her lips slip up into an evil grin.

“What,” Noah states then quickly rushes to Kadence trying to help loosen her grip as
Dae’s eyes roll back in her head.

“Do something before she kills her.” I beg on the verge of hysteria.

He glances between Daelynn and me, sets his jaw frustrated then closes his eyes. “Rouge.” He calls.

My heart falters as the guy from my dreams appears and I cover my mouth to keep from screaming.  He looks at me and puts his finger to his lips as he smiles. I nearly fall off the bed backwards to get away
from him as he leans across Dae to look at Kadence. I want to tell him to get out of my room but he calmed her down last time so I keep my distance and my mouth shut.  Pressing his lips to Kadence’s it’s like a switch is flipped.  She releases Daelynn, her hands trembling as she glances around horrified then settles on me with a look of confusion.  Rouge pulls her into his arms, as he looks at Noah disgusted then they vanish.

     There are so many thoughts running through my head but the most important, is
Daelynn okay?  She’s breathing but I’m guessing she passed out or is in shock. “What the heck Noah?” I hiss turning to him.  He looks at me speechless so I begin my rant, “What am I supposed to tell her when she wakes up? What’s wrong with Kay? Why didn’t you tell me about that guy? You knew exactly who I was talking about and you friggin’ lied to me!” I shove him before I realize it and he just stares at me. “Answer me!” I start to push him again but he grabs my arms and pulls me to him.

“Make her believe it was
a nightmare, that you have no clue what she’s talking about.”

“Let me go.” I growl.

“No,” he says calmly staring into my eyes, “listen closely. I don’t tell you some things because it is safer for you not to know. I’m just trying to look out for you. That boy, Rouge, he is not one of us. I think Kadence is under his influence.”

“What do you mean?”

He shakes his head, “I’ve said to much already.”

“This is so frustrating! What am I going to do about Kay?”

He releases me and shrugs.

“If she can’t be controlled I’m not going to be able to have anyone over.”

“I think its just Daelynn she dislikes.”

“Well she needs to get over it and trying to choke the life out of her is more than dislike. She can’t honestly expect Drew to be with her. Find her a ghost boyfriend so she’ll leave him and
Dae alone.”

“I don’t think that’s a good i
dea the other guys stuck here aren’t very nice.”

“Then you do it, she’s cute.”

“Not my type, sorry. Perhaps you could talk to Rouge and see if he can do something with her.”

“Not sure if you noticed but I have a feeling he’s doing plenty with her. Like you said, under the influence. On top of that I don’t want to be anywhere near him. And just so you know I’m not pleased that you kept him being here from me or that you won’t tell me what he is or what he’s up to.”

He bites down on his lip and looks away, “I want to tell you but I can’t, you have to understand that. I want to tell you everything but the consequences, not only for myself but for you as well, I refuse.” His gaze captivates as he slides his hand into mine, “Please believe me.”

“Okay.” I nod feeling as though I may be under the influence myself.

“Get to bed, I’m staying to watch over you both.” He smiles.

     “Journey,”
Daelynn whispers, “wake up.”

“What?” I ask groggily. The light filtering through the window letting me know we made it through the rest of the night safely.

“What happened last night? Who, what were those people? Where are they?” She asks in a mild panic.

“What are you talking about?” I ask sitting up and looking around like I’m clueless. I’m such a terrible friend. I hate myself for this right now and Kay even more for putting me in this situation.

“That girl was trying to kill me, you tried to stop her and couldn’t so you called… some guy, I can’t remember his name.”

“You must have been dreaming, I think I’d remember that.”

“It was Kadence, she choked me…”

I look at her confused and shake my head, “Kadence died last year
Dae. It was just a bad dream. All that talk about ghosts last night must have really gotten to you.”

There is a look of doubt on her face as she touches her neck, “It felt so real.”

“I’ve had them too.” I say climbing out of bed. I feel horrible for lying to her. When I see Kay again I’m going to yell at her! If she pulls another stupid stunt I will find a way to make her move on or keep her out of the house. Which doesn’t sound like a bad idea, I wonder if it’s possible?

Daelynn
scurries off the bed and follows closely behind me, “Where are you going?”

“To pee, you’ll be alright for a second. Unless you want to see if Drew is up.”

She stops at the bathroom door and glances over her shoulder, “Hurry?”

Noah appears behind her and nods his head. I’m assuming that means we are Kadence free.  “I will, but I promise
Dae you are safe.” For now at least.

     Before I can finish up in the bathroom I hear the door to my room open then close.  “How’d you sleep?” Drew asks. I instantly relax knowing it’s him.

“Fine.” Daelynn lies.

I guess she doesn’t want him to think she’s nuts…

“Do you want some breakfast? I’ll cook.” Drew says.

“You cook?” She asks surprised.

I’m just as shocked as she is, since when did he pick up this new skill? I hope he doesn’t plan on making her a bowl of cereal.

“Sure.” He says.