The Sibyl (2 page)

“Is it that boy?”

Dad’s voice broke through Mom’s yammering
long enough to bring me back to reality. He was referring to
Elliot, who had failed to meet my father’s impossible standards the
moment he learned of his existence.

“No, it’s not Elliot. This is for me, Daddy.
Surely you can understand that. When will I ever get another chance
like this again?”

“Tonight. Tomorrow if you don’t want to work
for me or the week after.” His voice shifted from condemnation to
honey in a matter of seconds. “You’re such a smart girl and you’ve
worked so hard. I’d hate to see your college education go to waste
because you want to follow some boy out to California.”

“I’m not following him. He invited me with
the off chance I might be able to land this job.” I frowned at the
pile of shoes I had yet to go through. “Besides, whatever happened
to you saying I could do whatever I wanted to?”

“Eva, I’m just worried.” My father sighed as
he relinquished the real reason behind his distress. “I don’t want
you to go across the country just to get your heart broken. You
could end up homeless. Dead. Or worse.”

Before I could ask him what could be worse
than dead, my mom was back on the line. She was oblivious to the
anxiety in my father’s voice.

“You said they are going to pay you per
episode? And you’ll have your own condo?” She all but squealed.
“We’ll come out and help you get settled.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Mom.” I
picked up two pairs of black heels and tossed them on the couch in
the ‘maybe’ pile. “There are still a lot of details to go
through.”

“Baby, don’t do this.” My dad must have
picked up on the other line because I could hear each of them
separately now. They were such a contradiction. Dad was the
planner; the worrier in our little family. My mom? Not so much.
“Come home and meet a nice boy who will take care of you instead of
hanging onto one who wants to drag you all over the country.”

“I should be back in Athens on Saturday.
Maybe Monday. I don’t have the itinerary for our little trip yet.
I’ll have to call you when I know something for certain.”

I gave them both my love and disconnected the
call before they could say anything further. I tried to turn my
attention back to the mess I’d made in my living room, but sank
down in a pile of pants instead. I had a knot in my stomach now I
couldn’t explain. My dad didn’t think I could do this. Hell, I
didn’t think I could do this. But Elliot did. Somehow, he believed
in me enough to want me by his side.

I couldn’t let him down.

“Eva, get on with it.”

Elliot was sitting on the edge of my bed
running his tie through his fingers. I knew he was nervous, just as
he knew I was stalling. But I couldn’t stop myself. For the
hundredth time since we’d arrive in Los Angeles, I kept asking
myself the same question.

Just what exactly was I doing here?

“Fine.”

I sighed before heading into the oversized
bathroom just off the main suite. Even I had approved of the
reflection that greeted me in the mirror. I decided to keep it
simple. Black suit, white shirt, low heel pumps. I’d even managed
to get my hair to behave. I grabbed my lipstick from the bag beside
the sink and was twisting it open when I heard a low moan coming
from the other room.

“Eva, you’re killing me. We’ve got to
go.”

I wanted to laugh at Elliot’s impatience, but
decided against it. I dabbed on the lipstick, making sure to smack
my lips together loud enough so he could hear me as I walked into
the room. Elliot was still on the edge of my bed with his head in
his hands.

“Hey,” I closed the distance between us in
less than a second. “You ok?”

“Fine.” His voice was muffled as he rubbed
his face. “Slowly turning to dust here, but otherwise, I’m fine.
You done?”

“Done.” I took a step back as he stood.
Elliot studied me until I was the one fidgeting. “What?”

When he didn’t answer, I crossed my arms over
my chest. “If you don’t say something, I’m going back into the
bathroom and locking the door. This wasn’t my idea, Eli. Besides,
you only gave me two days.”

“You look fantastic.” Elliot grinned as he
took my hand to spin me around. “I’m just surprised. You clean up
good.”

“Well. I clean up well.” I grumbled. “You’re
just saying that so we can get going already.”

Elliot handed me my purse with a laugh.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to be late. You can play in the bathroom
later.”

The hotel Theia Productions had put us up in
was one of the fanciest places I’d ever been to. As we walked out
into the lobby, bright L.A. sunshine beamed down on us from the
open skylights. Living Barbies and buffed up Kens dressed in
burgundy hotel uniforms greeted anyone who crossed their paths. It
was beautiful. But I couldn’t find it in my heart to enjoy the
beauty of the surroundings. My stomach had returned to its
knot-like state. I knew why. It wasn’t because of the meeting.

I was sure this was the end. Things were
changing for Elliot. No matter what he said about me tagging along
with him, this was his deal. His meeting.

His future. One I was sure would be taking
place without me in it.

A valet was pulling up as we came through the
lobby doors in a silver convertible. I know nothing about cars, but
I knew this one was impressive. Sleek and shiny despite being
parked under the entry way. I was so sure it’s owner would come
bounding out behind me that I fell in step behind Elliot to get out
of the way. You can imagine my surprise when the valet handed the
keys over to my companion.

“Sinclair dropped it off for you this
morning, sir. He said to tell you hello.”

“Sinclair?” I couldn’t stop myself from
staring at Elliot as he tipped the valet and gave him his thanks.
“Who is Sinclair? An intern for your dad?”

“House manager.” Elliot mumbled as he opened
the passenger door. “Ready to go?”

“Your daddy has a house manager?” I dropped
my purse onto the floorboard as I slid into the seat he offered me.
“What’s a house manager? Is that like a butler or something?”

His only response was to close the door. I
watched as he came over to the driver’s side and decided to drop
it. I knew from experience Elliot didn’t like to talk about his
life in California, though God only knew why. So I turned my
attention to the city scenery as he pulled out into the street.

Elliot returned to good spirits two turns and
ten minutes of fighting L.A. traffic later. He turned down the
radio and glanced over in my direction.

“Still scared?”

“Petrified.” I shifted in the seat so that I
could face him. “I know we’ve avoided it, but what can I expect?
What should I say?”

“Say what you want.” He shrugged. “You’ve
already got the job if you want it, Eva. We’re only here to work
out the details.”

“Ok. That doesn’t help me.” I found a tiny
thread on my suit jacket and tugged. “What did you tell them about
me?”

I didn’t miss the flush rising at the tip of
his ears. He cleared his throat and changed lanes to make another
turn before I got my response.

“I told them the truth.” Elliot kept his eyes
on the road. “I told them you studied History at UGA, so you’re a
great researcher. And I told them how great you are with new
technology.”

“Why’s that important?”

“Come on, Eva, you know how these shows
work.” Elliot shook his head. “Research is crucial to understand
what you’re dealing with. Not to mention how much audiences love to
hear about the gory details.”

“Yeah, yeah. I get that part.” I released the
thread and dropped my hand. I’d unravel the whole damn thing with
my luck. “But the technology?”

“The paranormal field relies on technology.
It helps us hunt out the spirits and document their existence.”

“So we’re back to that again?” I shook my
head. “Eli, you know ghosts don’t actually exist right? I know you
like to think so, but that doesn’t make them real.”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

“You never did answer my question.” I tilted
my head to study his profile. “What did you say that made them want
to fly me out to L.A.?”

The blush was back. I managed to keep my eyes
on him until he gave up and sighed.

“Fine. I told them how attractive you are.
Pretty blonde girls going to dark scary places make for good
television.”

“So you only want me because of my looks.” I
raised an eyebrow, but made no other moves to look away from
him.

“No.” Elliot stopped at a red light and
stared at me. “How could you even say that? I think you’re smart.
You can handle yourself. And you’re not scared of anything. It has
nothing to do with your looks.”

“Uh huh.” I grinned. “You think I’m
pretty.”

Elliot turned his attention back to the red
light, flicking on the turn signal in the process. “We’re here. Can
you pass me the badge in the glove compartment?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

I was still grinning as I retrieved the badge
for him. He was right. We were here. Elliot maneuvered the
convertible into the underground garage of an impressive high rise,
stopping only to show the badge with his picture on it to the
security guard stationed at the entrance. Within minutes, we were
parked and walking inside.

“You’ll do great. I know you will.” Elliot
tucked my hand in the crook of his arm. “You can be a real charmer
when you want to be.”

“You still think I’m pretty.” I teased as we
came to a stop in front of the elevator. I pressed the button and
the doors opened immediately. As we stepped inside, Elliot reached
out to choose the floor we were going to.

“Keep this professional please. I don’t want
them to get the wrong impression of you.” Elliot moved to give the
other passengers room. I didn’t realize how close he was behind me
until I felt his breath against my ear as he whispered.

“But yes, I do. I always have.”

I shivered despite myself as the elevator
began to rise. I chastised myself in silence for the happiness I
felt. There was nothing between me and Elliot other than our
friendship. I knew this. Besides, I had to be careful. My fears of
him leaving me for better things were still very prevalent. They
were at the forefront of my mind when the elevator slid to a halt
and the other three got out. When the doors closed again, I turned
to Elliot.

“Eli.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I
wanted to tell him what I was afraid of. I needed to tell him. I
couldn’t understand why this was so hard. But the words wouldn’t
come as those damned doors opened again.

“We’re here.” He put his hand at the base of
my back and led me out into the hallway. I wanted to grab him. Tell
him everything going through my head at that singular moment, but I
didn’t. Instead, I let him lead me through the lobby to the
receptionist’s desk that dominated the far wall.

“Misty!” Elliot exclaimed at the pixie woman
who was more interested in her Facebook page than us. She flipped
around in her chair with a smile so big, it lit up her entire face.
“Where’ve you been hiding?”

“Turks and Caicos, darling. It’s the only
place to go when escaping L.A. these days.” She slid out from
around the desk and threw herself into Elliot’s arms for a hug.
“You’ve come back home! It’s so good to see you!”

“Misty, this is Eva McRayne.” Elliot
disentangled himself and turned to me. I bit my lip as I nodded at
the woman. “We’re here to see Connor.”

“Oh, of course you are. The entire office has
been talking about the return of the prodigal son.”

“Does she even know what that means?” I
hissed against Elliot’s arm as she returned to her side of the
wooden desk and started chatting into the phone.

“Play nice.” He nudged me in the ribs to keep
me quiet. “She’s been here forever.”

I tried to keep my face neutral, but it was
hard. The image of that harpy throwing herself at Elliot was
playing on repeat in the back of my mind, but I was adding things
to it. Satisfying images like how I could have jerked her off of
him.

Elliot leaned against the desk until the
harpy put down the phone. She was simpering like a puppy for my
friend’s attention. “Connor said to come on in. He’s in Conference
Room Four.”

“Thanks Misty.” Elliot awarded her with
another smile before returning his hand to my back. “This way,
Eva.”

Elliot led us through an impressive maze of
cubicles until we reached a thick wooden door. He stopped, took a
deep breath, and knocked.

“Come in.”

A man’s voice filtered through. I had the
desire to grab Elliot. Beg him to return to Georgia with me where
our lives were simple. I wanted him back in the place where I’d met
him. Come to know him.

It was much too late for such protests.
Elliot opened the door to the meeting room where his future would
change forever.

I could do nothing more than follow.

Connor Garrison reminded me of every sleazy
salesperson to ever appear in a Georgia car ad. He was all oiled
hair and slick smile as he bounded around a large conference table
with his hand outstretched in Elliot’s direction.

“Elliot! So glad you could make it. Welcome
home, son.” He shook Elliot’s hand and clapped him on the back.
“We’ve been waiting for this day to come for a long time now.”

“Have you?” Elliot dropped the man’s hand as
two other men approached. “I don’t realize my homecoming was so
imminent.”

“Of course it was.” Connor’s smile grew even
wider. “No one escapes L.A. forever.”

Elliot stepped aside and let me step forward.
“Connor Garrison, meet Eva McRayne. Eva, this is Connor.”

“Pleasure.” I murmured as the little man
turned his unfortunate attentions to me. He reached out to take
hold of my arms instead of shaking my hands. I only interrupted
when he started to turn me around. “Excuse me, but what are you
doing?”