“Looks like the girls are shopping while the boys are working,” she chimed and started off toward the parking lot.
We all followed, with Cole grabbing my arm and towing me backward. “Hey,” he whispered.
“Yes?” I whispered back, smiling. I noticed that Sam stopped walking, took a step closer to me and was staring at us.
“Her birthday is next week. I need help,” Cole pleaded with blue puppy-dog eyes. It would have worked better if they were gold.
Still, I giggled. “Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you.”
“Call me.”
Sam reached over to gently pull my arm out of Cole’s grasp, his hand sliding down into mine. Cole’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll call you this weekend,” I promised, towing Sam away hoping to diffuse whatever testosterone was flowing.
In the truck Sam started the engine. “I don’t like that guy.”
“Cole?”
He nodded, and I let go of my seatbelt, sending it flinging backwards. “He’s my friend.”
“Is he?”
I gasped. “Yes! He and Kimber were the only people who treated me normal and didn’t whisper behind my back when I came back to school like this!” I gestured at my face.
“Calm down.” He reached across me and buckled my seatbelt.
I stuttered at the feel of his warm hands brushing across my skin. His hand pulled away, but he was still close. “I’m sorry.” His breath brushed over me. It smelled like peppermint.
I nodded, dumbly. He smiled and leaned closer to kiss me, but stopped short, mere inches from my lips. I made a sound and he smiled, the corners of his lips tilting up, then he brushed his lips across mine. When he pulled away he chuckled and kissed the tip of my nose before pulling the truck out into traffic.
My skin tingled for a few moments before fading away. “You did that on purpose, trying to make me forget I was angry.”
“Did it work?” His eyes twinkled.
“Maybe.” I smiled. “But–” My smile disappeared. “–it upsets me that you two don’t get along.”
“We’re never going to be friends, Heven.”
“Could you try to get along?”
A muscle worked in his jaw and I thought he would say no. But then he sighed. “Okay.”
“Oh, thank you!” I unclasped the seatbelt and flung myself over and hugged his neck.
He laughed. “Put your seat belt on!”
I used the lap belt in the middle to stay closer to him. The parking lot at the mall was crowded, making me nervous as to what would be inside. I was beginning to feel more comfortable at school and in more familiar places, but this was a large place with a lot of people.
My anxiety must have shown because Sam said, “Want me to take you to your grandma’s instead?”
Kimber was already waiting at the entrance. “No. I’ll be okay.”
He seemed disappointed. “I got you something.”
“You did?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out something on a black cord. “I thought you could wear it.”
“What is it?” I took his hand and flipped it up. He opened his fingers and revealed something small and shiny in his palm.
“A whistle?”
He smiled. “It’s a special whistle. It makes a sound so high that only animals can hear it.”
“Like a dog whistle?” I thought back to last night.
“Kind of. The sound is so piercing it will give you a chance to get away.”
“Is this because of last night?”
He nodded, his eyes searching mine.
“I don’t think I’ll get attacked by a dog at the mall,” I said lightly.
“I didn’t like seeing you like that last night. I felt…helpless. The thought of you like that again…I just want to you to be safe.”
I put a finger to his lips. “I’ll wear it.” Anything to take away the look of pain on his face.
He quickly slipped the cord over my head. The whistle was small and light and I tucked it beneath my shirt. “Thank you,” he said, resting his forehead against mine.
I touched my lips to his. “Can’t wait ‘til tomorrow,” I said, pulling back.
“Me neither,” he agreed, kissing me again.
“I have to go,” I said against his lips.
He made a sound in his throat but released me. “I’ll call you later.” He seemed worried all over again.
“Bye.” I ran across the pavement toward Kimber, the cold metal of the whistle against me the entire way.
Chapter Ten
Sam
I looked out over the lake, watching the couple row clumsily away in their little boat. I hoped they figured out how to paddle sooner rather than later because I didn’t much feel like fishing them out of the water. I watched as the boat rocked unsteadily, and the girl squealed. At the last moment the man righted the boat and smiled. He sunk the oar into the water and pushed off, sending the boat gliding forward. I guess he had been paying attention to me after all as I explained how to row. Maybe he had been teasing his date with the thought of falling into the water.
I wondered what it would be like to be so carefree. To be innocent to the real dangers that lurked out there. I hadn’t known a moment like that in years. I turned away from the boaters and glanced over at the rental shack to make sure that no one else waited. For the moment I was alone.
I glanced down at my watch. I had two hours until I got off. Two hours until I would see her. I itched to see her, to know that she was safe. I hated having to work so much, I often worried that one day my jobs would get in the way of her safety. It was all the more reason that I get rid of the threat.
My dark thoughts got the best of me and I pulled out my prepaid cell and typed up a quick text message. Are we still on for 2nite?
Sharp relief and then happiness washed over me when my phone beeped just seconds later. Yes. C u tonight.
I tucked the phone into my pocket and looked back at the boaters. They were far out now but I could still hear their laughter. Maybe tonight I would try and capture some of that. I never thought that I would get the chance to go on a date with her. I felt a little guilty because I had to lie to get the date. I have to lie about everything. Except for my feelings. Those were true. And they were the one thing I could say out loud.
It made me wonder…
If I could make her love me. Maybe then my secrets wouldn’t matter as much. Maybe then she would understand.
I shook my head. She couldn’t love me. And if by some chance she did, how could I admit what I am and the part I played in her torment? It would wipe out whatever feelings she had.