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It would be tricky dealing with the boys and ensuring they didn’t get caught in the morning. Dad would wake up soon and be long gone when we got up. Knowing he’d signed the papers so easily, and hadn’t even bothered to have a conversation with me first, left me without any inspiration to get up and say hello. I cuddled closer to Bree and dozed off.
* * * *
“Hey.” Hayden nudged my shoulder.
I forced my eyes open, but the glaring sun burned through Bree’s window.
Hayden loomed over me, bare-chested and looking like a lifeguard with his sun-kissed hair and the halo of bright light behind him. “Time to get up.”
I turned away to keep myself from reaching out to touch his magnificent six-pack. “Put on a shirt.”
He scurried off and I scoped the place out. My house was deserted and I didn’t sense my parents in their bedroom either.
Once the guys were dressed, they stayed. It would be easy to pretend they’d just arrived, if my mom returned. While Hayden started on Bree’s lunch, Chait scrambled eggs.
On my way to check on Bree, I paused to watch the boys in action. “Two gorgeous guys slaving in the kitchen. Doesn’t get any better than this.”
“You have low standards.” Chait gri
I stood immobile, seeing Chait and Hayden in my mind’s eye. Naked, cooking for me.
Hayden glanced my way and chuckled as I dashed away.
With the boys handling the food, I spent my time with Bree. A rare treat. And when we all piled in the SUV to drop off Bree, I didn’t feel rushed for a change.
“We have a test today.” Hayden stopped at the curb of Bree’s school. “I can’t afford to miss it. The makeup credits Frank arranged with the teacher won’t help me much if I get a zero.”
“Okay. Come for that class,” I said. “Then go.”
I walked Bree to the front of the building and saw her safely inside. On my way back to the car, my cell went off. I waited until I was in the car then flipped my phone open. It was my grandmother. She’s awake. And it was David, not Rena.
I dropped the phone and twisted in my seat to see Chait in the back. “David’s a spy for Boris. He’s the one who tried to kill Zoe.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Hayden
I showed up to fourth period, just for the test. My plan had been to leave immediately afterward, since Chait would be waiting for me in the school lot. Instead, I walked with Tessa to the cafeteria. “I’ll sit with the guys.”
“Whatever. It’s not like you’re required to sit with me, Hayden. You never were.” She picked up her pace and sailed through the entryway to the lunchroom.
“Fine,” I mumbled, but she’d already left. After getting my food, I took my usual spot with Brad, Skyler and the guys.
“What’s up with you and Tessa?” Skyler asked. “I’m not feelin’ the love.”
“There was no love to begin with,” Brad said. “Right, Hayden?”
Chait expected me outside. That’s where I should’ve been. But I couldn’t make myself leave Tessa. I picked up my hamburger though I didn’t feel like eating. “She’s still tutoring me but, yeah, that’s it.”
“You sure about that?” Skyler asked. “You don’t care at all? Because, you know, I thought I might ask her out if you’re sure you’re finished.”
“He doesn’t care,” Brad answered for me. “His leftovers are always a free-for-all. This one’s no different, right?”
“Nah, go for it,” I said. Tessa wouldn’t go out with him in a million years.
“Who’s that guy talking to Tessa?” Skyler asked.
“Looks like you’re too late, dude.” Brad chuckled and elbowed Skyler.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Tessa
“Chait, what are you doing here?”
“Came to get Hayden. He was supposed to meet me outside.” He gri
“Not at all.” Nadia didn’t take her eyes off him.
“She’s all yours,” Cori
I rose from the bench and rolled my eyes. We took a spot near the garbage cans, the only place no one wanted to hang out. “So what’s up?”
“Boris called.”
“What? Why?”
“And I can guess how he got the number. David. Those two must be like this.” He twisted his two fingers together. “I trusted him.”
“I kinda did too.” In frustration, I let the air whoosh from my lungs. “I think David and Rena teamed up. She took credit for killing Zoe, so he’d look like a saint.”
Chait growled and ran his hand through his hair.
“So what did Boris want?” My palms dampened as I anticipated seeing Boris again, now that I knew so much more.
“To meet with us. Tonight. I figure Hayden’s house is the best place. We’ll make sure the cameras are on and the security guys are on alert.”
“Did he say what he wanted to talk about?”
“Would it matter? We can’t trust anything out of his mouth,” Chait replied. “We’ll have to prepare for the worst.”
“The worst would be that he’s going to kill us. How does one go about preparing for that?” I rubbed my temple to relieve the tension already working its way in.
“Hey.” Chait lifted my chin with his fingertips. “You guys are doing great, far better than any rookies I’ve ever seen. Between Hayden’s martial arts training and your extra powers, we’re as ready as we can be, considering our lack of preparation time.”
“Are you crazy? We’re nowhere near ready.” I choked back the fear.
He grasped my upper arms and looked into my eyes. “We never will be. Whatever happens, we’ll deal as it comes.”
Chait was right. I swallowed and closed my eyes.
“Arrange the babysitter for all night, okay?” His hands brushed my arm and rested on my shoulders, but I barely noticed.
I nodded, picturing Bree without me, an orphan. No matter what happened, whether the confrontation took place tonight or next week, leaving Bree all alone wasn’t an option. “Too bad you weren’t able to snag that book,” I said.
“Sorry. I tried. It’s too big to sneak out without anyone noticing.”
“What’s going on?” Hayden asked, eyeing Chait who then dropped his arms to his side.
“What time is the meeting?” I asked.
“Eight,” Chait answered. “That gives us time to practice before he gets there.”
“Like that’s going to do us much good,” I scoffed. “I’ll see you guys later.”
Chait touched my arm when I turned to leave. “Make sure you eat. Now is not the time to be hungry. Tessa, trust me and eat well, okay?”
I nodded and went back to my table. Moments later, Hayden and Chait took off.
When I sat with my friends again, their interrogation rivaled the Inquisition. For once, I was grateful for Nadia’s and Cori
* * * *
The boys decided that Boris probably wouldn’t make any moves on us before our meeting. Since Chait felt comfortable staying behind, Hayden picked me up after school by himself. We drove in silence and when we entered the guesthouse, the scents of garlic, basil and tomato welcomed us.
“Hey.” Chait gri
I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“I’m cooking di
“Dude, are you sure you know what you’re doing? Will it be safe to eat?” Hayden nudged Chait away and lifted the lid to the pot. “Smells edible.”
My phone went off. She’s awake again. Still very weak but wants 2 c u.
Zoe was on the mend. My eyes blurred. If only Boris was out of the picture, I could spend some quality time with her now. Boris will b here @ 8. Hayden’s. I’ll text u when he’s gone & make plans. I closed my phone and tossed it on the couch.