Blood Rush (The Lost Witch Trilogy #2) (7 page)

Sarah smiled in relief and grabbed her donut. They threw their empty Styrofoam cups away and walked out the door. Lash grabbed her back pack and threw it over his shoulder as they walked down the sidewalk.

Sarah grinned up at him. “You know I’m strong enough to carry my own back pack right?”

Lash shook his head, smiling. “Not when you’re with me you’re not. Do you know how many times I day dreamed of carrying your books for you at school or of walking you home just like this. You’ve just made one of my fantasies come true.”

Sarah laughed and looked up at Lash. His eyes were gleaming down at her and she blushed. At least someone was having a good day today. She looked down at her feet as she thought of Charlie and how happy she was. And Zane. He was happy too.

She closed her eyes as a wave of pain washed over her. She concentrated on breathing in and out until the wave passed. She opened her eyes and kicked through a pile of golden leaves. She stared at the next pile of leaves and sent her energy out in a burst, making the leaves explode up in to the air like fireworks. As she and Lash walked through the storm of leaves falling from the sky, Lash grabbed her hand in his. She looked up at his face and saw that he was smiling in delight.

“It’s raining gold.
So beautiful
,” he said, pausing to lift his face to the leaves still falling.

Sarah felt the pain in her chest ease at Lash’s appreciation of something so simple.

“You’re pretty easy to impress,” she said, pulling him back down the sidewalk.

Lash refused to let go of Sarah’s hand and gestured to the next pile of leave. “Do it again. Please.”

Sarah gave up and smiled, sending out another burst of energy. She watched Lash’s eyes go wide in wonder again as the leaves went even higher this time. She stared up, pushing the leaves higher and higher so that they rained down on Lash in a continuous stream of color. Lash pulled her towards him so they were surrounded by a curtain of leaves. He pulled her into his arms and grinned down into her face.

“You’re incredible,” he said, leaning down towards her.

Sarah smiled, but shook her head. “I haven’t processed yet,” she said, pushing against his chest.

Lash grinned. “Process this,” he said and pulled her in for a kiss as the leaves fell on their own accord now since her mind was now on other things. Like, Lash, kissing her passionately as he tipped her over his arm.

Sarah was pulled under, like the ocean had dragged her in and she didn’t think anymore. The pain, the heart break,
everything
disappeared for few short moments as she felt Lash’s heart in his kiss. Wonder, excitement and joy. Lash pulled away and straightened up as someone honked as they drove by, making Sarah blush.

Lash grinned down into her face and pulled a leaf out of her hair. “Are you always this messy?”

Sarah felt her hot cheeks with her hands and stepped back from Lash. “I think I am,” she said and turned to walk away from him, kicking a few stray leaves with her boots and trying not to think about how messy her life really was. Just got dumped. A half an hour later? Kissing Lash. Yep, her life was now officially a soap opera.

“Hold up Sarah,” Lash called after her and hurried to her side. He attempted to grab her hand again but she side stepped him.

“
Still
processing. Show some respect for the death of my relationship. What kind of girlfriend was I if I can be kissing another guy a half an hour later? Holy crap,” she muttered to herself.

Lash frowned at her, but didn’t try to grab her hand again. “Fine, process. Hey, where are you going? Your dad’s office is down this street,” Lash said pointing to a side street.

Sarah breathed out in exasperation as she realized she had just been walking and not even caring where she was going. She turned and caught up with Lash and walked the rest of the way to her dad’s office in silence.

They reached a store front with an old tattered red awning over the window and the newly painted words,
Race Livingston, Natural Healing From Within
.

“No way,
really
?” Sarah said reading the words.

Her dad was using his power to heal people. She smiled at the thought and opened the door. She walked in followed closely by Lash and was immediately met with the pungent smell of herbs and oils. She glanced at the wall with shelves of bottles in different colors and sizes. The office was small, but it felt homey. There were a few comfortable looking chairs and a large brown leather couch. There were live plants scattered around and paintings that looked similar to the ones that hung in her great grandmother’s house. She wandered over to the counter and saw a clip board that had a sign up for a newsletter on natural health. It already had at least thirty names on it. She noticed there was a door behind the counter and knew someone was getting ready to walk through.

“Where’s your dad?” Lash asked as he picked up a small bottle of oil and sniffed it suspiciously.

Sarah gestured towards the door and didn’t say anything. Three seconds later, her dad walked through the door and then turned and held it open for an older couple who walked more slowly.

“I think you’ll find the symptoms will fade gradually over the next week. Call me next Tuesday and we’ll set up a follow up appointment okay?” Race said, looking over at Sarah and Lash with a surprised smile.

The couple thanked her father over and over and then left hurriedly, smiling at each other.

“Wow, I had no idea you were in to all of this,” she said, gesturing to the walls of oils and herbs.

Race shrugged and looked uncomfortable for a moment. “It’s the one thing that makes me happy. Knowing that I can help people. So what brings you two here on such a beautiful fall day. You should be out enjoying the sun while it’s here. Pretty soon you’re going to be covered in snow and ice,” he said, not sounding very happy about it.

Sarah glanced over her shoulder and out the window at the weak sunlight that was already fading. “It’s not like we didn’t get snow in Pennsylvania. Winter is winter.”

Race shook his head in pity. “Oh honey, you haven’t experienced winter until your whole world is covered in ice. So what brings you by?” he asked again.

Sarah frowned and looked away. Lash cleared his throat and stepped forward. “We were wondering if I could borrow your car so I could drive Sarah home. She kind of, um, missed her ride.”

Race looked at Lash with a raised eyebrow and then turned and looked at Sarah’s misery filled eyes. “What happened?”

Lash and Sarah looked at each other. Sarah knew Lash would come up with something to save her embarrassment, but what did it matter? Might as well get it all out in the open right now. Covering up the fact that Zane had just dumped her would just prolong the pain.

“Zane dumped me after school for that girl Charlie I was telling you about yesterday. He’s with her right now at your house, hanging out,” she said tonelessly.

Race looked surprised, but didn’t say anything for a moment. “Interesting. Do you mind if I ask, um, how he uh, dumped you? Did he actually say the words,
I’m breaking up with you
?”

Lash put a bottle of herbs down and looked at Race. “It was actually kind of weird and awkward. I was there and saw the whole thing. Zane kind of just stood there, while Charlie broke up for him. But he didn’t say one word to stop her. He just stood there like an idiot and let Charlie annihilate Sarah.”

Sarah frowned and turned away. Lash was right. It had been weird. Horrific, embarrassing and painful and yet, really kind of weird. It wasn’t a break up scene she would have ever picture Zane in. He was usually so self-assured and knew his own mind. He was more the type to take her out to dinner, give her a necklace and tell her gently.

Race leaned up against the counter and frowned at his feet as he thought it over. “Interesting. Lash, go ahead and drive Sarah home. Just make sure you drive safely. Come right back though and pick me up for dinner. I’ve gotta close up the office and run home for a minute.”

Lash nodded and took the car keys out of Race’s hand. “Sure thing. Thanks Race,” he said and then walked over and opened the door for Sarah.

Sarah walked towards Lash, but turned back to look at her father. “Something’s not right. I can feel it,” she said.

Race looked back at her solemnly and nodded once. “We’ll figure out what’s going on. You just go with Lash now and get all your homework done. Um, maybe I’ll take you out to the movies tonight. Just you and me? To,
ah
, get your mind off all of this,” he said, looking uncomfortable but shy and hopeful too.

Sarah looked down at her feet, trying to mask her surprise. She and her dad,
alone
? At the movies?
Okay
.

“Um, yeah. We could do that,” she said, looking up to see her dad’s solemn face lighten into a bright smile.

“Great. That’s great then. See you at dinner,” he said and then nodded at Lash.

Sarah walked through the door Lash held open for her and into the brisk cool autumn air.

“That’s what normal people call bonding time,” Lash offered helpfully as she remained silent.

Sarah sent a quick grin towards Lash who smiled back as he unlocked the passenger side door for her.

“You crack me up Lash.
Bonding time
. Wow. I’ve gotta Google that. I’m not exactly sure what that means. You know, you’ve missed out on a lot of father figure bonding time too. You should probably come with us,” she said as Lash got in the driver’s seat and started the car.

Lash looked over at her and grinned before pulling out into the street. “I had no clue you were such a chicken Sarah. Messy
and
a scaredy cat. Attractive combination, that.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and wished she had something to throw at Lash. But he had a point. She was nervous about being alone with her dad. Not that he was scary or mean or anything, but because she had missed having a real father her whole life. What if the real thing turned out to be a big disappointment? Or even worse, if he was disappointed in her?

“I just think it would be easier if you came with us. You know like a safety net. If things get awkward or weird, you can jump in with a joke or something.”

Lash shook his head and turned on the radio. “In your dreams, Beautiful. I would love to be your Knight in Shining armor, but you’re on your own when it comes to your dad. He wants a relationship with you and you guys just need to get comfortable around each other. It’s no big deal Sarah. If it were me? I’d love having your dad for a father,” he said quietly.

Sarah reached over and grabbed Lash’s hand, feeling her heart break again for the little boy who had been abused over and over.

Lash glanced at her hand covering his and then over to her face. “I hope someday you’ll look at me and see
me
Sarah. Not that little boy you grew up with,” he said with pain in his voice.

Sarah’s heart contracted painfully and she shook her head. “Lash, it doesn’t take away from who you are now. That little boy will always be a part of you. Besides, I loved that little boy.”

Lash swallowed and nodded. “I know. But I need you to love me for who I am now.”

Sarah looked away and felt like groaning. “I understand that Lash. But like I told you before, I’m not the type of girl who can care
that
way about two boys at the same time. And I can’t just turn off all those feelings automatically like a kitchen faucet. It’s going to take me a while to get over Zane. If I even can.”

Lash nodded his head and looked at the countryside rushing past as the ocean came into view. “I can be patient. I’ve waited almost my whole life for you. What’s a few more days?”

Sarah surprised herself when a snort escaped her. “Oh Lash,” she said, shaking her head with a slight laugh.

Lash turned and grinned at her. “I lied. Actually, I’m not that patient. But for you, I’ll try. I’ll try really hard. Because you’re worth it and besides, I love you,” he said.

Sarah felt like looking away from Lash’s intense blue eyes, but she couldn’t break the contact. Lash glanced away as he came to a stop sign.

Sarah looked down and realized she was still holding tightly to his hand. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

Lash turned down the little road leading to her grandmother’s house and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “Don’t say anything. Just give me a chance. That’s all I’ve ever asked you for.”

Sarah looked down at their hands and made up her mind. “Okay. If you give me the time I need, I’ll give us a chance,” she said quietly.

Lash let out a huge sigh and turned to smile at her. It was the sweetest, most humble, and grateful smile she’d ever seen. She felt unworthy of it and it must have shown, because Lash shook his head at her.

“Every second I have to wait to be together with you will be hell, but in the end when we’re finally together it will all be worth it. If I can have you, nothing else in my pathetic, horrible life will matter.”

Sarah realized that they had reached the house and had pulled to a stop in the driveway.

“Lash . . .,” she said with a sad shake of her head. Lash reached over and touched her chin gently with his finger, lifting her face to his.

“You don’t have to say anything. Just give me a kiss good bye and I’ll see you later tonight for dinner,” he said looking hopeful.

Sarah narrowed her eyes at him warningly. “I let that kiss this afternoon go because you were overcome by raining leaves. I am not kissing you good bye Lash,” she said firmly, ignoring his puppy dog face.

Lash gave up and laughed before getting out and walking around to her side of the car. Sarah winced when she realized he was going to open the door for her.

He held his hand out for hers and she placed hers in his hand with a sigh. He assisted her out of the car with a flourish and a happy grin.

“You know, you’re taking this old fashioned stuff a bit far, don’t ya think?” she asked as the wind came off the ocean and whipped her hair out in a fan around her face.

Lash looked at her with an arrested look on his face and shook his head. “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Your hair is like a constant sunset and your eyes are tragically beautiful. I could never get tired of looking at you. Ever,” he said, pulling her slowly towards him.