In Place of Never (24 page)

I snickered into the phone. He wasn’t my boyfriend, but I didn’t care. Joy filled my veins. “So, I guess you’re coming over?”

“Only if you want me.”

Boy. Did I. “Text me when you get here. I’ll be up.”

I set the phone on my dresser. “He won again.”

Pru bounced on her toes. “He’s got an amazing voice. The whole bar swooned over his song last week. Heck. I think the bartender, Kent, wanted his number.”

I slid my window open and propped it with a book. Someone walked along the other side of the street. I leaned out the opening, hoping for a recognizable glimpse of the walker through the trees.

Pru grabbed the back of my shirt. “What the hell are you doing? Trying to meet him halfway?”

There was no way to get down the tree in time to know who was out there. “Someone across the street started walking when I opened the window.”

“So?” She knelt beside me, looking into the night. “They left, right?”

“Yeah, but this isn’t the first time I’ve seen someone, or thought I saw someone out there.”

I turned my back to the wall and slid into a seated position.

Pru rested on her haunches, frowning into my face. “Who would it be?”

The tree shook outside and I gasped.

Cross’s throaty whisper carried across the roof. “It’s only me.”

I turned back on my knees for a good look at him. “Did you see anyone on the street when you got here?”

“No. I cut down the street behind yours and across the backyard so no one would see me.”

Pru grabbed his hand and tugged him inside. “Smart, but Mercy thinks she saw someone across the street. They walked away when she opened the window.”

Cross raised his gaze to mine. “Do you want me to go check it out?”

“No. I’m sure it was nothing.”

He kissed my forehead. Subdued scents of cologne and night clung to his clothes. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

Pru jumped to her feet. “I can’t believe you won again. I mean, I
can
believe it, but this is big. What are you going to do with all that money?”

My palms dampened. Cross was in my room. After midnight. My eyes scanned the semi-mess. I prayed there were no discarded panties or bras in sight. He was the first boy to come inside. Ever. Dad was two floors away. I rubbed sweaty hands on my hips.

Cross moved to the vanity and ran a finger over the amulet Nadya had given me. His dark jeans clung to his lean frame. A navy V-neck emphasized his athletic build. He shot me a curious glance.

I couldn’t make myself wear the necklace in case Gypsy curses were real, and I couldn’t put it out of sight in case I needed it for protection. How crazy was I?

Cross answered Pru but caught my eye in the mirror’s reflection. “I’m going to get an apartment with the money. Somewhere in Memphis or maybe Nashville.”

I exhaled. “Really?”

“Yeah.” He lifted the amulet in his fingers. “Anton and Rose think you should wear this. They’re worried about you.”

Pru shivered. The night I’d told her about Nadya reading my palm, Pru had a nightmare.

I inched forward. “I’m not sure if I started seeing lurkers and shadows before or after Nadya said Death followed me. She shook me up a little, and now I’m paranoid. Ignore me.”

Concern changed his expression. “I won’t ignore you. If you think someone’s following or watching you, you’re probably right. How often do people think something like that? You wouldn’t think it without reason.” Cross extended a palm in my direction. “How’s your hand?”

Pru rounded the corner of my bed and headed for the door. “The henna’s gorgeous. Tell Rose I’m jealous. I’ll go watch for Dad. Have a nice visit.” She pulled my door shut behind her.

Cross’s wide thumb swept across my palm. The markings had darkened from rusty gold to dark brown. As pretty as the henna was, it felt strange on my skin. It wasn’t me. Not even a little. Cross twisted his palm into mine, locking our fingers. Whatever he thought of the henna, he kept to himself.

I slipped my free arm around his back and pulled our joined hands to my chest. “Congratulations on your win.”

He released me and walked in a little circle, running fingers through his hair. “I won again.” His eyes widened with excitement. “Shit. This is real.”

I sat on my bed and grabbed a pillow. “Yep. Sorry I wasn’t there.”

He sat beside me. “I missed you, but it’s okay. Maybe you’ll help me with my lyrics for next week? Nadya has kept me busy with stupidity and errands since you left Wednesday. This week we can brainstorm.”

“You’re writing something new? Why not use the strongest song in your toolbox?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “My toolbox?”

“Arsenal?”

He chuckled. “Better, but my arsenal is weak. I need a power ballad, something that meets everyone where they live.”

Power ballad? “You mean a love song?”

He nodded. “Everyone loves someone. People latch onto those songs because they relate.”

I whispered the revelation. “Because those songs make them feel.”

“Exactly. Can I see the blog you told me about?”

I tapped the address of Faith’s blog into his phone and passed it back to him.

Cross scrolled down the page with his thumb. “Your sister was talented. Do you know the inspiration behind her poetry?”

“No.”

He touched the screen. “In Place of Never. Wow. That’s real, kick-in-the-chest stuff.”

“Faith was amazing. I’m thinking of donating her unopened art supplies to the high school art department. She got all new stuff for college.” I inhaled. “Someone should use it.”

Cross scooted across the comforter. “I bet Faith would love that.” He settled into the mountain of pillows and pulled me into his arms.

I nuzzled against his chest, comforted by his strength and terrified Dad would burst through the door. My mind tap-danced between competing emotions. Something Cross said smacked me in the brain. “You’re definitely moving to Tennessee? Have you told the Lovells?”

He stroked my hair and tucked me closer. “No, but they know what this competition means. They know I have cash now, plus everything I’ve saved on the road with them. I’m planning to make them dinner after the performance next week. Win or lose, I’m ready to let them go. My time on the road is done. I need to stop worrying if I’m good enough to be part of their show and start wondering if I’m the man I want to be. I don’t want to take people’s money and pretend to read their minds. I want to write songs. Inspire someone.”

“Aren’t you afraid to get your own place in a town where you don’t know anyone or how to get anywhere?”

He flipped hair off my shoulders. “Isn’t that what you’re doing?”

Huh.
“College is different.”

“Not as much as you think.”

Cross dropped his arm across my hip and pulled me onto my side. His hand trailed over my bottom, along the back of my thigh and into the crease behind my knee. His eyes trained on mine as he pulled my knee over his legs. My body wrapped neatly around his and we lay in silence while my heart pounded against his rib cage.

“Will you look for your mom?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m going to get her help. If I get a two-bedroom place, maybe she’ll agree to come stay with me for a while. I can look after her, try to get her sober.”

Pride expanded my chest, though I had no claim on him. The idea of him helping a woman whose selfishness sent him through hell opened my heart to his. Hers was the life he wanted to improve.

He caressed my leg, tracing a line from my hip to my knee across his waist. “What are your plans after college? What’s a girl do with a degree in theology?”

I propped my chin on his chest, aiming for a look in his eyes. He gripped my hips and moved me on top of him. My palms pressed the solid muscles of his abdomen. Breathlessness overcame me.

Worry creased his brow. “Mercy?”

“Kiss me.” I tipped back and positioned my legs on either side of his as he slid into an upright position on the bed and lowered his mouth on mine. The sweet taste of strawberries washed over my tongue as his breath mixed with mine. Fear of being caught on top of my forbidden boyfriend slipped away as his body acknowledged mine. Beneath my shirt, his warm hands explored the skin of my back. The ripples of his torso tightened under my touch. Our new position became infinitely more intimate when he angled my ankles behind him.

His kisses drowned out reason and tension fell away in his arms. When I pulled back for air, lost in the rush of adrenaline and something utterly wonderful, Cross cradled my head in his hand and lavished my neck with hot kisses.

A moment later, he collapsed into the pillows, dragging me down with him. I laughed against his chest. “What was that?”

Cross turned us onto our sides, chest to chest. “You looked panicked,” he panted. “I distracted you.”

I traced the planes of his chest with my fingers. “Yes, you did. What was your question?”

He pressed his hand over mine. “What will you do with your theology degree?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe social work or a position as a youth minister. I could be a missionary somewhere or start a small church. Anything.”

He turned onto his side, facing me. “Maybe we can collaborate one day. I want to start an after-school program where kids can stay out of trouble when their parents aren’t around. If I ever get married, I’ll foster as many teens as possible. I’d give them hope and guidance and beg them not to judge their self-worth or capacity by the life they were handed. Anyone can accomplish anything if they can see past the moment. I’d tell them that.”

I stretched my lips to his.

My phone buzzed with a text, and Cross dove off the bed. “Who is it?”

“Pru.”

Footfalls carried up the steps.

“Dad!”

“Dad’s coming.” I grabbed the laptop off my dresser, slid under my covers, and balanced the computer on my legs. “Hide!”

Cross dropped to the ground.

A knock hit my door. “Mercy?”

I brought the laptop to life. “Come in.”

Pru shadowed Dad. Her face was whiter than my comforter. She scanned my room with an expression caught between panic and entertainment.

I lowered the laptop lid. “Everything okay?”

A distant siren wailed. The honking and screeching increased with each passing second.

Dad glanced through my room. “Lock your window.” He stepped across my threshold and I hopped to my feet. “Why? What’s happening?”

He looked away. “There was an attack by the river. I’m on call for counseling, so I’m going to meet with the victim’s family. Lock your window and double-check the doors behind me. Don’t leave the house. Don’t answer the door, and don’t worry. I’ll be home soon.” Dad kissed Pru’s head and motioned to the window.

Right. I walked to my window, careful not to step on Cross. I freed the book and the glass clattered shut.

Dad sighed. “Good. Get to sleep. It’s after two. I’ll be home soon.”

He headed back down the steps with Pru on his heels. “What kind of attack? What does that mean? Are the Lovells okay?”

Their footfalls stopped.

She huffed. “Never mind.”

Pru slogged back up the steps to my room.

The front door opened and slammed shut.

Cross jumped up and Pru screamed. He kissed my cheek and opened the window. “Stay here and lock the window. I’ll text you what I find out.”

Pru bent forward at the waist, huffing air. “Where the hell was he hiding?”

When Cross disappeared into the night, I locked the window. No need to convince me. I’d seen a lurker and was followed by Death. Someone was attacked at the river? Reclusive cat lady sounded like a good life choice for me.

Pru stamped her foot. “What are you waiting for?”

I pulled my curtains and counted my blessings. We were safe inside the house. “Huh?”

She grabbed my wrist. “Let’s go!”

Threats and Bribery

Moving through the night with Pru terrified me on every level. The narrow crescent moon offered little light for our expedition of slinking through the trees outside the campground. Images of the person lurking on our street haunted my mind. Maybe the person had walked a neighbor home and I’d jumped to conclusions. Maybe Nadya had frightened me worse than I’d thought. My imagination took liberties with little incentive. I stayed close to Pru. Either way, someone had been attacked and we could be next. The selfish thought soured my stomach.

A slow carousel of red and blue lights slashed trees at the edge of St. Mary’s Campground. Cross waved the illuminated screen of his phone, guiding us to him.

Pru jogged the short distance to Cross’s side. “What happened?”

Light from his phone flashed across his face. I slowed. The grim look in his eyes yanked ice down my spine.

He ignored her and moved into my personal space. “You shouldn’t be here. Your dad was right. It’s not safe.” He grabbed Pru’s arm. “I’m walking you home.”

Pru made a crazy face and yanked her arm free. “Don’t.”

He raised his palms and stepped back. Frustration carved lines in his forehead. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you. You guys need to go home. Let me walk with you.”

Pru moved to the edge of the tree line and peered at the cluster of emergency vehicles. “Where are they taking the stretcher?”

Someone needed a stretcher? I passed Cross and stopped at Pru’s side. We inched toward the lights, stopping only a few yards from an ambulance parked in the grass. Two paramedics moved with the gurney. A man directed the path while a woman strapped an oxygen mask over the injured person’s face.

Pru crouched in front of me. “Who is it?”

I gripped the tree. “I can’t see.” I needed night vision.

The gurney bumped against the ambulance bay, jostling the patient. The EMTs climbed in and interior lights snapped on, illuminating the gruesome scene. A girl, no older than me, lay motionless under the oxygen mask. Her clothes were dirty and battered. Her faded jeans and black hoodie matched half the items in my closet. She was any girl at my school. She was my sister. She was me. I gripped my forearms. “Is she okay?” Long, sandy hair waved wildly over her shoulders. I gasped.