Mortal Obligation (12 page)

“Wow, if I could have seen that house better last night I might not have gotten out of the car.” Bryce whispered.

Paden snorted but didn't disagree. Once they were in the car, they discussed what to tell their parents. Ree didn't have a cell phone, and doubted they even noticed she was missing. Bryce, on the other hand, had over twenty voicemails from his mother, frantic that he hadn't come home from the concert. Jules also had several angry messages from her father, threatening to disown her if she wasn’t back this morning. Weylin and Paden’s parents were on a cruise together, so they had nothing to worry about.

Bryce dropped Paden and Ree off downtown. Thankfully, street parking was free on the weekends so there was no ticket. They didn't say much on the ride to Ree’s house, and she wondered what Paden was thinking about, but was too scared to ask. His features vacillated between anger, worry, and sadness. Whatever he was thinking was taking a toll on his normally chipper personality.

When he pulled up in front of her house, he turned to look at her while the car idled. “Do you want me to go in with you? Maybe your parents will feel better knowing I was with you last night.”

“Or they’ll think you whisked me away for dastardly reasons.” She tried to make a joke, but couldn't stop the blush that ran up her cheeks. What on Earth prompted her to say that? “Besides they probably didn't even notice I wasn't home.”

“I doubt that.” He motioned toward the front door where her mother stood watching them. “I guess I need to go up there now. Say hello and all.” He reached for the door handle before saying, “And, if I was going to take you away to for dastardly reasons, I would have had an excuse planned ahead of time.” He winked at her, and the blush seemed to consume her whole body.

“Oh,” was the only thing  she could mumble. He chuckled and hopped out of the car.

She climbed out after him and followed him up to her mother.

“Hi, Paden! I didn't expect to see you bringing home Ree! I thought her boss, what’s her name? Sophia? Anyway, I thought she said she would bring her home after they finished inventory.”

Paden barely hesitated before going along with the story. “Well, I felt like it was my responsibility since I was the one that took her out last night.” He kissed Ree’s mother’s cheek before letting her usher them in. “When did you hear from Ms. Diakos?”

“Oh she called me from the concert. Said she had taken her nephew and run into you guys there and wanted to check with me to see if Ree would be free to help with inventory this morning. Said  thatshe offered to call since you guys were having such a good time.”

Paden grabbed a gingerbread cookie from the plate she set on the counter. “Well, apparently she said it all! I didn’t hear her say she was going to call. The concert was really loud.”

Ree hadn't said anything and took a seat on the bar stool next to Paden. He held the plate of cookies out to her. She grabbed one and took a giant bite. She was a terrible liar, and figured it would just be best to let Paden handle it from here.

Her mother didn't seem to notice her daughter’s silence and started working on cleaning the kitchen. Ever since Tristan had died, she baked nonstop. There was always a cake, cookies, or some new concoction being whipped up. Ree guessed that in the coping department this wasn't too bad. Her father on the other hand was hardly ever home. He was always working, or doing some PR assignment out of town. He couldn't seem to stand being at home, as if the memories there haunted him. And her mother was always too busy baking to go anywhere with him. As for Ree, she just did her thing, and occasionally they would ask how her day was, or if she had homework. She had to admit they never really seemed to listen to her response.

“So, the inventory is finished? She said she wanted you to stay overnight so you guys could do it before the store opened today.” She was looking at Ree with more interest than she had shown in two years. It was as if something had woken her mother from a long sleep. Ree thought that it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Ree swallowed the cookie in her mouth and tried to not choke. “Actually, I just came back to pick up some things. She underestimated how long it’s going to take. So, I'm going to stay there for a few nights and help out.” She looked away from her mother and hoped that she didn't see the lie.

“I see.” She didn't say anything for a moment, but then swung her gaze over to Paden. “And what about you, Paden? Are you going to be staying there as well?” Ree looked up at her mother. She could almost swear there was suspicion in her tone. Paden obviously heard it as well, because his cheeks colored just a little.

“No, ma'am. I think it’s just employees. The guys and I are going to do a horror movie marathon tonight. But I’d be happy to give Ree a ride back since you have a cake in the oven.”

“Is that okay, Mom?” Ree hopped down from her bar stool and started to head to her room.

“I suppose so. I'm going with your father to Atlanta for a few days. This way I don't have to worry about you being at home alone.” She said it nonchalantly, but they both heard the tremor of fear underneath the words.

“You're what?” Ree asked stunned.

“Going to Atlanta with your father. It's time for me to get out of this kitchen.” She swiped at the counter with her rag. “If you guys wait a little while, the cake will be finished and you can take it with you.”

“You're leaving? You're actually going somewhere with Dad?” Ree felt like the Earth had moved off its axis. Everything was changing. She hadn't realized how accustomed she had grown to having her Mother at home all of the time. But it was great that she was getting out of the house.

“Yes, yes. Now go pack, and I’ll get this ready for you. Paden, grab that cake box off the top of the fridge, will you?” And with that, she turned her back on Ree and went about tidying the kitchen with Paden’s help.

Ree grabbed a bag from under her bed and started shoving clothes and other things in it. She grabbed a pair of pajama pants from her closet and stopped to survey the small room’s contents. She figured she mainly needed jeans, sweat pants, and things that would be good for training, but she really wasn't sure what her training was going to be like. On an impulse she grabbed a sweater dress and leggings and her biker boots. She made sure she had a couple of sweatshirts, t-shirts, and tank tops. She was wearing her sneakers and a pair of jeans already, but she changed shirts since she was wearing the same thing from last night, and then grabbed her favorite hoodie. She looked around her room, grabbed a book from the table next to her bed and was zipping the bag shut when she heard her mother clear her throat from the doorway.

“What's up?” She was really happy her mom was going to spend time with her father. It would be good for them.

Her mother looked down the hallway before stepping in the room and closing the door. Ree arched an eyebrow, but tried to not look suspicious. It had been a long time since her mother had looked to have a private chat with her.

“Is there something going on between you and Paden?”

“Why would you ask that?” Clearly confused, Ree shook her head.

“Well, he’s wearing the same clothes from last night.” She smiled sadly.

“Um, I think he spent the night at Weylins' last night. You know, because their parents are on a cruise.” She looked around the room to try and find something to change the conversation with, but she was drawing a blank. Grabbing her MP3 player she checked the charge and added it to the stuff in her bag.

“I realize that maybe I haven't been paying attention as much as I should, but I did notice some things. Like how much time you two are spending together.”

“It isn't that, Mom. He promised Tristan he would watch out for me.” Even as she said it, she realized it hurt to think that was the only reason he hung out with her. When she looked at her mom she realized her tone must have given her away, because her mother was looking at her with a small smile.

“I wouldn't be so sure of that, Ree, darling. Looking out for you doesn't include taking you to the movies, or checking out your homecoming date.”

“He's just trying to fill Tristan’s shoes. That’s what he thinks big brothers are supposed to do.” Ree shrugged. There was no way Paden thought of her as anything other than a little sister. Ree was sure any tension she felt was all on her side.

“I'm just saying that I don't know many big brothers that take their little sisters to concerts where the tickets cost a hundred dollars each.”

“What? A hundred dollars? Well, it was only because his friend canceled on him.” A hundred dollars a ticket? She would have to pay him back.

Her mother chuckled. “Is thatwhat he told you? When he called to ask if you wanted to go, he told me he got the tickets because he knew you would like the band.” Ree looked at her mother blankly. That couldn't be right. But it was true that wasn't something that a brother did for a sister “just because.” Her birthday had been a couple of months ago, so she couldn't even chalk it up to that.

“Ree, while I'm gone, I want you to be careful, okay?”

“Of course. I always am.” She felt guilty about lying. She figured there was no way she was really safe now.

“No, sweetheart. I mean
safe
. If you and Paden ever figure out just what is going on between you.”

“Oh my god! Mom!” Ree was horrified about the turn of conversation.

“Sweetheart, I remember being seventeen. All of those hormones.”

“Mom! Stop! Don't ever say the word hormones again! Please. And you don't need to worry. Okay? Nothing happening. Nada. Zilch, okay?” She waved her hands in front of her in denial. There was a knock at her door and she jumped three feet into the air. She looked at her mom wildly, and her mother cracked up.

“Ree?” Paden asked through the door.

“Just a minute!” She hollered, and then hissed at her Mom. “Not another word! Oh my god. What if he heard you!?” She threw her bag onto her shoulder, but before she could walk past her mother, she was snatched into a tight hug.

“I'm sure he didn't hear anything. I left him in the kitchen icing the cake. And you know he probably ate whatever was left over before coming to look for you.” She kissed Rees’ head and hugged her a little tighter. “He can't withstand my homemade icing.” Ree gave in to the hug, and wondered if she would see her mother and father again. They had already lost so much.

“I love you, Mom. Have fun in Atlanta, and don't worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Her mother sniffed a little bit and kissed her head again before letting go. She stepped back and opened the door. Paden was standing there and looked surprised to see Mrs. McKenna.

“Oh, I didn't know you were in there, Miss Susan. I finished icing the cake.”

“I bet you polished off the rest of the icing, too!” When Paden gave her a sheepish smile, she laughed.

“Well, there was only a little bit left. I figured you wouldn't miss it.”

“Uh huh, I bet you did. Take care of my little girl while I'm gone, Paden.”