My Soul Keeper (32 page)

“Hurry up, Leah,” Liam shouts through the bathroom door. We’re going to tour the campus. Liam and I have been waiting out in the hall for Leah to finish getting ready. When the door to the communal bathroom opens, a few girls saunter out, eyeing Liam.

Leah finally makes her appearance.

“Ready. Jeez, you can’t rush perfection, guys,” she scoffs, I take in her attire; the black leather trousers, black shit kickers, her top with rogue splashed across the chest, stretching the ink at her bust. My mouth drops open.

Liam looks her up and down. “A bit much for touring?”

She scoffs. “Screw touring the campus. I thought we could check out the hangouts.”

I look down at my jeans and baggy top. “Do you mean bars?”

She grins and nods, wiggling her eyebrows. “Yep.” She throws something at me. I unravel a small piece of fabric and look to her.

“Put it on, Simone.”

Liam shrugs.

I go and change into the red halter top she threw at me; it comes above my belly button and clings, magnifying my bust. It’s not something I’d pick for myself. I open the bathroom door holding my hands out.

“What do you think?”

Liam curses and shakes his head. “I’m going to be beating guys’ asses all day with you two looking like that.”

Leah looks very pleased with herself.

“I need to get my jacket,” I tell them. Leah follows me, insisting I wear her leather one.

“This is all a bit much for the day time.”

She grabs my shoulders. “Not this week. Everyone makes the most of the free time before classes start. There are new freshmen everywhere and the students all come back early to hang out and meet new people. Trust me.”

I smile and follow her back down the hall. Liam insists we eat first. We go to a coffee shop dressed for the club. I feel people’s eyes on me as I pick at my blueberry muffin.

“You look miserable,” Leah complains. I don’t get a chance to answer because she slaps my arm, distracted. “Holy wet panties.”

I nearly choke on my muffin. I begin to cough as Liam appears, carrying napkins and sugars. He drops them on the table and starts patting my back. “You okay?”

I nod and then follow Leah’s gaze. Gabe is walking toward us. He grins as he approaches. I hear Leah actually groan.

“For fuck’s sake, Leah. Put your tongue away,” Liam grumbles.

“Hey.” Gabe nods his head in a hello gesture. “Liam,” he acknowledges.

I look to Liam. “You know each other?”

“We do,” Gabe answers. Leah coughs to remind me she’s here. I roll my eyes.

“Gabe, this is my friend, Leah.” He turns his perfect smile to her.

“Pleasure.” I watch her squirm.

“I bet you do,” she mutters quietly, but not quietly enough. Liam glares at her. I begin to choke again. Gabe cocks an eyebrow at her.

“So,” I say, trying to break the awkward moment. “What are your plans for the day?”

Gabe gestures to the seat, asking if it’s free. I nod.

“My plans are open. I take it by the clothes you plan on hitting the bars today?” He says it like it’s the normal thing to do in the daytime.

Leah answers for me. “Yep, Gabe, we are, and we would love it if you would join us.”

Liam shifts clearly, but then his cell goes off. He answers.

“Hey man, what’s up?” He looks to me, then Gabe. “Yeah, agreed. Meet us there.”

He ends the call. “My friend’s going to join us too.”

He grins at Gabe, their eyes having a conversation without words.

“More the merrier,” Leah beams.

“So, Gabe, you up for it?” I ask

He looks to me and drinks in my appearance, making me feel like he’s undressing me.

“I’m in.”

The bar we go to is surprisingly busy. There’s a warm atmosphere. It’s not like a night club; there’s music, but it’s not too loud so we can still hear each other over the beat. There’s a small dance floor to the right of the bar; booths line the entire length of the left side. The lighting is low but not dark.

“Grab a booth,” Leah commands

“So, ladies, what will it be?” Gabe asks.

“Shots,” Leah hollers.

“A bit early for shots, Leah,” Liam berates her.

“Stop being boring, Liam. We’re in college now. Shots,” she shouts again. Gabe looks to me for confirmation.

“Shots.”

I shrug; it’s the first time. My thoughts have not been on my loss, so I’m going to embrace my new college life.

The drinks flow and I feel my body heat from the alcohol in my system. The bar fills to capacity, there are people everywhere. I feel appreciative eyes on me as I make my way to the bar to order more drinks. I feel a tug on my elbow. I turn to see a guy grinning, his brown hair slicked down with some kind of wax. He isn’t unattractive, but his behaviour makes him unattractive.

“Damn, you’re fine, girl. Let me buy your drink.”

“Thanks, but I’m with a crowd.”

I tug my elbow from his grasp, but he reaches back out, halting me again.

“I can’t let you walk off. I need to know you. Join
my
crowd.” He gestures to a group of guys, all leering at me. Their eyes make me feel naked.

“Mmm, he’s right. You belong in our crowd, baby,” one of his friends slurs, running his hand down my hip.

I step back.

“Get your fucking hands off her.” Liam’s voice makes him break the contact.

“Sorry, man. Didn’t know she was taken. You’re a lucky guy, she’s stunning,” the waxed hair guy tells him. Liam steps in front of me, getting right in the guy’s face.

“You’re the lucky one to leave here with all your teeth. Whether she’s taken or not, you don’t put your hands on a woman who clearly doesn’t want them there.”

The guy holds his hands up and backs away, never taking his eyes from Liam. I place my hand on Liam’s shoulder. He turns his face to me, losing the aggression.

“Did that douche upset you?”

I shake my head and look in the direction of our booth. Leah’s eyes are glued to us, her face impassive. She notices me watching her and her lips lift up into a weak smile. My mood plummets; the usual sadness coating me like a blanket. I turn to make my way to the bar, but I stop when I see eyes on me through the crowd. People keep shifting, hiding my view of the mesmerising turquoise eyes that haunt my dreams. I feel the drumming of my heart. The eyes keep appearing as people move in and out of my view. I swallow and my breathing becomes heavy.

“I fell asleep,” I mumble as a dark haired guy comes into view. He’s breath-taking. I actually feel my breath leave and struggle to return. My heart is beating so hard I’m sure he can see it through my skin. He’s athletic, tall, and lean; muscles tense in his arms.

My eyelids feel heavy. Something pulls at me, like a piece of string attached to my soul, tugging me toward him. My body ignites; a warm electric pulse ripples throughout me.

He comes closer, his eyes never leaving mine; I seem to have the same effect on him as he is having on me. I feel like I know him, like my body knows him.

“I’m dreaming,” I mutter again.

“What?” I hear Liam say into my ear. I can’t break eye contact with the beautiful guy to look to Liam. The familiar scent from the shirt I sleep in engulfs me; it makes me gasp for breath. I know him - the scent, the eyes… but how? Who is he?

“Shamar,” Liam bellows over my shoulder, “glad you made it.”

His eyes don’t leave mine.

“Shamar,” I whisper. I have a flash of me on my bed, in an embrace, gasping his name. My eyes go wide and I feel the flush heat my cheeks. I’m embarrassed that he might know my thoughts. It is so vivid, it feels more like a memory.

He watches me, like he’s waiting for something.

“Simone, this is my friend, Shamar.”

I try to swallow, but my mouth feels dry. I force my lips to part.

“Hi.” My voice sounds breathless and I feel the blush brighten my face even more.

“Hi,” he murmurs back, sounding just as affected as me.

“Simone, go back to the booth, I’ll bring your drink over,” Liam tells me. I nod, but I can’t get my feet to move.

“Simone,” he says again.

“Okay,” I say, but still I can’t move.

“Dance with me, I love this song.” Leah’s voice breaks through my daze. Her eyes lift to Shamar.

“Hey, you’re the guy that stopped by my house.” She looks confused.

He clears his throat. “Yeah, I was looking for Liam, but I thought I had the wrong house.” He smiles.

“She stares at him for a few moments and returns his smile. “Damn, you’re pretty,” she tells him.

We all look at her.

“What? He is. Look at those eyes.” She defends her inappropriate outburst.

Liam sighs. “Are you going to drool over everyone today?”

She lifts her brow. “It’s not my fault you’re in the GQ hottest males club, baby. You lot belong on the big screen or on a runway.” She looks between them both dreamily, then to me. “And you fit right in. You rival anyone else. You’re so beautiful. Who could compete with you?” she states sadly. She wobbles slightly and Liam pulls her into him.

“You’re just as beautiful, Leah. To me, there is no one more beautiful than you.”

She sighs heavily. “I’m drunk,” she moans, cuddling into Liam’s arm.

He laughs. “Time to make a move then, baby.” He kisses her head.

Before we can make a move to leave Gabe approaches us, halting our movements.

“Hey, Shamar.”

“Gabriel,” Shamar counters with a nod.

“Gabriel?” I ask.

“That’s my full name.” Gabe smiles down at me.

“Leah’s wasted, we’re leaving,” Liam informs him.

“Okay, well, can I walk you, Simone?” Gabe asks.

“We can all walk together,” Liam says.

As we exit the club, my eyes dart to Shamar. He seems so familiar, but I can’t seem to place why. Maybe he’s famous; he should be with those looks. He has such beautiful eyes, they’re calming. I see him keep sneaking peeks at me and I smile to myself.

“This is you, Gabriel,” Liam informs him as we come to a stop outside his dorm. I don’t even remember the walk here. I was so caught up in watching Shamar.

Gabriel turns to me. His hand strokes down my cheek and his touch is comforting, but I can’t help but wish it was Shamar touching me. I shake my head to fight off the thoughts I’m having of this near stranger.

“Can I take you out tomorrow, Simone?” Gabriel asks with a gentle smile.

I look into his eyes and return his smile, but I shake my head. “I’m going to be kind of busy getting things ready for school starting. Maybe when things settle down and I’m more settled in?” I offer.

He nods and says his goodnights before disappearing into the dorm. I exhale and loop my arm through Liam’s.

Being able to show myself to Simone tonight was amazing and painful all at once. Not being able to embrace her, to feel her against my skin, is torture, but feeling her obvious desire for me gave me a little hope. The way her eyes bore into mine nearly stole my breath.

She waves goodnight to me with a beautiful smile lighting up her perfect features.

“So what now?” Liam asks after the girls have gone inside.

“I need to find out why Gabriel is really here. I don’t trust anyone. He seems too keen to be with Simone. I also want to see the destiny book for myself. I’m not sure I’m meant for Lana. I feel nothing for her, not even a small spark of attraction.”

“I’ll watch over Simone, you go see Gabriel.”

“Agreed, I’ll let you know what I find out.” I sense Gabriel and go straight to him.

“You actually have a room here?” I ask as I appear in his dorm room. I take in my surroundings. A king size bed that seems out of place in a dorm room dominates most of the space; there are bookshelves and not much else.

“I know you love her, Shamar, but you must let her go. You are meant for Lana.”

“I can’t believe that. I feel nothing for her. I want to see the book.”

Gabriel stands and saunters over to me. “I can show you what I saw,” he offers, raising his hand to me. He rests it on my temple. Images flash into my mind; through Gabriel’s eyes, I look down into the book.

Written in the old language is my name destined for the Giver of li….

I pull back from Gabriel.

“The rest is missing?”

“We believe Gabrielle tore the page,” he replies.