To Fall (The To Fall Trilogy Book 1) (6 page)

7

Xander

I might be obsessed. It was possible someone would interpret my behavior that way. I snuck out this morning without telling anyone why I was leaving so early. They would figure it out soon and I was surprised they hadn’t already.

Following Abigail and her friends around the mall was more entertaining than perching in a tree and watching her house all day as I had every day since the hospital. Calista told me she healed Abigail’s pneumonia after listening to her hack up a lung. I was grateful but envious for not having the opportunity. Another secret I kept from my siblings.

There wasn’t a valid reason to guard her like I was. This wasn’t Guardian behavior. I had to know this girl. Know why she was different. Why she made me different. Why she made me feel something for her that should not be there.

Even the simple act of trying on clothes had me captivated by her. Everything she tried on looked beautiful. Everything she did moved me. Even those little headshakes and sad expressions she gave when she stepped in front of her friends, keeping her scar covered by dainty hands.

While Abigail was in the changing room, her friends argued.

“Beth, we have to get Abby out of her shell. Encourage her to try on sexy clothes.” Melanie wagged a skimpy dress with a deep V-neck.

Beth grimaced and tore the dress away from her. “Mel, she’s self-conscious, and she doesn’t dress like you.”

Melanie crossed her arms. “What does that mean?”

“Relax! I meant she dresses modestly. Abby isn’t comfortable showing her scar.”

Melanie picked up another dress that made the other one look appropriate for church. “There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Beth rolled her amber eyes. “I know that, and you know that, but it doesn’t change the fact how she sees herself.”

“We need to get her a guy,” Melanie said as though a man would wipe her insecurities away and my stomach twisted at those words.

“You don’t exactly have a great track record.” Beth glared at her.

Melanie held her hands up. “I’m sorry! How many times do I have to apologize?”

Two extended fingers flew up in front of Melanie’s face. “Twice, Mel! You set me up with two losers!”

Melanie was going to continue the argument when Abigail stepped out of the dressing room empty handed. “Nothing fit,” she mumbled with her shoulders lower than they were before the shopping began.

Melanie slung the scrap of material back onto the rack. “It’s a mall, Abby. They have more than one store here.” She yanked Abigail’s tiny arm out of the store.

Trailing behind them, it was then I witnessed something that made my heart swell.

On the escalator, an elderly man had trouble stepping off the landing. With Melanie and Beth ahead of her bickering about what to eat for lunch, Abigail offered to hold the man’s hand down to the first floor and helped him off. Later, in the food court, Abigail left the lunch line and aimed toward a boy that had chocolate all over his fingers and mouth; the mother had her hands full with a crying infant. Abigail pulled out a hand wipe from her purse and helped the boy before he made a mess of himself. And outside the bathroom, a young girl was crying. Abigail stopped, rubbed her back, listened to her, and she let the girl use her phone. Most anyone would have ignored these trivial instances, but not Abigail. She helped everyone with patience and a smile as though she enjoyed it.

It was hard to wrap my head around that this was the same child I had held so very long ago. Now she was of age. I was ashamed I had missed this. All these years, I could have found some comfort in knowing Abigail was growing into a kind and caring young woman.

Once Abigail was home safe, I drove back to my house. Smiling, still thinking of her, I stepped in to see my siblings eating dinner.

Swallowing her bite, Calista glanced at the clock. “That was quite a mall trip.”

I shrugged, not disclosing that I had stalked Abigail from an oak tree most of the morning. “Yeah, those human girls can shop.

“Any signs of demons?” Hannah asked.

Taking a plate from the cupboard, I spooned the chicken casserole onto it. “Nope, it was uneventful.” Everyone put their attention back on their food. “The girls are, uh, going to a party Saturday. I’d thought I’d go, give you guys a Saturday off.”

“You don’t want to go hunting?” Caleb held the fork outside of his mouth.

“Of course, I do. It’s just…I’m a few decades behind on current jargon and mannerisms. I thought it would be good for me to learn more, so I could fit in better. There’s no better place than a party.” Sitting down, I avoided their stares.

“Huh,” Hannah questioned, “why the interest suddenly?”

“I realized you were right. Too much hunting. Are we going for a fly tonight?” Desperate to change the subject, they brightened at my suggestion.

Calista stabbed a piece of chicken. “You know it!”

The days dragged until Saturday. I was nervous and excited to see Abigail again. I couldn’t get her off my mind. These human emotions were challenging, I didn’t know how to deal with them, and they seemed to strengthen with each passing day. I went to bed with her on my thoughts, dreamed of her, and woke up wondering what she was doing. I longed to gaze at her, needed to reach out for her. The pull toward her was that of a Heavenly binding. Nothing about this was normal, but it felt right.

Thankfully, Melanie told Beth where the party would be during the shopping trip so I could get here first and scout the layout. The house was crowded; loud, fast music had everyone dancing a bit too provocatively. I looked stiff compared to them and reminded myself to relax. I needed to fit in. Mingle.

Melanie’s voice drifted over the crowd. My head shot to her direction and my breaths faltered when I spotted the tiny brunette. Abigail’s hair was pulled back in a braid with pink cheeks and her tanned skin glowed. Wearing a purple blouse tight to her frame, it covered her but was undeniably sexy. Lean, toned legs stretched impossibly long for someone her size. Thighs popped with sinewy muscle beneath the sway of her white skirt, and her calves flexed in heeled sandals. I noticed she didn’t wear a bathing suit like most of the other girls.

Staying hidden, I snuck glances her way, keeping my back to her. Abigail looked relieved to see a gangly boy with sandy blond hair. She sat next to him on the couch in a way that soured my stomach. She laughed at something he said and that twisting in my gut worsened. Too far away to hear their conversation, I cursed. A lock of wavy, dark hair fell from her braid and she brushed it behind her ear. My fingers yearned to know what her hair felt like on my skin. Before I did something dumb, I shoved my hands in my pockets and went to the other side of the room.

“Hi, there.” A blonde sidled up to me.

I withdrew to create an inch of space between our bodies. “Hello, good evening.”

“Well, good evening, sir,” she said in a faux English accent. Was she making fun of me? “I’m Brittney.”

“Alexander Wright.” I held my hand out to shake hers, and after a giggle, she accepted the gesture.

“Brit! What the hell?” A boy stalked up to us with narrowed brown eyes. “Who are you?”

“This is Alan,” Brittney slurred, waving over me.

“No, it’s Alexander and I was leaving.”

“Damn right you were leaving.” The boy tried to shove me. I tilted my head and waited for the realization to sink in that he would lose this fight. His throat worked. “Sorry, man. I’ve been drinking.”

I eyed his cup. “Perhaps you should stop.”

Glancing up, I spotted Abigail heading outside; she was looking for someone, searching the crowd and frustrated. I wondered whom she could want so badly.

She worried her bottom lip and I noticed how pink and full her lips were. Her cheeks were flushed and her skin looked creamy and smooth. I wondered if I could get her to laugh, earn a smile from those soft lips, and how her hair would feel brushing against my arm as I held her against me. My gaze went down her petite body, taking in all her little curves, wondering what she looked like underneath. How she would feel underneath me… I pinched my eyes shut and sucked in a ragged breath. I had never experienced anything like that before, the desire to be with a woman.

The men here took notice of her, but it was impossible not to. What if she was out here looking for a guy? The thought of her with anyone but me was almost too much to bear.

My head snapped to the side when someone called out, “Hey, Greg, heads up!”

The world slowed down. Abigail’s eyes widened, throwing her arms out as a boy pummeled her like she was nothing more than air, and she flew into the pool, sinking. I paused long enough to realize no one saw her. No one would save her. Rescuing her risked exposure, but I could wipe her memory. I dove to the bottom of the pool and pulled her up. Abigail’s body was slack, her heartbeat faint.

I ran up the pool steps, willing my healing powers into her. The crowd gasped and gathered around me as I set her down on the cool deck. I covered her mouth with mine and breathed. This wasn’t kissing, but the feeling was pleasing, and her lips tasted like candy. With my healing hand on her chest, I could breathe for her, relax her attack, and contract the muscles of her heart and lungs. My limit was fixing her weak heart completely.

“That’s Abby Miller, isn’t it?” someone in the crowd said. “The girl with the heart thing?”

“Yeah, I think so,” another answered. “Where’s Mel and Beth? Someone go find them!”

Blood roared in my ears from panic. What if I couldn’t save her? What if Heaven wanted her tonight? Had she been judged? I would never know what my name would sound like on her lips. Never get a smile or a laugh from her. I would never know her, hold her, or kiss her.

The realization of what I felt for her crashed around me as if the Heavens were falling. I had never put a name to it, but
it
existed this entire time, for her entire life.
Love
. Heaven help me. I was in love with a human.

I was in love with Abigail.

8

Abby

“You wet your finger and stick it in her ear,” Emma whispered at the decibel level of Keith Urban’s electric guitar.

Olivia giggled. “Okay, it’s extra, super slimy.”

Laughing, my eyes shot open to four mischievous blue eyes. “I’m awake!”

Emma’s hands flung up, smacked her thighs, and looked to me like I just stole her ice cream cone. “We were gonna give you a wet willy!”

“That’s why I’m up. I’m the one who taught you pests how to do that. I’m the wet willy master.”

Olivia whined, “Can I just do it once?”

“No! Do it to each other.”

Leaving my bedroom, squeals erupted over how gross the other’s ear was. As I descended the stairs, the sugary, smoky scent of Margaret’s barbecue wafted up. Looking at her slim figure, no one would guess her cooking was the best in the Valley.

Dad was home, checking on the status of the mashed potatoes by dipping a finger in the pot and eating them.

“Dad, use a spoon!”

Startled, he choked on his sample. “Sorry, kiddo.” Relaxing his long limbs against the counter, he hadn’t changed out of his work clothes yet. The Phoenix TRACON lanyard with his air traffic controller I.D. hung from his neck. Typically, within the first three minutes of being home, he slipped into shorts and a T-shirt. Even in the winter months, he wore shorts. Dad was his own furnace.

I looked to Mom and Margaret shucking cornhusks. “Do you guys need help?”

Panic etched onto their faces and they gave a resounding, “NO!”

“Okay, sorry.” I held my hands up in surrender. They knew better than to let me in the kitchen. Margaret had chased me out with a spoon before. I didn’t blame her; I had more than proven I was born without a culinary talent.

Dad asked, “Are you leaving for the party soon?”

“Yep. Mel will be here at five.” If I were normal, I would have a job to pay for a car, trek my own butt around town, and move into the dorms during school. But I wasn’t normal, my parents couldn’t afford another car, and I lost the dorm battle three times.

Mom’s blonde ponytail swung with her head. “Whose house is it again?”

Even though I didn’t need to ask permission to go anywhere, Mom and Dad still wanted to know where I was.

“Tyler Gibson, I know him from school.”

Dad nodded. “Okay. Be smart, take your phone, your pills, and stay near the girls, please.”

With a kiss to their cheeks, I went to my room to get ready.

Admiring myself in my new outfit, I thought I looked cute, but I would never pass for sexy or hot like Mel and Beth. I kept my hair up and makeup light with a dusting of pink blush and my favorite pale pink lip-gloss that tasted like sugar. I was sure to be a runny mess in an hour.

Mel’s car pulled up and I checked my purse for my phone and miniature pill bottle with my emergency Nitroglycerin inside. Heading out the door, Mom asked that I be home by midnight.

Along the drive, the girls chatted over who would be there tonight. I had been to other parties but never Tyler’s house. Pulling up to the gate, Mel punched in the code and the gate swung open.

The single story Mediterranean home was toward the end of the street. Cars were packed on the sides of the road with a few spaces left. The front yard was like most in Phoenix, landscaped with Palo Verde trees buzzing with cicadas and assorted cacti filled the rocky ground. The back gate was open and the side yard hosted a basketball game; shirtless boys were drenched in sweat. It was too hot out for a game, but I was sure they wanted to impress all the girls lined up watching them. Continuing along the paved yard, a wall of sunblock and chlorine hit us as guys in board shorts catapulted off the diving board into screeching bikini-clad girls.

Checking out the bar situation, Tyler had a keg with enough liquor for a downtown club. I wouldn’t be drinking any of it, and soda made me jittery, so I stuck with lemonade. Usually, when people saw anyone without alcohol, they tried harder to pull them to the dark side, but everyone here knew better with me. No one wanted to be at the party where Abigail Miller died.

Melanie spotted Tyler and began her flirt fest. I didn’t see Rachel here, so the rumor they broke up must be true. Either way, I didn’t think that would have stopped Tyler from noticing Mel’s bronzed figure in her bikini. Shedding her outer clothes, she threw us a wink before leaving with him. Beth shook her head and groaned. Finding mutual friends by the pool, we talked about our summer, but I left out certain hospitalized details.

It was well over one hundred degrees outside without a cloud in the sky to shield us from the intense sun. I couldn’t spend a lot of time out in the sweltering heat and I needed a refill anyway. While in the kitchen, filling my red cup to the brim with ice, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled—someone was watching me. Spinning, I looked around the room, but everyone was busy in their own conversations. Maybe it was the heat; I couldn’t shake the feeling, though.

In the family room, I found Will Williams over by the rest of the track team. I should have known he would be here; Will was funny, one of those rare people that could fit into any group and was liked by everyone.

He gave me a chin nod to signal he saw me, too. “I was wondering if I would see my old bio lab partner.” He slid over and made room for me on the couch. The leather cooled my hot legs and back.

“How’s your summer going?” I asked.

Will draped his lanky arms on the back of the couch. “It’s all right. Loving the single life, you wouldn’t believe how many ladies I’ve turned away this summer.”

I made a point of glancing around him. “I can see that since you are surrounded by dudes. You must have turned away the whole house already.”

He shrugged and a sly smile crept over his mouth.

I hit his chest. “You are full of so much crap your eyes are brown!”

He laughed, revealing teeth that were crooked, but not enough to need braces. “Takes one to know one, brown eyes!” His eyes were a shade darker than mine.

“You hike any new trails yet?”

“No, I’m on the lookout, though, if you hear of any. I can hike a few hours in the early morning, but then it gets too hot. Later in the year, I can explore more.”

Sipping my drink, I looked up and almost spit all over Will. I couldn’t be sure, because I only saw the back of him, but that head of disheveled, dark hair was across the room. Yep, the kind I had to run my fingers through.

I must not have heard Will’s question because he called my name like I was an idiot.

“Huh?” I didn’t want to pull my gaze away from him. He could turn around any second. It could be him. My savior. Maybe I wasn’t hallucinating at the hospital or maybe I needed to add another doctor to my list.

“I was saying instead of running track this year, I would train in the Serengeti by fashioning a meat suit to my body, then try to outrun the lions. What do you think?”

My eyes were locked on the moving throng of partiers. “Sounds good. I’m sorry, Will, I don’t mean to be rude. I thought I saw someone I knew.”

A herd of loud, obnoxious guys arrived and took up any available room. Red plastic cups were filled and passed around with greeting rituals of chest bumps and knuckle explosions. Of course, their antics caught the attention of every available girl as they swarmed to them. Hair flipping, laughing, and groping ensued. With the commotion, I lost my hero. Once the room cleared, I navigated my way outside to the pool.

“Hey, Abby!”

Scanning the room, I didn’t recognize the voice, and I didn’t see its owner at first.

Jake Turner appeared, smiling. Jake was cute, lean but muscular, and really into football. I’d known Jake since elementary school, and while he was nice, I didn’t see him as anything more than a friend. “Mel said you and me should hook up.” He looked down at me, bottle-green eyes twinkling.

My brows rose. “Oh, did she? She wants a double date buddy.”

“I think you’re right. She’s with Tyler now.” His chin jutted toward the hall before returning his attention back to me. “How’s your summer so far?” I was glad he changed the subject—the bedrooms were down that hall

“Fine. Nothing special. You?” I took another quick glance around the room, trying my best to avoid my newly acquired rudeness.

“Same. Just been to parties like this.” Jake shrugged as if partying was an obligation. “You aren’t swimming?” He gestured to my attire.

I almost laughed, as if anyone here would want to see
that
. “Nah, not tonight. Do you mind if I get outside? I thought I saw someone I needed to talk to.”

“Yeah. I’ll catch ya later, Abby.” He gave me a playful swat on the arm.

The sun had set behind the mountain, still hot and the lack of breeze made the moist air stickier. The basketball court was empty and I didn’t see my savior by the pool. Disappointment crept in. It was just my imagination. Again.

A loud cluster of boys played football nearby. Greg Johnson, who happened to be a human tank, was one of them. I didn’t know him very well since he was with the more popular crowd. Greg was good friends with Jake and he seemed like a decent guy.

“Hey, Greg, heads up!” Those words didn’t register until that tank decided to dive for the football, which was over the water. Too bad I was standing between Greg and his ball.

Greg launched at me full force with an elbow to my chest. I didn’t know what I felt first—the warm pool water encompassing me, or the exploding pain from the impact. The pain, though, became my downfall.

Rational thought escaped me. Rational thought like,
Get out of the water before you drown
. Greg, I believe, was happy to have his ball and too drunk to notice the roadblock he flattened was still at the bottom of the pool.

My heart raced and an incredible amount of pressure gripped my chest. The blow must have been enough to shock my heart into an attack. I couldn’t feel my arms or kick my legs. Nothing worked. I couldn’t focus on the bubbles to figure out what direction the surface was. My vision became spotty and black. Lungs screamed for air and I was too weak to do anything, slipping away.

I was actually drowning in a pool full of people and I knew how to swim. I wondered how long it would take someone to realize there was a dead body in the pool. Would I sink or bounce on the surface like a floating chlorinator?

Closing my eyes, my thoughts drifted to my hero, the beautiful man from my dreams. I may or may not have seen him tonight. He may or may not exist. I never had a boyfriend and I’d never been kissed, but if I went out with his image on my mind, our dream kiss, that was something at least.

Vaguely, I felt two strong hands under each arm pull me through the water. My back was pressed to a firm, solid chest, rising with incredible speed. Cradled in his arms, my body swayed. The lub-dub of my heart slowed to near non-existent and the pressure in my chest wouldn’t allow me to breathe. I drifted off to the blackness.

With a jolt, my heart leapt to life and a tight, painful burn wrapped around it. Something foreign was in my lungs, a different pressure from within. Slowly, the tightness and pain subsided. I tasted chlorine and…lips? Yep, that was definitely a mouth forcing air into me, creating more pressure in my chest. I had to cough. My body jerked and I sputtered up the chlorinated water.

Whoever saved me, held my head to the side so I could expel the pool I inhaled. A hand was on my chest, under my clothing. The hand was hot, large, and definitely touching more than anyone without a medical degree had ever touched. When I finished coughing, he laid my head back down.

My pulse slowed and air came in easy currents. The pain vanished as if it never happened. Fluttering my wet eyelids open, I focused on my rescuer. I blinked not believing what I was seeing. I couldn’t be awake because inches away were those almond-shaped hazel eyes.