True Fate (25 page)

Her cheeks reddened because she was sure he'd
help with that too if she needed him to. After using the bathroom Nia washed
her hands and face being careful to avoid the mirror. Deciding she'd save it
for last because she already knew her eyes were puffy and her lips were
swollen. She leaned on the sink and chanced a look. Sure enough her red rimmed
eyes burned and her nose was pink around the edges where she had been blowing
it. Pink seemed to be the general hue because her cheeks were pink too and her
eyes were definitely puffy though not as puffy as she thought they’d be. If
nothing else she knew she didn't want to think about her dad for a while and her
crumbling mind definitely needed another break.

Lightly tapping on the door Aaron’s voice came
through slightly muffled. "You okay in there?” he asked.

"Yeah.", she assured him, "Could
you bring me my purse?” she asked.

It took him a few seconds and she cracked the
door and took it from him and closed it, "Thank you.” she said through the
once again closed door.

Aaron had always thought that love at first sight
was borderline psychotic, but not now. No now he thought about how it was
undeniably possible. Even though he had never understood it before but now he
didn't need to, he felt it. In her kiss and every spot where they touched.
There was no denying he needed to comfort her, there was just no question about
it.

Nia looked at her reflection and pulled out her
makeup bag, she wouldn't go all out but she would definitely give herself a
fresh look, she wasn't crazy about all the redness. She applied her makeup
lightly and added some waterproof mascara and a little peach blush to combat
the pinks. She added some clear lip gloss and figured that's as good as it
could be for now. Considering she may indeed shed more tears.

"Feeling a little better beautiful?” he asked
when she was back by his side and she beamed. How could she not love that?

"Yeah a little, I think I need you to
distract me for a bit. If that's okay?” she asked shyly.

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and shook a
small bottle at her that she recognized as eye drops so she laid back on the
bed and let him put them in. He was so thoughtful and her eyes started to feel
better quickly, she hoped they were starting to look better too.

"That's better.” Aaron said with a smile
placing the little bottle in the bedside table. “I have a secret.” He said as
her eyes widened. “Oh, it's not bad or anything. I just know how it feels when
you have been crying for a while.” he said passing her some grapes.

Gratefully Nia took a plump orb and popped one in
her mouth savoring the sweetness as Aaron continued.

"Every year on my mom's birthday I can't
help but cry, I really try not to. I miss her everyday but on her birthday I
just think of what I would get for her. I mean I try to smile a lot because I
know that's what she would want. But really my heart's being torn apart all
over again.” he said quietly as a single tear slid down his cheek stilling
Nia’s movement.

"I mean, I know your eyes were probably
burning.” he added quickly feeling a bit odd that he’d just admitted a weakness
to a girl. Something he would have never done before.

Nia got up and sat on his lap moving the plate of
grapes from his hands and kissed his tear stained cheek.

"Thank you so much for taking care of me
Aaron, it really means a lot to me."

Nia was content with her head on his shoulder it
felt natural so she grabbed the sweet grapes and they shared them. Enjoying a
little piece of heaven.

"So distractions huh?” he asked finally as
they were washing the stickiness of the fruit from their fingers.

"Yup. At least for a few hours.” she
replied.

"Movie and pizza?” he asked.

"Oh, Aaron, you had me at pizza.” she told
him dramatically.

Laughing Aaron went to get his phone as Nia
searched through the new releases on his cable box.

Having had three missed calls and two texts he
decided to check it out. The calls were Eric and one text from him too. The
other text was Rhea.

Eric: What is going on? Nia's emotions are off
the charts and her phone is off? Call me or text I don't care just let me know something
if you have any info.

Aaron: She's with me & physically fine but
her dad knows something about her abilities I think. He broke her heart and she's
pretty crushed. I'm trying to give her whatever she needs and tomorrow is a go.
She wants to leave in the morning.

Eric: Let me know if anything changes, I'll check
in later. We will be ready, meet there. Let u know time later.

That was taken care of so now onto Rhea. With a
sigh he read her message about giving her a call but it would wait.

Aaron: Ok we are eating and watching a movie call
when I can.

They called to order the pizza as soon as he
walked back into the living room.

Nia stood up. "So I'm thinking a scary
movie. That okay with you?” she asked as he hugged her to him wrapping an arm
around her he kissed the top of her head. He kissed her cheek as he was asking
for extra cheese. Hanging up Aaron placed his other arm around her and bent to
bury his face in her neck.

"Anything for you. We have twenty minutes to
pizza.” he said taking in her perfume and shampoo mixed with a tangy scent he
couldn’t place but he really liked it.

Aaron pulled back to look at her. "I guess
you need to distract me, until then.” she said as innocently as possible taking
his hand and sitting on the couch.

"I'm sure I can manage that.” he said
huskily.

Nia liked getting lost in his kisses it was
something she didn't see herself ever getting tired of.
 
This, she decided, was the perfect
distraction. She was focused on him with every ounce of her being, like he
demanded it with each kiss and again with each gentle touch.

Thinking she'd need at least twenty five hours in
a day with Aaron she smiled behind the next kiss, letting what she supposed
was, the feeling of love flow between his soul and hers. If there was ever a
best way to get lost, she'd definitely found it.

###

Eric was relieved to know she was safe and not
alone though his mind was jumbled now with thoughts of how her father could
possibly know anything. As far as he knew he was full mortal, at least that's
what Lilith had told him. He tapped his phone to his hand then shoved it back
in his jeans as he started down the long hallway.

"I'm going to go lay down for a bit.” Avery
said interrupting his thoughts as she was passing.

"Hey.", he said catching her by the
waist and pinning her to the wall, he stretched his hands onto either side of
her so she couldn’t get away easily. Avery was only mildly startled but more
relieved it was taking all of her resolve trying not to let on that she was
affected by his worry over Nia. She gave him a small smile and tensed pressing
her back harder into the cool sheetrock.

Eric came closer to her mouth staring at her lips
like they held the key to heaven and he was a fallen angel. "I'm sorry
I've been bad company today Avery. I know it was rude of me to be so
distracted. It's just this bond.” he said capturing her bottom lip between his
teeth as she gasped. Standing frozen she relaxed her lips until he released the
bottom one. She tried desperately to slow her treacherous breathing giving away
her excitement at the contact. He leaned in closer a millimeter from her lips
“Am I forgiven?” he asked letting his warm breath caress her face. Avery
shuddered from the inside out annoyed at how her body betrayed her.

He went in to close the distance and Avery slipped
under his arms spinning him in the process and pinned him to the opposite wall.
Her breath came in huffs as she tortured his lips with her own barely skimming
his. His expression was a smirk mixed with the shock in his cerulean eyes
letting her know that she was on the right track. She pressed herself against
him and kissed his neck trailing her way to his lips. He couldn’t take anymore
as he took her lips consuming them with his own.

They were as pressed together as two people could
be and the kiss made her insides ignite. Rather than combust Avery freed her
mouth from his and grinned. “I don’t know about forgiven, but you’re on the
right track.” She said as she summoned her strength and stepped away from him
heading towards the room.

Eric laughed and followed close behind, "How
about that nap?” he asked and she laughed. She was sure they would be laying
down but she didn't think they'd sleep very much.

###

Rhea was annoyed with Aaron's taking so long to
answer, she needed to find a way to let them know who exactly was riding where.
And as if her vibes got through to him her phone rang, and sure enough it was Aaron.

"Hello", she said almost overeager.

"What's up Rhea?” he asked warily.

"How's Nia?”

"She's going to be sad for a while and she's
definitely not ready to face him. She's been crying off and on. We watched a
movie and ordered pizza. I'm just glad she's eating.” he told her smiling at
Nia who was sitting there listening in.

"Good I'm just glad she's safe with you. I
need to get a message to all the 'extra' people that will be following us
around on our road trip. I rented a vehicle and I have a guest coming with me.
I think we should all ride together. Safety in numbers and all that.” she
blurted before she second guessed it.

"Oh-kay. Well I'll let them know and get
back to you. I take it you aren't taking no for an answer?” he inquired
stifling a laugh.

"Wow what a great guess!” she said
sarcastically.

Aaron laughed then. "Okay well tell Nia to
call me when she's ready.” she said.

Understanding that Nia and Rhea were close Aaron
was pretty much prepared for this but he wasn't sure how Eric would take it.
"Okay will do, bye.” he said then hit end.

Nia sat on the couch looking at him and trying
not to laugh at her pushy best friend. When he'd showed her the text she'd told
him to call but said that she wasn't ready to talk. Certain she'd fall apart
again and she just wasn't in the mood to go to pieces. She'd been on speaker
phone and heard it all and figured Rhea would take charge she just wasn't sure
when. They grabbed another piece of pizza and started the previews side by side
in his over-sized recliner.

Nia pulled her phone out of her pocket and sent a
quick text to Eric.

Nia: Can you, Avery and Darragh come by later
tonight?

Eric: Glad to hear from you, and yes. We're
staying close by anyway be there around seven.

Nia: Thank you.

Eric: Of course.

She turned off her phone again and stuffed it
back in her pocket determined to enjoy the movie, food and especially the
company without interruption.

###

Eric went to tell Darragh while Avery waited for
him to come back. They'd been trying to figure out how to keep him from going
back to the dreamscape when this was all over. They just had to, she wouldn't
survive the death of her heart again she’d kill Lilith first.

###

Rhea was satisfied with the answer she'd been
given but wasn't sure she could handle the go between stuff. She needed to hear
Nia tell her she would be alright. It had been the two of them for so long, all
of this change was coming on quick and it was pretty scary. Her phone rang
bringing her out of her musing.

"Hello?” Rhea said answering quickly hoping
it was Nia.

"Hey.", Adam said a bit shyly.

"Hey! You all packed?” she asked.

"Yeah, ready as I can be. I may have to shop
if it gets too cold though.” he told her.

"Oh that's fine. We’re all going to have to.”
Rhea said laughing.