Beyond the Eyes: YA Paranormal Romance Page 19

  * * *

  The phone was ringing. I finished tying my shoes, and hurried down the stairs. Jumping off the last step, I turned into the kitchen. I picked up the phone, noticing the white tile floor was wiped clean. I silently thanked Nathan for getting rid of the bloody mess.

  It was Carrie, at home doing the family thing–bored–I told her about me running into Nathan last night and how he bared his feelings to me.

  “I’m so happy for you, Paige,” she squealed. “I told you he’s in love with you. You two are so meant to be together.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, you were right. Guess what?”

  “What?”

  “He spent the night last night.” I twirled in a circle, slapping a hand over my heart, and sighed.

  “Omigod! Did you two?” She paused. A door closed with a heavy thunk.

  “We did,” I said. “And it was the most erotic and beautiful experience I’ve ever had or imagined.” Just thinking about it made me all hot and sweaty. I plopped on the couch and wiggled to shake it off.

  “Eroootic.” She stretched the word. “I love that word.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

  I laughed, but then stopped, thinking about the “old one.” “Don’t tell Matt.”

  “I won’t. We’re going out tonight,” she said.

  “How is he when you’re with him?” I asked, trying to hide the caution in my voice. The thought of her being alone with him seriously bothered me.

  “He’s so funny, and like I told you before, he’s a great kisser.”

  I cringed and had the sudden urge to tell her whom she was really kissing, but I knew I could never tell her about any of this.

  A door slammed outside.

  “I think Nathan is back.”

  “Okay, but I want the details of your deflowering.”

  I laughed. “You’re such a dork, but I will later.”

  I hung up the phone and looked out the front window, surprised to see bags of food and a gallon of milk dangling from Nathan’s hands. He saw me, lifted his hands, and grinned. I waved and rushed outside to help.

  A bright ray of sunlight had broken through the thick, gray clouds, streaming down into the forest, like a portal from heaven. I wondered what it would be like to stand inside it. Would I get a glimpse of heaven?

  “Hand me some of those bags,” I said, trying to take them.

  He shook his head. “I got these. There’s three more in the backseat if you want to get those.” The muscles in his arms were bulging from the weight of the groceries.

  “Nathan, you didn’t have to do this,” I said, touched by his thoughtfulness.

  “I know, but I wanted to.” He leaned over and kissed me.

  “You’re sweet, and I appreciate it.” I opened the door for him, then went to get the rest of the groceries. Mr. Kitty came out from behind the house and followed me to the pickup. I bent to pet him. “You know,” I said, “I consider you my friend, and I know you have things to do, but whatever I decide, I hope you won’t be completely out of my life.” He rubbed against my knee, purring.

  A few minutes later I was in the kitchen, putting the food away. Nathan helped and kept asking me where to put things. It felt natural to be with him like this, and I found myself smiling.

  “I ran into Tree at the deli,” he said.

  My head was in the refrigerator, arranging everything.

  “Really? What’s he up to?”

  “He’s working for his dad today and stopped by to pick up some lunch. I really like him. He reminds me a lot of my older brother Thomas.”

  I threw some ice cubes in a couple glasses and poured us some tea.

  “How does he remind you of Thomas?” I asked, opening the blue plastic container, pleased to see red potato salad with my sandwich. “This looks yummy. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he said and took a bite of his sandwich. A minute later he continued. “Tree is a hard worker like Thomas. He’s also, honest and reliable. He’s the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back.”

  I smiled in agreement. “He is a wonderful person. He’s like a brother to me. Last week, he did everything he could to make me smile.”

  “He came into the deli after me and wasn’t shy to tell me I made a big mistake letting you go.”

  My fork fell into the potato salad, and I stared at him in disbelief. There was an amused gleam in his eyes. “He said that to you?” I pictured Tree, bitchin’ as he looked, standing over Nathan, laying into him. I mean, Tree could just about intimidate anyone. Not only was he frickin’ tall, but he was German, with a sturdy build.

  “He did.” Nathan grinned and shook his head. “I’ll tell you what. If I were human, I wouldn’t want him sore at me.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I told him I was a wreck without you, and we’re back together.”

  “Then what happened?” I took a drink of my tea, mentally visualizing the scene.

  “He was happy to hear it. He said he likes me, but if I break your heart, he’s going to break my face.”

  Tea sprayed out my mouth, almost tagging Nathan. He jerked his head back and laughed.

  “I can’t believe he said that to you,” I said, wiping my mouth.

  “Yes, well, I told him he doesn’t have to worry since I plan to be with you forever. He shook my hand. He’s a cool guy, and I like he looks out for you.”

  “He is a cool guy.” The best.

  “I told him you had no food in the house, and I wanted to buy you some, so I asked him what you liked.”

  “Ah, I wondered how you ended up buying all the foods I liked. You’re pretty slick.”

  A slow, devious smile appeared on his face, and my heart skipped a couple beats. “When I have to be,” he said.