I invite the freshman to hang with my group and am thrilled when I turn to see Jade and Corey and a bunch of our other friends standing with Ryder, gesturing for the kid to go to them. I hear them introduce themselves, and I take a deep breath.
“You know, Jake. You might want to rethink this whole bullying thing. It doesn’t look good on you.”
I spin around and start to walk away, but whip back when I hear Jake’s voice shaking a little.
“We were just goofing off, you know. He didn’t mind.”
“Really, now?” Oh, how I’d love to go all Fury on him. His so-called friends move away from him when I approach, closing the distance between us.
I focus my thoughts on doing no harm.
“Actually, I can guarantee that he does mind. That all the people you torment so you can feel good about yourself mind. I’m sure you wouldn’t say a thing to anyone without your lackeys around you, and don’t think for a minute that anyone buys your tough guy act. If you were as strong and tough as you pretend to be, you wouldn’t have to prey on defenseless, unassuming underclassmen.”
I look back at Ryder, whose grin tells me he’s proud of me.
“And by the way,” I can’t resist the urge to say one last thing. “If you’re really as tough as you pretend to be here, maybe you could try to win one of those football games for a change?”
His friends try to hide their giggles, but a few escape and Jake’s wounded expression and the look of betrayal he shoots at his so-called friends tells me I won’t be hearing anything from him for a while.
And all while letting the snakes rest. Go, me!
My joy comes to an abrupt halt when I hear my name called over the loud-speaker. In trouble again?
Chapter Fifty-five
Ryder walks me to the guidance office and waits outside while I surrender myself. I miss his arm around my waist before his warmth even wears off.
Mrs. Evans smiles and gestures for me to enter her office. The storm in my belly intensifies when I see the woman from the grant committee sitting in the comfy chair. She stands and extends her hands to me, holding one of my hands between both of hers.
“Thank you for joining me, Ms. Murphy.” Her teeth shine when the light hits them.
“Please, call me Felicia.”
“Very well. Thank you, Felicia. Please, have a seat.”
I manage to sit, though I’m not sure how I don’t collapse with my legs shaking so much. What’s going on here? Am I being chastised for having the gall to apply for the grant when my behavior has been so…questionable?
“I’ll just get to the point so you can return to your classes.”
I nod and swallow.
“I’m not supposed to address the candidates about their performance, but I have to let you know that I am so disappointed in how things turned out. The work you have done is so important, and I was deeply saddened that you didn’t win the grant.”
Take a ticket and stand in line behind all the other people who are disappointed in me, lady. I actively work to keep my composure. I’ve embarrassed myself enough over the past weeks. If I can survive this one last (I hope) blow to my self-esteem, I can get on with my future and leave the mistakes in my past.
“I was adopted.” Her words jolt me back to the present. “That’s part of why your work touched me so deeply. Don’t get me wrong; your work would be important even if I hadn’t been born to a drug-addicted mother, but something about your passion for your cause really struck me when I read your application and listened to you speak during the interview. You’ve put so much of your time and devotion toward helping those kids, and it shows. You weren’t just going for the grant so you could get social studies credit. Your organization means something to you.”
I won’t lie; holding back tears is getting harder and harder the longer she talks. I want to finish this day so I can head down to The Shack and see those smiling faces. True, I have to break the news that we didn’t get the grant, but I have other ideas for how to raise the money, and I want to have everyone on board.
“I would like to donate some money toward your organization from my personal funds. It won’t be affiliated with the bank, and I’m sorry that you won’t get the promotional advertising, but I also have some friends who were moved by what you’re doing and would like to donate, as well.”
Hold up. Rewind. Did she just say…?
“I hope that’s okay with you?”
I can’t hold back—I let out a squeal that would make any middle-schooler proud. I jump out of my seat and wrap my arms around the poor woman’s neck. To my surprise, she hugs me back, and when I finally release her, she’s beaming from ear to ear. “Thank you so, so much. Oh my gosh, you have no idea what this means to me. What this will mean to the kids!” I take a step back, wanting to pinch myself to see if I’m awake, but not wanting to embarrass myself any more than I have. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. More sure than I have been about many things.”
“I applied for non-profit status, so you should be able to use the donation on your taxes.”
She laughs.
“A true business-woman, you are. Don’t worry, tax credit or not, donating money is the least I can do. In fact, I wonder if you’d mind if I donated some time to your organization?”
“Would I mind? I think that would be perfect. We can always use strong women as role models for these kids.”
We wrap up our conversation, exchange email addresses, and I float out of the office on a cloud.
Chapter Fifty-six
Ryder helps me carry in the dozens of cupcakes I baked for the impromptu party I’m throwing at The Shack. Word traveled fast. Dozens of kids surround us as we fumble to place the trays on the table without spilling any. We’re celebrating what I consider to be a giant win, even if it wasn’t the path we thought we were following. The money being donated will help us add on to The Shack so we can have our dedicated space, and will enable us to reach out to more kids in our surrounding communities.
I’m wiping frosting off little Dylan’s face when the front door bangs shut, startling me. I look up to see my father standing there, looking a bit sheepish. What is he doing here?
He looks about as comfortable as a water molecule on a campfire, so I excuse myself from the kids and head to the doorway. Ryder steps in to take my place in the center of the room.
I approach my dad slowly, cautiously, arms crossed in front of me. I don’t know how to handle him after our last encounter. I hate that we’re reuniting on this crowded stage.
All eyes are on me. Or are they? Am I just being super sensitive? I sneak a peek out of the corner of my eye. People appear to be wrapped up in their own personal dramas in The Orange, and the teens in The Green are so enamored by Ryder, they barely notice I’ve stepped away.
Dad reaches forward as if to hug me, but I look away, pretending I didn’t notice. He rubs his hands on his slacks instead, as if that’s what he intended all along.
“I’m sorry to come here like this. Your mom told me you’d be here, and I didn’t want another day to go by.”
“It’s okay. I can only talk a minute, though.”
“Of course, hon. I just wanted to apologize to you.”
He might as well have sprouted a second nose and started speaking alien. My dad, apologizing? I hang on, waiting for the next word, waiting for him to fumble and turn it into something atrocious. Maybe he’s sorry I am so emotional and hormonal or sorry that I can’t be happy for him.
“I’ve been so absorbed in what I want, that I forgot to look at what I already have. Call it a mid-life crisis or a curse of stupidity, I don’t know. But I do know that the day your mother and I received you is single-handedly the best day of my life. Nothing can ever replace you or the feelings I have for you, my daughter.”
Tears fill my eyes faster than I can blink them away.
“I hope you can forgive me, Felicia Marie. And I hope we can start over, that you can teach me how t
o be as giving as you are.”
And just like that, I’m able to release all of the anger and bitterness, cast aside every ounce of jealousy I had toward Jenny and the new baby, and fully embrace the merciful nature that is my true birthright. I hug him the way I did when I was five, and he lifts me off my feet and twirls me around and we laugh and smile and I feel like I have my dad back.
I know he hasn’t changed, and he’s likely to make similar mistakes again. But I know I have to forgive him and move on, work on accepting him for who he is and what he brings to my life, and maybe even find a way to be happy for him.
Still working on that last part, though.
I invite Dad to join the gathering, and he ceremoniously donates a rather large check to the cause. He has a tear in his eye when he tells me he didn’t fully understand what I was doing here every day, but that he couldn’t be prouder. I’m happy I have Ryder’s arm around my waist, because though I know I can stand on my own, it feels really great to be able to lean on someone I fully trust.
I suppose life is about as perfect as it’s going to get. My family may be dysfunctional, but I think it’s pretty functional in its dysfunction. I’ve got my best friends back, money to help the kids I care about most, and I know it won’t take long to bring my grades back up.
Life is looking pretty good from where I’m sitting, at a table surrounded by sugar and friends and the promise of a great future.
Chapter Fifty-seven
Ryder jerks back abruptly, knocking me off balance.
“Stop doing that!”
“That’s the point, Felicia. You have to pay attention.”
“I was paying attention. You were too fast.”
“You think Meg is going to move slowly if she comes after you?”
“She can’t. She’s in Mercy’s prison. He won’t let her go for a good long while.”
“She’s escaped before. Don’t ever underestimate her.”
I sigh, then grab at my side where another cramp is coming on. This training thing is really messing with my body. Making me notice muscles I didn’t know I had.
“Are you okay?”
Yes, I’m fine, but I hesitate to tell him because he has that really cute expression he gets when he’s worried about me. And if I play it right, he’ll come over to comfort me soon…
“I’ll be all right. Just give me a minute.” I throw in a little wince for good measure.
True to nature, he’s at my side before I can blink, wrapping his arms around me and leading me to a chair. Will I ever get tired of smelling him? Electricity passes between us, an undeniable connection I’ve never felt with anyone else before.
My face turns upward toward his. We still haven’t finished the kiss we started in my dining room yesterday, and it’s all I’ve been able to think about. But since I’ve been making all the moves, it’s really important to me that he show that he wants to kiss me.
He doesn’t disappoint. His blue eyes darken to gray as he lowers his face to meet mine. My heart beats faster, and I know the increased blood flow is not from the workout. My legs shake a little, and I pray he doesn’t notice.
I’m not sure why I’m so nervous. I’ve kissed Zane a whole bunch. But for some reason this feels like I think my first kiss should have felt.
Ryder’s muscle bunches under my hand as he comes closer, closer. My other hand makes its way to his cheek, and I trace the side of his lip for a fraction of a second before he finally—finally!—makes my dream come true.
Oh, no. He definitely does not disappoint.
“I have to tell you something.” I hate to interrupt the make-out session, but I don’t want to start our relationship on deceit.
He keeps his forehead resting on mine, and I notice his heart pounding through his shirt. His breath tickles my face.
“My cramp wasn’t really that bad. I just wanted you to touch me.”
I close my eyes and wince, hating how desperate I sound, fearing his reaction.
He’s all seriousness when he replies, “I know.”
I jerk away and slap him on the arm.
“What do you mean, you know?”
“I know you, Felicia. But that’s okay, it worked out well for me, too. Watching you move the way you were moving was pretty torturous for me. Having to dodge away from you is the exact opposite of what I really want to do.”
“And what is it you really want to do?”
He kisses me again, long and slow.
And it takes me a while to realize he never answered the question.
Chapter Fifty-eight: Bonus Scene
Ryder in a tool belt—now there’s an image I never want to erase from my mind.
The contractors are nearly done with our new “mentor space” in the back of The Shack. We’ve had to do most of the work during The Shack’s off-hours so as not to chase away business. Sean has been amazing during this whole process, but I never want him to regret donating this space for us to use.
Turns out Ryder has a knack for construction, so he’s been helping the contractors any way he can.
I can’t resist the urge to sneak up behind him when the other workers leave for their fifteen minute break. He doesn’t startle, but slowly turns around and pulls me in for a deep kiss.
“I could get used to this.” I trace a finger along his bare bicep. His muscle tightens and he pulls me closer.
“I could get used to this.” He cups my face in his hands and kisses me gently on the lips.
Then he pulls away, suddenly removed from this world.
“What’s wrong? Did I do something?” I curse to myself for not grabbing a mint before coming for a kiss. Is the pizza smell lingering?
I start to get nervous when he doesn’t answer.
“Ryder. Are you okay?”
He snaps out of his trance, kisses me, then steps away, removing his tool belt and tossing it on the work bench nearby.
“We have to go.”
“Why? I thought we’d be able to finish this section before we leave. We’re on deadline now, don’t forget.” I smile to soften my commanding tone.
“We have to go. I’ll tell you in the car.”
There’s something in his voice that makes me stop asking questions. I grab my backpack, he takes my hand, and we hurry out to the car.
He seems hyper-alert, glancing in his rearview mirror every few seconds.
“Please tell me what’s going on. I’m freaking out.”
“I have to get you to Mercy’s place. You can stay there for a little while. You’ll be safe there.”
I sit up straighter and turn as much as I can to face him, pulling on my seat belt so I don’t choke.
“I’m not going anywhere. Why the sudden need to get me out?”
He stops at the stop sign, puts the car in park, and turns until his left arm hits the steering wheel.
“Megaera has escaped. And Mercy is worried that she’s coming for you.”
Icy cold heat rushes through my veins. The past several months have been so comfortable and stress-free, I almost forgot she was a threat.
“I can’t go, Ryder. The mentor room is almost ready and I have to plan the grand opening celebration. Besides, prom is in just a few weeks.” My voice shakes. “I thought you wanted to take me.”
“I want nothing more than to dance with you, Felicia. But I have to keep you safe.”
“That’s what we’ve been training for. So I’d be prepared. And you’re here, so you can help me.” I try to smile at him, but my lips feel frozen.
A car behind us beeps, so he turns back in his seat and pulls away from the intersection. To my relief, he continues past the road we’d need to travel down to get to the woods and the fog, pulling up to my house with hands firmly gripping the wheel.
“I’d feel much better if you were at Mercy’s. We could bring your mom and Sadie if it makes you feel better.”
“Ryder, no. I’m not going to let her push me out of my own world. We’ll figure out h
ow to deal with her. Together.”
He leans over and I meet him halfway. His kiss soothes, warms, reminds me of all the good in the world.
“She won’t feel like she has anything to lose. She’s on the outs with the council of gods who put the restrictions on her, so she may act worse than before. You have to be prepared.”
“I will be. With you.”
One more kiss, then he dashes to my side of the car to open the door for me. He grips my hand as we walk up my front steps.
“I’ll be nearby. If there’s anything unusual, just call for me. I’ll be here first thing in the morning so we can start training earlier. Can’t waste any time.”
I smile at him, because he’s so darned cute when he’s paranoid. I know the threat is real, but I don’t want to live in fear. I have hopes that the Snake Lady won’t come after me, and even higher hopes that if she does, I’ll be prepared. I’m stronger now than I was before. I don’t need to run and hide.
I tell Ryder everything will be okay. I even try to believe my own words. The one thing I can’t tell him—won’t tell him—is that my headaches are getting bad. The urge to release the pent up Fury is getting harder to control.
But he doesn’t need to worry any more than he already does. And I’ll deal with the nausea and the pain and the dizziness on my own.
Because the last thing I want to turn into is a person he can’t love.
Chapter One From Teen Fury: Embraced (Sample)
When I spin around in this girly, frilly prom dress, I almost feel like a normal girl and not some vengeful, paranormal freak with snakes that emerge from my head when I’m angry. And to my best friend, Jade, I’m still just a girl. I intend to keep the secret as long as I possibly can. Maybe forever.
Jade shakes her head at the fluffy confection of a dress and sends me back to the fitting room with a red dress I never would have chosen—too sexy for me. But I know she won’t relent until I show her how obnoxious the look is for me, so I squeeze into the slinky thing in spite of my reservations.
I struggle with the zipper and try not to inhale too forcefully, not wanting the sequined seams to split.