There was silence.
“You really like him a lot, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t like him a lot.” Portia laughed, a feeling of irritation shooting through her. “I’m in love with him. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
Shelly paused for second, and then laughed too.
“You don’t really mean that. Girls our age always think they’re in love with someone. Then a week later they’re mooning over someone else.”
Now I was irritated. Who the heck did she think she was to undermine our attraction to one another?
“That may be,” Portia replied, her hurt growing stronger. “But it isn’t true in my case.” There was a slight pause before she continued. “I love him to the center of my being.” She paused. “No, he is the center of my being.”
I felt the magical push to her words. Careful, I thought to myself. You might scare her.
“Oh, sorry.” Shelly finally spoke. “You know, I don’t really feel up to the movie tonight after all. I kind of feel like I have a headache coming on. Besides, Angie Wilhelm told me it was dumb.”
Yep, it was as I’d feared—too much magic. Now Shelly was trying to get rid of her. Portia recognized this immediately, but didn’t press the issue any further.
She waited to see if Shelly would change her mind, but she didn’t.
“Well, bye,” Portia finally said.
Seeing her slip outside, I hurried to her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders giving her a hug. “That didn’t go so well. Sorry things are rough because of me.”
“It isn’t your fault,” she said, pausing for a second to look through the window as we passed it.
Shelly was on the phone, and we could both hear her clearly.
“Hi, Mrs. Anderson is Brad home?” she asked. After a short second, she began speaking again.
“Hey, Brad. My plans with Portia didn’t work out. You want to go to the movie with me tonight?”
Portia turned away and I escorted her back to my motorcycle. There was no way I was going to drop her off at home after this. She needed some sort of distraction and I knew just the place to do it. A short drive later, we arrived at my house.
“This is a surprise!” Marsha exclaimed, looking up from the movie she was watching. “Come in, come in!” She rose and rushed to give Portia a hug.
“Portia’s feeling slightly blue this evening and needs to get away from everything for a while. I thought maybe we could entertain her.” I bent to give Marsha a quick kiss on the cheek. “Sorry I didn’t call first. It was sort of a last-minute decision.”
“No need for an apology.” Marsha smiled. “Why don’t you two flip through the channels and see if there’s something on you want to watch while I make some popcorn?”
“I don’t want you to miss your movie,” Portia said.
“I’ve seen it already,” Marsha called back as she entered the kitchen. “No worries.”
Lifting the remote, I flicked through the guide and we ordered a new comedy none of us had seen yet. I gathered Portia into my arms and we snuggled together while we watched the movie and ate the popcorn Marsha prepared for us.
All through the course of the movie, I tried to send reassuring subliminal thoughts to Portia in an attempt to help her feel better. Unsure if it was working or not, I was pleased when the tiny worry lines in between her eyes disappeared and the frown lines around her mouth relaxed.
“Boy, I’m tired!” Marsha exclaimed when the movie was finished. She ran her hand through her short blond curls, shaking them out. “I’m not used to staying up this late. I guess I’ll leave the partying to the two of you and head for bed.” She gave us a quick wave and left the room with a smile.
“She’s sweet. I like her.”
“I do too. Marsha’s like true family. She’s always treated me well, and even though we aren’t related, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for her.”
“She must be a spectacular person to take care of someone she didn’t even know.”
“That’s true, but let’s not talk about it here, okay?” It made me nervous to discuss things without a circle of protection. It simply seemed safer knowing magic was helping to protect from unseen ears that might be trying to listen.
“Can I see your room?” she asked, driving me crazy when she bit at her lower lip.
“My room?” I was surprised by this request, and all sorts of reasons about why I shouldn’t show her floated to the surface—most of them involving extreme lack of clothing.
“Yeah, your room. This is the first time you’ve ever brought me here. I want to see where you live.”
“How have I managed to not bring you here in all these weeks we’ve been together?” I shook my head, honestly puzzled by this information. “It must be because I always feel so at home at your house.”
Taking her hand, I led her down the hallway. I reached my hand inside and flipped on the switch, gesturing for her to enter ahead of me.
“Not much to see—twin bed in the corner. Notice how the lovely blue denim bedspread and white sheets accentuate the plastic mini-blinds in the windows.”
She giggled. “I had no idea you were so décor oriented.”
“It’s all about décor with me.” I grinned and held my hand toward my desk where my schoolbooks and motorcycle magazines were piled, along with some of my tools. “Over here we have some,” I paused to search for a term, “classroom/garage chic going on, accentuated by this handsome leather jacket slung casually over the back of the chair.” All those home design shows I’d watched with Marsha were suddenly paying off.
She burst into laughter, raising an eyebrow. “Classroom/garage chic?”
Folding my arms, I leaned back against the frame of the door. “You really should pay more attention to fashion trends, Portia. It’s very popular these days.” I stared at her seriously and she laughed even harder. Pointing to the Aloe Vera plant sitting on the desk, I continued, “It’s the plant that ties the whole look together, don’t you think?”
“Oh, for sure.” She was attempting to keep up the charade, but not succeeding at it very well. Stepping back, she examined the area thoroughly, while tapping her chin.
“It definitely brings out the leather in your jacket.”
“Exactly. That was the whole look I was going for.” I smiled widely.
She nodded. “I’m sure you were.”
Her gaze wandered past my very organized closet. I wasn’t above using magic to keep my room clean. It made things so much easier. If I’d have known Portia was going to be in my room today, though, I would’ve even been more particular about it.
“May I?” she asked, walking to the doors of a large cabinet on the opposite wall.
“Help yourself,” I replied, watching her closely.
She opened the cupboard, revealing my personal altar with all my magical supplies. I kept it covered in a piece of purple velvet fabric, and rested my athame and Book of Shadows, along with a few crystals for good energy, on it.
Her fingers ran across the handle of the custom athame that Laramie had made for me. She lifted it, holding it toward me.
“What are these for?” She pointed to the sharp hooks running down one side of the knife.
“They’re called gut hooks.” I chuckled.
“Oh.” She seemed surprised. “That’s kind of self-explanatory, isn’t it?”
“They’re just for show,” I said, knowing she was wondering what I’d use those for. “That knife was custom made for me by a local craftsman I met. I happened to come across his store one day and was admiring his work. We struck up a conversation about how he made his knives, and he showed me an old, pitted chainsaw blade he’d found. I thought the pitted metal looked cool, so I commissioned him to make me an athame out of it.”
“Really? That’s awesome. It turned out very nice, though it does look kind of lethal.”
“It is,” I replied. “So be careful.”
Smiling at me, she
replaced it in its spot and continued running her fingers over the other items she found there. Turning around, she held up and old worn photo of a woman with soft curly brown hair holding a baby.
A pang shot through my heart.
“That’s my mom and me. It’s the only photo I have of her.”
“She’s very pretty.” She stared at the image for several seconds before replacing it. “I hope she’s all right.”
“Me too,” I replied, trying hard not to dwell on those emotions.
She closed the door, heading toward me, but was diverted when she saw the corner of one of my yearbooks poking from under the bed.
Damn, I thought. I hadn’t intended for her to see that. I had several of the pages bookmarked, which she noticed right away, and she proceeded to flip through all of them before glancing at me expectantly.
“I’m sorry if it seems a bit stalker-ish, but they’re the only pictures I have of you. I couldn’t very well follow you around with a camera snapping photos of you all the time.” I shrugged as if it were no big deal. “I still look at them every day, but it used to be a lot more before you got your powers.”
“I guess I’ll have to get hold of a camera and give you some new ones, then.” She closed the book and slid it back under the bed. “Besides, I'd love to have a few pictures of you too.”
Going to join her, we sat together.
“You didn’t find my biggest secret,” I said grinning, reaching further under the bed. Finding the handle to my guitar, I pulled it out to show her.
“You play?” She seemed completely amazed.
“A little. My mom taught me while we were on the run. I think she thought it would help take my mind off things.” I strummed and quietly set to tuning the strings.
“Do you sing too?”
“Only to myself.” I laughed. “And usually very quietly. I wouldn’t want to scare anyone.”
“Play something for me,” she said excitedly, and it reminded of a kid who was super stoked about getting ice cream or something.
“What do you want me to play?”
“Anything.” Her smiled was wide, eyes sparkling.
Deciding on a certain haunting melody that was special to me, I began plucking at the strings. It was something my mom used to play. The chords drifted together, filling the air with their mournful song, reminding me of times past, and allowing a melancholy mood to fill the air.
Portia lay back against my pillow, closing her eyes. Her breathing became so deep and even that I began to wonder if I’d put her to sleep. I stopped and set the guitar down, moving to lie beside her.
“Why are you crying?” I asked in surprise, noticing a tear at the corner of her eye and wiping it away. “It wasn't that bad was it?”
She shook her head. “No. It was beautiful. I’m sad because I can’t imagine how lonely you’ve been. I’ve always been surrounded by friends and family. I was loved, nurtured, and cared for.”
“I’ve had those things too, just not in the traditional sense. True, most of my memories of family come from my past, but Marsha has taken good care of me, and we have a healthy kinship that’s been born out of the things we’ve faced together. It hasn’t been all bad.” I stroked my hand across her hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel sad.”
“No, I loved it. It was wonderful. It was you.” She snuggled against me, pressing her face into the crook of my neck.
“Thank you for caring about me, Portia. It means a lot.” My words sounded so hollow, unable to express how I really felt about her.
“I love you.” Her eyes brimmed slightly with unshed tears. “I want to be part of your family.”
“You already are my family,” I corrected her. “More family than I’ve had in a long, long time. I’ve missed having an intimate connection with someone, the kind where you can share everything. You’ve given that back to me.”
We didn’t speak at all after that, only relished the feeling of being in each other’s arms, holding each other for the better part of an hour, and I loved every second of it.
“Do you think your parents would mind if we slept here tonight?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Dad knows I’m with you, and I’m sure he’s filled Mom in on everything by now. I’m positive they trust Marsha.”
“Do you need to call them?”
“No, they’re both gone again tonight. Though, maybe I’ll leave a message on the machine, in case my mom comes home from work at the hospital early.”
I handed her my cell phone, watching her as she walked toward the door. Standing, I pulled my shirt off, before unlacing my boots.
“Hey, Mom.”
The wave of lust hit Portia hard when she noticed what I was doing, but I pretended not to notice. I needed a clear head.
“I’m at Marsha and Vance’s tonight,” she quickly added and then ended the call.
I turned the covers back for her while she removed some of the clips holding her hair, placing them on my nightstand. It gave me a shot of pleasure to see things belonging to her lying in my room.
“Vance,” she whispered. “Will you sleep with me tonight? Under the covers, I mean.”
My thoughts fled and new ones came to replace them as I fought a silent war in my mind. Shoving them to the side, I knew I needed to maintain control. I slid into the bed beside her, turning her so her back was against me. The contact set my body on fire.
“You forgot to turn out the light,” she whispered, giggling slightly.
Lifting a hand, I snapped my fingers and the light went out.
“I love you,” I whispered, hugging her.
“I love you too. Thanks for bringing me here, tonight.” She laced her finger through mine.
“Was it everything you imagined it to be?” I asked with a chuckle.
“No.” She laughed. “Your room is much cleaner than I expected.”
“I’m glad I can still surprise you.”
“I’m surprised by you every day.”
“How so?”
“Every day I wake up to find you’re still here, and you still want me.”
“That’ll never change, but I don’t see why it surprises you.”
“I just feel so unworthy of your attention sometimes, let alone your love.” She had to be kidding.
“Don’t ever talk like that.” I hugged her even tighter. “You’re worthy of so much more than me.”
“Vance. I don’t want anyone but you.” She tried to turn toward me, but I banded my arms around her, not allowing her to move.
“Don’t, Portia, please. We’re so close right now, and this feels so intimate. I don’t think I could stop if you kissed me.” Taking a deep breath, I continued. “I’ve dreamed for a long time about when I would finally be able to hold you next to me in my own bed. Only, I’m afraid my version wasn’t quite as chaste as this.”
“I understand,” she replied, relaxing into my arms. And, for the millionth time, I wished that I could make her mine—in everyway. Suddenly her thoughts, which mirrored my own, poured through me.
“Portia,” I growled through gritted teeth. “You can’t even think about it. The temptation is too much for me.” This was getting dangerous. I needed to leave. “I’m going to have to go sleep on the floor.”
“Don’t leave.” She grabbed my arms before I slipped away. “I’ll be good. I promise.” A picture of her in her bunny pajamas immediately filled my head.
“Nice try,” I laughed. “But you’re still in your pajamas. Think of something else.”
She imagined bunnies romping through a field together.
What the heck? “Got anything besides rabbits?” I asked.
Immediately, lions in a fierce fight appeared in my mind.
“Nope. Too carnal.” I laughed. “Can’t handle the bloodlust.”
She sighed and all of a sudden an image of her grandma popped into my mind and she was making out with the mailman.
Holy hell! Yuck! “Ugh, that’s worki
ng. Please stop, though, you’re killing me here,” I said, not even kidding. “Now I need to have my mind wiped completely.”
She laughed and her mind went blank. It took me a lot longer to fall asleep after she did. Every breath she took stirred against me and I had to battle myself for a very long while before I finally won.
Chapter Nineteen
Journal entry:
Double dating. Definitely not something I thought I’d ever be into. Of course, most of my life, before now, was spent hardly able to get to know someone well enough to even get a single date.
I have to say, though, I’m really starting to like this Brad guy. When I first met him, I labeled him as a jerk jock, but I’m learning perhaps his labels are as sadly inaccurate as the ones pinned on me. Looks like I’m guilty of wrongful judgment too.
***
“No cheating with magic,” Portia said, her voice in a low whisper so Brad and Shelly wouldn’t overhear. “You have to do this all on your own natural ability.”
“No problem. It can’t be that difficult.” I was completely confident in my physical skills.
She smiled slyly, but didn’t say anything.
Immediately, I grew suspicious. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing,” she replied quickly—too quickly.
“I don’t believe you,” I stated flatly. “Spill it now.”
She sighed. “Brad has never been here, either. I don’t want him to look bad all by himself.”
“So you’re saying you and Shelly have been here before?”
Biting her lip, she nodded.
“Just how good are you?” I was curious now.
“Shelly and I used to take lessons together when we were younger.”
“Really? That’s cool.” I glanced toward the vast expanse of the Flagstaff ice skating rink as she continued to lace her skates. “I promise not to use magic, but I refuse to make a fool of myself merely so Brad can feel better. He’s on his own.”
Portia laughed. “Deal.” She stood and reached out to me. “Ready to give it your best shot, Mr. Superhero?”
Slipping my hand into hers, I followed her to the open gate that led out onto the ice. Glancing down at the black colored skates, I realized it was actually much easier to walk than I thought it would be. They hugged my ankles like my motorcycle boots did, a feeling that was completely normal and comfortable to me. This was going to be a piece of cake.