Discern (39 page)

“No. I just made myself invisible.”

“So you were here the whole time?”

“Yes, that was me shaking your body, trying to wake you.”

“So you turn invisible, but can still hear and see everything?” I asked, mortified that he had been present for more things than I realized.

“Yes,” he grinned.

“Have you ever watched me undress?” I gulped.

“No.” His grin faded. “Well, technically, yes, but not on purpose,” he admitted nervously.

“What?!” I gasped.

“It was an accident,” he promised.

“When?”

“I was worried one afternoon when I hadn’t heard from you. I came into your room, and you weren’t here, so I checked the bathroom, and,” he paused. “You were just getting out of the shower.”

I stood there speechless.

“I could lie and say I turned around immediately, but I didn’t.”

“So you watched me?” I asked, still standing by the door.

“Yes.”

“Anything else?” I glared directly at him.

“No, that was the only time, and I wasn’t trying to be a peeping Tom. It just happened, and I couldn’t force myself to look away.” His voice trailed off.

“I guess you were okay with what you saw,” I said, still embarrassed, but curious of his opinion.

“I wasn’t okay with what I saw.” A slight smile formed.

“What?” I asked offended.

His hands were immediately around my face as his body lightly pushed up against mine. “I was more than okay with what I saw. Believe me, it hasn’t been easy to be near you and kiss your lips without wanting more,” he said with his sensual voice.

His touch warmed my whole body. “Okay,” I blushed, unable to say anything more.

“You’d better get ready, your dad’s waiting,” he said, releasing his hands and casually walking over to the bed.

“What are you going to do today?” I managed to ask, my body still tingling from his touch.

“I’ll be around, don’t worry. I think I might contact Alec and see if there’s any news,” he said, pulling a pile of clothes out from beneath the bed.

I watched him slowly slide his brawny legs into a pair of slightly baggy jeans. I had never seen his body unclothed before, and I began to feel it wasn’t fair that he had gotten to see mine. He pulled off his shirt, revealing his nicely toned chest, but before any immoral thoughts had a chance to enter, I noticed a black circular design on his chest. “You have a tattoo?”

“It isn’t a tattoo.” His eyes met mine. “Our kind was branded by our creator, so no matter what form we take, we carry this mark with us to forever remind us of our true identities and where our loyalties should lie,” he explained.

I walked over and cautiously ran my finger across the circle on his chest.

“The circle in the middle represents our creator, the four spikes represent our parents and the eight points on the outside represent us, the children.”

“Is there a name for it?” I asked curiously.

“Devadaru,” he said softly. “It means tree of life in an ancient language—it’s our family tree.”

“Oh. What about the other immortals that died?”

“We were branded after our creator massacred the others. This mark was a reminder, not only of our lives being spared, but it also allowed mortals to know we’re different. This ensures we never mingle with them for too long,” he exhaled.

My hand retreated as I could feel the shame he bore with this marking, but I secretly longed to continue touching his body. He pulled a blue sweater over his chest, suddenly halting my intensifying desires.

“Maybe sometime you’ll let me see you naked,” I said aloud, slapping my hand over my mouth.

“You don’t have to sneak into my room to see me naked. All you have to do is ask,” he grinned.

“I’d better get ready,” I blushed, swiftly turning toward the bathroom.

He wrapped his hand around my arm. “Just call out my name when you’re ready to see me,” he said, touching his lips to mine.

“Okay,” I breathed. Our kiss continued for a little while longer. His lips left mine, and I opened my eyes to an empty bedroom.

How quickly he could disappear was unsettling. He could be gone in seconds and never be seen or heard from again. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to free my mind of these negative thoughts. I had to believe that Andrew was never going to leave or harm me in any way. But trying to purge these thoughts was easier said then done.

After a quick shower, I threw on some clothes and glanced one more time in the mirror before heading downstairs. I had never felt insecure until now, but if his female siblings were as perfect as he and his brother, then I had a lot to live up to. I doubted my beauty was anything compared to theirs.

My father sat at the formal dining room table, casually leafing through the pages of the newspaper. The smell of warm, maple oatmeal filled the room. His eyes peered from behind the paper. “You look nice today,” he smiled, carefully folding the paper and setting it aside. “I made you breakfast,” he said, pointing to the bowl sitting in front of the vacant chair beside his.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

I assumed our talk would center on Andrew and the incident at the restaurant yesterday, which seemed like a lifetime ago.

I gently pulled out the chair from beneath the table, dragging its legs across the tile below. His eyes carefully watched as I took my seat. I anxiously stirred the oatmeal watching the maple syrup blend together with the oats.

“First, I’d like to apologize,” he said, clearing the back of his throat and reaching for my hand.

I immediately stopped stirring and gazed up in his direction. “What for?”

“For what happened at the restaurant. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he sighed.

“I was more hurt than upset.”

“Tom had come to me with concerns over your relationship with one of your professors,” he exhaled deeply. “And convinced me that this certain individual had a criminal past and could possibly harm you.”

“He isn’t a criminal, Dad. Mr. Mitchell is still bitter about my breakup with Braden,” I said, stabbing at the bowl of oatmeal.

“I realize that now, but at the time I was scared for you. I couldn’t imagine a monster having anything to do with my baby,” he said worried.

Andrew was more of a monster than my father realized.

“Did Mr. Mitchell speak with you after the incident?” I had to know if he had really cleared up the situation as instructed by Andrew and Alec.

“Yes. He stopped by my work and explained his displeasure in your dating someone other than his son and apologized for telling such a lie about someone he didn’t know very well,” my father explained.

“What about Evelyn?”

“What about Evelyn?” he asked confused.

“Why was she there?”

“Because when I mentioned Tom’s initial story, she recalled seeing you with your professor at her shop,” he explained cautiously.

“Oh,” I muttered.

“So is it true that you’re dating one of your professors?” His voice was anxious.

I wasn’t sure if I should answer truthfully. So much had occurred, and I wondered if telling my father the truth was wise. “I do spend time with one of them, but I wouldn’t say dating is the appropriate word.”

“Would this be the professor that was at the country club event?”

“Yes,” I answered, keeping my head down.

“He’s a very handsome, older looking man.”

“He isn’t that much older than me,” I said defensively.

“How old is he?”

“Twenty-six,” I lied. There was a six, in his age, but a thousand at the end.

I leaned the spoon against the side of the bowl and casually began spinning my phone on the table with my index finger.

“Are you being safe?”

“I’m not doing anything with Andrew,” I scowled.

“I hope that he respects your decision.”

“What decision?”

“To wait until marriage,” he clarified.

“Oh, that,” I murmured.

“You are still waiting?” he asked concerned.

“Of course,” I lied, not sure if there would ever be a marriage between us.

“When will I get the pleasure of meeting Andrew?”

“When it’s decided that he and I are actually dating.”

He reached for my hand. “Well, when you’re sure, let me know.”

“I will. And I’m safe with him—I truly am.”

The ringing of my phone interrupted our moment. “Hello?” I answered.

“Are you still coming?” Ryan’s voice was hesitant.

“Yes. I’m just finishing breakfast, and then I’ll head your way,” I said as I shoveled a bite of oatmeal into my mouth.

“Why weren’t you at school last night?”

I looked over at my father to gauge whether or not he had heard Ryan. “I’ll tell you when I get there,” I answered flatly.

“Okay, see you in a few,” he said, ending our call before I could say goodbye.

“Poor Ryan,” my father mumbled.

“Why do you say that?” I asked, forcing the last bite of oatmeal down my throat.

“He’s been in love with you since junior high and still doesn’t have a chance, even with Braden out of the picture,” he scoffed.

“He’ll always be just a friend,” I said, casually scooting my chair out and reaching for my bowl.

My father lightly touched my hand. “I’ll take care of the bowl, you just go help out those families,” he smiled.

I leaned over and kissed my father on the top of his almost completely bald head. He insisted on leaving the small amount of salt and pepper hair along the sides. It had been balding ever since I could remember. The only time I saw him with hair was in my parent’s wedding photos. It took them ten years before they conceived, so their youth had escaped by the time I had become aware of things.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. And don’t be a stranger down at the dealership.”

“I’ll come in soon,” I said, hurriedly shutting the door leading into the garage.

I drove away, unaware of what today would bring. I spotted Ryan’s red truck as I pulled into the parking lot. I parked in the spot right beside his. I reached for the handle, but before I could, the car door swung open.

Ryan stood before me with an angry look. “Tell me the truth,” he demanded.

“What truth?” I asked startled.

“The truth about Andrew Alexander,” he snarled.

I snatched the car door from his grip and slammed it shut. “There’s nothing to tell,” I snapped.

“Don’t lie.”

“I didn’t come here to get accused of something I’m not doing.” I rolled my eyes.

“Everyone’s talking about you guys,” he hissed.

“Well, there isn’t anything to talk about,” I insisted.

“Haley, please stop lying.”

“Ryan, if he and I do decide to date, then you’ll be the first person I tell.”

 
The lies were becoming harder and easier all at the same time.

“Is there a possibility?”

“I don’t know.”

“Great,” he mumbled.

As I walked through the dark tinted glass door, I looked around and noticed a woman and toddler sitting on the tan suede couch in the waiting area.

“Just put your things under here.” Ryan pointed underneath the large reception desk.

“So what exactly will I be doing here?

“Incoming calls are answered behind that glass window, so all you need to do is hand these forms to anyone that comes in, and then page me with this phone. I’ll come greet them once they’re finished,” he instructed, holding up the red phone that was hidden in the top drawer of the white desk.

“Sounds easy,” I said, taking a seat.

“I’ll be in the back most of the day, but holler if you need anything.”

“Ryan,” I called out, but he quickly disappeared behind the large steel door that separated the waiting area from the actual shelter. Hurting him was a horrible feeling, but he wanted more. And my heart was taken now.

My eyes met with the woman that was seated on the couch. She smiled, and I instinctively smiled back. She returned her attention to the clipboard that sat on her lap.

Her young toddler son sat quietly beside her. His actions were unlike other children of his age. They both had dark circles underneath their eyes. I wondered when the last time was that they had truly rested. She would occasionally glance up at the front door with a look of fear on her face.

I looked around the room trying to find a toy to give to the child. I hoped this would bring a smile to his cheerless face. I couldn’t find anything, which was frustrating. There was a black object that looked similar to a mini fridge underneath the desk. I rolled my chair over to it, noticing an open filing cabinet where personal information was kept. I slammed it shut and pulled the fridge door open.

Inside were several bottles of water. I grabbed two of them. They both watched as I approached.