Hanging Pawns (The Fate Series Book 2) (4 page)

“This way.” He points straight ahead. Returning his hand to my back, he pushes me away from the door and guides us down the hall in front of us until we get to my room. The door is already opened as we approach, and I can hear the girl’s parents gushing over her, while a guy, who I am guessing is her boyfriend, reassures them that she will be fine. I make eye contact with the young girl, who obviously has just graduated from high school, and freeze.

She’s so young.

“Are
you
Sarah’s roommate?” Her mother gasps, probably having the same reaction I am. Only hers is to how old I look and what I’m dressed like.

This family is one of those matchy families, all decked out in capris with sweaters tied around their shoulders.

“I—oh—umm no. We were just looking for my—sister…” I look up at Josh for help.

Flashing his best apologetic smile he nods. “I told you, love, she is down the other hall. We are so sorry, you see how the first day is.” His voice is suddenly different. It’s smooth, charming, and makes my heart skip with every word. The family laughs in agreement, and I stand here staring at him like we’ve just met.

Well, we have.

“Say goodbye, Mea,” he says through a tight lipped smile.

Turning away from him, I stare at the family, who is looking at me like I’m crazy, and grin. “Right, yes. Once again we are really sorry. Have a nice school year,” I say, darting out of the room.

Moving as quickly as I can through the hall of freshman my shoes slap against the floor with every step I take until I reach the main door. Slamming my hands against the bar, I push my body into it, throwing open the door and speed walking back up the path to get away from everyone.

I’m homeless…

I feel my chest constrict. The air slowly passes through my closing airway.

First day and I have found a pest and become homeless. This is not at all how today was supposed to go. I continue to panic, my breath now coming in short, quick pants.

“Hey!” Josh yells out behind me as he rushes to catch up. Once he reaches me his hand returns to its new home, and he tugs my shirt back to stop me.

“Wait.” He stands in front of me.

“I’m homeless.” I look up at him.

“Wait. Give me a second and I’ll call those girls. Don’t worry, I’ll fix this,” he says, his hands out in front of him, one of which is still holding our folders, to stop me in case I decide to leave. But I have nowhere to go. Taking out his phone, he studies me.

“And what is wrong with your voice?” I back away from him.

He lowers the phone.

“Well, like I said, I’m a business major because that’s what my parents want me to be… or I should say my dad. But I really like acting, and I’m not a fan of my accent,” he admits.

What kind of insane reasoning is that?

He lifts his index finger to me when he goes to make his phone call, and I stand here internally freaking out at how messed up this day has become.

Why me?

I came here to be left alone and to go to school. 

Stupid man, why couldn’t he just leave me alone like everyone else?

After a few minutes he hangs up and begins to escort me toward the parking lot.

“Where is your car?” he asks.

Screw it Mea… just give in, you aren’t going to shake this guy anytime soon.

Accepting defeat, I point to the beat-up car that looks like it’s slowly dying where it sits. I walk over to it, leaving him and his shocked expression behind me.

What did he think I drove? A BMW?

“This isn’t a car, this is scrap metal held together with wire ties and chewing gum,” he shouts, taking long strides toward me. “This is a joke right. More of your weird humor.” He gives me a worried smile.

Hey! I love this car!

“Leave her alone. She hasn’t done anything to you,” I snap, rubbing my hand over the trunk. He quickly swats it away. Grabbing my wrist, he wipes my hand off on his shirt while glaring at my car like it tried to kill me.

“Haven’t you ever heard of Tetanus?” He looks at me in shock.

For a guy, he sure does act like a girl.

“Oh please, you just want me to touch your chest,” I sass.

Did I just accidently flirt with him?

“Any other time, yes, but I feared for your life for a second there.” Letting go of my hand he steps back from me.

“I will have you know, this is a classic,” I point out.

No one makes fun of my car.

“It’s a classic piece of…” He hesitates when my shoulders set. “It’s… lovely.” He chokes on the words.

“Thank you, I love her too.” I bend, pretending to kiss it. He lunges forward, his hand covering my mouth before it touches.

“I get it, you don’t have to ruin those beautiful lips,” he pleads, pulling my head away. “You love your dead ass…” I send him a harsh look. “I mean very… reliable car,” he finishes, removing his hand from my mouth.

Nice! I have found something that will deflect Mr. Anderson. “Okay then, where am I going?” I ask, getting in and grinning at his amazed expression when the car turns over without hesitation.

Never judge a book by its cover… or a car by its exterior.

“Over there by that clearing.” He points where he wants me to go. “Follow me and I will take you to your new home.”

Turning around he shoves his hands into his pockets, and I watch as he stalks away from me.

I guess he isn’t so bad… there are worse men out there.

After he disappears, I back out of my space and drive over to the clearing to wait for him. A few minutes later, we are both on the road, and I’m on my way to my new life.

My new life, I like the sound of that.

No one telling me what to do, when to do it...

No one telling me how to act or when to be quiet…

No. One. Telling. Me. Anything. 

Just. Freedom.

A girl could get used to that.

“You will never plan the future by the past.”

~ Edmund Burke

Arriving at the massive duplex I pull up behind Josh’s car and turn off the engine. The house is beautiful, nothing like I imagined a bunch of college kids would live in. I always thought they lived in beat-up houses with sheets for curtains and flags hanging out of windows to show some sort of club they belonged to.

This is nothing like that.

My eyes travel slowly up the long stone front stairs that lead to a sidewalk, which connects to another set of stairs that is attached to a wide front porch. The porch looks cozy with furniture and a swing.

A knock on my window pulls my attention to Josh, who opens my door with a winter glove on. Laughter pours from me as this big, strong man is defeated by a car. When the door is open he removes the glove and tosses it into my car before extending his hand to help me out.

“Why do I get the glove?” I ask through the laughter, taking his hand to get out.

“Well, someone has to look out for your well-being since you toss your health around with wild abandonment. Besides, I have another,” he says, taking the other out of his back pocket and placing it on his hand to shut the door behind me.

“Ever the gentleman you are, sir,” I say giving him my best Eliza Doolittle voice while curtsying.

“I just risked life and limb for you, Darlin’, just keep that in mind.” Pointing a gloved finger at me, his mouth quirks with his humored warning.

“Your accent is back,” I smirk at him.

“Well, Ms. Andrews. There is something about you that makes me want to act like myself.” He leans against my car.

My breath hitches as we stare at each other.

Don’t do this! You need to figure out how to break it to him that you’re seriously not going to date him.

Before I can, he notices he’s leaning against my car and jumps away rubbing his gloved hand up and down his arm.

“I have to shower, and I might have to burn these now, thanks to you,” he jokes.

“Yes, because we wouldn’t want a little rust to ruin you.” I wrinkle my nose and wriggle my fingers at him.

I’ll let him down another time… maybe I’ll get lucky, and he’ll just give up. 

He rests his hand on my back and walks with me up the steps toward the front door where two girls are waiting with excited smiles.

Discomfort consumes me.

They look giddy and overly girly… Regardless, I have to get along with them because I have no choice.

“I am going to leave you in their hands. I have to warn you. They’re a little… well… you’ll see.” He squeezes his fingers into my back before removing his hand.

Grabbing the banister that divides the front porch, he hurdles over it and makes his way toward the door on the other side. 

“Wait, where are you going?” I look around nervously.

Who just drops someone with people she doesn’t know and leaves her?

“Home.” He sends me a wink. “Just knock on the door when you are ready to move your stuff in.” And just like that, he’s gone.

Of course he put me in the house next to his. I should have seen that coming.

With a tight smile, I turn back to where the two identical looking blond-haired, green-eyed girls are still standing with smiles that have grown even larger since I’ve gotten here.

I take them in, trying to find some sort of difference to tell them apart. So far, I’m not picking up on anything. Both are dressed in white pants, and they each wear an orange boatneck sweater and are wearing the same shoes.

They must dress alike to mess with people. If I had a twin that’s what I would do.

They do look familiar though. This might sound stereotypical, but I think all blondes look alike. 

“Okay! Well, I’m Molly, and this is my sister Morgan,” one of the girls squeals.

“Hello… I’m Mea.” I give a small wave. 

Oh this is awkward… you have to stop staring at them and make them like you.

My nerves get the better of me instead.

“I am sorry about this, I can see how weird it looks. I don’t know him… well—I don’t know him well. I just met him… today in fact… like a half hour ago? I don’t know, but there was an incident with a high school graduate and her mother, and I have nowhere to stay… I can find somewhere else if this is too much for you guys…” I blurt out.

I glance back and forth between them, waiting for an answer, when their smiles give way to uncontrollable laughter.

Am I missing the joke?

“Do you pound peanut butter cups too?” the girl, Morgan, says through her laughter.

What are peanut butter cups?

“I’m sorry, you just reminded us of our sister,” Molly says when she calms down.

All conversation stops when a car pulls up behind mine. Their smiles fade, turning into a look of fear. They grab my arm to yank me into the house, slamming the door behind me.

“What’s going on?” I whisper.

I can’t believe what I’ve gotten myself into.

No…

What Josh has gotten me into! I mean they could be a cult of mass murderers, and I could be their next victim. This is why you don’t trust a man you just met, no matter how good looking he is.

“Shhh! They will hear you!” Molly… at least… I think it’s Molly, says in a loud whisper pulling me from my thoughts.

Oh great, even better…

They’re crazy!

“Who?” I ask, from behind them.

I stand here, staring at them look out the window like two peeping Toms.

The other sister’s hand reaches back, grabbing mine to pull me over toward the window where they’re crouched.

And that’s when I see them….

Three men, who appear to be similar, are walking up the steps like they don’t have a care in the world. They have no idea these psychos are watching them.

What are these two freaking out about?

They aren’t really
that
good looking.

As they get closer I notice that they don’t just look alike… they look
exactly
alike, right down to their similar fashion sense.

Each of the men sport a “jeans and t-shirt” kind of look, and all but one is wearing a leather jacket.

Looks like someone wants to be different after all.

I take in Mr. Independent and notice his arm is wrapped in a sling that is tucked against his stomach.

Well, that explains the lack of leather jacket. He isn’t independent. He’s just injured and can’t get the coat on.

Men.

He probably did it doing something stupid.

My mother warned me about men like him. They like to live a fast, easy life and hold no concern for others. 

All three men have the same ink black hair that looks messy but in a way that is purposely done to draw women in. I can’t see the color of their eyes since they’re each wearing sunglasses, but I am willing to bet those are alike too.

“Those three—” One of the girls points out the window. “
They
are what happens when evil breeds. Stay away from them and you’ll be fine,” she explains as we watch them make their way onto the porch and into the house.

The girls relax, and the one I think is Morgan stands up to lock the front door.

“So Mea! What’s your major?” the girl I am not calling Molly asks, standing up.