My Soul to Keep (The Soul Keeper Series - Young Adult Paranormal Romance) (20 page)

The doorbell rings about eight and I let Emily in.

“Hey Em, I'm glad you could make it.”

“Thanks Brennen I'm just glad to get away from my
parents.” Emily's family is very Brady so I don't know what could possibly be
wrong. She is an only child and her mother and father both think she walks on water,
I think she's pretty special too.

“Tea?”
She nods putting her bag down by the stairs. I go into the kitchen and put the
kettle on. Tea reminds me of Elijah so I sigh.

“I have Chai, Earl Grey, or Lemon Zing.”

“Earl Grey, please.” I set out tea cups and saucers.

“So what is going on at home?”

“I told my parents that I want to take a year to
travel and they think I will be throwing my future away.”

“Oh yes, I agree. You'll go to Paris and Rome and
just want to sit around drinking lattes and absorb culture through your ears.”
We giggle.

“Next thing you know some Parisian will whisk you
away and make you his bride based solely on your American accent.” She laughs.
She looks like she has lost some weight and I wonder if she has been trying.
She's wearing yoga pants and a white swing top, which is see through in some
places, she has on a pink tank top underneath. Her deep chestnut hair is
wrapped loosely in a bun. “So how bad is it at home, I mean if you ever need a
place to stay, you are welcome here. The contractors think my house may be
ready just in time for Christmas.” I pour the boiling water in the teacups and
we dunk our bags in and out simultaneously.

“Thanks Bren, I just don't know why they won't cut
me some slack. I have been making good grades and staying out of trouble my
whole life. Chris and I, we want to see a little bit of the world before life
becomes real. You know, you go to college, you get a job, bills, and all that
starts coming, and before you know it, you're your parents all over again.”

“I see your point, and I think you should do it.
Live your life. You never know how long you'll get on this planet.” I sip my
chai tea. The news is still blaring in the background so I go over to the
remote and switch it off. I put my iPod on the dock and let a sweet melody of The
Fray fill the room at background noise.

“Have you eaten dinner yet? I still have the
sandwich press out.”

“No I’ve already eaten thanks. Want to watch a
movie? I brought a rental.” She pulls out the latest drama with Oscar
nominations.

“Always, I could easily spend a day watching movies,
and I do quite often declare pajama day.” My thoughts go to sweet Sam and our
first date and my eyes get misty for a moment. After tea we go into my room.

“I am going to get comfortable.” I grab a pair of
pajamas and change in the bathroom. I lay out my nighttime face ritual on the
cool white marble counter top. I tie my hair back in a ponytail and wash my
face with a micro scrub brush and rinse. I grab the plush Tiffany blue towel
and pat my face dry. In the small amount of steam on the mirror there is a
message written: I see you. I wipe it away looking around. Will is slacking
again. I swallow hard, this crap better not go down tonight, not with Emily
here. What if they possess her? What if Will has to throw her into a rib
crushing choke hold? I shudder at the thought. Or what if Will is the one who
wrote the message? Ugh, that's even creepier.

Emily is sitting on my bed when I come out. She is
toying with the fringe on one of my pillows. She seems like herself. I take my
hair down and run a brush through it. I see her watching me through the mirror.

“So I don't know if you want to hear this or not but
I saw Sam after school today and he was talking to Ari Campbell. He looked like
he may have been asking her out.”

“Well I'm just shocked he hasn't moved on sooner. I
mean we aren't together so he is free to date whoever he wants. But I know for
a fact Ari annoys him to death, so I don't see that lasting.” Do I even feel
the slightest twinge of jealousy? I ask myself. Not over Ari, maybe if it was
someone more admirable I was contending with.

“I heard she's 18 now and started working at the new
hot wings bar. She basically goes to work in a bra and hot pants.”

“Well if Sam finds that appealing, then maybe I
don't know him as well as I thought I did.”

Emily rolls over and sprawls out on the shimmery
ivory duvet I picked out on my last shopping trip.

“Please Brennen, he is probably just trying to make
you jealous, that boy will do anything to get you back.”

“I know
,
I just need more
time.”

Emily follows me out of the room and down the hall
to the living room, dragging my comforter along with her. We must have both
fallen asleep during the movie. I wake up on the sofa to the blue screen of the
TV. I check my phone and find it is four in the morning. I decide to get a run
in before Emily wakes up, then again the thought that Emily would wake before
tem a.m. is amusing. I throw my hair up into a ponytail and get dressed.

I have a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. The
night is still out and I put my ear buds in and set my play list to Work Out. I
stretch my legs for a minute and take off. Running is cathartic, and ever since
that day on the bridge I do it often. It's a skill set I didn't even know I
had.
 
My body has taken on a leaner and
toner appearance. I have worked my way up to two miles out and two miles back.
I walk the last half mile. There isn't a single soul out tonight. The air is
cold but my body is keeping me warm.

When I reach my back steps I take off my sandy shoes
and socks, and shake them out. I bound up the stairs and check on Emily; she is
cocooned in my comforter right where I left her. I peel my clothes off and
throw them in the hamper. I step under the hot water of the shower and let it
cascade down my body. When I step out of the stall, there are no messages on
the mirror and I am thankful for that.

I blow dry my hair while still in a towel. I pick
out a pair of white Capri pants and a striped yellow and white boat neck long
sleeved shirt. It's still only just seven in the morning. I drag my book bag
over to my desk and work on my next speech for Gov. I have to come up with a
resolution for world peace. Yeah this teacher doesn't ask for much, does he?
Maybe he is one of them too.

An hour later I have nothing. I give up and go to
the kitchen and bake a quiche for our breakfast. Another hour later and Emily
peeks up from the sofa with a drowsy stare my way. She is far from bright eyed
or bushy tailed.

“Good morning sunshine!” I say flippantly.

“Why do you look so awake?”

“I have been up since four, went for a run,
showered, and tried to do homework, but ultimately decided to make you
breakfast.” She nods still groggy. I slice the ham and Swiss quiche and serve
her a piece on a small plate. She slides it in front of her and digs in.

“You are so not a morning person.”

“No I am not, but this is delicious.”

“Thanks.”

After breakfast I wait on Emily to get ready and
take another crack at my homework. I feel that there won't be any real peace in
this world as long as there are people with skewed values on humanity. So I
write a few short paragraphs saying that our government can only lead by
example. I encourage our nation to be more giving to charities and help their
neighbor. To be more tolerant of diversity and not to fear what they do not
understand. I think world peace has to start in your own back yard, sort of
stuff.

“Ready to go?”
Emily emerges from the bathroom looking fresh as the day. She's in a teal blue
sweater and black skinny jeans. We spend the morning at the hair salon. I need
a trim and a manicure. My hair is almost to my waist. I haven't had it cut in
months. The receptionist calls my name and a wild looking guy comes up to greet
me.

“Hey, there my name is Michael and your hair is
gorgeous!” He has a severe cut, dyed blonde with blue pieces mixed in random
places, and tattoos down the length of both arms. I swallow hard before he
takes my hand and leads me to his chair. Emily elbows me telling me to quit
being such a prude and be more tolerant of diversity- quoting back to me the
spiel I made her sit through before we left. I give Michael a sheepish smile.

“So Brennen, what can I do for you today?”

“Can you take about three inches off the bottom and
throw in some long layers.”

“You will be fabulous!” he says in some sort of
French accent attempt. This could be bad. I need to find a regular stylist.
Emily's chair is next to mine and her stylist looks normal. Would it be that
rude to just run out of the salon before he picks up the scissors? I glance at
the door and back at the vivid tiger inked over his forearm, crouched and
poised, like me ready to pounce. Two and a half hours later and we are primped
and buffed to a point of considerable improvement.

“How about we try out that little cafe Bodega? I
hear the have the best tapas.” Emily suggests.

“Sure okay.”

“Your hair looks great, he did a good job. I wasn't
too sure about that guy.”

“Me either, I was this close to running out the door.
I like the red nails.”

“You don't think it's too wild?”

“You are wild.” She makes a cat claw gesture. Me and
my boring nude nails. No wonder Sam has moved on to Ari.

“Brennen look.” Emily points at a gray truck I
recognize as Sam's, it is parked in front of Aunt Beans coffee shop.

“I think we need a latte. Don't you?” She drags me
off the sidewalk and crosses the street.

“What if he's on a date with her?”

“Just be cool.” We walk in and I try not to look for
him but he and Ari are sitting right in front of the door. A smile spreads
across his face when he notices me come in. Ari stares daggers into my eyes,
throat and gut. I walk straight to the counter.

“I'll have a regular mocha.
Em, my
treat.”

“I'll have a small caramel non-fat sugar free latte.”
I pay and Emily gives me the play by play in whispers.

“He looks like he may be studying with her. He keeps
looking over here. Incoming.”
           
“Brennen, Em’s, well what
brings ya’ll to this neck of the woods?” I glance over at Ari who is drumming
her nails on the table.

“We were across the street getting a haircut, and
you?” I make direct eye contact, go ahead try and lie to me. My dad was Special
Forces; he taught me a few tricks.
 
           
“Your hair looks pretty.” He
pulls a piece out and caresses the length. “I had to see a man about a horse,” he
says in a nonchalant way.

“Does his horse have a black mane and one ugly
face?” Emily chides. We both crack up laughing. Sam frowns. He looks cute when
he's angry. He is wearing a Dallas Cowboy's ball cap. I like the way his silky
hair flips out the back.
 
A well fitted blue
polo cuts right at his bicep, and his jeans hug him in the usual flattering
way. I think he just caught me checking him out. I quickly turn my eyes to the
window.

“Ari's dad is buying one of our mares. I met him
here to show him what we have available.”

I see a man come inside and sit next to Ari. Her
whole demeanor changes and I can tell right away she has just put on her
daddy's girl persona. She is so spoiled, surly getting whatever she wants. I
can hear her whining now, (But daddy, I want a pony!).

“Well we are on our way to lunch. We'll see you
around.”

“Yeah Bren, I'll see ya.” His face is somber as he
turns back and heads to the table. I think he wanted me to invite him with us.
I feel bad about even hinting that I was jealous. He is not my boyfriend and I
have made it clear that we are just friends. I can't get jealous when he
finally does move on. I am sure it is just a matter of time.

We are in my car when Emily bursts out.
           
“Oh my goodness, what are you
going to do Bren?” She has lost me.

     
“About what.”

     
“Sam is
hooked on you like crack cocaine.” I purse my lips and frown at Emily.

“He is not. He probably talked Ari into buying a
horse just so he could spend time with her.”

“Yeah that's why he fawned all over you back there,
girl you are in deep D-Nile if you think that.” I know she is right but it
doesn't help my dilemma
. Brennen you told
Elijah you would try and move on, he wants you to try and live your life.
My
subconscious reminds me. I know I said that but part of me is waiting for him
just to come back to me. How can I move on when he could come back any day? And
then what, he finds me in the arms of someone else? Will he still be forbidden
to show me his love, unable to kiss me? Because you know that will be my luck. Elijah
can love me through his words, a look in his eye, and the touch of his hand and
I would revel in it. But what if he never comes back?

“Brennen, are you coming in the restaurant or should
I order take out?” I hear Emily snap. I look around not remembering how I drove
here and parked and am still alive.