Pixie Dust (Karli Lane #1) (25 page)

“Oh my God, I’m such a moron!” I said aloud as I was smacking the heel of my hand against my forehead. I can’t believe I was just caught red-handed drooling over Leo in the shower!

Thankfully I had the sense to grab my phone before running out of the room. After taking a few deep breaths, I scrolled through my missed calls. Erica called once. Vance called six times. Ugh, not good. He has to know I’m not at work by now. Might as well get this over with. Holding my breath, I dialed his number.

“Karli, where the hell are you? I’ve been worried sick!” He shouted upon answering.

“Um…I’m fine Vance. Calm down.”

“
Where are you
?” It sounded like he was gritting his teeth. Yeah, that can’t be good.

“I’m safe. I’m fine. Calm down.” I repeated.

“Karli, why aren’t you answering my question?” I couldn’t think of anything to say so I just sat there in silence. “Okay, let me rephrase my question.” He said slowly. “Why is Leo’s Porsche sitting outside your
apartment building?” Still more silence. “And why is
your
car parked in the valet garage at the hotel?” Why did I insist on taking my car again? Oh that’s right, because I was pretending I was in control of the situation. Fuck!

“Well if you knew where I was, then why did you ask?” I snapped.

“Jesus Karli, I thought we got past this shit! What the hell are you doing with Leo?”

Okay, now I was pissed. “Look buddy, drop the accusatory tone, will ya? I’m only here because he refused to leave my house. I slept in the bedroom. He slept on the couch.”

“Oh, that makes a lot of sense.” He replied sarcastically. “You
had to
go to his hotel room because he wouldn’t leave your home? Are you fucking kidding me Karli?”

“Hey, seriously, watch the tone!” I warned. “Leo was worried about me so he came by my place. He refused to leave me alone. My house wasn’t safe for him once the sun came up so he suggested we come here. I didn’t have a choice.”

“Yeah, you did. You should have let him burn. It would have been nobody’s fault but his own.”
Did he really just say that??

“Nice, Vance. Try telling me how you really feel about it. I don’t think I got the message clearly enough.”

“It’s not like he doesn’t deserve it for all the things he’s done.” He said.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean??” I yelled.

“You should ask him.” He replied. “Maybe then he wouldn’t be such a perfect guy in your book. Maybe then, you wouldn’t go running to him every time you needed a rescue.”

“I didn’t need someone to rescue me!”

“Whatever Karli. You know what? Maybe I was wrong about you. Maybe I was wrong about us. I’ve gotta go. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your boyfriend.” Click.

“He’s not my boyfriend!!” I screamed into dead air. I threw my phone up against the wall and took out a chunk of sheetrock. “Shit!” Turning around, I saw Leo standing in the doorway.

“I heard shouting from the bathroom. Are you okay?” When I didn’t answer he walked up to me and braced his hands on my shoulders. “My love, are you okay?”

I shoved him….well, as much as I could anyhow.  “No, I’m not okay!” I screamed.“Is that what you wanted to hear? Everything is so fucked up and I don’t know how to make it right! I have all these damn changes going through my body and I have too many fucking thoughts running through my head! I’m sick of trying to sort through all of it! To top it off, I’m pretty sure I just broke my damn phone!”

I started bawling hysterically as I was pounding my fists into his chest. He just stood there taking my abuse not saying a word. He let me vent until I couldn’t scream or cry anymore. I was so exhausted that I eventually collapsed onto the floor. I started protesting when he scooped me up into his arms and carried me over to the bed, but he ignored me and gathered me into his lap, whispering words of comfort into my ear. I was too drained to fight so I just let him rock me and pet my hair while I sobbed. I think I saw the dawn coming through a break in the curtains before my lids became too heavy to hold open.

Chapter 21

**************

I was still in Leo’s arms when I awoke later that morning. We were on top of the covers and he was still asleep. I shifted my body, waking him up. He kissed the top of my head and said, “Good morning.”

Feeling embarrassed about my outburst, I sheepishly returned the gesture. “Morning. What time is it?”

He checked his watch. “About ten thirty.”

I stumbled into the bathroom without another word and took a long shower, letting the hot water soak into my sore muscles. God, I am so damn tired. When was this going to end? I came out wearing a bathrobe and collapsed face down on the bed.

Leo tucked a stray hair behind my ear.“Are you feeling any better?”

I turned my head just enough so my voice wasn’t muffled. “Not really. I’m really tired again. But thank you for last night Leo. It was nice having you here with me.”

“Anytime my dear. I just wish I could have done more.”

“Trust me Leo. You did a lot. More than you could ever know.”

“I don’t understand.” He said.

“I know, and I’m sorry I have to be so secretive all the time.  There are just certain things that are better left unsaid.”

“But not from Vance. You trusted him with your secret.” It wasn’t a question, but I felt the need to explain anyway.

 Sitting up on my knees, I grabbed his hands. “No Leo, you don’t understand. I didn’t
tell
him anything. He figured it out. And it turns out that was a good thing because he’s actually been able to help me through a very difficult part of my life. And it’s something that only
he
could help me with. I’m sorry that I can’t explain it any further. I just can’t. It’s too dangerous.”

Recoiling away from me, he said, “Too dangerous how? Do you think that
I am a danger to you
?”

“What?” I asked, startled by his reaction. “Yes…….I mean, no……..Ugh, I don’t know. Look can we please just talk about something else?”

He pouted. “Like what?”

“What’s the story between you and Vance?” I asked.

“Next question.” He replied.

“What? Why?”

“Because it’s not my story to tell.”

“But he told me to ask you! Please Leo, I need to know what the deal is between you two. Is this about a woman?”

He shrugged. “Not entirely.”

I was going to get to the bottom of this if it killed me. “Is it Maria?” I asked.

He looked surprised. “What did you say?” 

“Does it have something to do with his ex-wife?” I clarified.

“Karli, I’m sorry but that is one topic I am not discussing with you. If Vance chooses to do so, just remember that there are two sides to every story. You can then come to me and I will fill in the blanks.”

“What does that even mean? Please Leo.” I pleaded.

“I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“I need to go home.” I said as I was heading for the closet to get dressed. “I can’t do this right now.”

“My love, please don’t go. We can talk about other things. Or you can rest. Whichever you want.”

“No, Leo. Not right now.” I said as I returned from the closet with my bag over my shoulder. “I need to be by myself so I can get my head together before work. I’ll see you tonight, okay?” I bent down to kiss him on the cheek before I walked out the door.

************

I got to work that night feeling like a zombie out of a bad horror flick. Thinking back, I don’t even really remember how I got here. I must have looked as bad as I felt because everyone was staring at me as I walked in. I saw Leo start to eye me, so I took a detour to the employee break room.  I think Vance’s terminology was the understatement of the year. This doesn’t feel like “extreme exhaustion”. This feels like I should be limping around with my arms stretched out, trying to eat someone’s flesh. Erica spotted me heading towards the back and followed. “Hey K, don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like shit. What’s going on?”

“I’m just really tired.” I replied. “I’m still not feeling very well.”

 “Why don’t you go home?” She asked.

“Because I’ve been gone for the past two nights. I can’t call in a third night in a row.”

“I’m sure the boss wouldn’t mind.” She winked, “I hear he has a soft spot for you.”

“Ugh! That’s exactly why I can’t go home. I don’t want people to think that I’m getting special treatment!”

“Who cares what they think? Seriously, I think you’re going to scare people away. Have you seen a doctor?”

“No. I don’t need a doctor.” I said. “This is related to ….other things. Other
non-witch things
.” God, I hope she gets the hint. I love Erica but she’s not always the brightest crayon in the box. The last thing I needed was to talk about fairy stuff when there were vampire ears in the building.

“Oh, I get it. Non-witch things” She said as the light bulb went off above her head. “As in coming
soon
to a theater near you, non-witch related things?”

 “Yes, Erica. Real subtle. Thanks.”

“What? I didn’t say anything! How long is this thing supposed to last?”

“I have no idea. Hopefully not too much longer.”

“Would Vance know?” She asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not exactly his favorite person right now so I really can’t ask.”

“What? Since when?”

“Since last night. He’s really mad at me and I don’t know how to fix it.” I said.

“Oh honey, that’s what you two do. You fight, and you make up. I’m sure it’s nothing another blow job wouldn’t fix.”

“Excuse me ladies,” said a deep voice from the back of the room. Fuck!
“
Erica, I think a few of your tables are looking for refills. They’re starting to get a little restless.” Leo walked into the center of the room, keeping his eye on me the entire time. “Will you please excuse us, so Karli and I can talk?”

“Oops! Yep, I’ll get right on that boss!” She said. She was mouthing, “Sorry.” as she skittered out of the room like a cockroach.