The Legacy of Kilkenny (41 page)

“Me either.
 
Sounds like fun.”
 
She leans back in her seat as I start our short five minute drive to the parking garage.

Our ‘water taxi ambassador’ is a character to say the least and the passengers are all having a good time.
 
Chrissy laughed at all of my stupid jokes which in turn causes me to tell more.
 
 
We eat dinner at one of the smaller non-chain places before heading over to the movies to see “Laughter Helps” a story about an up and coming comedian.
 
It looks like the only non-chick flick or blood and gore movie out.

Over the last nine months I had thought Pru was a perfect match for me, the more I learn about Chrissy, I realize she is a better fit.
  
I feel strong and protective and everything seems easy and not forced.
 
I think she is into me to which worries me a little.
 
If Pru insists on her plan it means Chrissy will lose me and cause her more pain.
  
 
I should have thought of this before I took her out.
 
I have the mental fight with myself as I drive her home thinking I’ll wait to kiss her until we go out again.
 
If we go out again
.
 
Her modest house is well kept with its manicured lawn, little yellow flowers in the flowerboxes and picture perfect neighborhood.
 
I hear a couple of dogs barking as I get out to open her car door.
 
I think
shhhhhhhh
as loud as I can and silence followed.
  
 
Cool
I think to myself.

 
“Good night Abel, I had a really good time.
 
Thank you for walking me to the door.”
 
Chrissy says as she pulls her keys out of her purse.

“I had a good time too.
 
I’m hoping that you and I can go out again this week.
 
No pressure or anything, I’ll let you think about it.”
 
I feel so dumb saying it that way.
 
I don’t want her to think I’m some dork or anything like that.

“I’d love to.
 
They don’t post our schedule until tomorrow so I’ll text you and let you know when.
 
Thank you for tonight.”
 
She put her arms around me giving me a hug.

 
“Good night Abel.”

“Good night Chrissy.” I reply.

When I get in my car I try not to freak out, I just had a date with a hot girl that wants to go out with me again!
 
Fortunately I have GPS or I’d never found my way back to the highway.
 
I look in the review mirror spotting a familiar truck behind me… Oakley.
 
I guess he has nothing better to do than follow me around.
 
I’m going to make a terrible Alpha if I’m just now figuring out I’ve got someone tailing me.
 
He follows me all the way to my house.

“That was some intense hugging you did back there.”
 
Oakley says as he hops out of his truck.
 
“You’re a regular Casanova.” He starts laughing, crossing his arms across his chest and looking cool and relaxed.
 
It is annoying how perfect he always looks.
 
“I only followed you for a while.
 
I had to make sure you were safe.
 
With Allie out of town we run the risk of Arien going after you, so we follow you around like loyal little pups.
 
Pun intended.
 
Does your friend have cats?
 
I get a faint whiff of cat.”

“I think she does, I smelled it too but didn’t say anything to her about it.
 
She told me she has pets but we never really talked about them.
 
I’d rather you not say anything to Pru about tonight, unless you already have.”
 
I look around noticing that my mom’s car is still gone and dad is still at work.

Oakley must have noticed me looking around.
 
“Don’t worry, one of the guys is keeping an eye on your mom.
 
We don’t trust Arien at all so we’re trying to head off any trouble before it starts.
 
School will be out Wednesday and I thought we’d take a road trip down to Dallas to have a talk with
Shaynie’s
Pack.
 
She and Pru had a disagreement and I’m a little curious to find out why she is really here.

“Don’t you have something else to do?
 
Is following me around that exciting?”
 
I lean up against my car listening to the cooling off ticking cars do.

“Actually Abel, I don’t.
 
You being my assignment and all.”
 
Oakley said.

“I thought Pru was your assignment.”
 
I try mocking his tone.

“You’re a riot.”
 
He punches my arm.

I grab
 
my arm, “
Owie
, I’m fragile.”
 
I punch him back and we start wrestling in the front yard.
 
“About Wednesday, I don’t know.
 
I asked Chrissy if she’d like to go out this week, she told me her schedule will be posted tomorrow.
 
I don’t see any reason to go spy on Shaynie anyway, I think she’s just jealous, that’s the vibe I get from her.
 
Bryon and her get along just fine.
 
I think she must be low ranking within their Pack, just from what I gather from our talks.
 
They’ll be fine; they just have to work it out.”
 
I unlock the front door letting us inside.

“Yes, wise one.”
 
He put his hands together leaning forward in mock bow.

“Ha ha, now who’s the riot?”
 
I snicker as I go in the house.
 
“See you tomorrow.”

“
Hasta
.”
 

I go out with Chrissy a few times before I feel the urge to tell Pru about it.
 
Oakley had promised me he would keep it to himself but insisted on following me around.
 
Thankfully Chrissy never seemed to notice him, I on the other hand saw him everywhere.
 
I invited Chrissy over for dinner with my parents.
 
I figure that if I have to die at least my parents can say they knew I’d dated someone.
 

 
“Abel, your family is really great.
 
I think your mom is very funny and she is so beautiful, I’d never guess she is old enough to have kids as old as you and your sister.
 
Your dad, he thinks he is hilarious and that makes him even funnier.
 
Don’t take them for granted, life is too short.”
 
She looked down at her hands for a minute.
 
“I’m sorry, I think being around a real family unit
kinda
makes me miss my family.”

I look into her eyes, so beautiful and glassy with tears.
 
“Don’t cry Chris, I’m so
so
sorry about your parents, I can’t even begin to imagine how you feel.
 
I’m positive they are proud of you and how well you’ve held up all alone.”
 
A tear escaped her eye, I reach up and wipe it away with my finger, for some unknown reason I can taste her tear.
 
The salty taste reminds me that she is human.
 
I lean in and kiss her lightly on her lips, pulling her in just a little closer.
 
I feel her hands trembling as she puts her arms around me and kisses me deeper and more passionately.
 
“You know, I think you’re amazing.”

“You’re pretty amazing too.”
 
 
She smiles up at me with her tear streaked face.

Since Allie hasn’t met Chrissy yet, I suggest we go online and Skype. She’s obviously enjoying her new job blathering about the people on the set.
 
After her walking around with the laptop showing off her room I feel a little nauseous.
 
We finally hang up and I’m relieved.
 
Needing fresh air I ask Chrissy to go on a walk with me. Of course all of the dogs decided to be on their worst behavior barking up a storm as we walk past.
 

“Oh look, there’s a park.
 
I love to swing.”
 
She claps her hands together in excitement.
 
“This is so pretty.
 
Did you play here when you were a kid?”
 
She
squees
in delight.

“Sometimes.
 
My babysitter wasn’t really an outdoorsy type.”
 
I take her hand, “Let me show you something.”
 
We walk over to my favorite tree.
 
“See this tree?
 
Well, it’s magical.”

Chrissy leaned her back up against it, I stand in front of her with my feet spread apart so I’d be shorter and can look her in the eye.

“Magical?
 
Really….
hmmmm
how so?”
 
She grins at me.

“Well…..because of this.”
 
I lean over and kiss her.
 
“You see?
 
Magic.”

She smiles up at me.
 
“You’re right, it is magical.”

“It is.
 
You’re the first girl I’ve ever kissed under this tree so that is why it’s magical.
 
Now, every time I see this tree, I’ll think of you.”
 
I kiss her again, this time a little longer and deeper.

She pulls back and says “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

 
“Abel?”
 
She whispered.

“Yes?”
 
I whisper back.
 

“There is a giant dog watching us.”

Oh this can’t be good
.
 
I turn around to see
Alistar
standing there looking at us.
 
“
Alistar
?”

The dog prances over to us wiggling in between her and I.
 
“This is my friend Pru’s dog.
 
I have no idea why he is all the way in Piedsville, he is usually at their farm that is about 30 miles from here.”
 
  
Chrissy and I laugh at his comic relief as we walk back to my house.

“He’s really well trained.
 
I’ve never had that much luck with a dog.
 
My cats?
 
That’s another story, they are real dear hearts.”
 
Chrissy says as she pets
Alistar
.

“I don’t think he’s ever had any formal training.
 
I’m going to send Pru a text and let her know he’s over here.
 
Are you up to dog sitting with me?”
 
I ask.
 
I’d much rather be making out.
 
“We’ll pick up where we left off soon.
 
Deal?”

“You got it.
 
He’s cute, not as cute as you but close.”
 
She laughs teasingly.

I hear Oakley’s truck turning into the neighborhood, now I have to brace myself for Pru.
 
I still haven’t told her about Chrissy.

Pru is so much better at getting out of Oak’s truck than I am.
 
I introduce her to Chrissy and interestingly enough she doesn’t seem surprised.
 
I dip in Oakley’s thoughts and realize he broke the news to her on the ride over.
 
Switching over to Pru’s thoughts, they are nothing but happy.
 
“I talked to Allie today via Skype, she seems to like it.
 
Have you talked to her?”
 
I
 
ask.
 
In the distance I hear an unwelcome sound, the sound of an expensive motor.
 
On cue
Arien’s
car pulls up to my house.

“Chrissy, if you wouldn’t mind, will you go inside and take
Alistar
with you?” I open the front door for her but she doesn’t follow me; instead I see her run towards him.

“Hi Arien, I didn’t know you knew my friend Abel.”
 
She squeals as she runs across the yard practically throwing herself on Arien.

Fan
freakin
’
tastic
.
 
Just shoot me.
 
Of course, Arien was at Ta Ta’s that night.
 
Just what I need, the lean mean vampire machine and the girl I just made out with hugging.
 
Yuk!