Thrall (13 page)

I drove home, pulling up as the sun dipped low on the horizon. The days were getting shorter and shorter as we edged closer to the longest night of the year - Winter Solstice. I pushed the thought out of my head, doggedly determined to enjoy my birthday if it killed me.

When I got to the house the driveway was empty. Dad was out again. I parked my car on the street leaving the driveway clear for Dad’s truck. I wouldn’t be sneaking out anywhere if he boxed me in. I locked my car and headed into the house.

I went up to my room and tossed my book bag on my bed. I had about four hours before I had to start getting ready for the party, so I sat down to outline my term paper for English. By the time I had finished the first draft of my outline, it was a little after eight o’clock. Dad still wasn’t back. He must have gotten the late shift watching Derek. I decided to start getting ready for the party.

I flipped my closet light on and thumbed through hangers until I found the sky-blue dress. I pulled it out, eyeing it nervously. It was the most daring dress I owned. The hem fell six inches above the knee and the back plunged open to the waist. I slipped it over my head and zipped it up at the side. It fit perfectly, fluttering prettily with the slightest movement. I had a pair of delicate silver heels with tiny rhinestones across the straps. They had just peeked out beneath the long black dress I’d worn to last year’s Winter Ball. Tonight they’d be on full display.

I glanced at myself in the mirror. The dress was surprisingly flattering. I played with my hair for a few minutes, but it looked best down. I was just starting on my makeup when I heard the front door open downstairs. I felt a rush of panic and hurried to my bedroom door to lock it. Dad’s footsteps sounded on the stairs. When he reached the second floor, he knocked on my bedroom door.

“Braedyn?” Dad called softly through the door. “I’m sorry it’s so late, but I thought we could celebrate. I’ve got a cake here with your name on it. Literally. ‘Braedyn’ in bright red frosting. Very bold.”

“I’m not hungry,” I said.

“Can I come in?” he asked. “I’m dripping wax all over this delicious cream-cheese frosting. I know you’re angry with me, but do you really want to take it out on the cake? It’s red velvet.” I kicked off my shoes and pulled my bathrobe over the dress, belting it tightly. I opened the door a crack.

Dad held a small, lushly frosted red velvet cake on a plate. Sixteen candles flickered happily, reflecting in Dad’s warm brown eyes. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

I blew the candles out and the hallway darkened.

“Still not hungry,” I said.

“I know you must be overwhelmed,” he said gently.

“That’s a bit of an understatement. I barely recognize myself in the mirror. And now, all theses people who barely even noticed me before...” I shook my head, remembering Greg with another wash of shame.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you’re mad at me.”

“You could have prepared me,” I said, letting some of the tension I’d been carrying around since morning into my voice.

“I know,” Dad sighed. “But I didn’t know what to... I didn’t want you to feel any different from the other kids.”

“Turns out, I’m pretty different.”

“You’re the same girl you’ve always been,” Dad said firmly. “You’re smart. You have a good head on your shoulders. None of that has changed.” I struggled to keep my composure. I wanted to stay mad at him. It felt like I needed that anger to keep me grounded. But it was hard when he was standing there, saying all the right things, looking so worried.

“Can we do this tomorrow?” I asked. “I’m tired.”

“Sure,” Dad sighed. He lifted the cake with a half-hearted smile. “Red Velvet and I will be waiting for you downstairs if you change your mind.”

I smiled faintly and closed the door. I could hear him moving back down the hall. After a moment, I slipped the robe off and stepped back into my shoes. I looked at the clock. Eight forty-seven. If I didn’t get out of here soon, I was going to be late to my own party.

I shoved a lip-gloss into my purse, slipped into a coat, and put my hand on the doorknob. But then I hesitated. Trying to sneak past Dad downstairs was a recipe for disaster. I walked to my bedroom window instead. It squeaked as I slid it open. I looked down and felt my stomach twinge. I edged one leg out of the window and let my foot find the sturdy trellis that supported a climbing rose. The trellis felt solid under my hands and feet. I climbed down it like a ladder, picking my way carefully around the twisting vines. Thorns pulled at my coat but I managed to make it to the ground mostly unscathed. I made a quiet dash to the Firebird.

I tossed my coat behind the driver’s seat and got into the car, slipping my key into the ignition. Before I turned it on, someone knocked on my window. I felt my heart leap into my throat and turned, expecting to find Dad glaring at me furiously. Instead, I saw Lucas, wearing Eric’s black leather jacket over shirt and jeans.

I rolled down my window. “Lucas?”

“Can I get a ride to the club?” At my blank stare, Lucas’ smile faltered. “Cassie invited me to your birthday party. I thought that meant you wanted me there.”

I glanced at my house feeling more and more exposed. Dad could look out the window and see us at any moment. “Get in.” Lucas shrugged out of his jacket as he walked to the passenger side. He tossed the jacket into the back seat beside mine and slid into the car. I turned the key and hit the gas as he closed the door. Lucas hurried to buckle his seat belt as we flew down the road.

“Whoa,” he said. “I’m pretty sure they’re not going to cut the cake without you.”

I gave him a cool look. “Where’s Amber?”

“She doesn’t own me,” Lucas said.

“Does she know that?”

Lucas laughed ruefully. “Not so much. She likes to think she can bend the world to her will.” After a moment, he shrugged. “She thinks she wants me, but she doesn’t. Not really.”

“What makes you so confident?”

Lucas shrugged. “Amber wants a guy that’s going to drop everything for her. That’s not me.”

His words soothed my agitation like a balm. The tension in my shoulders eased. “What about you?” I asked. “What do you want?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked, looking straight at me. I had to force myself to keep my eyes on the road. My head felt dangerously light. After a moment, Lucas looked at his hands, folded in his lap. “So Cassie... she made up that invitation, didn’t she? You don’t actually want me at this party.”

I gripped the wheel so hard my hands started to ache. I knew what I should say. I should tell him nothing had changed, I still wanted him to stay away. But I couldn’t make myself say the words.

“Exactly how much trouble did I get you into?” he asked, pained. “Sounds like you’ve got it even worse than I do.”

“Why?” I asked, glancing at him. “How much trouble are you in?”

“I’m pretty much under house arrest. They let me out for school, and that’s it.”

“And Halloween,” I corrected. I couldn’t keep the tinge of jealousy out of my voice.

Lucas sighed. “Yeah.” He leaned his head back against the seat. “Gretchen keeps trying to encourage this thing with Amber. Which is pretty funny, considering Amber’s the kind of girl Gretchen used to eat for breakfast.” He shrugged. “What can I say? It was nice to have a break from the house projects. I’ve already plastered and painted the walls, fixed the front steps, replaced the back porch, and re-caulked the windows. I’m even learning to grout.”

“Sounds like you’re in pretty hot water,” I said.

“I broke one of the cardinal rules,” Lucas said glumly. “No outsiders in the armory. Period. I’m in the doghouse until Hale decides I’ve paid for my crimes and gives me back my social life.”

“So why are you in my car?”

Lucas gave me an amused smile. “Well, Braedyn, I noticed you climbing out the window and decided to follow your lead. I’m guessing if Murphy knew you were having a birthday party, he’d have let you walk through the front door.”

I smiled back, caught. “Fair enough.”

“You look amazing, by the way,” he said.

“Thanks,” I murmured, blushing.

“That’s what I don’t get about you,” Lucas said softly. “You ask me to stay away from you, then get mad when I hang out with other girls. You tell me you don’t want to be friends, then look totally crushed when I leave you alone after a game of volleyball.” Lucas turned to study me in the light of my dashboard. “And if I didn’t know better,” he said. “I’d think you blushing at my compliments actually meant something.” He looked out the window. “I wouldn’t have come if I’d known you didn’t want me here,” he murmured. “It’s too hard to be around you anyway.”

My nose stung as an onslaught of emotion rolled over me. I bit my lip, fighting off tears. If I started crying now I would die from shame. The Raven came into view and I drove into the crowded parking lot, gliding into the first spot I could find and killed the engine. We sat for a moment in the dark silence of the car.

“I’m sorry,” I said hoarsely.

“Why? You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not like you made me feel this way. And it’s not like you can help it if you don’t feel the same.” Lucas unlatched his seatbelt and reached for the door handle. Before he opened it I caught his hand. Lucas looked at me, startled.

“What...?” I said, battling the hope that surged in my chest. “What do you mean?”

“You want me to say it again? Because it feels kind of crappy to tell someone you like them and...” He studied my face, mystified. “Braedyn? Are you crying?”

“I like you,” I whispered. “I
like
you like you.”

The tension in Lucas’ face evaporated. Without another word he slid toward me, slipped his arms around me, and drew me forward into a kiss. Our lips met and the jolt of electricity I felt in my stomach dwarfed every kiss I’d imagined us having. My willpower broke, swept away by the force of my feelings. For one moment, nothing was real beyond this kiss. After a long moment, Lucas pulled back to look into my eyes.

When he spoke, his voice was husky with emotion. “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to hear you say that.” I lifted a trembling hand to his face. His eyes closed, savoring the touch.

“What are we going to do?” I asked. “Gretchen... my dad...?” Lucas caught my hand and kissed my fingers. I took a deep breath, dizzy. “I want to be with you,” I said. “I want to be with you more than anything.”

“We can deal with Gretchen and your dad tomorrow,” Lucas said. “Let’s just enjoy tonight.”

“That sounds good.” I leaned forward shyly. “Do we have to go in?”

Lucas chuckled. “I’m good with staying right here,” he said. “But Cassie and Royal...?”

“Right.” Reluctantly, we got out of the car. Lucas offered his hand and I took it, feeling his fingers close around mine warmly. We turned to the club. That’s when I noticed the crowd.

“Of course,” I sighed, frustrated. “The one night people decide to mob this place would have to be my birthday.” Lucas gave me a strange look but didn’t say anything. “Keep an eye out for Royal and Cassie. Maybe we can still get a table.”

We reached the edge of the crowd. I started to recognize faces from Coronado Prep.

“There she is!” someone shouted. An excited thrill ran through the crowd. People stepped aside, forming a path to the club. I clung to Lucas, startled.

“Hey, you invited them,” he said with a small smile.

“But...? There’s no way all these people are here for my party?”

Missy waved from the crowd. “Oh my gosh, Braedyn, I love your dress!”

“Thanks,” I said with a sinking sensation. If Missy was here, what had happened to Desert Fest?

A breeze kicked up, swirling around me. I felt my dress fluttering around my legs, acutely aware of the eyes of the watching crowd. “Come on,” I whispered. “Royal and Cassie are probably waiting inside.” We made our way to the front door and the crowd closed up behind us. By the time we reached the entrance, we were in the heart of a noisy mob.

Lucas must have felt my hand trembling. He gave it a comforting squeeze and leaned close. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve got your back.”

Together, we walked into the club.

“Holy wow,” Lucas breathed out. That summed up my thoughts exactly.

We came to a dead stop inside the club’s entrance. Ripples of silvery material covered the tables while strands of tiny lights twinkled across the ceiling. Elegant bouquets of white roses adorned the tables. Mingled with the velvety petals were gleaming crystalline icicles. More crystals lay scattered across the tabletops, sparkling like loose diamonds. Ice statues stood guard around the room, lit dramatically in pillars of white light, while cool blue lights shifted on the dance floor. The effect was devastating. The place was packed. I felt like we’d crashed a party for an A-list celebutante.

Half the soccer team lounged by one of the tables. Parker noticed me walking in. “Yo, the Birthday Girl!” he said, a wide grin splitting his face.

“Happy Birthday,” someone said to my right. I turned and saw a perky woman in her twenties holding a delicate tiara in her hands. She slipped the tiara onto my head and stepped back, admiring her handiwork. “Perfect.” She turned me to face the assembled crowd and a cheer went up. I wanted to shrink into the floor. A new song pumped into the club and people started dancing.

“Who are you?” I asked, turning to the perky woman.

“I’m Rachel, the party planner,” she said, beaming. “Your friends said this was a last-minute surprise, so since we couldn’t talk to you about it, we decided to go with ‘Ice’ as a theme. I love a double-entendre. Enjoy.”

Lucas guided me into the club and let out a low whistle. “I guessed Royal was loaded, but this is insane. You have some devoted friends.”

“There’s no way I’ll ever be able to make this up to him,” I said, uncomfortable. I looked around for Royal or Cassie but couldn’t see them anywhere. As we made our way through the packed club, random people kept calling my name. We came to a stop beside a table holding a massive, silver fountain. Soda poured from one tier to the next in a shimmering curtain. This table also held the largest of the ice sculptures: a beautiful young woman in a traditional Japanese kimono, holding two slender swords.