Aftermath (9 page)

“Hey man… sorry for the delay,” a deep voice spoke, jolting me from my daydream. I looked up. Prince Charming was talking to Matt. “Paperwork.” He tilted his head toward the open window as if in further explanation. The brunette was no longer in view.

“No problem.” Matt shrugged.

Don’t look at Prince Charming
, I told myself. But I wanted to. My eyes were drawn to him like a magnet to metal. I wanted to look, but when Matt leaned toward me and his upper arm gently touched my shoulder, I snapped back to reality.

I felt like a kid again.

Ben's Story

Sand crept between my toes, as I stood waiting to rent a Jet Ski.

It was my first official day undercover as Ben Parker. Normally, I was a confident person. Molly called me arrogant at times.

I was never nervous, until now.

Seeing Emma brought back all those insecurities I left behind in adolescence, when I was still alive. I stood at the counter, waiting for the brunette to get approval for my rental. I was under eighteen she told me when I handed her the paperwork and my undercover driver’s license. If only she knew how old I really was. I could have convinced her to release the Jet Ski without the hassle of paperwork, but with Emma standing behind me in line, I was in no rush.

Of course, Brinn, as her name tag clearly read, wanted to stall my application as long as possible. She took her time making the call to my fake aunt, Marty McMann, who worked in the office. Minutes passed as Brinn moved slowly. Her thoughts of me were initially flattering while she hovered, as I completed the form. But after a few overdramatic eye gestures and fake giggles, I had enough and blocked out her thoughts. Besides, they interfered with eavesdropping.

Emma and Matt talked about meaningless stuff while I waited for my rental. How long are you staying? When are you moving? Are you coming back to Highland Park? Topics that made Emma immediately tense up. I felt her pain, as she mentally relived the notification at school and the days that followed. I glanced at her as she tried wiping away her tears before Matt noticed them.

Stupid punk. He didn’t even realize the impact his words had on her.

I turned to face him, locking my eyes with his. I knew what I was doing. He stood paralyzed, his eyes focused and unblinking. I could manipulate him any way I wanted to right now. The power I had as an immortal was far greater than any human could imagine.

I wanted to kill him for hurting her. For being with her. I had the ability.

No one would know.

A simple heart attack or accidental drowning all came to mind, as I held him in my mental grip. I never did anything like that before. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I never killed anyone for no reason, or without just cause.

But I could.

And part of me wanted to. I wanted to protect Emma and that meant eliminating anything or anyone that hurt her. Getting rid of anyone that stood in my way of protecting her, even if the pain she felt was unintentional.

Ben-ja-min!
I heard her screech my name in my head before her hip bumped into mine. “Hey neighbor. Renting a Jet Ski?” Molly said aloud. Her thoughts were less bubbly as she yelled in her British accent,
Exactly what the bloody hell are you doing?

My focus was lost, and Matt was released from my stare. I turned to look at Molly.

You can’t possibly think compulsion is the answer,
she said firmly.

“I’m just waiting for the paperwork right now, Molly,” I said, pretending we weren’t having a private mental discussion.
I wasn’t going to hurt him.

You wanted to. You thought about it.

But I didn’t.

Didn’t your reprimand for that compulsion teach you anything?
She was referring to my borrowing of Officer Scott Michaels’ squad car the day Emma learned her father died.

What reprimand?

You’re kidding, right? I thought Commander E would have you doing community service by now. After all, you left that garage manager in a compelled state for hours.

Molly, he was fine.
I shook my head.

Yes, but your spell didn’t wear off as quickly as you guessed it would, Benjamin. You overdid it. Your emotions are running on steroids right now, and you need to tone it down.

I looked over at Emma and realized Matt was holding her in his arms. Maybe my subtle thoughts helped push him along.
Or, maybe he isn’t so bad after all.
Molly’s thoughts crept in. At least Emma felt better. I could sense that.

Marty waved at Molly and me, as she entered the rental office and signed the papers Brinn had waiting for her. “Want to go for a spin?” I asked Molly.

“Maybe later,” she said aloud.
Join me first?

I shrugged, waiting to hear what she was talking about.

We need to resuscitate a young boy that is about to choke on a pecan in his turtle sundae at the ice cream shop by the marina. Poor clerk. Some young lady new to the job… Didn’t get her CPR certification yet. Perhaps this will light a fire under her ass, as they say.

I raised an eyebrow.

Come with me. It’ll be fun.
She smiled, her gray eyes convincing.

Brinn’s expression turned to disappointment as she handed over the key to the Jet Ski.

Fine. But you’re buying ice cream.

Deal.

Emma's Story

The Carmichael Inn employee walked us through proper use of a Jet Ski.

It wasn’t the first time I rode one, but I listened anyway. After he ran through the boating rules for the lake, he left Matt and me to attend to others.

I snapped the buckle on my vest and climbed onto the black-and-red trimmed watercraft. The seat was slightly hot to the touch. Matt stood beside me as if I needed help, but he didn’t offer it. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you earlier,” he said when I was finally settled in place.

“It’s fine. I mean, it’s not your fault. I try not to think about it. That’s all.” I looked down at the water.

He stood next to me for a minute in silence, and then lifted my chin so I couldn’t avoid eye contact. When he bent down and kissed me, I was somewhat surprised. I shouldn’t have been. I mean, the signs were there and we almost kissed on the beach earlier. His eyes locked on mine as our lips separated.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded and started the engine.

Matt climbed on the Jet Ski beside me and started it. “Should we head back to Lewis’ place, or ride around for a while?”

“Let’s ride around,” I answered. Matt led the way into the lake. The water was calm and peaceful until we reached the widest part of the lake, past the island, on the end closest to where Lewis lived and where most of the boat traffic was.

Matt crossed the waves left behind from other watercraft, and then circled back around for a jump. I followed. There was enough activity between boats and other Jet Skiers that we had plenty of waves to ride. Lake Bell was a long lake with the island and sandbar off center, hugging the southern shores. Anyone that knew the lake knew where to ride and how close to get to the island without beaching their vessel. Those that didn’t know the lake hung out on the western end, where the lake was deeper. Matt was one of those people.

I chuckled, remembering how I blushed when Prince Charming busted me staring at him. He was great looking, but I realized he was completely out of my league when I saw his girlfriend. She was model pretty with bright eyes and long, dark hair she wore pulled back in tight ponytail. Everything about her was classy. Even in Highland Park, most girls didn’t have the confidence she seemed to have as she clung onto Prince Charming’s arm. They were a perfect-looking couple.

I was lost in my daydream, as I trailed Matt around the lake. For a slight second, I thought about how Matt and I looked together and wondered if anyone—besides Melissa—thought we looked good together. Before I could dwell on the thought, a Jet Ski flew past me at speeds far greater than what I was accustomed to. The blond driver sped past Matt and wove in between other boaters. He wasn’t really being reckless. He just took more risks than I would, like a stunt driver. Risks Dad would never approve of, if he knew.

Good thing he wasn’t here to see this. As soon as the thought entered my mind, regret followed. I slowed my speed and wiped my eyes, fighting back the tears. I would give anything for Dad to be back, even the punishment I’d get for being reckless on the lake.

Matt was ahead of me when a boat towing a tube neared us. I slowed down and veered away, but Matt didn’t notice. He followed in pursuit of the blond Stunt Boy and the bigger waves. When the tube flipped, losing the riders in the water, I was further detained.

In the distance, Matt took one wave, and then another. Each time, he got a little more air. He and the blond were jumping in tandem, Stunt Boy taking more risks than Matt was.

With all the traffic, the water was no longer calm. A series of large waves separated me from Matt and the risk-taker. I tried to catch them. I sped up, taking the first wave faster than I should have. The lift I got was more than I was comfortable with. My stomach ached as I landed and leaned in the water, almost losing my balance. I knew this should be exhilarating, but I wasn’t feeling it.

I didn’t notice a third Jet Skier until after he did a flip. I let go of the throttle and watched a dark-haired guy do a complete somersault in the air, hovering over the water. I was pretty sure I held my breath. I never saw anyone do that on Lake Bell before. When he landed gracefully with a beautiful spray behind him, I knew he couldn’t be from here.

I was mesmerized by the sight, but Matt and Stunt Boy were challenged. I sped up in time to see Stunt Boy take a series of waves. He was shaky and off balance, separating from his Jet Ski mid-air. He landed several yards away from it, giving a thumbs-up sign. I hadn’t caught up to them yet when Matt gunned it in pursuit.

Matt hit the wave the same way. Mid-flight, I could see he was off-center, though he landed first, and then tipped off his Jet Ski. I chuckled after I knew he was all right. X-treme Sports on ESPN wasn’t better than this.

As I neared Matt, I realized I was headed toward the same waves at a speed I couldn’t slow in time. Dad wouldn’t be happy with me right now, if he were alive, I thought.

But he wasn’t. And I was alone out here.

I was sick to my stomach with nerves, as I held my speed firm and took the wave at an angle. The Jet Ski got some air, and my fear increased. My arms and hands felt weak and prickly, and I was sure I couldn’t hold on. I closed my eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. I squeezed the handles tight. I felt an arm around my back, shifting my body, turning my head and dipping my shoulder to the right. I couldn’t move. My body was rigid in its new position. The Jet Ski shifted below me. The handles turned, and the nose tipped upward.

Suddenly, I felt in control. It was like the Jet Ski moved on its own, centering and balancing over the water with me gripping the handles. My body lifted off the seat only by a few inches, but I felt like I was flying.

It was exhilarating.

The fear suddenly dissipated, and I landed gracefully in the water. I understood now why people were drawn to larger waves. My heart raced with the adrenaline rush and I wanted to do it again, but the boats were no longer nearby and the water began to calm again.

***

Stunt Boy and the dark-haired guy floated next to Matt and his Jet Ski. When I reached them, I realized the guy that did the flip earlier was Prince Charming.

Figured. I knew he couldn’t be from around here.

“Nice jump back there,” Stunt Boy said.

“Thanks,” I answered. When I looked at Prince Charming, he had a slight grin.

“I’ll catch you later,” the blond guy said. Then he and Prince Charming left.

“Need help?” I asked Matt.

“Yeah.” He reached for my extended hand. “That was an incredible jump you had. Where did you learn that?”

“I don’t know. It just came to me.” Who was I kidding? I had no idea. I expected to fall off, not land perfectly. Matt grabbed my hand, and a smile crept up on his face. I saw it for an instant, just before he pulled me into the water beside him.

When I surfaced, I splashed water at him. He caught my hand, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me. This kiss was better than before, and I found myself feeling that slight tingle as our lips separated.

Ben's Story

Molly nudged my arm as she walked past me.

I was sitting on a boulder at a teenage bonfire. It was expected, though I didn’t want to be there. Waiting for Emma and hearing her thoughts while that boy, Matt, flirted with her all afternoon, wasn’t what I had in mind for my Saturday plans. I’d rather catch a college football game instead of torturing myself.

I got up and followed Molly down the tall grass path, giving sufficient space so it wouldn’t appear peculiar.

How are you doing?
she asked.

Bored, but fine. And you?

It’s a typical Saturday night.
She shrugged.
By the way, quick action on that Jet Ski this afternoon. Emma didn’t have a clue she was being helped.

That’s what I’m here for. She would have gotten hurt if one of us didn’t intervene,
I answered.

Molly reached a cooler partially hidden behind a tree and some brush.

I came up behind her, as she flipped open the cover and searched for a beverage. “Anything good in there?” I asked. She pushed cans around like she couldn’t find the right one.

“Just looking for a light beer,” she said.

A high school-aged boy with short, almost shaved, dark hair, approached. Even without my immortal skills, I could tell he played football by his stocky build.

I dug my hand in, mixed up the selection, and pulled out a lower-calorie beer.
It tastes like water,
I said, handing the can to Molly.

I know. But I need to watch my girlish figure. Being human isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I heard her chuckle in my head.

I pulled out two other beers and handed one to the guy behind me.

“Thanks,” he said. I recognized him from school. His formal name was Thomas John Lambert. He was a senior and a family friend of Emma’s aunt.

“Yeah, no problem,” I replied, noticing a glance between him and Molly.

“Ben, this is TJ,” Molly quickly said. He extended his hand, as Molly continued. “Ben is my neighbor… Ben Parker, Claire’s brother.”

“Yeah, moved in with your aunt, or something, huh?” TJ added as we shook hands.

I nodded, reading his thoughts of Molly as I downloaded his memories. I noticed Molly cringe when my hand touched TJ’s. After a second, I understood why. “My parents, ah… my dad, actually, got transferred to China for a few years. My sister and I wanted to finish high school here in the states, so we moved in with my aunt.” I repeated the cover story we had in place.

“That’s cool. I hear you play soccer.”

“I do.”

“So you know Justin,” he said. I glanced at Molly. Images of her on TJ’s arm flipped through my head, as the downloaded data was categorized in my mind. My brain was like a computer storing information for later extraction. This data on Molly would definitely be used again, even if only as bribery.

“Yeah, I know him. Goalie,” I answered, ignoring Molly’s mental pleas.

“Yup, that’s him. My sister’s been dating him for about a year. Good guy. You play defense?”

Benjamin, you can leave now.
Molly’s thoughts were getting louder.

I nodded for both of their sakes. “Left defender.”

“Nice,” TJ said. Molly reached for his arm, “Well, it was good meeting you.”

“Yeah, nice meeting you too,” I answered, and they walked away.

Seriously, Molly. You hooked up with him already?

What do you mean
already
? I’ve been here for well over a year, Benjamin, and who says I can’t have a little fun while I’m at it?

I shook my head and returned to my new group of friends.