Saving Yesterday (TimeShifters Book 1) (29 page)

“Maybe,” he whispers. “Maybe you needed me the most in the world.”

My eyes meet his gentle gaze. “I do.”

He pulls me back into a hug.

“Stay with me.” My head’s near his shoulder. When I first met Michael, I considered him lean. Now I see him as strong. A rock.

“You know I can’t.” His words rumble in his chest, against my hands.

I study his face. Memorize the scars, the exact shade of chocolate in his eyes, the way his skin crinkles on his forehead, the quirk of his lips.

He swallows a couple times, like he’s uncomfortable or holding back words. I can’t tell. Maybe he doesn’t want to hold me like this? He’s doing it just because I threw myself at him and he feels like this is part of his mission. Wait. Am I a mission? Someone who needs an infusion of hope and encouragement?

Maybe that means Nicholas cares about me on some level, because he wouldn’t have sent Michael to me if he didn’t. But that could also mean Michael doesn’t like me as much he seems to right now.

It’s like a slap. I’ve known since that night lost in the woods of Tennessee that I have feelings for him. But maybe he doesn’t enjoy holding me for even a few minutes. I shrug out from under his arms and pace away. “Is Lark…? Did she…?”

Michael hooks his hand around the back of his neck and sighs. “Lark’s fine. Herself. Already prancing around Keleusma telling everyone how we couldn’t have saved Pinkerton without her.”

“We couldn’t have. I’m glad she’s fine.”

“Eugene and Darnell say hi.”

I chew the inside of my cheek. “Do you know why I’m here? In my time, I mean, instead of on another mission. Is it because….”

“No. It’s not a punishment. Sometimes Shifters go home for a while to reenergize. It has nothing to do with success or failure. Think of it like a vacation.”

“You’ve never had to do it, have you?”

“I don’t count.” Michael turns his back to me. He walks the length of the room, straightening knickknacks lined along the top of our piano. Dust dances in a trail behind him, illuminated by the splash of sunlight drifting through the open curtain of our large front window.

Michael picks up a framed picture and stares at it for a moment. I know which one is in his hands. Porter and I, arms around each other’s shoulders, heads tossed back, laughing. We’re in our track uniforms, both having just won our events that put us on course to go to the state finals. Before the meet started, we had made an ice cream bet about the results, and Dad snapped a picture of us teasing each other about coming out even. We ate through a whole pint together that night.

“Is this him? Your Pairing?” Michael turns and jiggles the picture.

I reach to snatch it out of his hands. “Yeah, that’s—”

Michael shakes his head. “I don’t want to know his name.” He sets the photo back in its spot. “He looks nice. That’s good, at least.” Hands shoved deep in his pockets, he heads for the door. “I should go.”

I cut him off. “Is there a portal? Take me with you. I want to go back.”

Michael smiles finally, full out. His fingers graze my cheek again, and his touch lingers. “Believe me. I’d like to bring you with me, but I’m not supposed to. Don’t worry. You’ll be back eventually. Don’t rush it though, okay? Promise me you’ll have fun and enjoy whatever time you have with your dad and your friends. There’ll be plenty of days left for saving the world after that.”

“So this is goodbye. Just like that.”

“We don’t say goodbye. More like, see you … in time.” He gives my arm one last squeeze, and then strolls out my front door.

I glare at the closed door, feeling locked away from more than just my neighborhood. How could he do that—leave me with so many unanswered questions?

I only wait a breath before chasing him out the door. But Michael’s already gone.

Don’t ever let someone tell you that books are the sole work of one person. It’s just not true. This book would not be in your hands today without the help of many people.

Thanks and endless cupcakes to Charity Tinnin and Amanda G. Stevens who pleaded with me to write faster so they could get the next chapter in their hands when I was in the writing stage. You both made this story so much better. Lisa Marie Winchell and Sadie Wunderlich, I’ll probably always mention both of you in every book because each of you believed in me long before I ever believed in myself. Many thanks to Paloma King who was my first beta reader, your kind words gave me the courage to put this book out into the world.

Mary Virginia Munoz and Susan Kaye Quinn, thank you both for being so transparent in your writing journeys. I’ve watched you both fearlessly blaze new paths and encourage others to follow. You’re both my heroes. Kristen Ethridge and Michelle Massaro—you both deserve copious amounts of coffee for putting up with all my wavering and listening to my more-than-occasional freak outs.

I’m going to mention Mary Weber, Kim Vandel, Melanie Dickerson, and Charity Tinnin (yes, again. She’s pretty great that way) because all of them are dedicated to Young Adult Fiction Awesomeness and I’m excited to be a part of this genre with such amazing women. Look them up. Seriously.

The love of my friends in the BCGE and my NovelSisters pushes me on everyday—I love and cherish all of you. Thank you to my parents who have cheered on my writing efforts from the beginning and who offer to help with the baby while I’m working. And, as always, thank you to my amazing husband and sweet daughter who give me the time and love needed to pursue this crazy dream of writing.

Jess Evander is the pen name for author Jessica Keller’s young adult fiction. A Starbucks drinker, avid reader, semi-professional fangirl and chocolate aficionado, Jessica spends way too much time on Tumblr and Twitter. She is multi-published and writes both Young Adult Fiction and Romance. When she’s not writing, she can be found dancing in her car at stoplights.

She lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her family.

Jessica loves connecting with readers. You can find her at:

Website:
www.JessicaKellerBooks.com
and
www.JessEvander.com

Twitter:
@AuthorKeller
and
@EvanderJess

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/JessicaKellerAuthor

If you enjoyed this book please consider doing the following:

1. Write a review for
   Saving Yesterday
   on Amazon and/or GoodReads.
   
2. Share a link to the book on all of your social media outlets (feel free to tag me!).
   
3. Tell your friends (this is the most important one).
   
4. Visit my website (
   www.JessEvander.com
   )
   
5. Subscribe to my newsletter. Subscribers find out release dates and news before anyone else including information about the upcoming books in this series.
   
6. Ask your librarian to order a copy for your library so others can read it.
   
7. Take a look at the book recommendations on the next few pages.
   

Thank you for anything and everything you do to help authors.

Without you, there would be no more books.

If you enjoyed Saving Yesterday you might also enjoy the following books:

Soar into adventure with the Dragon Eye Series

Ilsa has been afraid of dragons ever since she saw them in the sky the night she was chased from her village as a child. She’s always longed for the truth, but once she learns it, can she accept it?

Is she…a dragon?

Purchase Dragon on Amazon

Journey to far off lands full of magic, romance, knights and pirates in the Eyes of E’veria series

Centuries ago, an oracle foretold of the young woman who would defeat E'veria's most ancient enemy, the Cobelds. But after two centuries of relative peace, both the prophecy and the Cobelds have been relegated to lore—and only a few remain watchful for the promised Ryn.

Purchase The Ryn on Amazon

Visit a future full of suspense where one wrong action can mean your life in the State v. Sefore series