Secrets Abound (Supernaturally Bound Book 1) (28 page)

“Yeah.”

“Do you know what she wants from me? Why she keeps following me? She keeps saying she has to warn me, but she can’t seem to get the full message across.” I said.

“I don’t know what it is she wants, but if she’s following you around, it must be important. It takes a lot of energy for a ghost to find someone like that. I would listen to whatever she is telling you.”

“You told me you can’t leave here. Why?” I knew I was asking a ton of questions, but I needed to know and I wasn’t sure when I’d get another chance to ask.

“I died here, so this is where my soul stays.” Her face was grim. “I don’t remember how, but I know it was here.” I felt shocked, but I couldn’t waste time with simple curiosity. I had to stay on task.

“If you have to stay where you died, then how is it that she’s able to move around?” I asked.

“Well, there are a few possibilities. The most likely one is that her body is being moved around. If her body doesn’t stay in rest in one place, then she wouldn’t be tied down, but it wouldn’t be easy on her soul. That could explain her lack of communication and her overall creepiness.” She explained.

“Every time she appears, she screams. Do you think she’s in pain?” I twisted the bracelet on my wrist nervously.

“I know she is. It’s painful to force your soul somewhere it doesn’t belong. Whatever it is she wants to tell you, it’s probably worth the pain to her.” She said.

That struck a chord in me. I suddenly took her message much more seriously. I just wished I understood it more. Out of questions about Mrs. Creepy, I decided to turn the conversation back toward Sylvia.

“Do you know how you died?” I asked slowly, not wanting to upset her.

“I can’t remember. I only know it was here.” She wrapped her arms around herself like she had a chill. Did ghosts even get chills?

“Do you remember how long ago it was?”

“Ten years.” She whispered.

She died ten years ago and she’s been up here this whole time. Is this what she’s doomed to do for all eternity? Read all the books from the second floor of the high school library?

“Wow.” She shook her head sadly.

“Don’t you get to move on to…heaven or whatever?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I guess I’m stuck here until I finish everything I need to.”

“What is it that you need to do?” I felt sad for her, but I didn’t think I’d be able to help.

“I don’t know. I can’t even remember the few months before I died. I bet remembering that is the first step, but I just don’t know how.” Her face was so somber that I wished I could comfort her in some way.

“You could always try meditation. I hear it’s great for the soul.” I went with humor instead. She cracked a smile and seemed to shake off her gloomy mood.

“You’re not as funny as you think you are.” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

“Yes I am.”

The school was nearly abandoned by the time my detention was over. The only ones who remained were a few teachers, but even they were packing up to leave. I felt lighter after getting my answers from Sylvia, and I let myself feel excited for the next week. No school, no work, just hanging out with my friends and Eli. A smile spread across my face as I imagined the things that could happen in a hotel room.

“Bridget.” I heard Cassie call to me as I exited the building. She waved me over to where she was standing next to her car.

“What are you doing here? I thought we weren’t leaving for a few more hours.”

“I changed my mind. I was trying to pack and I realized I do
not
have enough slutty dresses for spring break. We need to go shopping, like now.” She strolled around and crawled into her car. She rolled down the passenger window when she realized I wasn’t following her lead. “Get in.”

“Fine.” I hopped into the car. “I need to go by my house and grab some of my things first.”

A few hours, and a few maxed out credit cards later, Cassie drove up to one of the nicest hotels I’d ever seen. It was ten floors high. A couple of valet drivers opened the doors for us and took Cassie’s keys. She popped her trunk, and I started toward it to unload everything.

“What are you doing?” Cassie asked, raising an eyebrow at me. “That’s what these guys are for.” She pointed at a couple of bellmen who already had a cart and was headed for our car. “Aren’t they yummy?” Cassie whispered to me as they passed by.

One of them was being obvious as he checked us out. I couldn’t tell what his hair looked like, but he had dark green eyes and a great smile. He wasn’t the only cute one, either. All of them were attractive. I could tell why Cassie had picked this place. It wasn’t because of the amenities. It was for the view.

Our room was on the eighth floor. With the bellboy behind us, we entered our room or, should I say, rooms. We each had our own suite, but they had a connecting door. I set my purse down and gazed around in awe. It was huge. It had a living area with a flat screen TV. Plus, another flat screen in the bedroom, which had a king sized bed. The bathroom was enormous. If there was one thing I could get used to, it was this bathroom. I eyed the Jacuzzi tub. A long, hot bath in that thing was more than appealing.

“Just set her bags right there.” Cassie pointed to a corner. “You can bring mine in here.” She led the bellboy through the door linking our rooms. My eyebrows rose when she closed the door behind them. I rolled my eyes and began unpacking my things.

I had a few new dresses that I was actually excited to wear. I discovered sexy underwear and bra sets that Cassie had bought for me when I wasn’t looking. She was determined that Eli and I were going to have sex this week. Ten minutes later, Cassie returned from her room with her lipstick smudged.

“I can see you tipped our bellboy.” I wiped at my lip showing her she had something on her face.

“What? He was hot and he had the dreamiest eyes.” She smiled at me mischievously. “Come on. It’s spring break. Loosen up. I’m sure Eli would appreciate it.”

“Yeah, I bet he’d just love it if I made out with the bellboy.” I threw a couch pillow at her head.

“He might. You don’t know what he’s into.” She threw it right back at me.

“Is that the sort of thing Ryan’s into?” I lifted one of my brows.

“He’s not even coming tonight, so who cares?” She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“Whatever, it’s your relationship.” I knew that word would piss her off, and I couldn’t help the amused smile when I saw her reaction.

“It is
not
a relationship. We are just two people who happen to enjoy having sex with each other.” She crossed her arms over her chest. I rolled my eyes at her outburst and kept folding my clothes.

“Are you going to unpack?” I asked as I put away the last of my things.

“I will later. I’m going to get dressed, right now. Everyone will be here in an hour. You should wear that red dress we got.”

“I’m not going, tonight. I’m just going to hang out here and get some rest.” I knew she was going to be mad, but she could just get over it.

“Why? I thought we were going to party the entire spring break.” She gave me a displeased expression.

“I hit my head last night and loud music isn’t going to help it any.” I told her.

I could tell she was going to argue more, but she was interrupted by a knock on the door. I crossed the room and opened it to find Aiden standing there.

“Hey, Aiden.” I moved aside so he could enter. “I was just explaining to Cassie why I can’t go out, tonight.”

“Come on, B. You have to go out, tonight!” Cassie whined.

“No, she doesn’t and she’s not.” Aiden interjected. Cassie rolled her eyes and stomped off to her room. She knew when she was outnumbered.

“Thanks, I didn’t think I’d get out of that argument without actually going to the club with her.” I plopped down on the fluffy cushions of the sofa. I felt my body lean in to the side as Aiden sat beside me, his weight causing the cushions to shift. “How’s your room?”

“A bit large for my taste, but I guess this is a vacation.” He said. “I can hang out here with you tonight, if you want.”

“No, I don’t want to ruin your night. I’ll probably just take advantage of room service and watch a couple of crappy movies on TV.”

“I don’t mind.” He smiled over at me, and I quit arguing.

Being left alone while everyone else was at the club didn’t sound like much fun. After twenty minutes, Cassie joined us again, but this time, she had on a short dress and her eyes had heavy makeup.

“How do I look?” She did a twirl for us which made her dress fly up enough to see she was wearing pink panties.

“Like the slutty fairy godmother came and cast a spell on your outfit. Better be back before midnight or your clothes might disappear.” I teased.

“One could only hope.” She winked. She turned to Aiden. “Do you want to share a cab?”

“I’m going to stay here with Bridget.” He told her.

“Aiden, come on. You can’t ditch me, too!” She crossed her arms and stomped her high heeled foot.

“I don’t want to leave her here by herself.” He said.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and I darted over to answer, hoping to end Cassie’s fit. Eli, Hail, Grey, Tiffany, and another girl I hadn’t met filed into the room. Eli slid his arm around my waist and gave me a hello kiss.

“Aiden and Bridget aren’t going.” Cassie said sourly.

“Why not?” Eli asked, turning to me.

“I’m not feeling up to a club, tonight.” I told him.

“Oh, well, I’ll stay here with you.” Eli affirmed.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes, he’s sure.” Cassie interrupted. “Now, Aiden can go to the club.”

“But-.” Aiden began.

“No, buts.” Cassie hauled Aiden to his feet. “The two lovebirds need some alone time.” I could tell by his face that Aiden did not like the sound of that. “Don’t worry, B. I’ll take excellent care of him.” Cassie slipped her arm through Aiden’s, and I felt my own pang of jealousy.

“Have fun.” I said as Cassie forced Aiden out of the room with the rest of the group. “You didn’t have to stay with me, tonight. You could have gone with them.” I told Eli after everyone left.

“And let Mathews spend the night with my girlfriend in a hotel room? Absolutely not.” Eli’s eyebrows furrowed together.

“Is that the only reason you stayed? Just so I wouldn’t be here with Aiden?” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him expectantly.

“Of course not. Believe it or not, I actually
enjoy
spending time with you. Besides, the club would have sucked without you there.” He gave me a charming smile. Dropping my arms, I returned it with a smile of my own. “So, what do you want to do?” His smile turned roguish.

“Honestly?” I said. “I just want to change into pajamas and watch movies.”

“We could probably arrange that.” He gave me a lopsided grin and leaned down to kiss me.

“Find a movie for us to watch while I change.” I grabbed my bag that had all my pajamas in it. Digging through it, I realized all the ones I had brought were gone and now replaced with sexier sleepwear, half of them being lingerie. “What the,,, Dammit Cassie.” I muttered to myself.

“What happened?” Eli asked from the bedroom.

“Nothing.” I called back.

I inspected them all and picked the least revealing item. It was a red, silk nightgown that came down to mid-thigh. It showed a lot of cleavage. I was about to curse Cassie again, but then I realized how comfortable it was and that it actually matched the underwear I was wearing. I strolled back to the bedroom, and Eli let out a whistle.

“Why, Bridget King, are you trying to seduce me?” He asked jokingly.

“You wish. Actually, you can thank Cassie for this.” I crawled onto the bed next to him.

“I will definitely have to do that.” His eyes soaked in the outfit, focusing on the parts that were left revealed. “Although, now it’s going to be hard to concentrate on the movie.”

“What did you pick?” I grabbed the remote. “An old Japanese movie?” I lifted an eyebrow at him skeptically.

“What? I was hoping you’d get bored and demand that I entertain you in very sexual ways.” He gave me a grin as his eyes scanned down my body, again.

“Do you know what I really want?” I said, moving closer to him.

“What?” He asked in a breathy tone, staring down at me. I leaned in close.

“Gummy bears.” I whispered and he laughed. He let out a sigh.

“Okay, where are the vending machines?” He slipped his shoes back on.

“Next to the elevators. Thank you.” I grinned up at him. A few minutes later he returned with quite a few snacks.

“This should be enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.” He laid everything on the bed beside me. Not only were there two bags of gummy bears, but there were Twizzlers, Snickers, and sour straws.

“This movie night just got better.” I smiled as I opened the gummy bears. I leaned back on the pillows and pressed play on the movie I picked out. “I took the liberty of picking a different movie.”

“Okay, but you don’t know what you’re missing.” He laid down beside me.

“You’ll just have to give me a striptease some other time.” I laughed.

“Yes, I guess I will.” He drew me closer to him, placing his arm around me. His belt was jabbing into the side of my leg, and I knew that outfit couldn’t be comfortable.

“You
can
get comfortable if you want to.” I suggested.

“See, I knew you wanted to see me strip.”

I threw a gummy bear at him, hitting his nose. He tossed off his pants and shirt which left him in his boxers. I admired his muscular stomach before he crawled under the covers next to me. Laying my head on his chest, I couldn’t stop my fingers from tracing along his muscles.

We fell asleep around three terrible movies in. We woke up when we heard a ruckus in the living area of the suite. I heard a loud laugh that sounded like Cassie.

“Briiidgeet!” I heard her say. “Where are yooou?”

“Cassie, you need to go to bed.” I heard Aiden tell her.

“No, I want to talk to my best frieeend.” She yelled.

I opened the bedroom door to see Cassie stumbling around the sofa with Aiden trying to hold her steady.

“I’m sorry, Bridge. I was trying to get her to go to bed, but she wouldn’t. She’s pretty drunk.” He finally glanced up at me with a look of shock. “What are you wearing?” I glanced down to see the disheveled nightgown.

“Aha, you’re wearing it! I knew you would.” Cassie said, sitting down on the nearest chair. “You had sex! I knew you would. Well, you aren’t the onlyy one to have fun tonight. I hooked up with someone, too
.
”

“What? With who?” I asked. I glanced over at Aiden, but his face gave nothing away.

“Hunter. He’s so
hot
.” She purred.

“What’s going on?” Eli strolled up beside me still in his boxers.

“See! I knew it. You guys finally did it.” She practically yelled. “Bridget lost her V-card. Now she’s not so
lame.
”

“Okay, Cassie, you’re drunk so I’m not going to get mad at that last comment, but you need to go to bed before I become less understanding.” I told her.

“Aw, but I don’t want to go to bed. I want to hang out with my BFF.” She tried to stand but couldn’t get her balance and fell back down.

“I’m going to make sure she gets to sleep. Go back to bed; I’ll be in there in a bit.” I said turning to Eli.

“Okay.” He gave me a kiss on the forehead and disappeared back into the room.

“Can you give me a hand?” I asked Aiden who was not thrilled about seeing me and Eli together in such an indecent state.

“Yeah.” He helped Cassie up on her feet as I steadied her. We got her in bed and covered up, but every time I tried to leave, she would try to stand back up, so I decided to stay until she finally crashed.