Secrets Abound (Supernaturally Bound Book 1) (30 page)

“I wasn’t looking at him in any way. We were just dancing.” I said, but wasn’t sure if the words were entirely true. I grabbed his hand, lacing my fingers in his. “I don’t want to be with Aiden. I want to be with you.”

This seemed to break the little bit of anger he had been holding on to. He leaned down, brushing hair back from my face, and kissed me.

“I’m sorry for fighting Aiden and getting us thrown out of the club. I’m not… really used to feeling jealous.” He said, still staring down at me. “I’ve never cared enough for someone to be jealous. This is all sort of… new to me.” My heart fluttered as I realized what he was saying, that he cared about me more than any of his other girlfriends.

“What if I promise not to do anything to provoke this newfound jealousy of yours, if you promise to stop fighting with Aiden?” I offered.

He paused in contemplation. “Fine.” He said, letting out a sigh of exasperation.

A smile broke out across my face and like a chain reaction, one spread across his. Relief flooded my body, and suddenly I realized I was exhausted. I laid my head down on Eli’s shoulder and my eyes felt too heavy to hold open. I felt his arms wrap around me and pull me into the bed, but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was tugged into sleep.

A few hours later, my eyes flew open to the pitch black room. My chest was tight and breathing was difficult. My pulse raced as I tried to take deep calming breaths. I knew this panic was due to a dream I’d just had, but I couldn’t remember it. I wracked my brain for the memory, but it was lost to me. I had a sickly feeling that I couldn’t seem to place.

“What’s the matter?” I heard Eli’s groggy voice say from beside me. It startled me and my insides jolted. I had forgotten where I was and that he was with me.

“Nothing, just a bad dream.”

“Come here.” His voice was soft as he drew me close. With his arms around me, I cuddled into him, feeling my pulse slow down and sleep carry me away.

The next day, I convinced Eli to let me invite Aiden to the drag races. I was going to give this one last shot between them. If tonight went badly, then I would have to accept the fact they would never get along.

Staring at my reflection, excitement prickled my skin. I was dressed in a pair of tight, black skinny jeans, a low cut dark blue shirt, and black high heels. My hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and my eyeliner was heavier than normal. Eli let out a slow whistle when I emerged from the bedroom.

“I’ve already won so many of these races. There’s really no need to win
another
. I bet we’d have so much more fun if we stayed in, tonight.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Satisfaction guaranteed.” He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

“No, I wanted to ride with you.” I said in a slightly whiny voice, making Eli’s smile widen.

“You are so cute.” He drew me into a kiss, my arms sliding around his neck. Our lips moved together as his hands found their way into my back pockets. I pressed closer to him, my fingers twisting themselves into his hair. It was tempting to lose myself in him, but now wasn’t the time, so I moved back. “Okay.” He pressed his forehead to mine, his arms still around me. “Let’s go.”

We were the last to arrive and cars were already lined along the side of the road. Tonight seemed to be a sort of prime event because there were five times more people than last time. As soon as we hopped out of Eli’s car, he had his arm around my waist as if he couldn’t stand any distance between us, not even three feet. I smiled, feeling ecstatic over the upcoming race. Even Aiden’s mood seemed to be light as he chatted with Cassie and Ryan. I told everyone hello and hope filled me as Aiden and Eli greeted each other with tight nods. It was progress, and I would take anything I could get.

Cassie was drunk and desperately trying to be the center of attention. Her and Tiffany were drinking straight out of a bottle of tequila and dancing with each other. I felt a pang of jealousy at how close Cassie and Tiffany seemed to be getting. I got the unsettling feeling that I was being replaced.

Ryan was told he was next, and Cassie demanded to go with him. I laughed as she stomped her foot, putting on a show for everyone. She could’ve convinced him easily without all the dramatics, but then she wouldn’t have gotten the audience.

The wind grew chillier, and my body shivered in response. Eli wrapped his arms around mine, warming me with his body heat as we watched Ryan pull his car to the starting line with Cassie in the passenger seat. I glanced around in search of Aiden and saw he was having a conversation with a guy I hadn’t seen before. He gave me a small smile when our eyes met, and I returned it.

Eli’s turn wasn’t going to be for a few more races, but he seemed satisfied holding me as we watched them get started. Ryan won his race. He and Cassie took celebratory drinks of tequila. The races continued one by one. It took a while since the road was only wide enough for two people to race at a time. Eli told me about other places races were held that were large enough for ten cars to race at a time. It piqued my interest and I hoped we could go to one, soon.

When Eli’s name was called, we headed toward his car, but as I opened the passenger door, someone shoved it closed.

“What are you doing?” Aiden’s tone was shocked and outraged.

“We’re about to race.” I attempted to reopen the car door, but he forced it shut, again.

“You’re taking her with you?” Aiden directed the question at Eli who simply raised an eyebrow at him.

“Chill. I’ve done it before.” I told him, but that didn’t seem to reassure him.

“You’ve taken her before?” Aiden’s voice got one notch lower, and I knew that wasn’t a good sign. They called Eli’s name again, basically telling him to hurry his ass up. I rolled my eyes knowing Aiden wasn’t going to let this go easily.

“You go ahead. I’ll deal with this.” I said, gesturing my hand at Aiden, not even trying to hide my frustration at him. Eli gave me a sympathetic look before hopping into the car. I moved away from the crowd, knowing I was going to do some yelling. Aiden followed me silently.

“What were you thinking, Bridget?” He asked, and I shot him a sharp glare.

“Cassie just did the same exact thing, and you didn’t say one word.” I snapped at him.

I could hear the cheering as Eli’s race started without me. My mood darkened even more. I had been looking forward to this race, and now I was missing it.

“That’s different.”

“How? Why is it okay that she rides with Ryan, but not for me to ride with Eli?” I asked, attempting to keep my voice level. When he didn’t respond I continued louder. “I’m so sick of you trying to control everything I do. You’re not my parent, and you’re not my boyfriend. You don’t get a say in what I do.”

“No, I’m your friend.”

“Yeah, and as my friend, you should support the decisions I make.” I was definitely being loud now, but I didn’t care.

“Even if you’re making a mistake?” His voice was low, but I could tell he was just as upset by this conversation as I was.

“Yes! They are my mistakes to make!” I screamed.

I thought I heard Cassie tell someone to watch her do something, but I was too focused on my anger to pay attention to anything else.

“Fine!” His voice finally rose to match mine. “If that’s what you want!”

“It is!” I screeched, but my attention was directed to the road when I heard Tiffany’s shrill scream.

I was horrified by the scene that was taking place. Cassie was doing cartwheels in the road right in the path of Eli’s car. I was frozen in place when I heard the sharp squeal of his brakes and the smell of burning rubber as he avoided hitting her. His car swerved off the road opposite of all the people and crashed into a tree.

Flashbacks to that horrible night of the Cranes’ car crash entered my mind. The night they
died.
My heart dropped in my stomach when it truly hit me that Eli was in that vehicle. What if he was dead? Aiden’s eyes met mine with a deep rage, and I knew what he was thinking.
I would have been in that car.

He took off faster than my brain could acknowledge it. I had no idea what his plan was, but I knew I had to get to Eli first. Aiden was more than halfway to the car, and I realized that wasn’t going to happen. To my horror, Aiden ripped Eli out of the vehicle and slammed him against it.

Eli was bleeding from various wounds, and his arm appeared limp at his side. He seemed only half conscious, and terror gripped me. Aiden didn’t hesitate as he threw his fist into Eli’s face. I tried to sprint with more speed, but my heels were making it a difficult task. Eli swung back, but it seemed to take great effort. I finally reached them and mustering all the strength I could, I yanked Aiden off of Eli. I was petrified for Eli’s safety and horrified by Aiden’s actions.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled at him, dragging him away as Grey picked up Eli.

“You could’ve been in that car! You could’ve died!” Rage still poured from him in waves.

“Eli
was
in that car!” I screamed back, so livid I shoved his chest. “
He
could’ve died!” Tears filled my eyes as I realized the truth of those words. I needed to find out if Eli was okay. Aiden’s whole demeanor softened when he saw my tears, but it was too late. I was infuriated with him. He tried to reach over to comfort me, but I shoved his chest, again. “Just go home, Aiden!” He hesitated for a second but vanished through the crowd of people.

I made a beeline to where Eli was slumped over against his car. I heard Grey say something about broken ribs as I joined them, and my chest tightened.

“Broken ribs? Has anyone called an ambulance?” I grabbed Eli’s arm to help support him but he winced in pain, so I released him.

“I don’t have any broken ribs, and no one is calling an ambulance. I’m fine.” He asserted, but it might’ve been more convincing if he hadn’t been gripping his side in pain.

“Eli, please. We have to take you to the hospital.” I begged.

“No.” Eli and Grey said simultaneously.

“I promise, I’m okay.” Eli said, tugging me to him. “I simply need a hot bath and a sexy nurse to bandage me up. Then, I’ll be good as new.”

With Grey and I under either of Eli’s arms for support, we started toward Grey’s car to go back to the hotel. When we passed by the group of people, Cassie appeared at the front with Tiffany not far behind her.

“You shouldn’t have yelled at Aiden like that, B. He was only defending me after your boyfriend almost ran me over.” She said, and like it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, something inside of me snapped. I slid out from under Eli’s arm, making sure Grey had him and stomped over to her.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” I was steaming and ready to explode. “He wasn’t
defending
you! None of this would have even happened if you didn’t have to have all eyes on you
all the time
. You were doing cartwheels in the middle of the road during a drag race, for fuck’s sake!” She seemed shocked that I was yelling at her, but I was so fed up.

“You’re only jealous that I can get attention from guys without having to put on some
I’m-too-virtuous-for-sex
act! Your virginity has
nothing
to do with virtue. You’re just scared!” She screamed back and it felt like a slap in the face. “And you keep leading Aiden and Eli on, but you’re never going to have sex with either of them because then you’d actually have to choose! You’ll always be just a tease.” I stepped up closer to her feeling my anger begin to take over.

“I’d rather be a tease than a slut.” I spoke low and purposefully. This time the slap I felt was real. I shoved her backward and she fell to the ground near Tiffany’s feet. Tiffany helped her up, and after a few glares from them, they twisted around and headed in the opposite direction.

By the time I joined them in Grey’s car, Eli was already lying in the backseat, and Grey had the car started.

“Are you okay?” I heard Eli say from the backseat. I turned to see his concern on his face.

“You definitely shouldn’t be worrying about me, right now.” I told him.

“Well, I am.” He tried lifting himself up onto his elbow but moaned from the pain and fell back down.

“I’m fine, now sit still or we
will
be taking you to the hospital.” I warned.

He silently obeyed as his eyes slowly began to droop down. Staring out the window, I thought about the things Cassie had said. Was she right? Was I scared? Perhaps, but not in the way she had meant. I think maybe I was only scared of getting hurt. So, in a way, she was right on that, but she was wrong about leading Aiden on. I
had
made my decision and I’d been incredibly clear about it. Right? I thought back to the dance I shared with Aiden, and guilt stung at my nerves.

Back at the hotel, the employees gave us peculiar looks as we not-so-discreetly helped Eli up to the room. Eli told us he wanted to get cleaned up before going to bed, so we helped him into the bathroom.

“So, I guess you have it from here.” Grey said to me. “I’m going to help Hail take care of the car. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay, I will.”

When I returned to the bathroom, Eli was attempting to undress with only his uninjured arm which happened to be his left.