To Fall (The To Fall Trilogy Book 1) (9 page)

13

Xander

Abby had told her parents she would be at Tyler’s tonight and I went early to scope the place out. This week’s party had even more kids here and the girls wore less clothing. One blonde in the spa had wrapped herself around a boy, and I was sure her bathing suit and what they were doing were illegal in forty-nine states.

Tyler eyed me the moment I arrived. I overheard him ask a few people who I was before approaching me. “Hey, man, I heard you played the hero at my house last time. I’m Tyler Gibson. You’re, Alexander Wright, aren’t you?”

“Yes, nice to meet you.” I held my hand out.

He hesitated before shaking it, sizing me up. His dark skin suggested a Mediterranean heritage and light brown eyes were unfocused with the scent of whiskey on his breath. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but how did you get into my party?”

“My apologies.” I grabbed the exposed skin on his neck. Now I was an invited guest and our parents were acquaintances.

He asked, “You going to White Tank this year?”

“Yes, I am.” I assumed he was referring to the college, and if I had said no, red flags would have gone up.

Brown curls sprang up as his hand ruffled over his head. “You play football?”

“For fun.”

This answer pleased him and he relaxed. “That’s cool, the team isn’t for everyone.” Neither was humility. “You play any sports at your last school?”

I shook my head. “No.”

He eyed my chest and arms. “You lift?” Yeah…if he only knew how much he was out-muscled.

“In my spare time,” I lied.

Tyler laughed and rolled his eyes. “
Okay
.” He looked over my shoulder, apparently bored with me. “Well, welcome to my home. Feel free to save anyone else who may need it tonight and help yourself to a drink.” Turning, he began flirting with a brunette in a green bikini. I was sure he was with Melanie at the last party.

Making my way over to the drinks, I poured a glass of water. The kids here were indulging themselves in too much liquor, and there was some hard stuff here. Tyler wasn’t concerned for the safety of his guests, just how popular he was.

“Alexander! I was hoping you’d be here!” Greg pulled me into one of those half bear hugs I’d seen guys give each other.

Greg was sober tonight, which I was happy to see. Smiling was easy with Greg. I learned after meeting him at the last party that he was a genuinely nice kid. “Greg, how are you?”

“I’m good. Been busy with training for football this season.”

“Already?”

He laughed. “Yeah, well, when your brother was the star Sidewinders’ lineman with the most tackles, it tends to give you an incentive.”

I nodded. “I have a brother, too. I know what you mean.”

“I have big shoes to fill, which is ironic.” Greg pointed to his sneakers, which had to be custom ordered.

“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“I hope so. I don’t like disappointing my old man. Football is his religion.” Greg’s gaze went over my head and a look of disgust drew up on his face. I glanced back to what caused his reaction. “Man, Tyler is such a sleaze. Look at him. He was into Heather two seconds ago,” he grumbled behind me.

Tyler draped himself around Melanie, who wore a bright blue bikini. Beth maneuvered through the crowd toward a group of different girls and I saw her.
Abby
. I stayed where I was, out of her line of sight. I wasn’t sure what to say to her yet, so I watched her.

Something slugged my arm. “Go say hi to her,” Greg urged.

“Who?” I asked, not breaking my stare.

“The girl you can’t take your eyes off of, Abby Miller.”

I turned to see Greg’s response. “You think she wants to talk to me?”

Chuckling, his brown eyes lit up. “Uh, yeah, I think she wants to talk to you.”

Before I could ask how he knew that, I sensed it. A demon presence. I couldn’t pinpoint it yet. Excusing myself, I stalked around the room looking for it. I texted Caleb; with most of these kids drinking, it would make it much easier for a possession and a quick getaway. Alcohol made the human mind weaker, and by the looks of this party, we needed everyone here.

I smiled, wondering who would lose
Rock-Paper-Scissors
this time. The loser had to drive the Civic and the winners flew. I brought the SUV here tonight in case I had to drive anyone home. I secretly hoped that person would be Abby.

Abby began moving through the room, which was difficult with so many people here, and I lost her a few times because she was so tiny. Her head popped up as she stood on her tiptoes, and before dropping down, I caught a flit of a frown. My heart did a little jump, thinking that she was looking for me. Her head angled toward the back door and I watched her move toward it.

Someone yelled, “Hey, Pink Polka Dots!” Abby was wearing a blouse with pink dots on it.

Stopping just feet from the door, Abby’s head angled back, smiling. “Hey, Jake.”

My stomach churned watching her with him. Maybe she was looking for Jake and not me. Did she think of him as more than a friend, did she dream of him, or want to kiss him? I could have done without that image.

He took a long drink off his cup. “What are you doing here by yourself?”

“I came with Beth and Mel.” Her tone suggested she would have rather not come.

“You want a drink?” He shook his red plastic cup at her.

The back door opened, forcing Abby closer to Jake. “No, I’m good, thanks.” Once the door closed, Abby backed away from him.

Jake leaned closer to her. “You change your mind and wanna hook up?”

Abby’s smile wasn’t real this time. “No.” Her gaze darted around the room and I made my way over to her.

“No bathing suit again tonight?” His eyes raked her up and down and Abby crossed her arms over her chest.

“No, not tonight.” Her voice sounded breathy, chest heaving.

Jake moved closer to Abby and she let out a little cough. Feet away, I could smell the alcohol on his breath and the half-bottle of body spray he doused himself with. I didn’t get a close look at him at the last party, but there was something different about his eyes, a darker shade of green.

Though I didn’t tell my body to move, I shot forward. Nearing them, the demon presence grew stronger. The jealousy that had been building vanished as the tingling in my spine moved to my wing lines. Yearning to break my wings out, I had to restrain the urge to cast him away. He was filthy, tainting God’s Earth, soiling the human soul of the body he occupied. The need to purge him was overwhelming, but I couldn’t risk revealing myself.

Jake
.

It was inside the kid. I needed to get a little closer to get a sense of who the demon was. The demon pushed against her chest and he had the audacity to touch her blouse, grabbing the ruffle at her sleeve. She gasped and I looked to see he had slipped his finger inside her shirt. Her skin broke out in goose bumps from either fear or how cold Jake’s skin was from the demon possessing his body. He smirked as though he took pleasure in making her uncomfortable. I knew he did. Bastard.

Abby tried to take a step back, but she bumped into me with inches to spare between the top of her head and my chin. The curl of her ponytail brushed my wrist and I fisted my hands to restrain myself from grabbing her and flying her far from danger. The demon glanced up over her head and the smirk faded. Before I could sense who it was, he jumped bodies.

“Look, Jake, I’m gonna go find Beth. I saw Danielle near the spa.” She pushed his hand away and I heard the snap of her bra against her skin. Abby slipped out the door.

Jake stood, blinking, shaking his head. He stumbled into a few people, disoriented.

Damn, the demon left before wiping his memory, probably in a rush to escape after realizing what I was.

Following Jake down the hall, he aimed toward the bathroom, using the wall for support. No one was around. Gripping his neck, I pulled him into an empty bedroom, wiped his memory, and left him to sleep.

I could lie and say I followed Abby outside to make sure the demon didn’t try to go after her again, but I would have gone out to her regardless. I hoped Greg was right that she would talk to me.

It was still hot outside and I wanted to make sure she didn’t pass out again, so I grabbed another cup of ice water. Except for Abby, the basketball court was empty with a gentle hum of music flowing from inside. Abby lay on the concrete, knees bent, staring up at the inky sky sprinkled with stars.

“Beautiful.”

Abby shot up and twisted toward me. Her gaze started at my flip-flops and took their time reaching my eyes. Even in the dark, I saw the stain of pink on her cheeks. Closing the distance between us, I knelt and handed her one of the cups.

She looked at the red plastic like it was ticking down numbers. “Thank you, but I…uh…don’t drink. I know that’s lame and I appre—”

Abby was rambling and I bit off a chuckle. “I don’t drink either. It’s water. It’s warm out here and I thought you could use it.”

Her dark eyes sparkled, picking up what little light was out here. Taking the cup, her fingers grazed mine and she sucked in a breath. Was it possible she felt the same electric current shoot up her arm that I had? “Thank you, again. That was very thoughtful.”

“You’re most welcome.” Observing the empty court, I said, “What are you doing out here? Not much for parties?”

“Not really. I was looking at the stars. You can see them better out here. Over by my house there are too many street lights.”

Taking full advantage of our privacy, I laid down on the court next to her. My legs stretched out and Abby followed. Her spiced jasmine scent blew over me, and before I wasted time on the hundreds of thoughts running through my head, I rested my knee against hers, just an inch of skin. Even if it was a small point of contact, I had to feel her because there was nothing like her touch. The connection resonated through my skin and into my soul, bringing me such calm. Though it was slight, her leg relaxed and I felt a little tug on my heart that she didn’t pull away.

Abby turned her head toward me and her eyes widened, not expecting me to be staring at her.

“How’s Bozo?” I asked.

The corner of her mouth tipped up. “Living up to his name.”

My brows pinched. “You’re not taking him on any more walks are you?” I already knew the answer.

“No, maybe I should train him on the treadmill, instead,” she quipped.

I laughed and the color on her cheeks deepened. “That would be something.”

“Are you here with your brother?” she wondered.

“Hmm. He might be here somewhere.”

Questions formed on her lips, and before she could ask, Beth sniffed, “Abby?”

I could be wrong, but disappointment crossed her features a second before Abby looked to see Beth crying on the edge of the court. Concerned, Abby stood and went to her friend with me on her heels like a damn puppy dog.

Abby rubbed Beth’s arm. “What happened?”

Beth’s eyes darted between Abby and me, cringing. “I’m sorry. Of all the… Mark is here with Danielle.”

Abby’s shoulders dropped. “Oh.”

Beth looked like she was ready to crumble and disintegrate right here. Her eyes turned watery and she mouthed with trembling lips,
I’m sorry
.

I would have given my left wing to see Abby’s reaction.

There was an audible swallow before Abby said, “Okay. I’ll go in with you to find Mel.” Turning back to me, her voice filled with sadness. “I’m sorry, Xander. I’ve gotta go. It was nice talking to you without you saving my life this time.”

Whoever the hell Mark and Danielle were, I cursed them in my head. Abby was a good friend and she was doing the right thing, but damn them.

Hiding my disappointment, I laughed. I tilted my head down to her and said, “I also prefer talking to you when I’m not saving your life. And maybe next time I find you, you won’t be lying down.”

Abby laughed this time and my heart grew warmer. Good Heavens, I loved that sound. “That’s right. Three times now.” Her smile faded. “Goodnight, Xander.”

“Goodnight, Abby.”