Gifted Connections 1

Troy was meeting with some clients for some upcoming events he would have to iron out the logistics for. He had quite a few employees working for him, mainly ex-military. I gathered that most of his clients involved famous and affluential people.

Mr. Jace would be returning to school, and Will was going to my and Ella’s schools to get our transcripts to take with us to the new school. Jemmy, Ella, and I were going shopping tomorrow. Of course, Ella and Jemmy were thrilled at the idea, so I tried to fake enthusiasm. Then Will, Jemmy, Ella, and I were flying to New York, but us girls weren’t required to return to school until Monday.

Jax and Noah good-naturedly complained and whined, asking why they couldn’t skip school as well. Jemmy had stuck her tongue out at them when Will wasn’t looking. Will was a stickler for the education and training they were receiving at school. Jemmy hadn’t been out on an assignment for a while so she could afford to miss school

I was trying to figure out what I could do when my eyes found the piano once more. I bit my lip with indecision. I was itching to play, but I had no clue what my heart and fingers would pour out tonight. I couldn’t resist it; the piano was probably the best one I had ever seen.

“Do you mind if I play?” I asked Drake as I stood poised over the piano.

He looked up and grinned at me, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Not at all. I generally listen to music while I study anyways. Plus,” he grimaced as Jax’s voice carried inside as he yelled, “Cannonball!”, “it may help drown them out.”

His voice was naturally melodious; it was soothing. I liked it when he talked.

I smiled back at him. “What kind of music do you listen to?” I was trying to avoid working on the piece I had been working on. It was too dark for the darkness already clouding my emotions.

He shrugged. “It depends on my mood. I listen to a little bit of everything. Surprise me,” he smiled that adorable smile once more.

I sat down as the song Creep by Radiohead came to mind. Sometimes I liked to take songs and change them slightly, put my own spin on them.

I loved singing, but generally didn’t like to sing in front of others, but today, after the doctor told me I may have permanent damage to my voice, I knew I wouldn’t take my natural ability for granted anymore.

Softly I began to sing. I closed my eyes letting the lyrics and music flood my body.

As I sang and played the last notes, I looked over where Drake had been sitting, and I saw he wasn’t studying any longer. Mr. Jace was now perched on the arm of the couch, a pan and dish towel forgotten in his hands. Will and Remy were standing in the doorway, pool cues in hand.

I blushed, ducking my head. Once again, I hadn’t realized, I had an audience. They had stopped what they were doing to listen to me. When I was younger, Dad always told me I sang like an ‘angel,’ but I always chalked it up to a father’s love. I knew I could hold a tune and sing a melody, but to me, I wasn’t anything special.

“Holy crap,” I heard Jemmy’s voice behind me. “She’s a musician too. Stay away from my boyfriend, you’re a dangerous package,” Jemmy joked.

I turned and saw the sliding door to the pool was open; the others had stopped to listen to me as well.

“Which one?” Troy asked dryly.

Jemmy looked like she was in deep thought for a moment. “Ben. No, Rick. No, no, George. Wait. All of them.” She pointed a warning finger at me with a smirk. “Stay away from all of them until I decide who I’m keeping and who I’m throwing back.” Then she stuck a tongue out at Troy. “Like you have room to talk. How many girls are you dating right now?”

Troy gave her a charming smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I couldn’t help but giggle at their banter. Somehow, I didn’t think Troy was joking. After seeing her flirty behavior with all the guys, save her brother, it wouldn’t shock me if she had several boyfriends back at school. Plus, I had heard how many times Troy’s phone had gone off; I didn’t think it was always business related texts.

“Wait, do you have three connections?” I asked in surprise.

Everyone laughed, Jemmy the hardest, enough for tears to start rolling. “Not everyone could be lucky to have one connection, let alone, like, three or say…six,” she finished tongue-in-cheek.

“Six?!” I asked, shocked. “I thought two connections were rare, who could possibly have…six,” I looked around the room. A niggling suspicion rose within me. There was no freaking way. I looked at Drake, who quickly buried his head in his book. Mr. Jace was staring intently at me. Remy started chalking his cue stick. Will was looking as confused as I felt. Jax was studying the pattern in his shorts, and Troy was shooting daggers with his eyes at Jemmy.

Noah clapped his hands. “Let’s eat cake!” he said with false brightness.

“Boys!” Will said sternly and forcefully. Somehow, I didn’t think it was the first time he had to use that tone with them.

Chapter 9

After we all had cake and put Ella to bed, Will called a ‘family’ meeting in the living room. I ended up sandwiched between Jemmy and Troy who had a casual arm thrown on the back of the couch behind me.

“Who’s speaking first?” Will asked sternly.

I was just as confused as he was. I was hoping and praying my suspicions weren’t correct. I had enough craziness in my life right now, and I already had a lot of adjustments to make. I didn’t need to add any more.

“Show him,” Mr. Jace muttered. “I’m sorry, Blake,” he said softly as he shot Jemmy an annoyed look.