And just as I reach for my cell, intending to call 911, Damen comes up behind me, grabs the phone out of my hand, and says, "I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this."
Twenty-Four
When I wake, I'm lying in bed with Sabine looming over me, her face a mask of relief, her thoughts a maze of concern.
"Hey," she says, smiling and shaking her head. "You must've had some weekend."
I squint first at her and then at the clock. Then I spring out of bed when I realize the time.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asks, trailing behind me. "You were already asleep when I got home last night. You're not sick are you?"
I head for the shower, not sure how to answer. Because even though I don't feel sick, I can't imagine how I slept so long and so late.
"Anything I should know about? Anything you need to tell me?" she asks, standing outside the door.
I close my eyes and rewind the weekend, remembering the beach, Evangeline, Damen staying over and making me dinner, followed by breakfast-"No, nothing happened," I finally say.
"Well, you better hurry if you want to make it to school on time. You sure you're all right?"
"Yes," I say, trying to sound clear-cut, unambiguous, sure as sure can be, as I turn on the taps and step into the spray, not sure if I'm lying or if it's true..
The whole way to school Miles talks about Eric. Giving the lowdown, the entire step-by-step of their Sunday night message breakup, trying to convince me that he couldn't care less, that he is completely and totally over him, which pretty much proves that he's not.
"Are you even listening to me?" He scowls.
"Of course," I mumble, stopping at a light, just a block from school, my mind running through my own weekend events, and I always ending at breakfast. No matter how hard I try, I can't remember anything after that.
"Coul
d've fooled me." He smirks and looks out the window: "I mean, if I'm boring you, just say so. Because believe me, I am so over Eric. Did I ever tell you about that time when he-"
"Miles, have you talked to Haven?" I ask, glancing at him briefly before the light turns green.
He shakes his head. "You?"
"I don't think so." I press down on the gas, wondering why just saying her name fills me with dread..
"You don't think so?" His eyes go wide as he shifts in his seat. "Not since Friday"
I pull into the parking lot, my heart beating triple time when I see Damen in his usual spot, leaning against his car, waiting for me.
"Well, at least one of us has a shot at happily ever after," Miles says, nodding at Damen who comes around to my side, a single red tulip in hand.
"Good morning." He smiles handing me the flower and kissing my cheek, as I mumble an incoherent reply and head for the gate. The bell rings as Miles sprints toward class and Damen takes my hand and leads me into English. "Mr. Robins is on his way," he whispers, squeezing my fingers as he leads me past Stacia, who scowls at me and sticks out her foot, before moving it out of my way at the very last second. "He's off the sauce, trying to get his wife back." His lips curve against my ear as I pick up the pace and move away I slide onto my seat and unload my books, wondering why my boyfriend's presence is making me feel so edgy and weird, then reach inside my iPod pocket and panic when I realize I left it at home.
"You don't need that," Damen says, reaching for my hand and smoothing my fingers with his.
"You have me now."
I close my eyes, knowing Mr. Robins will be here in just three, two, one"
"Ever," Damen whispers, his fingers tracing over the veins on my wrist. "You feeling okay?"
I press my lips together and nod.
"Good." He pauses. "I had a great weekend, I hope you did too."
I open my eyes just as Mr. Robins walks in, noticing how his eyes aren't as puffy, his face not as red, though his hands are still a little shaky "Yesterday was fun, don't you think?"