“Not when she’s blushing like that,” Easton says. “In fact, lets see if we can get her to do it again.”
“And on that note.” I push open my bedroom door and move to step inside. “And just for the record, I wasn’t blushing.”
“Then why’re your cheeks red?” Easton shouts out through a laugh.
“Because I’m pissed off at you.” Turning around, I flip him the middle finger and grin.
He grins back, his eyes glinting wickedly.
God, he really does get off on this, doesn’t he?
“Whatever. Deep down, I know you love me.” A devious smile carves across his face. “Maybe not as much as you love Foster, but probably pretty close.”
I narrow my eyes at him, but his smirk only turns more wicked. Then he spins on his heels and struts down the hallway with a cocky bounce in his step.
“One day, he’s going to meet someone who gives him a taste of his own medicine,” I murmur with a shake of my head.
“Oh, I know, and I can’t wait,” Foster agrees, stuffing his hands into his back pockets. “Payback is going to be a real bitch.”
“Definitely.” I trade a conspiratorial grin with him. “And we should make sure to tease the crap out of him when it does happen. Pay him back for all the teasing he’s giving us.”
“Sounds like a deal to me.” He grins at me then backs toward his door. “I’m going to go get changed. I’ll be right back, okay?”
I nod then hurry into my room to get changed. Once I’ve pulled on a pair of comfy shorts and a tank top, I climb into bed and check my messages while I wait for Foster to arrive. A frown pulls at my lips when I note there are no new messages from Nina and Gage. Not that I texted them since last night, but I’ve been busy. I guess they are, too.
I sigh at the screen, feeling as though we’re already starting to drift apart, something I was worried about.
I’m not even sure what to do—how to stay connected to them, or if I should even try. Won’t I be putting them in danger? Just how much danger am I going to be in? Will I ever feel totally safe?
Countless worries and questions haunt my mind as I wait for Foster to return.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Come in,” I call out, setting my phone on the nightstand beside my bed.
Foster enters my room, wearing drawstring pajama bottoms and a T-shirt that has a logo that reads: Ash East Arrow.
“What’s that?” I ask, pointing at the logo on his shirt.
“It’s the band Easton ditched school to go see that one time I told you about.” He stops beside my bed and picks a piece of lint off his shirt. “They’re pretty popular amongst paranormals. The lead singer is actually a genie, the drummer is a cyborg, and the bassist is a faerie.”
I blink stupidly at him. “Um … Wait. Genies and cyborgs …? Huh?”
He smiles amusedly as he climbs into bed beside me and rolls over onto his side, facing me. “I kind of like that you don’t know a lot about our worlds, and that I get to be the one to show you everything. I know you haven’t seen much yet, but I promise, when we travel, I’ll show you everything, including this band performing live.”
For once in my life, I’m actually bursting with excitement about something.
“I’d like that, Fost. I really would.” When the most real smile I’ve ever seen graces his pretty lips, I ask, “What?”
“It’s nothing.” He shakes his head, his grin as shiny as the stars and moon outside. “It’s just that you called me Fost.”
“Your family does, too,” I remind him, unsure what the big deal is.
His grin continues to sparkle. “I know, but I like that you’re using my nickname. It means you’re getting more comfortable around me.”
I neither deny or admit it, unsure about the answer myself.
“I’m so tired tonight,” I mumble through a yawn.