The Gathering (Darkness Rising 1)

Conversation turned to the swimming team and an upcoming meet, and Rafe's gaze returned to the forest, like he was looking for an escape route.

I eased over, close enough to murmur, "Go on."

"Hmm?"

"This obviously isn't your thing either." I slowed to let the others get ahead. "You showed up. Good enough. Go on. Enjoy the rest of your night."

"Trying to get rid of me?" He managed a smile that barely touched his eyes. "Or trying to get out of our deal? I won thirty minutes of your time, remember."

"You can have a rain check on that, too."

He searched my face. "Are you mad because I didn't take the kiss? It wasn't an insult. I have every intention of cashing that check. Just not with all your friends watching."

"I appreciate that."

"Yeah?" Another searching look. Then he smiled. "Good."

"Doesn't mean I'll accept the chit when you cash it. But you scored points for chivalry."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "Hayley was very impressed."

He laughed. "Just what I need."

"Did I hear someone say my name?" Hayley said, slipping over between us.

"That was Rafe," I said, as we headed into the yard. "He said you're just what he--"

Rafe coughed, covering the rest. I grinned and jogged to catch up with the others.

THIRTEEN

BY THE TIME WE got inside, Rafe had done a disappearing act. I thought maybe he was just getting away from Hayley, but he didn't show up for pizza or gift opening or the obligatory cake ceremony.

I should have been relieved. I'd given him permission to leave. I didn't want anything to do with the guy, right? Maybe that was true yesterday; maybe it'd even been true this morning, when Nicole said he might be coming. But now, when he actually took off, what I felt was anything but relief.

Still, I wasn't letting that spoil my party. The pizza was great. The gifts were good, if you exclude the dollar store dream catcher from Hayley. I got books and silver jewelry and funky T-shirts. Corey and Brendan had helped build the wall, of course. The materials and the equipment came from Daniel, meaning I needed to start thinking of an amazing gift for him next year.

After cake, we sat around the kitchen, talking. That's when the kids who weren't part of our circle drifted off for the night. Once they were gone, Corey brought out the booze. Well, a twelve-pack of beer. That's Daniel's house rule. One pack of Lucky and when it's gone, it's gone. No one drove to the party, so no one would be driving home. And because it was Daniel setting the rules, no one broke them. No one dared.

When we party with summer kids, the new cottage renters sometimes joke about hiding the booze from me. I'm Native, so I must drink. But I don't. My friends think that's because I'm being stubborn and contrary. Not true. The point of drinking seems to be to lose control, and that's definitely not my idea of a good time.

By the time the beer came out, there were only seven of us left. Daniel, me, Nicole, Brendan and Corey, of course. Hayley stayed, too, as usual. So did Sam, which was new. Hell, having her come to our parties at all was new. Daniel didn't care. It's not like she'd tattle on us about the beer.

After breaking out the booze, the next step was breaking into couples. As long as no one tried to use his room, Daniel was fine with people sneaking off to find a quiet place. He was taking some baby steps in that direction himself with Nicole, sitting on the love seat in the living room. Corey and Hayley disappeared first. They were a "couple of convenience." Had been since eighth grade. Neither was really into the other, but if there wasn't anyone better around, they'd pair up.

Brendan's girlfriend had to work, so he sat with me. Just talking, mostly about track. I think he was looking forward to giving back the captain's position. Some people don't like taking charge. Can't fathom that myself.

Sam stayed with us, which was awkward, trying to include her in a conversation she had no interest in. We changed the subject, to be polite, but she seemed happy just to sit there, chugging her beer.

When she went to get another one, Brendan said, "Did you notice how many were left?"

I pointed at my glass of Coke.

"Right," he said. "You wouldn't know. But I think it was down to a couple, so I'd better grab one."

That left me on the sofa, inspecting my nails, trying not to glance over at Daniel and Nicole, deep in close conversation on the love seat.