Slamming down on the bench beside Gil, I motion toward the bottle with my hand outstretched. My lungs ache and my throat burns as I snatch the water. His keen eyes watch me carefully as I gulp down the cool liquid. “Are you okay? Did you overdo it?”

  “Nah,” I rasp, my chest heaving visibly. “I’m good. Just need to catch my breath.” He rubs a hand across the back of his neck and leans his arms on his knees. I rest my head back against the locker.

  “Where’s Ari today?”

  “Gone to the mall with Joy. They’re shopping for something to wear to the party.” My breath is finally slowing down, and I can speak without panting like a dog.

  “They don’t need to go to any trouble,” Gil admits, lifting the bottle to his mouth. “It’s only my birthday. Not like it’s a big deal.” He smirks.

  “I think I’ve been to pretty much every party in your place. I’m damn sure this will follow the same pattern.” Gil’s mom doesn’t do understated. Outrageous and over-the-top are more her scene. I can only imagine what she has planned for her only son’s eighteenth birthday.

  “You still seeing Emily?” I inquire, emptying the bottle over my head. Rivulets of water drip down my face and over my broad shoulders.

  “Affirmative.” He grins.

  “I think I need to record this moment for posterity.” I reach overhead and grab my backpack, extracting a towel as I peel my sweaty vest up and over my head. Gil stares off into space.

  This thing with Emily feels different. I was aware that he’d had a few other dates with her after our disastrous double date, but the fact that she is still on the scene weeks later is unheard of for Gil. I’m fairly astounded and a bit put-out, though I know that’s hardly fair. Trust Gil to get hung-up on the one girl who constantly busts my balls—whenever Ari’s around, that is. My life will suck big-style if she becomes a permanent part of Gil’s social scene.

  “Is she coming to the party?”

  “Yeah, I think so. Will that be a problem for you?” He stands up and whips off his jogging pants, wrapping a crisp white towel across his waist.

  “I hope not.” Considering it looks like Emily’s becoming somewhat of a steady fixture in Gil’s life, I’ll have to identify some way of making peace between the girls. Easier said than done.

  “How is Ari doing?” Gil asks, plopping back down on the bench beside me.

  “She’s okay. More good days than bad.” Gil knows that something went down, though I’ve hidden the specifics of the ‘who’ and the ‘what’ from him, and he hasn’t pried. He regularly asks after Ari though, and I know that he can see the things I see, notices how she’s changed.

  “Good. She’s a cool girl, and I hate to see her so out of sorts. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to help?”

  “Nope,” I say, shaking my head. “I got this.”

  “I’ve no doubt that you do, buddy.” He rests a hand on my shoulder. “But I’m here if you need me.”

  It’s at times like this when I truly value his friendship. It was the same when Dad died. Gil was there for me in a way that none of my other friends was. Most of them didn’t know what to say or how to act around me, but Gil was different. He always seemed to know exactly what I needed when I needed it. Cheering me up with his badass crazy shit when he understood that I had to be distracted, and listening when he knew I needed to get crap off my chest. Most people don’t see this side of him, but he’s not just party central. Far from it.

  I couldn’t ask for a better sidekick.

  I’m parked at the curb just outside the doctor’s office the next evening waiting for Ari. What the hell are they doing to her in there? I look at the clock on the dash for the millionth time in the last hour. I thought it was just some routine medical that the insurance company insisted on. At least that’s what Ari told me her dad said. So I can’t understand what’s taking so long. I’m on the verge of stomping in there when I spot her alluring form in the doorframe.

  I start the engine as Ari advances toward me. She opens the door and hops in quickly. “Glad to see you’re still in one piece. You were in there so long I’d begun to worry that they were experimenting on you or something.”

  “Tell me about it,” she admits, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “That’s the most intense medical I’ve ever had. It was … weird.” There’s a strange vibe undercutting her tone.

  I kill the engine and turn to face her. “In what way?”

  “So they did all the usual stuff, bloods, blood pressure, weight, urine, et cetera. But then they scanned my whole body and placed all these weirds electrodes on my head, and I felt tiny jolts of pain, and …” She trails off, chewing on the edge of her finger.

  “That is a bit strange, but what exactly is it you’re worrying about?” I reach over and pull her finger out of her mouth, massaging it between my hands.

  “I was picking up weird vibes; a strange sensation.” She looks deep in thought.

  I recall being a little freaked out when my extra-sensory ability came to light, but considering it largely centered around Ari, it was more exhilarating than anything else. Then Ari started developing her own brand of ESP, and I can’t stop wondering about the how and the why. Is it coincidence that both of us seem to have developed similar types of gifts at around the same time? Or is it purely an extension of the strength of our feelings for one another? I’d be more than happy if that was the explanation, but I can’t help puzzling over it, wondering exactly what is going on.

  While my gift seems to only work with those that are close to me—like Ari, Mom, and Eli—Ari is able to pick up on outer thoughts and sensations in others, whether they are familiar or not.

  So her comment means more to me than a random weird feeling. If Ari is sensing something strange, then I fully trust in that. “What do you think is going on?”

  “I don’t know. But one thing I’m sure of is that, that,” she says, stretching out her hand in the direction of the building she’s just come from, “was no random medical.”

  I decide to ask Malcolm about it as soon as we are back at Ari’s house. I bide my time, though, and wait until after we’ve finished dinner. Ari and her kid sister Lily are helping Anneka in the kitchen, so I follow Malcolm out to the den.

  “Why do you ask that?” he says, once I’ve posed the question.

  “Ari explained the process, and it seemed a little intense for a routine medical. And she sensed something was off about it.” Unlike me, Ari has confided in her parents about her freaky extra-sensory gift. They took it in their stride, completely accepting of it, as if it’s the most natural and normal thing in the world. Further evidence of how amazing both Malcolm and Anneka are, in my opinion.

  Malcolm frowns and scrubs a hand over his jaw. “I keep forgetting how perceptive Ari is.” He looks me directly in the eye. “There is more to it than that.” His gaze flits over my head and I hear approaching footsteps. He lowers his voice and leans in close to my ear. “I was planning on talking to you about it. Let’s chat in the morning.” His intense stare is serious, foreboding even. I nod.

  “What time are we heading over to Gil’s at?” Ari asks, materializing beside me.

  “Party starts at eight,” I explain, “So we should probably head in an hour?”

  “No later than eleven, Zane. Okay?” Malcolm offers a subtle reminder as he walks past me.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll have her home on time.”

  I use the guest bedroom to get ready. Considering how much of my stuff resides here on a regular enough basis, I could actually start referring to this as my room, and it would be perfectly apt. Ari’s family is like a natural extension of my own family, and I feel entirely at ease in this house. Initially, I had worried—when Ari and I first started dating—that Malcolm and Anneka would be uncomfortable with me hanging around as much, but they haven’t treated me any differently, and I respect and admire them hugely for that.

  The light rap on the door wakens me from my daydream. Ari pokes her head around the doorframe, her glistening hair falling smoothly over her shoulders. “I’m ready if you are.” She nudges the door open with her foot, and I stare at her open-mouthed. Her black blouse trails seductively low on one shoulder revealing a red bra strap and a tantalizing glimpse of shimmering tan skin. Denim shorts and flat black and red pumps showcase her stunning shapely legs. It’s simple, understated chic, and I marvel again at how effortlessly beautiful she is. She looks perfect. She is perfection personified.

  “Wow. You look gorgeous.” She beams at me, her fingers fiddling with the locket around her neck, a crimson flush blossoming in her cheeks.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” Her eyes scan me from head to toe. Smoothing my palms over my blue and white checkered shirt, I lean over and grab my jacket from the corner of the bed, swiping my keys and pocketing them in my dark navy jeans.

  I clasp her hand in mine, and we descend the stairs together.

  Gil’s permanent family residence is no less ostentatious than the vacation estate. As I maneuver the Jeep through the tall, black, retracting gate, we move smoothly along the tree-lined entrance toward the main estate. Ari stares, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, as we round the corner and the stately red-bricked mansion comes into view. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble for Gil’s eighteenth birthday.

  A huge marquee occupies the front section of their vast lawn, and a myriad of colorful floats, stands, and entertainers line up outside it. Various groups of classmates cluster around different stalls, and as I recline the window, whoops, shrieks, and cheers greet my ears. A tall man in an illuminous green jacket motions me forward into the parking garage. I swing into a space on the left-hand side and kill the engine.

  Ari has already hopped out by the time my feet hit the ground. She’s bouncing excitedly on the ground, moving from foot to foot, grinning from ear to ear. “Hurry up, Zane! I just spotted Joy and Jude out by the Shooting Gallery.” Darting forward, she grabs my elbow and tugs me along.

  Joy spots us striding toward them and runs over to greet us. Flinging her arms around Ari, she squeals loudly, and the high-pitched tone pierces my eardrums. The girls dash forward, picking up air rifles and lining up shots. Jude, her boyfriend and another of my childhood friends, steps back to stand alongside me. “Is it wrong to be so turned-on by chicks with guns?” he asks, smirking devilishly.

  “I feel ya,” I admit, because damn, Ari looks hot at this very moment. Standing with her spine ramrod straight, her left arm is extended confidently in front of her as she aims the muzzle of the rifle at the target. I’m hardly surprised. Ari’s stated desire is to follow in her father’s footsteps, to pursue a career in the military, and she regularly joins Malcolm at the local gun range. She also attends the military pre-training academy every Saturday morning, while Malcolm and I visit our fishy friends. Perhaps I should be appalled at such an unladylike pursuit, but I like that she’s learning how to defend herself and planning on a career which involves defending her country.

  A cold chill snakes up my spine. If Ari hadn’t been as adept in self-defense techniques, then the events of eight months ago could have turned out very differently. I shudder involuntarily, and Jude stares at me strangely.

  Shaking it off, I glance behind and spy Gil coming up at the rear. “You made it, bro,” he says in greeting, slapping me on the back.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. You certainly know how to put on a good show.”

  “It’s all down to Mom. Can’t take any of the credit,” he says, swiping a not-too-discreet beer from a waiter as he passes. “Damn,” he says, in between mouthfuls, staring at the stall in front of us, “Girls with guns. Freaking hot.” I can tell from the way his eyes narrow into slits that Gil is mentally undressing the girls in his mind, and I slam my elbow into his stomach.

  He staggers back, rubbing a hand over his gut, half the beer sloshing out of the bottle onto the ground. “What in the hell?”

  “Knock it off, Gil, or it’ll be more than a playful shove next time. Where’s your date?” I ask, peeking over my shoulder.

  “Emily’s in the marquee talking with Mom and Dad,” he says, his head gesturing toward the large white tent.

  “Really?” My eyebrows arch in suprise.

  “She’s cool, chilled out. I like that.” He shrugs. And I’m pretty blown away because it’s obvious that it’s getting serious between them. Wow, never thought I’d ever see this day. I’m happy for him though.

  After the girls expel their pent-up aggression, we mosey on over to the marquee to check out the action. A live band is belting out the latest chart hits from a raised stage at the top of the large space, and a rowdy, jostling crowd dances manically in front of them. Small clusters of couches and low tables dot the floor on all sides. A long bar is set up at the far end of the room, and I wave as I spot Gil’s parents perched at the counter, chatting to another couple. Gil is dutifully doing the rounds, but his head lifts up when he notices me, making a subtle slicing gesture involving his hand and his neck. I throw back my head and laugh.

  Jude plonks down on a vacant couch, pulling Joy down beside him. “I’ll go grab some drinks. Wait here for me,” I tell Ari, pushing her gently down into the space beside her best friend.

  I stop short on my way back from the bar as I spot Ari raising a bottle of beer to her lips. Planting the Cokes down on the table in front of us, I shoot her a look. “I don’t think that’s wise, Ari.”

  “You’re her boyfriend, not her dad,” Joy drawls. Ari falters slightly as she lifts the bottle to her mouth again. I remain rooted to the spot, disapproval written all over my face. “Just one drink. Come on, babe, let’s live a little,” Ari implores, lifting another bottle from the table in front of her and extending it to me.

  “You’re always so serious, Zane. Would it kill you to relax for one night?” Joy adds.

  “Don’t get involved,” Jude mutters, pulling Joy into his lap. “It’s none of our business.”

  Diverting my attention away from Ari’s very annoying best friend, I lock eyes on my girlfriend, and I instantly spot the challenge in her gaze. And a million different emotions run riot inside me. Because this isn’t my Ari. This isn’t her at all. But it’s like some switch was flicked eight months ago, as if she’s set a one-woman course to Planet Self-Destruct. Continuing to argue with her will achieve zilch though. Because ‘stubborn’ is basically Ari’s middle name. I drop down on the couch alongside her, and swipe the offered bottle from her hand. She winks at Joy in celebratory fashion, but I can’t share her enthusiasm. Watching Ari pressing the self-destroy button time and time again is killing me inside, but I’m powerless to stop it.

  Joy drags Ari up to dance a few minutes later, and I’m glad. At least when she’s on the dance floor she isn’t drinking, and that’s a major positive in my book. Malcolm will rip out my insides and feed them to the dog if I deliver her home in a drunken state.

  My eyes follow her fastidiously.

  “You worry too much,” Jude says, swilling from his second, or is it third, bottle. “Ari’s a good girl, and she knows how to look after herself. You should give her more credit.”

  “You don’t understand,” I explain, crunching my knuckles. “It’s complicated.”

  “Joy was out of line saying that publicly, but sometimes you are too overprotective. I know how much she means to you. If you continue suffocating her, then you may lose her.”

  I turn to face him. “I can’t stand by and say nothing.”

  “I’m not saying that either. Just give her some space.”

  Yeah, I tried that before. Look how that ended up.

  I tug at the label on the beer bottle, tearing bits of it apart. “I know you mean well, but you don’t get it. She’s nothing like Joy.” My eyes scan the dance floor, urgently seeking out my girlfriend. I spot her concealed in the center of a group, dancing provocatively with Joy. My instinct is to rush the dance floor and grab her away, but maybe Jude is right. Perhaps I am smothering her, over-reacting because of what happened the last time I let her out of my sight. I can’t play bodyguard twenty-four-seven, though that’s an appealing prospect, and one I’d happily sign up for.

  “Joy’s a free spirit, and I’m soooo not gonna cage that,” he admits, arm pointed toward her. He grins, and I envy his casual attitude.

  I’m on my way back from the bathroom when I spot him. Blaketon Summers is a big-time asshole; no other contender comes close to taking the crown. His father is a business colleague of Gil’s dad, and both families tend to socialize together a lot. Unfortunately, for me, that means I have to suffer his intolerable brute of a son far too often for my liking. Right now, I’m not liking what I see. Blaketon has made no effort to hide his obvious admiration for Ari, and it boils my blood everytime I see him. No one, or nothing, pushes my buttons like he does. I slump down on the couch beside Jude, momentarily taking my eyes off the dance floor.

  When I look up again, my heart almost seizes in my chest. Blaketon’s large body is positioned directly behind Ari, dancing all up in her personal space. She’s arching her body back, grinding up and down in front of him, and I can’t believe my eyes. Blaketon suddenly grips Ari by the hips and pulls her back into him, his arm snaking possessively across her waist. His other arm slides down her side and he cups her ass. Uncharacteristic rage, and something much darker, simmers in my veins and I’m up out of my seat in a flash. I stomp forward, ignoring whatever Jude is yelling at me.

  I start running, pushing past people as I go.

  Ari whips around, still locked in the douche’s strong grip.

  The look on her face freezes the blood in my veins.

  CHAPTER 4

  Terror-struck wide eyes search the room frantically and she gulps. The muscles of her jaw work fast, but I’m still too far away to make out what she’s saying. “Ari!” I shout, running toward her, but she can’t hear me over the racket from the band. “I’m coming,” I silently convey. Blaketon leers at her, his head dipping low, and I curse under my breath.

 

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