Sparks flew and a tiny wisp of flame appeared on the log. “Beautiful,” Chait said. “Your turn, Hayden.”
I stood next to Tessa and fixed a stare at a different log in the fireplace. In my head, I could see a giant flame raging. But in reality, the log remained free of flames. “Hold on. I’ll try again.” I concentrated on one end, seeing the molecules moving in my mind, then the sparks and flame. Seconds later, it materialized before my eyes. “That’s how it’s done.”
Chait laughed and slapped me on the back.
For the next hour, we moved small furniture, boiled water, cooled water, removed lids and finally put out the original fire we’d started.
Tessa collapsed onto the couch. I wanted to join her there. Every organ and limb in my body screamed for sleep.
“At first, it wears you out, because it takes so much out of you,” Chait said. “After a while, it’s second nature — almost too easy. Tonight, you guys are going to sleep great. In fact, as much as it pains me to say this, I’d suggest you don’t drive and both of you sleep here.”
I was so wiped, I couldn’t imagine going anywhere. But it stunned me into silence that Chait would orchestrate us sleeping in the same house together. Of course, he probably already knew I’d been sleeping over at Tessa’s.
“Actually, Tessa, I can drive you home,” he offered.
Bastard.
“To be honest, I’m too tired to deal with carrying Bree inside and getting her back to sleep. I just want to fall into bed.” She turned to me. “Is that okay with you, Hayden, if I stay here? I’ll sleep with Bree. But we have to allow time in the morning to go home and get ready.”
Great. She’d basically announced to Chait that she wouldn’t be in my bed with me. Whatever. He already knew we weren’t together. At least we’d still be under the same roof. “Sure.”
“I’ll be seeing you guys tomorrow then.” Chait made his way to the front door.
“Hey, Chait. Thanks so much for doing this.” Tessa opened the door to let him through.
“No problem. Same thing tomorrow?”
She smiled. “I’ll text you when my IQ returns to normal and I can think clearly again.”
“Goodnight,” he told her, then nodded at me.
I nodded back. Tessa closed the door and headed toward the hallway. “I’m going to bed. Will you set the alarm?”
“Sure.”
She stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Goodnight, Hayden.” I’d swear there was something more in her eyes, like she wanted to stay in my room with me. Sadly, I was too catatonic to pursue it.
* * * *
By the end of Wednesday, Tessa and I had practiced until we could easily do everything Chait asked. I would’ve been more impressed though if Chait had asked for something more complex — like levitating my own body. But at least we managed the easy stuff. And we weren’t as exhausted when he left.
I wanted to keep an eye on Tessa at all times, but I needed to delay being discovered as long as possible. Luckily, David or Rena didn’t return to Delia’s. So each night, I hung out while Tessa worked, then followed her home after her shift and parked my car around the corner. She’d sleep with Bree and I’d hide in her room until the next morning when we’d confirm her parents weren’t around.
I would’ve preferred Tessa stay in her room with me, but I let her have her space. It went against my impulses and I hated it. But pressing her to be with me would alienate her and I’d have to sleep at my own house. Without her. I’d be even more miserable. Worse, I’d worry about her.
Even if she lay next to me, it’s not like she would’ve let me do anything. And that would drive me nuts. As if her scent all over the bedding didn’t already drive me half mad.
I intended to see what she was doing Friday night when she informed me she had to work. I began to hate Delia’s, because I had to share her with all her customers.
Yep, I needed to go to that party Saturday night to lose myself with some willing girls. Would Tessa be okay while I was gone? Maybe I’d leave for only a couple hours, just to prove I could be away from her.
I knew there’d come a time when we’d be in danger, but that time wasn’t now. She was still a newbie and no one expected her to make any decisions. Yet.
Friday night at Delia’s was uneventful. Chait showed up but he was alone and didn’t stay long. We went to her house after her shift then said good night and slept in our usual spots.
“We have to find a way to run every day,” I said as we stretched against the chain link fence early Saturday morning.
“You could but I don’t think I can. Hard to do when you’re raising a child. They have needs, like eating and getting to school.” Tessa snorted. I usually hated it when girls did that. So unfeminine. But with Tessa, it was cute and endearing.
“Where is Bree now?” I asked.
“My mom’s watching her. Correction. My mom was in her room with the door closed while Bree sat alone in front of the TV.”
I wasn’t touching that. But I figured it was less about watching TV and more about the mom shutting out her child. “What time does Bree usually get up? Around seven, right?”
“Usually earlier, why?”
“We could do our run every morning before she wakes up, while your parents are still there. We’d have to get up pretty early but it’d be worth it.”
Tessa stopped stretching to stare. “I hate you. I really, really hate you.”
I laughed.
“Thank God that won’t work. These days, my parents are never home, not even early morning.”
At least we could run on the weekends. “That’s enough warm up. C’mon. Let’s run.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Tessa
“Could we do a drive-by and check on Bree before we train?” I asked Hayden. We’d planned to go straight to his place after our run. I hoped he wouldn’t be irritated at the detour.
“You think something’s wrong?” Hayden asked. “You seem more worried about her lately.”
“I always thought that deep down, my mom loved us. Now that I know better, it feels wrong to leave Bree with her so much. Not that I think she’s in danger or anything but…”
“You don’t want her around the black hole of emptiness. It’s not really out of our way and it’s not like we’re in a hurry.” He signaled to turn and doubled back. “She can come with us. I bet she’d have a blast watching us spar. Maybe I could teach her a couple defense moves.”
“Really?”
“Sure, why not? She’s a good kid. If she gets in our way or needs some attention, you’d probably appreciate the break from me whipping your ass anyway.” He snickered.
I wondered how it could feel so right with Hayden and yet be so wrong. It was a constant struggle, every hour, every minute to keep my feelings in check.
Not that I was winning that battle.
I hoped he suffered as much as I did. But as smoothly as he’d handled things all week, I figured he’d gotten past the stage of wanting to sleep with me. He probably realized that he could never provide for my needs or Bree’s and decided not to hit on me anymore. We’d settled into a routine and got along well. That was it. I knew he liked me and, if I threw myself at him, Hayden being Hayden, he probably wouldn’t refuse.
I told myself it was good that he wasn’t coming on to me anymore.
“Here we are.” Hayden exited the car with me tagging behind.
Mom was in the kitchen cooking, but I didn’t see Bree. A television blared from somewhere, but since the one in the living room was off, the noise probably came from the one in Bree’s room.
“Hi, sweetie,” Mom called out. She had been more absent than ever these past few days. In fact, I hadn’t seen her since our confrontation over Zoe. She’d been staying out later, if she came home at all, and slept in until after I’d gone to school. By the way she greeted me, our fight the other day had been swept under the rug. Back to business as usual.