So Not Normal #12
I snorted, “Great. Well, I don’t want to go back there considering they want to kill me.” Caspian replied, “Which brings us full circle, tell me where you are.” My phone started ringing. Immy was calling me. I declared, “I’ve got to go.” Caspian said, “Don’t you dare.” I whispered, “Sorry.”
I hung up and closed my laptop. I sighed, “You have no self-preservation skills, Odette. Stop pissing off mob bosses. That one doesn’t want you dead yet. You know men like that don’t like being hung up on. It’s in all the books.” I shook myself and answered Immy’s call.
I greeted her, “Hey, Immy.” Immy sighed in relief, “You sound better. I bet your aura is all nice and clean after Keaton’s visit.
” I snorted, “I feel better. How was the party?” Immy snickered, “A lot of fun. The birthday girl got so drunk her alter ego came out. Emmett pretended not to know things to try and get information he didn’t exactly get. Those parties are always such fun.”
I asked, “Whose parties?” Immy answered, “The Conners.” My heart clenched because their name to me was synonymous with Melanie. The man she loved last name was Conners. She always said it was complicated, but I thought any man who didn’t see her for how amazing she was, was a fool.
Immy said, “You probably don’t know who they are, but they are kind of a big deal around here.” I knew exactly who they were because Melanie talked about them. I’d never seen them though. Well, that’s not true. Melanie had me watch one of her Xander’s training videos. He was intense.
I felt a kinship with him though, which was crazy. I only saw him teaching some self-defense moves. I didn’t know him, I just felt like I should. Which brought me right back to that being crazy. Immy had moved on. She was talking about work.
Man! I should’ve asked about Melanie’s Xander. My phone beeped and I put Immy on speaker. I had a text from an unknown number. I clicked on it.
Unknown: He always goes back to her. You’re pathetic for trying to hold onto a boy who doesn’t want you. We all think it’s sad, really.
Below it was a picture of a naked Keaton with a fully dressed Lisa. My heart felt like it was dead. The song took over and zoomed in on his face. I frowned because Keaton looked surprised and annoyed. What?
Immy brought me back to earth, “Hello? Earth to Katie? Did we lose you again?” I whispered, “Someone sent me a picture.” Immy asked, “Of what?” The words burned coming out of my mouth, “Key and Lisa. He’s naked.
” After what we just did together. Why? And why does Keaton look so annoyed and surprised? Why was he naked?
May said, “Keith just called me actually, he’s pretty mad.
” I asked, “Why would Keith be mad?” May answered, “Well, there’s a lake around here we skinny dip in.
It’s kind of a traditional Polar bear type plunge thing.
It was Keaton’s turn tonight, but it’s supposed to be something you do alone.
Keaton’s being avoiding Lisa, so she hid his clothes and ambushed him.
I’ll just bet she had one of her minions take a photo. ”
I asked, “Immy?” Immy said, “Well, May just gave an explanation. Wait! Your phone is an iPhone. Is it a live photo?” I asked, “A what?” Immy said, “Just hold your finger down on the photo.” Ok.
Why did Immy say May gave an explanation?
Why didn’t she say it was the actual explanation? I shook that off.
I whispered, “I don’t want to see it again.” Immy understood, “I know but it’s important.” I clicked the photo. Keaton had blood on his chest making my breath leave my body. Lisa ran and jumped on him, but he quickly and respectfully pushed her back.
I saw a hint of a wolf’s head on the ground. I played it again and studied the wolf. It had red eyes. I gasped, “The rabies wolves attacked again? Oh my god? Is Key hurt? He was bleeding! Does he have rabies? I’ll be right there!”
May assured me, “Keaton’s fine. There were some security guys that shot the wolves before they got to Keaton. It wasn’t his blood.” I muttered, “I hope he didn’t swallow any of it.” May laughed, “He didn’t.”
Immy pressed, “So the photo?” I admitted, “Lisa jumped on Key, but he pushed her away.” Immy hissed, “Her aura is pitch black, May. She totally set that up!” I agreed. May said, “We’ll talk later.” I agreed, “Alright.”
I winced as I opened my laptop back up. Caspian had sent a new email. I clicked it then snorted. He’d sent a read receipt. Weirdo. I was going to read it when I saw an email from Luke. Oh, this ought to be good. I clicked on it, noting he’d sent a read receipt too. Was that a mob thing?
Odette,
I think we have had a misunderstanding. I know you’re upset over losing those friends you had, but they weren’t any good for you. I’m the only one who understands you. I’ve always done what’s best for you. I’ve told you not to entice the men your mother dates.
I warned you to stay away from people. Remember when I helped you after your mom’s boyfriend broke into your place? I told your mom what happened. We talked again over what you shouldn’t have done, and how to avoid such unpleasantries in the future.
We are meant to be. You are mine, Odette. I know you think I’m bad because I hit you and locked you up in that place but I’m not. It’s what was best for you. I’m sorry I punished you in that way, but you did laugh at me. You know better than that. Let’s get past this.
Luke
Was he high? How was that an apology? The song in my head hissed and sang an angry song. I snorted, “You go on with your angry war like sounding songs. My ex is the worst.” I hit reply as my fury flowed through my veins.
Luke,
Worst. Apology. EVER! None of that was my fault! We are OVER. I am not yours, and I want you to stop contacting me. I’m blocking your email. I don’t even know how you got this one. Stop stalking me. If those weird guys that keep showing up know you, have them stop too. They are freaking me out.
You let me down and you’re still trying to gaslight and manipulate me. I’m done. We are done. Lose my email and do not ever contact me again.
Odette
I forward the conversation to Caspian, hoping that the big brother side of him would fully activated reading the attempted gaslighting being done to me.
Caspian,
I haven’t read your email yet. I just clicked on it then saw Luke emailed. This correspondence should help me get a restraining order. He admits that he hit me. I’ve got some pretty angry emails from my other accounts too.
Stay Safe,
Odette
I was about to read my, more than likely, brother’s email when the song started.
Keaton was here? Or maybe it was the large dog.
I snorted at myself as the song huffed. Someone knocked on my door.
Ok, so it was Keaton. I smiled, closed my laptop, and ran to the door.
I was still surprised it was him. What was he doing back here?
Keaton said, “Let me explain….” I cut him off by teasingly asking, “Explain what? Why you went skinny dipping without me? I’m offended, I love to swim.
I’ve never even gone skinny dipping or done a polar bear plunge.
I actually thought the point of skinny dipping was to do that together.
At least in the television shows, that’s the point. ”
Keaton stared at me for several seconds before his eyes seemed to glaze over a few times. I touched his arm, “Hey, are you ok?” Keaton answered, “What? Yeah. I was worried because May said you got that picture. I didn’t want you to think that after today I just ran back to my ex.”
I snorted, “Well, I can’t say I cared for the picture. I thought it was odd even before Immy asked if it was a live picture. I am going to call animal control tomorrow. I can’t believe they have so many rabies infected wolves just running around.”
Keaton laughed, “No need to call animal control, my brother is all over it.” I shrugged since his family did seem to own the town. His brother must have called animal control. I bumped him, “So about skinny dipping, I’ve always wanted to do that.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him.
Keaton growled, “Odette.” I batted my eyelashes at him and whispered, “Yes, sir.” Keaton slammed the door shut and pinned me against it before I could comprehend that he’d moved. Keaton’s lips were demanding on mine. I pulled him closer to me.
Keaton growled, “Fucking mine.” The song in my head was screaming its tune happily. I didn’t even care that he’d said it. Luke said it and it upset me; but when Keaton said it, I felt like a puzzle piece clicked into place.
Keaton’s lips attacked the base of my neck. I gripped around his neck and pulled him close. I moaned when his teeth nipped me, feeling like I might combust if he didn’t bite harder. I whimpered, “Please.” Keaton whispered, “Please what?” Before I could answer someone banged on the door.
I groaned and untangled myself from Keaton. I opened the door surprised to find Justin. Keaton growled and pushed me behind him. I rolled my eyes, “It’s my door, Key, Justin came to see me.” Justin winced, “Actually, I came for him. Lisa is….”
I sighed interrupting, “I thought you gave her up, Justin. Isla deserves better. Don’t play her.” Justin quickly said, “I’m not. I’m dating Isla. It’s just that I was asked to come get Keaton.” I grabbed my door as a fierce possessiveness gripped me. This chick just wouldn’t let it go.
Lisa needed to because I’d never wanted to punch someone more in my life. I warned, “You tell that psychopath she doesn’t get to summon MY boyfriend anywhere. He’s busy.” I slammed the door in Justin’s face.
Keaton whispered against my neck, “Boyfriend, huh?” Heat flooded my face. I stammered, “I…. well…. ummm….” Was I turning into Melanie?! Keaton chuckled against my neck causing me to shiver, “I like it. Will you be my girlfriend, Odette?” I whispered, “Yes.”
Keaton turned me around gently and tilted up my chin and kissed me slowly. We left a trail of clothes on the way to my bedroom. We were both in our underwear when I realized one very important thing. I groaned.