Chapter 20 #2
Cam shakes his head, stirring something that smells like it was handmade by angels. “Not yet. But this might lure her out.”
“Doubt it. She sleeps like the dead. I’ll go wake her up,” I laugh, already heading down the hall.
When I push open the door to Rachel’s room, she’s exactly as I expect her to be. Tangled in a mess of blankets, barely awake.
She groans dramatically, dragging the blankets over her head. “My headache is gone, thanks for asking.”
“Thank God.” I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms. “Hate to be the bad guy here, but I have to meet with that guy I was telling you about. So we gotta leave soon. Unless you want to stay, and I’ll meet you back home later?”
Rachel peeks out just enough to glare at me. “Why would I stay here without you?”
I sigh, “Oh, I don’t know, so you could do something fun.”
Her hand emerges from the blanket cocoon just far enough to flip me off, and I burst out laughing.
“For your information, I could totally handle both of them. At once.” She throws the blankets off, stretching.
“And I could tell you all the ways it would go down, but I have Bobby. Plus, one of them seems to only have eyes for you.” She gives me a pointed look. “So he wouldn’t want to play. Which is truly a shame.”
I snort, shaking my head as laughter spills between us.
“Then, that means it’s time to go. But not before we eat whatever Cam’s whipped up. Can you not smell that?”
The mention of food is all it takes. Rachel’s sleepy demeanor vanishes instantly.
“Say less.”
She's out of bed with a newfound energy. “I also want the quick version now and the ten-minute version can come later.”
My stomach knots. Oh right. That.
“I did all the things I said I did last night in the kitchen,” I start, feeling my pulse pick up. Then, before I can stop myself, the words tumble out. “... and we made out. Again.”
Rachel’s brows hit her hairline.
“But listen,” I cut in. “Before you say anything, I don't like him like that. It just happened. Caught up in the moment kinda thing. It is not happening, so there’s nothing to talk about.”
Rachel mimes zipping her lips, then throws away the imaginary key. But her expression is nothing short of entertained.
“Ooookay,” she mouths, dragging it out with exaggerated skepticism. Then, holding up both hands, she grins. “So there’s a lot to unpack there—”
“Breakfast,” I blurt, already backing out of the room.
“Oh wow, that was subtle.”
I pretend not to hear her, but I can feel her grin burning into the back of my head.
Within a millisecond of the door closing behind us, Rachel turns on me. “Ten-minute version. Now.”
She marches to the couch, flopping down with purpose, and crossing her arms.
“And don’t leave anything out.”
I sigh, rolling my eyes. No escape then.
I start with the basics, recapping everything she already knows. But the second I get to the part where Kane showed up, her eyes go wide, and she sits up. She looks like she’s about to watch her favorite movie.
“I knew it!” She squeals, practically vibrating.
“Would you let me finish?” I shoot her a look, but it only makes her grin wider.
“And… he kissed me, and we made out. That’s it.”
Rachel's jaw drops.
“Okay, Keep going! But, just so you know, I knew it!”
She grabs a pillow, hugging it tightly to her chest like she’s physically bracing for the next part.
I take a breath, trying to decide how much to tell her.
“There's nothing to tell. We were standing there, arguing about why I was outside, and then…” I swallow, remembering the way his body felt against mine. How his mouth took control like he was starved for it. “... before I knew it, he was kissing me.”
Rachel’s grin turns feral.
“Then what?! What happened next?!”
She's practically shouting, but I hesitate. Just thinking about it makes my skin tingle.
God, he’s such a good kisser. I push the thought away, forcing myself back on track.
“We both… kinda got lost in it. It was… confusing, to say the least.”
She grins, “Sounds like you two have some serious chemistry. What’s confusing about that?”
I shrug, shaking my head, feeling more vulnerable than I expected. Which is saying a lot, considering I tell Rachel everything.
“I don’t know. He’s so hot and cold. Half the time, he’s beyond annoying, and then, BAM, we’re having this mind-blowing, spit-swapping sesh, and… here we are.” I run a hand through my hair, trying to untangle my own emotions, feeling just as confused saying it out loud as I do in my own head.
Rachel nods. Her face is the perfect mix of sympathy and amusement. “Are you still swearing off men?”
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and nod. “There’s… a little more I need to tell you.”
Her eyes light up instantly.
“Oh my God, you totally fucked, didn’t you? I knew it. I bet he was amazing. He looks like he knows how to use his dick.” She gasps dramatically, and both her hands cover her mouth. “Spill. I want all. The. Deets. Did he choke you or was he all sweet and gentle?”
“Ew, no! Well… it definitely wouldn't be ew, but no, Rachel. We are done talking about Kane. This is something else.” I stumble over my words like an idiot, and I can feel the heat in my cheeks. How do I even begin?
I inhale, taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
“Ever since my grandfather died, strange things have been happening...”
Might as well rip off the Band-Aid.
Rachel’s smirk vanishes as I start talking. I tell her about the letters, the box, the strange things inside it, the flickering lights, the memories resurfacing like whispers in the dark.
She sits there, wide-eyed, absorbing every word. At one point, her expression shifts, and I can’t quite read it. Is she mad I didn't tell her sooner? This is what I was afraid of.
“Wow. That's… a lot.” Her voice is thoughtful, but she doesn't sound mad. “So, basically, you’re a witch?”
“What? No! Bitch, were you even listening to a word I said?” I grab a pillow and chuck it at her, half-expecting it to hit her in the face.
She ducks, laughing even harder. “Of course I was listening! But come on, it’s giving witch vibes, and I’m here for it.” She wiggles her brows. “Sounds like we have a lot more to dig up and figure out.”
I don't know how she seems so chill about this, but I can feel the excitement radiating off her.
“And secondly,” she adds, holding up a finger, “I want to see everything that was in the box!”
I exhale, relief flooding through me. She’s not mad. Thank God.
“Okay, let me get everything.” I stand, heading for my bag where I keep most of it.
“One more thing.” Her tone stops me in my tracks.
She lifts a finger, eyes locking on mine.
“I'm a little upset that you didn’t think to tell me this goldmine of information sooner, but I'm choosing to look past it.” She rolls her eyes, throwing the pillow back at me.
“But only because it sounds like this is why you were supposed to come here in the first place. To figure yourself out and to have fun. So fuck you for not saying anything sooner, but also…” she shrugs, her smile returning. “I get it.”
I laugh, trying to keep the tears at bay. This is exactly why I love her. She's always so brutally honest.
“Oh, and I guess another one more thing,” she says, waving her hands dramatically around her head. “I hear you, but you’re clearly the one who needs to hear yourself. Because all of this—” she gestures broadly, “—witchy shit, is a fucking sign. It’s staring you right in the face.”
Her expression sobers for a beat, and her voice turns thoughtful. “With everything so ungodly abnormal about your life, Rave, I'd say this makes the most sense. So just humor me and consider it.”
And because she’s Rachel, her smile returns in full force. “Honestly? Maybe you should’ve fucked Kane, because some post-orgasm clarity might help you figure out what the fuck is going on around here.” She wiggles her brows again. “Now, show me your shit.”
I'm still laughing while I spread them out on the bed. My own twisted starter pack. The necklace, the dagger, and my stones.
Rachel’s energy shifts instantly. The teasing fades, replaced by something almost reverent as she picks up the necklace, turning it over in her hands.
“This is beautiful,” she whispers. “And it looks… ancient.”
When she reaches for the dagger, the second her fingers close around it, she drops it back onto the bed.
“Holy fucking fuck!” She stares at me with wide eyes. “Rave, what the hell is that? And what does it do?”
“Are you okay? What do you mean what does it do?” I roll my eyes. “I imagine it pokes holes in things? Have you never seen a knife before?”
Rachel levels me with a look before dramatically rolling her eyes. “Okay, so let me get this straight, we have an ancient necklace, a knife, and some rocks? This is like a damn treasure hunt!”
Her excitement builds with every word. “Now all we have to do is figure out what they mean and what you’re supposed to do with them.”
I sigh, rubbing my temples. “Yeah, that’s the problem. I have no idea where to start.”
Rachel opens her mouth to reply, but she's interrupted when my phone vibrates.
My stomach drops when I see the time. “Shit! I have to go, or I’m going to be late!”
My heart kicks up at the thought of facing Mr. Mike and all his pushy nonsense. I dart into the bathroom, scrambling to pull myself together.
I look presentable enough. My phone is charged, my notes are ready, and the Uber is almost here.
This meeting shouldn't last too long, and with any luck, I’ll be back in vacation mode in no time.
Rachel doesn’t even look up from whatever she’s scrolling through when I make my way back to the door. “Maybe you should take the knife, just in case!”
“Yeah, I think I’m good.” I grab my bag, opening the door. “I just need to survive this meeting. Find us something fun to do when I get back.”
I’ve barely been on the road for two minutes when my phone buzzes.
Rachel: Maybe when you get back, just for shits n’ giggles, we try a little spell on Mr. Lover Boy. You distract him, I'll snip a piece of his hair, and we can voodoo your way into the best sex of your life. We can see just how witchy you really are.
I snort, shaking my head at her insanity. Typical Rachel.
Although… I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t need a spell for that.
Kane’s barely done more than kiss me, and he’s already blown every past experience out of the water.
The thought sends a flush creeping up my neck, and I can already feel the heat pooling between my legs.
I mentally scold myself. I need to stay focused. The last thing I need to do is to leave a wet spot on the Uber’s seat.
I groan under my breath, but the damage is done. My brain spirals straight to the highlight reel from last night.