Chapter 29 Acclimating #2
I found this hoodie, my lucky hoodie, the night I ran away from the clinic.
I thought I could use some luck to cook and serve a perfect dinner for…
this asshole right in front of me. I lift my chin.
I won’t let him intimidate me. I didn’t do anything wrong.
He steps closer, and closer still, but I refuse to back down. I return his glare.
“What else have you stolen while I was gone? Should I start locking my door or put an alarm system on the valuables?”
What the fuck is his problem? Fine. If he wants his sweatshirt, he can have it.
I shove the piece of paper into the front pocket and remove my glasses.
Pulling my arms through the sleeves, I remove the oversized, comfortable garment and shove it into his chest. I stand there, seething, in only a sports bra and lounge pants.
I need to go upstairs and get another shirt.
He catches it. “Thanks. I’ll have this laundered. It stinks,” he sneers.
Anger shoots up my spine. A clap of thunder erupts over our heads, shaking the entire mansion. I jump. Shit! I didn’t mean to do that. I spin around and race up the stairs to my room.
Resting my glasses on my desk, I pace and shake my arms. Deep breath. Deep breath, I repeat to myself. Just like Anders taught me. Calm down, I scold myself. Anders explained that my magic is connected to my emotions. I take another calming breath and think of things that make me happy.
Luke’s angry face pops into my mind. Thunder rumbles from a distance, and heavy rain pours outside. No, no, no. Calm down. Calm down.
My bedroom door crashes open. “What the hell was that?” he asks, accusing.
A flash of lightning streaks outside of my window. I face him as I slowly back toward the French doors. He needs to get away from me.
My hands tremble from the buzz of electricity in my fingers and palm.
I back up the cool glass of the doors hits my back.
I grasp for the handle and slip onto the balcony.
Rubbing my thighs, I urge, Calm down. You can do this.
I take several deep breaths. The flash of lightning and thunder appear farther away.
The downpour soaks me in minutes, but I don’t care.
“Are you doing this?”
Why can’t he take a frickin’ hint and stay away? I’m not bothering him. I’m trying to retreat.
He grabs my shoulder and forces me to look at him. “Are you doing this?” he snaps.
Instinctively, I raise my arms, palms out to protect myself. A force of wind slams him into the outer wall. Lightning and thunder explode around me.
He slowly stands and approaches me again. “Get it under control before you hurt someone,” he commands through clenched teeth.
“Then get away from me,” I squeak. Moving away from him, my back hits the railing. But he prowls closer. “Stay away from me!” I try to shout, but my voice fails me, emitting only as a rush of air.
His menacing, haunting demeanor causes tingles of fear to spread within my body. He places his hands on either side of me, resting them on the metal barrier, trapping me in his space. “I swear if you don’t get this under control and hurt my family…”
The wind howls around me loudly, reflecting my hurt and anger. “I would never hurt your family!” I whisper-scream. The wind whips around us.
The balcony quivers from an impending earthquake. I’m not doing that. My eyes widen, but he still doesn’t move, his eyes narrowed, lips curled in anger. I push him, hard, loosening his grip. The balcony shakes more intensely, knocking me backward. I wince, and the railing breaks under my weight.
I fall, contorting my body to find the ground rushing up to meet me. I raise my arms in front of my face, anticipating the impact.
The wind catches me just in time, hovering me a few feet above the earth.
Pain sparks in my abdomen as a loose part of the railing stabs through me.
Using the wind, I levitate away from the flying projectiles, press my hand over the wound, and plummet to the ground.
Something slides from my waist and slithers away.
What the hell is that? But I can’t see clearly enough to figure out what it is.
Luke stands over me, eyes wide. “Are you okay?”
What the fuck is his problem? One minute, he’s trying to kill me, and the next, he’s as white as a sheet with… concern? No, I am not okay. I’m angry, you piece of shit for brains.
A bolt of lightning slaps the ground, close enough to send Luke flying toward the house.
I get to my feet and see blood on my hand.
The wound, thankfully, isn’t very deep. Fucking asshole!
Thunder booms, and Luke jumps. I prowl toward him with as much menace and threat as I can muster. He appraises me, swallowing.
Since I can’t speak loud enough to make my fucking point, I force my voice into his head.
I would never hurt your family!” My chest heaves.
I press a hand into my side and clench the other into a fist so I don’t lose control of my magic.
But if you ever come at me again, I promise, I will hurt you!
Another bolt of lightning strikes the ground near him.
He rolls out of the way and covers his ears at the booming thunder.
I use the wind to lift me onto my balcony. The cute little table and chairs fell over the side from the earthquake. I walk into my room, close and lock the doors, and draw the heavy drapes. For good measure, I also lock my bedroom door.
I don’t understand. Why would he attack me that way?
If dinner was for Luke alone, I would dump everything, partially cooked and raw, in the middle of his bedroom. I wanted to prove to him that I wasn’t the monster he thinks I am. My heart aches, thinking he won’t appreciate any of it anyway.
But it’s not just for him. All of them are coming for dinner tonight, and I want to thank them for accepting me into their family. So, I will finish what I started.
I don’t bother to reread the list of Luke’s likes and dislikes.
He can kiss my ass. I hope the dinner turns out so well that he chokes on it when he learns I made it.
I hope his guts twist in knots and he becomes ill for at least a week.
Maybe not that last part. He will no doubt accuse me of poisoning him and try to kick me out of my home.
Downstairs, I set the finishing touches on the dining room table and take one final look.
“It’s perfect,” Joe says from the doorway. I walk over to give him a hug. “I think the family will be impressed. It’s nothing like Tater or I have ever done before.”
I offer a tight smile. He’s just being nice. We return to the kitchen, and I focus on the last-minute details.
Joe reaches for the serving trays on the upper shelves when he asks, “Jessica, what happened to you?” I glance around and shrug. “You’re bleeding. What happened?” he asks again.
Glancing down, my shirt is covered in blood. All the moving around must have reopened the wound. “It’s just a scratch,” I whisper.
“Show it to me.”
“It’s nothing, Joe. Just a scratch,” I rasp.
“Then, show it to me.”
Stepping away from the counter, I lift my shirt. The bandage I placed earlier is soaked through.
Joe peels the bandage away from my skin and frowns. “This is not a scratch, Jessica. This looks like you were stabbed.”
Sidestepping away from him, I replace the blood-soaked dressing and lower my shirt. “It’s nothing, really. I’m fine.” I avoid his eyes and desperately think of anything but what happened earlier. I’m surprised no one thought to look for us with all the noise and earthquake.
He retrieves a box from a nearby cabinet. “Go upstairs and change. Here are some dressings you can use.” I look around and vow to clean my mess before Tater and the rest of the staff arrive. “I got it. Go,” Joe says firmly.
Thank you, Joe. I’ll make it up to you.
“Jessica.” I stop on my way out of the room but don’t turn around. “I don’t care who he is, if he hurt you…”
No, Joe. It was an accident. All good. Like I said, just a scratch. I’ve had worse. I leave the kitchen before he responds. I don’t like lying to him, but I can’t tell him what happened. I don’t need Luke accusing me of being a snitch as well.
I run up the stairs, hurrying before everyone arrives. Justin and Jeremy stand in the hallway talking to Luke, smiling, laughing, patting each other on the back.
I clutch the box from Joe close to hide the blood on my stomach. I consciously think about the various ingredients I used in the meal preparation and make a list of tasks, confirming I accomplished them. Just so the twins don’t pick up on my thoughts.
“Hey, Jess. Did you meet Luke yet?” Justin asks.
I lift my head and quickly glance at Luke. He plasters a fake smile on his face. When the twins turn to look at me, he drops it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Ouch, that burns. Returning the tight-lipped smile, I shake my head.
Jeremy places an arm around his shoulders. “This is the best big brother you will ever meet, besides us, of course.”
I give a curt nod and wave. Another burning sensation rubs over my wound.
Justin frowns. “What’s burning?”
“Hmm?”
He steps toward me. “Why do I smell blood?”
Oh, I was helping in the kitchen and spilled blood on my shirt. I’m going to get changed. No big deal. I’ll meet you downstairs. I push past them.
Jeremy grabs my arm. “You’re trying to hide something,” he proclaims.
Justin grabs the box out of my hands. “Why do you need the first aid kit?”
Pulling my arm out of Jeremy’s grasp, I snatch the box back from Justin. “I’m fine. Just a scratch,” I explain.
Jeremy narrows his eyes. “That’s not from a scratch!”
Justin pulls me closer and lifts the hem of my shirt. “What the fuck happened? And don’t try to hide it.”
I shake my head, trying to inch my way to my room. I’m fine, really. Go spend time with Luke, and I will meet you downstairs. I back into my bedroom door, but the twins hover in front of me. Luke leans against the doorframe to his room, smirking. Bastard.
The twins frown and turn toward Luke. “Did you see the blood on the front of her shirt?”
Luke tilts his head for a better look. For a brief moment, concern crosses his features. He stalks over and reaches forward to lift my shirt. His eyes widen. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“What would you have me say?” I grit, staring into his emerald-green eyes. Does he want to tell them what happened? Because I’m not.
“Tell us what, Jessica?” Justin asks. “What are you hiding?”
“You’re working really hard not to think about your injury. Why?” Jeremy observes.
I lower my eyes. “I’ll meet you downstairs,” I whisper. I don’t lie to the twins. I don’t lie to anyone. But they’re so happy to see Luke. I won’t cause a family rift because of Luke’s insane notion that I am out to hurt everyone.
Justin rests his hand on my shoulder. “Let me help you clean it.”
I shake my head, and he turns to Jeremy. I push my door open enough to slide into my room and quickly move to close the door.
Jeremy blocks it, pushing it wide open. “I’m not letting this go. Tell me right now! After everything you’ve been through, you got hurt again, and I want to know how.”
Sighing, I walk across the room and open my drapes. “It was an accident. I fell off the balcony.”
The twins peer through the window. “Shit! We’re three stories up,” Jeremy exclaims.
“It’s embarrassing. Can you please let it drop now?”
Jeremy frowns. “Are you okay?” I nod. “You never lied to us before or hid anything. It just made me worried that someone hurt you.” He pulls me into his embrace. “Don’t make me worry like that.” I nod again against his chest, and he releases me.
Justin joins me in the bathroom. “Let me see.” He shakes his head. “You need stitches, or it won’t stop bleeding. How long ago did this happen?”
I shrug. “A few hours. I needed to finish making dinner.”
“So stubborn,” he grumbles, placing butterfly bandages to keep the wound closed. “I’ll take you to the clinic.”
I shake my head. Have dinner with Luke. I’ll go after dinner is served. You missed him, and I can tell he missed you guys, too. I push at his shoulder so he stops fussing over me. Go! I’ll finish cleaning up and meet you downstairs.
After I throw away the old bandage and wipe down the counters, I leave the closet wearing a dark maroon blouse and dark jeans.
Staying here may not work out after all.
Luke never once spoke up and admitted how I fell over the balcony He just let me stand there and lie to my brothers.
I hate him for that. Heading downstairs, I pass Luke’s room.
“Why didn’t you tell them the whole truth?” I stop and turn toward his voice. He’s leaning against the open door.
“What’s there to tell?” I glare.
“It was my fault you got hurt. The first person you should have run to is my father.”
I step toward him. It’s not like you admitted your part.
Goddess forbid you show your true colors to your brothers!
I snap in my mind. I grind my teeth and take a steadying breath before I lose control again.
Look, I don’t know why you think I’m this horrible person, but I am not here to steal from or hurt your family.
I love them. I didn’t run to him, and I didn’t tell the twins because they love you.
They missed you. I don’t want to ruin your reunion.
You don’t want me here? Fine. I’ll leave.
I didn’t ask your family to take me in. I appreciate everything they have done for me.
I glance down. But if my being here will ruin your life and your relationship with your family, then I’ll go.
No one needs to know we even had this conversation.
I leave him standing in the hallway, mouth hanging open as I walk away.