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“Where are you going?” called Michael from the doorway.
“Out,” said Gabriel. Thank god he still had his car keys. He flung his backpack onto the passenger seat and started the engine.
Michael was halfway down the walk to stop him, but Gabriel hit the accelerator to power down the driveway. He couldn’t deal with them now. Just another perfect night, ruined by the resident f**kup.
But at the end of their street, he stopped. He had no idea where to go.
The sad thing was that he wanted to light things on fire. Despite nearly torching the house, his element was riding high, calling to him.
This was so unfair! The rest of them could practically bask in their element. No wonder Nick had such control.
Gabriel hadn’t even known his twin could do something like that.
He pulled out from the stop sign, heading left, though he didn’t really have a destination in mind.
Almost immediately, flashing red and white lights strobed from behind him, and Gabriel swore, moving to the shoulder. This would be the perfect end to his night.
But it was just a fire truck, roaring past with a blazing siren.
A fire truck.
A fire truck.
Maybe he didn’t have to start a fire to feel his element.
Maybe he could just follow those flashing lights and find one.
Layne pulled her blankets up to her chin and stared at the ceiling.
She’d been trying to sleep for twenty minutes, but her body wasn’t tired and her mind wouldn’t stop raging. The sun was barely down, but she couldn’t bear the thought of sitting in the living room, pretending to watch a movie while her dad sat right there.
Damn Gabriel Merrick. She should have slapped him. No, punched him.
Then I’m going to need another fifteen minutes.
To her father, of all people. Her father.
Her door creaked open, a whisper of wood against carpeting.
The hall light was off, but she could make out her father’s sil-houette.
He probably thought she was asleep. He didn’t say anything.
“I’m still awake,” she said.
“Are you all right?” He didn’t move from the door. “You didn’t say much at dinner.”
God, what could she say? Her cheeks felt warm again, just remembering that little drama in the hallway. She knew better than to invite some meathead sports junkie into the house. She probably should have offered to teach him manners before math.
At least she didn’t have to worry about Simon rambling about Gabriel. Her brother spent dinnertime glaring at their father, refusing to communicate.
“Are you mad at me?” her father said.
She swung her head around. “At you? No, of course not.”
He came the rest of the way into the room, but he hesitated by the side of her bed. Early moonlight streamed through the window and caught the strands of gray in his hair, making him look older than he was. “I thought I might have embarrassed you.”
Layne grit her teeth. “Well, I was embarrassed, but it wasn’t your fault.”
