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I put a hand over my eyes, trying to figure out a way to make this better. Jack couldn't be there. My worlds were not supposed to mix like that. How did he even find out about it? And, knowing Jack, he was bound to get them into some sort of trouble. It's what he did. Besides which, the thought of Jack and Carlee making out made me feel vaguely ill, and I knew it wasn't because of the caramel apples I'd overdosed on at Lend's house. What happened when he disappeared and broke her heart? I'd lose the only normal friend I had. And if he told her about his real life-well, she'd probably think I was crazy by association. I didn't want to spend the rest of my senior year totally friendless.
"Can you put him on the phone? Carlee? Put Jack on the phone. "
She was laughing, shouting something that I couldn't understand over the background noise. "Okay, I've gotta go-everyone's heading to the cemetery! Thanks again-full dish tomorrow, girl!"
The line went dead. "Oh, bleep. " I flipped my phone shut, momentarily paralyzed. This had disaster written all over it. Jack wasn't exactly the picture of discretion-or sanity, for that matter-and if he told her my secrets . . .
"Jack, huh. " Lend's voice was flat, carefully controlled.
I shook my head, hating Jack for shattering our perfect evening. "I guess he showed up at Carlee's party. "
"Oh. " Lend didn't say anything. I couldn't fight down the rising panic over what Jack would do or say. The lights strobed as the costume parade started. We were missing it.
"I should- They're all going to the cemetery. I should make sure Jack doesn't get into trouble. "
"If you think so. " Again with the flat voice. Lend trying not to betray any emotion was a lot worse than him being openly annoyed about something. "I have to go back to school tonight, anyway. I can drop you off-it's on the way. Will you have a ride back?"
"Yeah, I can get one with Carlee. " Even if I couldn't, the cemetery was only about a mile from the diner. It'd be easier to walk back than asking Lend to either wait or come with me. Our night wasn't supposed to end like this. Suck, suck, sucktastic.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. Thanks. "
The drive was painful, and every minute that passed in strained silence made me that much more determined to wring Jack's neck. My phone rang when we were nearly there and I flipped it open.
"Carlee? What happened?"
"It's Arianna. "
"Oh. What's up?"
"I can't stay in this apartment another minute. They're doing a slasher flick marathon at Crown Theater. Where are you guys?"
My heart sank. Perfect. She'd pick now to want to socialize. "Umm, actually, I'm going to a party thing, and Lend was gonna head back to school. But I can maybe meet you later?" I waited for her response, but the line went flat. "Great," I muttered, throwing the phone into my purse.
Lend pulled up in front of the wrought iron fence that lined the perimeter of the cemetery. It was a beautiful spot-and, trust me, I've seen more than my fair share of cemeteries. Massive ivy-covered trees shaded the entire thing and gave it a sense of privacy. Narrow, paved pathways wound throughout, lined periodically with stone benches. During the day it was peaceful, lovely, as nice a spot for an eternal resting place as you could ask.
At night? Yeah, kind of creepy. You couldn't see more than twenty feet in any direction thanks to the trees, and the whole thing was poorly lit by the occasional pathetic lamppost.
"Do you have Tasey?" Lend asked.
I let out a nervous laugh. "I don't usually bring her on our dates, oddly enough. Besides, this is your dad's territory. It's probably the safest cemetery in the world. " The vampires here were almost militant in their regulation of one another. There's no way they'd let someone mess around in their area and draw attention.
"You have your necklace, though?"
I smiled at him and pulled it out from under my dress. "Yup. I'll be fine. And if I had Tasey, I'd probably just use it on Jack. "
I hoped for a laugh, but Lend sighed and nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow night then. "
"Yeah. " I leaned in and was rewarded with a quick kiss, our lips barely brushing. Stupid, stupid Jack. I climbed out of the car and Lend waited until I was through the gate and down the path a bit before I heard him drive away.
A shout and some distant, nervous laughter drifted through the trees, and I gritted my teeth. After several twists and turns, I found the group, gathered around one of the benches. They seemed to be focused on someone standing on the bench in the center. I got closer and narrowed my eyes. Jack-of course. He did a standing backflip off the bench to applause.
Then he noticed me and grinned as though seeing me was a welcome surprise. "Evie! You made it!"
"Yeah, funny thing, that. I was actually invited. How did you get here?"
"Evie! Yay!" Carlee threw her arms around me. She had to be freezing in a tiny white sleeveless dress, go-go boots, and wings. "Isn't this awesome?"
