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“Logan’s in a bad way and Claire has been a good friend. I’m sorry he showed up here and scared you but you have nothing to worry about, I promise,” Brent soothed Layken, charming her with his voice.
I watched Layken’s stiff body relax, her lips curving into a smile as she submitted to his words. “Oh, okay then. Should I wake him up?”
“No, let him sleep. Can you get us something to drink, please? Brent asked.
“Yeah, sure,” Layken complied, leaving the room.
I smirked at Brent.
“Another new ability or she just wants you that much?”
Brent’s lips formed a wicked grin and he wagged his eyebrows. “A little of both,” he retorted.
“Here you go,” Layken said, returning to the room with bottled waters for all of us.
Reese was sitting at a small side table, his trusty ear buds in place. Brent, Layken and I sat on the sofa. I found myself sitting on the very edge still worried about dirtying the fabric. Who buys white furniture?
Layken asked why we hadn’t been at school. We had missed three days last week already. With the three day weekend, we hadn’t missed a day yet this week, though we were due back tomorrow. I was pretty sure we weren’t going to make it but I didn’t share that with Layken. Brent continued with the story about helping Logan. Layken believed every word, even so far as to feel bad she had never noticed Logan was having problems.
It was 8:00am when we finally heard footsteps slapping down the stairs. Brooke and a girl I had not met before entered the room.
“Layken, Why is Logan asleep on your couch?” Brooke asked, freezing when she saw the three of us. Her gaze stuck on Reese and Reese stared back. He pulled his ear buds out, providing her with his full attention.
“Hey,” Brooke whispered softly.
“Hey,” Reese responded shyly, walking toward Brooke. “Can we talk?” he asked and she nodded. They left to go to another part of the house.
The other girl obviously had an effect on Brent as his posture went erect next to me when he saw her. She was staring open-mouthed at him. Great! Another girl in love with Brent, I thought briefly. Suddenly I noticed Brent seemed awed by her presence. I was flooded with insecurity. Did he know her? And worse, did he like her?
No way, Claire. You’re being ridiculous. He loves you. You have nothing to worry about. Sealed to match, remember.
“Hi, I’m Claire.” I moved towards her with my hand stretched out for a handshake.
She put her warm soft hand in mine. Limp fish, I thought. Now I got what my father meant.
“I’m Mandy,” she introduced, her eyes never leaving Brent.
I noticed she actually looked similar to me with blonde hair and green eyes and we were about the same size.
“Do you go to school with us?” I asked, not having seen her before.
Mandy didn’t respond as she was still staring at Brent. I noticed the uncomfortable expression on his face. He was looking down avoiding her, which meant something was up.
“She goes to a private girl’s school in town, but she lives next door to Brent,” Layken responded for her friend.
“Oh, so you two already know each other,” I said, addressing both her and Brent. Her expression was distressing. I thought I saw tears swelling in her green eyes. She flitted from the room without answering. Layken followed her, leaving Brent and me alone.
I spun around and glared at Brent. He was still looking down. Something was definitely wrong. I went to him and grabbed his hand, but he jerked away.
“What the hell was that, Brent?”
Brent looked up at me, his brows coming together. “I have no idea.” he barked.
“You must have some idea,” I said through clenched teeth. “That was a girl who looked heart broken, looking at the person responsible for that broken heart.” I hoped I was wrong and merely being my typical insecure self.
He took my hand, holding it close and continued to look down.
“It is nothing. Honestly, I love you, Claire,” he said slowly, trying to convince me but I wasn’t sure I believed him.
