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Davis
Archer has called at least four times in the last two days. Usually when he calls repeatedly instead of texting, it’s because there’s some news he wants to share. I’ve never met a bigger gossip in my entire life and that includes Charlene Bittendorf, who used to steal people’s phones to read through their text messages in middle school. Intrusive ass.
I’ve been out on my boat for the last week and left my phone at home. The only reason anyone would need to call me would be for an emergency and that’s what the marine radio is for. The need to get away had been a tightening rope around my neck, but the sea always helps calm me. The swell of the waves, the smell of the salty air, the lulling music of the water, it’s more home to me than my actual house.
For the past few months, my mind has been unsteady. At least more than usual, which is saying something. I’m never fully settled. There’s always a churning in my soul that eats at me, a darkness that burrows deep in my veins that never leaves me. Lately it’s more than that. There’s been a sense of anticipation, a nagging sense of deja vu that hasn’t gone away, and I constantly feel like I’m forgetting something. It’s been driving me nuts and I finally gave into the need to separate from society and spend some time out on the water.
Archer’s text told me to get my ass down to the bar for a drink, and that’s all he’d said. Nothing about why he’s been calling. My friends know me well enough to understand that sometimes I just need to take off, to disappear like a ghost and be alone. Archer already knew that’s what I’ve been doing these past few days. He also knows more about what’s going down on our island than anyone else I know, so there’s a good chance he knows that I’m back.
My aunt Dani has called a few times too but talking to her is painful for more than one reason. When I first dropped off Miri at Dani’s place, I’d gotten regular calls. Dani wanted to keep me updated on Miri’s progress and how she was settling in, but I couldn’t listen to them after a while. It was too hard to hear that Miri was struggling, missing her mom, hurting because she didn’t know the truth of it all. Eventually I stopped answering the calls and would listen to Dani’s message when I was feeling particularly masochistic. Every once in a while, I take a call from Dani because she’s my mom’s sister and I’m not a complete dick, but it’s gotten easier to ignore the calls over the years. Easier to shut myself off from one of the few remaining family members I still care to talk to.
I swing open the door to Paul’s Tavern, surprisingly in a decent mood and excited to see everyone. It’s been a bit since I’ve gotten together with the guys and my time on the water settled the turbulent storm that never goes away inside me to a manageable thrum.
The sight that greets me stops me in my tracks. A sudden punch to the gut would have been less surprising. Tendrils of memory snake through my veins as I sense her before I can see her. I swear my body remembers every brief moment we shared together and created a lockbox that carries each piece of information.
My eyes take a minute to adjust to the change in light as I stand in the doorway, letting the cold dregs of winter air in as the heat escapes around me. Even though she’s all the way across the bar, I can smell her, like the wind is conspiring with her, blowing her scent in my direction. Sage and citrus, an earthy hint of herbs and yet it’s still fresh and light. It’s a smell that’s tormented me for years. Every so often, I catch the scent lingering in a room or brought in from the breeze of the ocean, and her face always flashes through my mind.
I remember the way she smells, but more than that, I remember what it’s like to be near her. The bone-deep connection of someone who shares the same burden as you, who has the same powers and they draw you in, a siren’s song meant to lure the two of you together. I knew from the moment I met Miri that there was a connection between us. I could feel the perfect complement of her magic to mine, and it scared the shit out of me.
My friends and I grew up hearing stories about what happened to our parents and the magic they messed around with. It wasn’t pretty. No, that’s making light of it. It was fucking deadly for some. Meeting Miri, I knew immediately what she could become if I let myself open up. She could be my balance, an anchor, but more likely she’d be my downfall.
Maybe it’s not all that surprising. Our mothers had been best friends, practically sisters growing up. Just like that, the brief pleasure of setting my eyes on Miri Wilds is snuffed out by pure anger. What the hell is she doing here?
I step inside and let the door fall shut behind me as I glare at Miri, aware that Rhys, Archer, and Lena are all staring at me, looking baffled. Miri is squinting at me, looking equally confused. She probably has no idea who I am. We only spent a handful of hours together ten years ago and I don’t look like the barely legal kid I was back then.
“Jesus, Davis, in or out?” Rhys calls out from the bar, shaking his head like he can’t believe he has to state the obvious.
I let the door rock shut behind me, even though I consider turning around and walking right back out. Maybe I’ll go back to my boat and cast off, disappear from the island for another week. My body disagrees though and without my permission crosses the bar until I’m standing in front of the face that has plagued my dreams nearly every night since I met her. Miri Wilds.
Archer has a stupid grin on his face, and he raises his eyebrows at me in question, but I ignore him. Stupid ass couldn’t have mentioned there was a new girl in town in his forty-five God damn messages? Not that Archer has any clue that I already know Miri. Still, I probably wouldn’t have come down if I knew it was to meet someone new. That would have at least delayed dealing with the problem that’s sitting, oblivious, right in front of me. And fuck my life is she going to be a problem.
Miri was pretty back when I first set eyes on her. She had and still has a glow about her that draws you in. She was still a teenager back then, and her face was a bit more rounded, but now her features are refined and gorgeous. Her dark brown eyes are slightly tipped and framed with long thick lashes. They’re just as sharply assessing as I remember. Her olive skin is sun kissed and entirely too touchable. I want to run my knuckles over her cheek to see if it’s as soft and warm as it looks. Her dark brown hair falls just past her shoulders in messy waves and has glints of red in it.
She’s a dichotomy of soft and hard, her entire outfit is black, including the leather jacket and tight jeans. A handful of rings decorate her fingers, and bracelets clink together as she lifts her glass for a drink. Her lips are full and seductive and look so damn soft. I’m staring, but I can’t seem to force my eyes away.
“Davis, man, did you forget how to interact with people when you were out on your little boat trip?” Archer asks with a laugh in his voice, tilting his head at me.
My hands ball into fists as my anger rages. I’ve never been so close to laying out my friend as I am right now. All because he’s sitting way too damn close to Miri.
Archer, Rhys, and Ezra are my three best friends and know me better than anyone on this Earth. Still, I never told them about the night I took Miri to Dani’s house. When Dani called me, she’d emphasized how important it was that I never told a soul about Miri’s location. That I could jeopardize her life. Evelyn, Miri’s mom, had said the same when I met her at their apartment. She pleaded with me to get Miri away quickly and never speak of that night again. I recognized the look in her eye when we walked away.
She was anticipating her own death.
It was more familiar than I’d care to admit. My mother had that same haunted look in her eyes many times, until her fear became a reality. Dani had never specifically told me why I needed to keep quiet about the trip, but I had a few pretty solid guesses.
I’d kept my mouth shut, and now Miri shows up on this island like it’s not a big deal?
“What?” Archer’s still talking, but I’m honestly not paying any attention. I can’t stop staring at Miri. Christ, she’s beautiful. Even when she’s semi-scowling at me. Well then, maybe she does remember me. Or she thinks I’m rude as hell since all I’ve done is glare at her since I walked into the bar.
“Did you hit your head, dude?” Rhys is frowning at me from behind the bar, but he hands over a glass of water without having to be asked as I approach.
I grab the glass and take a long drink, like maybe that will help clear my mind.
“Sorry, I was just surprised is all.” My eyes are still on Miri. What is she doing here, on Grand Wild Haven Island? Did she know that’s where I live? Is she here to see me? Christ, time to settle down, ego. It’s not like she came all the way here for me. Still, how did she end up here?
Archer is looking at me like I’ve grown another head.
“Surprised by…” He trails off in question.
