Evanescent - By Addison Moore Page 0,84
one of us.” I nod. “Hey”—I soften into him—“next time I’d really appreciate it if you clued me in on things like that. Laken’s had a rough time since her accident, and she’s been a little skittish. I know she said she didn’t want to worry me—that she mentioned it to you because you have a class with that girl, but still, next time be upfront with me. I wasn’t kidding when I said I didn’t want there to be weirdness between us. And I know Laken appreciates your friendship—so do I.”
Who knew I could sling the bull with the best of them? If Flanders thinks his bloodlines are going to yield him the advantage, he’s got another thing coming. Once I take Laken into the tunnels tonight, she’ll see she doesn’t need Coop or his magical plasma. And then maybe I can get her to confess how the fuck he convinced her to take it in the first place. Probably some bullshit about how she really might be from Kansas, and his arteries just so happen to be the portal back. Some guys will say anything to get laid.
My lips twist at the thought of him laying a hand on her. For Flanders’ sake he’d better not have.
Coop examines his phone for a minute.
“I need to get going.” Coop expands his chest as wide as a wall. “Lost my house keys this morning. Had to climb to the second floor just to get in. Edinger just sent out a mass email saying he found a set in his room.” He holds the phone up. “I’d better find the bastard before someone else claims them.”
“Cool. Enjoy your night.” I give him a knuckle bump before he splits. “Laken and I are taking off—having a little private party all our own.” I toss it out there to see if he reacts.
“Sounds good.” He nods without flinching. “Sounds like someone’s gonna score.” He says it with far too much exuberance, as if he’s mocking me. “See you when I see you.”
I watch as Cooper Flanders speeds out the exit like a man on a mission. And God knows if the mission involves Demetri Edinger, he’s up to no fucking good.
Laken strolls into the room with Hattie Tobias by her side, and she’s clinging to Laken like she’s never seen a Halloween costume before.
The two of them migrate their way over, dressed like—well, cheerleaders with bright red lipstick, their hair pulled up in ponytails with matching bows.
“Hey, good looking!” Laken plants a heated kiss over my lips and renews my confidence in us with one swipe of her tongue. For some reason when Coop mentioned he took his little sister trick-or-treating, I envisioned Laken right there with him.
Her eyes widen as we pull away.
Shit. I’m not used to someone reading my mind.
“So…Hattie,” she starts off slow, “it looks like Fallon and Carter are right over there.” She points to the fireplace where Carter looks like a whorish version of Cleopatra. And I bet Marc Antony is just finishing up with the temple prostitute—although he ditched the themed costume.
My heart sinks like a stone as I take Laken in as the cheerleader. I wonder if she knew Coop would show up like the god of the football field.
“Be careful,” Hattie pleads. She pulls Laken into an awkward hug for a very long time. I’m just about ready to break up the party when Laken pushes her off in their direction.
“She’s kind of weird, don’t you think?” Laken clasps onto my shoulder.
“Most Celestra are. Way too much inbreeding going on in that faction.” I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her in tight. “You ready to blow this joint?” I slip my hand under her sweater and make a loop over her skin with my fingertips. Laken shivers and for a brief second I think she’s recoiling from my touch.
“I thought you’d never ask.” It speeds from her as she steadies her eyes over mine. I pull my hand from her sweater and lay it over her shoulder where she can’t listen in. There’s a touch of distrust emanating from her, just the hint of sarcasm in her tone, and it guts me like an emotional kick in the balls.
We make our way to the exit and head out. The cool dew of evening baptizes us with its condensation as the noise from inside quickly dissipates.
There’s no way I’m filling her in on the fact I know she’s been siphoning off Flanders. For