All the Rules of Heaven (All That Heaven Will Allow #1) - Amy Lane Page 0,56
and you can either use it to help the world or you’re a twatwaffle.”
“Exactly,” Tucker agreed. “Well, twice… twice I tried to back out of whatever my gift asked me to do.” He remembered his broken confession to Angel in the cab of the truck and wished he felt even near strong enough to go bolting out of the damned bed. “The results were way worse than being a twatwaffle,” he finished. “You learn. You learn to use your gift to help people. It’s the reason the gods gave you a gift, you know?”
Andy nodded sagely. “Is that what you were doing out in the graveyard?” he asked.
Tucker nodded. “Trying to figure out what my gift needs me to do,” he said. It was, for once, completely the truth.
“Well, finish up the smoothie. What your gift wants you to do right now is get some sleep. Then tomorrow me and Dad’ll help you move out of your apartment in Sac.”
“You don’t have to,” Tucker said helplessly. “Why would you even—”
“Because it sounds like the only way to get you out of here,” Andy said bleakly, “even for a day. And if you could see how pale you are, you’d know what I’m talking about. Now hurry up and drink so you can go to sleep.”
Tucker took a giant swallow and then tried one last bid for sanity. “Andy, don’t get attached to me—”
“I know, Tucker. You’re the kind of guy who goes wandering into graveyards when the ghosts really are out to get you, because you think it’s what your gift needs you to do. And whatever the reason you were all alone, you’re not now. My dad seems to love you. Margie says you and Angel are the sweetest boys, and she’s sure roommate is code.”
Tucker groaned. “Does she even know Angel’s a—”
“Ghost? No. She has no idea. My folks didn’t tell her. I guess they heard me talk about him enough that they’re sort of resigned to Angel being real. The whole town can’t have the same imaginary friend, right?”
Tucker took another healthy swallow of smoothie and looked at Angel, who looked guilelessly back. “Angel, you little slut. How many psyches have you been sleeping with?”
“My appearance to everybody else is all your doing, Tucker,” Angel said solemnly. “I promise you, I’ve only ever voluntarily appeared to you and your aunt.”
Tucker laughed a little. “Well, you’re apparently not a secret. Are you going to be okay here while I go back to Sacramento tomorrow?” He yawned. Oh hells—he was done.
“Yes, Tucker. Squishbeans and I will be fine.”
Tucker looked at the kitten, who appeared to roll her eyes at him too. He picked the little fuzzgoober up and plopped her on his chest.
“You could always freak him the hell out and pick up the cat,” Tucker mused.
“I am not a parlor trick,” Angel said with dignity.
“Can he do that?” Andy asked, eyes alight with interest.
“He can,” Tucker said, “but he’s not excited about it. Thinks it’s beneath his dignity.”
“One more question.” Andy took the empty smoothie glass away from Tucker, and Tucker belched, politely covering his mouth with his hand.
“Thanks.” Tucker yawned. “Shoot.”
“When Dad and I pulled you in here, you were babbling about Angel as a girl. Why?”
Tucker moaned. “Because at the time she was one.”
Andy grunted and started collecting empties. “Ruth never said anything about Angel doing that. Think he did it special for you?”
Tucker thought of the big bald leather-wearing biker Angel had tried to be that morning. “I’m sure of it, but Angel doesn’t talk about it. One minute, he’s a perfectly ordinary-looking guy—”
“Good-looking, right?”
Tucker looked away from Angel’s amused smirk.
“Yes. What makes you say that?”
“Because the guy’s got to have something if you and Ruth are willing to dedicate your life to him.” With that, Andy stalked away, cups in hand, muttering to himself, and Tucker put the kitten down so he could get up and go to the bathroom.
“You should ask him for help,” Angel said reluctantly.
“I thought you didn’t want me dependent on family,” Tucker chided as he pushed himself heavily to his feet using the bedrail. “God—stiff, sore, everywhere. I feel like my bones are brittle.” His muscles were taut, like aging rubber bands.
“I have suddenly changed my mind,” Angel said with dignity. “Family sounds like a wonderful idea.”
Tucker stared at him for a moment and then turned away. He hobbled to the bathroom and did his business carefully, then came back, still feeling the grit of exhaustion behind his eyes.