Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,7
didn’t want to go all the way home?” Getting any information from him was like pulling teeth.
“I meant I did not have the energy to find a new place.”
I glared at him. “Stop lying. No one searches for a new place to stay late at night when they are drunk.”
“I am telling the truth. I just got back into town, and I am drunk. Or I was. I feel better now.”
“And you really don’t have anywhere to go?” I knew what that felt like. Well, kind of. I had always known I could go back to my mom’s house. Only I didn’t want to. I knew it would be the beginning of the end for me.
“No. I sold my house years ago.”
“Your house?” How old was this guy anyway? He only looked like he was in his mid-twenties.
“Yeah, my parents died.”
“Oh my, I’m so sorry.” I put a hand to my chest. There I went upsetting him.
“Don’t be sorry. My mom died forever ago, and my dad deserved what happened to him.”
“Oh.” I leaned back and away for him. “Well, it’s really late, and I need to get some sleep.”
“Big plans for tomorrow?”
I stood up. “Work.”
“Exciting.” He made no move to stand.
“Not quite, but it pays the bills.”
“What bills do you need to pay? You live rent free.”
I gasped. Was he really going there again? I was so sick of guys being jerks. “Ok, I have had enough.”
“Enough what?”
“Grab your shoes and whatever else you have and get out of here.”
“Now you want to kick me out?”
“Yes. Right now.”
“I have every much a right to be here as you.”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “I’m house sitting. You broke in. I should have kicked you out to start with, but well, I have a weakness for a nice set of abs that seems to get me in trouble more often than not. Not happening tonight.” I walked over to the door and held it open for him. “Out.”
“Having second thoughts about Brad?”
I walked back to the table. “Go.”
“Why should I?”
“Do you want me to call the police?” I grabbed my phone.
“I was only kidding. Why are you so sensitive about the bills thing?”
“That is none of your business.”
“You will make the house cold if you keep the door open.”
“If you’d leave I could close the door and keep the house warm.”
“But then I’d be cold.”
“Too bad.” I picked up his boots and tossed them on the porch. “Good bye, James.”
“You remembered my name.”
“Go.”
“But you never told me your name.”
“And I’m not going to.”
“The Calloways will tell me.” He finally walked to the door. “Wonderful meeting you, see you soon.” He walked out and closed the door behind him.
I opened the door again and slammed it. I could hear his loud laughter from the other side.
4
JAMES
I stared at the closed front door for a full minute. Had she really opened the door just to slam it on me? I smiled. The girl was something else. She was beautiful. There was no question about that. It would be days before I could possibly get the image of those sparkling blue eyes out of my head—or those long legs. But it was more than physical beauty that had me transfixed. There was that laugh, and the way she talked. And the way she kicked me out. She was the first girl I had met in ages who neither fell at my feet nor recoiled from me. I liked it. I liked her. Too bad she refused to give me her name.
After accepting that she had no plans to open the door again, I reluctantly walked away from the porch. I looped around to the back of the house and headed straight for the gate.
I dug out the iridescent crystal key that was my only way back home. Losing that key would mean staying in Charleston way longer than planned, which was a thought I l could tolerate now much more than I could have an hour before. I glanced over my shoulder one last time. Why was it so impossible to shake thoughts of the girl from my mind?
I brushed back some ivy just enough to insert the key into the small keyhole. I turned the key and pushed open the gate, immediately stepping into the welcoming light of Energo. It was daytime there.
I closed the gate tightly behind me before walking through the vibrant garden. It was a sharp contrast to the withered one on the other side of the gate. Evidently maintaining