Authors: RaShelle Workman
Chapter 6
A
fter showering and blow-drying my short hair, I searched for an outfit that wouldn’t embarrass the guys. It frustrated me to realize I cared, and it was all Gabe’s fault. Before last night—before his words, and his kindness, and his snuggling with me without trying anything, and his kiss on my cheek—before any of that, I hadn’t given what I wore a second thought. I threw on any old pair of jeans, and any old t-shirt. Not even the gorgeous Cindy Croswell, and all of her helpful hints, had done any good.
It. Was. Gabe.
He’d said I was sexy, and he’d made me
feel
sexy, so I wanted to
be
sexy.
“Ugh, I’m a dork,” I hollered at myself, throwing on a pair of baggy faded jeans, and a vintage
Def
Leppard
t-shirt. At least the sleeves were a light blue that matched my eyes. That seemed girly. I didn’t have makeup but I did have Cherry
ChapStick
. I applied some to my lips, after brushing my teeth again, and fluffed my hair a little. “Cindy would be so proud,” I mocked my reflection in the mirror. Adding a pair of black converse, and a black leather belt, I grabbed my wallet and headed next door, to Adam Henry’s house.
Calling Professor Pops’ house a house; well it was a downright lie. The thing was a sprawling mansion. An acre of land separated my house from his, but the mansion sat on ten acres. The amenities included a tennis court, a basketball court, a heated swimming pool that could be indoor or outdoor, a three-hole golf course, and a putting green, plus the house.
I dinged the bell, and waited. You’d think a butler would answer the door, but no. It was Salvatore. His shiny black hair was wet, and pulled into a tiny ponytail.
“
Rockin
the pirate look, I see,” I said as I stepped into the foyer.
Almond colored eyes registered shock, as did his gasp, and the way he dramatically put his hand on his chest. I couldn’t help the laugh that started in my belly and bubbled into my throat.
“Where’s your
poofy
shirt, and pantaloons?” I asked, following him into the kitchen. He had on a getup similar to mine, baggy jeans and a vintage shirt. His t-shirt was black though, and had ACDC across the chest.
Pulling open a door on the large side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator, he grabbed a Mountain Dew, and popped the top. “You want one?”
“Um, duh,” I responded, to which he grinned, and tossed me one. I flung up my hands, in an effort to at least block the can, but a hand reached in front of me, and grabbed the can from the air.
“Dude,” Dorian yelled. “Did you forget who this is?” he asked pointing in my direction with a thumb.
I smacked him in the arm. “I totally had it.”
“Uh-huh, sure you did.”
Dorian looked freshly showered too. His sandy hair was still wet, and slicked back. He always dressed so nicely, and today was no exception, a light green polo with dark jeans, and a brown belt that matched his shoes.
“You’re so pretty, Dorian.” I grabbed the can of soda from him and cracked it open.
He smirked. “Don’t I know it.
”
One by one the guys sauntered into the kitchen, each handsome in his own way, each one dear to me. These guys were my family. I’d do anything for them, and I knew the feeling was mutual. After last night’s freak out, I figured the guys might act weird toward me, but it was
same ole, same ole
, and for that, I was grateful.
Gabe walked in last. He looked just as he always did. Gorgeous brown hair, mischievous green eyes, olive skin, and a body of lean muscle, but everything was different too. Those arms held me last night. Those lips had kissed my cheek. He’d made me a promise, and as he walked toward me I knew he meant it. The closer he got the warmer my body became. Ignoring his brothers he placed a kiss on my cheek, as though resealing the promise he’d made earlier.
One of them, Sebastian, I think, did the whole fake cough thing, and said, “Jerk.”
Gabe turned, and responded, “Yeah, you’re just jealous. Get over it.”
Jealous, I thought. No way. But as I scanned the faces of the brothers, I realized something. Sure they were family, but we weren’t related, and they saw me as potential, not a sister. How long had this been going on? Had I really been so oblivious? I knew my face turned red, and I lowered my face, intently studying the Mountain Dew can. But I’m not even good looking, I thought, mortified.
Heathcliff cleared his throat. “Let’s go. The train leaves in twenty minutes. Hopefully we’ll make it.” He grabbed a set of keys off a hook on the wall that said, coincidentally,
KEYS
.
Eight of us in one car, this ought to be interesting.
Turned out to be four of us in two cars. Heathcliff drove the red Audi, and Salvatore drove the black Mercedes SUV. Gabe sat in the back with me, and Dorian sat in the front next to Heathcliff.
Heathcliff had been right. We made it, but not by much. As soon as we were in, the train pulled away.
The ride into Boston was fun, but uneventful. There was one brief moment when I got the distinct impression someone was watching me. The little hairs on the back of my neck, and on my arms stood up, and I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Trying to be nonchalant I searched for the cause, but didn’t notice anyone acting strange, or at least not strange towards me. Shrugging it off, I listened to the guys, and their interesting conversations on sports, cars, and women.
Chapter 7
T
here’s something magical about Boston. Puritans founded the city in 1630, so perhaps magic would be considered blasphemous, but that’s the word that comes to mind. After Salem, it was my favorite place. A hum, or a vibe, pulsed through the city, uniting its occupants.
We started at Boston Common. Salvatore brought a Frisbee, and we played for a while. The air was humid, hot. After an hour we were all sticky, and in need of liquid refreshments. Walking, the eight of us went to Starbucks for a cold drink.
After that, we split up. Sebastian, Salvatore, Bart, and Daniel decided to get out of the heat, and go see a movie. Heathcliff informed us Professor Pops had asked him to drop something off. It was all very secretive. Dorian, Gabe, and I said we’d keep him company.
We took Tremont Street to State, and decided to stop at the Faneuil Hall Market Place. It was packed with people, and all sorts of shops.
From clothing, to jewelry, to food, to purses.
The guys each bought themselves a slice of pizza, which smelled so heavenly I almost rethought my food choices, but settled on a soy fruit smoothie.
We purchased tickets to see a play contending for Broadway, called
Chasing Disaster
, later that night. It was a musical about the life of Sylvester Stallone. We didn’t think it had a shot in New York, but figured it’d be good for a laugh.
The sun had begun to set, making the glass buildings glow as though they were on fire. Heathcliff led us into an alley that, at one point, hundreds of years ago, had been a cow path. Sunlight dappled the brick buildings high above, but down near us, darkness prevailed, as did the dank smell of rotting trash, and fish.
I breathed through my mouth, with little relief.
“Where are we going, Heath?” Dorian asked, a hand over his nose.
Gabe shoved him. “You’re such a baby.” He glanced at me, worry creasing his forehead. “How are you handling this,” he whispered.
I put a hand over my nose and mouth. “
Gotta
say Dorian has the right idea. The smell is awful.”
Gabe nodded.
Heathcliff didn’t seem to be bothered by it. He kept looking from a piece of paper in his hand and side-to-side at the old doors almost hidden in the walls. The alley seemed to go on forever, and I wondered how much longer.
Finally Heath stopped, and scratched his head. “I think this is it.” He knocked, and we waited. After several seconds a young Asian boy in navy shorts, and a white t-shirt answered the door. He appraised us before asking in perfect English, “What do you want?”
I felt the hesitation in the brothers. They had their shoulders hunched, except Heathcliff. He said, “Hello,” and gave the boy a smile. “Adam Henry asked me to bring something to Kenmei-sensei.”
The boy stepped back, as though Heath had cursed. “One minute.” The door slammed, and there was high-pitched shouting in Japanese.
After several more minutes, the door opened again, and an elderly Asian man opened the door. He wore clothes similar to Professor Pops. With a slight bow, he said, “Adam Henry has something for me?”
Heath, Dorian, Gabe, and I returned the bow. Professor Pops had been teaching the boys about different cultures since they were little. Sometimes he’d teach me too. And for that reason I knew that it was a sign of respect to return the old man’s bow.
Heath pulled a folded paper from his back pocket.
“Are you Kenmei-sensei?”
A smile ignited the man’s face. “
Hai
.”
Heath handed him the paper. “This is for you, then.”
With slightly shaking hands, Kenmei took the paper, and unfolded it. He searched whatever was on it.
The four of us shuffled back and forth waiting patiently, but I thought I’d gag if I had to stay in the alley much longer. The smell was more than atrocious.
Minutes later, Kenmei looked at Heath, and then set his gaze on Dorian, Gabe, and his eyes finally rested on me. A prickling fear surged along my spine. Looking into his dark eyes was like looking into the Universe. If anyone asked, I would swear I saw stars and planets rotating within.
“You are not one of Adam Henry’s sons.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
I shook my head, placing my hands behind my back in fists. “No, I’m just a friend of the family.”
“A good friend,” he added.
“Yes,” I agreed, working to keep the overbearing fear crawling along my appendages in check. His stare wearied me, and I turned away, checking out my feet, realizing I stood in a puddle of murky yellow water. Shifting, I moved closer to Gabe. He placed a hand at the small of my back, and I relaxed.
With a slight nod, he said, “Adam is expecting an answer. Won’t the four of you come in? My grandson,
Hiro
-san will make you some tea.”
Heathcliff answered as though he’d been holding his breath. “We’d love to.”
“Excellent.” Kenmei stepped away from the door, and put out a welcoming hand. “Please, come in.”
Hiro
barked, “Take off your shoes.”
After the four of us had stepped in,
Hiro
closed the door.
“I’ll be right back.” To
Hiro
, Kenmei said, “Show them into the dining room, and get them some tea.”
Hiro
bowed. “Yes, Grandfather.”
Kenmei shuffled down a long hall.
I rolled up my pant legs because the ends were wet, and removed my shoes, as I waited for my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. It’d been dark outside, but for some reason it seemed darker in here. I could make out that Gabe and the others were removing their shoes as well. When I finished, I stood.
Hiro
said, “Follow me, please, and don’t touch anything.” He shook his pointer finger at us slowly, but seemed to be looking directly at me.
Did I have “klutzy” stamped across my forehead? Probably, I answered myself with a sigh.
I followed the boy. Gabe and the others followed me. We seemed to be taking the same route Kenmei had gone. It looked like the only way to get anywhere. The floor was covered in plush oriental carpet, the design intricate. The walls were covered in cream paint. Lights ran along the ceiling, but elaborately painted lamps covered them, which is why the room emitted only a slight reddish glow. Pictures of ancient-looking people, water dragons, and creatures that looked like they’d been pulled from nightmares hung randomly. The air smelled like incense, which was much nicer than the garbage stench outside.