Dreamer (The Seeker Series Book 2) (20 page)

He nodded and finished writing in his notebook. Then, as expected, he looked up and said, “Okay. Now who is going to tell me what the hell that blue pulse-thing was? And what on earth was Jack talking about when he said Rémy is a Seer?” He looked at the three of us, who were looking at each other, not wanting to be the one to tell him.

Finally, Mom sighed and said, “Brian, honey, there’s something I need to tell you.” She took his hand in hers and proceeded to tell him about our family’s little gift that keeps on giving. As he listened, the expression on his face went from incredulous to a kind of horrified acceptance as Mom detailed our powers. I jumped in and told him about the nightmares connected to Ashley’s book and how she appeared to me when I was unconscious in David Moore’s living room.

“So, you’re telling me you are all psychic, right? I am supposed to believe my fiancée, her mother, and her daughter are like, mind readers or something?” he said.

“No, Brian. Grams and Mom can’t read minds,” I clarified.

“But you can?”

In response, I reached over and placed my hand on his arm and closed my eyes. I concentrated hard; it was crucial I clearly read his thoughts in order to convince him. “You’re thinking about how we are probably all crazy, but you’re also thinking it explains a lot about what happened, especially how I knew it wasn’t Scott who murdered Ashley. You’re also hoping the baby won’t be like us. Finally, you’re still wondering what the hell the blue pulse was about. Well, I’m wondering the same thing, Brian.”

“You don’t know what it was? How is that possible? It came from you, Ally! I could swear it came from inside you!” he was almost yelling.

“Brian, sweetheart, calm down, please,” Mom pleaded.

“She knocked two grown men flat on their asses! That doesn’t happen every day, Jennifer!” He stood, running his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t yell at any of you. I don’t understand what’s happening here.” He pulled my mom into his arms. “I’m sorry, Jen.”

Grams and I took the opportunity to escape and let Mom finish talking to Brian, hopefully assuring him his child would not be a complete freak.

They finally called us back into the living room and Brian asked a few more questions before telling me to get some rest. “I don’t know what to think about all this, but I know what I saw in front of Moore’s house. I can’t explain it and I will certainly not be including it in my report.” We all laughed quietly. “I do know I am marrying your mother and you will be part of my family, Ally. You, too, Adele. And I will protect my family. I won’t tell anyone about this, I swear.”

“I’ve said it before, but you’re a good guy, Brian Keller,” I said as I hugged him. “Thanks. And don’t worry: your kid won’t be a freak.”

***

Grams brought me lunch on a tray and otherwise fussed over me for the rest of the day, which was comforting.

Jack came by after work around six o’clock. As I hugged him, breathing in his freshly showered scent, running my fingers through his still-damp hair, I felt a strange lump in his shirt. I backed away, reaching up to feel a soft mound in his shirt. I raised my eyebrows. He chuckled and reached inside the blue chambray button-up he was wearing untucked over a black t-shirt. He had the sleeves rolled up, showcasing his sculpted, brown forearms. I got distracted for a moment, running my fingers over his skin. Sexy, manly arms are really my thing. Mmm.

“Ally?” Jack chuckled. “Am I interrupting?”

I felt my face flush at being caught. “What? Can’t I admire your hotness?” I tried to brazen it out.

“Whatever,” he said, embarrassed. “Do you want your present or not?”

“Ooh, yes. Definitely! You brought me a present?” I danced up and down a little. He brought out a small, adorable stuffed cat. I squealed and hugged it. “Thank you, Jack.”

He smiled. “So, you’re not going to complain about me bringing you a present?”

“Not today. You can always bring me presents the day after I almost get shot,” I allowed.

“There had better not be any more of those days, Ally. My heart can’t take it.” He brushed his knuckles over my cheek. “Anyway, I figured you needed a cat to go with the dog you threw at me from your bed.”

I gave him an offended look. “Oh, yeah? I don’t remember you complaining much last night.” I started lightly beating him with the stuffed cat, laughing as he tried to grab it, which he did quickly, holding it high above my head. I was laughing so hard I could barely stand, trying to jump to reach it. He grabbed me before I could fall, pulling me against him and we both suddenly realized a much better use for our time. He lowered his head and laid his warm lips against mine. I clasped my arms around his neck and gave myself over to simply feeling for the moment. We both opened our mouths together and reveled in the closeness as our tongues moved against each other. I could forget the rest of the world when I was kissing Jack; I could feel the delicious shivers all the way to my toes.

“Good gracious, Ally! Every time I turn around you are mauling that boy. Let him in the door at least,” Grams said as she brought in a tea tray.

We broke apart and went to sit together on the couch. “I really don’t mind, ma’am.”

“I’m sure you don’t,” she said with a sniff.

We all had tea while Jack told us about his day, regaling us with a story of a customer who showed up to pick up her car, dismayed to discover it was red. She insisted she had ordered a blue paint job and would not be convinced otherwise until Manny showed her the original work order with her own signature on it requesting red. Grams then left us alone to watch a movie Jack had brought, a sci-fi thriller I had wanted to see. She went to her room to watch television. Mom had gone home with Brian and I wondered whether she would be home early or whether she would stay the night like she frequently did on weekends. She hadn’t done that until we all found out about the pregnancy, and I don’t think she would have done it then if I hadn’t pointed out the ridiculousness of the situation.

“Come on, Mom,” I said. “It’s not like I don’t know you two are sleeping together. It’s that whole birds and bees thing, you know? Go be with the guy you’re in love with. Grams and I are fine here.”

“Oh, sweetie, it’s just that, well, I don’t feel like I’m being a very good role model for you. I certainly don’t want you spending the night at your boyfriend’s house.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure Trina and Manny wouldn’t be huge fans of that, either. But I think this is a little bit different situation. Nobody’s judging you, Mom. Besides, you guys are engaged.” It had apparently made her feel better about staying with him a few nights a week.

“Ally, have you talked with your mom and Adele about your living arrangements after the wedding?” Jack asked during the previews.

“Yeah. Mom is moving in with Brian and Grams and I are staying here.”

“You’re okay with that? Are you going to miss your mom?” He caressed my neck as he talked.

“Mmm. I’m having a hard time concentrating with you doing that. Don’t stop,” I said when he halted. “Yeah, I’ll miss her, but I think it’ll be better for the newlyweds. And I will miss out on all the midnight baby crying this way.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I hadn’t thought about that. What about next year? Are you going to live here while you go to the university? Or are you and Tara going to move into the dorms?”

“Why? Are you offering something else?” I asked hopefully, thinking back to our conversation during his birthday dinner.

He stopped caressing my neck as I felt him freeze. I sat up and looked him in the eye. “Don’t panic. I’m teasing, Jack.”

“No, that’s not it at all. I got a visual of us living together and I liked it a lot. But as wonderful as it sounds, I can’t do it. I guess I’m too old-fashioned to live with someone before marriage.”

I leaned in to kiss him sweetly. “Yeah, me too. I think the commitment should be all or nothing.” I kissed him for another minute before asking him something I had been wondering about lately. “What about everything else? I mean, you know…” I was too embarrassed to finish.

“Everything else? Ally, are you asking when we’re going to start having sex?” He held my face in his hands, looking very serious. I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. He pulled me in close. “Sweetheart, believe me, I have never wanted anything so badly, but I’m really, really trying to wait until you’re at least 18. I think you should be older. And I kind of think we should be at least engaged. I know it’s really old-fashioned, but, Ally, sweetheart, you’re a white-picket fence kind of girl.”

“I am?”

“Definitely. It’s a good thing, querida, so don’t look so depressed. Are you okay with that?”

I finally looked into his eyes and nodded. “In the cold light of day, yeah, I agree with you. When we’re in the middle of making out, not so much. But I know I’m not ready.”

He laughed and pulled me back. “I totally get it. We’re going to have to show a lot of restraint, babe. We’ve got at least a year to wait, maybe longer. When we finally do sleep together everyone is going to know, so it needs to be totally above board, sweetheart.”

“How is everyone going to know?” I asked, shocked. I’d never heard of
that
before.

He leaned in to kiss me. “Because I’m going to have a ridiculously smug look on my face afterward. And I might need to shout it from the nearest rooftop.”

“Oh.” I laughed. “I thought maybe there was something I had never heard about that was a giveaway. Whew. That’s a relief. Hey, maybe you could just tweet it out,” I suggested.

He pretended to ponder this. “That would probably be much more efficient. Good idea, babe. Seriously, Ally, I never want it to be something we have to sneak around for or that we’re ashamed of.”

I sat up and looked at him seriously. “Jack Ruiz, you are the most amazing guy. How did I get so lucky to get you?”

He smiled my favorite smile. “I’m definitely the lucky one, querida.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“
The
wheel is come full circle.”

–Shakespeare –King Lear (5.3.176)

After the excitement of solving Ashley Hayes’ murder, the rest of the semester seemed boring in comparison. My non-school time was taken up with final wedding preparations. I spent countless evenings addressing invitations, cataloguing wedding gifts, and putting table decorations together. I made a mental note to elope to Vegas when I got married. I wondered what Jack would think about that and then was embarrassed to realize I was already planning our wedding. What a girly thing to do! Next thing you know I would be writing ‘Mrs. Jack Ruiz’ all over my notebooks! Yuck! There was so much to do for this wedding I had to fight for time to spend with Jack, who was leaving for basic training the morning after the wedding for eight long weeks. I was leaving the following day for a month in Ireland, during which I would be working with the Seer Council to try and figure out whether or not I was the up-and-coming Oracle.

Tara’s long-delayed party finally took place three weeks after the ill-fated first party date. I was positioned in her front hall, greeting guests, when Rémy arrived with his date, which he had managed to keep under wraps this entire time. I nearly dropped my soda when I saw him walk in with none other than Veronica Albluth on his arm, looking radiant and more alive than I had seen her look for many months.

“Holy crap! I mean, um, wow, Veronica. You look great. I’m really glad you came. Rémy, can I talk to you for a minute?” I turned around and walked toward the kitchen, daring him not to follow.

“What the hell, Rémy?” I demanded when he arrived in the kitchen.

He smirked. “What do you mean? You don’t like my date? Are you perhaps jealous?”

I ignored the last part of his comment as unworthy. “I like your date very much. Do you know what she went through last semester? Do you have any idea how fragile she is?”

“Will it surprise you to know she told me everything? Calm down, Ally. I have no intention of hurting Veronica. She’s a beautiful girl and I enjoy spending time with her. Besides, I am interested in seeing an American prom and Veronica is willing to go with me. We should all go together.”

“You’re too old for her,” I countered, ignoring his suggestion.

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you. How old is Jack? I forget.” He pretended to think.

“Shut up. He’s only two years older than me. You’re like, four years older than Veronica!”

“She’s 18, a legal adult. Calm down. I’m not doing anything. It’s only a date. I’ll be going home soon, and she’s understands this is simply a fun, easy relationship. Neither of us is serious. She’s enjoying some positive attention for a change.”

I stared him down, hoping to make him squirm. He stared back. Damn him. Jack came in at this point and put his arm around my waist.

“Everything okay in here? I think your date is looking for you, man,” he said as he kissed the top of my head. Rémy always brought out the possessive side of Jack, which I usually found somewhat amusing.

“Yes,” Rémy replied firmly. “We’re done here. I need to get back to my date. Have a wonderful evening. Let me know about the prom.” He stalked back to Veronica.

“What was that all about?” Jack asked.

“Oh, nothing, I guess,” I sighed. “I’m trying to stick my nose in someone else’s business and I’m not very good at it. Come on. Let’s not waste one of our last nights together.” We went back into the living room and I concentrated on enjoying myself and minding my own business. This was not a typical party like the one Veronica had thrown last semester. We had planned some board games and a movie. There were only a handful of our really close friends and the various dates they brought. There was no alcohol and absolutely no drugs. I preferred to hang out with people who didn’t rely on artificial means to have a good time. I watched Veronica all evening and was surprised to find she was enjoying herself like the rest of us. I had become so used to her partaking in the popular kids’ idea of fun I was amazed she could get into our kind of party. I was eventually able to relax and enjoy myself.

I was sitting between Jack’s legs, leaning against his chest as he leaned against the couch watching the movie when he leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “What did Rémy mean earlier when he said to let him know about the prom?”

I shrugged. “Oh, nothing. He wanted us all to go together to the prom, that’s all.”

“Are we going to the prom?” Jack asked, surprised.

“No, of course not.” I shrugged again. I frowned, wondering why I was feeling unsettled about this. I had never had the slightest desire to go to my prom, but when Rémy mentioned it, I had felt the strangest spark of envy.

“Come on.” Jack stood and pulled me up, leading me into Tara’s kitchen. He put his hands around my waist, lifted me to sit on the counter, and stepped between my legs to look me in the eyes. “Talk to me,” he ordered.

“I don’t know, Jack. I’ve never wanted to go to the prom, but when Rémy said he and Veronica are going, I felt a momentary desire to go. It’ll pass, don’t worry.”

“Why should it pass, sweetheart? I’m sorry I didn’t ask you; I honestly didn’t think about it. But I’m asking now. Ally, will you please go to the prom with me?”

“Oh, Jack, you don’t have to. I know prom is probably the very last thing you want to do. It was super-sweet of you to ask me, though.” I leaned forward to kiss him.

He pulled away a moment later with a stubborn look on his face. “Are you turning me down? Are you seriously refusing to go to the prom with me? Because if you are, I need to find another date.”

“What? You’re not going to ask some skanky girl to the prom! I’m the only one you’ll be taking to the prom, mister.”

“So you’ll go?” he pressed.

I looked at him through slitted eyes. “You tricked me. But yes, I would love to go with you to the prom, if you’re sure you don’t mind going. I don’t know why I want to. I must be crazy.”

“Maybe because you’re about to graduate from high school and it’s one of those things girls are hard-wired to want to do. It’s a rite of passage, babe.” He leaned in to kiss along my jaw. “I don’t want to hear you complaining when we’re 80 that I never took you to your prom.” I gave him a dirty look. He laughed. “I love it when you get jealous, querida.”

“Thank you for asking me to the prom, Jack. I didn’t even know I wanted to go. It’ll probably be awful, but at least I won’t feel left out. You are the sweetest guy I know. I love you an awful lot.”

“I know.” He leaned back in and took my mouth, framing my face with his hands as he devoured me.

“Well, well, well,” Tara interrupted us. “This does look more fun than the lame movie. Don’t mind me. I’m just getting more popcorn. Carry on.”

I laughed and jumped down from the counter. “Jack and I are going to prom.”

“Really?” she squealed. “Yay! Mat and I are, too, and I was going to bully you into it later tonight. Thanks for saving me the trouble.” I was staying the night with her after the party. “Let’s go shopping for dresses tomorrow. Oh my gosh, this is going to be so much fun!” She pulled me into an enthusiastic hug. I met Jack’s amused eyes over her shoulder as he grabbed the popcorn and retreated to the living room. I hugged my best friend back and made plans for prom shopping the next day.

***

Tara, Veronica, and I scoured the mall Saturday for prom dresses and shoes. It was hard to not get excited about the dance in the face of Tara’s glee over all of us going together. Well, she wasn’t excited about Veronica and Rémy going with us, but was managing to be nice to her on our shopping trip. She still wasn’t a huge fan of Veronica, and even less of her and Rémy together, but she was trying. When Rémy heard I had agreed to go with Jack, he announced we would all, of course, go to dinner together beforehand and then on to the dance in the limo he would rent. He said he wanted the full American prom experience. Jack balked when he learned we would be going with Rémy, but finally agreed when I said, wistfully, that I had never ridden in a limo. I had figured out he would do pretty much anything to make me happy, even if he wasn’t particularly jazzed about it. I knew for a fact he didn’t have the least desire to go to prom, but he knew I wanted to go—I’m still not sure why I wanted to go—so we were going.

I had three dresses over my arm I planned to try on. Tara looked at them and put them back on the rack, shaking her head. “Honestly, Ally! What are you going to do when I’m not around to shop with you?” She went through the rack, pulling three different dresses out and handing them to me.

“I’ll probably dress like a homeless person. Does that make you happy? Black? I don’t know if I want a black dress.”

“You will look amazing in black. Trust me; it will set off your hair perfectly. Veronica, have you got something to try on? Good. Let’s go.” She marched to the dressing rooms like a general leading a charge.

She was right, of course. I ended up buying the second dress I tried on, a short, tight, black sheath. It had a halter-top, which showed my shoulders and upper back, something I thought Jack might appreciate. It made me feel pretty and sexy and Tara said I had to get it. So, even though it was more than I wanted to spend, I bought it. She and Veronica assured me that while it was sexy, it wasn’t trashy. Tara found a deep pink dress that swirled around her knees in a fun, flirty manner. I was a little jealous because I have never been able to wear pink. Veronica settled on a deep blue strapless dress that highlighted the fact that she was quite well endowed. I was sure Rémy would be a huge fan. After a brief stop in the food court for re-caffeination, we headed to a shoe store to complete our outfits. I found some strappy black heels that I knew would be crippling me by about thirty minutes into the dance, if not sooner. But my dress demanded high heels, so I bought them. By this time Grams had given up the illusion of my credit card being for emergencies only and gave me a monthly spending limit. I think she was actually glad I had finally decided to show a modicum of interest in fashion, rather than phoning it in as I had for the previous sixteen years of my life. This shopping trip was certainly maxing out this month’s limit.

The following Saturday was prom. The three of us girls decided to get ready together in Veronica’s palatial bedroom and the three boys would pick us up from her house. Veronica had every kind of cosmetic and hair appliance that has ever been made. She was even better at makeup application than Tara; I certainly benefitted from her artistry that evening. She and Tara worked together to coax my hair into an elegant up-do, made possible by the fact it had grown out enough since December. Veronica loaned me some sparkly earrings I hoped were not real diamonds, but probably were, which completed my look.

“Oh, my God, Ally,” Tara gushed. “You look amazing. Veronica, we are miracle workers!” She high-fived Veronica.

“Thanks,” I said sarcastically. “So, you’re implying it took a miracle to make me look like this?”

“Oh, don’t be cranky. Look in the mirror.” She pushed me in front of Veronica’s full-length closet mirror.

I didn’t recognize the sophisticated young woman staring back at me. She looked like I had always wanted to look: sleek, elegant, and so put together. I stared in disbelief as Tara hugged me from behind. “Thanks, you guys,” I whispered. “You
are
miracle workers.”

Tara kissed me on the cheek. “I know, right? Jack is gonna flip!” She laughed. “Okay, the boys are here; Mat just now texted me. Let’s give them a minute and then we can make our grand entrance. Veronica, kudos on having a great curved staircase for that purpose.”

“Yeah, we had it installed for the occasion,” she murmured.

Tara looked at her, surprised, and then tipped her head in respect at the snarky comeback. We each glided down the stairs, one after the other, as per Tara’s orders. The boys were waiting downstairs with Veronica’s mom and stepdad, turning as we made our appearance.

“Holy—” Mat began. Jack backhanded him lightly, nodding his head toward Veronica’s parents. Mat cleared his throat and stepped forward to greet Tara, leaning down to kiss her cheek and present her with a wrist corsage. Rémy picked up Veronica’s hand, kissing the back of it in true Rémy style.

Jack stepped forward, took my hand and spun me around slowly, saying, “Wow. Just wow.” He leaned forward to kiss my cheek. “I have a lot more to say about this later,” he whispered. As he placed a corsage on my wrist, I got a chance to look at him fully. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a stark, white shirt. He looked amazing. Actually all three of the guys did; they could easily be posing for a spread in
GQ
.

Veronica’s parents took quite a few pictures since they had promised to take plenty to share with Tara and me. They took a few with our cell phones, as well, so we would have some immediately. Once we finished the photo shoot, we were off in the limo to dinner at Seasons Rotisserie and Grill, where Rémy had made reservations. We soon found out by reservations, he meant he had booked a private room. I was beginning to realize Rémy was quite wealthy and loved to spend money. He told us to order anything we wanted; dinner was on him. Jack and Mat objected to this, but Rémy charmed them into accepting his generous, yet ostentatious gesture. He ordered an assortment of appetizers for us to start with as we perused the menu. I settled on honey-poached artichoke ravioli while Jack ordered prime rib. I tried to be conservative about how much I ate so I wouldn’t have a food baby sticking out of my dress, but it was hard. The food was so delicious and Rémy insisted on ordering a sample platter of desserts, insisting we had to try some of each. Jack was going to have to roll me out of there.