Part 9 (2/2)

I ignored him. Horrified, I watched while JoJo did exactly the opposite. She preened, strutted and did everything but purr. Pressing herself against him, I watched her back arch in that old familiar way.

'Oh for G.o.ds sake, put them away! Then again . . . 'But, I added with an exasperated shrug, 'if ever you were going to impress this particular person, b.o.o.bs would be the way to do it.

Beside her, an oblivious Simon glanced at his chest and visibly jerked. 'You like b.o.o.bs? The confusion clouding his eyes quickly gave way to excitement.

'What?

My tone must have shattered his fantasy because he flushed a deep red. 'I thought you said . . . He shook his head, and his salacious smile immediately morphed into something more pious. Oh G.o.d, I think I preferred salacious. 'You sound stressed. Bad night? Bad morning? Head c.o.c.ked to the side, he spoke in his smarmy, preachy voice, the one I hate the most; the same one hed used to tell me hed pray for my sinful ways the first day I ever met him. Jerk! And if his condescending tone wasnt bad enough, one hand now snaked out to slide up my arm.

The feel of his skin against mine repulsed me and I didnt try to pretend otherwise as I yanked free. 'And it just got worse. Hands off, Simon. Ive already told you I dont like to be touched.

He stepped back and raised his hands to the surrender position. 'My apologies, he said softly. His shoulders lifted in a shrug. 'I was simply concerned; you looked upset. And you sounded . . .

Insane. I could have filled in the missing word, but really? Why bother?

'Yeah well. Uninvited guests will do that to you. I let the words hang; he could take them any way he pleased.

It was the smile, I decided, that I hated the most. That smile that pretended to offer innocent compa.s.sion, and yet made me want to run from him as fast as I could. 'But I was invited, Willow, he answered in that soft voice. 'Your parents wanted me to be here to share their work; to share their life. I think they hoped that we . . . You saw how happy they get when were together. His eyes held mine; the effect was almost hypnotic. Which was probably why I barely noticed that hed moved until suddenly he was in my s.p.a.ce again, his hands once more on my arms, creeping up my flesh like an army of spiders on the hunt.

It was the last straw; he was the last straw. 'What part of ”get off me” dont you understand? I pushed back away from him, feeling my back slam up against the bedroom door. 'I said I dont like being touched!

If I wasnt so angry I would have laughed at JoJos facials as she tried to look indignant for him! Surely if shed looked into his face and not had her evil eyes so fixed on me shed think differently! It wasnt pretty. Anger so did not do him any favours. Again colour flooded his face and his nostrils flared. Soooo not attractive.

'Really, Willow? he whispered. 'Are you sure?

Waves of nausea curled; I closed my eyes, and I swear I could almost feel my brain spinning out of control. What was with my life? Alices rabbit hole was a walk in the park compared to this! Did I have some sign on my head that read: Weirdos Welcomed? 'Stay out of my way, Simon. You might have them fooled, but Ive got you pegged. I pushed past him.

Id taken the first five stairs when his voice reached me. 'I wont be long, by the way. Itll only take a minute to shower.

It was like being poked with an electric prod. 'What did you say?

That smarmy smile was back. 'Oh, thats right. You missed that conversation. Your friends are already here, and surprise! His eyes hardened. 'Ive been invited too! Someone should be around to look after you. Especially since you dont like being ”touched”.

In an instant hed disappeared up the hallway with JoJo at his heels, but it took me many long moments to absorb his words. And then I was propelled downstairs like my b.u.t.t was on fire.

Seth and Macey were in the kitchen. Macey nursed a coffee, and Seth leaned against the bench sculling a cola. I took in the scene in one glance, too furious with the present to focus on what had gone down last night.

'It wasnt me. Maceys words. .h.i.t me the moment I walked in. Spinning to her, I saw her nudge her head in Seths direction. 'I told him youd be p.i.s.sed.

Seths head was tipped back as he drank. The strong, sun-browned column of his neck was exposed and I idly thought about all the times Id wanted to run my fingers over that smooth skin. Right now I wanted to run a sharp instrument through it!

He lowered the bottle and looked at me, his eyes soft. 'Im sorry, Wills. I didnt know who he was. I thought your dad said he was a relative and when he asked me if he could come along . . . He shrugged. 'Do you want me to un-invite him? Tell him hes not welcome? Id be happy to . . .

Yes. I wanted that more than anything. But then Dad walked in behind me; I turned to face him and immediately my heart jerked. This wasnt mellow Dad; his eyes were different . . . sorrow? His hand reached for me, and pulled me back into the foyer and, combined with the sad smile, it sent my fear level off the scale. 'Dad?

He shook his head. 'Im sorry, w.i.l.l.y-Babe, he whispered. 'You left before we finished talking this morning. We your mum and I we just want to say we get why you were mad this morning. Its not like we havent forgotten about you before. But the thing is, we knew where you were last night. Your grandma rang. And if she hadnt we would have rung you. I know its hard for you to believe . . .

My heart melted and I guiltily realised that they werent the only ones who didnt really know how this parentkid thing worked. I guess Id been too quick to blame. 'Dad, I- He gave me a quick peck on the cheek. 'Its okay. Alright?

No! I wanted to say more! I wanted him to say more, but still the elation was so great that it hardly abated even when I saw Simon moving towards us. I even forgave Dad when his face completely lit up when he set eyes on him. Sort of.

Slapping a hand on Simons back, he guided us both to the kitchen. 'Hey, thanks for taking Simon along, guys! Youre all good kids, you know and youre going to have a ball together.

And just like that I knew Simon would come. Because Id made my dad happy. Because hed really been worried about me. It was a heady feeling at least until I glanced at Simon and the balloon burst.

From my angle I was the only one who could see that Simons eyes were glued on Macey, who was wearing a gorgeous orange halter with a deep, ruffled V-neckline over her cut-offs. Simple and stylish, not outrageous Macey, just cla.s.sy Macey. But it was obvious from the gleam in Simons eyes that he saw something very, very different, and it revived that hollow, sick feeling.

That feeling intensified when he muttered the words, 'Im sure we will . . . especially when I realised that no one else had caught them, and got even worse when he flicked a quick glance in my direction that was accompanied by a secretive little grin. It was like he was daring me to expose him for the fraud that he was. And nothing would make me happier, but there was one teeny glitch. The only people who mattered, who could make a difference, just happened to be the founding members of his fan club.

And he knew it.

When youve surfed a high, the crash back to earth alway seems to hurt more. Thats how I was when Dad finally starting waving everyone towards the door. Trying to stem the mix of anger and frustration, I let the others go first, using the excuse of gathering my stuff, when I felt a hand grasp my wrist. And I swear, after what Id been through lately, Seth was lucky he didnt end up pushed through a wall. Only his voice penetrating my anger-haze saved him.

'Hey . . . His voice was barely a whisper as he untangled a couple of locks of my hair out of the hoops and patted them into place. 'Are you okay? Youre shaking.

After last night, I wanted to appear cool and controlled, but to prove he was right, the breath I inhaled sounded shaky. What was the use? 'Seriously? I answered honestly. 'Even the abridged version would take all day. So, I guess the one-word answer is, ”No”.

He studied my face, letting his gaze rove over every feature. 'Who is this guy, Wills? Whats the deal? Is he, like- 'Coming on to me? Oh G.o.d. Id seen Seth in protective mode, and as much as Id like to see Simon suffer, it really wasnt worth it. Besides, I could take care of myself. So I shrugged. 'Its okay. Its more my parents who should be worried. At his frown I continued. 'Remember that TV evangelist who was convicted of cheating people out of millions? All that stuff about s.e.x and fraud?

Seth frowned. 'The one Macey did an a.s.signment on? That American guy?

I nodded. 'Yeah well, you just met his clone.

The low whistle spoke volumes, and the thumb that had stroked my wrist for the entire conversation slowed as he used that hand to pull me in closer. 'So is that it? Is that the whole problem? Or is it last night, too? I dont know what happened, but its twisted my gut all night. I was worried about you. The last word was barely a whisper, sending reluctant thrills skittering down my spine.

But resentment made me bristle. It was wrong. He shouldnt be able to make me feel like marshmallow when I wasnt even sure if I trusted him. I figured I may as well just come out with it so I had one less thing to worry about. I took a deep breath. 'Are you using me to get to JoJos phone?

Seths gaze didnt waver. He didnt flinch. I tilted my head to catch every reaction, but he just stood there, staring steadily at me. 'No. Ive never believed you had it. He blew out a sigh. 'Anyone who really knows you, knows that youd never do anything to deliberately hurt anyone else.

A lump rose in my throat, I struggled to push it back and it took a few moments before I could speak. 'Thank you. The words came out in a whisper and his eyes narrowed.

'Sure youre okay? You dont need to go today, you know.

'The thing is I really do need to go.

He nodded. 'Im here to help you, Wills. I know youve got Mace, but I know these guys. And Im not going to lie and say it wont also help me if we get to the bottom of this. But . . . On a long slow sigh, he leaned forward. His lips pressed against my forehead; soft, warm, brotherly. 'You have to know Id never use you, Willow. h.e.l.l, you mean too much to me for that.

For a moment I let myself lean into him, but instead of calming me, it somehow made me just feel more lost, cheated. Alone.

I forced a smile and a quick hug. Clearing my throat, I suggested that wed better catch up to the others. And when Seth nodded, he looked wistful; like he wished . . .

What?

That was one answer I wasnt going to get. And trying to guess would only bring more torture. So instead I focussed on one of the other two major problems in my life. One torture for another; it was the only way to stay sane.

JoJo, and what lay ahead of me.

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