Reese cupped his hands around my face, cleaning away my tears with his thumbs. “First off, I could’ve told you that about Reynolds. Hell, I said it myself. He’s a dick.”
I laughed despite myself.
“And you’ll learn how to control your abilities on your own. You’ve proven yourself to be more than resourceful. And despite what you see, your folks still love you. They’re in shock right now. Just give them a little time, and they’ll come around.” I nodded, but he kept a hold of my cheeks. “Hey, I mean it. In spite of everything, they’re still meeting up with you.”
I looked over at the clock and regrettably stood up. “I don’t think they really have another choice. It’s not like they’d risk sticking around here while demons are attacking. The last thing Mom wants is for one of the ladies from the Woodstone Regency Society to see her daughter becoming a vampiric bride from Hell.”
“I know it’s probably not worth much, but you’ll always have me,” said Reese, lightly nudging me with his elbow as we started making our way toward the train platforms. “If you need anything…or even just want to talk, you give me a call.”
“I will.”
Reese turned me so that I faced him, and I didn’t have time to react. He kissed me. Not like how he had earlier. And not like Blaine. It was soft, gentle, tender. Sweeter than anything I knew I deserved. “Let me come with you,” he murmured.
“Reese-”
“Even just for a week.” I started shaking my head, but he wouldn’t have it. “After the massacre at the school, it’ll be closed tomorrow. The cops already have the entire block roped off. And after the weekend, my mom can cover for me for a few days. The police would be stupid to question my absence, considering Carly and Mark vouched for me. I’m apparently the new resident hero, having saved my fellow classmates from Daniel’s murder rampage.”
“You guys didn’t say anything to the police about me, did you? They don’t know I was there when—”
“Relax, Princess. You’re in the clear.”
“Thank you.” Curiosity got the best of me, even now. I had to ask. “Why do you call me that, really?”
Reese grinned. “Because you may or may not remind me of a certain snarky, kickass Alderaanian with a feisty temper.”
I laughed. Actually laughed. “Princess Leia?”
He nodded.
I gave him a playful shove. “You’re such a dork.”
“Says the girl who knew what an Alderaanian was.” He pulled me in, and this time I didn’t object, reveling in the steadfast heat from his body. Reese felt the shiver run through me, only urging him to hold me closer.
The loudspeaker clicked on with a monotone voice announcing, “The next train at Platform 2 is the 11:14 service to Portland Transportation Center...”
“That’s me.” I lamentably peeled myself free from his embrace. “Listen, Reese, I don’t know where my folks are planning on taking me after this, so….”
Reese understood what I meant. He dug into his coat pocket, fetching out a freshly printed ticket. “Good thing I’m coming along then.”
“What?” I snatched the paper from him in disbelief. Sure enough, it was for the very same train. “But how…?”
“There were only two choices left on the board for tonight, and Wells seemed like an unlikely bet.”
“Reese, I can’t let you do this. Between Mr. Reynolds and Blaine…and God only knows who else—”
He merely shrugged. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Yeah, but we’re gonna be on the road. You don’t have any clothes, or even a toothbrush—”
“Good thing I also packed a bag.”
My smile threatened to tear my face in half, and I didn’t care. “You’re kidding?”
“Just gotta get it out of my truck.” He planted a kiss on my cheek before jogging off, giving me a parting wink for good measure.
Only the low rumble of machinery filled the silence until my stomach let out a monstrous growl. I hadn’t eaten anything since lunch with exception to the single strawberry from Mom’s party. My nerves were still wound so tightly though that I hadn’t the time to acknowledge my hunger. Several vending machines rested in the far corner by an old payphone, so I fished into my pocket and retrieved a couple singles. Ice pricked up my spine though as a sharp metallic chime echoed across the vast open space.
The payphone.
Without so much as a thought, my hand reached for the receiver. It wasn’t until my fingers were curled around it that I regained control of my own actions. What was I doing? That invisible tug deep inside my gut wrenched me forward, begging, pleading for me to take the receiver off the cradle hook. I tried pulling my hand away, but the sensation only worsened. I didn’t have a choice. Every last cell in my body clawed against my skin until I finally surrendered. I pressed the phone against my ear, but couldn’t bring myself to speak.