Cricket (Cricket Kendall Book 1), page 7
Still, I feel pitiful. I have several hours to kill before Theo comes over, and there’s no way I’m going to bug him right now when I still feel defensive and prickly about him not introducing me to his friends.
I’m obviously a fucking disaster, but I wish I had other friends besides Theo. Relying on him makes me feel so needy, but I have to admit I feel way better about starting school now. Back in Florida, I spent most of my time alone or with my mom after the twins moved out, but Theo has totally spoiled me this week by spending nearly every second of his free time with me.
Stella meows from the window, which I’ve been leaving partially propped open so she can come and go as she pleases. I lift my hand and wave at her in acknowledgement. She ambles into the room, hops up on the bed, and curls up on my chest.
I run my fingers through her soft fur, and she purrs softly. Almost immediately, I can feel my bad energy and anxiety draining away.
“Thanks, girl,” I mumble.
She sits with me for a few more minutes until I realize I still haven’t touched my latte. I sit up with a groan, making Stella hop to the end of the bed, and I use my magic to float my scones and coffee into my hands from their spot on the desk. I know I promised Theo and Aurora I wouldn’t use any magic for a couple of days, but it’s something small and I’m way too lazy to get up again right now.
After sipping on my latte and nibbling at one of the scones in a comfortable silence with Stella for a short while, I look around my room to find something to entertain myself with. My eyes land on my journal I left sitting on top of my dresser.
I usually write every day. Aurora and my Grandma Marina have always told me it’s important for witches to keep journals and grimoires. It’s how we’ve passed down knowledge to other witches for generations. I’ve filled dozens upon dozens of them over the years. I left most of them behind at my parents’ house in Florida, but I have a few here that have my favorite and most useful spells. I just started a brand new journal the day I moved here, and I’ve written so many pages about Theo, what I’ve learned about werewolves, and how it feels like my powers are growing stronger every day I spend in Colorado.
Since I skipped writing yesterday after draining my magic, I have a lot to catch up on. I cheat and use my magic again to make my journal and pen float to me on the bed, and I lie down on my stomach and start writing.
Someone shakes my shoulder, and I open my eyes to see Theo grinning at me just a few inches from my face. I sit up and cover a yawn. I must have fallen asleep while I was writing. I have no idea how I can still be so tired!
“Hello, little witch,” Theo says with a soft growl.
He’s still close enough that I can make out every freckle on his handsome face. I meet his pretty amber eyes and blurt out, “I missed you today.”
I’m embarrassed as soon as the words leave my mouth, but it’s true. Theo said the same thing to me earlier over a text, but it’s still ridiculous. Our connection is so powerful, it’s making me feel crazy. I bite my lip and turn my face away from his.
Theo crouches down beside the bed and gently brushes my hair back from my cheek. When I turn to meet his eyes, he smiles softly. “Don’t be embarrassed. Not with me.” He nuzzles his face in my hair and whispers tenderly, “I missed you too.”
My body is begging me to kiss him. But I can’t. I can’t ruin things with him. Things are already too intense and moving too fast between us. I smile back at him and sit up on my elbows as I close my journal.
Theo’s eyes slowly wander over me, and he jumps up and stretches his arms up over his head. The movement causes his tee shirt to ride up, and I have to force myself to tear my eyes from the tempting sliver of skin. I bet he looks so fucking good shirtless.
“Do you still want to go to the movies?” he asks. “Or did you want to stay here and rest more?”
“I want to go to the movies. I’ve been lazy all day, and I need to get out of here.” I stand up and walk over to my mirror, carefully adjust my skirt and top, and grab a brush to run through my crazy-messy hair. It lies flat for all of two seconds before standing up again. I sigh in defeat and glance at Theo in the mirror. He’s watching me with his arms crossed, an amused grin on his face.
“You ready?” I nod at his question, and he exclaims, “Awesome! Let’s go.”
I wave goodbye to Stella and happily follow him down the stairs.
Chapter Ten
“Thanks, Katy!”
The blue-haired barista laughs and calls back, “Any time, beautiful.”
I know I said I wasn’t going to show my face at The Little Owl Café for at least a few days, but I changed my mind this morning. I’m glad I did too, because Katy was super sweet and gave me a free muffin when I came in to apologize for that nonsense with that hot, angry guy.
Paisley called out at the bookstore again this morning, and Aurora begged me to cover her shift. From what I understand, Paisley’s been having some family issues at home. I really feel bad for her, and I don’t mind working at the shop at all. Besides, Theo’s busy doing werewolf-stuff with his uncle today, so we won’t have time to hang out, anyway. It sucks, considering we start school tomorrow.
But tomorrow I finally get to meet Hollis and Cas, and I’m excited about that.
I still have nearly an hour before I technically need to be at the shop to cover the shift. Weekends get fairly busy at Flora & Feathers, and Aurora has several groups booked for tarot card readings today. It’s not like I have anywhere else to be right now though, so I hurry to grab a straw and a few napkins.
Once I have everything together, I turn to leave the bustling café. I manage not to spill my coffee this time, and I smile to myself as I step through the door. I don’t even make it all the way outside, though, before my heart drops into my stomach.
I keep my hand on the door handle and stare in bewilderment as the hot guy with the beard and the hot guy from the café walk toward Flora & Feathers. They don’t see me, thank god, but they’re arguing and getting closer to me every second. I can’t even move, I’m so panicked. How do they even know each other? What kind of fucked up karma is this?
The guy with the beard shoves the one with the black hair, and they walk into the bookshop. I bite my lip, still standing in the same spot in the café’s doorway. Are they looking for me, or is this just a coincidence? If it was just the sexy, muscular, beard-guy I met a couple of days ago, I’d definitely go back to the shop. I really didn’t expect him to come back again after the incident with Stella and the sex book.
I’m totally not ready to face the guy I spilled my coffee on, though. Butterflies are fluttering like crazy in my stomach, and I know there’s no way I’d be able to get through a conversation with both guys without embarrassing myself.
Someone clears their throat from behind me, and I jump in surprise. I glance over my shoulder to see a man holding several drink carriers filled with coffees. He’s smiling at me awkwardly, politely waiting for me to get out of his way so he can leave.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” I move out of the way and hold the door open. He thanks me quietly and hurries down the sidewalk until he disappears around the corner.
I stand outside for another minute while I contemplate what to do. I look pretty hot today, and I have been secretly hoping to see the guy with the beard again. The guy I fought with in the coffee shop yesterday is crazy hot too, and I don’t trust myself not to do something stupid—like start another fight with him in the middle of the bookshop or maybe jump his bones. I hate myself for thinking like that because he obviously has a girlfriend, and he’s obviously a jerk.
In the end, I end up being a total coward. I walk in the opposite direction from Flora & Feathers and turn the corner onto the next street. Biting my lip anxiously, I pull my phone out of my pocket and send a quick text to Luca. He’ll understand.
Two hot guys I’m trying to avoid just walked into the store. Please let me know when they leave!
I just hope they leave before I have to show back up to work. Luca sends me a thumbs-up, along with, like, a million laughing-face emojis. There’s no way he won’t tell Emerson about this, so I know the twins will call me to make fun of me later. I shove my phone back into my pocket with a sigh.
It’s actually a nice day out. It’s sunny, and there’s a light breeze in the air that makes my magic sing. I haven’t explored much of the downtown area yet, even though I’ve been living here for over a week. So, I try to enjoy myself and not think about why I’m avoiding the book store.
There are plenty of other people walking about, and all the shops I pass look inviting. When I have more time, I seriously need to walk around here again so I can go inside these places. Across the street from where I am, I spot what looks like a candy store. It looks way too tempting, so I head toward it.
It’s called The Sweet Spot, and it looks even better up close. It’s bright and cheery, and there are so many scrumptious-looking treats displayed in the front window. A bell chimes when I walk in, and I inhale the sweet scent of chocolate and sugary goodness. There are two counters, each running along opposite walls from each other. One of them displays ice cream, and the other is filled with many treats like cupcakes, candies, truffles, and macaroons. There are a few tables spread out in the front area of the shop, and several shelves near the back with packaged treats and kitschy toys and trinkets.
“Hi, welcome to The Sweet Spot!” I look up to find a cute guy with curly brown hair grinning at me from behind the ice cream counter.
There’s nobody else in line, so I practically skip over to him and sigh dramatically. “Is this heaven? Because I’m pretty sure this store just became my favorite place in the universe.”
He laughs and asks, “Your first time visiting Emery Ridge?”
I quickly scan his uniform for a name tag. Brennan. He looks close to my age, so I smile in excitement at possibly making a new friend. “Actually, I just moved here.”
“Holy crap, really?” He twitches his fingers as his eyes widen. He seems just as thrilled as I am. “How old are you?”
I tell him I’m seventeen, almost eighteen, and that I’ll be a senior in high school. He’s a senior too, and he excitedly tells me there haven’t been any new kids in our year since he moved here in seventh grade.
“Seriously, I’ve been so nervous about starting school tomorrow. I’m so glad I’ve met at least one other person!” We don’t even really know anything about each other, but Brennan has such a fun, happy vibe. Would it be weird to ask for his number?
A woman with two toddlers walks over and stands in line behind me, and Brennan curses under his breath. “Ugh, I wish I wasn’t working right now. Is there any way you can stick around to talk?”
I shake my head sadly. “No, I wish. I have to get back to my aunt’s book shop to cover someone’s shift.”
Brennan pouts and waves his hands over the display case full of ice cream. “Well, did you want something before you go?”
Everything looks so good. I’d never be able to make up my mind. I probably don’t really need any ice cream, considering I’ve already had a latte and I still have the muffin Katy gave me.
“Surprise me!” I say.
Brennan chuckles and scoops some triple chocolate chip ice cream into a waffle cone. The lady with the kids is huffing and acting restless, so Brennan rings me up as quickly as possible at the register. After I pay, I thank him profusely and give the rest of the shop one last, longing glance. I’m totally coming back here to explore and check out more of the treats they sell.
“Wait!” he calls, and I spin around to raise my eyebrows at him. He twitches his fingers again and giggles nervously. “What’s your name? I feel so dumb for not asking.”
“It’s Cricket,” I say. Since the lady in line is literally glaring at him now, I wave as I leave the shop. “I’ll see you around at school!”
Outside on the sidewalk, I sigh in content as I take a few licks of my ice cream. It’s amazing. I’ll have to ask Theo if he’s familiar with this place, and if he knows Brennan from school or not. Theo told me it’s a small town, so I’d be surprised if they didn’t know each other.
My phone vibrates, and I pull it out of my pocket to find a new text from Luca. “It’s safe to come back. They just left.”
I ignore the laughing emojis following the message and put my phone back in my pocket. I feel both relieved and disappointed, which is ridiculous! I purposely avoided those guys for a reason. I decide to take the long way back to Flora & Feathers, all the way around the block, just in case the guys haven’t completely left yet. Plus, that will give me time to finish my ice cream.
Theo
“Put your phone away and pay attention!”
The alpha order washes over me, and I bare my teeth angrily as I’m forced to shove my phone back in my pocket.
“You don’t need to use your alpha voice on me anymore,” I growl. “I’m not a fucking kid.”
Hawthorne glances at me sideways and shows his teeth. He doesn’t do it in anger, but more so to put me in my place. “You’re acting like a kid. You skipped your alpha lessons earlier this week, and now you’re glued to your phone like a typical human teenager.”
I force myself not to roll my eyes or lash out defensively. Calling them ‘alpha lessons’ makes them sound way more formal than they are. Ever since I turned sixteen, I spend one day a week with Hawthorne while he’s working, and we discuss any issues within the pack. I’m not saying it’s not important, because it definitely is, and I’ve learned so much from my uncle. I respect the hell out of him, and I can only hope I’ll be as strong of an alpha as he is someday.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was checking on Cricket. Today’s the first day I won’t be able to see her since we met.”
Hawthorne grunts. I know that’s his way of saying he gets it, but I’m still frustrated. All I can think about is seeing Cricket again. It’s fucking killing me that I can’t even talk to her right now.
“Have you introduced her to Hollis and Cas yet?” he asks.
I tap my fingers against my leg and glance out the passenger window of his police cruiser. He’s driving around with no real destination, waiting for a call to come in.
“Not yet,” I answer, hoping my voice sounds casual.
They’re fucking pissed at me for it too. I haven’t told Hollis or Cas shit about Cricket. Not even her name. All they know is that I’ve been ditching them all week to hang out with her. I’m pretty sure Cricket’s mad at me too. Every time she asks about them or suggests hanging out with them, I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.
“Theo,” Hawthorne growls my name in warning. “We talked about this.”
“I know,” I groan. “It’s just, I really like her.” That’s a fucking understatement.
Hawthorne shakes his head, breathing out of his nose like he’s frustrated. “There’s a chance Cricket could be Hollis or Cas’s mate. Aurora has had visions of Cricket with all three of you.”
The reminder makes me feel equal parts excited and terrified. Hawthorne told me about Aurora Kendall’s visions, and about her complex friendship with our pack, the first day I met Cricket. Hawthorne grilled me the second I showed up at his house with the remedies Aurora gave me, and he was disappointed to discover that Cricket doesn’t have a mate mark.
I’d been so fucking into Cricket from the very first second I laid eyes on her. She’s the hottest, funniest, most amazing girl I’ve ever met. I’ve never been keen on meeting my mate, but I didn’t waste any time checking Cricket’s wrists that afternoon in the desperate hope that she and I belong together.
Hawthorne and Aurora think Cricket might get her mate mark on her eighteenth birthday, since that’s when witches come of age. It’s different for werewolves, and I’m eager to get through the next few weeks to see if they’re right about Cricket.
If I’m wrong though, and Cricket ends up being mates with Hollis or Cas, I’ll be devastated. I’m terrified for Cricket to meet them. What if they can tell right away, even without her having a mate mark? Even if they can’t, and they have to wait along with me for her birthday, I know those fuckers are going to like her. Cas will probably try to fuck her within five minutes of meeting her, no matter how I feel.
“You haven’t slept with her, have you?”
Hawthorne’s question snaps me back to reality, and I snarl in annoyance. “No, I haven’t. Not that it’s any of your business.”
My uncle glares at me like he doesn’t believe a word out of my mouth. Honestly, I can’t blame him. I’m notorious for sleeping around, and I normally only talk to girls for a few minutes before I try to make a move on them.
It’s different with Cricket. I mean, she has a banging body and I absolutely want to sleep with her. But I’m worried I’m going to fuck things up between us. It’s torture every time she touches me, and Cricket is extremely affectionate. I can’t blame her though, because I can’t exactly keep my hands off of her either.
“If you sleep with her, and she turns out to be mates with Hollis or Cas, that’s going to cause drama and discontent in your pack.” Before I can roll my eyes and tell him I’m fully aware of this already, he uses his alpha voice on me again. “For now, I think it’s best if you remain just friends with Cricket. You can’t have sex with her, and you can’t kiss her.”
The magic and authority in Hawthorne’s words surges through me, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. I snarl angrily and ball my hand into a first. Honestly, I’d probably shift and push Hawthorne into a fight if I didn’t have so much control over myself. I can’t believe he alpha-ordered me again, and about something so personal.
