Chp. 33 “Convincing Lies”

I was panting from exhaustion, Max was tired too but I had gone through a lot more grueling practice than he had. We had been going at it for hours now, and mentally I could go no more. I had been fighting off his electrical jabs and lifting cars, and I had even expanded the ability to morph my powers. It was harsh, and I was sweating profusely, praying Max would end this session and just return tomorrow.

He sat wearily on the hood of a run-down car, checking his watch, “Damn, has it been that long already?”

I was lying next to Avery on the hood of my car, my hands above my head as I tried to catch my breath form the last exercise. She rubbed my arm in support and nodded, “It’s been four hours, and it’s time for a break.”

I groaned in protest, “It’s time to go home.”

Gage had joined Avery in watching the show about two hours ago, and I heard him pipe up. “Yea Max, you two need a break, and you need to finish packing.”

He crossed his arms in defense, and I watched in slight humor as he tenses his muscles in attempt to look manly and uncaring. I knew he was tired, I could see it in his expression, and I knew he would give in to his brother’s command.

He never listened to me anyway.

He sighed, “Fine, but tomorrow we need to practice more. We’ve agreed we’re leaving the day after tomorrow, we need to practice as much as we can.”

I nodded in agreement, anything for him to let me go home, take a hot shower, and lay in a comfortable bed. I looked over to Gage who was fidgeting around with his phone in boredom, I spoke, “Gage, can you drive the Tahoe over to my house to pick up my luggage?”

He gave me an approving look and nod, pointing to Avery, “Avery’s too?”

“Yea, after we go to my house.”

He spoke to Max, “Let’s go then.”

We made our way out of the junkyard, knowing we would be returning tomorrow. Avery was driving down the long stretch of empty road, and I was just way too tired to speak. I needed rest, physically and mentally.

She grabbed my hand, “You did so good today.”

I smiled at her words of encouragement, feeling a sense of accomplishment coming from it. I looked over to her, “Thanks. We didn’t scare you too much did we?”

She laughed, “A little, but you two know what you’re doing.”

I squeezed her hand gently as we finally made it back to my house, allowing her and I to run up to my room and grab my things. We had packed for a while, and even though I had a couple of bags I knew this still wasn’t everything. I would need to finish up tomorrow night. I quickly let my parents know I was planning on staying over at Avery’s another night and would be back tomorrow to finish up everything. I felt bad for always leaving them behind, but I needed to keep them safe and away from danger.

We hauled my stuff downstairs and threw it into the back of the black Tahoe, shutting the tailgate. All four of us soon made our way back to Avery’s house, realizing we would most likely meet up with Chris. Then suddenly my skin went cold, realizing Max and Gage had no idea about Chris, and Chris couldn’t know the truth about this trip.

We pulled up into Avery’s drive and it seemed as if Avery had the same thought as me, immediately getting out of her car and walking swiftly to the Tahoe. I could hear Chris doing something in the back of the house but he had no idea we were here.

I rushed behind Avery, and as soon as Max and Gage exited the car she spoke, “Listen, I know you’re going to freak out in a bit but try to keep your cool. I have a brother, and he cannot know about what we’re about to go do, ok?”

Max’s eyes bulged in confusion, “You what?”

I rolled my eyes, knowing he heard what Avery said but I repeated it anyway, “She has a brother Max.”

I watched him, realizing he was just as shocked as I had been, although he didn’t meet Chris when he was completely naked. Avery continued, “We told him we’re going to California, and that you and Gage have family up there. He can’t know the truth, ok?”

Max seemed still confused but Gage seemed to be ok with this, and I hoped Max just wouldn’t open his mouth. I spoke to Max, “Just… don’t talk.”

His face changed to a clear grimace as we made our way through the gate, seeing Chris working on sawing a new rail, while the broken one lied on the ground next to him. He looked up, his haunting eyes that resembled Avery’s so much, and he stood suddenly. His apparel consisted of little, just a pair of cargo shorts and a tight muscle T. He spoke, “More friends?”

I heard his deep voice echo as he stepped forward and right up to Gage. They were about the same size, although Chris was more built because of his occupation. He held out his hand, “I’m Christopher Ryan, Avery’s older brother.”s

Gage shook his hand firmly, “Gage Davidson, Max’s older brother.” He swung his arm back and pointed to Max who was standing still with shock.

He soon snapped out and took Chris’s hand like Gage had, “Sup.”

I laughed to myself, knowing Max was trying to play it cool but I knew he was awfully stunned. Chris was huge, and his white muscle shirt that was clinging to his torso only made him look bigger.

“So I heard you four are going to California for a while?”

Gage looked at me for reassurance, although I knew he was smart enough to pull this off. He was trained to be a police officer, but then again Chris was also trained for this specialty too. Gage stepped back from Chris, refusing to cross his arms in defense, “Yea, my mom’s sister and her husband own a couple of beach houses. They offered for us to spend however long we want up there for only about 500 bucks, not including food and whatnot for Max’s graduation.”

Chris nodded, seeming to buy everything Gage was saying. The last thing I wanted was to piss him off with a lie. He was pretty scary already, but I couldn’t imagine how scary he would be if he was actually angry.

Chris just nodded, and I knew he wasn’t going to say anything, so I intruded quickly. “Yea, Gage and Max are just here to pick up Avery’s luggage.”

His eyes caught mine, “When do you four plan on leaving?”

Max suddenly came out of the dark, I guessed in an attempt to feel included, “We’re leaving Wednesday at noon.”

“Just one more day, so it seems.”

Chris eyed Max warily at his sudden outburst, and this only made me sweat a little. The silence settled upon us as Chris studied Max further, and then the rest of us. I had to admit, if he was trying to make us break with pressure, he was succeeding.

And as if the pressure would never lift, Chris spoke again, “Need some help carrying the bags down? Knowing Avery each one will weigh about a ton.”

I sighed in relief as I looked at Avery, who was frowning at her brother’s accusations. She poked his arm, “Yea make yourself useful,” she paused, looking at me and winking with victory.

We were both pretty excited he had gone along fairly easy with our story, giving us a gateway and alibi.

Chris and Gage disappeared into the house with conversation, leaving Max, Avery and I outside in the summer heat. I shoved Max, nearly knocking him over, “I thought I told you not to speak?”

He rolled his eyes, “Look, he believes us doesn’t he? Jeez, you’re so paranoid.”

I fussed in a hushed tone even though Gage and Chris were well out of hearing range. “Max, we’re not going anywhere near California, we’re going try to find a Bureau for supernatural people for crying out loud. Do you want to explain that to Avery’s brother, who looks like he belongs in a UFC commercial?”

Max’s electric blue eyes looked into mine intensely, he knew I was right. Chris had intimidated Max, hell I’m pretty sure he intimidated everyone. He sighed, “Fine, I’m sorry.”

I raised my hand in frustration, “Thanks.”

Max looked back at the house and then back at us, “So, I’m guessing you met him last night?”

I nodded, remembering the encounter and how embarrassing it had been. “Yea, sadly,” I looked at Avery in slight anger, “It was an unexpected introduction.”

Max must’ve seen my look towards Avery, who rolled her eyes and placed her open hand over her face. She was recalling the encounter too, and she was just as embarrassed as I was, if not more. After all, it was her brother, not mine.

Max’s eyes held confusion, and as if a light bulb went off in his narrow head he grinned with humor, “Don’t tell me…”

I knew what he was about to say and I held my hand up, “Yes, we were in the middle of having sex when he showed up.”

Suddenly his laugh was echoing  through our ears, causing us further embarrassment as my cheeks flushed with red. He was holding his stomach, and the more he laughed the more annoyed I became, along with Avery who was staring daggers at him.

He lifted himself up, looking right at us, “Now that sucks, but God what I would’ve paid to see your faces at that moment!”

He continued to laugh and I frowned, wishing he would just get it out of his system and shut up already.

He stood, placing a hand on my shoulder, “Hope you had fun.”

Then I smirked, feeling the power well up inside me and the want to get back at him from the grueling practice today. His face was red with laughter and I smiled, “You look a little hot Max, you should really cool down.”

I felt my “arm” grow into something large, and I sent it barreling into Max who was knocked off his feet and sent flying towards the pool. He was fully clothed, and his eyes had widened with shock as he flew through the air and landed on his back, into the pool.

I heard Avery’s tiny giggle as she suppressed it, Max coming up out of the water for air. He gasped, “You little shit!”

I smiled in victory, leaning down and smiling, “Oh by the way, Avery and I had sex in that pool last night.”

His face contorted into a disgusted frown as he paddled his way quickly towards the edge, Chris and Gage joining us again as the gate opened and shut.

Gage spoke, “What the hell Max?”

Avery and I laughed hysterically as I watched Max’s soaked body waddle over to his brother.

I spoke, “Max got a little hot so he took a dip.”

Chris eyed us suspiciously but I knew the secret was safe. Max would have to learn sooner or later that he shouldn’t mess with me.

I just wondered how long it would take him to realize that.

February 19, 2014