*****Edited by krisgee*****

2011 © All Rights Reserved

Chapter 7 (Amy)

             Dang.  Why didn’t I close the curtain last night? The thought occurred to me while I was squinting my eyes at the bright light raining through my bedroom window.  Maybe if I hadn’t been fantasizing about a certain Mr. Hunky Chocolate Brown eyes then I would have remembered to close it.  Turning over, I looked at the clock and saw that it was 6:28 am.  Well hell, it’s going to go off in two minutes any way, might as well drag my lazy bum out of the bed. 

            I stood up and stretched when the song “Take It Off” by Kesha started to blare out of my purse.  Eyes half open I strode over to my desk and pulled out my phone.  I knew it was a text.  Opening it, I saw that it was Tabby. 

            “Of course”, I muttered to myself.  Who else would text me at the crack of dawn?  Tabby and Aunt Layla rise with the freaking chickens.

            “Talent show next week.  My house after school.  Brainstorming time.”

            Great, just what I was looking forward to first thing this morning.  The wonderful news just keeps piling up, I thought sarcastically.  Tabby’s brilliant idea last year was for Liza, her and me to prance around in yellow polka dot bikinis brandishing umbrellas and singing “It’s Raining Men.”  She wanted to be sure that we were the highlight of the talent show, which we were, and most definitely not in a good way I might add.  I had never felt more like an idiot in all of my life that I did on that one single night. 

            Sighing, I tossed the phone back into my purse and headed for my closet.  At some point I was going to have to go downstairs and face my family.  I was really surprised that I wasn’t dragged out of my room for questioning last night by Mom or Dad.  Mom had come up around dinner time to let me know that supper was ready and I played off complaining of a terrible headache.  She brought me some ibuprofen and a plate of food to my room.  Nothing else was said.  Could it be that Zach didn’t say anything to Mom or Dad?  No telling with that boy. 

            Shaking my head I went to shower and get ready for the day.  Walking back in my room feeling fresh and clean, Romeo came out from under the bed and wrapped himself around my leg, begging for attention.  I picked him up and scratched his head in that special spot between his ears. 

            “You’re such a good boy, Romeo.  If only all boys could be as simple minded as you.  A little food, a little attention and then send them on their way.” 

            He purred in response, causing me to smile.  I laid him on the bed and watched as he pawed his way up to my pillow and curled himself into a ball.  He gave me a lazy look before closing his eyes and effectively dismissing me.  I shook my head again as I picked up my book bag and purse, ready to face the music.

            I tip toed down the stairs trying to hear who was down stairs and I was met with an eerie silence.  Strange, I thought to myself.  I walked into the kitchen and Zach was sitting in his usual spot at the counter.  He lifted his head up and nodded hello with an expressionless face.  No smile or cheery disposition.  Not my loveable big brother.  He must still be pissed.

            I walked past him and pulled a granola bar out of the pantry.  The only noise in the kitchen was me padding around.  I poured a glass of apple juice and carried my breakfast over to the counter opposite of Zach.

            He glanced up at me and in a monotone voice he said, “Mom and Dad have gone up to the estate this morning to help out Grand pop.  I didn’t say anything last night to either one of them.  I’m hoping you came to your damn senses.  I will give you until dinner tonight to break it off with the rogue or I will go to Dad.”

            Slowly I sat my juice on the counter and lifted my eyes to meet his stony gaze.

            “Is that a threat?” I replied calmly while tapping my fingers against the countertop.

            “No, it’s a fucking promise.  I’m not telling you again, Amy.  Break. It. Off.”

            Anger boiled in my blood as I glared at my brother.  This is not my Zach.  I closed my eyes and inhaled several deep breaths trying to reign in the fury that was mounting by the second.  I opened my eyes and faced the same stony gaze.  In a fit of anger I swiped my hand across the counter causing my glass of juice to go crashing to the floor.  Broken glass and juice was scattered everywhere.  For a moment, just a moment, I caught of glimpse of fear on Zachary’s face.  Panting heavily I stood and narrowed my gaze on him.

            “You can go to hell!” I hollered at him and stomped out of the door.

            The front door closed with an explosive bang when I slammed it shut.  I recoiled at the noise and let out the long breath that I had been holding.  I couldn’t believe that I had just said that to my brother.  I had always looked up to him, he had always been there for me to hold me through the tears and make me laugh when I was feeling blue, until now.  Now that I’ve found my mate, my lifelong partner, he turns away from me.

            I ran my hands through my hair in agitation.  Did I just really tell Zach to go to hell?  Yep, Amy you sure did.  I began to laugh hysterically when I heard a horn beep.  I glanced up and Tabby was parked in the driveway looking at me expectantly.  I jogged over to her car and just before I stepped in I took one last look at the house and spotted Zach watching me in the window.  His face was drawn in hard lines but his eyes looked so sad.  I slid into the seat and Tabby just watched me for a moment.

            “You okay?” she asked with sincerity in her voice.  With jerky movements I snapped the seat belt shut and looked up at her.

            “I’ll be okay once you get me out of here.”  Tabby looked back at the window Zach was standing at before turning her gaze back to me. 

            “Your wish is my command,” she responded while backing the car out of the driveway.

            The ride to Liza’s was quiet.  We pulled up in her driveway and Tabby beeped the horn signaling that we were there.  While we waited I felt her hand grip my shoulder.

            “Amy, are you sure you are okay?”  I looked up at her and saw the concern in her eyes.  I forced what I hoped was an honest looking smile.

            “Yeah, Tabby.  Just a little sibling rivalry.  Nothing major and we’ll get over it.”     

            She kept her hand on my shoulder for several moments and watched my every move.  I was beginning to feel a little self conscious and finally Liza came bounding to the car.

            She opened the door and said in a cheerful voice, “Good morning to my favorite ladies”.

            Tabby gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before she released it and turned to Liza.

            “Good, now that you’re both in the car, I have the perfect idea for the talent show this year.”

            Liza and I made eye contact.  “Uh oh,” I whispered.

            “Hey,” Tabby called out in an offended tone while backing out of the drive way.  “It’s perfect.  I promise.”

            “Yeah, I’ve heard that before” Liza drawled.

            Tabby snapped her mouth shut.  “Fine then, if you don’t want to hear my brilliant plan.  Mama helped me come up with it.”

            I turned back to Liza and lifted my brow.  Aunt Layla’s creative mind can be scarier than Tabby’s, and the fact that she helped her develop this so called brilliant plan didn’t make me feel any better.  Tabby was now sticking her lip out and pouting.  Damn.

            “Alright, Tabby.  Let’s hear it,” I said instantly knowing I was going to regret that statement.

            “No, never mind,” she said with that sad tone like she was a puppy being kicked in the stomach.

            “Come on Tabby, just spit it out,” I replied.

            “You sure you want to hear it?” she questioned.  She knew damn well what she was trying to sucker us into.

            In unison, Liza and I both replied, “Yes!”  A smile curled on her lips.  See, she knew exactly what she was doing.

            “Okay girls; listen up because I truly think we can win this year with this routine.  Envision us doing Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” and we can wear little school girl outfits, and put our hair up in two braids like she wore in her video.  Mama said she would be happy to help out with the costumes.  We can really rock that place out.” She smiled, obviously very proud of herself.

            I looked back at Liza and she had finger in her throat imitating a gagging reflex.  I had to stifle my giggle when Tabby looked my way.  Tabby turned in her seat and narrowed her gaze on Liza who had quickly stuffed her hands in her lap.

            “What?” she asked innocently when Tabby kept looking at her.

            “Alright girls,” I said interrupting them.  “Let’s head into school.”  I was actually anxious to get in there because there was a Mr. Hunky Chocolate Brown Eyes that I wanted to see. Both of the girls gave me a knowing smile.

            “Oooh, somebody has a crush,” Tabby teased as we started up the walk to the entrance of the school.  I playfully shoved my shoulder into her.

            “Duuhh, he’s my mate,” I said laughing. 

            We walked into the school and went our separate ways.  I headed for my locker first.  I wanted to go ahead and get my books just in case I ran into him.  Maybe we could steal a few minutes before the bell rang.  I was going through my books when I felt a warm body saddle up behind me and then large calloused hands cover my eyes.  His smell surrounded me giving me a natural high.

            “Guess who,” his sexy voice whispered in my ear.  Goose bumps pricked on my arms but I felt heat running through my veins.  I smiled.

            “Hmm, Santa Clause?” I said.

            “No.”

            “Tooth Fairy?” I guessed again.

            “Nuh uh.”

            “Hmm, the Easter Bunny?” I tried again.

            “Not even close,” he whispered and then nipped at my ear.  I giggled and turned around in his arms.  He smiled and flashed his beautiful white teeth.  He pushed me back against the locker and brushed a kiss against my lips.

            “Do you know how many fantasies I had about you last night?” he growled.  I lifted up and licked at his bottom lip. 

            “Probably about as many as I had about you, Stevie.”  He moaned and grabbed my hips.  He pulled me to him so there wasn’t an inch of space between us. 

            “You are so beautiful,” he whispered just before crashing his lips to mine.  His wicked tongue licked at my lips and I immediately opened for him.  I craved his taste like a drug.  His tongue pushed into my mouth as we savored each other.  My eyes were closed and all that I could feel, taste and breathe was Steven.  It was at that moment that I knew I would never let anything come in between us.  Not my parents or my brother.  He was my mate and mates were meant to be forever.

            We were both completely lost in the kiss when a loud boom sounded by my head that had both of us jerking apart and looking up.  Zach had punched the locker at my head distracting us.  Steven pushed me behind him as a furious looking Zach stood there glaring at me.  He was flanked by Leon and Jake who had their eyes peeled on Steven.  Zach pointed his finger at me and the anger on his face said it all.

            “Tonight, Amy.  You have until tonight,” he warned.

            I kept my mouth closed and squeezed Steven’s hand.  I mentally pushed into his mind asking him to not saying anything.  He squeezed my hand in return, acknowledging my request.  The boys turned on their heels and walked in the other direction down the hall.  Steven looked back at me and cupped my cheek.

            “You okay, Princess?” he asked.

            “If one more person asks me that question I am going to scream,” I said softly.  He smiled but I could tell that he was still worried.  I stood on my toes and brushed one more quick kiss against his lips.

            “Come on, Mr. Hunky Chocolate Brown Eyes, let’s go to class,” I said while starting to pull him down the hall.

            He pulled me to a stop.  “Hey, what was that you just called me?” he asked.

            I laughed at the look of bewilderment on his face.

            “Mr. Hunky Chocolate Brown Eyes,” I repeated.

            A smile lit up his face.  “I like it,” he growled.

            “Yeah, me too. I like it a lot,” I said smiling.