Keith and Travis shared a look.
“Yeah, no problem,” Keith said. They walked out of earshot to the pool and sat down on a couple of chairs.
I looked at the guys. “I have to help.”
Asher shook his head. “Ally, they’ll tell everyone what you can do.”
“Agreed. They want to prove ghosts exist. You’ll hand them the proof and they’ll announce what you can do to the world,” Miles said.
Isaac walked around the fire. “Red, we don’t know them. We can’t trust them.”
“It’s a kid,” Ethan told them. “A little girl.”
“She’s getting scratched and bitten,” I told them. Each of them looked troubled. “How can I not help her?” I brought up the pictures and handed the phone to Miles. Miles flipped through the pictures, then passed the phone to Asher. Asher cursed and passed the phone to Isaac. Isaac looked up from the phone and met my eyes. “Tell me how to say no to stopping that?”
The guys exchanged looks.
“I don’t want to sound heartless,” Miles said, “but if they tell people, your life here is going to get more difficult.”
I sighed. He wasn’t wrong. There would be paper ghosts hanging from my locker, people making fun of me, I’d be that crazy girl again. I thought about that little girl being hurt and not knowing what was causing it. I met Miles’ eyes. “I can deal. If you guys can’t—”
“That’s not my concern, Lexie,” Miles told me instantly. “I’m worried about you. You’ve had a hard time for months and I’m worried about you going through this sort of thing.”
I nodded. I understood what he was saying, but… “I know, sweetie, but I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror.”
Miles’ eyes met mine. Then he looked at the others. “Let’s put it to a vote. Raise your hand if you are against Lexie doing this.”
Isaac cursed and raised his hand. “I’m against it, Red, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.” I sent him a small smile.
“Same here,” Ethan said. “But it’s a kid. That changes things.”
No one else raised their hand.
“If you do this, then we need to take steps to ensure they keep it to themselves,” Miles said.
I wasn’t even going to argue. I nodded.
“Majority rules,” Asher announced. “We’ll back you up.”
“You guys don’t have to do that—”
“We’re going to be there,” Zeke snapped as he came around the log. I met his shadowed eyes. He really didn’t like this either.
“I’ll get the guys,” Isaac muttered as he got to his feet. He walked towards the pool. I stayed between Asher and Ethan. Asher’s hand went to my back.
When they reached us, I began to tell them that I would help, but Miles started talking first.
“First, you’ll sign a confidentiality agreement. You will also not record anything with Lexie, or us. That includes audio.” Miles’ voice was hard and cold. It sent chills over my skin. “If you can’t agree, then we walk away.”
Keith and Travis looked at each other, then at Miles.
“No problem,” Keith said.
“As long as the kid gets help,” Travis added.
“Give me your numbers, and I’ll text you mine,” Asher told them. “You’ll get a hold of Lexie through us.”
“Okay, guys.” I met Miles’ eyes then Asher’s. “Chill out.” I turned back to Miles. “I’m agreeing to the confidentiality agreement.” I turned to Asher. “They can contact me directly.”
His ocean eyes ran over me. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I know how to block calls if it gets bad,” I reminded him. Asher didn’t like it, but he didn’t say anything about it.
I pulled out my phone and I exchanged numbers with Keith and Travis. Then the boys promptly demanded they have their numbers too.
“How soon can you get to her house?” Travis asked as he tucked his phone away.
“Tomorrow?” I offered.
Keith nodded. “Okay, I’ll talk to her sister tomorrow and see if their parents are leaving."
“Thanks,” Travis said before they headed back towards the house.
“Anyone else have a bad feeling about this?” I asked.
“Yes,” they answered in unison.
I smiled to myself. “Anyone ready to go home?”
“I’ll take you,” Asher volunteered.
I got to my feet and started towards the house. “Night, guys.”
“Night,” they said in unison.
Asher took my hand and led me around the house.
Asher
I pulled in front of Rory’s house and put the truck in park.
I hesitated only a heartbeat before turning to her. “Ally, do you think I don’t want to help this kid?”
Her head snapped around to me. “No.” Her eyes ran over my face. “I know you do. I just figured you were worried about them having my number.”
I rubbed the tension out of my neck. “I am.” I looked out the windshield. “I never want you to pick up the phone and hear some creep’s voice again.”
She reached over and took my hand. I turned back to her.
She gave me a soft smile. “I won’t,” she said, her voice quiet. “I don’t think those guys are a threat that way. They seem pretty scared of you guys.”
I chuckled. “Keith about shit himself when Zeke grabbed him.”
“I think they’re more likely to tell people what I can do. That’s why I agreed to the confidentiality contract.” Her brow drew down. “Did-did I snap at you?”
“Not really,” I admitted. “I just wanted to make sure you knew why I tried to keep your number a secret.”
She smiled up at me and her eyes lit up. “I know why, Superman.” She squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to be perfect, you know.”
I smiled down at her. “I know.” She didn’t need to tell me that anymore, but I still loved it when she did. “Want me to walk you to the door?”
“Nah, I’m enjoying the new ‘no flashes’ yard and house.” She opened the door and got out. “Thanks, Ash.” She hit the lever on the seat to fold the back forward, letting Hades hop out.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said before she closed the door. I stayed put until Ally was inside and the door closed.
Sighing, I took the truck out of park and headed home.
Ally was on my mind the entire drive. It was getting to the point where her smile made my mind go blank. I grinned as I drove through town. She always knew when I was ‘trying to be perfect’ and she always called me on it. She was doing better; less flashes, fewer flashbacks. They still happened, but she had figured out her triggers and made sure we knew about them.
I stopped at the stop light. She’s almost done with therapy. Maybe… maybe I should ask her out one night? Take her to the movies. Then after… I could tell her how I felt about her. The guys popped into my head. I sighed.
The light changed. She hadn’t mentioned anything about being interested in someone. Then again, she might not tell us if she was. With the way Zeke almost took Keith’s head off just for being near her tonight, it seemed likely that she wouldn’t say anything if she did.
I pulled up and parked in front of the house. If I told her, would I just be making a fool out of myself? She hasn’t really acted differently towards me... I climbed the porch steps. She doesn’t really flirt. Then again, I couldn’t see Ally flipping her hair or anything like that.
Then there was that agreement with the others.
When I tried to unlock the door, I realized it was already unlocked. I turned to search the street for Jessica’s car. There was only the usual neighbors’ cars, plus a blue Pontiac. Oh, shit.
Dread filled my chest as I turned back to the door. Hoping I was wrong, I opened the door and walked in. The lights were on and the television in the living room was playing the late-night news. Shit. He always left the damn TV on. I walked through the foyer and paused at the kitchen door. There he was, sitting at the kitchen table. His sandy-blond hair was turning white at his temples, his skin pasty as usual. He looked up with the same weird blue eyes I had.
“Hi, Dad.”