Page 16 of The Pact

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HIS VOICE IS KIND.

I didn’t expect it. Not after the only time we talked at school.

Actually, who am I kidding? He never really talked to me; he was talking about me when he called me unfuckable.

I don’t think Kelley and his friends have ever even looked at me for more than five seconds, so much so that none of them recognized me.

I explain where I live and Kelley nods. “Yeah, I know where that's at. You're on my way home after I drop off Bode. By the way, my name’s Kelley and that’s Bode in the backseat.”

I know. Thankfully I bite my tongue just in time. Even if we went to the same high school for almost four years, we don’t really know each other.

“What’s your name?”

I hate the fact that I almost lie about it, because I like the way Kelley and his friends have been looking at me all night. I’m almost afraid that they’ll know exactly who I am if I tell them my name. But then I realize that at school I wasn’t even a blip on their radar. On anyone’s radar for what it’s worth. Aside from a few kids whose families were deeply involved with Dad’s church, everyone referred to me as “the preacher’s daughter,” so I doubt my name will spark any recognition.

“I’m Ausra,” I say, releasing the breath I’ve been holding, when Kelley smiles.

“That’s a pretty name. Are you new in town, Ausra? I don’t recall ever seeing you around. And you look like you’re our age?”

“I went to Shell Cove High,” I say sheepishly, almost hearing my father’s voice preaching that lies are stains on our auras. But technically, it isn’t a lie. I enrolled and graduated from Shell Cove High when Dad cut me off and didn’t pay the tuition for the last semester at Bradbury Prep.

The drive to Bode’s house isn’t long. “Kelley, see you tomorrow at the beach? The wind’s supposed to be perfect for training.”

Kelley nods. “Sure thing, bro.”

“Goodnight, Ausra. I hope to see you again.”

He smiles at me and my eyes meet his dark blue ones in the rear view mirror.

“Goodnight, Bode,” I whisper.

The rest of the drive is quiet, Kelley’s attention is on the empty, quiet roads and I take advantage of that fact to study his perfect profile.

His nose is strong and masculine but not too big. His jaw is absolute perfection and the column of his neck gives way to broad, muscular shoulders.

His arms are defined and bulging with muscle and his hands are gripping the steering wheel with a relaxed confidence that I can’t help but find sexy.

“Here we are,” he says, stopping the car in the parking lot of the cheap apartment complex where I rent with my sister.

I was so intent on looking at him, that I didn’t realize that we’d arrived and when he looks at me, I jump.

His smile tells me that he caught me red handed, staring at him.

My tongue feels glued to the top of my mouth and I know I’m probably blushing as I try to find something to say. Anything’s better than this awkward silence.

When I don’t say anything, he exits the car, coming around to open my door.

“Let me walk you to your door, Ausra. I want to make sure that you’re safe.”

I’m about to say that it isn’t necessary but he shakes his head and his smiles widens. “And don’t try to tell me that I don’t need to. I want to.”

His hand closes around mine, big, warm, slightly rough but gentle and I start walking toward our ground floor unit.

It’s late enough that I’m sure McKayla will be asleep but I’m not taking any chances, so when I thank Kelley, my voice is just a notch above a whisper.

“Thank you for helping me tonight. If you and your friends hadn’t walked outside when you did, I don’t know—”

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