Page 38 of Elusion

Callie’s already gone, which leaves me rather disappointed. The light blinds me as I emerge from the blanket fort. I turn on my phone, and once it finishes alerting me of missed messages, I check the time. Class starts in an hour, giving me plenty of time to fetch coffee. I slip on my shoes and comb my hands through my hair. The marvel of a messy-hair look is, no one notices the rare days of rolling out of bed without styling it.

Felicia leaps off the couch. “Happy birthday!”

“Thank you. But I believe the proper greeting on this particular birthday is a shot.”

“I did you one better.” She tosses me a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash. “Multipurpose.”

“Bottoms up.” I empty the bottle and swish, and she giggles when I spit the blue liquid back in. “Thanks, Gibs.”

I drop the container in the trash on my way to the door. But as I reach for the knob, it opens.

Callie smiles on her way around me, carrying coffee. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“You steal my line and my move on my birthday? Have you no shame?”

Felicia retrieves the tray of cups, and Callie delivers me one. “I think you’ll find my coffee delivery service adds an extra pep to your step.” She winks, hanging up her coat on the way to her room.

I chance a sip. The whiskey blends well with the coffee; of course she can mix a drink. I’m starting to believe her ability to surprise me knows no bounds.

Within minutes, we return the pillows and blankets to their rightful places and remove all evidence of her return to childhood. She packs a bag for her weekend trip. I quickly dismiss the thought of asking her to stay. Her off-the-shoulder top will lead to my undoing when mixed with alcohol.

From the other room, Felicia loudly clears her throat, and it sounds painful.

“Time to go, Jordan.” Callie grabs my hand.

I brush my thumb over her skin while she leads me out of her room. “You can’t kick me out on my birthday.”

She pulls her hand from mine and opens the door. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“No, you’ll see me after—”

Out of nowhere comes Felicia, fully hulked out and throwing me out into the hall. Seriously, scientists need to study She-Ra in a lab. The door shuts before I turn around. Confused about what the hell just happened, I stand there for a second, drinking my coffee. Erratic women have overrun my life.

I’m almost to the main entrance when Callie calls my name. She bounces down the stairs and comes to a stop in front of me with expectant eyes. “Say it,” she commands.

I smile and gladly do as I was told. “I’ll see you later, beautiful.”

She pulls my face down until my lips meet her forehead, and I oblige with a kiss. She steps back, taking my coffee cup from me. “You’re done with this, right?”

Well, since she runs up the steps with it in hand, I am.

By the time I reach the parking lot, I’m still wondering whether to take offense to the abrupt ejection. She’s crazy if she thinks I won’t see her after class. If I had my way, I’d spend the entire day in the cozy world of blankets, pillows, and Callie. My favorite world so far.

Music blasts from the speakers when I turn the key, and I slam the knob to kill the sound. I was distracted on the drive over here last night, but I don’t recall deafening myself on the way. Movement in the backseat brings my attention to the rearview mirror.

Gavin rises from under my coat. “Hello, Jordan.”

Oh, shit.

Both passenger-side doors open in sync, and Benji and Johnny climb in.

“Fancy a trip to the casino?” Johnny lights a cigarette beside me. “Don’t bother answering.”

And the pieces of my odd morning align.

I’m being abducted.

Several hours and a vehicle change later, Benji’s station wagon—recalled in the nineties—barrels down the road. The engine sputters, and the brakes squeal as he slows. Gavin pushes me out of the still-moving vehicle. Somehow I stay upright, taking a few uneasy steps until I gain my balance.

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