Page 2 of Unhinged Magic
I laughed, tugging at a strand, remembering my 'blondes had more fun' stage. “Yeah, thought it was time for a change.”
He gave a low chuckle, his mouth pulling into a tight smile. “Suits you.” He adjusted the gas bottle on his thigh. “Sorry, let me get this sorted and I’ll be back.” He left, heading inside, no doubt to the garage.
I rubbed my arms as an evening breeze whipped through the backyard. I rarely felt the cold, but tonight I wore my favoritecropped tee, and it seemed even my fire element was not enough to warm my exposed midriff.
I scanned the room of people, spotting a familiar face. Scarlet, my best friend. She walked toward me, having come straight from the apothecary she owned, her black knit dress hugging curves I could only dream of having. She was the local herbal witch, and with dark brown hair tinged a shade of red, a black choker chain around her neck, and subtle eyeliner, I had to admit she looked the part. When I messaged her about returning to Cutters Cove, she instantly asked me to move in with her, so I did.
“Hey.” She nudged me playfully in the ribs, a large smile creasing the corners of her hazel eyes.
“Hey yourself. How was work? Any more humans thinking your special brews will fix their hemorrhoids?” I joked.
She leaned against the doorframe, a light laugh lifting her shoulders. “Today it was warts,” she said dryly.
I shook my head, my face contorting in disgust. “So gross.”
Scar’s attention turned to Morgan, watching as she spoke to Tyler at the bottom of the stairwell. “I just spoke to the new girl,” she said.
I followed her line of sight before quickly turning away so as not to make it obvious we were talking about her. “That’s Morgan, Tyler’s new neighbor. She seems really nice,” I mused.
Although I had only just met Morgan, the few times I’d spoken with her had felt natural. Friendly even. But I also knew not to take anyone at face value, because I was privy to the supernatural that walked unbeknownst to the humans in Cutters Cove daily. Witches, vampires, and wolves were my everyday normal.
Hence Tyler’s interest in his new neighbor.
Morgan’s beauty had not gone unnoticed in the room, and I eyed a guy with a cap on, stealing a glance in her direction. Herdark brown eyes matched her hair, with a natural beauty about her that didn’t need an ounce of makeup. My bet was she didn’t see it that way.
Scar’s middle finger grazed over her thumbnail. “She seems legit, but I guess Wes will find out for sure.”
Of course. Wesley’s sensor gift.
There were many things Scar had filled me in on over the years, one thing holding my curiosity the most. Namely that Wesley, my childhood best friend, had become quite the ladies' man of late. I couldn’t see it, myself. I had known him as the humble boy next door who was my brother’s best friend, and I could not imagine him any other way.
At that moment, my attention moved to the two guys sparring in the middle of the room, both good-looking in their own way. One, heavier built than the other, landed on the ground with athumpafter having backwards-cap guy kick his feet out from beneath him.
I studied the blond guy on the ground, the bulkier of the two.
Holy crap, was that Colton?
The room erupted in both energy and laughter, high fives and middle fingers flying. I smiled at the testosterone edging their competitive sides.
I eyed the guys closely. “Where is Wesley anyway?” My gaze flicked from one person to the next, not seeing anyone familiar. “I haven’t seen him in...” I stopped short, unable to finish my sentence. I instinctively folded my arms around myself.
Scar gave me a sympathetic look, because she and Tyler were the only ones that knew why I really left Cutters Cove all those years ago.
She wrapped a hand around my shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze before her sparkled with mischief. “You’re in for a treat where Wes is concerned.”
A deep voice suddenly drew my attention, Colton’s voice lifting above the others. “Ty, get out there. Last time I looked, you were getting rusty.”
A laugh boomed from the corner of the room in response, and I followed the voice to a guy I hadn’t noticed before. Behind a makeshift bar, he had his back to me.
He turned, casually scanning the room.
My stomachhollowed.A tremor of emotion lodged in my throat.
When his eyes found mine, an emerald avalanche crashed over me, my chest constricting tightly, my fingertips suddenly numb. I pressed my thumb against each one, attempting to force feeling back into them, but it was no use.
Familiar green irises stared back at me, so intensely I grabbed at the door frame to keep me upright, frightened my knees would buckle if I let go.
My internal dialogue screamed at me. Holy fucking fucks.Wesley.
