Page 9 of Untraced Magic
“Hi, I’m Morgan.” I waved to no one in particular, and a curvy girl with dark auburn hair, heavy eyeliner, and a black choker around her neck approached me.
“Hey, I’m Scarlet.” She smiled in greeting, her hazel orbs giving me a onceover. “Don’t mind them; they’re just having some fun.” She nodded toward the two guys jostling in some supposedly not-so-serious sparring match, but damn, it looked real to me.
It was like something out of a movie, the guys ripped with all their muscles and—
“And that’s Jade,” Scarlet continued, pointing at a girl with bright chestnut hair over the other side of the room. She waved in response.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I replied, giving Jade a wave as well. My gaze swung around the room, landing on familiar green irises.
Wesley leaned against the back of a couch, beer in hand. He lifted it in the air. “Morgan, glad you could make it.”
“You asked so nicely, I couldn’t refuse,” I countered with a chuckle.
Scarlet moved into my line of vision. “Aaannndd you’ve obviously met Wesley somewhere along the way?” Her hazel eyes watched me with interest.
“Yeah, I just moved in next door, he invited me over.”
Scarlet’s lips formed a thin line, her head bobbing in understanding. She moved in closer, her voice lowering. “Between you and I, many a woman has probably had an invitation tohishouse, if you get what I'm trying to say.”
I nodded. “Loud and clear.”
No surprises there.
A heavy thump sounded from the center of the room, drawing my attention. Of the two guys sparring, the broader one with light hair stood over top of the other, the darker haired one flat on his back. Blondie extended his hand, helping the guy on the ground to his feet.
They slapped each other on the back in good spirits before circling each other again.
“That’s Reid and Colton,” said Scarlet, motioning to the two guys, but her words misted into the background as my attention gravitated to the guy who I assumed was Skye’s brother, still facing away from me.
When he turned to the side, my breath stilled, lungs holding tight, recognizing the familiar brown hair.
It couldn’t be. The guy from the gas station?
His feet were bare, and he wore a dark t-shirt and faded black jeans that hugged his thighs in a way that should be dubbed sinful.
I was sure it was him.
Scarlet’s voice broke my stupor. “Oh, and last but not least... that’s Skye’s brother, Tyler.” She nodded towards Skye and the stranger from the gas station.
My mouth went dry, falling open slightly. Like I could catch a taste of him.
Skye’sbrother.
Tall, dark, and handsome. As if his mother had checked all the right boxes.
I didn’t need the distraction of a male. But against my better judgement, I found myself silently willing him to turn to me.
To find my eyes.
Tyler
Aboveme,theglowof two amber lanterns lit up the deck as daylight disappeared beneath the horizon. The air was stiff, but on nights like this I still managed to run hot even in a t-shirt. Thermo magic had a way of doing that to me.
“God dammit, Wes, it’s the wrong connection size,” I muttered just as arms engulfed me from behind. My eyes widened in surprise before a familiar voice met my ears.
“Hey, big brother, thought fixing the grill would be your jam.”
I turned to find Skye standing beside me with a knowing look on her face. She hadn’t aged a bit in the years she had been away, still looking as young as the day she left. I was sure she had inherited our mother’s seemingly ageless genes.
