Page 39 of Rise of the Melody
I noticed everyone laughing except Clare, who watched Chrystamos with a small smile as she spun a drink between her fingers. Her hair was in two pigtail braids today.
“Did you guys work this morning?” I glanced from Chrystamos to Teague.
Teague responded, “Yeah, but we actually finished early because we caught a haul so fast. So, we had time to shower and get pretty for our gal pals.” He ran a hand through his still-damp waves and smiled with those dimples. We held eye contact a moment too long and I looked away, feeling my stupid cheeks blush. I caught Mairi’s eye, and she was unsmiling. Either she didn’t like me, or she liked Teague and didn’t want him talking to me. Fab.
“So, Letty.” Shani lowered her voice and leaned across the table holding her drink with fingerless gloves. “We’re all going out tonight after sundown. Wanna come?”
“Please?” Clare linked her fingers together. “It’s so fun. And a little scary.”
“Why scary?” I asked.
“It’s not scary,” Chrystamos assured me. “Clare is just a scaredy cat.Meow.” His cat noise was freakishly good.
Clare stuck her tongue out at him. “We’re going to the national park, which has been closed for murders, so, yeah,” she said. “Scary. My magical powers won’t exactly help me if I’m attacked, so excuse me for feeling freaked out.”
“Oh,” I said, letting the plans sink in and feeling a rush of dread. “I don’t think I can.” And I didn’t they should either. Either I was lame or they were dumb.
“Why?” Mairi asked. “What are your plans?” I didn’t like the way she asked, almost accusatory.
“Helping my aunt,” I lied.
“Aw, come on,” Teague begged. “I’m telling my uncle that I’m going to Chrys’s.”
“And we’re going to Teague’s.” Chrystamos motioned to himself and Shani.
“I’m not trying to be boring, but isn’t there a kelpie on the loose?”
The looks on their faces were filled with mischief and adventure, as if they naively thought they could take on the kelpie if they encountered it.
“You guys are crazy,” I said, trying to joke. I imagined having to sing in front of all of them in an emergency situation and panic surged through me. Not that I could get the cuff off anyway.
“Okay, okay,” Teague said. “What if we just have a beach bonfire then? Away from the national park.”
“That sounds better,” Clare said, and I agreed, though the others moaned.
Mo’s raised voice came from behind the coffee counter. “Um, Letty, dear?”
I jumped up and ran over where CooShee was on his hind legs with his paws on the counter as if demanding a snack. I snatched his leash and tugged him down.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, then to CooShee, “You can’t be putting your nasty paws on a counter.” Mo seemed to be holding back a grin when I asked her, “How are you today?”
“I’m fine, dear. Good to see you again.”
“You too.” I smiled. “Can I get a pup cup?”
“Of course.”
I pulled out some cash for her while she made it, and then took the cup back to the table. All my friends were laughing.
“Bro, he is so funny,” Teague said.
I let out a breath and looked at CooShee. “Just lick out the whipped stuff. Don’t eat the whole—”Chomp. He took the whole cup from my hand again and ate it, causing an uproar among the table. Chrystamos almost fell out of his chair. I shook my head, grinning. “I’ve got to get him out of here. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Check your phone,” Shani called. “I’m sending out a group text.”
I nodded and left, forcing myself with all my power not to look back at Teague, who I swear I felt watching me. And it felt good.
Chapter11
