Page 41 of Rise of the Melody
When I looked at Clare, she was watching, very still. She met my eyes. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“Are you close with her?” I repeated.
“Oh. No. She’s only ever been close to Teague. Their parents were best friends before they went missing. Her and Teague were a thing for two years but they broke up this winter. Between us, I think they still hook up.”
My stomach completely soured. Great.
“I think Teague might have a crush on you, though,” she said with a smile. “Which is not a bad thing. I think he’s been trying to pull away from Mai for a while but he hasn’t had a reason not to get dragged back in.” She took a sip of her drink. “Until now.”
I shook my head. “I’m not getting in the middle of that. I can already tell she doesn’t like me.”
“Don’t let her hold you back. She doesn’t like anyone. Want a drink?” She held out the hard seltzer.
“No, thank you.” I sighed quietly. Small town drama. Not cute.
“A-yo, T!” Chrystamos shouted. “We need more wood for this fire!”
Everyone turned to watch, like getting logs was going to be a show, so I watched too. My breath hitched as Teague raised a hand and a huge, round log lifted from a pile in the rocks. I tried not to freak out about a piece of wood floating high in the air. I glanced around nervously at all the amused watchers.
“Are all these people magical?” I whispered. “What if someone sees?”
“Yeah, everyone here is fae blooded or magical. This private beach is for this whole strip of houses.” She motioned to the row of mansions on the sea. “All owned by mystics. Shani and Chrys are only three houses down.”
“Oh, wow.”
My attention shot back to the show when the entire log split in half, mid-air, with a loud ripping sound before dropping onto the fire with a flash of sparks. Everyone cheered and Teague smiled big.
“Holy crap,” I muttered, a little turned on.
“Yeah,” Clare said. “He’s really good. He broke a rock in half while he was learning. He’s able to really imagine the particles. Molecules. Whatever. And, like, manipulate them.”
It made me want to go home and practice more. I caught myself touching the stupid cuff and crossed my arms.
“Heads up!” someone yelled.
I looked up to see a football spiraling towards my head. I wished I was the kind of badass that could snatch it from the air, but instead I ducked and let it hit the sand behind me. Then I shook my head at Teague jogging up with a grin.
“My bad,” he said, and Clare snorted.
“Yeah, that throw went slightly off course,” she said sarcastically.
Teague towered over me. “Hey, can I hug you?”
My heart wobbled in my chest. “Do I look huggable?”
“No,” he admitted, still grinning. “Which is why I asked.”
Clare laughed. “I hugged her. Don’t be afraid.”
I let out a fake sigh. “Bring it in.”
“Yes!” He wrapped his arms around me so strong that my neck cracked.
“Ow.” I laughed and he loosened his hold.
When he pulled back just enough to look down at me, I got a whiff of warm boy, spicy and sweet with a hint of sweat. My smile went away because a zap of arousal danced down my torso and I had to squirm away before it met its mark.
Nope, nope, nope, not doing that.
