Page 19 of Enchanted Kisses
“You, too. Have fun at the convention.”
“Night.” Dad winked and closed the door behind him.
The first thing I did was reach for the juice. Within seconds of guzzling the delicious drink, my brain grew more alert and my body felt less achy.
Amazing stuff.
After inhaling the best pizza I’d ever tasted, I tucked my plate and glass in the dishwasher and returned to my room.
I scanned the space for any hint of what I’d done this afternoon. A few outfits hung from an open dresser drawer, and a sundress lay over a green cube near my closet. I opened my robe to see what I had on underneath—my favorite Tinkerbell boyshort panties and a tank top, something I only wore to bed.
Stumped and growing frustrated with myself, I scoured my room for my phone. I could call Raysa and tell her my concerns; I know she wouldn’t judge me. Caiden wouldn’t either, or at least, he never had in the past. Both understood my dad’s hallucinations. They always treated him with respect, as if he were normal, and I was certain they’d treat me the same.
I found my phone on my desk next to my laptop. When I scrolled to Raysa’s contact information, I remembered something. She said she’d stop by with any missed assignments after her classes, but I didn’t see any papers or notes from her. Likewise, Caiden was supposed to drop off my car. Maybe one or both had texted or left me a message.
Nope. Nothing. Not even a phone call from either of them.
Hmph.I crossed my arms with more frustration. Raysa I could forgive; it went with her busier-than-usual-schedule lately. As for Caiden…ignoring me wasn’t the best way to earn my forgiveness.
I blew out a breath and was about to check the driveway for my car when my phone rang. At the same time, something slammed against my window. The hard impact shook the windowpane, and a light flashed behind my closed blinds.
I jumped. “What the hell was that?”
My phone continued to ring. With my gaze locked on the window, I mindlessly answered the call. “Hello?”
“What’s wrong?” Caiden asked, his tone filled with worry.
“Hello to you, too.” I didn’t hide the edge to my voice.
“You sound off. Are you all right?”
Damn, he knew me well, and I couldn’t deny that I liked it. “Actually, something really big just hit my window.” I reached a shaky hand toward the blinds to open them.
Another bang sounded on the windowpane.
I flinched away. “Holy crap. Something’s out there.”
“What do you see?” Caiden sounded as tense as I felt.
“Nothing. My blinds are closed.”
“I’m on my way over. Don’t open them, and don’t go outside. Understand?”
“Wait,” I said, trying to collect my thoughts. Did I want Caiden to come over? I was angry at him for not calling and not coming by earlier. Of course, he was trying to do that now, and I needed my car but part of me wanted to argue it was too late. He’d had his chance and blew it.
“Lily?” Caiden said. “Are you there?”
“Yes.”
“I’m almost to your house. Meet me at the side garage door like you used to.”
Like you used to. The words drew memories to my mind. On days when I helped at the nursery or had too much homework to hang out, Caiden would text me and say he was coming over after my dad went to sleep. I would let him in through the garage. It was on the other side of the house and less noisy, which meant less chance of disturbing Dad’s sleep.
What harm could it do to let him explain tonight? We needed to talk. Why not now?
“Okay,” I finally said.
I started for the garage. “Can you check outside the house first and see what hit my window?”
