The Heir Read online

  “What did you think of the movie?” Shad asked, swinging out our hands playfully with a smile.

  “Uh, it was good,” I responded quickly. I had not really been paying much attention. With Shad beside me, I took notice of every movement he made and every shift and every glance. “What about you?” I asked as we reached his car.

  “It was enjoyable, but I really dislike it when the romance is so shallow. How can it truly be love? I guess I was taught differently,” he shrugged. I wished I had paid attention to the movie at that moment.

  “Shallow love? Is there really such a thing? Sounds more like infatuation or lust?” I gulped. Did I just say “lust”?

  “True, they called it love, but it wasn’t.” He opened the door for me, and I slipped in. He walked around and slipped into his seat beside me.

  “Sorry, it wasn’t that enjoyable for you.”

  “It was incredibly enjoyable—just not because of the movie.” His smile gleamed at me, and I felt my cheeks heat. “There it is. I could not see you well enough in the movie to see that pretty pink in your cheeks. I missed it.” He grazed his fingers over my heated face.

  “Yes, well, I like the darkness for the exact opposite reason.”

  He chuckled and shifted gears, pulling out of the parking lot.

  “Thank you for coming with me. I really needed to do something normal.”

  “Normal?” he asked, and I shrugged, not wanting to say anything more.

  We reached our street, and he parked in front of my house, but instead of unbuckling my seatbelt right away and escaping, I lingered, not ready yet to leave him. The song I created in my head for us was a constant reminder of just how much happiness this boy brought into my life. When I wasn’t with him, I longed for the melody that brought a smile to my face. When I was with him, I could forget about my parent’s cruel deaths and about the nameless man and the fears in my soul. We sat there, and I listened to the music in my soul, and I smelled mint and leather, which reminded me that I was with Shad, and I closed my eyes.

  “Are you going to fall asleep then?” he chuckled beside me as he spoke. I opened my eyes and turned to him.

  “I get so tired after movies. Has anyone ever told you how good your car smells?”

  He looked surprised. “My car?”

  I nodded.

  “No, I don’t often have people in my car, as a matter of fact.”

  “Oh—”

  “Just you, it would seem.” I looked at him and into his eyes with the song I played just for us in my head. His eyes were the color of honey, seeming to glow in the dark car. I put a hand on his arm, and he put a hand on mine. His collar I noticed wasn’t straight, and before I could think about what I was doing, I leaned over the console, and tucked his collar into place.

  “There, all better,” I barely made a sound as I spoke the words. My hand was on his leg, and I was nearly on top of him, I realized. I needed to move, wanted to move, but my body wanted to be right where it was. The hand that fixed his collar was hovering, and I placed it on his shoulder for balance. He took my waist in his hands to steady me so that I would not fall directly into his lap.

  “Thank you,” he said in a rumble of a whisper. I could feel his hot breath on my face. I looked into his eyes again and saw something there: Sadness? Longing? Why was he sad? I looked to his lips and quickly licked my own.

  “Sorry, your—uh, collar was a little messed up.”

  “Thank you for fixing it,” he said, his hand moving to touch my hair. As he tangled his fingers into my hair, I melted against his chest, and he wrapped me in a hug. Finally, I thought. I am finally in his arms. Finally his arms are wrapped around me. I thought: how easy it would be to press my face into his neck, to kiss the side of his jaw—get it together! But how can I when he smells like heaven, and rain, and all I want to do it get caught in it, caught in him? I heard my song ringing so loudly inside me, I never wanted it to stop. The hug was brief, and my side ached from the middle console, but it was worth it. He let go, and I scooted back to my seat, straightening my hair. I grew embarrassed and turned away from him, trying to steady my breathing and the electricity and fire that were flowing through my body from our hug.

  “I will walk you to your door,” he offered, his voice raspy and low. I nodded and waited for him to open my door for me, because I knew he would. I could not help but think as he walked me to my porch and wished me goodnight that I longed to be in his arms again and to know what a kiss tasted like from his lips.

  Friendship

  “SO, EMMA, HOW WAS YOUR date?” Mary asked the next morning as I came downstairs to grab a bagel for breakfast.

  “It wasn’t a date, Mary.”

  “Uh, it kind of was. Did he pay for you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold your hand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then it was so a date.”

  I couldn’t help but feel elated, but it felt uncomfortable to talk to her about it, so I frowned at Mary.

  “I thought you didn’t like Shad,” I said, raising a brow.

  “Well, he isn’t my favorite person, but I talked to Ryker, and he assured me that Shad is safe.”

  “Safe?” I almost choked on a piece of my bagel. I coughed as I tried to clear my throat.

  “Yes, safe. That’s important, Emma.”

  “I am surprised Ryker said he was safe. Ryker hates Shad.”

  “He did say he hated him, but it was all personal,” she shrugged.

  Safe, what is that about? Is Mary worried she will lose me, too, in a car crash or something, like my parents? He was a safe driver. He was pretty much the most put together and responsible person I knew.

  “He is a safe driver, Mary. You don’t need to worry.”

  “Well, good. I am glad Ryker was right.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Ryker said homecoming is coming up. You plan on going?” Mary asked, filling up a cup of water.

  I twisted a piece of bagel in my fingers and looked at her, embarrassed.

  “What, you have a date!” she said, smiling.

  “I mean, yeah, Shad asked me last night.”

  Her smile vanished.

  “Really, Mary. I like him. Can you try?”

  She smiled and nodded, “anything for you, sweetheart.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How about we go dress shopping? You can even bring that girl, what was her name—“

  “Ash?”

  “Yes, Ash, you can bring Ash along. Does she have a date?”

  “Not sure, but this guy named Sam is always flirting with her. I bet he asks.”

  “Okay, wonderful! Okay, I have to head into the shop. I will see you tonight.” She smiled, kissed the top of my head, and walked out of the kitchen.

  When I thought about dress shopping on my way to school that morning, I didn’t know exactly what I would look for in a homecoming dress, but I wanted something classy. I felt beautiful and treasured when I was with Shad. He made me feel valuable. I didn’t think that was overly common with boys. I was never like normal girls, but playing a normal girl, going to homecoming with a handsome guy was something I was ecstatic about. I wasn’t sure what the latest fashion trends were, but I knew that between Ash and Mary, they would not let me down.

  I SAW ASH OUTSIDE BY her locker before school, and I headed towards her. She was standing with her back against the locker, talking to some boy with dark brown hair. He looked angry. He was much taller than her, and he wore a black leather Jacket, black shirt, and black pants. Ash had her arms across her small body and was staring him down.

  “So Ashlyn?” the boy asked as I approached.

  Ash looked at me, embarrassment written all over her face. “Emma!” She shouted and smiled. “Glass, this is Emma, Emma, this is Glass.” He looked at me, and I stood back in shock. He was decent looking, but had a large scar across the right side of his face that made me wonder where it came from. He had an air about him—not an unpleasan
t air, but he was no Shad. I wondered how Ash knew him.

  “We will talk later,” The guy said as he strode off in an angry growl. Ash stuck out her tongue at him and stomped her foot.

  “What was that all about?” I asked, motioning to the guy.

  “He doesn’t go to this school,” was all she said.

  “Okay, so why was he so mad?”

  “He just thinks he can control me, like everyone else in my life. But I am my own person, and I make the calls, or I mean call the shots.” She fumbled in her locker for her hot pink backpack and faced me after she slammed the locker. She wore a bright blue dress and black leggings, with a pair of high-top converse in the same bright blue color.

  “Sorry. Your brother?”

  “No, it doesn’t matter; he’s annoying. He’s a family friend, and he checks in on me from time to time. Don’t worry, he won’t bother me again at school. I will make sure of that.”

  “Is he dangerous?”

  “No, he is all bark. Really, Emma, don’t worry. I can handle him.”

  “Okay, if you are sure.”

  She nodded.

  “So, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go dress shopping with Mary and me.”

  “For homecoming!?” she asked, jumping slightly up and down.

  “Yes,” I smiled.

  She frowned, “I don’t have a date yet.”

  “Well, it’s still early, and Sam is in love with you. I am sure he will ask you soon.”

  “Sam? Are you sure? I do like him,” she giggled.

  “So you will come?”

  “I mean, even if I don’t go to the dance, I would love to come, so—I guess, yes, I will come; however, that boy better ask me soon!” She smiled as the bell ring.

  “I am sure he will. See you at lunch.”

  “Bye!” She called in her sing-song voice.”

  I walked down a ways to my locker. I didn’t care if I was late. I needed my books, and I could probably barely make it if I hurried. I turned the dial to enter my combination when Shad came up from behind me. I didn’t see him right away, but I knew he was there because the familiar song I made up started playing in my head again. I turned when I saw him and smiled.

  “Good morning,” I said with a full smile.

  “Good morning,” he replied.

  I turned to look at him as I closed my locker.

  “Um, Emma?” Shad asked with a wicked smile that I had never seen before on him.

  “Yes?” I asked, not looking at his eyes.

  “Didn’t you need your books?”

  I grunted and opened my locker again. “You know, if you didn’t distract me so much with that beautiful face—” I stopped turning the dial and clasped a hand over my mouth.

  “So you think my face is beautiful?” he said, sounding amused.

  “No, boys aren’t beautiful,” I said, unzipping my backpack and shoving my books inside.

  “No, except for me?” He looked all too amused. I shook my head.

  “Shad—” I whined.

  He took my hand and entangled our fingers together. “Sorry, Emma, I like your blush too much. I will try and not provoke you.” He winked, and I nodded.

  “Hey, Emma, what’s—” I heard someone say from behind us. I turned around and saw Ryker. He looked at Shad and then at me and then to our clasped hands. I tried to pull my hand from Shad’s, but he wouldn’t let me go just yet. I looked at him, and he shrugged, acting as if it wasn’t his fault. He just couldn’t let go.

  “—Up?” Ryker finally finished. He looked upset, and I wanted to comfort him, but wait, that didn’t matter. I was mad at him.

  “Oh, hey Ryker,” I respond in my irritated tone. His eyes left our tangled hands and met Shad’s eyes.

  “Don’t touch her,” Ryker glared at Shad. I was about to say something, but Shad moved me behind him.

  “Ryker, you need to stop this. You are hurting Emma. Is that what you want?”

  Ryker looked at me, and I watched his face change for only a moment. “She doesn’t know what she is getting into. Do you plan on explaining things to her before you take away all of her options or choices?”

  “Like you?”

  “Do not compare us. We are nothing alike.”

  “Now, Ryker, that I agree with. We are absolutely nothing alike.”

  “So tell her then.”

  “I have not lied to her. Have you?” Shad raised a brow, and I could not help but wonder what they were talking about. I knew Ryker had lied to me, though, telling everyone I was his girlfriend and never telling me about it. That was a lie in my opinion because he kept it from me.

  “So I heard something interesting—” I spoke finally, coming into view from behind Shad, not caring about their guy drama. Ryker turned to me. I moved in front of him. “You have been telling people I am your girlfriend?” I accused, curious as to what he would say. I waited, but I didn’t have to wait long.

  “Yeah, so?” he said with a shrug.

  “What do you mean, ‘so’?” I shrugged back to mock him.

  “No big deal. People asked, and I just needed to tell them something. I thought it was funny.”

  “You didn’t think it might have been something I should know?” I said irritated.

  “Sorry, I didn’t think it would bother you. You don’t really seem that interested in dating. I thought it would be nice to not worry about turning guys down.” He met my gaze

  “What?”

  “What, you haven’t even been on one date,” he nearly shouted while looking at me. I clutched my fingers together in irritation. That was just about the most embarrassing thing he could have said in front of Shad.

  “Well, thanks for that, Ryker. Yell it out to the whole world, why don’t you.”

  “I didn’t think you cared about that stuff!” Anger radiated from him as he yelled.

  “That stuff? You mean dating? Of course, I want to date! Of course, I care about that stuff. You never let me.” I looked down at the ground. I had had just about enough of Ryker.

  “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to make you upset.”

  I nodded, too angry to speak for the moment. Who was he becoming? Why was he so mad at me, yelling, keeping things from me? Would I lose him, too? This isn’t my Ryker; this isn’t my friend. What is happening to him?

  “Well, Emma, we should probably head to class,” I heard Shad say from behind me.

  “Yea, okay,” I responded, taking one last look at Ryker.

  “Emma, I am really sorry,” Ryker pleaded.

  “She said she was fine, Ryker.” Shad spoke before I had a chance to say anything. Before I knew it, Shad placed his arm over my shoulders and led me away from Ryker, my past world, my best friend. I was so irritated at Ryker, so hurt and confused that I didn’t even look back.

  “What I wouldn’t do to punch that—” Shad nearly growled, seeming very irritated. “I cannot believe what he just said to you, Emma. I am so sorry. I know you care about him.” He pulled the mess of waves from my face, tucking a few strands behind my ears. I was surprised by his gentleness, surprised that he cared enough to be that irritated with Ryker, and then, I wasn’t—because he was my friend, and he had only ever been gentle and kind to me.

  “I wish he would talk to me; we used to tell each other everything.”

  Shad turned my chin so that I was looking at him. At his touch, more hot flutters flew through me. He quickly wiped my tears away softly with his fingers and looked at me. I had not realized that I had been crying. “Men are stupid. In every land. In every place and in every age, they are dumb,” he smirked.

  “What do you mean? You are a guy,” I sniffled and tried to calm myself down.

  “Of course, and I am dumb, sometimes, when it comes to females, especially you. You haven’t known me for long enough yet, but I will make my own fair share of mistakes, darling. Regardless of my appearance, I am not perfect.” He gave me a sweet smile.

  “Darling?” I almost whispered the wo
rd.

  “What?” He asked, looking at me as if he had just called me Emma, as if calling me “darling” was as normal as breathing.

  “I just—I mean, I haven’t heard anyone call someone ‘darling’ before,” I said, looking into his eyes. I looked at his clothing and his stance and the way he was, and I could not help but imagine him in another time. It surely makes sense, I mean, his clothing alone—and the formal way he talks, I thought. I shook my head, why was I so weird? Another time, really, Emma? I was sure he would think I was crazy for saying something about the endearment. Maybe “darling” was the new thing guys said to girls, and I was just unaware.

  “Ah, yes, sorry about that, a bit outdated maybe?” he shrugged as he spoke.

  Ah, so it is an old term. I am not crazy. “Anyways—” I started, but he cut me off.

  “Everyone makes mistakes, Emma; you cannot let a beautiful face distract you,” he smirked.

  “Wow, you really won’t leave me alone about calling you beautiful will you?” I asked with a smile. He touched the tip of my nose and shook his head in a “no.” I laughed. He had done a good job of distracting me for a moment, and I was grateful.

  “Ryker has always been there for me. He was there when my parents died. He helped me with everything. I owe him everything.”

  “Is he always this controlling of your life?” he asked, stiffening beside me, his hands dropping from my face. Why did he seem irritated?

  “Well, yeah, but that’s what friends do.”

  “No, Emma. That is what a parent would do, but not even. It is almost like he is afraid for you to live, to experience life. I would never want you to live in such a way that years from now you would resent me because I kept you in some cage and never let you fly. My parents kept me in a cage, and I missed out on so much in life. I love them, and they are good people—but I wish I had had a childhood filled with friendship and memories of days playing and being carefree. I will always wish I had that. I was raised to grow up fast, and I did.” He looked up to me; his eyes looked over every feature of my face before holding my gaze. He was opening up to me more and more, and I loved it. I wanted to know him, every single thing about him. I forgot about Ryker at that moment. “Men? Boys? We are stupid,” he finally said after a long pause.