Infinity chronicles book.., p.5
Infinity Chronicles Book Two, page 5
I feel his teeth on my shoulder as they scrape my skin, but just enough where I can feel the pressure. I gasp as his tongue licks over the bite. Oh goodness, how can I feel that in places he wasn’t touching? “Oh,” is all I have to say after.
Ares pulls my back into his chest and tucks me into his side again, spooning me. His lips and nose push aside the fabric of my borrowed t-shirt so his can kiss his way all over my back, neck, and shoulders. A few spots he hits has my body arching into his, he gives those spots a little extra attention before moving onto the next areas. I’m almost panting when his fingers flex on my hip, drawing me back into the crook of his body.
His kisses slow until he settles with his mouth near my ear and his scruffy chin against my shoulder. I’ll probably have stubble burn all over my neck tomorrow, but I can’t even pretend to care right now. My body is languid next to his. My shirt has ridden up with all of my movements, so I can feel the softness of his sleep pants on the backs of my thighs.
The weight of Ares's body behind me slowly increases. He’s relaxing, his muscles loosening as he drifts off. I close my eyes even though I feel like I’m way too keyed up to fall asleep, letting the comfort of his embrace lull me.
As my body relaxes, the thoughts I’ve been trying to keep at bay begin to circle into my head. We still haven’t found my mom. Ares installed a fancy security system in my motor home—it’s probably worth more than the whole vehicle—but he’s able to monitor if anyone comes or goes off his computer, even his phone has an app. She hasn’t been back, not that I expected her to at this point. I just wish I knew where she was, how I could find her.
I stopped by and paid the lot rent for another month at the end of last week. Michael, the camp host, gave me the side eye when he noticed Dante in the car out front, but he didn’t say anything as he took the envelope of cash from my hand.
I feel like I’m spinning my wheels. Ares is hesitant about telling their community we are a true Infinity until he knows what my mom was hiding from me, and what she was hiding me from. So, I still feel like a dirty secret. I understand the reasoning behind his motives, but every time there’s someone around, I’m unsure how to act. It’s not just at school either, Mia is always here, and then there are the other people coming and going all the time that either work with or for Ares. He mostly holds up in his office when I leave for school, running interference so we can get out of the house with no one knowing I’m with them. It’s all way too cloak and dagger for me.
Secretly, or maybe not even so secretly anymore, I hate that Mia is still in the house with us. I’ve grown used to the idea that my place is with them, and my instincts tell me she has no place amongst us. The thought of her alone all day with Ares invokes a feeling of territorialism I was completely unfamiliar with until I met my guys, even more so than Delaney because I’ve seen Ares with Mia. As bad as I felt for Delaney when I thought she and Dante were together, he was always so dismissive of her, and still is. It’s the opposite with Mia and Ares, he has a genuine fondness for Mia. It’s clear as day when they’re around each other. He listens when she talks, he’s relaxed when she’s around.
Though I see the differences in the way he behaves toward Mia and I, I know she has feelings for him that go far beyond friendship. It’s in the way she always finds a reason to stand next to him, the way her eyes follow him, even when there’s no real reason for her to do so.
I can’t say I blame her, Ares is darkly attractive. He has a way about him that makes you crave his attention. I think it has something to do with his powers. I’ve felt the way he influences feelings and emotions when we first met. I don’t think he’s even aware of the fact that his secrets pull you in, so you want to know more about him.
Wiggling a bit, I take a deep breath and blow it out my nose. There’s nothing I can do to solve anything right now. It’s not like lying in the dark will give me some answers to where my mom is, nor is it going to help fight my new territorial behavior.
Clearing my thoughts, I pull forward the ritual I use to fall asleep when my mind won’t shut off. I build my forever home. I start with a large piece of property, it’s nothing I’ve ever seen in real life, more an amalgamation of several places I’ve seen or wanted to see over the years. There’s a wooded area that offers cool shade during the hot months. A running creek that leads to a large pond just past the view of an older farm house. In the background, I can see waves of green corn stalks taller than my head. I take myself to where I know the house should sit.
Every time I build it, I change it a bit. The past few times I’ve done this, the house has taken on a striking resemblance to the house I’m sharing with the guys. I used to change it to fit my mood, sometimes I’d have a super modern interior, filled with high-tech gadgets, others I’d stay true to the exterior and keep it rustic. In my mind’s eye, I slowly craft a wide front door. The wood is dark with two matching windows on either side, framing it. The front porch is next, it spans the whole front of the house. As I collect rooms to add to my imaginary house, I let the thoughts keeping me awake fall away.
Chapter 4
With blurry eyes, I stumble to the bathroom when Ollie’s alarm sounds. I barely remember being woken up last night to come back downstairs. I don’t think I even walked. I remember the feel of Milo’s t-shirt against my cheek, his fresh from the shower smell, but not much else.
I had to climb over Ares to get out of bed, but he barely stirred, he sleeps so deeply. He says it’s new, somehow related to sharing a bed with me. I’m happy that he sleeps so well now, but honestly it freaks me out sometimes too. I feel like there are times when he might not wake up at all.
I flip the shower on and handle my morning business, and by the time I’m done brushing my teeth, the water is piping hot when I get under the spray. I languish under the water for a long minutes before soaking my hair, so I can wash and condition it. I love the way the products smell, it’s the same scent all the guys use, so all day long, even when I’m not with them, I get subtle hints of them.
A few sharp raps on the door tell me I’ve been in here longer than intended. “Sorry, almost done.” I shut off the water immediately and towel dry. I’m not sure who else will need the shower this morning. After wrapping the towel around my body, I realize much too late that I didn’t grab my clothes this morning in my haste to get into the bathroom. “Damn it,” I curse under my breath as I poke my head out the door, hoping the room has miraculously become empty in the last few seconds.
Ollie and Milo are in various stages of readiness. Ollie is tugging a tight fitted grey thermal over his head, his flat stomach still visible. The sight gives me pause. He’s leaner than the other guys, but no less appealing. A throat clears to my right and my cheeks blaze red having been caught staring. Milo raises his brows, but he has a light smirk on his face.
“Did you need something?” Ollie offers when the shirt finally falls into place.
Turning my attention back to him, red faced and all, I bite my lip. “I forgot my clothes again,” I say as a way of explanation. I’ve done this several times. When I used to shower at the campsite, it would always be such a big ordeal. I’d plan my showers, depending on the lighting situation, plus I always had to take my shower caddy with me. Here it’s just so convenient I’ve gotten kinda lazy and indulgent.
Ollie rolls his eyes good-naturedly. “Just wrap up in a towel. I’m almost done, you?” he asks as he turns to Milo, who nods his head.
“I am.”
I tighten the towel over my chest, the cold air from the room making me shiver.
“Come on,” Milo beckons with a wave of his hand while he turns to gather something from the bed.
Pushing the door open, I tiptoe over to the wall of closets. I know my rump is covered, but that doesn’t stop me from pushing my hands over the towel back there anyway. A low whistle rends the air. I know it’s Ollie before even turning around. He couldn’t pretend to be a gentleman if his life depended on it.
With narrowed eyes I peer over my shoulder in his direction, but his hands are raised in innocence and he points to the door where Dante is standing, unapologetically staring at me. “And to think I could have missed this.” He leans on the doorframe, ready to take in a show that I’m not planning to give.
Still surprised the whistle came from him, I move into the closet. My whole body is warm now, and it has little to do with the temperature. A small place inside me likes the way it felt to know all three of them had their eyes on me.
Putting those thoughts out of my head, I grab a silky pair of black panties from the built-in dresser. When the clothes first started coming, I objected. I didn’t like the thought that they felt the need to take care of me, but after talking with them, and seeing that they do treat any need as a whole for the group, acceptance came much easier. A few times a week I’ll find a new shirt or dress hanging with my clothes. I don’t know who keeps buying the dresses and skirts, but there’s no way I’m wearing them to school. I tried to tell them it’s a waste, but no one even admitted to buying them.
When I turn to grab a pair of jeans from a hanger, I see all three guys have situated themselves outside the closet door. Huffing, I walk the few steps between me and the door and slide it closed. I was planning on taking my stuff back to the bathroom, but this will work just as well.
Sadly, I don’t get to see Ares before we load into the car. I’m glad it’s Friday, because I’ll have a few hours with him tomorrow morning before I need to go into work. As soon as the day registers, I realize today is the day we find out who won the scholarship. I know Dante is hoping he will, even if he won’t outright admit it. His artwork is so amazing, but he’s almost shy about it. I lean forward, my arms perched on the back of the seat. “Good luck today Dante.”
He turns to face me, his eyes soft and a small grin plays on his lips. “Thanks,” he whispers back, looking down at his lap. Ollie slides into the back with me and his brow furrows when he sees me leaning toward Dante. I fall back into my seat twisting my lips with a shrug. He can be curious, I like to tease him.
“I have the year end banquet tomorrow,” Milo announces. “I only have two tickets.” It’s the first I’ve heard of any banquet. I glance over at him and he meets my eyes. “My mom and my dads are coming too.” I haven’t met his or Ollie’s parents. Sometimes I forget they still see them. My relationship with my mom has always been so consuming, and now that she’s not around I forgot their parents are actually still in their lives.
“That’s awesome. What’s it like?” I ask, curious about the event.
Milo shrugs, looking out the window. “It’s just a dinner thing. So, I won’t be around tomorrow. My parents are getting a couple rooms in the city.”
“Oh.” Trying to cover how sad I sound I ask, “Where is it?”
“Columbia, it’s about forty minutes away.” Milo sounds completely dejected. “That’s why we’re getting rooms, the guys were going to…” His words trail off.
“What, the guys were going to what?” I prompt when he doesn’t seem like he’ll finish.
Ollie puts his hand on my leg. “We were going to go up with him, make a weekend out of it, but—”
I interrupt, “But me, right? That’s what you were going to say.” Scooting forward so I can reach Milo’s shoulder, I place my hand on him. “You still should. I don’t need a babysitter. They should go with you. I don’t really know what a football banquet is. But it seems pretty important.”
Milo drops his head. “It’s just some stupid dinner. I don’t even want to go.”
“And awards,” Dante adds.
“You’re getting an award?” Now I feel terrible, how did I not know this? I fall back into my seat feeling like shit. Have I been so wrapped up in my stuff that I don’t know what’s going on around me, or do they not talk to me? Both options are equally shitty.
“Milo, you’re going to that banquet. And taking the others with you.” I cross my arms over my chest, my words ring with an order.
“Ares isn’t going, we didn’t even know he was going to be back when we planned it.” Milo puts his elbow over the seat staring at me. “So, he’ll have you all weekend.” I scrunch up my face, he sounds aggravated. “My parents won’t understand if the guys don’t come. They’ll think we're fighting or something, and they already worry about us because they don’t know we found you. And Ares won’t let us tell them.” Flipping back around he slams into his seat. Frustrated with the entire situation.
“Milo, why don’t we just go for the day, make an excuse that we need to be back here. They know Ares is back. Tell them he’s throwing you a party, he didn’t know we were going to stay in Columbia for the weekend. Your parents won’t care, especially if they think it will keep Ares around.” Ollie, the voice of reason, appeals to Milo.
Milo lets out a long sigh.
“It’s okay if you want to stay Milo. Don’t feel like you can’t because of me. I don’t want to hold you back.” I hope he can hear the sincerity in my voice. I want him to celebrate his accomplishments, I just wish I could be there with him.
“It’s not like that Laura, but I don’t like hiding you from my parents. If Ares would just let me tell them, we could all go, including him.”
Dante pulls into the lot at school, he cuts the car off, but makes no move to get out. “We can talk to him again tonight. He doesn’t like keeping it from our parents either Milo, he thinks it’s safer this way.”
“Come on guys, we’ll talk to him tonight. It’s Friday, last day to be at this hellhole this week. Perk up, we’ll figure it out,” Ollie presses, trying to lighten the conversation.
I’m still feeling a little out of sorts about this weekend when lunch rolls around. Ollie did his best to distract me in the class we share, but I feel like I’m the reason Milo won’t have a great weekend with his friends and family.
What else don’t I know about? I mean, this is our senior year, are they planning on going to college? Ares is obviously past that point, but what about the others? In the back of my mind I always knew college wasn’t an option for me, unless I went to a community college while working, but even that was just a pipe dream. Will they go off to school, will they even be able to go without me? I know I feel like utter crap when I’m not around them for a few hours, I can’t imagine what it would be like if we went weeks, or months, without seeing each other. Maybe it’ll get easier, maybe after we’ve been together for a while the bond will grow, allowing us to be separated for longer periods of time without suffering the effects of being apart.
I need to ask them more questions. Like what is the purpose of our gifts? It seems if we’re blessed with these great abilities then there has to be a reason for it. Do they ever help people? There has to be more to this than parlor tricks.
“Laura,” Milo waves to me from the down the hall. He’s not as tall as the other guys, but it’s still easy to spot him in the crowed hallways. I pick up my pace and head in his direction. I know I can’t talk to them about all the things I’ve been thinking about right now, but I’m determined that I will, starting tonight, when I get off work.
“Hey,” I greet him when I’m close enough for him to hear me. “We eating in the lunchroom again?” The tone of my voice clearly telling him I’d rather not.
“Yeah, Ollie is already waiting for us. You okay?” I shrug, what can I say. I’m not okay. I have a lot on my mind. I thought things would get simpler after I accepted I was truly a part of them. That I had a place among them. But it opened up so many more questions about what the future holds for us.
Milo intertwines our fingers together. I probably should just give him a quick squeeze and let go, but I find myself clinging to his fingers. We pass through the double doors into the large cafeteria. I expect everyone to be staring in our direction, but we go in mostly unnoticed. He leads us over to the same table we sat at yesterday, and Ollie is in fact waiting for us.
A hush falls over the table as we walk up hand in hand. Ollie offers me a wide-tooth grin with a wink. Finally, releasing Milo’s hand, I climb onto the beach seat next to Ollie. Milo joins me right after so I’m sandwiched between them. My eyes scan the table. “Where’s Dante?”
“He’ll be here a little late. There’s some other project Delaney is trying to rope him into.” Ollie rolls his eyes, handing me a sandwich from his bag. Milo reaches over to snag his own.
Feeling a little self-conscious, I peel back the bag and take my first bite. I don’t make eye contact with anyone else at the table, and mostly they just ignore the fact that I’m even sitting among them. It feels strange eating in here when I’ve spent every day since elementary school avoiding the lunchroom. I’ve gone so long trying to be forgotten that I don’t really know how to be any other way while at school.
“I can’t believe the season’s already over man,” a guy I don’t know states as he starts chatting with Milo.
“Yeah, it’s crazy.” Milo doesn’t even seem very interested in the conversation. He’s barely paying attention to the guy.
“I can’t believe you’re not going to play ball in college.” That piques my curiosity. How does this guy already know Milo isn’t playing football in college?
“Nah man, never really been my plan,” Milo adds.
“I know, I think it’s crazy. I’d kill to be at your level.” The guy doesn’t sound resentful, more like he’s just making a statement. “Oh man, did you see Miller drop the ball?” He laughs, continuing with the story about one of Milo’s teammates, I’m assuming. Milo chuckles along with his friend.
Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turn in Ollie’s direction. He extends an open bag of chips toward me, offering me some. I shake my head in refusal. He likes spicy chips and if I had one my mouth would be on fire. I do take a sip of his soda though.
