Page 4 of Hunted by the Fallen
With that, Gabe turns and walks away, leaving me and Preston alone. I stare after him. Shouldn’t he insist on staying at my side when I’m out in the open? Despite the fact all of the demons in the warehouse had been killed, each of the four Fallen are concerned I may still be in danger. Namely, from Lukas. My meeting with the mysterious Light Fallen had been interrupted when the yancor demons decided to attack. Whatever Lukas had wanted to discuss with me, he’d never had the chance. And my protectors feared he might attempt another abduction in order to rectify thatfact.
Preston clears his throat. I tear my attention from Gabe’s retreatingform.
“So…uh… are you guys together orsomething?”
“What?” My voice squeaks a little. “Me and Gabe? No.” I shake my head. “Of course not. He’s a family friend.” I hold tight to the lie Gabe originally claimed at Freddy’sparty.
Preston isn’t convinced. He averts his gaze, staring at the tree branches above us. He shrugs. “I was just wondering if he’s the reason you never reached out about rescheduling our dinner last Saturday.” I can tell he tries to sound indifferent, but there is no mistaking the tension in hisvoice.
Guilt twists my stomach. I don’t know what to say. I can hardly tell Preston the truth. He will think I’m insane if I try to claim demons and Fallen angels had kept my thoughts so preoccupied that I hadn’t had time to think about our date. If I’m being honest, I’d barely gathered my thoughts enough to cancel our date in the first place. I’d been a physical and emotional mess the day after the attack, barely able to function after realizing what I’ddone.
Now, standing in front of Preston, I feel terrible for my silence. Six days ago, I sent a short text telling him I could not make our date, but I hadn’t texted him since. He thinks I’m blowing himoff.
“I’m sorry. I’ve had family stuff going on.” I brush loose hair away from my face. “I should havecalled.”
Preston examines my expression. Whatever he sees must be convincing. I see the tension release from his shoulders. “Is your familyokay?”
The question touches me. I nod. “Everyone’s finenow.”
“Good.” He shifts his feet. “I’mglad.”
“Metoo.”
Awkwardness settles as I consider what to say next. I’m debating whether or not I should make an excuse to leave or make small talk when Preston says, “Are you still interested in grabbing dinnersometime?”
I’m taken aback. Honestly, I thought I’d ruined any chance having a date with the guy I’d been crushing on for the better part of 6 years. Before I can filter my words, I blurt, “You still want to go out withme?”
His lips lift into a charming grin—the one I’ve spent so long admiring from afar. “Well, yeah. That is, if you still want to go out withme?”
Am I imagining it, or does he seem unsure of himself? I’m baffled by the thought. Preston McKenna is the star of Valley Lake. All of the girls at my high school, at one point or another, had a crush on thequarterback.
“S-sure.” My cheeks flush. “I mean… yes. I’d still like to go out… withyou.”
“Awesome.” Preston’s smile grows even wider. “When are youfree?”
I hesitate. Given the fact I cannot go anywhere without an angelic escort, I am suddenly unsure of how I will manage to go on a date. Something tells me my bodyguards will not willingly decrease their vigilance. Especially not so I can go on a date with anotherguy.
Sensing my hesitation, but unaware of the cause, Preston’s smile fades. I can practically feel his disappointment in the air between us. I prepare myself to offer some lame excuse for my reaction, but Preston beats me toit.
“How about you just text me when you’re free?” he offers gallantly. Though, I know he doesn’t expect atext.
I bite my bottom lip, wishing I could reveal the truth. Or, at least, part of it. The last thing I want is to hurt Preston’s feelings, but I know I cannot afford to tell anyone about the chaos my life has been the past twoweeks.
So, instead of relieving the rejection Preston, no doubt, feels, I nod and say, “Soundsgood.”
Preston doesn’t wait around after that. He waves goodbye and resumes his run. Guilt and remorse, my constant companions as of late, gnaw at me as I watch himleave.
Three
“Veronica Messenger,you have some explaining todo.”
I hear the anger in my best friend’s voice. I politely finish taking the order of the couple who just sat in my section. Then, I turn around and raise my eyebrows at Annie. My best friend is glaring at me. The hands on her hips flex. I have no choice but to walk toward her. I place the couple’s order into the computer. As soon as I press “submit”, Annie grabs my wrist and pulls me into thekitchen.
We march past the confused cooks and one nosy waitress. Laura doesn’t hide the fact she is staring at us. Ever since Zeke and Adrian visited me at work and insisted I act as their waitress, Laura has kept a close eye on me. It is like she knows the blond brothers aren’t ordinary, and she wants to learn how I came to knowthem.
Annie disappoints Laura when she leads me into her father’s office and shuts the door behind us. I practically fall into the navy-blue chair positioned in front of the metal desk. “What the heck, Annie? What’s gotten intoyou?”
Annie’s hands return to her hips. “Why did you cancel your date withPreston?”
