Page 42 of Claimed by the Fallen
Preston returns carrying an extra cup, filled with the red liquid. He offers it tome.
“Thanks.” I take a sip to be polite, and I can’t stop my face frompuckering.
I cough. “Oh my gosh. What isthat?”
Preston chuckles. “Rum, I think. Don’t worry about drinking it if you don’t like it. I’m not much of a fan either.” He shows me his nearly-fullcup.
I appreciate the gesture and decide to admit, “I’ve never really had alcohol before.” Aside from sips of my mom’s wine during Christmas dinner, I never touched thestuff.
“It’s overrated,” Preston tellsme.
I smile shyly and take another sip without thinking. This time, the flavor isn’t as shocking. I’m able to swallow withoutcringing.
“So… how’s life post-graduation?” I make conversation to preventawkwardness.
“Fine.” He pushes back hair from his forehead. “Just ready to move away to college, youknow?”
“Yeah, totally.” I can’t wait to leave the small town I grew up in. I never really fit in here. But I’m surprised Preston is eager to leave. As the high school’s star quarterback, he is a celebrity in Valley Lake. I imagine it will be different for him to move to a place where no one knows who heis.
“Are you going to try out for the football team in college?” I already know Preston didn’t receive any offers to play at a division one school. It’s the controversy of the decade for many of our town’s footballfans.
“Nah, I think I’m going to hang up my helmet and focus onschool.”
My eyebrows arch. I’m surprised by the mature statement. “What’s yourmajor?”
“Computer Information Systems,” he says with a smile. “Surprising, Iknow.”
I return his smile. “Surprising, but cool. You’ll definitely land a job with thatdegree.”
“That’s theplan.”
I sip my drink, giving myself a moment to marvel at the fact Preston is speaking to me, and that I’m not nervous. Normally, I’d flounder through a prolonged conversation with my crush. Maybe graduation and turning eighteen has boosted my confidence without merealizing.
Though, I suspect my newfound confidence may come from spending a significant amount of time with four muscular angels. Annie might be right about my need to practice having conversations with attractivemen.
Glancing around the kitchen, I realize it’s nearly cleared out. I hear a popular song playing on the speakers, and I imagine everyone has gone to dance to the tune. That’s probably where Annieis.
Relying on my newfound bravery, I ask Preston, “Where’s Tina?” The only downside of speaking with Preston is his mean girlfriend is due at any moment to deliver aninsult.
“No idea,” he says. “We brokeup.”
“What?”
Preston and Tina are the “it” couple at Valley Lake High School. Everyone thought they’d be high school sweethearts and eventually get married. I, at least, expected them to date through the first year of college. Then, maybe they’d break up after spending so much time living apart. I hadn’t experienced one for myself, but everyone says long-distance relationships arehard.
“Yeah. It was a long time coming. Tina’s great and all, but we’re just too different. Better to break up now than drag it out over thesummer.”
I bob my head. “That makes sense.” I don’t dare say how I think Tina is a horrible person and he’s better off without her. My newfound bravery doesn’t make methatbold.
The sound of someone tapping on glass distracts us. Both Preston and I turn towards the noise, and I jump when I see a dark form knocking on the back door. Immediately, my mind turns to the demons that have attacked me on two occasions. I’m about to run when the motion-activated porch light turns on and I recognize the dark-haired man standingoutside.
My eyes widen as they meet Gabe’s. He cocks his head to the side and knocks on the glass,again.
When I’d informed my angelic bodyguards about the party, they hadn’t been thrilled with the idea. But I quickly told them they didn’t have a choice. I wasn’t going to let their sudden appearance in my life keep me from doing what Iwanted.
Besides, I doubt Annie would’ve let mebail.
The four angels and I agreed that Gabe and Mr. Cohen would monitor the party from outside. They promised no one would see them, and they wouldn’t bother me unless I was in danger. The last thought frightens me as I worry something bad must’ve happened to warrant Gabe’sappearance.
