Chapter 14
2249 Words
Although she was not planning it, Jay went with Ashley for a coffee. They went to a small, cozy café which atmosphere reminded her of the “At Gary’s”, her former favorite place in Missoula. She missed her past life, but she was aware that she had no choice. ‘And now I am to sip tea in the company of a stranger!’ She thought. They sat at a table in the corner, but by a huge window with a fantastic view of the bay!
- For me green tea with orange blossom. – Ashley ordered when a waitress approached them. – And blueberry pie.
- I’ll have a large hazelnut latte and hot cheesecake with ice cream. – Jay smiled at her companion. – Sometimes you have to sweeten your life! – She added when the girl raised an eyebrow.
- I guess you’re right. – She admitted. – But honestly, I’d say that you look more like a maniac of healthy life style.
- Why? – She asked interested.
- First of all, you’ve got a great figure.
- A matter of genes. – She countered.
- I doubt it! Secondly, you have incredibly sculpted muscles, which must the result of hard training and sacrifices. – She raised her hand when Jay wanted to protest. – It must be the effect of exercise! Regular! Oh horror!
- Okay! – Jay chuckled.
- Besides, - she continued, - you kicked Craig Henderson’s ass with such grace and finesse… - She sighed. – I love you for that!
- Ha ha! And now seriously. Is there no one in this shack who’d bring him to order or give him a good kick?
- Hello! It’s Craig Henderson! – Seeing Jay’s questioning look, Ashley explained. – He’s not only the captain of the school rugby team. His great grandfather founded the library, and now his father generously supports our college.
- So that’s it! Daddy pays for the dean to turn a blind eye to his son’s antics. I bet that he’s dumb as a shoe, but they look kindly at him anyway. – She made a face of disgust.
- As if you guessed it! – Ashley nodded.
- I know this type. – She said grimacing.
- And now you may find yourself in a deep s**t. – She warned loyally.
- Damn it! – She murmured.
- Hey Ash! – Two boys came to their table. Jay recognized one of them. It was the same guy who accosted her and she blew him off. The second one, when she thought about it, had forensics and criminology with her.
- Hey guys! – Her companion’s face lit up. – Jay, it's Darren and Hank. Guys, this is Jay. – She introduced them to each other.
- We’re pleased to meet today’s heroine! – Darren grinned.
Apparently he had no grudge for her earlier behavior. She decided to use it.
- I did nothing. – She scoffed.
- You kicked that moron Henderson. – Hank was clearly impressed. – He usually avoids me because I could smash him down. But on the other hand, he knows that I can’t go too far. – He ended with a hint of regret.
- That’s what I don’t understand. – Jay said. – Maybe the little star has muscles, but you beat him up!
- But he’s not the son of the head of the New York police. – Darren summed up.
- Mike Patterson is your father?! – Jay asked and Hank winced a little.
His father worked closely with PIT and successfully transformed the local unit into a full-fledged police department. And managed everything. Jay really admired and respected him. And so she could not understand Hank’s reaction. But that was not her business, so she just shrugged.
- And you? – She asked Darren. – Whose reputation do you need to watch out for?
- My parents are the owners of antique shops.
- McAlister?
- Yeah. And though they’re well known and respected, but I have to be more cautious about my uncle. – He added.
- The mayor. – She nodded with understanding.
- Since you weren’t afraid to kick that handsome ass, and Henderson’s father is running for Congress, I conclude that you have nothing to risk. – Darren guessed.
- Bingo! They can dig as much as they want. They won’t find anything interesting and won’t destroy anyone’s life. And if they try, oh well. – She shrugged. – I can be troublesome too. – She smiled mysteriously.
Ashley shook her head as if chasing away an intrusive fly.
- She knows who I am. – She turned to her friends.
- What? Did you tell her? – Darren was unhappy.
- She didn’t tell me anything! – Jay cut in. – You don’t have to tell me anything as well. – They looked at her, surprised. – If you don’t want to be recognized, you should hide yourself better. – She took a sip of her already cold latte.
- But we don’t say it right and left! – Hank said.
- And who said I heard about it? – Jay smirked.
- Then how? – Darren asked confused.
- Not here. – She decided. – Maybe Friday? We can meet at my place. – Then she gave them the address of the apartment she had rented recently.
She said goodbye and left.
Breaking through the traffic jams, she wondered how she would tell her father she was going to move out. After all, she had such a plan from the beginning. She rented the flat a week after her arrival and arranged it in her spare time. She did not even think that she would feel so good at her father’s house and that it would be so difficult for her to leave. And now her own place had been ready for several days, and almost all things were moved. Jay even dropped in there to get her clothes for the next day.
It was about time to take a decisive step.
***
Friday evenings used to be her favorite time. Jay remembered she spent them with her best friend, Melanie. After some time they decided that going to pub with boys would be a great idea. And she had to admit that their brothers were good companions. During the last year she was spending Friday evenings with Bryan. As almost every evening.
She missed that.
She missed him.
She did not suppose that a girl like her may fall in love and get attached to someone outside the family. But Bryan Weakfield became important to her. He won her heart and gave her everything she did not deserve. And she lost it. She broke his heart.
Jay shook her had to ward off sad thoughts. For the last two months she has almost forgotten how it is to hang out with people of her age. ‘It’s about time to start over!’ She thought. Jay did not want to make new friends, but it was too difficult to constantly keep away from everybody! Besides, it was going to be the first party in her new flat. ‘Hurray!’
- It’s open! – She shouted when she heard knocking on the door.
The open-spaced flat allowed her to see the door from the kitchenette, where she was at the moment.
- Hi! – Ashley was carrying a bottle of wine. – Hope you like it! Wow! It’s great! – She said looking around.
- It’s not too big, but I don’t need much space. Living room joined with the kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom are enough for me.
- Are you kidding me!? It’s just fantastic! I wish I could rent a flat on my own, but my parents say that it’s too early. – She sighed. – Maybe next year.
- You’re in completely different situation! – Jay was slicing vegetables for salad. – My home is far away from New York. If I had an opportunity to live at home, I’d probably do.
- You miss home? – She asked with sympathy.
- Yeah! – Jay admitted. – Especially my brothers. I even miss constant fights.
- I’ve got an elder brother and younger sister. I hate them. – She said with a smile.
- I guess I know what you’re talking about. – Jay smiled back.
Ashley came to the door and opened it before Hank and Darren knocked.
- Hey guys!
- Ladies! What’s that smell? – Darren was sniffing.
- It’s home-made salsa and apple pie. – Jay said.
- You’ve baked a pie? – Hank was surprised.
- Yep. I like cooking. And because I had a lot of time and I had to think over what my father said to me when I informed him that I’m moving out, cooking seemed the best thing to do. – She explained.
- Wait! – Ashley lifted her hand. – You said father?
- It’s complicated. – Jay took a bottle of wine and filled the glass for Ashley and herself, for men she had beer. – My father moved back to New York when he found out that my mother was a hunter. – She started her story. – Our contacts were, let’s say, correct. My mother died six years ago, but we didn’t want to leave our hometown, and dad agreed that we would stay in Montana. – She took a sip o wine. – I came to New York because I needed a change. But from the very beginning I’ve planned to rent a flat. He has just to deal with it.
- Let’s go back to your mother. – Hank interrupted her. – You just said that she was a hunter?!
- The born hunter, to be more specific. Yeah. – She confirmed calmly. – And to anticipate your next question, yes, I’m the born hunter too.
- That’s why you could tell that I’ve got power. – Ashley cut in.
- Yes. – Jay smiled. – You’re ware-bear. – She looked at Hank. – And Darren is ware-fox. The first one I’ve met. – She raised her glass in toast.
They just looked at her, silent. A girl that had appeared in their school just two weeks ago knew about them more than most of the students they have known since childhood. That must have been creepy and scary. Jay did not blame them for their reaction. She just waited patiently for them to recover from the first shock. But it took a little too long.
- Now, - Jay broke the awkward silence, - when we know more about each other, let’s eat something!
- Sorry! – Ashley shook herself first. – That’s a bit shocking. Don’t feel offended.
- Not taken. – She assured.
They sat comfortably on the couch, Jay chose the armchair. For some time they were talking about ordinary stuff, college, movies, music and books. Jay observed them for a while and concluded that they had to know each other for quite a long time. And when she asked about it, they confirmed that they grown up together. They knew each other since primary school and were best friends from the very beginning.
- You’re not afraid to say it openly? – Hank asked suddenly. – That you’re the hunter. What if we tell someone who you are?
- And would you do that? – She asked curious. – I know how to cover myself, so I could easily deny your words.
- Then what’s the point in telling us the truth? – Darren cut in.
- For the last year I lived in a lie. – Jay confessed. – I was hiding who I really am. And I lost everything, because when the truth was revealed it was too late to explain anything. – She said in a whisper.
- But why us? – Ashley asked.
- When I came to New York I promised myself that I won’t make new friends. – She looked at her, then at Darren. – But you keep annoyingly coming into my way! – She chuckled. – So as you can see I had no choice.
- Very funny! – Darren snorted.
- But seriously. I guess you may need some help kicking some snobbish butts.
- Possibly. – Hank agreed. – So we better stick together.
- It’s going to be fun! – Darren summed up and they all laughed.
When she was finally alone, Jay pondered. She was not sure if it was right decision. She could keep the distance, but it would be difficult. Every now and then there would be someone who would like to get to know her. So maybe making friends with these three was not such a bad idea. Because they were supernatural beings and she did not have to hide who she really is. They would not judge her. At least she hoped so.
She took a deep breath. She was a bit tired after the whole week and she definitely needed some good sleep. She cleaned everything and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Then she went to her small bedroom and put on some shorts and one of her brothers’ tees. ‘That was a good day!’ she thought to herself before she fell asleep.
- Writer
