Daemons eyes opened and held mine. The swelling was back in my chest, spreading through my body. There was a spike of somethingexcitement?in my lower stomach as the silence stretched out for what felt like an eternity. Yeah, sometimes, I think I did.
Chapter 11
When I woke up on Monday morning, I wasnt sure exactly how things were going to play out when I saw Daemon in class. Hed cleared out of the house while I was still asleep and I hadnt seen him when I hung out with Dee on Sunday, which consisted of watching her suck face with Adam. Guess that phone call went well.
Spending time with him Saturday night hadnt really changed anything between Daemon and me. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. It was just a good moment in a long string of bad ones. And I had bigger and better things to think about. I had a date with Blake after school.
But my thoughts kept straying back to Daemon, and a deep fluttering started in my stomach when I thought about us side by side on the couch.
Warmth tingled over my neck while Carissa was telling me about a romance book she was reading. I kept my eyes glued to her, but I was well aware of the fact that Daemon was there.
He took his seat behind me. A second later, something Id oddly missed in a messed-up way happened. Daemon poked me in the back with his pen.
Lesas brows arched, but she wisely said nothing as I twisted around. Yes?
His half grin was all too familiar. Reindeer socks today?
No. Polka dots.
Sock mittens?
Regular, I said, fighting a stupid grin.
Im not sure how I feel about that. He tapped his pen on the edge of his desk. Regular socks just seem so boring after seeing the reindeer socks.
Lesa cleared her throat. Reindeer socks?
She has these socks that have reindeers on them and are kind of like a mitten for the toes, he explained.
Oh, I have a pair like that, Carissa said, grinning. But mine have stripes on them. Love them in the winter.
I passed Daemon a smug look. My socks were cool.
Am I the only person who is wondering how you saw her socks? Lesa asked.
Carissa punched her on the arm.
We live next door to each other, he reminded her. I see lots of things.
I shook my head frantically. No, he doesnt. He hardly sees anything.
Blushing, he said, pointing at my cheeks with the blue cap of his pen.
Shut up. I glared at him, fighting a grin.
Anyway, what are you doing tonight?
Butterflies filled my stomach. I shrugged. I have plans.
He frowned. What kind ofplans?
Just plans. I turned around quickly and focused on the chalkboard.
I knew Daemons gaze was fixed on the back of my head, but all in all I was feeling kind of good about things. Definite progress had been made when it came to Daemon. Wed spent hours together without killing each other or submitting to wild monkey lust. My new laptop was divine. Simon wasnt in class to blame me for getting his ass kicked or to tell people he saw me go all supernatural on the windows. And I had a date tonight.
That last bit made me swallow. I really had to come clean with Blake. It wasnt fair to himor to Daemon. I wasnt ready to suddenly believe Daemon, but I couldnt go on pretending there wasnt something there.
Even if it might only be alien flu.
Here. Blake grinned, sliding his dish over. Try some of this.
I kept my expression in check as I twirled my fork in the noodles. I dont know about this.
He laughed. Its really not that bad. It smells kind of funny, but I think youll like it.
After a small bite, I decided it wasnt horrendous. I glanced up, smiling. Okay. Not bad.
I cant believe the first time youre eating Indian food is in West Virginia.
I ran my hand over my jean-clad leg. The small candle on the side of the table flickered. Im not very food adventurous. Im a steak-and-hamburger kind of chick.
Well, we have to change that, because you dont know what youre missing. Blake winked. It totally looked cool coming from him. Thai is my favorite. Love the spices.
The slim redheaded waitress
swung by and refilled our glasses. She kept smiling coyly at Blake. I couldnt blame her. Blake was one of the few guys who could pull off the sweater and button-down shirt look.
I tried some more of the noodles. I was having fun, but as I pushed the food around the plate, I felt a weird tug in my stomach. I was having a great time with him, but...
So I heard something at school today, Blake said after the waitress left.
Slumping against the seat, I bit back a string of curses. God only knew what hed heard. Rumors about me were flying like UFOs. Im afraid to even ask.
He looked sympathetic. I heard that Daemon beat up some guy because of you.
Wed made it this entire time without bringing up Daemon. I slumped a little in my booth. Yeah, he kind of did.
Both his brows rose in surprise as he leaned forward. You going to tell me why?
You havent heard the rumors?
He ran a hand through his messy spikes. I hear a lot of things, but I dont believe them.
It was the last thing I wanted to do, but I figured hed hear the not-so-true parts sooner or later. Hell, he mightve already. So I told him about my homecoming date from hell.