Fading Away (Hardest Mistakes #1) Read online

  “What are you thinking about?” I whisper into the quiet.

  Kai looks up at me in surprise. “Sorry?”

  “You were staring off into space all quiet and brooding.”

  He hesitates. “I was actually thinking about my father.” His voice cracks on the last word and he looks away. “He was always kind to me. Not like my mother. I can still remember the way his voice sounded when he said, ‘Son, you do whatever makes you happy in life. Choose the path you want to follow, not what your mother chooses for you.’” He stops and stares at the wall, then suddenly he lifts his head and looks over at me.

  “Sammy?”

  I sit up expectantly. “Yes?”

  He bites his lip and slides closer along the bed. Reaching out slowly, he carefully pulls the hair band from my hair, releasing it from my ponytail, then he gently runs his fingers through the soft strands before suddenly snatching his hand away and looking down at the floor beneath his feet.

  “Sorry, you better get some sleep.” I scrunch my face up in confusion. What was that? He pauses at the door, glancing back over his shoulder at me. The last thing I remember before falling into one of the best sleeps I’ve ever had, is the glowing silver of his eyes.

  ***

  I’m stacking trays at the Deli the next morning, just minding my own business, when Dylan suddenly appears beside me. I raise an eyebrow at him. He hasn’t spoken a word to me, not since school ended. Well, to be honest he didn’t even speak to me at school. I always thought he seemed a bit shy.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve come across as mean in the past, but you’re kind of hard to approach.” Chloe is watching us, I can see her out of the corner of my eye.

  “Can I help you with something, Dylan?”

  He hesitates. “I was just wondering if maybe we could get a coffee or something after work one day.”

  I frown, suddenly confused. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?” Chloe is too far away to hear us, but she’s glaring at me now.

  “Who, Chloe?” Dylan asks. “No, we had a one night thing once, but it’s been over for a long time. Besides, I was only asking as a friend.”

  “Oh, sorry.” I blush in embarrassment.

  Dylan looks down at the trays I’m holding. “So…can we be probationary friends then? Until you decide I’m actually a nice person.” He gives me a joking smile and holds out his hand for me to shake. This all seems just a little surreal, but then again, I share a house with Ashlee Reynolds and Kai Jordan, and one of them isn’t even human.

  “Sure.” I place the trays on the table beside me and take Dylan’s outstretched hand. He smiles, and then spins around to head back into the kitchens.

  After stacking all the trays and cleaning tables, the lunch rush starts and I’m taking orders and running back and forth from the kitchen like a mad woman.

  “Sammy, can you grab some more frozen chicken to defrost from the freezer room?” Ashlee calls out from the kitchen door. I nod and push open the heavy door. The insulated room is freezing cold inside, obviously. I walk along the shelves looking for the boxes of frozen chicken breasts.

  “Dylan is mine. Stay away from him, you harlot,” Chloe’s voice startles me. I spin around to find her standing in the doorway.

  I hold out my hands in a passive gesture. “Chloe, I already have a boyfriend, I’m not trying to steal Dylan.” I can see the crazy in her eyes. She’s lost it. She smiles at me almost serenely, and slams the freezer door closed. The light shuts off and I hear the lock slide shut from the outside.

  Oh god. Don’t panic. There has to be a lock release on this side of the door. Oh god, I’m so cold. I slide my fingers along the shelves in the dark until I reach the door. My fingers are burning with cold, but I continue searching the door, trying to feel for the release. Before long, I’m shivering violently. My uniform—a polo shirt and shorts—isn’t enough to keep me warm. I start screaming and banging against the door, hoping someone will hear me through the thick metal cold room paneling.

  No one answers my banging. I lie on the cold floor and curl into a ball to conserve heat. I close my eyes slowly, they feel crusty with ice. Someone has to notice I’m missing soon, right? I don’t know how long I’m lying there shivering, but suddenly the overhead light switches on and I faintly hear Ashlee’s voice. I can’t open my eyes, they’re frozen shut.

  “Sammy?” I feel something brush the cold strands of hair back from my face, but I can’t feel anything on my skin, it’s numb. “Oh god, Sammy. What happened?” It’s hard to breathe, I feel as if I’m sucking in ice. “Dylan! Call an ambulance,” Ashlee screams from beside me.

  I fade away for a moment, and then I’m being lifted gently and carried out into the warmth. The shivering begins again. Whoever’s holding me tightens their grip, their warm chest pressing against me. “Dylan, put her down here, the ambulance just pulled up.” Dylan’s carrying me? I drift back into the blackness of sleep.

  ***

  Sounds come back first. The room around me sounds busy, almost as if…I pry my eyes open a fraction. Yep, I’m in a hospital, lying on a single stretcher bed. Ashlee is sitting in a plastic chair beside me. She catches my movement as I turn my head and jumps up, leaning in close.

  “How are you feeling?”

  I open my mouth to answer her, but my throat is so dry, it feels like I’ve swallowed razor blades. She nods in understanding. “The doctor said I can take you home as soon as you wake up. You’re going to feel awful for the next few days, but you’ll be okay.”

  I try to suck in a deep breath, but end up groaning in pain instead. Ashlee leaves the room and comes back with a nurse, who checks my vitals and gives me the all clear to be discharged. I’m rolled out to Ashlee’s car in a wheelchair and lifted into the passenger seat.

  CHAPTER 19

  Kai

  Sam and Ashlee still haven’t come home from work. I know I shouldn’t be worried, they probably just decided to go out, but I can’t stop thinking about the sinking feeling in my stomach telling me something is wrong.

  I fall asleep in the front entry waiting for them.

  A car pulls into the driveway and I jump up, hopping from foot to foot impatiently. Sunlight streams through the windows, they’ve been gone all night. I step back as Ashlee swings the door open and helps a slow moving Sam inside and up the stairs.

  What happened? I whine, but they ignore me. I trot up the stairs and watch Ashlee lay Sam down on the bed and tuck a blanket around her. She asks her a soft question that I can’t understand and after Sam mumbles a reply, she heads back downstairs to shut the front door.

  I jump up onto the bed and crawl on my belly toward Sam’s head. Her eyes are already closed. I lean closer and listen, her breathing is too heavy and there’s already sweat forming on her forehead. She has a fever.

  I stretch out beside her, resting my head on my paws and watch her face. Ashlee comes back, placing a glass of water on the nightstand and laying another blanket over her. She glances at me quickly before turning to leave.

  ***

  “So what happened?” Riley’s annoying voice echoes up the stairs the next afternoon. Ashlee didn’t go to her classes today. She stayed home to keep an eye on Sam.

  “As far as I can tell, she was locked in the freezer room at work,” Ashlee says, letting herself and Riley into the room. “I don’t know how long she was in there, but the doctor at the hospital said she’ll be fine when she gets over her fever.”

  Riley walks over to the bed and lifts his hand to touch Sam. I lift my head and let out a low warning growl.

  “Her fever broke this morning, so she should be awake by tonight,” Ashlee says, coming to stand beside him, frowning down at me. Riley eyes me for a moment longer before they both turn away and leave.

  “Let me know when she wakes up. I’ll come over again tomorrow,” Riley says as they walk down to the front door.

  After he’s gone, I hear Ashlee turn the TV on and walk into the kitchen. She’s cooking, I should
be safe. I jump off the bed and walk into the bathroom, immediately hitting the tiles with the force of the change.

  When I’m dressed, I walk quietly back over to the bed. A banging pot tells me that Ashlee is still in the kitchen. I bend over the edge of the bed. Sam’s dark hair is spread out on the pillow around her face. I brush my fingers down her cheek gently and she groans, shifting her head. Her eyes open slowly and she looks around the room, focusing.

  “Hey,” I whisper when she finds me.

  “Hi,” she croaks out softly, dark eyes holding mine.

  Sammy

  I don’t know how I got home. I can only just recall Ashlee at the hospital. Kai hovers over me, holding out a glass of water. I realize, looking at the clear liquid, that my throat is dry and sore. I push myself up on the bed, puffing with effort and reach out for the glass. Kai helps me hold the glass up to my mouth. I sputter as I swallow the cold water. I push the glass back into his hand and sink back down into the pillows.

  “How are you feeling?” he asks softly, concern creasing his forehead. I open my mouth to answer just as my bedroom door flies open. There’s a moment of silence, then Ashlee screams. Kai freezes in place beside me, his eyes wide with panic.

  “Kai? No! This isn’t possible! You’re dead!” Ashlee screeches. Her legs go wobbly and she sits down heavily in my desk chair. She’s hyperventilating as she stares at Kai, who’s looking at me for help.

  “Calm down, Ashlee.” My voice comes out soft and croaky. I extend my hand to touch her, but she’s just out of reach. “Look at me,” I assert, louder this time. She jerks and turns her frightened stare to me. “It’s okay, Ashlee, just calm down. Breathe.” She sucks in a deep shuddering breath and closes her eyes.

  She opens them again slowly and turns back to Kai. “Where have you been? Why are you here? How did you even get in the house? All the doors are locked.” She stands and takes a step toward him. “And what’s wrong with your eyes?”

  Kai glances at me again before answering. “I’ve been here the whole time.” She frowns, and then as if all the pieces come together, she snaps her head up and searches the room.

  She comes up empty and looks back at Kai. “You have the same eyes as Chester.” He nods once, his whole body tense. He clenches his hands into tight fists. “You realize what you’re trying to make me believe is completely insane?”

  “If you wait, you’ll see the proof,” I answer her softly. I push myself up, struggling to sit upright. Kai moves closer to my bed, as if he wants to help, but I hold my hand up to stop him.

  Ashlee backs up to the door, her eyes flicking between us. Tears form in her eyes and spill down her cheeks.

  “You’ve been alive this whole time?” Kai opens his mouth to answer, but instead he just nods. Her eyes widen slightly and she rushes across the room, flinging herself into his arms. He catches her with a grunt and holds her close. My chest aches watching them. I know I shouldn’t feel jealous, I have Riley. I just…I don’t know. I avert my eyes. Ashlee starts sobbing quietly. I feel as though I’m intruding on a private moment.

  Kai pulls away and holds Ashlee steady by her shoulders. He turns his gaze to me, but I can’t meet his eyes.

  “I have to go,” he announces quietly. I nod and watch his back as he leaves the room. Ashlee stands, staring at the floor at the end of my bed.

  “How long have you known?” she asks, lifting her eyes to mine.

  “He’s been living with me since he went missing. You can’t tell anyone, you understand that, don’t you?” She nods with a weak smile and sits on the bed.

  “It doesn’t seem possible. Are you sure I’m not losing it?” I chuckle, knowing exactly how she feels. She shakes her head and stands again. “So, do you think you can walk? I’ve made dinner and it will do you good to get out of bed.”

  “Okay, but I may need to use the bathroom first.” I grin sheepishly.

  Ashlee helps me out of bed and into more comfortable clothes before assisting me into the bathroom. After I’m done we walk slowly down to the living room. Once I’m seated on the sofa, she heads back into the kitchen and emerges a moment later with two plates and a bowl. She hands me a plate with egg noodles on it and hesitantly places the bowl on the floor for Kai. I scoop the noodles into my mouth slowly.

  After Ashlee’s cleared away the plates, she sits on the opposite end of the sofa and switches on the TV. Kai jumps up between us and curls up facing me. Halfway through the movie, almost unconsciously, Ashlee lays her hand on Kai’s back and twists her fingers into his fur. He opens his eyes and looks at me.

  I make it back up to my room without Ashlee’s help; she hovers around me just in case, though. Crawling into bed, I turn my head to see Kai standing in the doorway.

  “Ashlee knows, so you can sleep in her room now.” He doesn’t move. Exhaustion overtakes me and I fall asleep watching him.

  ***

  My face feels stuffy. I’m cuddled up to something soft and warm. I sigh contentedly. My eyes flutter open when the brown fur clouding my vision tickles my nose. Lifting my face away, I realize I’m snuggled up to Kai. His silver eyes are open and observant. “When did you get on the bed?” I ask, confused.

  “Sammy! Riley’s here,” Ashlee calls out from the front door. A moment later Riley walks through my bedroom door, smiling.

  “You’re awake.” He moves to sit on the bed, hesitating when he sees Kai.

  “It’s okay, he won’t hurt you. Will you, Chester?” Kai snorts at me and jumps off the bed, trotting out of the room. Riley sits on the bed and presses his mouth against mine softly. I smile and return his kiss. He pushes me until I’m lying back against the headboard and he’s slightly on top of me.

  Kai

  I walk down to the kitchen, trying to drown out the sounds coming from upstairs with Ashlee’s loud music, which hurts my ears. Curse my exceptional hearing. Something smells good down here. I sit on the tiles near the fridge and watch Ashlee pull cupcakes from the oven. She flips them over onto a wire rack and turns to me. I tune out the music to concentrate on what she’s saying.

  “…I’m sorry for not going to your memorial.” I huff at her. Who cares, it’s not like anyone else went, either. “It was just too sad, Kai. I couldn’t say goodbye to you like that, or at all, really.” I would understand if I didn’t catch her with Jacob less than a week after I went missing. She turns back to the cupcakes and pulls the paper off one.

  “Happy birthday for last week.” She holds out the chocolate cake for me with a smile. The chocolate tastes so good. Does it matter that I’m technically not a dog? Or is it bad for me?

  Laughter echoes down the stairs, not even the music can drown it out. My lip twitches. Ashlee turns her head as she ices the rest of the cupcakes, watching me curiously before kneeling down and leaning in to wrap her arms around my neck. “I’ve missed you so much, Kai.” Yeah, I missed you too.

  ***

  Riley leaves just before dinner. Ashlee feeds me and then I follow her up to Sam’s room. She places the tray holding food on Sam’s lap and sits on the desk chair with her own dinner.

  “We fired Chloe.”

  Sam looks up from her plate. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “Don’t be stupid, Sammy, of course I did.”

  I jump up on the bed at Sammy’s feet and curl up to listen to them. “So Mark thought we could all go on a small hike to Black Pike River and have a picnic under the stars. It has an awesome view of town.”

  “That actually sounds pretty cool.”

  “I thought you’d agree. I’ll organize it as soon as you’re feeling better, maybe this weekend?” Sam nods, taking a mouthful of food. “So, what does he look like naked?” Ashlee asks, and Sam chokes on her mouthful. This is not a conversation I want to hear. I slip off the bed and push my way out the door.

  “Hey Kai, don’t you want to know what Riley looks like naked?” Ashlee calls out after me. No, I definitely do not.

  CHAPTER 20

 
Sammy

  Ashlee lets me go to class on one condition—she drives me. I walk slowly to my Econ classroom and take my seat. Riley arrives shortly after and hands me a few sheets of paper. I look at him curiously.

  “I’ve been taking notes for you while you’ve been sick.” He smiles and takes his seat behind me.

  I’m running out of energy by the time the lecture ends. I stand, a little wobbly in the legs. Riley gets up and grasps my hand. “I’ll drive you home.”

  I look up at him. “Okay, but I have to go and collect some notes from the community college for my brother before we head home.”

  “You have a brother?” I grin and lead the way.

  When we arrive home I lean over the center console toward Riley. “Do you want to come inside?”

  Kai

  My mood instantly lifts when Sam walks through the door and then drops just as suddenly as Riley walks in and follows her up the stairs to her room. I don’t think I can handle much more of this. I trot up to Sam’s door and nudge it open. He’s on top of her. They’re making out and he’s running his filthy hands all over her body.

  I run to the bed, jump on, and shoulder him off her. Riley lets out a grunt as he hits the floor on the other side. I look down and Sam glares at me.

  The idiot on the floor laughs it off. “I have to go, anyway. I’ll see you tomorrow, Sammy?” I hate the way her name sounds coming out of his mouth.

  “Sure,” she replies, peeling her angry eyes away from me to look up at Riley. He leans down and kisses her. I lift my lip in a snarl. Riley stares at me for a moment then waves at Sam and leaves.

  “What the hell, Kai? What is your problem?” She eases off the bed, heading into the bathroom and turning the shower on. She emerges a while later wearing long fluffy pants and a t-shirt. I watch her walk across the room in the light from her lamp, she’s absolutely beautiful. Oh god, what am I going to do?