The Time Keeper (The Guardians of Time Book 1) (2 page)

Stacey giggled and climbed out of the SUV with a hurried thanks.  Emilia flung open the passenger door and slid out as gracefully as you can when you’re wrapped in a sheet.  She pondered slamming the door closed but then remembered Seb hadn’t had to come and pick her up. 

Reluctantly, she turned back and looked at him.  He was staring at her, but she couldn’t read his eyes through the dark lenses of his sunglasses. 

‘Thank you for coming and getting us,’ she said, as genuinely as she could manage.  ‘I really appreciate it.’

He nodded.  ‘Have fun.  And Emilia… if you need me to pick you up, call my mobile and I’ll come and get you.’

‘Thanks, but I’ll be fine.’  She closed the door gently and headed towards Stacey, who was waiting for her at the side gate.  They flashed their invites to the security guard on duty and he waved them through.

‘What was that all about?’ Emilia hissed, as soon as they were clear of the guard.

‘What?’ Stacey’s voice was too innocent.

‘You know exactly what!’

Stacey shrugged.  ‘You two strike sparks off each other.  It’s obvious there’s something going on between you, even if neither of you has figured out what it is yet.’

‘That’s so not true!’

‘And he’s good for you,’ Stacey continued with satisfaction.  ‘You say what you really think to him, not the sugar coated stuff you give to everyone else.  Justin would have an apoplexy if you spoke to him like that!’

‘Exactly!  Seb and I are horrible to each other.  I would never speak to Justin like that because he’s my boyfriend and I care about him.’

‘You’re too good for Justin, Em.  I wish you could see that.’

‘Justin is the guy every girl wants, Stace.  I can’t believe he even noticed me, let alone chose me to be his girlfriend.’ 

With his golden looks, charismatic personality and old-school money, Justin had been the undisputed king of the school.  When he’d first taken an interest in her, Emilia had been dazzled by his flattery and attention.  She had willingly become the perfect girlfriend, always by his side, never stealing the limelight.  It was only recently she’d begun to notice how self-centred and needy he was.  But if sometimes she felt a little trapped, she refused to dwell on it.  She was lucky to have him; lucky someone so special wanted
her
.  And when they went to Stanford University together in the Fall, everything was going to be perfect. 

‘That’s what he wants you to think.  But it’s not true.’  Having said her piece, Stacey moved onto a safer topic.  ‘So, do you think we’ll be able to play tennis in these ridiculous outfits?’

*

Seb watched the girls pass through the security gate and disappear from view.  Pulling out his mobile, he called a mechanic friend who owed him a favour and arranged to meet him back at Emilia’s car in half an hour.

On the drive back to where he’d picked the girls up, he contemplated the scary observation Stacey had made about Emilia and him.  She wasn’t wrong, at least not from his end.  He’d known within an hour of meeting Emilia that she was going to cause him all kinds of grief, so he’d done his best to stay away from her as much as possible.  His relationship with David made that difficult sometimes, but he’d made it his mission to ensure she never saw anything good in him.

He could have kicked himself earlier when he’d inadvertently admitted he thought she was beautiful.  It had slipped out.  Not so surprising considering his brain kind of turned to mush when he was around her.  It was just his testosterone taking over though.  He wanted to sink his hands into that gorgeous mass of chestnut hair and devour her lush lips, but that was all.  Feelings had nothing to do with it.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to realise the effect she had on him and she didn’t think enough of herself to even contemplate her attraction.  He was grateful, too, for the boyfriend, who prevented Seb from foolishly acting on his attraction to her.  Although the guy was a first class jerk and Seb had never been able to understand what Emilia saw in him.  That Justin hadn’t come to her rescue today proved his point.  What kind of guy would leave his girl stranded on the side of the road for some other guy to take care of?  If Emilia were his, he’d have been there like a shot, thrilled at the chance to rescue her.

His mind shied away from the direction it was heading.  He wasn’t capable of saving anyone, not even himself.  Glancing in the rear view mirror, he was relieved to see Aiden’s Ute pulling up behind him.

Three hours later, Emilia’s car was good as new and parked in the driveway of her house.  Seb sat for a while taking in the details of the outside façade of the Delcourt residence.  He had a thing for old homes and theirs was one of his favourites.  A three storey Georgian, it sat regally at the front of the property.  When David had bought it, he’d hired an architect who specialised in genuine period restorations, trying to remain as faithful to the building’s historical context as possible.  Seb was familiar enough with the inside of the house to know the restoration had been successful.  It was a subtle blend of modern features and appliances with the old world charm and character of the Georgian period. 

Since David still wasn’t home, Seb made his way back to his apartment.  He tried to focus on ESPN.  But he was restless and distracted.  He prowled around the apartment, unable to get the idea out of his head that Emilia needed him tonight… which was ridiculous.  It had barely been dark for half an hour, the night was still young and there was absolutely no reason for him to be concerned.

He checked his phone again, but there was no message from her asking for a pick up.  And there wouldn’t be, he knew.  If he hadn’t answered her home phone today, she never would have called him for help.  They didn’t have that kind of relationship, because he’d made sure they didn’t.

As midnight approached, Seb had had enough of himself.  He tossed the TV remote down, gathered up his keys and wallet and headed down to the underground garage.  He’d go and sit outside the gates at the Halvorsten’s and wait.  Emilia wouldn’t need to know he was there, but at least he’d be able to watch out for her and make sure she got safely into a taxi.  Then he should be able to go home and stop thinking about her.

*

Plastering a smile on her face, Emilia attempted to look like she was having a good time.  The extensive grounds at the back of the Halvorsten’s sprawling Cayuga lakefront mansion were littered with the toga-clad senior graduates of Ithaca High when she and Stacey came around the side of the house.

Justin and Kevin were already there, probably having caught a taxi, and were seated around the pool with their bunch of friends.  Kevin grinned when he caught sight of them and loped over to wrap Stacey in a bone-crunching bear hug. 

If anyone had asked Emilia what type of guy Stacey would end up with, Kevin wouldn’t have even occurred to her.  Solid and muscular, a football jock with a shock of dark auburn hair and a ruddy complexion, he was the antithesis of the pretty boys Stacey usually went for.  But Kevin was the class clown who had made Stacey laugh at a time she desperately needed to find some joy in the world after the loss of her brother.  Somehow the laughter had turned into something deeper.  Together for about eighteen months now, every time he looked at her Kevin’s eyes glowed with adoration.  Not many high school romances lasted, but Emilia had a feeling this one would.

One arm around Stacey, Kevin reached over and knuckle-rubbed Emilia’s head.  ‘Car trouble, huh Em?’

‘Yeah, the engine overheated apparently.  Sorry about the timing.’

‘It’s no big deal. 
I
would have overheated too with two such gorgeous girls riding me.’

‘Kevin!’  Stacey whacked him in the chest, but she was giggling as she did it and Emilia couldn’t help but smile at his lame quip.  Kevin was an idiot, but a loveable one.

‘What?’ he asked mock innocently.

‘It’s lucky they’re gorgeous, because they sure don’t have a brain between the two of them!’  Justin finally joined them and by the mulish look on his face, he was still mad.  He held a nearly empty beer bottle loosely in one hand, which he feigned interest in so he could avoid looking at Emilia.

‘Don’t be such a prick, Justin,’ Stacey responded heatedly, her lip curling.  She had never liked Justin and only barely tolerated him for the sake of her best friend and boyfriend.  ‘Neither of us are brainless bimbos and you know it.’

Justin glowered at her.  ‘Emilia must be, otherwise she would check her car before she drives it.’

That was so blatantly unfair that for once Emilia couldn’t let it slide.  If he’d bothered to ever ask her about her school work he would know she quite regularly got better grades than he did.  But that knowledge would only dent his ego. 

‘Do
you
lift the hood and check the engine every time before you drive your car?’ she asked sweetly.

He glared furiously at her, before throwing back his head and chugging down the rest of his drink.  ‘I need another beer,’ he muttered and stalked angrily towards the gazebo where there was a bar set up.

Emilia sighed heavily and glanced ruefully at Stacey and Kevin.  ‘I’ve really done it now!’

Kevin smiled sympathetically but Stacey tossed her hair back with an angry snort.  ‘Who cares!  Leave him to his beer and misogynistic fantasies.  Let’s go have some fun.’

*

Emilia had tried, she really had.  But Justin was avoiding her and every time she looked in his direction he glared resentfully at her, his eyes cold and unfriendly.  She looked miserably at the ground.  She shouldn’t have spoken back to him and normally she wouldn’t have, but her unexpected encounter with Seb had loosened her tongue and for a moment she’d forgotten how much Justin hated being contradicted… especially in front of other people.  Despite the confidence he oozed in bucket loads, he was pretty insecure about things like that.  She had learned early on that part of her unspoken role as his girlfriend was to prevent that happening as much as possible.

As it got darker it was easier to watch him without him noticing.  He stood propped against the low brick wall enclosing the barbeque area, surrounded by his fellow star athletes and members of the cheerleading team.  He was like a king with his court, telling entertaining stories and soaking up the adulation.  This wasn’t unusual, but the amount he was drinking was.  Emilia considered intervening but knew he wouldn’t appreciate it.  If she gave him the opportunity to cool down, she’d have a better chance of patching things up.

‘Stop worrying about him; he doesn’t deserve it,’ Stacey whispered in her ear.  ‘He’ll be over it by tomorrow and you can go back to being his happy little doormat.’

‘Hey!’  Emilia exclaimed, startled by the unexpected nastiness of the comment.

Stacey giggled and covered her mouth with her hand.  ‘Oops!  I think I’ve had a bit much to drink.’

‘Is that really what you think of me?’ Emilia asked, horrified.

‘I didn’t mean it quite how it came out.  I think you let him get away with too much because you’re a naturally sweet person who avoids confrontation like the plaque. And he takes advantage of that, Em.  You know he does.’

‘Yeah, I guess.’  She plucked a piece of grass and twisted it between her fingers, avoiding looking at Stacey.  ‘I’m going to get a drink.’

She got up and headed to the bar for a soft drink.  She’d had a couple of glasses of wine earlier and that was about her limit.  She pulled a can of lemonade out of the ice bin and pressed it against her warm forehead, enjoying the sharp sting of the cold tin.

An arm slid around her waist from behind and she jumped in surprise. Justin whispered in her ear, ‘Come round the back with me.’

She twisted her head around so she could see his face.  His eyes were a bit blurry, but he looked calm enough.

Turning, Emilia laid her palm against his cheek.  ‘I’m sorry about tonight,’ she whispered.  ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’

He gritted his teeth, then let his breath out with a hiss.  ‘Don’t ever embarrass me like that again!’

‘I’m sorry,’ she repeated quietly.

He swayed slightly and tightened his grip on her.  Dropping his arm, he grabbed her wrist, plucked the can out of her hand and tossed it aside as he pulled her around behind the gazebo.  ‘You can make it up to me here.’

He lurched drunkenly across the grass and all but collapsed at the bottom of an enormous tree, pulling Emilia down on top of him.  She groaned as her stomach connected with his elbow, but he didn’t notice.  He ploughed his fingers into her hair and kissed her hard, grinding his mouth against hers.  He tasted like beer.

Rolling, he pinned her beneath him.  Emilia started to squirm.  Normally when Justin kissed her she got a nice fluttery feeling, but tonight he was hurting her.  There was nothing loving or gentle about the way he was assaulting her mouth, jamming her lips roughly against her teeth. 

She ripped her mouth away from his and pushed at his shoulders.  ‘Justin, please… you’re hurting me!’

‘We’ve been together three months, Emilia, and I’ve been patient – too patient!’  He shifted slightly and wedged a leg between her thighs.  ‘I’m horny and after your behaviour tonight, you owe me!’