The Time Keeper (The Guardians of Time Book 1) (22 page)

Seb stared at him earnestly.  ‘I was seventeen and absolutely terrified.  There had been a lot of break-ins in the area, all of which our gang were responsible for, and the cops wanted to make an example of me.  They were all set to send me to Juvie, but I was fortunate enough to have a teacher come and stick up for me.’  Seb shoved his hand through his hair.  ‘I didn’t
choose
to join the Army, Max.  That was the price I had to pay for what I’d done.  The cops agreed with my teacher that it might help straighten me out and it did.’

‘Why are you telling me this?’ Max asked in a small voice, finally sounding like the young boy he was.

‘Because I don’t want you forced into something you didn’t choose.  You can have a bright future, Max, but not if you continue on this path.’  He paused.  ‘And I also want you to realise you can’t count on any of those guys back there.  You may think they’re your friends, but they’ll ditch you to save their own skins without hesitation.’

‘I heard you’ve been out of the Army for a while now, but I haven’t seen you around here.  You didn’t come back to see any of us,’ Max said, almost accusingly. Seb knew he meant, you didn’t come back to see
me
.  He’d always made time for Max back in the old days, but he hadn’t given him a thought when he’d returned to Ithaca, he acknowledged guiltily.

‘This neighbourhood holds a lot of bad memories for me,’ he explained quietly.  ‘But starting tomorrow I’m going to be around more.’

‘Why tomorrow?’

‘Because tomorrow you and I are going to play basketball together and we’re going to talk about some of the choices you’ve been making in your life,’ Seb responded unequivocally, more to convince himself than Max.  ‘Does that sound okay to you?’

‘I guess,’ Max muttered, but even in the darkness of the car Seb could see the small spark of hope in the boy’s eyes.

‘Come on, kiddo.  Let’s get you inside to your sister.  She’s waiting up for you.’

Max groaned, but obligingly got out of the car and trooped up the steps.  With his hand on the doorknob he turned back to look at Seb who was a few steps below him.  ‘Thanks for coming to get me tonight.’

‘Anytime, Max.’

Chapter 29

Seb entered Emilia’s house by the kitchen door, the way he usually came in.  She didn’t know why he never used the front door but then again there was almost always someone in the kitchen, so she guessed it made sense to come in that way.  She was at the sink peeling potatoes, but she turned to greet him, only to lift her eyebrows in surprise at his attire.

‘Why are you wearing basketball gear?’

He snatched an apple out of the fruit bowl and crunched into it with a huge bite.  ‘Isn’t it obvious?  I’ve been playing basketball.’

‘Yeah, okay.  I’ve just never seen you dressed like that before.’

He pulled himself onto the bench so he could sit beside her while she continued peeling.  ‘I’ve been playing for the last couple of weeks,’ he confessed.  ‘I’ve, uh, sort of been helping out this kid.’

‘With his basketball?  I didn’t know you were especially skilled in that area.’  Emilia put aside the peeled potatoes and reached for a sweet potato.

‘I’m not.  He’s the kid brother of someone I used to know and he’d gotten himself involved with the wrong crowd, doing the same kind of thing I used to do.’ 

He looked away and Emilia realised how hard it was for him to talk about this kind of stuff.  It was a big step for him, considering how much he’d always kept to himself.  It meant he thought of her as a friend, more than just a work partner.

‘How’s he doing?’ she asked, not wanting to push but hoping he’d continue to share.

‘Some days are better than others.  He’s been dabbling with drugs and the pull back to them is strong.  But at least he’s been keeping away from those guys, so he’s getting there.’

‘That’s great!’

‘Em,’ he turned to her, his voice urgent and his face tight with strain.  ‘I don’t know if I can be the person to help him.  I don’t have a great track record in this area and if something happens to him because I missed something, or didn’t do something, I –‘

‘Seb, stop it!’  Emilia tossed aside the peeler and sweet potato and grasped his hands.  ‘Listen to me, you’re doing the right thing.  Be there for him, listen to him, support him… that’s all you need to do and you’re already doing that.  The rest is up to him.  His choices aren’t on you.’

He held her hands tightly, his grip almost painful.  ‘How do I not care?’

‘You can’t,’ she said gently.  ‘We’re humans, Seb.  It’s in our nature to care.  I know you try not to, but it’s an impossible task.’

He dropped one of her hands and rubbed his chest absently, right where his heart was.  He looked so vulnerable, Emilia had to fight the urge to lean forward and hug him.  ‘It hurts to care.’

‘You’re right, sometimes it does.’  She smiled wryly.  ‘Especially when you’ve got a God complex!’

‘
What
?’  His head snapped up.

‘Don’t tell me you haven’t figured that out about yourself yet?’ she teased.  ‘You think you have to protect everyone you come in contact with.  Is it any wonder the world weighs so heavily on your shoulders?’

‘I do
not
have a God complex!’ he argued, right back to his usual argumentative self.

‘Uh huh.’  Emilia retrieved the peeler and sweet potato again and got back to her dinner preparations.

He picked up his apple, snapped off another bite and glared at her.  ‘Since you’re in such a know it all mood, I may as well tell you my other news and get all the superior comments over with in one hit.’

Emilia glanced over at him again.  ‘Oh?  What else have you been doing lately?’

‘Enrolling at University,’ he said as though it was of absolutely no significance at all.

‘
Really?
  Seb, that’s wonderful.  I’m so pleased for you.’  Emilia knew she had a big stupid grin across her face, but she didn’t care.  ‘Have you settled on a major?’

‘Yeah.  Fine Arts.’  His eyes slewed away from hers again and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.’

‘Come here.’  Discarding the peeler and sweet potato for a second time, she grabbed his hand, yanked him off the bench and wrapped her arms around him.

He tried to resist, pushing at her shoulders.  ‘I’m all sweaty.’

‘I don’t care.  I’m so proud of you.’  She tightened her arms and he capitulated, closing his arms around her back and burying his face in her hair with a relieved sigh, the apple still clutched in one hand.

‘I’m nervous as all hell,’ he admitted, so quietly she would have missed it if his mouth hadn’t been so close to her ear.

‘If it’s any consolation, so am I.’

‘Really?’ He pulled back and met her eyes incredulously, dropping his arms and stepping away.

‘University is a whole new experience for me too.  None of my friends are going to Cornell… so I’m actually really glad you’re going to be on campus, even if we’re not doing the same classes.’

‘Oh,’ he said shyly.  He shuffled his feet around a bit.  ‘Thanks for encouraging me to do it.’

She grinned.  ‘You may not thank me once all the hard work starts pouring in!’

He returned her grin and nodded his head at the pile of vegetables on the bench.  ‘What’s with the mountain of food?’

She picked up her peeler once again and got back to work.  ‘Dad rang earlier.  He’s invited a guest for dinner.’

‘Oh?’

‘It’s a senior archaeology student who is going to be his new Research Assistant.’

‘Do you want me to make myself scarce?’  Seb finished his apple and tossed the core in the bin.

Even though they didn’t yet have a new assignment, Seb still ate at their house most nights.  She wasn’t sure exactly how it had happened, but he’d started turning up around dinner time and she’d started making enough for three.  He didn’t even try to come up with excuses for showing up anymore.

Emilia rolled her eyes.  ‘I’ve already set a place for you…’ She waved her hand at the table, which had four places set.  ‘I always do now.’

He flushed with pleasure and looked at her sideways.  ‘If you ever don’t want me here, just say, Em.  I don’t want to be a burden.’

‘You’re never a burden, Seb,’ she said quietly.  She spread the vegetables across a roasting tray and drizzled olive oil over them, before seasoning them with salt, pepper and some herbs and sticking the tray in the hot oven.  ‘You’re my friend and practically part of the family.’

‘Thanks,’ he said roughly.  ‘Do you mind if I take a shower and get changed?’

‘Go ahead.’

Emilia returned to the dinner preparations, a task which didn’t require a lot of brainpower, leaving her mind free to wander.  She’d been avoiding thinking about the kiss she and Seb had shared in Paris, but several times over the past few weeks she’d woken from confused dreams with her pulse racing, the feel of Seb’s lips on hers fading as she returned to consciousness.  As much as she tried to dismiss it, what David had said to her that night kept whirling round and round her mind.  What if this friendship she valued so much grew into something more?  Because as much as she told herself it didn’t mean anything, that kiss had knocked her socks off.  She thought of the look of confused wonder on his face when they’d finally pulled apart and knew he’d been equally affected, even if he didn’t want to admit it to himself.

She mechanically opened the oven to check on the roasting vegetables and pulled out the meat to rest.  She’d been kissed by other boys and Justin had kissed her many times while they’d been together.  But not once had she felt the way she’d felt when Seb’s mouth had closed over hers.  That had to mean something, right?

‘That smells fantastic!’ 

Emilia whirled around in surprise, her hand flying to her heart.  Seb was standing behind her, dressed casually in jeans, an open necked short sleeve blue shirt and worn leather jacket, his hair still slightly damp from the shower. 

‘Uh, sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.’

‘Not your fault.  I was off with the fairies.’  She spun back to the bench, looking frantically for something to keep her occupied so she didn’t have to look at the object of her thoughts.  The last thing she wanted was for Seb to suspect she was crushing on him.  As David had said, he was far from ready and he wouldn’t welcome her upsetting their friendship balance.

‘Thinking about anything interesting?’

She shook her head.  ‘I was just contemplating when and where our next mission might be.’  Not hearing from The Society meant she was getting to enjoy the last few weeks of her holidays with her friends.  But still, it was always lurking in the back of her mind and her pulse jumped in expectation every time her phone pinged with a text message.

‘Trying to figure that one out will drive you mad.’  He grinned ruefully.  ‘Although I’d be a hypocrite if I said I didn’t think about it too.  Is there anything I can do to help?’

She handed him a serrated knife.  ‘You can slice the bread for me, while I make the gravy.’

Opening the oven again to check on the roast vegetables, she stuck a skewer in a potato and it went through easily.  Ten more minutes and they’d be perfect.  Seb often helped her in the kitchen and she enjoyed the quiet companionship.  A few months ago she never would have credited that they would get along so well… then again, a few months ago he would have made excuses
not
to stay for dinner.

‘So what do we know about this new Research Assistant?’ Seb asked.

‘Nothing.  Dad’s never had one before, so I’m not sure why now.’  She met his eyes, her own concerned.  ‘Do you think he’s okay, Seb?  He seems to be more tired than usual.’

‘It’s probably just age, Angel.  He
is
nearing sixty now, so it’s only natural he’d slow down a bit.’

‘Yeah, I guess.’

The front door opened and Emilia heard two male voices.  So the Research Assistant was a guy. 

David walked into the kitchen and Emilia turned around fully so she could get a good look at the young man following him.  He was almost as tall as Seb, but not quite as broad, with dark blonde hair and coffee coloured eyes.  His skin was olive toned and cleanly shaven, unlike Seb’s couple of days of growth.  In a word… gorgeous.  And he knew it too.  There was an arrogance to the tilt of his full lips and he looked like everything came easily to him, from the shine of his obviously expensive shoes to his perfectly styled hair.  He was immaculately put together… a little bit too much so.  But then Emilia reminded herself she hadn’t been impressed with Seb when she first met him either and look how wrong she’d been about him.

While she’d been giving him the once over, he’d been doing the same to her.  He stepped forward, his hand extended.  ‘You must be Emilia.  Daivd told me how beautiful you are, but I didn’t believe him until I saw you standing there before me in all your glorious splendour.’  He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers with old-fashioned courtesy.  ‘I’m Edward Livingston the third, but please call me Eddie.’

You’re kidding, right?
was what she wanted to say, but instead she went with the polite option.  ‘Uh, hi.  Welcome to our home.’  She looked over at David for rescue, but he was studying Seb’s tightly clenched jaw, with a speculative look on his face.  He smiled to himself and then turned to Eddie, gesturing him forward.

‘Eddie, come and meet Seb.’

‘Your boyfriend?’ Eddie asked her, as he stepped forward.

‘He’s a close friend.’

‘Ah, that’s excellent news for me.’  He reached out his hand to shake Seb’s, whose eyes had narrowed dangerously at Eddie’s words.  Seb’s fingers closed around Eddie’s and Emilia saw Eddie wince and yank his hand back.  ‘That’s quite a handshake you’ve got there, mate.’

Seb nodded and stepped back, crossing his arms over his broad chest.  What had gotten into him?  Sure, he was reserved, but Emilia had never seen him
this
unfriendly!  David reached up and squeezed Seb’s shoulder and Seb seemed to abruptly shake himself out of whatever was eating him.  ‘Can I get you a drink?’ he asked, with a slight smile.

Emilia breathed a sigh of relief.  For a moment there, she’d been worried dinner would be an awkward affair.  She turned back to the oven and pulled out the tray of golden brown roast vegetables.

‘Mmm, smells divine,’ Eddie commented.

‘I hope so.  Please everyone, take your seats while I serve.’

The roast was sublime, even if she did say so herself and surprisingly the conversation flowed easily. 

‘Are you new to town?’ Seb asked.

‘Fresh off the boat, so to speak.  I was studying Cultural Anthropology at Seattle University, but I got sick of all the rain.  I decided to relocate and do my final year under the country’s most esteemed Archaeologist and Anthropologist,’ Eddie said smoothly.

Emilia rolled her eyes and had to hold back a snort when she saw her father’s beaming face.  He was such a sucker for a compliment!

‘What about you, Seb?  Are you studying at Cornell?’ Eddie asked.

‘As of this year, yes.’  He cleared his throat.  ‘I got accepted into Fine Arts.’

David’s head swung around in amazement and Emilia gathered Seb hadn’t filled him in on the news before now.  ‘Seb… that’s… I’m so proud of you, son.’  He reached over and clapped Seb on the shoulder.