Gifted Connections: Book 2(12)

“Hmm,” I finally said noncommittedly before I pretended to eat my food once more.



I was beyond exhausted when we got in his car. I knew from experience it was because I had used my gifts. I had tried to use them during dessert, but once again they failed me, and I was left feeling extremely tired and it wasn’t even 7 o’clock yet. I was fighting to keep my eyes open and my legs, arms, and head felt so heavy.

“Did you still want to stop at Walmart?” Collin asked as he looked over at me with bewilderment.

I shook my head, laying it on the glass of the passenger window. “No thanks. I guess school and that run, topped with that delicious food, must have left me almost comatose,” I hastily explained.

He seemed mollified by my answer. “I can still stop and run in if you want me to, unless you don’t trust me to pick out the right stuff.”

I yawned. “It’s up to you. I just need something to straighten my hair if I feel like it. A hair dryer and something to tame the beast.”

“The beast?” he gently chuckled.

“My curls,” I said with closed eyes. “They have a mind of their own and go every which way, and if it rains or if it’s humid, it’s even worse. I’m so tempted to get it chopped sometimes.”

“No,” he nearly shouted. Then I felt his fingers on the strands that had escaped. “It’s beautiful just the way it is.”

I meant to respond, but I couldn’t.



The next thing I remembered was the frigid air hitting me. I felt Collin reach down and try to lift me from the car.

I feebly tried to insist that I could walk, but he was determined. He lifted me up in his arms and started to carry me into the apartment building.

“Hey man, everything okay?” I heard Noah’s concerned voice.

I instantly perked up and saw Noah and Stacey a few steps behind us.

Collin looked over at him. “Everything’s fine. Blake hit her head the other night, and today must have been taxing. She’s just a little tired. I’m just putting her to bed.”

“I can look at her head, maybe heal her,” Noah offered, a frown between his brows.

“No,” Collin said hastily. “I mean, no, it’s all good. Thanks though,” he tried to say smoothly.

It didn’t look like Noah was buying it. I knew Collin was trying to shield me from Noah’s gift for some reason.

“She’s fine,” Stacey said a bit coolly as she placed a hand on Noah’s arm. “Let Collin put her to bed, and you should come warm mine.” Stacey nearly purred.

Noah seemed torn for a moment before he reluctantly nodded. “Yeah, okay. See you guys later. If you need me, come find me,” Noah said before walking past us.

I tried to seek out his eyes, but it was clear he was distracted.



I didn’t know what woke me up, but hours later I woke up with a dry throat and dry mouth. I wanted to continue to lay in bed, but I knew I needed a drink. I got out of bed, realizing I must have fallen asleep before I even got to the apartment. My boots had been removed, but I was still fully clothed.

I went to my drawers first and pulled out a pair of boy shorts and a tank top. Looking at my phone, I realized it was late, so I was sure Collin was asleep. I wasn’t too concerned with him seeing me in my skimpy night clothes.

I exited the room quietly, since his room was right next to mine. I didn’t want to wake him up. Tuesdays and Thursdays were our early days; our classes started at 8 AM. Tomorrow I would be left to my own devices for two hours. He had three classes, compared to my two.

I already planned to pack a duffel bag of gym clothes. I was going to visit their state of the art gym facilities and start my strength training. I was going to come up with a schedule, like the one I had before.

I crept down the hallway and noticed a dim light above the stove. I was going to grab a glass of water when I heard a hushed voice and saw that the sliding glass door on the balcony was wide open. I peered around the corner and noticed Collin was on the phone with his back towards me.

“I don’t know,” he was saying. “Yes, I’m sure. I have the block on. She shouldn’t be able to use her gift,” he was silent for a moment.

“She did run into Noah,” he continued. “When she returned from her run, I noticed her tracker showed that she was here. No. No. She was only down there for maybe 10 minutes. Yes, they didn’t seem to recognize each other…Yes. Yes. I understand how important it is to keep them separated…No, she hasn’t said anything about a gift or suspecting she may have one…Yes, sir, I understand…Yes, I am aware how important it is for her to trust me, fall in love with me…Yes. Yes. Okay…Yeah, I have classes…okay, I will see you tomorrow morning.”

I hastily retreated to my room. Horrified at what I just heard. What kind of block did they have on me? Could I remove it? How were they tracking me? It only confirmed my suspicions that I could never trust Collin—he was my enemy.





Chapter 4


The next morning, I woke more exhausted then I was the night before. I had tossed and turned for the rest of the night. I was torn between running away and staying, ingratiating myself even further so I could learn how deep this deception went. I gave up trying to sleep long before my alarm went off. I decided to hop in the shower and get ready for the day.