Ceaseless (Existence Trilogy #3)(13)

I reached into the rubble and drew her soul out. It came willingly. The confused look on her face as she looked back at herself and then toward her parents was one I saw daily. She didn’t understand just yet that she was no longer in the body.

“Come on, Chick, time for you to head up. You’ll have another life before you know it. Say your goodbyes to this one,” Gee informed her as she grabbed her hand and they left.

I didn’t stay around and wait for her parents to figure out their worst fears were true. I’d had enough of that for one day. I just wanted to go see Pagan but I had thousands of souls still left to collect.

I walked toward the truck that had flipped in an attempt to miss the girl’s car. I stopped where the paramedics were performing CPR on the driver. As the paramedics worked to save him, his soul had already released from his body and was staring down at his empty shell. Gee appeared beside me and without a word she took his hand telling him he’d get to start over and maybe this time he could keep from getting a beer gut.

Pagan

“It is unfair. Completely unfreakinfair.” Miranda scowled into the mirror she had us standing in front of. “I spent hours getting ready. You spent less than thirty minutes and you still look better.”

Miranda was gorgeous. She had styled all her wild ringlets perfectly around her face. The red sleeveless top she’d paired with the silver pencil skirt that stopped way before it hit her knees, highlighted every curve she had. Nathan didn’t stand a chance. “You seriously are confused. You’re hot. Embrace it and let’s go,” I replied before she could change her clothes again.

“Are you sure? You aren’t just saying that are you?” She was still standing in front of the mirror fidgeting with her shirt and hair.

“I am positive. Come on. They are probably already down there waiting for us.” And I wanted to get this over with.

“Maybe I should have gone with boots. You look killer in those leather boots,” Miranda replied without moving.

I glanced down at the tan leather knee high boots I’d put on with the blue jean mini skirt Miranda had made me wear. “You can wear the boots if you want to. I don’t care. I’ll go find some other shoes to put on.”

Miranda scowled. “No. Those boots won’t match what I’m wearing. Besides, you’d end up putting on your Converse or something ridiculous like that. It’s a miracle I managed to get you in those. I’m not messing up my luck now.”

I smiled because she was correct. If I took these boots off I would slip on my Converse. “Then let’s go,” I replied, and opened the door.

“Okay. Fine. Okay. I can do this,” Miranda reminded herself in the mirror, then turned and headed my way. Maybe I’d get her out of here before midnight.

“It’s okay Miranda. He’s just a boy and this is just a date,” I assured her as I pushed her out the door and into the hallway.

She nodded, “You’re right. He’s just a boy. It’s just a date.”

We made our way down to the great room where they’d said they would meet us. I could hear feminine laughter and deep voices, as we got closer. “I hear them,” Miranda whispered.

“Yep. Sounds like they’re entertaining some of our neighbors,” I replied. Maybe Jay would see someone he liked and leave me alone. Then she could deal with crazy Victoria.

We stepped into the room to see Jay talking and laughing with a girl I hadn’t met yet, but I’d seen her yesterday when we moved in. Girls always flirted with Jay. He had that friendly kind of personality. Nathan’s eyes zoned in on Miranda instantly. The smile on his face as he looked at her made this all worth it. I liked that guy.

Nathan elbowed Jay as we approached and he stopped talking to the redhead and turned to look at us. His eyes swept over me slowly. The girl he’d been talking to reached out and squeezed his arm and said something about seeing him tomorrow night. I almost laughed. He’d just been caught making a date with another girl while waiting for me. That was priceless. If I weren’t going on this date for Miranda’s sake, I’d use this as my excuse and back out now. I couldn’t do that to her though. Not when Nathan had the look of awed worship in his eyes as he stared at her. Yeah, I’d have to deal with Jay the Romeo all night. Maybe Miranda and the redhead could meet and they could double date next time.

“Pagan, wow. You look amazing,” Jay said as he stepped toward me, leaving his new friend behind.

“Please don’t let me interrupt you,” I replied, turning my attention to the girl left waiting on his response.

He was nervous. I smiled at him reassuringly. “Really, Jay. I don’t mind. Finish your conversation. I’m in no hurry.”

Jay studied me a moment and I could see the indecision on his face. I wasn’t the lovesick seventeen-year-old he’d left behind. That ship had sailed. He shook his head and closed the distance between us and rested his hand on my lower back. “I’m ready to go. I was just being friendly.”

The frown on the girl’s face said otherwise. I moved his hand from my back and took a step back. “If you were asking her out then please go finish what you started. You’re being rude.” I whispered.

He let out a sigh. “Fuck.”

I watched him as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. I knew him too well. I could read his body language. “You weren’t supposed to hear that. Dammit. I’ve screwed this up. Asking her out while waiting on you was disrespectful. I’m sorry.”