The Black Coats(54)

They were interrupted by a shuffle in the living room, and before Thea could leap to her feet, Marc and Mirabelle came through the door. They both looked totally wrecked.

“I think we are through for today,” he managed. “Having you girls waiting in my house was definitely not what I expected, but I can’t say that I’m not glad.” His eyes met Mirabelle’s. “This was a long time coming. We’ll be in touch, yes? I mean it. Coffee maybe, next month? I’ll bring my daughter?”

She took a long look at his face, and then, without a word to her team, wearily made her way out the back door.

Thea waved toward the rest of the team. “Go to the car. I’ll be there in a moment.”

Team Banner filed out the door as Thea turned to Marc, who was standing nervously near the stove. She raised an eyebrow and took a step forward. “You cannot tell anyone that we were here. Ever.”

Marc’s eyes reflected his exhaustion, but he still managed to square his shoulders as he looked into her face. “I won’t, but you can never come here again. If my children had been with me this would have turned out very different. There is nothing I would not do to protect them.” This was a threat, and she took it as such.

“I understand.” She paused. “You seem like a good dad.”

Marc turned away from her. “I’m trying to be.” He opened the door for Thea to walk through. “What do you call yourselves?” He gestured to her coat. “What is this?”

Thea paused in front of him, taking a moment to look directly into his tired face, and she knew he wouldn’t tell anyone. The shame ran too deep. She cleared her throat. “It’s just a coat, and we’re just good friends.”

The door slammed behind her, and she heard him mutter, “Like hell you are.”

In the car, Mirabelle sighed and leaned her head back against the seat, her body slumping from emotional exhaustion. “How do you feel?” asked Thea.

Mirabelle looked out the window for a long time before raising her voice, even then only a whisper. “Better.”





Twenty


It was dark outside when Thea remembered Drew.

She and Bea were lazily curled up on Mirabelle’s Adirondack chairs overlooking her aunt and uncle’s private lake, gazing at the stars. After dinner and a swiped bottle of wine from the liquor cabinet, the night had passed quickly.

Bea rolled over with a groan. “Do you think Mirabelle’s servants can get us breakfast in the morning?”

Thea giggled. “I don’t think she has actual servants, just, like, maids.”

Bea yawned. “Well, either way, I’m requesting pancakes and eggs.”

Breakfast. Pancakes. Waffles. “Oh my God!” Thea shot to her feet. “Shit! Oh God!”

Bea sat up, a muslin blanket falling to her feet. “What’s wrong?”

Thea stumbled to her bag, rooting around for her phone. Her hands closed around the case, and she drew it out, her face furrowed in distress. Seven missed texts. The feeling of drowning was instantaneous. She had forgotten about Drew, forgotten about the concert. She quickly scrolled through them.

I got us amazing seats. I’m pretty sure we will be able to see the drummer’s leg hair.

Looking like a creeper who comes to concerts by himself. I promise I have a girlfriend.

Thea, where are you? Are you okay?

I’m getting worried. Where are you?

I’m freaked out and calling your parents.

Your mom said you were with the restoration society. At least you’re not dead.

Finally, the last one:

FYI, Thea, waffles suck by yourself.

Drew had been waiting for her at the concert, all night. There was only one call, a voice mail she put on speaker. She ground her teeth when she heard his weary voice, full of disappointment. “Thea, we need to talk.” Then the line went dead.

“That didn’t sound great,” Bea said honestly.

Thea put her phone down and sucked in her breath. “Dammit. What is wrong with me? Drew’s pissed. I stood him up at a concert tonight. How did I completely forget about him?”

Bea wrung her hands. “We had a crazy emotional night; it wasn’t totally your fault.”

Thea sat down, hanging her head between her knees. “This is bad. He’s been tolerant so far, but this was . . .” She ran her hands up her arms, feeling the goose bumps raised across her copper skin. Her heart felt like it was being sucked into a black hole at his words. We need to talk. He was going to break up with her. She began folding her blanket. “I can’t be a nice girlfriend, the one he deserves, not while I’m a part of this.”

Her friend looked at her through long black eyelashes. “But you’re really into him, right?”

Thea thought of the way Drew’s lips would gently trace the spot behind her ear, the way he left her little presents in their secret spot in the library. She waved toward the three other girls, currently skipping rocks on the lake and shoving one another into the water. “This gives me purpose. The Black Coats gave me life. But he makes me feel happy.”

“Well then, what are you going to do?” asked Bea.

Thea rolled up on her toes and back down, something she had always done before a race. “I think I’m going there.”

Bea shook her head. “It’s, like, eleven o’clock.”