True Colors (The Masks #1)(28)

“Libby—”

“It’ll all be over soon anyway. I’ve applied to a bunch of schools on the east coast. Soon I can fly away from this place and start anew. No sisters to compete with, no mother to feel fat beside. Just me.” She drew in a shaky breath, but then turned to me with a smile. That thought calmed her and I didn’t want to disrupt it by now bringing up the homework thing.

“That’s cool, Libby. You’re gonna be great.” I grinned at her, my insides tripping as I suddenly wondered what my future held. No matter where I went, I now had this power. I felt like there was no starting anew anymore. I was cursed...or maybe blessed...until I died.

It felt good to know that Libby hadn’t crossed her own line because of something I’d said. It was with a sinking realization that I knew I wouldn’t have said anything if I hadn’t been able to see. I mean, yes, Carter talking to Libby was weird, but I probably would have brushed it off as none of my business. My newfound power was making me curious and that curiosity just helped someone.

Maybe blocking everyone out wasn’t the answer.

Help those around you, one person at a time, and you will have a full and happy life.

The stranger’s voice was clear in my head. As Libby and I sat quietly on that beach, I couldn’t help admitting that maybe the homeless guy was right.





Chapter 13




Stella was pretty steamed that I left her at the party. I dropped Libby home before going back to collect her. I toyed with the idea of reading my best friend on the way home, but I didn’t have to, she was so drunk she told me everything. She didn’t like that I was changing and so ready to ditch her all the time. She felt abandoned by me and wanted her friend back.

I felt bad and decided to make up for it the next day, but she was either too annoyed to talk to me or sleeping it off. When the afternoon rolled around and I still hadn’t heard from her, I was forced to put it to rest and deal with it the next day. My house was being overrun with little people and lucky me had been ordered to babysit. I didn’t mind too much. My nephews, Jake and Brody, were gorgeous. They were so full of fun and we always had a blast together.

Isla, my two-year-old niece, was staying with her dad’s parents so it was just me and the boys for the night. My parents were being taken out by their two eldest children for the evening. Seth and Layla did this every year...and I was never invited. Why would I be? I was the babysitter!

Thankfully, Seth’s girls were somewhere else. I loved them as much as the boys, but put all four together and it was an explosive concoction. I had done it once and my exhausted self had kicked up such a big stink when everyone got home that I was never asked to do it again.

I checked my watch as I headed down the back steps. Everyone was leaving in half an hour. It would soon be game on and I wanted a second to collect myself.

“Hey Caity.” Eric’s sweet voice made my insides flutter.

He was standing on his lawn, leaning his surfboard against the fence. He finished drying off his hair and spread the towel out to dry.

I tried not to stumble as I descended the stairs towards him. He propped his arms on the fence as he waited for me. His bare skin smelt fresh and salty. I wondered if he knew how much his shirtless form undid a girl. I’m sure he’d wear more clothes if he knew how much it undid me anyway.

Trying not to gaze longingly at his chiseled frame was hard work. I licked my bottom lip and forced myself to look into his eyes. They were glimmering with a small smile.

“So you never called me.”

I ran my hand down my ponytail, wondering how to respond. Was he annoyed or sad that I hadn’t? I was tempted to read him, but forced his mask back in place when it started to fall away.

“I guess the rest of your week was okay.” He touched my elbow as I leaned against the fence.

“Pretty much.” I nodded. “I’ve been practicing a lot.”

“Is it working?”

“Yeah.” I grinned. “I can block out most emotions now. It’s good.”

“But...”

I glanced away with a snicker. “I thought I was the people reader, not you.”

“I don’t need a super power to know there’s something more.” He leaned his chin on his hands and looked up at me. The green flecks in his eyes seemed to shimmer. “You don’t have to hide anything from me, Caity. I like that you’re letting me in.”

My lips twitched with a smile as I looked at him. I could have stayed that way for the rest of the night, locked in the silent connection, but the back door swung open.

“Caitlyn and Eric sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

Jake.

I closed my eyes and wanted to die. I could feel my cheeks flaming.

Throwing a molten glare at my seven-year-old nephew, I was happy to see him yelp before running off with a giggle.

“Sorry about that.” I winced, rubbing my forehead to hide my eyes. “I’m gonna go strangle him in a minute.”

“Have fun with that.” Eric laughed, a bright smile taking over his face.

I took a second to admire it.

“Caity is in lo-ve. Caity is in lo-ve.”

Brody. No doubt spurred on by Jake.

Their giggles filtered down from the top window. I glanced up and saw it slam.

“Okay, now I’m gonna go kill both of them.”