10

"What started this?" I demanded as I gave them both my badass stare.

My Dad and Ethan started speaking at once, and I halted Ethan in mid-whine. "You first."

"Your Dad came here looking for you."

I sighed and looked at my father. "And you didn't believe him when he said he hadn't seen me?"

"Of course not."

"I wasn't with Adam, don't worry."

Dad looked at Adam, who leaned casually against the table behind us. "So why did you show up together?"

"He offered me his couch for the night."

My Dad's face fell slightly. "So after all that's happened, you two are hooking up again?"

Adam stepped around me. "How can you even ask that after what you've done?"

Ethan looked at Adam in confusion. "Tell me what's going on, Adam."

This would give Ethan one more reason to hate my father, and I wouldn't let any more blood be spilled on my watch. "It's nothing," I interjected.

Adam protested, "Cassie, you have to..."

His words faded when he saw my expression. "Leave it."

He sighed and his lips twisted with emotion. "We can't let them get away with this."

"You're right, but this is not the place or the time."

I almost could not bear his scrutiny, but Adam finally relented and went back to leaning. "OK, for now."

That didn't mean I was letting my Dad off the hook. "You've done enough, don't you think?"

He stood up and adjusted his ever present coat collar. "Not nearly. Let's go."

It was almost comical that he'd think I'd go anywhere with him. "Go, with you?"

"Do you see anyone else?"

This time I did smile. "Just a person who abandoned his daughter, only to show up and completely mess up her life."

My Dad's mouth tightened. "It's not safe here."

"And you think it's safe with you and your weak magic?" I retorted, enjoying the way my digs were getting under his skin.

Ethan said, "Wait, he has magic?"

Adam replied, "Apparently."

My Dad didn't respond to either of them. "Are you coming or not, Cassie?"

"Not," I said, putting all the force of my will behind that word.

He looked over at Ethan and finished with, "This isn't over, Conant."

Not by a longshot.

Ethan was very sweet as he made up the cot for me. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

I shrugged like it was nothing. "It's OK."

And yet, Ethan instantly sensed my unease. "What's really wrong, Cassie?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

"You're among friends here. I hope you know that." The touch of his hand on my shoulder made me jump, mostly because it was something Adam would do.

My nerves were jangling, but I smiled anyway. "Thanks."

"I know your father doesn't care for me, but that shouldn't interfere with you and Adam."

So, Adam hadn't clued his Dad in. "You're right, it shouldn't."

"Well, goodnight Cassie."

"'Night."

And I'm out of your range

Now it's kind of strange

How we change orbit in our lives

You were kind of a moon outside of my room

I could just feel you nearby

Now I feel you gone

'Cause I know which side you're on

And it's not mine

Orbiting, Lyrics by The Weepies

Ethan retreated and I settled back into the surprisingly comfortable cot. Even stranger, I slept better than I had in weeks and didn't stir until morning. The smell of coffee drew me into the kitchen, where I spotted Adam prepping breakfast. He didn't see me as I slipped into the bathroom, thankful that the radio covered up my footsteps. If I could escape from here without notice, that would be cool. But that thought flew right out the window when Ethan collared me and insisted I eat some oatmeal.

Adam and I sat at opposite ends of the table, and it was all kinds of awkward. My smile was never far from my face, but I never once met his eyes. We finished at the same time, and I was one step ahead of him at the sink. I ran some water and turned to find him looking at me with confusion. "What's really happening here?"

"Nothing," I said, not bothering to add 'not anymore' as I stepped out of reach.

"We have to talk about this."

I grabbed my bag, already halfway out the door. "Actually, we don't."

Written in the stars Adam would have run after me, but reverse the curse Adam merely shrugged like he didn't care. "Have it your way.."

Diana had said he was a wreck, but it wasn't apparent to me. And later that day, it became obvious he was moving on. He was all over some cute blonde thing that was bubbly in all the ways I was morose. By day's end, Sally confirmed he had asked her out.

"He didn't waste any time," Sally said with a frown.

All she got was my patented shrug. "Maybe destiny really is a crock."

"You don't really believe that," she said as we got to her car. At her insistence, I loaded my bike in the back and rode to my house with her.

"I don't know what I believe, Sally."

"Believe this. If my Gran says it will all work out, then it will."

But she hadn't said that, not really. It all depended on Adam falling for me without the help of destiny, and I doubted that would happen. He was already making moves on some other girl, and our romance that had burned so bright had gone up in flames.

Sally pulled up to my house and helped me pack my suitcase. My Dad was thankfully absent and I almost made it to the car when Jake walked up.

"Hey," he said, his cool blue eyes taking in Sally. "Haven't seen you around much."

I had nothing to say to him. "Yeah, I've been busy."

Jake smirked. "Wallowing much?"

Sally got in the car and I sensed her impatience to leave. "No time for that."

Just before I opened the door, his fingers closed over mine. "Deep inside, you know I'm right about us."

I yanked my hand away. "And deep inside, you know you're a back stabbing prick."

He watched as we left, and flashed that sardonic smile as we pulled away. I made a face and rolled my eyes, and the last thing I saw was his grin. "Jerk," I muttered as Sally transported me to work.

"No kidding, huh? Where does he get off anyway?"

Jake had my Dad's seal of approval, so he thought that gave him carte blanche with me. I was about to disabuse him of that notion.