“Why would you want to talk about trolls? They’re useless ... and we haven’t seen any in years. They’ve fled to the mountains to keep away from people.”
I gestured toward the mountain behind us. “We’re in the mountains, and this place used to be thick with trolls. Maybe some of the trolls here didn’t want to flee.”
“And what?” Nellie looked legitimately confused. “Do you think they’re lurking by area roads and running out to flip cars and kill families?”
“They’re known to be destructive.”
“Oh, geez. They’re also known as mindless brutes. If trolls were in this area, people would’ve seen them. The population is too dense. They’re not here. They’re all up in Canada ... and the tundras of Russia. Oh, and Montana. I heard a bunch of them went to Montana. If something is here, it’s not trolls.”
Yeah, he was definitely on my last nerve. “You know what? I don’t need your version of a pep talk. I’m busy, and you should be doing ... whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing.” I waved my hand to get him to leave and reclaimed the computer. “Now ... off with you.”
Instead of being offended, he barked out a laugh and stood. “You’re determined to dig your heels in on more than one thing. You might want to ask yourself how healthy that is, because we’re dealing with a real situation here.
“I believe that something paranormal knocked that car off the road,” he continued. “I’ve heard what Cole and Kade have been saying, and the fact that there were no skid marks is a dead giveaway. But that doesn’t mean it’s trolls.”
He took a step away from the table and glanced back at me. “Also, your attitude when it comes to Cole and Luke sucks. This isn’t like you. I don’t know what your deal is, but you need to let it go. It’s only fair to Luke, who has been the best friend you could possibly ask for. He’s always been there for you. It’s time for you to be there for him.”
I WAS STILL FUMING ABOUT NELLIE’S admonishment an hour later. Apparently word had spread that I was in a bad mood and no one — absolutely no one — had bothered to approach me. That included Kade, who I had sensed watching me a few times, but he was obviously keen to keep his distance. That, unfortunately, was a small tear to the heart I wouldn’t survive if it wasn’t rectified.
“Hey.”
I looked up at the new voice, frowning when I realized it was Cole who was finally going to bridge the gap between us. For a split second my anger doubled when I realized he was being the bigger person and reaching out to me. It should’ve been the other way around. Of course, the anger didn’t last because I knew it should be pointed inward. I was to blame in all of this, and apparently Cole was here to fix it. I could read his intent, because it was his lone thought when he joined me.
“Hey.” I was leery when he sat across from me. “How’s it going?”
He laughed at my lame greeting. “I’m okay. How are you?”
“I’ve ... been better.”
“So I’ve heard. You know you’re the talk of the fairgrounds? Everyone is gossiping about how you’re acting ... and it’s not in complimentary terms.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I pursed my lips, considering. “Did you guys draw straws to see who was going to have to talk me off the ledge?”
He shook his head. “No. Kade volunteered, but I asked him to let me talk to you. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but he seems desperate to try anything.”
Ugh. That was so Kade. Of course he’d been pouring his heart out to Cole. He wasn’t happy when our little family was in tumult. He wanted it fixed ... and expediently. “He doesn’t need to be desperate. I ... um ... I’m fine.” I forced a smile I didn’t really feel. “Seriously, there’s nothing to worry about.”
His expression was hard to read. “I don’t know you very well, though I’d like to remedy that. I can tell without a shadow of a doubt that you’re not fine. I think we need to talk about it.”
That was the last thing I wanted to do. If we talked I would have to admit I was acting like the worst friend in the world. No one wants to admit that. “I’m fine.”
He cleared his throat and pinned me with a serious look. “I’m not asking you to like me.” He looked as if he was searching for the right words. “I’m asking you to give me a chance. You were friendly when we first met. I really liked you, thought you were funny. Then you turned cold on me when I showed up to visit Luke. I want to know why.”
I worked my jaw, unsure how to answer. Finally, and only because I believed brutal honesty was often the best policy, I sighed and decided to go for it. “At first I thought you were going to be a temporary fling. Luke needed some attention and you were there to give it. It was a good thing.”
“And you don’t think something more lasting is a good thing?” Cole was calm, not forceful in the least. He acted as if he was genuinely interested in hearing my answer.
“It’s not that,” I replied hurriedly. “It’s just ... Luke is one of the most important people in my life. In some ways, he’s the most important, even though things have shifted a bit.” I flicked my eyes to the ticket booth, to the spot I knew Kade was loitering even though I couldn’t see him. He was watching us and I could feel his worry wafting over the fairgrounds.
“He’s not the only one spying on us,” Cole volunteered. “Luke is behind that tent where they sell shrunken evil humans as voodoo dolls.”
I jerked my head back to him, surprised. “How do you know that? Did someone tell you?”
“I’m magical,” he reminded me. “I have abilities, the same as you. Sure, my elemental abilities are different — I can conjure fire out of thin air if it becomes necessary — but we’re largely the same ... and by that I mean we both care about Luke a great deal.
“I don’t want to hurt him,” he continued, somber. “I like him. He’s ... funny. He’s charming. He has you for a friend. All of those things stack up in his favor. But if you won’t give me a chance it’s best that I leave now, because he’ll never accept me the way I want to be accepted if you don’t at least make an effort.”
I wanted to argue the point — mostly because I felt like an idiot — but I couldn’t. He wasn’t wrong. I was standing in the way of Luke’s happiness, and it wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing. “I’m not trying to be difficult,” I said finally. “I know it probably doesn’t seem that way, but I’m aware of how I’m acting and I hate myself for it.”
“Believe it or not, I can see that. Why do you think I’ve been trying to reach out to you? I don’t think you’re a bad person. You are, however, ruining what could be a good time.”
“I know.” I rubbed my forehead and exhaled heavily. “It’s just ... what’s going to happen? You only have a few weeks of vacation. Once that’s over, you have to return to your job. Luke will be even more attached to you then. By that point he’ll be upset when you leave, and I’m afraid he’ll go with you ... back to Ohio ... the land of nothing.”