Chapter 40 A Gift
927words
Mom's lips pursed as if she was fighting a smile.
I sat up, pulling a face. This couldn't be good.
"It's something small. My best guess, jewelry," she winked. She was so enjoying this. Unfortunately, I was about to burst her bubble.
"It's likely cow shit." I got up from the couch.
"Well, excuse me?" Mom placed both hands on her hips. "Since when do you talk like that?"
"Since meeting him," I supplied, then sighed. "Sorry, Mom. I'm just tired."
She folded her arms. "Is everything okay? Do you need me to tell him to go away?"
I shook my head. "It's fine. I'll go see what it is."
Mom was reluctant. "Is he giving you trouble?"
"No, Mom," I lied. "He's just being annoying. Like boys are."
She pulled me in a half-hug as I tried to pass her. "You'll talk to me if something is bothering you, right? That's what I'm here for."
I rested my head on her shoulder, returning the hug. "I know Mom. I will."
"If I need to kick his ass, I will," she said.
I smiled, pulling away. "I'll yell when I need help."
"Good." She playfully pinched my cheek. "I'll go get dinner ready. I'm in the kitchen if you need me."
I rubbed my arms from the cold breeze Mom left in her wake and headed outside.
Sure enough, Kayn waited on the porch with a small, wrapped package inside his hands.
It had a pink bow on it. My brows shot up.
He didn't notice me at first, as he stared deep in thought at the wind-rustled fields. What I wouldn't give to know what he was thinking about.
Not that it should matter. "What are you up to now?"
Kayn turned, devoid of any emotion.
He stared at the package for a second, before handing it to me. "This is from Ember."
"Okay?" I took it from him, turning it sideways. If Ember sent this, she wasn't good at wrapping gifts. The paper was haphazardly stapled together.
My eyes darted up to him. "This is Ember's work? It's pretty sloppy."
His jaw popped, and I knew I got him there. "She tried."
"Uh-huh." I poked the wrapping. "What's in it?"
"You should ask Ember."
"Right."
Silence.
Kayn busied himself by straightening the potplants Mom had placed on the porch.
When he was done, he looked at me. "Aren't you opening it?"
"Will it explode in my face?"
He sighed. "Ember is the last one on the planet that would harm a hair on your head."
"Supposing it was from Ember," I stated.
"It is. Could you just open it so I could tell her you love it and call it a day?"
"You could lie to her?"
"She'll know if I'm lying." He pursed his lips.
I gave him a long look, trying to decipher any emotion or intentions from him. He wasn't giving away a thing.
I shook the gift by my ear, then sniffed it. I didn't trust any of this.
Kayn snorted. "It's harmless, relax."
"Like I believe anything you tell me." Deciding I might as well get it over with, I unwrapped it, holding it away from me in case something leaped out on to me.
The moment I tore the paper, it slipped out and fell onto the porch floor.
It was a thin necklace with a single pearl on it. Kayn reached down to pick it up and held it out to me.
I reluctantly took it from him, my stomach bursting with flutters as our hands made contact. I immediately pulled away, pretending to find the necklace interesting.
"So?" he prompted.
"It's nice," I said without looking at him. "Tell Ember I say thank you."
He didn't move.
I glared up at him. He still showed no sign of emotion, which was unusual for him.
"What now?" I bit out.
"Nothing," he shrugged. "Glad you like it."
"Right."
He didn't move.
I crossed my arms. "Is there anything else you need to get off your chest?"
"No." He lifted a hand and scratched his cheek.
Out of nowhere, my cheek itched. My hand flew up, stopping midway, then I dropped it to my side, aware Kayn was watching me.
Was a weird moment, and didn't want to make it weirder by making him think I was imitating him now. "Okay, guess you can go now."
His eyes narrowed, and finally, there was a tug at the corners of his lips.
"Have a nice evening, then." He turned and walked off.
"Uh-huh." I watched him as he took his time following the pathway to his house.
Again, he lifted a hand and scratched the side of his face.
I gasped as I felt someone touch my cheek. I jumped to the side, turning to stare at the spot I was positive Mom would be standing.
There was no one.
My hand flew to my cheek. Holding it, I turned to glance in disbelief back toward Kayn.
He was walking up to their porch, grinning at me. He gave a quick wave.
I rushed inside, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Either Kayn got hold of some kind of voodoo, or we really had a ghost hanging around.
I didn't believe in either, so I had no idea what to believe at this point.
Things were only getting weirder.
