Chapter 85 The Fairy
588words
There was a fairy on our porch.
I sighed, tugging the towel from my head. Wet hair spilled out onto my shoulders, the coolness refreshing to my hot skin.
I was in the process of getting ready for my day when he knocked on the front door. "What do you want?"
"I need your help." Rake stood in front of me, dressed in his bad-boy attire—all leather, except for the white shirt stretching across his broad chest.
It had 'badass' written in bold, red letters.
"You, the badass, needs my help?" I snorted.
"I believe that was what I asked."
"No." I hooked the towel onto the doorknob. "I'm not helping you."
"You didn't even hear what it's about."
"I don't care."
"I came at a terrible time, I see." He crossed his arms. "But, what if I told you that it could help you too in the process?"
"I strongly doubt it."
"What if—" he leaned in. "I told you that I could solve a little problem concerning your favored neighbors?"
I gave him a sideways glance. "I'm listening."
"Regarding the old man and his beloved."
"Yes?" my ears perked.
He stood back. "That is, only if you're willing to help me."
"What exactly can you help with regarding Hector and Margaret?" I asked. "And, why should I believe you? I've heard the reputation of trusting a fairy is well through the mud."
"Oh, but I can promise you—"
"Carly, who is that?" Mom appeared inside the kitchen in her favorite cow pajamas and fluffy, yellow slippers. She paused, giving Rake a long once-over.
I cleared my throat. "Uh, Mom?"
She shook her head, offering him a sweet smile. "Well, hello there." She glanced at me, the smile stiff on her face. "Who is this?"
Mom hated being caught off-guard, especially in her pajamas. I also didn't miss the fact that she might have secret cougar tendencies she had yet to tell me about.
Yes, so Rake wasn't bad-looking, but he was no match to Kayn.
The same moron I swore not to acknowledge or think about.
Yet, here we were, thinking about him.
"Mom, this is Rake." I had no idea what else to say since I had no intention of introducing him as a friend.
"Rake?" Mom's voice sounded unusually sweet. "Like the cryptid?"
Oh dear, here we go.
"I suppose you could say that," he grinned. "Though, I'm certain I'm not that hideous."
Mom fell into a fit of giggles. "I like this one," she winked at me.
I turned to pin Rake with a glare. "Well, he was just leaving."
"I wanted to—" he started but got interrupted by a clucking sound.
"What the hell are—" Kayn spotted Mom, and he matched her stiff smile. "I meant hello. How is everyone this fine morning?"
I rolled my eyes.
Could these two be any more ridiculous?
"Good morning, dear," Mom greeted. "I was just about to prepare breakfast." She peered between the two. "Why don't you join us?"
My eyes widened. "No, Mom. I think they have places to be." I gave them a warning look. "Right?"
Kayn crossed his arms, grinning. "I don't have any plans."
"Neither do I," Rake threw a taunting look at Kayn. "And, I'm quite famished."
Kayn returned a glare.
My shoulders dropped. "Wonderful."
"Perfect. I'm making chocolate chip pancakes," Mom clapped excitedly.
"I'm going to go dry my hair," I muttered, shuffling toward the hallway.
Hopefully, by the time I finished, those two had spontaneously vanished.
