“You feeling alright?” Peter asked as they stood. “You look very pale.”
“I’m fine. I skipped breakfast and I think my blood sugar is getting revenge. It will pass.” I made a show out of picking up a fry and eating it. My stomach rebelled.
“You should have that tested,” Peter warned, helping Rachel into her jacket.
I nodded, reaching for the ketchup while they walked out the door. Squirting a big pile on my plate, I looked up in time to wave to Rachel as they backed out of their spot. I pretended to nibble on a fry, watching their car. Once they left, I dug out my cell with shaking hands and dialed Dale’s Auto Body. It looked like I would need to miss a few more classes.
Dale answered after the third ring. “Hi, Dale, it’s Gabby… Clay’s girlfriend.” It felt weird giving myself that title, but I pushed it aside. Bigger issues to deal with. “If he’s there, can I talk to him?”
Dale laughed, “Sure, but I don’t imagine it’d be much of a conversation.”
I heard him call out to Clay and set the phone down. A moment later, a husky voice said, “Hello?”
After not talking to me for so long, hearing his voice startled and, yes, annoyed me slightly. He would talk to a perfect stranger, but not me? I opened my mouth to say something about it, but the pain in my head insistently prodded me to get on with the important news.
“Clay, I did it again. I’m at the diner where we had breakfast. I need you to come get me before it gets worse.”
He didn’t say anything for so long that I looked at phone to see if I still had a signal. The screen said disconnected. Would it have killed him to say ‘Okay’ or maybe even ‘Bye’ before hanging up? His hello had been too shocking to recall the sound of his voice.
I sighed and put my cell away. With Sam frequently calling and Rachel texting occasionally, my minutes dipped into the double digits. I needed to adjust my budget to buy more airtime. Did life really need to throw me this many curveballs? And all at once?
I forced myself to eat more of my mostly untouched meal so the waitress wouldn’t bother me as I waited.
The last of the waves hit me. Only determination and a hand over my mouth kept me from whimpering. After about ten minutes, I settled the bill and watched out the window for Clay barely avoiding curling into a ball and laying down on the padded bench. The waitress kept a close eye on me probably thinking she would need to clean up barf soon. She might.
Dale’s huge tow truck pulled into the parking lot. Clay opened his door and leapt out while it still rolled to a stop. Through the window, he spotted me. His eyes never left me as Dale pulled away and he strode in.
Still wearing his greasy coveralls with his hair pulled back, he looked like an angel - a grimy one - come to save me. Again.
“Hi,” I whispered looking up at him.
His eyes softened as he looked me over and saw how bad I was.
My legs trembled just sitting there but with so many students from campus, I wouldn’t leave by any means other than my own two feet. I handed him the keys to my car and slid out of the booth. Standing, I reached for him and wrapped my arms around his waist trying to look like I wanted to snuggle instead of holding myself up.
He maneuvered us out the door and to my car with no trouble. Minutes later, he carried me through the back door. He knew the drill and gave me a drink before tucking me into bed.
Close to dawn, I woke feeling much better. The shivers had faded while I slept and the lingering headache was manageable. The full bladder wasn’t.
I snuck to the bathroom hoping not to wake him, but when I got back, the light shone and he lay awake waiting for me. With his hair still back, I easily read his expression. I hated when he looked at me like that. All disappointed and hurt.
I stalled saying anything until I slid back under the covers. Warmer, I met his gaze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan it…”
…technically…
“…but I think I’ve figured out what I am Clay. I’m like a GPS for werewolves. I can find people. Not just people, but compatible mates like me.” My feet refused to warm so I tucked them under his legs. He didn’t even flinch. Probably because I did it all the time.
“When I touched Rachel yesterday, I really paid attention. I saw the energy I release when I shock a person. It goes into them and pulses outward passing through almost everyone else. And everyone this energy passes through fades in my mind almost dimming to the point of non-existence. Five people didn’t fade, Clay. In the whole world, there are only five. Six if you include me. And when the energy I release touches them, it bounces off to come crashing back on me. That’s what’s been knocking me on my butt.”