“Look at him,” Michael complained to Skye, “even limping around with a banged-up knee he gets all the girls.” Her brother shook his head in disgust.
Skye glanced up from the tarot spread and laughed at the two girls trying to outdo each other for Tanner’s attention. Good thing she was so over him. “You don’t care. Emily’s waiting for you back home.”
Michael grinned and kicked back in his chair, hands over his bloated stomach. “And next semester she’ll transfer up here. But . . . does it bother you?” He jerked his head at Tanner.
Heavens to Venus. Tanner must have told him she’d made a fool of herself one night. Skye rolled her eyes. “Get real.”
What a difference the last couple of months had made. Skye snuck a glance at Kheelan who stood alone by a dark window. He studied Kyle and his biological sister Katie when he thought no one else was paying him any attention.
Tanner plopped down by Skye, stretching out his leg with the bum knee.
She pointed her fork at his plate. “You keep eating like that while you’re getting over surgery, and you’ll gain a hundred pounds before spring practice.”
“My football days are over.” Tanner glanced ruefully at the brace. “Blew out my knee in my first chance to play. Of all the rotten luck.”
Kyle set a steaming cup in front of Tanner. “Valerian tea. Help sleep.”
Skye smiled at Kyle and he touched a purple streak in her hair. “Pretty.”
“Thanks, buddy.” Tanner took a sip of the tea. “Between that and the pain killers I’ll be out like a light soon as Michael and I get back to the dorm. And Skye – you might want to lighten up on the hair dye thing. It’s getting a little out of hand.”
“Let me read your future before you go,” said Glenna, grabbing the cards from Skye.
“Don’t let her, Tanner,” Skye warned. “She can’t seem to pull anything but tragic cards.”
“That’s only in readings for myself,” Glenna said, shoving her dyed black hair behind one ear. “And it came true, ya know. Mickey broke up with me.”
She gave a pointed, coy look at Tanner. Letting him know she was available. Ugh. Glenna pulled the Death card from the deck, first pick.
Some people never changed.
Katie elbowed her way closer to Tanner. “I can’t wait to learn how to do this stuff. It’s so much fun working here.”
Skye smiled at her enthusiasm. Katie was direct and uncomplicated. Kyle had told Mama D his sister needed a job. As the new owner, Mama D needed another hand to fill the absence left by Claribel.
Skye glanced at the darkened room of the main shop. She could picture Claribel there, setting out honey for the pixies. She missed the pretend Claribel.
A hand settled on her shoulder. “She chose her own fate,” Kheelan said in a low voice only she could hear. He knew her so well it was scary. But mostly wonderful.
“Ace of Cups.” Glenna slapped down the cards theatrically. “Five of Cups and Five of Swords.”
“What do they mean?’ Katie asked. “I can’t remember all the tarot symbolism.”
“Tanner will be moving to a new place and may have new beginnings in love,” said Glenna. “He’ll face problems and troubles and also struggle with his fear of commitment.”
Michael snickered.
“Bring on the ladies,” Tanner said, gathering up his crutches. “We better get going my man. Piedmont’s a long drive home in the morning.”
He and Michael said their goodbyes – much to Katie and Glenna’s disappointment.
“I’ll see you at home in a few days,” Skye said to Michael.
Home. She and Mom still had lots to work out. But at least they’d been talking – really talking – these past few weeks.
As they left, Kyle and Katie’s parents came through the door. Kheelan tensed and Skye touched his hand under the table.
“It’s so wonderful to finally meet you.” Mama D rushed to the door and took their coats.
The attractive older couple made their way over. Mrs. Jeffries eyes immediately sought out Kheelan. A well-manicured hand touched her throat at the sight of him. Mr. Jeffries strode straight to Kheelan and shook his hand. “Katie’s right. There’s a strong resemblance between you and Kyle. Remarkable.”
Kheelan nodded and returned the warm handshake, a muscle tightening in his jaw.
“Yeah, but Dad, once you’ve been around them a few minutes you can tell the difference easy. Kyle’s hair is curlier and his expression’s all different,” said Katie.
Mrs. Jeffries sank into a chair beside Kyle, her face pale and tight. Kyle kept glancing at his mom and tilting his head to one side. “Mama, okay?” he asked.
Glenna gathered up the tarot deck and shoved them across the table to Skye. “Time for me to head out too,” she said.
So pathetic. And obvious. With Tanner gone, Glenna’s interest in the party was over.