The Prophecy

“Yeah, my family and I just got back from New York. I've worked here since I was 15.”

“Well, that's nice.”

He laughed and sent a wink over his shoulder. “I suppose it is. Better than working at the bait shop, that's for sure.” He shrugged as he headed behind the coffee counter. “Can I make you anything before we open?”

“Yeah, that would be great. I'll have whatever you're having.”

“Oh, yay! My favorite person arrived! What, couldn't resist being with me again?”

I stiffened at the sound of Rose's sarcasm. And so it begins. “Oh, you know how it is. Have to get in my daily dose of nasty hag, otherwise my day isn't complete.”

Brandon almost dropped the coffee. He handed it to me with a wink, then turned to face Rose. “Hey baby, how you doin’?” He wiggled his eyebrows right before he grabbed her up in a giant hug.

This time I almost dropped the coffee. Surely they weren't a couple?

Rose swatted him on the arm. “You don't have to act around her, she's not important.”

“Oh come on Rose, I have to practice for when school starts.”

“What are you guys talking about?” I set my cup down. I didn't want it in anymore danger of falling.

“None of your damn business, twat.” I rolled my eyes at Rose and looked to Brandon for an explanation.

He tugged on Rose's hair. “Oh come on Rose, it won't hurt for her to know. Besides, we're all going to be besties.” He leaned against Rose's shoulder, causing her to stumble from the weight.

“Get off you big oaf!” Shoving, she dislodged him from her shoulder. “And there's no way in hell I'm going to be her 'bestie'.”

Brandon grinned and looked over at me. “Ooh, she really likes you.”

I ignored his remark and looked at the two of them. “Seriously guys, what's the big secret.”

He slapped Rose on the ass and quickly moved out of her reach. He walked to my side, his face a mask of severity. He leaned down, his breath fanning my ear. “I'm gay.”

I was glad I put my cup down because what he said almost made me fall out of my chair. “You can't be serious!”

“Oh yeah, one hundred percent babe.” He winked yet again. I swear that boy had a muscle problem with his eye. I looked to Rose for confirmation. She just shrugged and started to walk off. No help on that end.

“Come on, little Star. We've got work to do.” She called after me. I followed slowly behind her and cast a half smile to Brandon. He returned the grin and went back to prepping the coffee bar.

Chapter Ten

The day flew by in a flurry of activity. I was getting agitated while trying to keep up with Rose. She was supposed to be training me but the only thing she offered was a constant supply of snarky comments. The only reason I was learning anything was by watching Rose and Brandon in action.

They were a perfect team, each taking over where the other left off or helping each other out without having any need to ask. I felt like I was in the twilight zone by how much they smiled and joked with each other. I'd never seen Rose so nice. I shook my head and went back to sorting through the books.

I said goodbye to Brandon and headed out the door. My relief of being off shift was short lived as I drove the small distance to the therapist office. I sent a small wave to the receptionist as I walked in. She smiled in return and gestured for me to go on back. I didn't hesitate to enter the office.

I flopped down into the overstuffed leather chair and threw my legs over the arm, sinking lower and getting comfortable. I knew this would be a long session and I wasn't looking forward to it. I glanced over at James and noticed that he hadn't even looked up at my entrance. I sighed and cast a quick smile his way. “Is this going to be a repeat of our first session?”

He looked up, a small smile on his face, then returned to whatever he was typing on his laptop. “No, I'm just forever buried in paperwork.” With a last click, he closed it and leaned back. “So, where were we last time?”

I started to fidget and bore holes into the ceiling. “What, you don't want to go over what happened yesterday? Or where the bruises came from? I know my mom called you about it.”

He steepled his fingers and started swiveling. “Yes, she called, and we'll get to that eventually, but nothing can be solved until we get to the root of everything. And that starts with the past.” I could feel his stare and could almost picture the pointed look he would be giving me. “So, where were we last time?”

“We were at where mine and Becca's friendship started to fall apart.” I nearly whispered, sinking further into the chair. It wouldn't save me from this even if I buried myself in it.

“Well, I can't tell it for you, so go on and talk.” He leaned back and put his hands behind his head, still swiveling back and forth in his chair.

I blew out a breath and let my mind drift back to the past. “Well, you already know that it all started freshman year. Becca wanted more than what our small friendship could garner her.”

“What do you mean by more?”

“More friends, more notoriety, popularity. You know, what every teen dreams about.”

“Hmm. And you didn't want any of that? Like you said, most kids your age want to be accepted into the most esteemed group.”

“I never wanted it for the price it cost. Plus I had Becca. For me that was enough.” I refused to look at him and distracted myself by picking at my nails.

“What was the price?”

“Look, this is L.A. we're talking about, not a small town like this. Things work differently there. If you want to be on top, you have to be cut throat. Nothing is earned by kind gestures and a sweet smile. Becca was okay with that, but I wasn't.”

“So what happened?”

“She started sleeping around, getting into drugs and drinking a lot at parties. I went with her because I didn't want her to be alone there. I felt like I had to protect her and that maybe this was a phase she was going through. Turns out that I didn't really know her after all.”

“What was the final break?”

I closed my eyes as my mind played out that night.

The party was on the outskirts of the city, near one of the many parks. Houses there were sold in the millions. Anything would be paid for the thought of privacy and nature, especially when thrown up against cities shining with concrete and mortar.

I could hear drunken laughter from the next room. I shook my head and went in search of Becca. I'd lost her earlier in the night and was getting worried. I just wanted to grab her and go home. Room after room showed no sign of her, but other party goers imbibing in the multitude of drugs and alcohol. I didn't drink or do drugs. I never saw the point in getting so trashed that you threw up for three days afterward. Nothing good ever came from it. I looked out the window and thought I saw Becca's long blond hair weaving into the tree line. I rushed out of the house and went to follow her.

As I entered the woods, hands reached out and grabbed me. I freaked out and tried to scream through the hand that slammed over my mouth, my arms and legs flailing. The arms that banded around my ribcage was painful to the point of excruciating. Tears formed in my eyes as I was squeezed tighter.

“Shh... No need for the fuss baby.” The cold whisper brushed against my neck. I felt nauseated from the beer fumes that wafted off his breath. I tried not to breathe. The pressure on my ribs helped me succeed in that. “Well, well. If it isn't the little Star. Always too good for us, aren't you? Well me and your friend Becca were going to have a little fun, but I've seemed to have found you instead of her—” his low chuckle sent shivers of dread down my spine. I bit back the taste of bile as he nuzzled my neck.

“I think we're going to have a really good time, baby.” A whimper escaped me as he dragged