Sacrificial Lamb (The Other Angels Book 1) Read online

  Marie closes the door. “Katie? You here? I have something crazy to tell you -” Her voice cuts off when she looks up and sees Matthew. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?” She looks at me tilting her head to one side.

  “No, no. Marie this is an old friend of mine, Matthew. We haven’t seen each other in years. I brought him up to show him the room and meet you.” I blush knowing my exaggerated hand gestures probably look silly.

  Luckily, Marie doesn’t seem to notice. “Oh, hi, Matthew. Nice to meet you.” Marie extends her right hand and Matthew stands to complete the handshake.

  “Likewise.” His face is smiling but I watch his eyes drill into Marie. I sense that the two are sizing each other up, both wary of the other.

  After a few more seconds, but what feels like hours, Marie begins to shift from one foot to the other. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, but can I talk to Katie alone?”

  Matthew raises his eyebrows. “Hope I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes.” He walks to the door. “See you around, Katie.” The door clicks behind him and I turn to stare at Marie.

  “What was all that about?”

  “I really don’t know. It felt like he was looking at me, but more than you are right now. It was weird. I just don’t feel right about him.” She walks to her side of the room and lays her keys on her messy desk, piled with loose papers and stacks of fantasy books.

  “But you don’t even know him.” I start putting away the clothes that I had hastily left out earlier.

  “Yeah, that’s the weird thing, I’m really not one to judge strangers but I instantly got a bad vibe from him. The air in this room was thick when I came in so unless you guys were having a heated argument or making out, there is something off about him.”

  I flush at the memory of almost kissing Matthew. That was strange. Why would I let myself get that close? Scotty would be crushed.

  Scotty…

  Guilt grabs ahold of me and squeezes tight. How could I almost do that to him? My breathing goes shallow and I feel lightheaded.

  Marie places her hand on my shoulder. “Katie, are you okay? You look like you’re going to puke or pass out. Did you take your meds today?”

  Her face is filled with concern. My mouth is dry, so I just nod in answer to her questions. She herds me into the bathroom and lets me slouch to the floor while she turns on the cold water. She soaks a washcloth and kneels beside me to pat my face with it. My pulse slows and my head clears a little. “Thank you, Marie,” I croak.

  “No problem. I’m just glad I could be here. You scare me lately.” She smiles down at me.

  “Can I have a moment alone?”

  Marie purses her lips but agrees. She walks out and shuts the door. I curl in on myself.

  I feel so overwhelmed inside. I almost cheated on Scotty. What is wrong with me? My breathing picks up again and my hands become shaky. Sweat beads on my forehead as my thoughts swim like they’re in a tsunami. I press my nails into the palms of my hands, gritting my teeth at the slight pain.

  No.

  Don’t let the bad ruin the good. Take control.

  I relax my hands. I’m okay. I reunited with my best friend and nothing happened that would ruin what Scotty and I have. I don’t need to get worked up like this. Nothing. Happened.

  I get back to my feet and emerge from the bathroom. Marie sits at her desk and looks up from her book. “You good?”

  I feel a hint of embarrassment for having Marie take care of me in my moment of panic. “Yeah, thanks. I’m sorry about that.”

  “No problem. I get it. It’s what friends are for.” She closes her book and lightly taps it with her thumb as she gauges whether she should ask her next question or not. “Did he do or say something to you to get you worked up?”

  My eyes grow wide. “What? No! We were friends in grade school. He moved away the summer after sixth grade.”

  Marie’s shoulders relax. “Okay, I just wanted to check. I’m glad you found your friend again, but he still seems off to me. Just be careful.” We let the conversation drop. She rummages through the drawers under her bed for pajamas then slips past me toward the bathroom. Moments later I hear the shower water running.

  I glance at my phone. Almost 7:00. Dad should be home, so I give him a quick call.

  “Hey, kiddo.” His voice is heavy with exhaustion.

  “Hey, how was your day?” I slouch in my desk chair and doodle absentmindedly on a piece of scrap paper.

  “Not too bad. Long, but aren’t they all? I missed you this morning. Get back to Keyser safe?” Dad sounds tired but he’s still Dad.

  “Yeah, I drove back right after church so I could do some studying. I just wanted to say I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend much time with you while I was home.” I scribble out the frowny face I drew.

  “That’s alright, honey. I know you had plans with Scott. He’s a good boy. How about next time you’re home you and I can plan a date? We’ll go to the diner and play putt-putt or something.”

  “That sounds great! Spring break is in three weeks, so I’ll have plenty of time to spend with both of you.”

  “Good. Well, I better go help your mother with dinner. I’ll talk to you again soon. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” I put down my phone and open my vet tech book. Just because I need to study Calculus more doesn’t mean I shouldn’t study my other subjects. Plus, I like this one best, so it’s a nice change of pace from studying Calculus earlier. I read through the chapter and make flashcards of the section questions. Marie reenters the room and begins doing some studying of her own. Time slips away from me.

  My phone begins to buzz, and the screen alights with Scott’s picture. It startles me at first but then I answer. “Hey, Scotty.”

  “Hey, Katie. What are you up to?”

  I glance at Marie who waves her hand ensuring me that I’m not bothering her. She’s playing on her phone instead of doing homework now anyways. “Just studying. You?” I go and lounge on my bed against a mound of pillows.

  “Packing my clothes.”

  “Packing? You haven’t left for Pennshire yet?” I glance at the darkened sky outside the window.

  “I’m not going back until in the morning. I’ve been helping Mom pack more of Dad’s stuff away this weekend. And since I spent Saturday with you, I didn’t finish it all.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Scotty’s Dad decided to leave him and his mom about a month ago for a younger woman. I know it’s been hard on them both. I secretly think Joyce believes he’s going to come back since she won’t get rid of his things. Scotty has only recently convinced her to pack it away, hoping by not seeing it will help her cope and move on.

  “Katie, you have no reason to apologize.”

  But I do. I think about telling him about Matthew. Holding my new friend as a secret doesn’t feel right but telling Scotty about a new guy in my life right after talking about his cheating father doesn’t feel right either. It’s not the right time now. Guilt seeps in turning my inside cold. “I just know it’s hard,” is all I can manage to say.

  “It’ll be okay. Mom and I are tough. Mom has me, and I have you.”

  “Right. Well, I’m going to go shower and get ready for bed. I’ll text you before I go to sleep, okay?”

  “Alright, Katie. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” I lay down my phone and take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I’m okay. I’ll tell him tomorrow.

  I grab my pajamas from the end of the bed and shuffle to the bathroom. The heat from the shower steams up the small space as I slowly undress. Tomorrow is another day. Another chance for things to be better.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  My Monday morning classes pass without much excitement. Scotty sends me an early text ensuring me he made it to Pennshire safely. I use the grab and go option for lunch and meet up with Marie outside by the flagpole. We chat about how unfair it is for teachers to have pop quizzes and laugh as two jocks try to catch the same football and
collide with each other.

  Matthew strolls by, only pausing long enough to touch my shoulder and tell me I look pretty today. Marie watches him but doesn’t say anything. I shout in my head for him to come back, but I’m glad he can’t hear me. It’s best to keep him at arm’s length until I can sort through yesterday’s strange emotions.

  After lunch, I drop off my books in my room and grab my car keys. Even with my scattered thoughts and overwhelming feelings I can’t help but feel excited to return to work after the weekend off.

  JoJo’s Jungle is an exotic pet store with animals ranging from cats to snakes to prairie dogs. I started working there at the beginning of last semester and can’t imagine being happier anywhere else. Joe, the owner, a short round man with a grey beard and sparkling eyes only works me a few hours a day to cooperate with my class and study schedules.

  I park my car in the tiny gravel parking lot and lock it. On days I don’t work until close, I enjoy the short walk through town from campus to work, but it’s not one I would do at night in a college town. I open the door to the little shop nestled between an insurance office and an abandoned building. The bells hanging on the inside handle harmonize with the tweeting birds in their cages hanging from the high ceiling. No one is sitting at the register desk, so I slowly circle the room to make up for being early.

  The left wall has shelves of tanks holding different kinds of snakes wrapped around branches and lizards chilling in water bowls. We have one snake, a green reticulated python, that’s seventeen feet long. Dwayne takes him out to hold for fun, but I’ve only worked up the courage to stroke his scaly skin. Working here definitely expands my comfort zone but I enjoy it.

  Tucked in the corner is the turtle pond. The constant flowing fountain adds a peaceful vibe to the shop. Next to it is the fish tanks on the back wall. All the bright swirls of colors make the tanks look like liquid rainbows.

  A sharp yap pulls my attention to the right wall where the dog and cat kennels are. A young golden retriever wags its tail so hard its whole butt wiggles. I stick my hand in between the bars and laugh as she excitedly licks my fingers. Her bright amber eyes remind me so much of Anna’s. I often wonder which weekend trip will be the last time I see her.

  “There’s our pet whisperer.” Dwayne strolls out from the back room where we keep our animal food and other supplies over to where I’m daydreaming. His shaggy blonde hair hangs in his blue eyes. “Can you change the bedding in the rabbit pens and feed the fish?” He pushes his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.

  “Of course.” Thoughts of home fade away as I easily flow into my work routine.

  “We have a new type of fish there on the bottom. They eat the tropical pellets.”

  “Got it.” My knowledge of animals grows with each day. That’s what I enjoy most about working with exotics. More potential to learn something cool.

  Cleaning pens and feeding animals is about all I’m asked to do but I don’t mind. It allows me time to handle all the pets, and that makes me happy. Occasionally I have to help a costumer or work the cash register but usually the guys handle that since they know the prices and the market better. They’ve been working for Joe since he opened the shop over ten years ago.

  I go to the back room and grab the basket we keep our assortment of fish food in. Who knew different fish actually preferred differed food? I begin adding pinches of smelly flakes to the tanks when suddenly I’m showered with sprinkles of cold water. I jerk my head around to find Leo standing beside me laughing. His dark mischievous eyes hide in the shadow of his long black hair and his tan hand glistens with water.

  “Whoops! You looked a bit gloomy, so I thought I’d be your rain cloud.” He dips his fingers in the turtle pond and flicks them at me again.

  My lips twist into a sly smile. “It’s not just calling for scattered showers. There’s a storm coming.” I cup my hand in one of the fish tanks and fling the water into Leo’s scruffy face. Dwayne walks out of the back room and laughs at Leo’s dripping hair.

  All three of us break out into a fit of laughter. This right here is why this place is my favorite place to be. I’m not going to continue letting my emotions be stronger than myself. The dinging of the bells on the door makes us all look up. Joe saunters in assessing what is in front of him.

  “Are you guys making a mess again?” He looks at the wet spots on the scuffed grey tiles.

  “Would you believe some rain clouds busted in here?” Leo asks still grinning broadly.

  “I’ll get a mop and clean it up.” I head to the back room unable to hide my own smile.

  “Now see? Katie is a proper employee unlike you two boneheads. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.” One corner of Joe’s mouth lifts but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

  Without me? He must mean when I graduate. That’s not for two more years though so he shouldn’t be down about that. I shake the thought and mop up the water.

  The see-through rabbit pens sit in the middle of the room with open tops so that customers can reach in and pet the critters’ soft fur. I put the mop away and grab one of the large bags of fresh sweet-smelling wood shavings. The strong pine scent fills my nostrils and masks the other scents of the store temporarily. I drift on the aroma into an easy routine of evening cleaning.

  ...

  A few hours later I look up at the clock as my shift is winding to its end. “Joe, I’m headed out. Do you want me to come in right after class or wait for the closing shift tomorrow?”

  “Leo won’t be in after four so you can fill his place until closing.” He runs the sales receipt from the register and taps out numbers on a calculator. Reading glasses perch at the end of his nose and his eyebrows scrunch in concentration.

  “Okay, I’ll see you then.” I open the door and breathe in the chilly air.

  “Thanks for your help,” Joe calls and waves without looking up.

  He’s so kind. I always feel so light inside after work. I feel like I’m important and that I really make a difference, and I love playing with the animals.

  Outside, the evening sun is beginning to dip behind the trees and casts an orange light that reflects off the street’s shop windows. I unlock my car and open the door. As I’m about to shut it, someone reaches out to stop me. I look up into the deepest green eyes only inches from mine. They remind me of an evergreen forest swept up in a wildfire as they glow in the sunset.

  Matthew is bent over leaning in my door. “Hey, Katie Cat. How was work?”

  I swivel in my seat so that I am facing him. “How did you know I worked here?”

  “Oh, I talked to Marie. She’s not that bad once she warms up to you.”

  “She really is sweet, but why would she tell you where I worked? Not that I mind since it’s you, but considering her initial opinion of you, it just seems strange of her to hand out that information.”

  Matthew waves a dismissive hand. “We had a good talk. She understands we’re friends now. I’m much more interested in your opinion of me.”

  “My opinion of you?” I avert my eyes but then feel embarrassed for not answering so I look back to meet his gaze and find myself staring into his silver eyes. “I think you have beautiful eyes.” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can catch them. I start to feel fluttery inside like the feathers from the birds in their cages in the pet shop.

  “Can my beautiful eyes convince you to give me a ride back to campus?” He bats his long brown eyelashes in a playful manner.

  “Sure.” No part of me wants him to leave yet. He slides into the passenger seat and I start the car. “Why were you here anyway?” I ask casually.

  “I was out for a walk and decide I wanted to see you.” He flips through my CD case which was laying on the floor at his feet.

  My heart speeds up. Really? I bite my lower lip. The thought of him being interested in me excites me more than it should.

  He flashes a CD at me. “You still listen to Linkin Park?”

  “Only that
album. It was our soundtrack, remember?”

  “How could I forget? We used to scream those lyrics like we were real badasses.” He erupts with laughter and my earlier apprehensions lift. We would bring his radio to the park and sing those songs at the top of our lungs. Jumping over tress and across rocks, we put on the best concert.

  In no time at all I pull my car into the dimly lit parking lot. Matthew gets out and walks around to my side. Once out of the car, I catch myself staring again. I don’t know where these strong feelings are coming from, but I can’t deny I’m attracted to him.

  “I’d invite you up to the room again, but I don’t want to jinx Marie warming up to you.”

  My phone buzzes in my pocket. I glance at the screen to see a notification signaling a text from Scotty saying, “Hey, Katie, what’s up?”

  “I agree.” Matthew tucks a finger under my chin to make me look back at him. His touch causes my entire body to tingle. “I definitely want to see more of you and that would be hard if she keeps kicking me out.”

  The way he says he wants to see more of me makes my breath catch. He must have heard it because he leans in without hesitation and locks his lips onto mine.

  I don’t resist. I can’t. Every part of my brain is screaming that I want this. We press up against my car and his kiss becomes more persistent and hungrier. I finally break it and gasp for breath. He winks at me, smiling broadly, and turns his back to walk away.

  My phone buzzes again with another text from Scotty, “I just want you to know I miss you.” Followed by several hearts.

  I can’t find the words to reply. I just stand there, tingling, craving more.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  What have I done?

  Walking through the back door of my dorm building I start thinking clearly again.

  I kissed Matthew. Why? What was I thinking? I wasn’t thinking. All my emotions became so strong all at once. That seems to be happening a lot lately.

  What do I tell Scotty? I can’t tell him. Can I?