My Soul to Keep
Page 16

Oh, crap!
Someone was selling Demons Breath in the human world, and Tod had on-demand access to the Netherworld. Doug had sworn someone had appeared in his passengers seat on Saturday night when hed hit my car, and Tod had the infuriating habit of popping in anywhere he wanted, whenever he wanted, to whomever he wanted.
Was it possible?
No. I almost shook my head before I realized no one else knew what I was thinking. Tod wouldnt do that. Not that hed hesitate to sabotage the competition if he ever decided he was serious about Emma. But he wouldnt do anything to jeopardize his jobbecause an unemployed reaper was a dead reaperor Emma, one of the few humans he actually cared about.
Still I made a mental note to mention the possibilityhowever slimto Nash the next time we were alone.
Hey. Doug dropped onto the bench next to Emma, straddling the seat with his left thigh against her backside. He reached across the table to slap Nashs hand in greeting, then turned to me. Hows the loaner working out?
Fine. I dunked another chip and tried to hate Doug quietly, so Emma wouldnt notice. It would be hard to protect her if she wasnt speaking to me.
Doug ran one hand slowly up and down Emmas back. What are you doing after school?
Working. But then Ill be home. Alone.
Want some company?
Maybe She bit into a cube of ham speared on her plastic fork, and Dougs hand moved slowly beneath the table, probably working its way up her thigh. Then something behind me caught his eye, and he tossed his head at someone over my shoulder.
I turned to find Scott Carter making his way across the cafeteria toward us, a tray in one hand, his other arm around Sophies thin shoulders. Scott set his tray down and sank onto the bench next to Doug. Sophie took a bruised red apple from Scotts tray and bit into it, chewing in angry silence while she tried to avoid my eyes.
Or maybe she was trying to avoid being seen with me.
We still on for this afternoon? Scott asked Nash, twisting the lid on a bottle of Coke, then tightening it before it could fizz over. Im parked on the west side, near the gym. His eyes looked a little clearer, and I could no longer smell the Demons Breath on him. He was coming down from his initial high, and I couldnt help but wonder how long it would be before hed need another fix. And what that need would look like on him.
Would Sophie notice something was wrong? Would his teachers? His parents were still out of town.
Yeah. Nash shoved the last bite of his cafeteria hamburger into his mouth and picked up his own soda. Ill be there right after the last bell.
But Scotts stash would not.
You still have what I gaveyou? Doug glanced anxiously between Nash and Scott, having caught on to the subject.
What you sold me, Scott corrected.
Whatever. Doug finally removed his hand from Emmas thigh and leaned closer to Scott. I chewed, pretending not to listen while Sophie and Emma exchanged rare twin looks of confusion. I need to buy it back, but I can replace it this weekend.
Scott squirted a mustard packet on his hamburger. I thought you were gonna have more today?
Doug shook his head. Didnt pan out. Sell me yours. Ill pay extra.
No way. Scott shook his head and picked up his burger. Sophie and Emma werent even pretending to eat anymore.
But you can have a hit after school with Hudson he nodded in Nashs direction if you give me your guys name and number.
Dougs jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed. I already gave you his name, and there is no number. But Im gonna see him this weekend for sure. I can get you another one then, if you pay up front.
Nash stiffened next to me, and I knew he was thinking what I was thinking. Everett. This weekend. That was our best chance.
Same as last time? Scott asked, and my stomach twisted in on itself as Emma glanced at me, brows arched in question.
Yeah, Doug said, and Sophie rolled her eyes, glossy pink fingernails digging into the skin of her apple.
Im bored, she whined. You guys are like walking sedatives.
You got something more interesting to talk about? Scott snapped, dipping a limp French fry in ketchup. And dont say the Winter Carnival.
Sophie pouted, gesturing with her apple. Its on Saturday, and you guys promised youd help with the booths this afternoon. They all had their afternoons free, since football season had ended with a loss to the new Texas state AA champions.
Im not feelin it, Soph. Scott raised one brow and his frown grew into a lecherous grin. But maybe you could convince me He pushed his tray across the table and leaned back, watching her expectantly.
Sophie went from shrew to succubus in less than a second, straddling Scott so boldly that I glanced around, sure there would be a teacher stomping toward us from somewhere, intent on peeling her off.
But no teacher came. The two on duty were busy trying to confiscate a cell phone from some senior rumored to be showing off naked pictures of his girlfriend.
Sophie performed like a trained seal, and I was humiliated for herbecause she didnt have the sense to bebut I couldnt look away from my cousins spectacle. Until Scotts hand inched down from her waist toward the back of her overpriced jeans.