Trying to Live With the Dead (The Veil Diaries #1)

by B.L. Brunnemer

I usually say ‘yes, the color is real’.” I looked at the boys. “For the other one, I smile sweetly, look innocent and say, ‘No, I don’t have a soul, can I have yours?’” They burst out laughing.

He seemed to just accept that I was here and staying. I liked that about him instantly. “So, you’re up for adoption, huh?” I held my hands out palms up. “I guess so.”

Great, Isaac has corrupted her,” Asher observed, his voice laughing. “Nope, sorry, hon, I came prepackaged this way.” I gave him my smartass smile.

I looked around the table at the guys. Each of them were good looking in their own way and nice. Well, Zeke was a bit grumpy, but they seemed kind of fun. To be honest, I wanted to keep them.

I got a concussion a few weeks back, and our mom won’t let me get back in the ring for a few months.” “He’s grounded for letting someone knock his head around. He can’t go back until he learns how not to do that,” Ethan said in a stage whisper across the table.

I make a motion to keep Red,” Isaac announced to everyone. A motion to keep me? “Seconded,” Ethan spoke up. I raised my eyebrows, they were actually voting. “Third,” Miles added quietly. “Motion carried,” Asher announced, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. “You’re stuck with us now, sweetie. Phone numbers.” I smirked at them. Suckers, they were the ones stuck with me.

My face went blank as I looked him dead in the eye. “Get your arm off me before I break it,” I said very calmly. I didn’t like anyone I didn’t know grabbing me. The twins had been a surprising exception.

Oh, now you blush,” Asher said, sitting up straight. “You put a linebacker in an arm lock, with everyone in school watching, without a problem. But someone says you drew something pretty, and you blush.” I lifted my left hand and flipped him off. Asher just chuckled.

I think they were irritating Zeke on purpose by not answering his question. I was mostly sure I was safe from Zeke’s wrath, but the boys probably weren’t. On the other hand, it might be fun to push Zeke’s buttons. “It’s not really good.” I decided to go for it. “I still have to add some texture to the orange and the shading is completely messed up.”

Don’t do Physics, you suck at Physics,” Zeke called from the living room before he dropped onto the couch. I leaned over to Miles. “Do you really suck at Physics?” I whispered. Miles shook his head. “Not really, I just do it to mess with him,” he said.

I winked at him. He went back to watching football. “Dad!” Tara scoffed. Rory looked up at her blankly. “I’m not going to punish her for defending herself,” he told her plainly. “She told him to let go, he didn’t. So, she made him. Perfectly justified.”

Zeke: Are you okay? I bit my lip; his simple question shook my control. I took a deep breath to stop the tears from falling. I didn’t want to deal with it, not yet. So again, I was honest but vague. Alexis: I’m alive. Zeke: Some days alive is the best you get. But, there’s always tomorrow. I smiled at that. Underneath the rough and scary, Zeke had a soft spot somewhere. Zeke: Night. Alexis: Night.

If she comes after you again, call me and I’ll take care of it.” I didn’t even have to think about it. It was clear to me this girl was too shy and timid to stand up for herself. “Or you know, if you’re bored or something.” Laura's face lit up; when she smiled, she was even prettier.

Heard you got another nosebleed today,” Zeke announced in his gravelly voice. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Asher said it’s some kind of medical thing.” He looked over at me, his eyes demanding answers. “You guys gossip just as much as girls do,” I shot back

That’s when a big, fluffy, emerald green blanket landed in my lap. Asher dropped down next to me. I looked at him confused, and lifted up an edge of the blanket. He shrugged. “When my sister is sick, she uses a big, fuzzy blanket.” Asher gestured at my blanket-covered lap. “So, you get a big, fuzzy blanket.”

The guys were here? There was another knock on the door while I was still looking like a stranded fish. Rory was laughing as he leaned his head back. “Come on in,” Rory shouted, enjoying himself way too much.

You guys are pretty amazing, you know,” I told them honestly. I’m glad I kept my voice from cracking. Most of them shrugged, a couple waved a hand dismissively as they watched the start of the movie. “We’re family, it’s what we do,” Miles told me absently. They really didn’t know just how incredible that was to me. I ate my soup, covered in my blanket, surrounded by people that actually seemed to care about me. It wasn’t long before I fell asleep again.

He continued, “If I did that, then those stars would have lived and died without anyone appreciating them.” He sighed. “And that would be a travesty.”

He smiled a bit. “Several Psychology textbooks,” he admitted, his ears getting pink. I chuckled quietly as I looked back up at the sky. I felt him shrug next to me. “A friend was having a hard time, and I needed some way to help.” “You went and found one.” “Yes.” He took a deep breath before continuing, “There is usually an answer out there to any question you could have. You just have to know how to find them, or where to find them.”

Come on, Red, you’re staying next to me so I can keep an eye on you,” he grumbled, giving me a tug as he began walking back down the trail. When Isaac’s back was turned, Zeke gave me a thumbs up, Ethan grinned at me, and Miles started laughing quietly. I winked at them as I followed Isaac, trying my best not to smile.

Yes, you can.” Rory waved Zeke over. “Take her home and make sure she gets some rest even if you have to sit on her.” Damn it, Zeke would actually make me rest. Zeke smirked at me, he was enjoying this entirely too much. I glared at Rory who just smiled down at me; he knew exactly what he just did. Zeke reached out, took my arm, and tugged me toward the others at his Jeep. That was low, Rory, real low.

Yeah, just you, your board and the sharks that want to eat you,” I pointed out, trying to distract myself. He chuckled in my ear making me smile.

Promise I’ll come back?” I asked, completely serious. He chuckled. “Yes.” “With all my limbs attached?” He kept laughing. “Yes, with all your limbs attached,” he assured me, still laughing. “What about toes? We haven’t talked about toes.” He laughed even harder, pulling me against him more. He rested his forehead on my shoulder as he continued to crack up.

I promise I will personally guard your limbs, your fingers, and your little toes,” he assured me sweetly. I felt myself melt a bit, okay, more than a bit.

Just maybe? Not yes?” he asked, smiling entirely too much; he knew something or heard something. “You boys gossip just as much as girls do.” I tossed one of the shoes at him. He chuckled, catching it against his chest. “Come on, Ally, I sent the guy over to you,” he pointed out. “I should get some details.” I sighed, he was right. If I had sent a girl over to meet him, I’d want details too.

Ethan: Pick up some fast food and take it over to the garage. Show him the bag, and he’ll let you in the door. Asher: Ask him why no one has heard from him. Isaac: Yes! Feed the beast, it soothes him. But don’t give him the bag until you're inside. Alexis: Send me the address, tell me what he likes, and I’ll head over.

A guy tried to hurt me once; I got away.” I licked my lips before continuing, “Then I came back with a short crowbar.” The corner of his mouth twitched. I smiled, still pleased with myself even a year later. “His jaw was wired shut for a few months.” I gestured around at the world in general. “Everyone has a dark side, Zeke; the key is not to let it make you its bitch.”

“Come here.” He reached out, wrapped his big hand around the back of my neck and pulled me to him. I rested my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. I took a deep breath of leather and engine grease as he gently wrapped his other arm around my shoulders. He had never hugged me before. I liked it. His fingers massaged my neck gently. “I still want that guy’s name,” he mumbled under his breath. I smiled against his shirt. I was tempted to give it to him.

You look pretty,” he said with an exaggerated smile. “I look like a drowned rat,” I said to him, not buying it for a second. “But a pretty drowned rat,” he offered. Zeke and I burst out laughing.

I’m not taking your lunch, Isaac.” Isaac snorted. “That’s second lunch. I can grab something from a vending machine later,” Isaac admitted, pulling out another lunch bag. I raised an eyebrow. “Second lunch, like a hobbit?” I asked, wondering if they would get the reference. All the guys chuckled.

Wait, are we just going to ignore the fact she just made a Hobbit reference?” Miles asked, raising his hand. He narrowed his eyes at me. “Which is better? Book or movie?” “Book,” I answered immediately. Miles looked impressed.

I sobbed as my world crashed around me. I was alone again. I’m a freak; I’ll always be alone. Arms wrapped around me and rocked me as I broke apart. “Lexie, you're not a freak, honey. And you’re not alone,” Rory whispered into my hair. I hadn’t even realized I spoke out loud.

He bent down to pick me up, one arm under my butt, the other lightly across my back. My arms moved around his neck, my face finding a spot between his neck and shoulder. I took a deep breath of leather and engine grease. I had never had a hug like it in my life. “You didn’t leave,” I whispered as my tears fell against his skin. “I’m not going anywhere, Baby,” he whispered back, his gravelly voice rough. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Never stop breathing on me again,” he whispered in my ear as he rested his cheek against mine. I smiled into his neck. “You hear me?” “I hear ya,” I whispered back, it was muffled, but I was sure he heard me because his arms tightened around me.

No shit,” he whispered, his voice thick. He just held me against him as if he could keep all the bad things away as long as I was with him. It felt really fucking good. It was a while before he spoke to me again. “You scared the shit out of me, Red,” Isaac growled against my hair. “You ever do that again I’m going to smack you silly.” One hand cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheekbone. It was comforting. “Sorry, Cookie Monster.” “Shh, I’m still mad at you.”

After they find out, they leave.” My voice was a bit steadier but still shaky. “Not anymore.” I smiled into his shirt, soaking it with my tears. “You know, I thought you had a brain tumor,” he said. He sounded so relieved that I snorted into his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” I swallowed hard before trying to make it easier on him. “And you thought you were weird.” He snorted and held me a little tighter. “Unique, Lexie, unique. Remember?” he whispered back to me.

I swallowed hard, took a big calming breath, and let it out. Then, as usual, I was a smartass. “Well, if you’re going to bring logic into it,” I said.

Give me the keys or I’ll grill you about your back.” Suddenly it was less fun. I pressed my lips together hard and handed the keys over. “You cheat, Zeke,” I grumbled. Zeke had a satisfied smirk on his face. “You started it. Now get your exhausted little ass in the truck.”

You guys could come help me explain?” I offered in my sweet voice. They all scattered. Isaac went so far as to dive through a window to get into their car. “Ugh, I hate you guys!” I shouted.

Is it because I’m a girl? I promise I will keep my hands to myself…. unless I need to smack Ethan, or Zeke, or Isaac…. Okay, I reserve smacking privileges,” I told him seriously.

“Miles, you're rich, huh?” I asked, still looking around at all the potential collateral damage. When he didn’t answer, I turned to him. Miles' ears had turned pink. “Well, yes,” he said, his voice uncertain. I nodded. “Does your family have a lot of breakable priceless things, like Ming vases? Stuff like that?” I asked, really hoping he’d say no.

“I think we might want to put anything like that away. We are expecting a ghost to come and be pissed that she can’t reach us, remember?” I said, my smile strained. “We don’t want her to start destroying any priceless heirlooms.” Miles blinked a couple of times then stared at my face for a few heartbeats before he gave me a wide smile. “That’s a good idea, Lexie.” His eyes were warm on mine, and an odd look crossed his face.

Rory: Send a picture of you with ice packs on your back or you will be grounded for a month after this. My heart sank. I didn’t bother sitting down. Alexis: Rory, please don’t make me. The guys don’t even know about my back. I hate the way it makes me feel. It wasn’t long before I got a text back. Rory: I’m sorry, hon, but you have to. Doctor’s orders. Zeke knows. He’ll help you. I was still standing behind Isaac’s chair, trying to decide if getting grounded for a month was worth it, when Zeke pulled out his cell phone and checked it. My stomach knotted as I waited. Zeke looked up and met my eyes. “Lexie.” His voice was understanding, but his face was hard. He wasn’t going to let me get out of this. Fucking traitor.

It wasn’t really about the boys seeing my back, I knew that. That was just my excuse. I didn’t want to lie there and remember. I didn’t want to answer questions as those memories washed over me, over and over again. I took several deep breaths before I found my calm again. It was a fragile calm, but it was the only kind I had. This was going to happen, and there was nothing I could do about it. Except maybe punch Zeke and take the grounding. No use stalling, Zeke would probably just break down the door anyway, the shithead.

After twenty minutes,” he answered. I didn’t have fucking twenty minutes of this in me. At that moment I hated Rory, I hated Zeke. I desperately needed everyone to just leave me alone so I could push these memories away. I felt her pulling my hair again, the hard, thin carpet under my face as I hit the floor.

I heard the dull thud of fist meeting skin. I felt the hits as she kept swinging into me. I was taking fast, deep breaths as I felt my mom’s foot coming down on my back, again and again. I couldn’t stand it anymore. The questions; the memories. It was too fucking much.

What the fuck was wrong with me? Of all people, I should know how hard talking about your own crap is. The guys were just being protective and, well, guys; they always had to fix things. I rested my chin against my knees, watching the trees move in the breeze. I wasn’t a problem they could fix. They couldn’t stop the memories from tearing me apart. I wanted to go home, I didn’t want to go back in there and face them.

Lexie, you still need to ice your back,” Zeke tried again. All the other guys groaned, glaring at him. Asher threw a decorative pillow at his head. “You seriously did not just say that?” Ethan moaned, his hand over his eyes. The silver rings on his fingers catching the light. “Zeke, you need to stop while you’re ahead, man,” Isaac advised. “Even I know that was a stupid thing to say,” Miles mumbled.

It’s a vial of salted holy water,” I explained, slipping the necklace over my neck. “Serena told me to load up on everything for a while, then slowly take one level of protection off over a few days until I get exactly the level I need.” I held up the little vial. “If I’m getting jumped, just open the vial and pour it into my mouth. It’ll force the ghost to leave.” “So, it’s a ghost epi-pen?” Asher asked, an eyebrow raised. I thought about it and nodded. That was rather accurate.

Zeke took a deep breath and let it out while shaking his head with his jaw clenched. “Fine, but I want to test the damn charms before we go to the game.” His tone told us not to argue. “Yes, Grandpa,” I said sweetly. Everyone but Zeke laughed, though the corner of his mouth did twitch as he got back to work.

We’re not telling, Lexie. There’s a guy rule that when a freak out occurs, you don’t talk about it,” Miles said, being the first to get control of himself. I looked at him suspiciously. His ears were turning pink, and he was looking anywhere but at me. “And when was this rule created?” I asked. “The second you dropped like a rock.” Ethan grinned at me, unrepentant.