Breathless: A Little Mermaid Retelling Page 7

  Isa had drastically miscalculated. Being alone was less lonely than hanging around people you didn’t like and had to be fake around. She’d been in college long enough she’d forgotten what wearing the mask was like, but her old high school friends were here, so she had to put it back on now.

  Isa knew now. It was better to be alone and be yourself than to be surrounded by people and have to become a lie.

  Inside, there were more people she knew from college than from high school, thank God. Harbor and Shelly were around the kitchen counter, taking Jell-O shots.

  “Hey girl.” Harbor was swaying. She was already drunk. She put an arm around Isa and bowed. “You’re late.”

  Shelly hadn’t started drinking. Already, as the mother of the group, she was taking care of Harbor. “You okay? I know you didn’t want to come,” Shelly said in a low voice.

  “It’s fine,” Isa said. “I wanted to see you guys anyway.”

  “Shots, shots!” Harbor cried, shoving a few drinks toward Isa in a very pushy manner.

  Isa had a few, but it didn’t affect her. She had too high of a tolerance— lots of bingers in high school, times when she blacked out in order to forget who she was. She grabbed a beer, but merely sipped it… she was actually just hungry.

  For most of the night Isa followed Harbor and Shelly around, mostly taking care of Harbor. People were smoking and throwing up everywhere, and the house was a total mess. Isa didn’t think Brently had cleaned up from the last party. There was beer pong, which Isa was a champ at, but she was uninterested. The bathroom was gross, so she couldn’t even pee. Isa really wanted to watch a movie or something, just relax, but she knew people would think her lame, so she kept quiet.

  She felt like she was too old for this. Like she’d outgrown it, and the party was just a childish game people liked to play, to pretend like this was the best time of their lives.

  This wasn’t the best. The best was riding a killer wave, or feeling the sun on your face after a morning swim, or listening to a song you hadn’t in a long time, or saving an animal at the aquarium her co-workers had insisted was a goner…

  ...And eating fresh crab on the beach with Adrian.

  No. This party wasn’t even close to that feeling. Isa closed her eyes and imagined it, tried to picture it in her head and pretended it was happening all over again.

  She felt a thick arm wrap around her middle and her entire body cringed. Her eyes snapped open to find Brently, King of Douches, with his arms wrapped around her.

  “Haven’t seen you around in a while, but I’d know that tight ass from anywhere,” Brently slurred, and he gave her rear a squeeze. “How you been, honey?”

  Brently was the one guy in high school she’d never given a shot, and she didn’t regret it one bit. However, Brently was bitter that he hadn’t been given a ride. Even after all these years, he still wanted his turn.

  He was the type of man who didn’t understand no meant no. Which is why Isa made sure to never be alone around him.

  Since she’d met Adrian, another guy even brushing up against her seemed terribly wrong. This was downright unacceptable. Isa wrinkled her nose and said, “Haven’t you heard, Brently? I’m dating someone.”

  She tried to bow out of his arms, but he still held her tightly. Although they were in a room full of people, most of them were drunk and the rest were Brently’s friends. They’d let him get away with anything. Harbor and Shelly had suddenly vanished.

  “Who?” Brently demanded. “Who are you dating?”

  “His name is Adrian. And if word gets out that you’ve got your arms around me…”

  “Adrian? Never heard of him,” Brently said dismissively. “You know they’re going to elect me Coral King. We’re gonna be perfect together.”

  If she heard about the Coral Queen contest one more time, she was going to scream. “I don’t think so.”

  He bent down to spittle into her ear. “Come on, honey. You know you want me.”

  “You’re gonna piss my boyfriend off. Leave me alone,” she said, and she tried to shove him away.

  Brently held her tighter and started dragging her toward his bedroom. “Come on, hon. Just one night. It’s not gonna kill you.”

  Aim for the groin. Isa brought up her knee to give him a kick, but before she could, she heard someone say in a dark, low tone, “Get off of her.”

  Brently let her go. Isa’s eyes widened as she realized it was Adrian. He stood there, dripping wet from the sea, clothes soaked and looking as though he’d swam across oceans to get to her.

  “Is this the asshole you were talking about earlier? I thought you just made him up,” Brently said, jabbing an angry finger in Adrian’s direction.

  “Yes, actually.” Isa crossed the room. She wrapped an arm around Adrian’s waist and kissed his cheek. “He’s my new man. So back off.”

  Adrian didn’t have to say anything. His stare was enough to make Brently turn and walk away.

  “Hey.” Adrian turned and faced her, laying his hands on her hips. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah. Thanks for scaring off that creep.” She breathed out a sigh, weaving a hand in her hair.

  “You told him I was your boyfriend.”

  “Yeah.” She felt herself blushing again. “Sorry about that.”

  He winked at her. “I don’t mind.”

  People were staring at them. Adrian took her by the hand and said, “Let’s leave.”

  They were stopped by Harbor and Shelly, who were lingering at the bottom of the stairs. “Isa!” Harbor squealed. “Is this your new babe?”

  Isa gave a weak smile. “Yep. Girls, meet Adrian.”

  “Adrian!” The slightly-lesser-intoxicated Shelly hiccupped. “You mean, the one you were talking about?”

  “You’ve been talking about me?” Adrian asked. His grin only got bigger.

  “Sure,” Isa said, to answer both questions. Harbor and Shelly gave each other eager looks, waggling their eyebrows.

  The other girls were totally jealous. Adrian was definitely the hottest dude at this party, no questions asked, and once again, he was on Isa’s arm. But she was keeping this one this time.

  “Where do you want to go?” Isa asked as they passed the bonfire to leave the party.

  Adrian opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, he was interrupted.

  “She’ll be gone in the morning, bud,” a guy called out. “Never fall in love with a whore!”

  Isa felt her insides seize. The voice had come from Hayden— a guy that had never gotten over when Isa had dumped him years ago.

  She’d knew what people said behind her back. But no one had ever said it to her face before.

  Adrian let go of her hand. He moved with such speed that his body became a blur. One moment he was next to Isa, the next he wasn’t. People gasped when they saw Adrian with a hand on Hayden’s throat, lifting him off the ground so that his feet were kicking.

  Adrian threw Hayden across the beach with such force that he crashed into the ocean a good twenty feet away.

  People screamed. The crowd lunged back from Adrian as he turned around, faces marred with fear and panic. Isa’s mouth dropped open.

  Then… their faces cleared. The panic faded, their expressions going from scared to relaxed. The guests went back to the party as usual, laughing and chatting and enjoying themselves. Hayden got out of the ocean, confused as to why he was wet. He stared at Adrian blankly, like he couldn’t remember.

  It was as if… as if nothing ever happened.

  Isa was left speechless. That speed. The strength. It wasn’t natural. No, more than that, it was less than unnatural… it wasn’t even human.

  Adrian was brooding when he returned to Isa’s side. They got in her car. Isa didn’t even care that he was wet and ruining her seat.

  “Um… okay, what just happened back there?” Isa asked.

  “Nothing,” Adrian said. “I took care of the problem.”

  “I was taking care of the pro
blem! I was walking away,” Isa said.

  “No.” His head snapped round to look at her. “People aren’t allowed to disrespect you. I’m not going to stand for it.”

  Point taken, Isa thought, remembering how quickly Adrian had reacted. He nearly made it seem like it was a crime to insult her.

  “How do you explain what happened? Everyone’s going to remember you tossed Hayden like a football,” Isa argued.

  “They’re all ridiculously drunk. They won’t remember.” Adrian made excuses.

  Isa knew they wouldn’t remember. She saw the look in their eyes. But it wasn’t because they were too drunk. It was because Adrian had made them forget.

  But how could she argue with him that he’d wiped the memories of everyone at the party? That was stuff that happened in lame T.V. shows, not real life.

  “Turn here,” Adrian said, and Isa followed his instruction. “There’s a dive I want to show you.”

  “How do you seem to know more about Coral Bay than I do, and you’re not even from here?” Isa asked.

  Adrian gave a casual shrug. “What can I say? I get around.”

  Clearly. Isa hoped his getting around was more traveling and less physical. She meant with girls.

  Isa went through a drive-through, and Adrian told her to get grouper sandwiches. The smell alone was enough to make her stomach rumble.

  They pulled off at the bay nearby and sat on the docks. Isa unwrapped her sandwich. It was a full grouper on a warm roll, with mayonnaise, lettuce, and cheese. She hadn’t eaten anything all day. Isa bit into the sandwich, letting its salty savory-ness sting her mouth.

  “Starving?” Adrian asked.

  “I… uh… rarely eat,” she said. “Too stressed.”

  “Well, that’s going to change,” Adrian said matter-of-factly as he shoved his second sandwich into his mouth. Isa knew better than to fight with him.

  They ate the grouper sandwiches on the bay while watching the ships come in. As they ate, Isa realized she really was oblivious to what happened in her little town… she and her friends always ate at the same restaurants, and visited the same places, over and over and over. They never tried anything new. Isa craved the unexpected, and rarely did she get it.

  Adrian loved to explore. And that’s what she liked about him.

  “What’s that?” Adrian asked, pointing to her ankle. Isa looked down. The docklight above was illuminating a tiny tattoo on her ankle, one of a mermaid with a purple tail and wavy blue hair.

  “Oh, that? I got it on a dare,” she said. “It was a long time ago.”

  “A mermaid?” He raised a brow playfully.

  “I know it’s kind of childish, but… I’m obsessed with mermaids.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. As a kid, I just thought they were so cool.”

  “Well, mermaids are pretty badass.”

  She laughed. “Glad you think so.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” Adrian spoke like everything she did was exceptional. Not so much.

  “More like… everyone.” She sighed. “People think I’m a slut.”

  “Screw those people,” Adrian growled. “They don’t matter.”

  “Their opinion does. They’re right.” She chewed the inside of her lip. “That’s why you had to make Brently let me go tonight. He expects to get what everyone else has had.”

  “It doesn’t matter if you’ve slept with the whole town. If you tell someone no, that’s the bottom line,” Adrian responded.

  Isa pulled her knees to her chest. “I don’t know. After my mom left, my dad stopped paying attention to me. He threw himself into work. I had to get the attention from somewhere, and guys were more than willing. I haven’t slept with anyone in years, but people remember. This is my fault. I’ve made my own bed, and now I have to lie in it.”

  “It’s never your fault if someone won’t take no for an answer,” he said quietly.

  She leaned backward on her right hand. “People don’t think like that around here.”

  Adrian reached out his hand and placed it on top of hers. “Thank you. For telling the truth. And for what it’s worth, I don’t think it matters what happened in the past, only what happens now.”

  “I’m tired of being a fake. I want to be honest,” she replied. “I wasn’t the nicest person in high school. I was kind of a mess. I want to change that and become someone better now. Turn over a new leaf.”

  “That’s pretty honorable of you.”

  “I just want to do the right thing. I needed to start over.” On instinct, she threaded her fingers through Adrian’s.

  He played with her fingers and asked, “So… boyfriend?”

  She laughed lightly again. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Maybe?”

  “Maybe.” She caught him grinning at her, and she said, “Okay, yes. Maybe means you can be my boyfriend. Though it’s all moving so fast.”

  “My mom says it’s never too fast, once you meet the one.”

  That statement scared her, and Adrian seemed to know he’d gone too far. He let go of her hand and said, “You should probably get back home. I have to go.”

  “Where?” She stood up. “Why do you have to go, and so soon?”

  “My dad’s pretty pissed off at me. I snuck out. I’m not really supposed to be here,” he explained. “If he finds out I’m not home… well, he’s gonna kill me.”

  She was disappointed, but she didn’t want Adrian to get in trouble. “I get it. It’s okay.”

  He walked her to her car. “Be safe out there, all right? Go straight home,” he told her.

  “You aren’t my dad,” she laughed, but it felt nice, someone caring about where she went.

  “No, but you’re my girlfriend,” Adrian said, and it was so sweet she giggled again.

  He put a hand on her arm and kissed her cheek. “Like I said, be safe. I’ll see you soon. I promise.”

  Adrian made it sound like it was dire. But Isa knew he’d turn up again. Her cheek was warm when she got in the car, and she waved goodbye.

  There was a wet spot on the seat next to hers that Adrian had left. Isa started down the road, but before she got to the end of it she turned around. She wanted to see Adrian one last time, give a better goodbye. She parked the car silently and got out, walking toward the docks.

  Something made her wait.

  Adrian was at the end of the dock. He stared up at the moon, then down at the water, and pulled his shirt off with one fluid movement and tossed it aside.

  He was going swimming. So what? Though she wished he’d invited her. There was no swimming allowed in the bay. That Adrian was a rule breaker was really attractive to her.

  Then he started removing his pants.

  Isa looked away— it wasn’t right to stare at Adrian naked without his permission, even though he was acting really weird. Who knew she was dating a freak. It kind of turned her on.

  A splash made her look up again. Adrian’s clothes were left abandoned on the dock. She saw Adrian’s upper half bobbing out of the water. Then he dived, and what Isa saw next caused her to fall backward in shock.

  A green tail.

  * * *

  It was almost one in the morning when Isa’s mind stopped whirling. She had been lying in bed for hours, trying to deal with the undeniable truth. She’d found out everything she wanted to know, but she almost wished she hadn’t. She could hardly believe it.

  She wasn’t sure why Adrian had pulled her out of the water that night, or how. She knew she didn’t just wash up on the beach. With how big that wave was, she should’ve drowned.

  It didn’t make sense. How could Adrian be strong enough to swim through a storm like that and survive? No, not just survive… save her life, too?

  He couldn’t. Not unless he was born for it.

  Isamaria knew there was something— or someone— lurking beneath the Florida waves. It was then she was faced with a new reality.

  Adrian was a merman. And there was a bond between them Isa couldn't explain—
a bond she’d give her life for.

  Isa made her mind up. She would confront Adrian about being a merman. Then she’d get some answers.

  Chapter Nine

  Adrian

  Adrian swam toward Stavros’ lair, more determined than he had ever been. The water was dark and murky that night, abandoned by an absent moon.

  He had to see Isa one more time, just to be sure that this was the right thing to do. Seeing her at the party had only cemented it in his head that this was the only option.

  So she’d been with other guys. So what? It didn’t bother Adrian. None of them mattered. She could’ve loved a hundred guys but not one of them would ever match up to the love he had for her.

  He’d always wondered why she was so skinny. It didn’t bother him that she was, only that she wasn’t eating. What she’d told him about her father… she was lonelier than he’d imagined. That kind of loneliness was painful for Adrian to fathom his mate going through. It was so strong, he felt it from her, even at this distance.

  Their bond was only growing stronger. Eventually, it would get to the point where Adrian would be forced to live with her, otherwise, he’d die just as quickly as if he was out of water.

  Unless she refused him— which she wouldn’t. The spell would hold. Adrian would change for her, and she would accept him. This he forced himself to believe, because any other scenario was too painful to imagine.

  Beside him, Moona swam, trying to talk him out of it.

  “Adrian, this is crazy! Do you realize what he’s going to do to you? Do you know what he’s capable of?” Moona said. She wasn’t snapping at him, or yelling, but rather pleading with him. True fear lurked in her eyes, and she reached out her fins to wrap them around Adrian’s tail.

  “Moona, let go. I’ve made my mind up.” Adrian tried shaking her off, but Moona only held on tighter.

  “I’m not going to let you do this. What he’s going to ask for, that’s a bargain you won’t be able to keep, Adrian.” Moona closed her eyes and squeezed.

  “Get off me.” Adrian finally tore loose and increased his speed. “You heard what my father said. He won’t help me. I have no choice. I have to do this.”