Izzy

Izzy jerked awake with a claw wrapped around her shoulder. She gasped and tried to sit but was yanked back.

"It's just me." Caleb. "You okay?"

That had to be the 100th time he'd asked her today. She rubbed her eyes and pulled the seat up. "Fine. Sorry, I must have really been out."

His hand slipped off her arm. Slowly. "I've been trying to wake you for a couple of minutes."

She adjusted the stupid seatbelt and looked around. Twilight, parked in front of Caleb's house. "Oh my God! I slept the whole way back?"

"Don't worry, you barely even snored."

Snored? She usually didn't snore. Wait, did she?

Caleb started laughing. "Kidding!"

She pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes.

He shifted in the seat to face her, still grinning. "How's the headache?"

"Better."

"Good, because I was going to ask if you wanted to come in. My brother is still here."

"Uh, I really need to get home." Though it'd be interesting to meet his brother.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Right, you have that stuffy party to get to."

"Yeah." But also, she had to pee. "Actually?" Some emotion flashed across Caleb's face before he tramped it down quick. "Can I use your bathroom first?"

"Sure. And if you want to stretch, splash water on your face, explain what the hell happened up on that mountain, or anything else, let me know." He pulled the keys out of the ignition and looked down. "It took me a while to wake you, Izzy. I realize you're running late, but make sure you're ready to drive home first." After a moment, he handed her keys over, his fingers brushing against her palm.

"Okay, I have five minutes." Damn him for keeping her off balance with all those little touches.

She followed him to the back door and checked her phone. Sixteen missed messages. One from her father. Two from Camlia. Three from their group text. Ten from Brie. She opened that thread while Caleb knocked. Music reverberated from inside.

  5:30 pm  Brie: Back yet?

  5:52 pm  Brie: I take it this is a good sign. Otherwise, you're just ignoring me.🐤

  6:01 pm  Brie: Unless you're so wrapped up in Caleb that you've forgotten all about your poor friend stuck resting at home. That or a bear tried to eat you. 🐻 RIP Bear 🐻

  6:09 pm  Brie: Nevermind. It'd be all over the news if you wrestled a bear. Must be going well with Caleb.❤️😈❤️💋❤️

She flicked the texts closed before Caleb noticed. The rest could wait.

"Figures. I knew Chord would forget to leave it unlocked. Anything important?" he asked as she shoved the phone in her pocket.

Hopefully, he couldn't see her burning cheeks in the dim light. "Oh, just Brie being Brie." She hurried on. "Who's Chord?"

"My brother. We'll have to go around."

They walked back up the driveway to the front door. "How old's your brother?"

"He turned seventeen last month."

"How come he doesn't go to our school?"

"He lives with his mom about a half hour away, so he goes to Rugby." He touched her elbow. "Watch your step on the front walkway. The wooden logs are uneven."

Must have been a curse because she caught her toe on the lip of the first step. He grabbed her arm so she wouldn't trip. It worked, except now she could feel the lick of his breath against her cheek.

She straightened up to gain space and closed her eyes to center herself. That wouldn't have happened if he hadn't touched her in the first place. Pull yourself together.

"Izzy?" Still way too close.

She stepped back, foot slipping off the little step. Awesome. Her hyper-awareness of his touch would cause her to back right off a cliff. Not tonight, though, since he hadn't let go of her arm. His grip was warm. It was firm. It was-

"You sure you're okay?"

No. No. No. "Yeah." As long as he stopped touching her. She slid to the side, out of his grasp. "Just a bit groggy."

"You sure that's all?" Eyebrows drawn, he remained on the step above her.

"I don't think it's all hit me yet." All the houses in this neighborhood and not a car in sight.

He dropped down next to her, feeling her forehead with the back of his hand. So cool against her skin, it burned. "You feel warm. Maybe you should see a doctor or something." He finally pulled back, but only to scrutinize her. "I don't understand what happened up there. Before you passed out, I mean." When she didn't answer right off, he added, "I'm worried."

Oh. He was worried. Well, so was she. About herself. About James. About the butterflies in her stomach. About the nightmares and the connection to her family.

Izzy shifted her weight and crossed her arms over her body, clearing her throat. "I don't think that hurt me. I feel fine. Better, even." She rubbed her hands over her arms. Shouldn't have left her coat in the car. "I wouldn't even know where to begin with a doctor anyway. I don't think this is their department." She looked anywhere but Caleb. A little statue of Bigfoot hid at the base of one of the trees. Her lips quirked up.

"What?" He followed her gaze. "Oh, I gave that to Mom when we moved in here a couple years ago." Maybe he had a better sense of humor than she'd realized. "You sure you're okay?"

Still no. "Yes, I promise. Except for the bathroom."

"Right! Sorry!" He ran his hand through his hair, then held out his arm. "Come on, I'm sure you're chilly, too."

Seeing no good reason to refuse his arm since she'd been tripping over her own feet, she let him lead her up the wooden stairs in the gathering darkness. Despite her better judgment, she huddled closer to his warm body.

Why was she doing this? This growing intensity between them scared her almost as much as the nightmares. Besides, she had just gotten out of a relationship. Did she even want to disappear into another one so quickly? Especially with someone as strong-willed as Caleb.

Focus. They'd been talking about his brother before. That should get things back on track. She cleared her throat again. "So Chord's your half-brother?"

"Technically, but I don't think of him that way."

"Must be nice to be so close in age." Unless he acted like Jack. Wait, she'd been so distracted she just realized something. "When's your birthday?"

He grinned. "Why? Want to get me a gift?"

"Very funny. I just asked because, um...."

Caleb paused when they reached the front door. Light bled through the windows, so he must have noticed her expression. "I know. And since I also know you don't want to do the math, we're seven months apart."

"How are you only - Oh!" It came out before she could stop herself. "Right, same father."

When he dropped her arm, the cold breeze cut through her thin shirt. "Biologically. Though I prefer the term sperm donor." With that said, he banged on the door. Forcefully.

That just brought up even more questions. Could she figure out a way to ask without being rude? That felt like a job for Brie. Or Ren, since she didn't care about rudeness.

A middle-aged woman wearing a fitted black shirt and pants opened the door. It must be his mother since they had the same eyes and facial structure. Also, a Sudoku book dangled from one hand. Figured. "I didn't realize you were home." She ushered them into an entryway that smelled like spaghetti.

Caleb pulled off two layers and shoved them onto a wall hook already three coats deep. That left him in a black t-shirt for some band named The Strokes. For once, the shirt fit properly, showing off his toned arms. Like, really toned arms. Look anywhere else! The newspaper-covered table, the 1920s-style street lamp, that adorable photo of little kid Caleb holding up a fish he'd caught–

"Chord have your keys again?"

"Yeah, I need to make him a copy of my car key." He shifted to the side. "Mom, this is -"

"Isabella, right?" His mother held her hand out. How did she know?

"Izzy." He said at the same time, shoving his hands into his pockets. His pants fit well, too.

"Sorry." His mom laughed. "What's wrong with me? That was rude. It must get frustrating to have such a well-known family, huh?"

"Honestly, most people don't know who I am."

"Unless they see your father at school functions, I bet." Caleb had mentioned she was a detective, so it made sense that she'd notice them. She tossed the Sudoku book onto the table as an alarm buzzed and walked toward the kitchen. "Are you hungry? We're having dinner soon, and you're welcome to stay."

"Izzy has to leave in a moment, but thanks for offering." He steered Izzy away from the kitchen.

"Ok, maybe next time. Nice meeting you, Izzy!" She gave a quick wave before pulling the lid off a pan on the stove.

"Nice meeting you, Mrs. Mitchell!" She waved back as Caleb practically shoved her through the basement door, shutting it behind them.

She stifled a laugh, but he caught it. So observant. "What?"

"Nothing. Wait, her last name is-"

"Mitchell. Yeah. I have her last name."

She felt the music again as they descended to the den. It was louder down here, too. Some noisy rock song she didn't recognize. The reverb from the guitars traveled up through her feet. This time the ping pong table dominated the middle of the room, with half a veggie pizza sitting open on top. A fluffy striped cat licked at the greasy cardboard.

"Sudo!" Caleb sighed, flipping the lid closed as he scooped up the cat. "Bathroom's over there." He nodded at the room behind the stairs as he carried the cat away. Cats. They had that in common, at least.

"Thanks." She moved quickly, taking a quick swig of the mouthwash and splashing cold water on her face. Her skin appeared wan and pale under the harsh lighting, her eyes puffy. Not great, but could have been worse.

When she returned, the music had stopped and voices floated through an open door she hadn't noticed before. Hold up, Brie was right about the secret room? Caleb poked his head out and waved her over with a drumstick.

When she joined him, she found herself in a soundproofed garage converted into a practice room. That explained the music. Caleb introduced her before pointing the drumstick at a guy wearing a vintage bowling shirt, frayed shorts, and a toboggan hat. "That's my brother, Chord, who was supposed to be gone a couple of hours ago and wouldn't need to wear a hat indoors if he'd just button his shirt."

Chord grinned and pushed the mic aside. He had the same nose and jawline as Caleb but with lighter hair and darker eyes. "I need the airflow when I play." He strummed his electric guitar.

Caleb rolled his eyes. "That's Jaxon on rhythm and Riley on drums." He pointed at them in turn. Jaxon grunted at her, flipping his long hair out of his face. The all-black aesthetic tracked with his attitude.

On the other hand, Riley's purple and neon orange tracksuit would have been visible from space. "S'up!" she chirped from behind the drumset. Izzy squinted at a sticker on the front. It read "Echioes of Chaos" and featured a picture of a skeleton playing the electric guitar.

"What's with the travel setup? And where's Selena?" Caleb asked.

"We got a gig in the woods next weekend." Chord stepped around the mic and grabbed a piece of scribbled paper off his amp. "Some rich kid heard us play at the Fall Freak Fest last weekend. He wants a Halloween-themed rock set "

"A gig in the woods?" Izzy asked. That seemed odd.

Chord shrugged. "Probably someone's cabin. We'll get the deets later this week." He passed the paper to Caleb. "The set list is fire."

"Jim Carrol, Health, She Wants Revenge, The Black Keys... this is great." Caleb passed the paper back. "I'm almost tempted to sit in."

"Too bad we don't need another drummer." Riley hit the high hat. "But Selena's moving to Toledo, so we're looking for a bassist." She looked at Izzy. "You don't happen to play, do you?"

"Sorry," Izzy said. "I have no musical talent whatsoever." Those piano lessons she'd endured as a child never did stick.

"I'll let you know if I think of a bassist," Caleb said. "Chord, you have a ride home later? I might pop back out."

"I got him, chief." Riley saluted with the drumstick.

"Perfect." Caleb flipped the other drumstick back to her.

After chatting for a couple more minutes, they let them return to practice. The music started up as soon as Izzy pulled the door closed.

"Is Echioes of Chaos the band name?" They walked around the ping pong table.

"Yeah, misspelling and all. Chord says it's to be more chaotic, but they just forgot to double-check the stickers before printing."

Izzy laughed. "Their look is chaotic enough. You guys seem nothing alike."

Caleb smiled. "We have more in common than you'd think. I even used to play drums with them sometimes."

"I wondered if you were serious about sitting in. That's kind of cool." She'd never have guessed. They paused at the sliding glass door. "Isn't it weird for your mom?"

"Without getting into the whole story right now because I know you need to leave and it feels like you're avoiding talking about other things?"

Izzy winced.

"Our biological father abandoned us. Mom discovered he was married not long after I was born. She told Chord's mom immediately, so they kicked him to the curb and struck up a friendship. I haven't seen him since I was five." Caleb flipped the door lock open.

Yikes. So casual about it, too. She opened her mouth and closed it again without saying anything. I'm sorry seemed like such a dumb response. Besides, Caleb wouldn't want her pity.

"I know. It's weird." He pulled his keys out of his pocket, rubbing his thumb along the keychain disk. "But it worked out okay."

Maybe not that casual, then. "That must have been rough, but it's kind of cool that you all get along."

"We do. Most of the time, anyway. Like all families." He tossed the keys into a clamshell dish on the side table. "He gave me a brother and Chord his musical ability, so there's that." He drifted closer to her.

"Um, that's great." Yeah, real great. She inched back. "Okay, I need to get going."

"You sure you're alright?" Another step in her direction.

"I'm fine. Really." She shoved a hand through her tangled hair, his gaze following. Then he pulled off his glasses and tossed them into the bowl with the keys. Damn it, he knew. "Just need to get home." She continued to stand there.

"Izzy?"

The music ramped up, loud, dark, and carnal. For real? Time to go. She spun on her heel to face the door. "Thanks for driving back." When she tried to pull the door handle with the keys in her hand, they slipped and rattled to the ground.

She twisted around, but Caleb scooped them up first. He held them just out of reach, pinning her in place with one look. "Izzy." His gaze was intense. Unreadable.

"My keys." She held her hand out, but he dropped them in the bowl and leaned toward her. She sucked in a breath. Grab the keys. Yet, she didn't move.

"Isabella Sinclair." He whispered the words against her neck, jolting a current of electricity straight to her core. "You've been sending mixed signals for a while now." His thumb brushed against her gold hoop earring. This wasn't a fair fight. "So I'm going to kiss you unless you don't want me to."

A mixture of squeak and sigh escaped her lips.

Then he pulled back just enough to look at her. "You have three seconds to decide."