Uprising: A Collide Novel Part 55

I laugh and follow him to the next door down to our room. I lay down in the sleeping bag, I feel him climb in behind me. He wraps his arms around me, his heavy arm over my waist and kisses my neck from behind.

When he speaks, his breath tickles my neck and ear.

"I'm a selfish b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

I stiffen. That was the absolute last thing I would have thought he would say at a time like this.

"What are you talking about?"

He sighed and waited before he spoke. When he did it was careful and low. Like he was ashamed. Like he was confessing.

"I'm happy. I'm so happy that you've got Lily. And I've got you. But none of this would have happened if the Lighters hadn't come. If they hadn't messed up everything on earth. I'm selfish because I'm...almost glad they did. I shouldn't be this happy about circ.u.mstances that have hurt so many people. Have killed innocents. Killed Keepers. Devastated the balance of things. It's just- wrong."

"I know how you feel. I understand. It's strange to feel like you got everything you ever wanted, but at the expense of so much. There are people out there suffering but for me, I feel like it's Christmas. But it's not wrong to try to make something good out of something bad. That's what we should do. That's what we're doing. Lily needs parents, right?"

"Yes."

"So what's wrong with taking the role of it and being happy about it?"

"Nothing's wrong with that but, I just...I don't know. It's hard to explain, Sherry. I've spent my whole existence content and comfortable. Never knew what happy was. Saw it but never experienced it and didn't know what I was missing. Until you. I guess, I just don't know how to be happy."

"Well, you better start learning, pal."

He chuckled and I could feel the vibrations all through me.

"Mmhmm. I guess I better."

"That's more like it. Now, tell me what happened today. I heard what Cain said but, how did you know that something was wrong?"

"Lillian came and woke me up last night. Said Cain was late and wanted me to help her go after him. I told her I would if he didn't show up in an hour but she went ahead and left without me."

"Hmm. Well, people do crazy things sometimes. I'm sure she thought she had a good reason."

"Oh yeah? She was afraid I'd get hurt. That was her reason," he said incredulously.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You girls and your need to protect everyone. That's our job, ya know, which some of you are working overtime to put us out of work. There are plenty of Keepers here to look after everyone. You don't have to fret so much."

It was kinda funny how worked up he was getting.

"Well, I'm just glad they're back and nothing bad happened- well, nothing too bad. They must be more serious than I thought or she wouldn't have freaked out like that. Right?"

"I guess. I found them- what do you call it? Making out, in the second room, once. Lillian was incredibly embarra.s.sed. It was pretty funny, actually."

"Yeah. She told me. I can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"It wasn't my news to tell."

"Well, I know you're an alien and all," he smacked me on the thigh and I yelped but kept going, "so I'll educate you a little about human girls. All girls like to hear about sweet romantic things, even if it's none of our business. So, in the future, just so you know, I want to know things about other people kissing. It's a girl thing."

"I see. So you're nosy. That's what you're telling me?"

"If that's the way you want to see it. Then yes. As long as I get the scoop, you can call me whatever you want. I need some entertainment around here."

"I'm not entertainment enough for you?" he said huskily and kissed the side of my neck.

"You are pretty entertaining. Yes."

"Hmm. I'm not sure if you're complimenting me or not."

"Well, I'll leave that for your interpretation." I rolled over to face him as he laughed. It felt amazing to have someone laugh at your jokes instead of laughing at you.

"So, nothing exciting happened? You didn't have to fight any Lighters. Didn't meet this Daniel character?"

"Nope. I pa.s.sed Cain on the highway and we just followed them home. The fun stuff had already happened."

"Fun stuff," I repeated and shook my head. "You think fighting Lighters is fun?"

"Well, fun's a strong word. Exciting?"

"Exciting," repeated flatly.

"Well, I am a guy. It's get the blood pumping. Male Keepers and humans both love to beat on things. It's ingrained apparently."

I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Wow, you really are a guy," I said and he grinned.

"And I'm hungry."

"One more reason. Hungry for food?"

He clucked his tongue at me.

"Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Never! I am a lady," I said sweetly and twirled a curl around my finger."

"Oh. That I know for certain," he murmured against my throat making me giggle.

I heard a pound on the door.

"Oh, come on you two. It's the middle of the day for crying out loud!" Danny yelled and banged again. "Come on, Sherry. You said you would make spaghetti for lunch. Merrick can wait, I'm sure."

"Is that so? Can you wait?" I ask Merrick, lifting my eyebrows.

"If I have to, but I am pretty hungry," he said apologetically.

"Fine," I muttered and then yelled louder to Danny. "Fine! I'm coming!"

"You better be. It's not just me you're starving you know."

"I said I'm coming, brat!"

I turned to Merrick before he could get up and kissed his neck, the scratchy shadowed part under his chin. He let out a strangled breath and bunched my curls easily in his fist as I went lower to the hollow of his neck, then pulled his s.h.i.+rt collar down an inch. Then, I pulled back quickly.

"Well, I guess I better go get some lunch ready," I said chipper.

He grunted, frustrated.

"That's not funny. You better be glad you're cute. And a good cook."

"That's all you keep me around for. Shock value to your human taste buds."

"Mmhmm. Among other things."

"What things?"

"These," he whispered and ran his thumb over my bottom lip. "These." He picked up my hand and kissed my fingers. "These, your little elf ears."

"Hey!"

"This," he ran a finger down the length of my nose and then tapped the end. "And this, this is my favorite." He made a little circle over my heart, on top of my t-s.h.i.+rt.

"Merrick." I sighed and bit my lip. "I'm never gonna leave with you talking like that."

"Well, now that I think about it, starving to death sounds easy in comparison. Starve with me, Sherry," he whispered humorously in my ear and bit my earlobe.

"You are gonna be in so much trouble with your Special."

"It'd be worth it." He started to pull me on top of him but I held my hands out against his chest, like that could stop him. Willpower on his part is what stops him, not my brute strength. "I think you are seriously overestimating my self control," he grunted.

"I better go make lunch. For real. Come on, Keeper."

He growled and blurred to his feet. Then helped me up by pulling my hands.

"If you're doing this to me to keep me interested, trust me, it's working," he said sullenly.

"Aww. I'm sorry. Poor Merrick." I rubbed his chin with my knuckles. "I'll make it up to you later."

"You better," he commanded huskily and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing his forehead to mine. He took a deep breath and let it out slow. "You know how happy I am?"

"Do you know how happy I am?" I countered.

"Oh come on, already!" Danny said from the other side of the door and banged his fist again. "Yes, yes, we're all happy. Now let's get cracking with some lunch. Pleeeease."

"I'm gonna kill your Special," I told Merrick.

"Not before I do," he said and bent his head to kiss me.

Then he opened the door behind him and grabbed Danny in a head lock. Noogie involved.

"Is that any way to talk to your sister?" Merrick said as he rubbed his knuckles over Danny's head.

"Dude! I'm starving. You can violate my sister another time when it doesn't mean that my stomach has to growl because of it."

"You have two hands," I chimed coolly as I walked pa.s.sed them in the hall, both of them still wrestling.

I looked back and watched them for a second as they laughed and grunted, twisting each others arms and trying to knock their feet out from under the other. Calvin and Frank caught wind of the excitement and made a break for the fray.

"Pile up!" Calvin yelled and jumped on top of Merrick's back, who was over Danny and they all fell and in a heap. Then Franklin came running up behind Calvin.

"Oh yeah! I'm the cherry on this loser sundae!" he screamed and then belly flopped on top of the pile.

Poor Danny on the bottom was groaning and wiggling but it was no use. Eventually Merrick pried the two boys off and they were whole heartedly attacked by Merrick and Danny. Pay back.

I smiled and giggled at them. I saw Ryan about to fall off his chair laughing and Jeff and Marissa were clapping and egging the boys on to keep on retaliating. Then I turned to go fix the all important lunch. Spaghetti and...Piper? Yikes.

"Hey, Sherry. What are you up to?" she asked me with a big fake smile.

"What do you want, Piper?"

I was in no mood to play nice with her. I hadn't spoken a word to her since the incident. When I take her and Cain drinks at the garden, I always talk to Cain. And she didn't speak to me either, so I wonder what she's up to.