FAE-ted by Linda Palmer Read Free Book Online Page A

as quickly as they'd entered it, but I felt as if
they were still part of my existence.
    Though I truly doubted I'd sleep that night, I did, and
dreamed of Anna but not her big brother. That scared me just a little.
Believing what I did about dreams, I couldn't help but take his
absence from last night's as proof that my subconscious had finally
admitted he was an impossibility. After all, I'd been with both of
them that day. Shouldn't he have popped up somewhere during the
night just as his little sis had?
    A huge pile of presents Christmas morning proved to be a
welcome distraction. And as I sat on the floor in my wrinkled PJs
with my goofy brothers nearby, I was reminded that they all loved
me as much as I loved them. That meant I was one lucky girl--too
lucky to mope on the best holiday of the year.
    Just as I was opening my last present, which I felt sure was
the Xbox Dad and I had begged Mom for, my cell phone blasted and
began to dance on the side table. Dad tossed it to me. I didn't
immediately recognize the caller, probably because my stalking
hadn't included memorizing a cell number I'd never use.
"Hello?"
    "I'm at your front door. I forgot to pay you yesterday."
    Not quite believing my ears, I said, "Nate?"
    "Of course."
    Of course? There was no of course about it, at least
where he was concerned. "I'll be right out."
    I jumped up, belatedly realizing that my parents and
brothers stared at me, obviously curious. Since I didn't know what to
tell them, I pointed to my unopened package. "Do not touch that
box."
    I got all the way to the front door before I remembered what
a hot mess I was in my rattiest PJs with my uncombed hair. So I only
opened it a crack when I checked to make sure Nate was really there.
He was. My heart skipped a beat. "Hey."
    "Hey." He clearly waited to be invited in.
    "I look like shit."
    "I disagree."
    Hm. "So why are you here?"
    "I already said. I need to pay you. I also have a present,
and...we need to talk. Can I please come in? I'm freezing my ass
off."
    I opened the door as wide as it would go and then shut it
once he'd stepped inside. Though I dreaded introducing him to
brothers who'd never forget, I took Nate's coat to put it on the rack
and then headed back to our den with him trailing me. "Mom, Dad,
Josh, Mick...this is Nate Marshall."
    Nate stepped up and offered each of the guys a
handshake.
    "Well it's about time." Dad's words totally panicked me. Was
he going to spill the crush beans?
    Mom elbowed him in the side. "Nice to see you again."
    Since Nate seemed a little lost, I pointed to the loveseat. "Do
you want to sit down?"
    He shook his head. "I can't stay. Neil--that's my brother--will
be home soon, and my stepmom's cooking something special for us."
He thrust some cash and a small black box at me. "Merry Christmas,
Leeloo."
    With my family watching avidly, I set aside the money and
self-consciously opened the box. Inside lay a dainty silver chain with
a blue crystal faerie dangling from it. I instantly melted in a puddle of
goo. "Oh, Nate. It's perfect." I gave him a quick hug and then grabbed
his wrist. "Mom, Dad, we're going to my room."
    Dad began to sputter, and, my big brothers, to grin. Mom
patted Dad's leg to settle him down.
    "Leave that Xbox alone," I called as I led Nate down the
hall.
    Mick's outraged, "You got her a freakin' Xbox?" made both of
us laugh.
    When we got to my room, I smoothed my rumpled
bedspread so we could sit on it. "Would you help me with this?" I
handed Nate the necklace, turned my back, and pulled aside my
tousled hair so he could. Once he finished, I went to my dresser
mirror to check it out. "It's so beautiful. Thanks, Nate."
    He patted the bed. I walked back to him and sat. Clearing his
throat as if he were about to make a big speech or something, he
said, "Leeloo, I think you're fae -bulous."
    I groaned and fell back on the mattress, my hands over my
face.
    "No, no. You have to listen. I've been practicing this all
night." He pulled on my arm