Locked Out of Love by Mary K. Norris Read Free Book Online

Mate?” she asked in a small voice. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    Despite Joel’s assurances that they were still friends, things changed when they broke up. He couldn’t drive to her house after a long day at work to tell her about exciting new projects or drag her along to midnight video game release parties—she had Merrick to do those kinds of things with now.
    She’d kept the knowledge of her Mirror Mate from him for three months, secretly pining for another while she was dating him. That knowledge still left a nasty taste in his mouth. He’d say he was entitled to keep his Mirror Mate, if Melanie was even that, from her for a few weeks … hell, not even that. “I wanted to tell you in my own time.”
    “And when would that have been? After everyone else knew?” She turned to Merrick. “Did you know?”
    “Syd.” Joel tried to get her attention; he didn’t want her to be angry at Merrick. It was him she should be mad at.
    But it was too late. There must’ve been something in Merrick’s eyes that gave him away. She pulled her hand from his. “I see,” was all she said as she stared down at her lap.
    Joel shot Cali a dark look.
    The last thing the guild needed to witness was Joel and Sydney still trying to smooth out their relationship.
    My bad
. Cali’s voice echoed in the recesses of his mind, meaning he was the only one she was directing her voice to.
I didn’t mean to cause any trouble
.
    He wanted to rub his own temples in agitation but refrained. “Whatever,” he mumbled instead, knowing she’d hear him.
    “So back onto the subject,” said Felix. “We need to know if our new goon works for Vander and if he took Melanie, right?”
    Joel was glad to be back on topic. “Right.” He hoped Melanie had been able to get away. As soon as she left, his powers had returned and he’d Unlocked himself from the ground, but by the time he reached the front of the community center, there was no one in sight. He’d lost Melanie and the man in the suit. His hands fisted. He tried his best to ignore the ache pulsing in his chest.
It means nothing, only that you’re worried about someone who might be in danger.
    “Have there been any sightings of the men in black around here today?” Cali asked.
    “Not that I’ve seen,” Luke spoke up. “Why?”
    “Because if there was one creeping around, we could snatch him and question him.”
    Sydney sighed. “I’ll get a clean cage prepped, just in case.”
    “Meanwhile, you should return to the community center,” Felix said to Joel. “See if Melanie returns and if not … ” His expression turned sympathetic and Joel’s stomach cramped.
    If she didn’t return, then they’d know she’d been taken.
    He clenched his teeth and resumed his pacing, needing to burn off his nervous energy.
    “If you still have that napkin, I’ll keep searching for a home address,” Merrick offered.
    Joel nodded in thanks. “I’ll go to the Internet and see if I get any hits on her real name.”
    And just like that the meeting was adjourned.
    Joel headed to the door. There was no need to stick around. Sydney was upset with him, Niella was a ticking time bomb that refused help, Merrick would be busy dealing with Sydney, and Felix and Cali only reminded him of the empty feeling in his chest.
    “Joel?”
    He turned. Luke stood a few feet behind him.
    Joel forced a smile to his face. “What’s up, Skywalker?” He’d dubbed Luke with the nickname months ago. With his mousy brown hair, blue eyes, and the small cleft in his chin, everyone agreed there was a similarity between the young Rejuvenator and the Star Wars character.
    Luke didn’t even bat an eye at the nickname anymore. “Everyone is going home for the night, and I was wondering if you needed any help or anything.”
    Joel didn’t need any help when it came to computer tracking. He opened his mouth to thank Luke for the offer, but the hopeful expression on his face stopped Joel cold. He knew Luke didn’t