Isa's Secret (The Rise of Gods Book One) Read online

  Me: It’s always the feeling I get from it. I have a broad sense of emotions that play out in these dreams. When I wake up, it’s still there, but the faces and voices are gone... if that makes sense.

  “Okay, that should do it,” a man’s voice broke me away from my phone, and I looked up and saw the locksmith held two keys and a clipboard. “I just need you to sign the form and pay for the services today, and you should be good.”

  “Okay, thank you again for this.” I put my phone away and stepped up to him and signed whatever he needed to be signed, then paid him for the services.

  After all was said and done with, we shook hands, and he left, and I went inside the Starbucks to find Alycia. My phone dinged and vibrated, and I pulled it out, then read the text.

  Rune: Fascinating. I have many dreams as well, with lingering feelings from it. Tell me more about yourself.

  I glanced up and saw Alycia sat at a table while sipping on a coffee. If I were to guess what it was, it was a peppermint latte. She always had loved those, no matter what season it was.

  Decided it was best to get a coffee too, because, like my wing woman, I had a coffee addiction. I got a caramel macchiato because those were always the best. After I paid, I stepped back to the side to wait for the barista to make my drink. I looked back down at my phone and responded to Rune.

  Me: What sorts of dreams do you have? Tell me about yourself.

  It only fitted for him to tell me about himself. He knew way more about me than I knew about him so far.

  With Alycia not far away from me, I had felt a sense of peace and determination to not let this man make me gape at him like a fish out of water. Now, when I was away from Alycia, that’s a totally different story. If ever given a chance to see him again and in person, I’d act a fool. But by texting him, I could pull in the strength of my friend and be a badass.

  I grabbed my made drink with a nod and grin and sat down with my friend.

  “Uh oh, who died?” Alycia asked as she looked up from her phone and saw me grinning.

  I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my latte. “I’ve decided to pretend you are still texting Rune as me, so I don’t act like an idiot.”

  She looked back down at her phone and scrolled through whatever she had been on while she talked to me. “How’s that going to work out for you?”

  I shrugged and knew she must have not seen it, or maybe she had and just didn’t respond. “Listen, I suck at talking to men, especially hot ones, so if I were to act like you, then it wouldn’t be so weird.”

  She chuckled and put her phone back down and looked up at me with her hazel eyes sparkling with delight. “So, are you two love birds still texting? I would ask what you said to him about something that no one knows, but that’s none of my business.”

  I took a sip of my latte and pulled out my phone to look down at the messages and saw a text from him. “Yeah, we’re still texting, but we aren’t love birds.” I rolled my eyes at the love birds comment.

  Rune: I dream of many things and people. What would you like to know about me?

  It seemed that Mr. Rune was going in circles, trying not to give anything away, which was pretty suspicious to me. Did he have someone on the side? Had he really not been interested in me, and Alycia was wrong about him flirting with me?

  Oh God, what if I had embarrassed myself by flirting with him, and he’d been trying to be nice and deflect it?

  “What happened? Why are you suddenly paler than usual?” Alycia broke through my mini-meltdown.

  I looked up at her; her face was scrunched up, and her hazel eyes were slightly wide with worry. “What if he wasn’t flirting with me? He seems to be going in circles to not answer my questions.” I swallowed hard.

  “Honey, he was flirting with you. What questions are you asking?”

  “Just what he was dreaming. He told me to tell him more about myself, but I turned it back to him,” I explained.

  “He wants more specific questions. Try asking him about his background or interests and such. I’m sure you don’t like it when guys ask you to tell them more about yourself without guiding you on what all they want to know.”

  I nodded and looked back down at my phone, then typed out a response to Rune.

  Me: Do you have a girlfriend?

  “Why are you blushing now?”

  I looked up and nibbled on my bottom lip nervously. “I kind of asked him if he has a girlfriend.”

  She groaned and leaned back in her chair dramatically and shook her head. “What am I going to do with you? You need to be elusive and not just throw yourself directly at him.”

  I released my bottom lip and took a sip of my latte. I was terrible at this! I’d never be good at this whole flirting, and I was sure Rune right now was staring at the message, wondering if I was still worth talking to. I mean, yesterday, I concluded that he wanted nothing to do with me, and now today Alycia was telling me he’s flirting with me. So maybe he was interested in me, right?

  Alycia leaned forward and took a long sip of her latte, then put the cup down. “Stop beating yourself up. I know you are right now. You have that weird look on your face when you overthink.”

  I glanced away to the side, then looked down at my phone to see a new message.

  Rune: I don’t. Do you have a boyfriend?

  I grinned with delight and looked up at Alycia. “He totally just asked me if I have a boyfriend. He doesn’t have a girlfriend!”

  Her lips curled up, and she nodded her head to the phone in my hand. “So respond to him.”

  Me: Nope.

  Stupid fast response, but I didn’t care at that moment. I was interested in Rune, and he seemed to be interested in me. Which was the first time that a really attractive guy like him would be interested in me and not be deterred from the fact that I was a bumbling fool around them.

  I sat my phone back down on the table with a grin and glanced at Alycia, who was watching me.

  “Now, we need to work on your talking skills,” Alycia started and glanced around the room, then back to me. “I know you have this issue where the dude is hot, and you get tongue-tied. Go up to the nice man at the table wearing a suit and strike a conversation.”

  My eyes widened, and I quickly shook my head while I glanced over my shoulder to see who she was talking about. Then I looked back at her. “No way!”

  A perfect brow rose. “You don’t want my help?”

  I swallowed hard and stared wide eyed at my friend.

  She tilted her head in the guy’s direction. “Go talk to him.”

  “What happened to you telling me not to talk to strangers?” Yes, I was making excuses, but I just couldn’t muster enough courage to talk to this stranger who seemed content.

  “I’ll forgive you this time.” Why did she have to sound so serious and amused at the same time?

  I shook my head and looked back down at my phone to break eye contact. “Nope, I’d rather worry about how the hell I’m going to talk to Rune and not some stranger.”

  “Coward,” she chuckled, and reached across the table and snatched my phone out of my hands. “Let’s see what Mr. Rune has to say. Oh, ask him what his last name is so we can look him up on Facebook and stalk him for a bit.”

  “Well, I would, but you have my phone. What’s up with you stalking people, anyway? I told you last time you stalked someone to leave them alone,” I teased.

  Her hazel eyes lit up with amusement as she peeked up at me with a smile tugging at her lips. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them.” She looked back down at the phone and tapped out whatever message to Rune.

  “Did he text back?” I leaned forward, intent on snatching my phone back.

  “No, but don’t worry, he’s about to. He’s writing something.”

  “So, what did you say to him?”

  “I asked what his last name was, duh, were you listening?” she gave me a are you stupid look, which made me laugh and shrug. “Oh, he just said that you shouldn’t w
orry about his last name and that he won’t murder your ass,” she chuckled.

  “Did he really say he won’t murder my ass, or did you add that for a laugh?” my eyebrows drew together, and I squinted my eyes at her in a mock glare.

  “I added the last part, but it seems strange that he won’t give you his last name,” she hummed at the last part as if in deep thought and then tapped away a response, then stopped and stared at the screen. “I asked if he was on the run and that’s why he won’t give you his last name.”

  I laughed and shook my head, but my heart hammered in my chest. Rune was going to think I was psycho, which was why my personality was changing so much in the text messages. Now, I was not entirely sure I wanted to ever see him again and see the suspicion written on his face when he realized I was some meek girl who couldn’t even hold a conversation with him.

  “Don’t worry, Isa,” Alycia chided.

  I finished my latte and watched as she texted with Rune. At that point, I didn’t want to ask what she was saying to him. I was too scared to even ask, and I didn’t even want my phone back at the moment to see what all he had said in return.

  He probably liked her more than he did me, and sadly, he didn’t even realize what was going on.

  A frown tugged at the corners of my lips as that thought came to mind. Had I really gotten jealous of Alycia?

  An angry blush brightened my cheeks and spread to my neck. I looked away from her in shame as I tried to get rid of the jealousy surging in me. I’d never gotten jealous of my friend, and we had never once fought over men, so why the hell did I suddenly feel that?

  She was perfectly happy with her choices in men, and she was great with whomever she dated. She had her own tastes as I had my own. Yes, we had some similarities in our choices, but we had never fought over a man. Thank God for that.

  I glanced over at my friend, who was sipping her coffee, and then went back to texting Rune, not even realizing my inner turmoil.

  Perhaps I should just give her Rune’s number and tell him to talk to her instead and that he would have better luck and entertainment with that. No way would he be interested in me… the awkward, almost thirty-year-old who had little to no experience with men.

  I cleared my throat nervously as I made up my mind. “You know, I could give you his number and tell him to talk to you.” Why had I not sounded so convincing?

  Her head popped up, and her eyes narrowed. “Oh no, you’re not,” she warned. “I’m helping you, Isa.”

  I shook my head and forced out a laugh. “Thanks, but I’m not really interested much,” lie. “You should talk to him. He’s great looking and totally your choice in a man.”

  “I swear I will kick your ass right now, but we are in public, so I will wait until we are outside.” she stopped me before I reminded her that outside was public too. “Do not give him my number. You will not give up on him. He’s really into you.”

  I lowered my gaze to the table and stared at my hands that were folded together. “Well, he’s interested in what you have to say more than what I have to say.”

  A noise of aggravation came from her… a growl? “You wanted my help, and I’m helping. Don’t back out now.” she slid the phone over to me. “Here, take it back, and I’ll stop.”

  I shook my head, but grabbed the phone and put it away without even looking at what had been said.

  Great, now I felt like a piece of shit. I knew Alycia was helping, but there I was, wallowing in self pity and jealousy.

  “Isa,” her tone sounded serious and laced with hurt.

  I glanced up at her, and just the look on her face broke my heart. I had hurt her. “Alycia, no. I’m sorry.”

  She waved her hand to dismiss it. “Just be yourself, okay? He’s into you, don’t second guess that. Let’s go.”

  I nodded as I stood up while I grabbed my belongings and the empty coffee cup that I threw away as we stepped outside. I knew Alycia was right behind me, and I turned to look at her as we stepped out in the morning light. “I’m really sorry,” I mumbled, ashamed.

  She put on her sunglasses and looked over at me, then sighed. “It’s okay, I’m okay. Keep up the conversations and questions, and you’ll be okay. Oh, I convinced him to make a Facebook profile to be friends with you on there. I’m still stalking him though, for you, of course.” she laughed and pulled out her car keys.

  I laughed, but just couldn’t feel the humor at the moment. Guilt still swamped me, and I wanted nothing but to keep apologizing to her. Instead, I pulled out my own keys and moved in to hug my friend. She quickly responded to pull me in and squeezed me, then let go. “Be safe going home,” I told her as I pulled away from her.

  “I’ll try, but you know my driving.” she chuckled and walked toward her car with a wave.

  I watched her retreating back, then I turned and went to my car and got in and started it.

  Should I look at the text messages now before I drive home or wait until I got home? My front teeth scraped against my bottom lip a few times as I mulled over the decisions of what to do. I shook my head. I’d wait until I was home—no need to read them now and have a panic attack while driving. Actually, I’d have a panic attack while going anyway, wondering what the hell had been said.

  I put the car in reverse and pulled out of my spot. After putting the car in drive, I headed home.

  To read or not to read, that is the question.

  I’d been pacing my living room, holding my phone, staring at the black screen while I tried to figure out if I should read the messages. I trusted my friend and knew she had the best intentions for me, but I wanted to cringe with guilt that I thought of giving his number to her. Fuck, I was so stupid. Might as well get this over with. I unlocked the phone and then read through the messages with my heart in my throat.

  Me/Alycia: What’s your last name?

  Rune: Don’t worry about my last name.

  Me/Alycia: Are you on the run, and that’s why you won’t give away your last name? I was just going to look you up on Facebook, but okay.

  Rune: I’m not on Facebook… are you?

  Me/Alycia: Well, why else would I mention Facebook? Of course, I’m on Facebook. You should get with the times and join it.

  Rune: How do you get a Facebook?

  Me/Alycia: Wow. You download the app and create a profile with your email address. Make sure you take lots of pictures of your mug, oh and maybe some full-body pictures, especially of you in grey sweatpants.

  Rune: LOL, my mug? I haven’t heard that. I know why women like sweatpants, but you pique my interest to see it mentioned by you. I’ll create a profile and be sure to take lots of pictures. How do I find you on there?

  Me/Alycia: Just search me, Isa Finley.

  Rune: Will I find lots of pictures of you in shorts?

  Me/Alycia: Nice try. Make that profile, and you can go through my pictures to see if there are any.

  Rune: Such a little tease. Downloading the app right now.

  I let out a shaky breath and put the phone down while I closed my eyes. Fuck, I was a terrible friend. I couldn’t believe I had gotten so jealous of Alycia, and here Rune was flirting and wanted to see me in shorts.

  I quickly opened my eyes and typed out a message to Alycia, apologizing and telling her I’d make it up and that I loved her. I then responded to Rune.

  Me: Great, let me know when you have it downloaded, and I’ll see if I can help you make that profile.

  I put my phone down and scrubbed my hand over my face as I tried to compose myself. I couldn’t believe myself and my foolishness. I felt like the worst friend ever right now, and I couldn’t even think straight. I needed to gather my wits and pull in my inner Alycia and be fierce. Be flirty.

  I closed my eyes and tried to picture myself as this cool, calm, and collected woman who had no issues talking to the male population. Rune was into me, damnit, and I needed to stop being so damn shy and awkward.

  My phone dinged, and I snapped my eyes open an
d looked down at the message.

  Rune: You’re so eager for these pictures, aren’t you? Why don’t I just send you one right now to pass the time?

  My heart leaped to my throat, and my eyes widened at that message. Then the picture popped up, and I’d completely stopped breathing. Fuck, Rune’s hot. He sent a selfie of him smiling, his white teeth bared, and his full lips pulled over them. His eyes were slightly squinted with the smile and sparkled in the light that made the blue look lighter than the last time I saw it. His skin was sun-kissed bronzed as if he had spent all summer at the beach.

  He had a magnificent smile and a fucking fantastic phone to have captured his beauty. His five o’clock shadow was still there, and I could see a dimple in his cheek. Breathtaking. I couldn’t help myself when I tapped the picture and saved it on my phone. He would never know. I quickly typed out a response.

  Me: Great picture of you.

  Coward. Total coward of me not to just have said, ‘omg, you’re fucking hot. Send me a picture of you shirtless, so I can totally drool over it!’ He would have just laughed at me and deleted my number. His response had been quick when it popped up on my phone.

  Rune: Now it’s your turn. Send me a picture of you.

  I swallowed hard and looked around the room and down at the phone. He seriously wanted a picture of me? I looked like shit, and I take horrible pictures of myself!

  Calm. Must be calm.

  I closed my eyes, took in a deep calming breath through my nose, and then let it out slowly through my mouth. Must draw in my inner Alycia and rock this. Deciding to be courageous, I picked up my phone and brought it up and opened the camera and pointed it in the right direction, and got a good angle of me. I put on the best smile I could, snapped the picture, and then looked it over.

  My eyes were a bit brighter green today, and my smile looked convincing enough. My pale blue hair was piled up on top of my head in a messy bun. My skin was just slightly pale but with just a hint of a tan. From the angle of the picture, you could even see a glimpse of my cleavage from my tank top. Smirking at that, I sent the picture.