Battle of the Roses [Book 2]

Chapter 13

So after telling my friend what was going to happen in this chapter, I wanted to write it so here you go :)

Chapter Quote:
"Ansel, I'm not the sun, stop orbiting and get in here."
~Calla Tor, Nightshade
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Chapter 13

Caleb 

Neither Lily nor I missed the change in Spencer.  He seemed happier.  He seemed like he wasn't carrying this weight on his shoulders anymore.  He seemed to be acting more like himself.  I wondered what it was that had changed him.  Maybe dance was giving him something else to focus on, or maybe it was the scenery.  Regardless, I was thankful for what was causing this change in him.  I wanted to see him happy again.

"What are you doing?" Lily asked, sitting next to me on the couch.

"Reading some emails the Searchers sent me.  They're tracking down where all known Hunters and their kids and acquaintances are to see if they can figure out who it was that attacked us.  So far they haven't found anyone in Estes but that could change.  What are you doing?"

"I'm bored.  I want to go into town, but Spencer is gone and you are adamant that you won't go into town."

"I'm just worried that we'd run into someone I know or who used to know me.  It's a small town, Lil," I said.

"You've been gone for six years and you were a shrimp of a kid back then.  Pretty sure no one is going to suspect that you've grown into this six-foot-two guy who can break a leg with one kick."

"It's not one kick.  It's two," I corrected. "And I was not a shrimp of a kid!"

"Whatever.  And yes you were.  My point is that no one is going to recognize you.  Please?" Lily begged, resting her head on my shoulder.

I groaned. "Fine, but I'm wearing a hat and you can't stop me."

"But why do you want to hide your fabulous hair?"

"Because people recognize me by it.  I'll meet you in the car." I ran and grabbed my baseball cap from my room.  When I came back down, I saw Lily had the car waiting outside.  I hopped in and she left skid marks going down the driveway.  I'd seriously underestimated how stir-crazy she was going in that house.  We pulled into the community parking lot.  It was free for everyone.  Trick was finding a spot.  Thankfully most of the tourists were leaving town so today it was easy.  The two of us got out of the car and went to a local coffee shop.  I used to go there when I still lived here.  Hopefully no one would recognize me.  I grabbed a table near the window so I could watch the people that passed by while Lily ordered our drinks.

"One coffee with milk and lots of sugar," Lily said, placing my drink in front of me. "And one pumpkin spice latte for me."

"And nothing for me," Spencer piped up.  It was a good thing I wasn't holding my coffee or else I would've spilled it.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, clapping my friend on the back.

"Killing time until my lesson.  It got postponed for an hour," he replied, sitting down.

"Where's Elsa?"

"With Thea and Riley.  Any news?"

"No, not yet.  We've hit a dead end.  I don't know what to do now," I said, rubbing a hand through my hair.

"We're not giving up just because we hit a dead end," Lily said.

"I never said that."

"But you sound defeated.  Don't worry, we'll get a break in the case sooner or later.  The Hunters will make a mistake at some point and we'll be there to track it and them."