Out of the Lamp

Chapter 12: Returned

Alia

Before we even manage to set off to the promised lands of deep fried freebie delights, my phone vibrates in the back pocket of my jeans.

A hand immediately dips into said pocket and I squeal. 'JASON!' while jumping almost three feet into the air.

He gives my butt cheek a squeeze before taking his hand out, phone too. I snatch it off him with a scowl and slide the bar across to answer the call.

'Alia?'

'Well duh, who else did you expect.' The questioning tone to Cupid's voice grates my already worn thin, nerves.

He breathes in sharply and kisses his teeth at me. 'Listen, girly, I'm just here trying to give you a heads up.'

'Heads up?' I repeat.

'Expect a lot of drama, and quick. I'd get that pert booty of yours home as soon as sweet cheeks-' Gag. '-And call your dad back too, he'll want to be there for this.' Cupid inhales deeply and sighs. Uncharacteristically serious and somber for once. 'Lord knows the man's had enough heartbreak to last a lifetime or two.' He mumbles, almost inaudible to my ear.

Mathew watches my face with, bless him, genuine concern. While Jason kicks the ground aimlessly, closing and opening his palm like he can still feel my butt cheek pressed against it or something. Yuck. A small grin on his face.

'Ok, you sound really wannabe mysterious right now, and I don't appreciate. Spill it nappy-bottom.' I turn my back to the boys and keep my voice low.

Cupid tsks at the calling. 'You're never pleased, are you Alia? Even when I'm trying to do you a favour.' He actually sounds offended.

A twinge of something akin to guilt starts to rise up. Hell. No. back down with you, emotion.

'Well excuse me for not expecting or believing the genuineness behind any gesture from the diaper-rash brat that sold me out to freaking Daemon! Using illegal class A Sin night I add.' I snap at him, ferocious and unmerciful, and not even warmed up if I'm honest.

He sighs again into the phone, the sound caressing my ears in that way love-gods do. I shake off the shiver it threatens to bring on. 'Won't you ever forgive me for that?'

I snort, loudly. 'When hell freezes over.'

'Whatever, but I've done what I can, so heed my advice and get that fine ass home, hotness.'

With that, he clicks off and the line goes dead. How did he even get my number? I barred his personal mobile from my phone last year and since then, I changed my number, twice. Because of him. He has this knack for stealing information and getting his way. It's all that damn charisma people keep telling me he has. Psshht. Charmisa my ass.

Turning back to the boys, my brows furrow at the sweet kind face Mathew peers at me with. 'Everything ok?' He asks.

I shake my head no. 'I've...got to go home, some family emergency.' I shrug my shoulders and sigh. I'd actually been looking forward to this all day, and the pizza. Jason included, since I'd worked hard to force myself that it didn't matter if he was there.

Jason throws his hands up into the air and walks around in a small circle. 'I cannot believe this. You last-minute flop!' He rolls his eyes at me and fumes.

I give him a "what the frick" look and ignore his little outburst, choosing to focus on Mathew instead. 'I'll make it up to you tomorrow?'

His hand finds my upper arm and gives it a friendly squeeze. Again, with the friendly squeeze thing. 'No worries, I just hope everything's ok, so get home you.'