Chapter 65 The Tarnished Ring

Chapter 65 The Tarnished Ring
Shayne was laughing hysterically as she watched the four guys bounce from couch to couch in the furniture store. The sales man looked exasperated as the guys flipped, flopped and basically laid all over each of the sofas looking for what they swore was the most comfortable fit.

Shayne walked around running her hand over the fabric and squishing the back cushions until she had narrowed down her top three choices. Brian insisted that the movie club as he called himself, Kevin, Brian and Jeffrey test the couches properly with a cuddle test. He sat in the middle while Kevin flopped onto the cushion and leaned against him. He had Jeffrey sit on the other end and Shayne lay down with her head in Jeffrey’s lap and her feet in Kevin’s. Jamie just stomped around the couch and scowled.

The four of them sank down into the cushions perfectly of a leather sofa that looked suspiciously like the one that had been in the future. Shayne called over the salesman who discussed color option with her while the guys insisted she remain splattered out over their laps. Shayne chose a cream colored version and followed the salesman to place the order.

While the guys were waiting, Jeffrey and Kevin began running and jumping into recliners. Shayne came back to find Kevin laying sideways across one with his head hanging off one side and his feet of the other. Brian was in a similar one that was just a different color laying flat like he was about to take a nap. The third color option held Jeffrey who has his feet up and was rocking an imaginary baby back and forth. Jamie was no where to be seen.

“What are you doing?” Shayne laughed.

“I’m choosing my chair that you are supposed to hate but sit in when I’m not looking.” Jeffrey said like it was the most normal thing in the world.

She raised an eyebrow to him but said nothing. It felt incredible to know he was already thinking of their life long term and seeing him rock the imaginary baby had touched her heart. But she couldn’t stop focusing on the vision or the sorceress’s cryptic warning.

Jeffrey jumped out of his chair and asked her to sit in it. She sat down and felt herself let out a soft sigh. It was certainly comfortable. Jeffrey had her wiggle around in it and finally sit across his lap as he pretended to watch a football game.

“I think I like it,” He declared as he motioned for the salesman. “I’ll take two, in the color of the sofa.” Jeffrey disappeared with the sales man.

A wave of sadness crashed over Shayne forcing her from her feet. She sat down hard on the closest couch as she tried to control her breathing. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Every recliner in the store suddenly had the footboard pop and they all swing open.

Kevin and Brian were beside her in a flash. “Easy Shayne, reign it in!” Brian hissed under his breath as he took her hand and began to rub it.

Shayne whirled her head to look at him. Her mouth fell open and her brain tried to process. “Yes, I know what you are capable of.” Brian answered her unasked question.

“Who told you?” She asked terrified that her secret was out.

“Jeffrey explained it but I was already figuring it out.” Brian explained. “I am super pissed at you for not telling me yourself or at least about the baby. I have been feeding you popcorn for weeks when I should have been giving you more healthy options for Bean.”

“I’m so sorry Brian. I have just been so busy trying to understand everything myself, I didn’t know what I could say without making you think I was insane.” Shayne said guiltily. She didn’t want him to think she didn’t appreciate him.

He squeezed her hand. “I know I wasn’t nice to you when we were kids but since summer started I feel like we have become friends. In truth, I have a feeling you know things about me that no one else does.” Brian looked away and Shayne squeezed his hand back.

“I love you too, Brian.” Shayne said and saw him nod out of the corner of her eye. She knew he understood she was telling his that she trusted him completely and that she would keep his council close to her chest.

“What about me?” Kevin demanded and folded his hands over his chest in a fake pout.
Shayne shook her head and chuckled. “You know I love you too.”

“Good, then you have no reason not to tell me what is bothering you.” Kevin said insistently.

Shayne took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She shook her head. “I can’t talk about it yet.” Her heart was on the edge of breaking.

“So you did have a vision?” Brian remarked.

Shayne nodded her head. “I don’t necessary understand what I saw so I want to keep it quiet for now,” Shayne said. She didn’t know how to begin to tell them that someone she loved would have to die.

Jeffrey appeared beside her and elbowed Brian and Kevin out of the way. “Are you okay?” he asked as he sat down to face her. “I could feel your sadness.”

Shayne looked at Kevin in a panic. She had no idea what she should say. She couldn’t very well tell him she had inadvertently traded his life for the child’s.

“I had to break the news to her that this couch doesn’t come in hot purple!” Brian said coming to her rescue and breaking the building tension in the room.

“Thank you,” Shayne mouthed over Jeffrey’s shoulder to him.

Jamie suddenly reappeared looking like the groups existence annoyed him. “Can we go?” he said though clinched teeth.

Shayne motioned to the door as they all began to head outside. As they were leaving the store Shayne did her best to isolate the movie club and asked if anyone felt like grabbing a bite to eat on the way home. Jeffrey agrees happily and almost reminded her of a puppy wagging it’s tail. She felt a bit sad when

Kevin and Brian mentioned they had plans.