The Barrier Between (Collector Series # 2) by Stacey Marie Brown Page A

tempered.
“You’re leaving me behind again, aren’t you?”
    “Yeah.”
    Sprig tilted his head and shrugged. “For honey mango
chips I will agree.” He sighed heavily. He straightened up, eyes
growing wide again. “Oh, Senorita Rosa... I wonder if she will find
out whose baby she’s carrying.” He bounded off the counter and ran
to the TV, stabbing at the buttons.
    I clicked it on for him. Instead of the soap opera, I
found a reality show, which was as good. He climbed on the bed, Pam
in hand, and settled onto a pillow. I grabbed a honey bear full of
sweet liquid, grasped the stash of mango chips I bought at the
store, and handed it to him. He was already in his happy place by
the time I finished dressing.
    Uncomfortably, I tugged at my skirt. Was it this
short when I got it? It was an impulse buy. One I was
regretting. My nerves rattled around, clenching at my chest. Why
was I edgy? It was simply a drink. We’d shared plenty of them
before. And it was only a skirt. My shorts and cargo pants are
dirty. This is only thing I have clean , I rationalized. Not
like I’m dressing for a date or anything. But with my violet
hair, cute A-line, cotton, flared skirt, and tight tank, I felt as
if I were wearing a neon sign, like I was trying to impress
Ryker. Before I overthought anything and changed my outfit, I
proceeded to the door.
    “We’ll be back later.” I rubbed Sprig’s head on the
way out. He grunted and shoved another chip in his mouth as I
closed the door.
    My nerves doubled the closer I got to the bar.
Participants in the parade were starting to gather at the end of
the lane. Music swayed down to me as the dancers practiced their
routines. Excitement ran like a current through the people. Kids
ran around squealing with delight, waiting for the festivities to
begin.
    It only intensified my knotting gut. “Relax, Zoey.
Simply a drink. No big deal,” I muttered to myself. What would he
think of my hair? Would he think I wore the skirt for him? Did
I?
    Holy shit! I need a drink .
    Inhaling a huge slug of air, I took a step into the
bar.
    It was packed. Tourists and locals mixed with each
other, cheering and singing to the jukebox tunes. People were ready
to let loose and have a good time. The excitement and happiness in
the air was tangible. I could feel it move across my skin. The
parade moved past the bar, and everyone cheered in anticipation of
the more “adult” festivities later.
    Ryker was easy to spot sitting at the bar. Even with
all the other tourists, he stood out. Girls stood behind him in a
group, giggling and trying to catch his notice. If he wanted to go
invisible, he pretty much could, but he obviously didn’t care
tonight.
    I nibbled at my lip as I made my way over to him.
Sensing my approach, he swiveled around in his chair. His mouth
dropped open and his eyes grew wide.
    “Hey.” I pushed through the throng of girls and
wiggled in next to him. Several of the girls said something in
German and frowned in my direction.
    “What the hell did you do?”
    My hand grabbed at the ends of my hair. “What? You
don’t like it?”
    He adjusted in his seat, really taking me in. “I
didn’t say that.”
    “Arlo was right. With my brown hair no fae would ever
take me for Amara.”
    “Why would you want to be mistaken for Amara?”
    I turned to the bar, searching for the man who stood
between me and the alcohol.
    Ryker stood up, motioning me to sit. He leaned over,
mumbling something in the man’s ear next to him. The man got up and
walked away. Ryker sat in his vacated chair.
    “That was wrong.” I scowled.
    “Out of all the things we’ve both done, that is what
you think is wrong?”
    I smiled and plopped on the barstool. “No. Not
really.”
    “What I thought.” His eyes grazed over me again. “You
didn’t answer my question.”
    He motioned to the bartender. I recognized him as the
man who ran out of the bar the day we arrived, the owner, Tulio. He
reacted instantly to Ryker’s