The Price of Power (The Price of Secrets Series Book 2) by Ashley Drake Page B

just make a new one. I do need to start saving for college.”
        “Very funny.” She tried to look blasé, but I could see the humor twinkling in her eyes.
        “Did you find a necklace to put it on?”
        “I asked my mom if she had anything that belonged to her or my grandmother that I could have and she gave me this.” She pulled out a gold necklace from her purse. “Along with a speech about how it had belonged to my grandmother and that it is real gold and that she hopes I’m old enough to take care of it and appreciate that it’s a family heirloom and blah blah blah. Do you think it will be good enough?”
        “I think it’s perfect. Put it on.”
        Jaycee unfastened the clasp and slipped the metal hoop that was on the top of the crystal onto the necklace. She then pulled her hair to one side as I clipped it into place.
        “It looks beautiful on you. How does it feel?”
        She looked at herself in my bedroom mirror for a moment before answering. “Right. It feels right.”
        “Then it is.”
        “You make it sound simple.”
        “It is. I have learned something during all this mess- go with your gut. That first gut reaction is usually right.” That was a perfect segue. “Speaking of going with your gut, are you really thinking about having sex with Mike?”
        She threw herself back onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. “I should have kept my mouth shut about that. But no, I open my mouth and my foot just flies up in it.” I decided not to say anything, I just waited her out. She finally turned her head to look at me. “I kinda am. Does that make me a bad person?”
        “Hello! It makes you human.” I could feel that she was struggling with this and deep down I felt guilty because I was glad that I’m not the only one. “I think about it too...ya know...some times.”
        That got a wicked grin out of her. “Not you, not Miss Perfect?!”
        “Stop it. I’m not perfect, never said I was.”
        “I think you’re pretty close to it.” There was no trace of humor or mocking in her voice. “You are the most responsible, level headed, mature sixteen year old I know. You have always been that way since kindergarten. It matters to me what you think. It matters what you think of me.”
        “My dad, the shrink in him, would say it’s because I’m the only child, but thanks anyway. I think you’re great by the way. Why else would I allow you to be my best friend?”
        “Barf. There went my foot again and now you have a big head. I shouldn’t have given you a compliment.” She took the pillow out from under her and attacked me with it.
        “I give up! I take it back!” I plead after about the fourth time she hit me. I sat up with my hair all messed up, thanks to her. “Seriously though, I’m not your mother so I’m just gonna say make sure you are really, really, really ready for sex before you do it. It can mess you up if you’re not.”
        “I know, stop worrying. Besides, the way I have been keeping things from Mike, I might not have a boyfriend TO have sex with.” She absently rubbed the crystal hanging at her neck and I felt the magic inside of her thump like a pulse of a heartbeat. It stopped as soon as she let go. I’m trusting in the Indian at the shop to know what he was doing by giving it to Jaycee.
        “Don’t be a drama queen.”
        “You’re right.” She looked at herself in the mirror again. “Who would break up with this?” I grabbed the pillow. “Hey, watch the hair!” Jaycee screamed.
     
                         
     
        “Are you ready for this afternoon?” Daniel came up behind me and whispered in my ear. My legs and arms turned felt rubbery. I told myself that it was only because he startled me, but I knew the true reason was because having his breath so close to my neck had me all but purring. For a