“Sure we do.” She shrugged. “We were just joking around.”
“I thought you must be. After I saw you with Oliver the other day, I assumed the two of you were dating.” Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Not that it’s any of my business.”
“Oh, Oliver, huh?” Jennifer grinned as she looked at me. “Now I know.”
“Never mind!” I groaned. “Just drop it.”
“As for you, Jennifer…” Aaron settled his gaze on her. “One more crazy stunt like that and I’ll be forced to ask you not to come back.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Jennifer rolled her eyes. “It seems like anything and anyone associated with Oak Brook wants nothing to do with me.”
“You’re the one that broke the rules.” He narrowed his eyes. “It’s not safe for you or the horse. All I ask from my students is respect for themselves and respect for the animals. Are you going to be able to provide that?”
“I’ll do my best.” She nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Good.” He glanced up at the sky, then looked back at us. “Don’t stay out too long, that sun is brutal today.” He climbed back onto his horse, then nodded toward us. “Have fun.”
“Have fun.” Jennifer gave me a light shove as Aaron rode off. “Oh my gosh, that was crazy wasn’t it?”
“Crazy doesn’t begin to cover it.” I leaned back against a tree and closed my eyes. “Could you imagine if he found out the truth? It doesn’t matter now anyway. I don’t have a crush on him anymore.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “You’ve had a crush on him since we both started at Oak Brook Academy.
“I know.” I shrugged. “It was always just for fun and now it’s just not fun anymore.”
“Because of Oliver?”
“Because I’m growing up.” I crossed my arms. “Because none of it is real anyway.”
“What isn’t real?”
“Love.” I shrugged. “I guess.”
“Oh, Maby, someone has really done something to hurt you, huh?” She took my hand in hers and sighed. “I really thought you might get out of high school unscathed.”
“I guess not.” I blinked my eyes as tears started to form. “Maby, I really have missed you so much. You have no idea how many times I wanted to talk to you—needed to talk to you.”
“It was the same for me.” She smiled some. “At least now I know that you don’t hate me. That makes me feel a lot better.”
“I could never hate you.” I squeezed her hand. “Never.”
“I’m here now. Why don’t you talk to me?” She led me over to a soft patch of grass. “Let’s hash it all out. Let’s get to the bottom of it.”
“I’m not sure that I can even think about it anymore.” I pressed my hand against my chest. “It hurts so much.”
“That pain is something that’s not going to go away.”
“That is not helpful.” I groaned.
“I know, I’m sorry.” She sat down beside me. “But it’s the truth. You know I won’t lie to you, Maby. When I left Oak Brook, it hurt, a lot. I thought maybe he would make an effort to see me, to check on me at least, but he didn’t. Not a word.”
“Oh, Jenny, I’m sorry.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “I can’t believe that you had to go through all this alone.”
“To be honest, I wasn’t exactly alone. I relied a lot on our talks to help me get through it. All the advice that you’ve given me over the years. Of course, it hurt to think of you too.” She pushed her hair back from her face and sighed. “It’s been rough. I can’t deny that. But coming back here—seeing you again—it’s given me back a bit of hope.”
“I’m glad.” I smiled. “I’m so happy that you’re coming back.”
“Well, I’m not back yet. But my parents sure are trying. They want me to have the best education and that means Oak Brook Academy.” She ran her fingertips through the grass. “Right now, I’m here. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? But while I’m here, I want to know—what can I do to bring back that spark in your eye?”
“What spark?”
“The spark I saw the moment that Aaron said the name Oliver.”
“Ugh.” I closed my eyes. “That’s over. It’s too late to do anything about it now.”
“The way your voice shakes when you say that makes me think that it’s not over. Not even close. How long have you two been dating?”
“Not at all. You know my rule.”
“Seriously?” She leaned her shoulder against mine. “I think you’re going to have to give up on that rule, hon, because you’ve got it bad for this Oliver.”
“No—no, I don’t.” I straightened my shoulders. “It was a mistake. One I don’t intend to make again.”
“If he made you that happy, then are you sure it was a mistake?”
“I can’t risk it, Jen, you know that.”
“All I know is that when I left here, you had zero interest in romance. Now that I’m back, you’re denying yourself something that is probably the most magical experience you’ll ever have.” She rocked back on her heels. “Sure, we both had a lot of plans, but the one thing you can count on in life is that those plans will change. Mine had to and now maybe yours need to change too.”
“That’s exactly what shouldn’t happen.” I met her eyes as my muscles tensed. “I’m not going to let it happen. I’m going to stay in control. Soon enough, he’ll go back to England and his ex and all of this will just be something that almost happened to me.”
“Oh, honey.” She slung her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “It’s already happening. The only question is, are you going to hide from it or are you going to explore it?”
“Hide.” I smiled as I glanced over at her. “Absolutely, one hundred percent hide.”
“We’ll see.” She raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t believe me?”
“I know you a little better than you think. I’ve never seen you back down from a challenge. Hiding just isn’t your way of handling things.” She straightened up and crossed her arms. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Maybe it isn’t usually.” I slid my hands into my pockets and let out a long breath. “But this time is different.”
“I know it is.” She lowered her voice as she leaned close to me. “This time you’re scared.”
“I’m not.” I narrowed my eyes.
“Then why are you hiding your hands?” She smirked. “Maybe because they’re shaking?”
“Jenny, you of all people should understand.” I frowned. “No matter what I’m feeling, I’ve got to stay in control.”
“I understand that no matter how much you want to be in control, sometimes you just don’t have it.” She shrugged. “You may not understand this, Maby, but I don’t regret what happened. Do I wish the circumstances had been different? Sure. But the things that happen in life are just that—things that happen. When you make a mistake, most of the time the world doesn’t come to an end. Buildings don’t collapse, the sky doesn’t fall.” She placed her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. “But the regret of the missed opportunity? The risk that you were too scared to take? That can haunt you.”
“Jenny.” I sighed as I turned away from her.
“I know, I know. I’m probably the last one that you want to take advice from.”
“That’s not true.” I looked back at her. “Jenny, you’re the only one I’ve wanted to talk to. I just don’t know if this is a risk I can take.”
Chapter 31
“That’s something only you can decide.” Jennifer looked down the trail back toward the stables. “We really should get back. I managed to get a few hours free from my mother’s supervision, but it’s going to expire soon. I don’t want to disrupt her good will.” She frowned as she untied the reins of her horse.
“When are you coming back to Oak Brook?” I untied my horse’s reins as well.
“I’m not sure yet. It’s not definite.” She climbed onto her horse. “It’s a bit of a
battle to get back in. Sometimes I think it isn’t worth it.”
“It is.” I climbed onto Goldie and guided her along beside Jennifer’s horse. “It absolutely is, Jenny. I can’t wait to have you back. I’m so sorry it took us this long to reconnect.”
“It’s no one’s fault.” She offered a sad smile. “I’m glad we’re together again too.”
“Anything I can do to help get you back into Oak Brook, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Maby. I appreciate that.”
I left the stables with my thoughts swirling through my mind. Not only was it amazing to see Jennifer again, but her advice had taken root inside of me.
When I arrived at Oak Brook, I felt Jennifer’s absence as I walked through the gate. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to feel it much longer. My stomach twisted into a knot as I realized that there would be another absence that I’d be feeling soon. Would it be as heartbreaking?
I looked up just in time to see Oliver walking through the courtyard in my direction.
I froze at the sight of him. Distracted by Jennifer’s presence, I’d forgotten to prepare myself for the possibility of running into Oliver. I needed to have my guard up, but I didn’t.
It was too late. His eyes had already locked to mine. As he took each step toward me, I tried to will my feet to move in any direction that was away from him.
But when he paused in front of me, I still stood in the same spot.
“Maby.” He tipped his head to the side. “I was beginning to wonder if you were still around.”
“I’m here.”
“I see that.” He swept his gaze over me, then settled it on my eyes again. “Avoiding me then, I guess?”
“It seems like the right thing to do.” I pushed my hair back over my shoulders, determined not to show the chaos that he inspired in me.
“How can it be right?” He squinted at me. “I don’t think you believe that.”
“How’s Shauna?” I raised an eyebrow.
“She went back to England.” He frowned as he glanced briefly away. “After I made it clear to her that things between us were over.”
“You did?” My throat grew dry.
“Yes.” His jaw tensed.
“That must have been hard for you.” I noticed the strain in his eyes and the faint waver in his voice as he spoke.
“I never wanted to hurt her.”
“Even after what she did to you?”
“Even after that.” He shook his head. “She’s not the one I’m angry with.”
I bit into my bottom lip and looked down at the cobblestones between us.
“I should get to my dorm room.” I started to step around him.
“Maby.” His palm passed across my stomach as I moved past him. “Can’t we talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I turned back to face him. “Is there?”
“I think so, yes.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and narrowed his eyes. “Why are you still resisting this when I’ve shown you that I’m serious about what’s between us?”
“Just because you want something to happen, that doesn’t mean that I have to give in to it.” I crossed my arms. “You don’t get to dictate my emotions.”
“I’m a dictator now?” He quirked an eyebrow as a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Is that what you think of me?”
“I think you keep pushing something that we’ve both agreed is not going to happen.”
“I never agreed to that.” His smile faded and was replaced by a stern glare. “I would never agree to that. All I’m asking is that you and I hash things out. Is that such a crazy idea? Like you said, I’m going back to England. It’s what you want. But I’d like to leave with you as my friend.”
“Friend?”
“You won’t let me be anything else. You’ve made that very clear. But do we have to be enemies?” He took my hand. “I don’t want it to be like that.”
“Me either.” I nodded as I studied him. “I’d like to be your friend.”
“Maybe I pushed things too much.” He held my hand a moment longer, then released it. “I want you to know that you can trust me. If you don’t want to be with me, that’s fine, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’d like to get to know you better and maybe we can keep in touch.”
“I’d like that.” I felt some relief and also some disappointment as he smiled.
“Friends?” He met my eyes.
“Friends.” I smiled in return.
“I hope that means that you don’t have to avoid me anymore.” He offered me his arm. “Why don’t you join me for lunch?”
“Sure.” I ignored the racing of my heartbeat as I wrapped my arm around his. “I’m starving.”
“Me too.” He grinned, then led me in the direction of the cafeteria.
I did my best to ignore the desire to pull him closer, to rest my head against his chest again. Luckily, I was so excited to tell my friends about seeing Jennifer that I managed to be distracted enough not to grab him by the collar and plant a kiss on him.
When we stepped into the cafeteria, Candy spotted us right away. I braced myself. Was she still angry with me?
“Over here!” She waved to us. “Hurry before all the cookies are gone.”
“Cookies?” I sat down across from her.
“I made cookies.” She smiled proudly. “I’ve decided that I’m going to be a chef.”
“A chef?” I smiled. Candy tried out different future careers just about every week.
“Sure. But I’m not sure if I like baking or cooking more. So, I made the cookies today and tomorrow I’ll whip up something else—to see which I like better.”
“Isn’t it possible to do both?” Oliver sat down beside me and picked up one of the cookies.
“Oh, great idea!” Candy smiled.
“If anyone can do it, you can.” I picked up a cookie as well.
“I hope you like them.” Candy leaned across the table and spoke softly to me. “I’m sorry about the other day. You know that, right?”
“I’m sorry too.” I took a bite of the cookie. “Wow, this is delicious!”
“Thanks.” She shrugged. “It’s one of my grandmother’s old recipes.”
“It’s great. You should definitely keep it in the mix.”
“I will.” She looked into my eyes. “I’m glad to see you two together. I think it’s sweet.”
“We’re not together.” I glanced at Oliver.
“Just friends.” Oliver held up his hands.
“Ah, Maby’s rules do still rule, huh?” Candy smiled. “You’ve got more self-control than me, that’s for sure.”
I squeezed my hands together underneath the table. If only that were true, I might not have had such a hard time focusing on anything other than Oliver sitting beside me.
“Guess who I saw today?”
“Who?” She leaned close.
“Jenny.” The moment I said her name, a smile settled on my lips.
“Seriously?” Candy’s eyes widened. “How is she? How’s the baby?”
“She’s okay. She’s trying to come back to Oak Brook. Won’t that be great?”
“Great.” Candy frowned. “But do you really think they’ll let her? You know how things are around here.”
“I’m going to do everything I can to make sure they will.”
“I might be able to help you out with that.” Oliver glanced over at me. “Sorry for listening in, but I do have an in with the school board here. That’s how I was able to just show up out of the blue. I should say that my dad has an in.”
“You would do that?” I met his eyes. “You would help me?”
“I’d do anything to help you.”
Chapter 32
His words rippled through me, tickling my already sensitive nerves. As I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t doubt that they were true.
“I’ll make some calls later today.” He stood up from the table. “I’ll grab us some food before it’s gone.”
“I’d do anything.” Candy swooned as she repeated Oliver’s words and batted her eyes. “Oh, girl, he has it bad for you.”
“I don’t know about that.” I frowned.
“What part do you doubt? The part where he sent his ex-girlfriend back to England or the part where he wants to be your friend even though you know he wants to be a lot more than that?” She plucked a fry from her plate, then popped it into her mouth.
“He just broke up with someone. I don’t think it’s even possible for him to be ready for someone new. He may think he is, but that’s just the rebound talking.” I stole one of her fries.
“And if it’s not?” She frowned. “What if it’s real?”
“How am I supposed to know?”
“Close your eyes.” She dusted the salt from her hands then took a sip of her water.
“What?” I stared at her.
“I can help you figure it out. But you have to close your eyes.” She looked over at the lunch line. “Hurry, before he comes back.”
“Fine.” I sighed, then closed my eyes.
“Now, I want you to imagine yourself all alone on an island.”
“This is silly.”
“It’s not silly. Just imagine it.” She gave my foot a nudge under the table.
“Okay. I’m all alone on an island.” I envisioned a beautiful beach stretched out before me, edged with clear blue water. As I sunk my toes into the sand, I decided I might just want to stay there. “Now what?”
“Now, I want you to imagine someone walking up to you. The person is so far away, you can’t really tell who it is.”
“Okay.” I frowned as I imagined a faint figure in the distance.
“As the person gets closer, you can see that it’s Oliver.”
Instantly my heartbeat quickened. I bit into my bottom lip.
“He’s almost to you now. He’s reaching his hand out to you. He’s saying something that you can’t quite hear.”
Despite the noise of the cafeteria, I was only aware of Oliver’s soft voice. I couldn’t quite make out what he said, but just the sound of his words left me eager to hear more.
“Now he’s gone.” Candy snapped her fingers. “He’s completely vanished.”
Worth the Wait: A Young Adult Sweet Romance (Oak Brook Academy Book 4) Page 13