A Young Adult Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  “Thank you.” Allison closed her eyes. “I’m tired. You can tell Mom and Dad to come back in now.”

  “You banished them?”

  “Yeah. They’re in the kitchen. I wanted to talk to you alone.”

  Trudy chuckled. “Okay. I’ll tell them.”

  Chapter 25

  Lane didn’t see Trudy in calculus class, but it was almost a relief. She had been like the walking dead. She needed to be with her family at a time like this. He hid his phone in his lap and texted her.

  I hope you’re doing okay.

  When no answer came, he slid his phone back into his backpack. He checked for a text back during his next two classes, but still no answer. It was okay. She was probably with Allison, right where she needed to be.

  After school got out, he debated if he should go to Trudy’s house but decided they were having a family moment, and that shouldn’t be interrupted by him, so he went home. He texted her again after dinner and he still hadn’t heard anything.

  Thinking of you. Call me later, okay?

  No response.

  Lane strapped on his running shoes and went out for a jog. He was too anxious just sitting at home, waiting for news. Of course, Trudy was dealing with a lot right now, so he didn’t expect her to be waiting by her phone for him. He just needed to give her some space as she dealt with this.

  He jogged around the neighborhood, past the park, and down by the business district before he slowed. His phone played an Avril Lavigne song as he walked off the breathlessness. He kept waiting for his phone to ring, or an incoming text to sound, but his line was oddly silent.

  An unease settled in his gut and he pressed the button to call Trudy. He knew he should be patient, but she’d been in a bad place before. He didn’t want her to get to that point again. Her phone rang until voicemail picked up. “Hey, Trudy, I just thought I’d check in with you. I’m worried about you. Call me when you get a chance, okay?”

  He hung up and stretched his legs before he started toward his home. His apprehension grew as the seconds ticked by with no response from Trudy. When he walked in his front door, his mother stopped him. She drew him into a hug.

  “I just heard from Trudy’s mother. She said Allison passed away about an hour ago.”

  Lane’s heart ached for Trudy. “I figured it would happen soon.”

  His mother sniffed and brought a tissue out of her pocket. “She said Trudy has asked that you not call or text her.”

  Alarm shot through him. “What? Why?”

  His mother shook her head. “I don’t know, honey. We all deal with grief in different ways. She might just need this time to herself.”

  His unease grew, but he nodded. “All right.”

  “I’m sure she will call you when she’s ready to talk.”

  “What about Homecoming? It’s tomorrow.”

  His mother frowned. “She just lost her sister. Give her some time.”

  Lane ran his hand over the back of his neck. Something felt off about this. Trudy would have wanted him there to comfort her, he was sure of it. But maybe she was in shock and not thinking clearly. “Okay.”

  His mom patted his shoulder. “You’re a good young man. I’m sure she’ll be contacting you soon, when she’s dealt with some of her grief.”

  He nodded and went into his room to change and shower, his mind reeling. Trudy’s sister had died. And she didn’t want to talk to him? His gut told him something was wrong, but he loved her enough to respect her wishes. He turned his phone off and set it on the charger. Maybe tomorrow she’d call and they could talk it out.

  Chapter 26

  Trudy hugged her pillow as she listened to Pentatonix belt out harmonies in her earbuds. She hadn’t felt like eating breakfast, and her mother wasn’t pushing getting dressed either. So, still in her pajamas, Trudy sat cross-legged on her bed and tried to drown out the dark mood covering her body like a greasy film.

  Her sister was gone. Her parents were in the other room talking funeral plans. And she was left to sit alone and think about what Lane had done.

  Disgust and anger bubbled up inside her as she remembered all of the things he’d said to her. The things she’d thought they had shared. And it was all a lie. She wanted to punch him.

  No.

  She wanted to forget him. To bury her feelings for him so deep, the pain would go away. She wanted to erase him from her mind, and from her life.

  But she had no idea how to do that. He’d crawled up into her brain and was taking up residence there. She’d allowed him in, and now couldn’t kick him out. Her body ached for him, and she hated it.

  A text came in from Jessica.

  How are you doing?

  I’m okay.

  I heard about your sister. I’m sorry.

  Trudy wiped at her nose with a tissue. She’d cried her last tears yesterday. Now all that was left was the empty hole inside her.

  Thanks.

  I saw Lane this morning before school. I wanted to kick him in the nards.

  Despite her somber mood, Trudy chuckled at the mental image.

  I would pay good money to see that.

  Yeah, well, he deserves to suffer. I can’t believe what he did to you.

  Trudy sighed and looked out her window. The leaves were starting to turn orange and red. She didn’t want to think about Lane anymore. She was so done with him.

  I just want to forget about it all.

  I understand. But if my foot connects with his family jewels, just know that I didn’t do it for you, I did it for all females.

  I can’t argue with that logic.

  Her mother opened the door and came into her room. Trudy took her earbuds out so she could hear.

  “You talking with Lane?”

  Irritation rose in her. “No. I told you, I don’t want to talk to him.”

  Her mother sat on the end of her bed. “I know you’re dealing with a lot right now…”

  “Geesh, Mom. It’s not that. He lied to me, okay? We’re not friends anymore. The end.” She really didn’t want to explain the whole awful truth, so she held her breath, hoping her mother would let it go.

  “Oh.” Her eyebrows rose. “I see.” She seemed to think about the situation for a few moments. “Does he know this?”

  Trudy picked at her bedspread and chose her words carefully. “He obviously knows he lied. He just doesn’t know I know about it yet.”

  Her mother seemed to be choosing her words carefully as well. “Don’t you think you should talk it out with him?”

  That was the last thing she wanted to do. In fact, she’d rather eat her toenail clippings than talk to Lane. But how was she supposed to portray that to her mother? All she had was a lame, “I don’t want to talk to him.”

  “You’ll have to say something soon. Tonight’s the Homecoming dance.”

  Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Homecoming. She’d forgotten about it with everything going on. She put on her best pained face. “Can’t you call his mom back? Tell her I’m not feeling up to going?”

  Her mother pinched her lips together and Trudy knew what that meant. “No. This is something you need to do on your own.” She patted her knee. “It’s best if you talk to him. Things usually look better on the other side of a conversation.”

  Even if that conversation is: Hey, Lane, I hate your guts. Don’t ever talk to me again? Trudy drew in a breath and let it out. “All right.”

  “It will all work out. I know it.”

  Yeah. She knew how it would work out. She’d tell him off, the gig would be up, and he’d never talk to her again. Maybe she could do it in a text.

  Her mother stood and then leaned down and kissed the top of Trudy’s head. She hadn’t done that in years. “Are you doing okay? Emotionally?”

  What she really was asking was: Are you having suicidal thoughts again? Trudy shrugged off the question. “I’m okay.”

  “Good. I love you, you know.”

  “I know, Mom.” She just hadn’t said it in a wh
ile. Things got weird once her sister got sick. Then her promise to Trudy sprang to her mind. “How are things with you and Dad?”

  “Fine.”

  Trudy didn’t miss the flicker of emotion that shot across her face. Or the fact that she was now wringing her hands.

  “Can we have a family game night soon? Like we used to? I miss those.”

  Her mother smiled. When Trudy was young, they would have family game nights almost once a week. They’d pop popcorn and get out their favorite board games, and it was one of her fondest memories. “Yes. Let’s do. That sounds like a good idea.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Her mother left her bedroom, and she leaned against her pillows, putting her earbuds back in. She turned up the volume so the music could drown out any residual thoughts of Lane that her mother had caused. She really didn’t care at all to talk to him. He could rot in a deep pit for all she cared.

  She messaged Jessica again.

  My mom wants me to talk things out with Lane. Puke.

  You should talk it out…but do it publicly. Really loud. Tell him what a jerk-nard he really is in front of the whole school.

  Yeah. She could get on board with that.

  You’re talking about Homecoming.

  Yes, I am.

  All right. I’m ready.

  Chapter 27

  Lane checked his phone every chance he got throughout the school day. No messages from Trudy, and no missed phone calls. What was going on? He didn’t understand. Yes, she had to be upset about her sister, but why wouldn’t she want to talk to him?

  Finally, after the last period bell rang, he couldn’t stand it anymore. As he walked to his locker, he texted her.

  How are you doing? I know you asked that I not text, but I really need to talk to you.

  He leaned against his locker and waited to see if she’d answer. When the dots appeared telling him she was writing something, his heart jumped.

  I’m fine. I want to talk to you too. Let’s meet at the dance.

  Those words made him want to shout for joy, right there in the hallway. He quickly answered.

  I’m so glad you want to go to the dance still. Yes, I’ll meet you there. I can’t wait to see you.

  He hesitated before typing in the last part. I love you.

  He was mildly surprised when he didn’t get a response back, but he shrugged it off. She had a lot on her mind. He was just glad he was going to see her tonight.

  Jessica shot another spritz of hairspray onto Trudy’s curls. “There. I think you’re ready.”

  Trudy looked in the mirror and almost gasped. “What did you do?”

  Jessica appeared in the mirror behind her. “I made you look good, girl.”

  When she’d said ‘makeover,’ Trudy had thought maybe some lip gloss. She hadn’t expected Jessica to spend an hour on her makeup and hair. And never in her life had she expected to look so amazing in the mirror. “It’s me, but it’s not.”

  “It’s you, rockin’ the smoky eyes. Now, hurry. Let’s go or we’ll miss the whole dance.”

  Jessica was already dressed up, her hair in an up-do, purple ringlets hanging down. Trudy took one last look at the transformation on her face before she nodded. “All right.”

  As they walked down the stairs toward the front door, Trudy’s mother jumped up. “Let me get the camera.”

  “Oh, Mom. No. It’s okay.” Trudy didn’t want to remember this night for the rest of her life. She was hoping to go, tell Lane off, and then leave.

  “But look at you. I have to take a picture. Come on, Jessica. Tell her.”

  Jessica shrugged and followed her mother into the other room. “It’s fine.”

  Trudy felt like a petulant child as she stomped into the living room after them. Her mother made them stand by the lamp and smile. She took several shots with her phone. “There. Now you go have fun.”

  “Okay, Mom.” She didn’t know ‘fun’ wasn’t on the agenda.

  Trudy climbed into Jessica’s car. “You’ll take me home after I do this, right?”

  Jessica bit her lip. “I thought maybe we could stay a bit…you know, dance some?”

  “Jess! I don’t want to stay. I told you that I’d do this only if you let me tell him off and then leave.”

  “Just for a little while? You’re all dressed up.”

  “Because you made me.” Trudy huffed and folded her arms.

  “But you look so good. It would be a shame to waste it.” Jessica put her car into gear and took off toward the school.

  “I hate you right now.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “You’re right. I don’t.” She stared out of the window as the houses and trees sped by. Finally, she sighed. “All right. We can stay a little bit.”

  “I knew you’d say that,” Jessica said in a sing-song voice.

  “But only for a dance or two. And if Lane sticks around, I’m gone. I’ll wait for you outside.”

  “Deal.”

  Dread pooled in Trudy’s stomach as they pulled into the school’s parking lot. She didn’t want to see Lane. Didn’t want to do this at all. She was all about running from her problems. Facing them head-on was not her style.

  But then she saw Gabe walking into the building and all the hurt and anger from the day before surfaced and she slammed Jessica’s car door. “Let’s do this.”

  Jessica hurried to catch up to her as she marched toward the building. “You go, girl. You get mad, and you tell him off.”

  Trudy wore a white cropped cardigan over her dress, and she pulled it closed as the fall air picked up around her. She practically sprinted into the building.

  From down the hallway, she could hear the loud music playing in the gym. Gabe opened the door and the music blared louder before he disappeared inside. The door clicked shut. Jessica shifted. “You ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Trudy started toward the doors.

  The song ended as she entered the gym and a slow song started up. Trudy waited for her eyes to adjust to the low lighting. Before she could spot Lane, he appeared at her side. He wore a suit jacket and his hair was styled, a few strands falling on his forehead. He didn’t look good. He looked fantastic. His eyebrows knit together as her gaze met his. “Trudy.” He said it reverently, almost like a prayer. “You look amazing.”

  He pulled her into a hug before she could speak. The way he smelled, the feel of being in his arms, it brought everything back. Every feeling that had swelled within her. Every skitter of electricity across her skin. Every racing heartbeat. He had made her experience them all.

  And for what? A bet?

  She shoved him back. “Let go of me!” she yelled.

  Lane looked confused. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “You know what’s wrong. How can you not know? After what you did to me?”

  Lane leaned forward and put his hand to his ear. “What? I can’t hear you.”

  Frustration bubbled up inside her. This wasn’t going to work. The music was too loud. She couldn’t tell him off in front of everyone. He wouldn’t have the humiliation she wanted him to experience. No one would know what he had done to her. He would get away with it. Heat rose to her face.

  In desperation, she glanced around the room and her gaze connected with the microphone on the stage. Before she could think about it, she ran toward the front of the gym. Jessica must have seen where she was headed because she yelled, “Do it!”

  Trudy stomped up the steps, her anger growing. He’d manipulated her in the worst way. And now he had to pay for it. She grabbed the microphone, and a loud feedback noise filled the gym. Everyone stopped dancing as the DJ turned down the music.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Trudy said, her voice coming loudly through the speakers. A sudden nervousness shot through her, but she was too angry about what Lane had done to listen to it. She pressed on.

  “This won’t take long. I just wanted to let you all know what a nice, young man Lane Collins is.”
>
  Heads turned around until the group spotted him near the back. His gaze connected with hers, and she could see the question in his eyes.

  “Let’s give a round of applause for him, shall we?”

  No one knew what was going on, but a few people obliged and a polite smattering of applause rose up and then died down. “You see, Gabe made a bet that Lane couldn’t get me to go to Homecoming with him. And being the adventurous type, Lane took that bet and spent the last two weeks bending over backwards, asking me on dates and being quite chivalrous.” More people sent curious glances his way. Lane raised an eyebrow at her.

  “And he thought he’d won that bet because here I am. But guess what, folks? The joke’s on him. Because I knew about the bet all along.” Murmurs rose from the crowd. Trudy put the microphone closer to her lips. “And I’ve been playing along.”

  Trudy spotted Mr. Brown weaving his way through the dance floor to get to the stage, and she knew she had to hurry it up. “But now it’s time to tell Lane Collins that I didn’t come to the dance with him. That’s right. He loses this bet. I came to tell him to go suck rotten eggs, because he’s a cheating, lying snake.” The last word didn’t come through because someone had unplugged the microphone, but it didn’t matter. The dance floor erupted in hoots and hollers.

  Her gaze once again connected with Lane’s. His eyes were shadowed, his posture stiff, and for a split second, she thought she saw a look of hurt flash across his features. Oh, yes. He was the best actor she’d ever known. She even felt sorry for him for a breath in time before she reminded herself what he’d done to her.

  Trudy turned and ran down the steps and out the door. She continued down the hallway, not really knowing where she was going, only that she couldn’t face Lane right now. If she saw him face to face, she wasn’t sure what she’d do.

  She found an open classroom and she rushed inside. The lights were out, but she knew it was the chemistry lab. She plopped down on the floor and leaned against the cabinet doors near the sink. Suddenly all the emotions she’d been trying to shove away rushed at her and she burst into tears.