The Near & Far Series

by Serena Clarke

  Cady was intrigued by her sister’s uncharacteristic flutteriness. She’d never have picked that someone like Kyle would hit Shelby’s weak spot. “Made it, no trouble,” she said. “Thanks for inviting us back.”

  “I’m interested to hear your suggestions,” he said. “Come stash your bags on the bus, and we’ll have a drink.”

  There was no one else on the bus, and Cady couldn’t tell who might be staying in the other curtained-off beds. They tucked their bags in the narrow closets between the bunks that Kyle gave them. “We’ll have to take the rental car back tomorrow,” Cady said as they went back into the lounge area. “We can’t leave it here.”

  “No problem. Someone can pick you up from the yard.”

  He splashed drinks into glasses without asking what the girls would like, and handed them over, then checked a message on his phone. “Reid. He’ll be here soon. Did you eat yet?”

  They shook their heads, and he said, “We can go in Reid’s car and meet up with the others in town for dinner.”

  Cady had been hungry, but with the prospect of seeing Reid her stomach suddenly got busy churning over her nerves. She took a swig of the drink, grimacing as the strength of it hit her tongue, but grateful for the hit.

  Shelby had regrouped, and now stretched out her legs, crossing and uncrossing them in a leisurely way for Kyle’s benefit as she toyed with her glass. “We haven’t eaten for ages,” she said. “Cady wouldn’t stop, and we had an early lunch. I’m staaarving.” She elongated the word, giving it implications beyond the usual meaning.

  Cady defended herself. “I just wanted to get us here before it got too late.”

  “Mean big sister.”

  Shelby was this close to actually pouting. Kyle shook his head in mock sympathy, but Cady didn’t bite. She was fighting the urge to try and peer out the window at every passing car. An old pick-up went by, then a people-mover full of kids, then a Prius…would he drive something green and eco-friendly, befitting his alternative-lifestyle job? She tried to keep one eye on the road without her distraction showing, but Kyle and Shelby were so caught up in their conversation, they probably wouldn’t have noticed anyway. Shelby was over her initial coyness, and back in full flirtation mode.

  “Okay,” Kyle said eventually, looking at Cady. “Let’s talk about these ideas of yours.”

  She dragged her gaze away from the window. “Shouldn’t we wait until everyone’s together?”

  He shook his head. “No. I don’t want any of them to think things are going badly.”

  “They must know it’s not great though? They’ve been here, and they’ve all read the same stuff online.”

  “Yeah. But we don’t all need to agonize over it. I just have to come up with a plan. You know, save the day.”

  “You’ve done such amazing things already, though.” How could he be stuck now, after coming up with all those cool concepts she’d seen online?

  “I know. But I’ve been dealing with some shit lately. Seems like the well is dry. Just at the moment, you know.” He pulled off the beanie and scratched his head, strain showing on his face for the first time. “So, tell me these ideas of yours.”

  For a moment she saw behind his self-assurance, and she realized that he didn’t want to lose face. He couldn’t control everything in the online world, but as the leader of this little gang he needed to keep up the show. And she wanted this show to stay on the road—so if he needed to take her plan and make it his, she didn’t care.

  “I’ve been thinking about it a lot.” She wanted to be diplomatic—she was afraid of offending him, or bruising his ego. She glanced at Shelby, still captivated by this oddly compelling man. If she lost their spot on the bus her sister really would hate her. Even more than for all the other reasons she’d apparently been stewing on for years, that burst out in their fight—plus the dad secret, of course. Also, if they weren’t on the bus, Cady wouldn’t see Reid again. Which, if she wanted to keep things simple, might be for the best.

  But she pushed those thoughts aside, and launched in. “I’m wondering if the movement started to veer a little…commercial. I mean, it came across as really organic before. Even though I know every event took a heap of planning.”

  “Okay,” he said, sounding wary. “Keep talking.”

  “It seems like…” She made sure to choose exactly the right words. “It had that ‘by the people, for the people’ feeling about it. It was like a simple, honest connection—people were coming together to create something beautiful, just for the goodness of it. And the fun.”

  He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, but listening. Cady ploughed on. “And maybe, if it seems too manufactured, it loses its authenticity.”

  “Yeah, but it’s all manufactured,” he pointed out. “Flash mobs don’t just happen by themselves. And I can’t totally rule out commercialism. If the movement loses credibility, and people stop coming, there’s no way I’ll get any sponsorship deals. And without them, I might not be able to keep this thing going.”

  This was a new factor. Shelby sent her a worried look. She’d never imagined money might be a problem, but it didn’t seem appropriate to ask why.

  “I have some money…” Shelby began uncertainly.

  Kyle’s attention snapped to her. “You do?”

  “Shelby, no,” Cady said firmly. “That’s an inheritance. That’s for your future.” She knew she sounded lecturing, but too bad. This was serious stuff. Giving money away on a whim—on a crush—would rank as the topmost top of bad decisions made by her impulsive sister.

  “Oh, yeah, yeah, of course,” Kyle said hastily. “Your future.”

  Shelby shrugged. “I suppose. What’s your bright idea then?” She looked at Cady as if waiting for her to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

  “Okay. Commercial reality versus credibility. There must be a middle ground.” Cady frowned. “Maybe now that the Flashpoint novelty has worn off, you need to find a new…” She struggled for the right word. “Um, paradigm?”

  He laughed out loud, making her blush. “Paradigm? None of us are that high-brow.”

  “Trust you to fancify the whole thing,” Shelby commented, rolling her eyes.

  Her first instinct was to backpedal. “Well, I didn’t mean…” Then she stopped. Confidence, new Cady. She looked at Kyle. “I meant that you can start again with a new approach. And I have an idea for how. A good idea.”

  He put his drink on the table and leaned forward. “Tell me.”

  * * *

  By the time Reid arrived, Cady had shared her idea—and she knew their place on the bus was secure, for now anyway. Kyle loved it.

  “I’ve got a plan,” he told Reid the moment he stepped onto the bus. “And it’s fucking good. We’ll tell the others tonight.”

  “That’s awesome, man,” Reid clapped him on the back in true guy style. Then he looked at the girls, his eyes settling on Cady. “Hi, ladies. Welcome back.”

  Cady felt the heat in her face and knew she was blushing. Damn. “Hi,” she replied, her voice casual. “Yep, you couldn’t get rid of us after all.”

  “Looks like you got some holidaying in.” He looked her up and down, just a little slower than necessary. “You’re looking tan.”

  She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly self-conscious. “We started with a few days on the beach at Santa Cruz.”

  “The water wasn’t very warm though,” Shelby complained.

  Kyle shrugged. “That’s the West Coast for you. We’ll have to find you a swimming pool, so you can get your bikini back on.”

  He raised an eyebrow and she raised one back, playing with her hair as she replied. “You’re on.”

  Reid was still looking at Cady, but she carefully made sure not to meet his eye. She’d leave the bikini banter to Shelby—the expert from way back. Banter hadn’t done her any good lately. But as soon as he turned to go, leading the way out to the parking lot, she couldn’t resist hanging back for a rear view. His shoulders were broad in h
is black t-shirt, and his long, strong back tapered down to… She sighed and made herself look away. It was clearly going to be a struggle keeping her mind on things.

  His eco-friendly car turned out to be an old Chevy Blazer—not what she’d expected. She leapt for the back seat, avoiding the possibility of embarrassing herself with distraction at close range. She could see Shelby was peeved—hoping for a cozy ride in the back with Kyle—but she accepted the offer of the front passenger seat with queenly grace.

  From her seat in back, Cady had a clear view of Reid’s profile as he drove. He laughed as Shelby said something funny, and appealing smile lines creased at the corner of his eye. A strand of dark hair had slipped out of his ponytail, and it tickled the line of his jaw above where goatee gave way to stubble. She remembered how it had felt to put her hand against just that spot, the darkness making her bold enough to press her lips against his. Her pulse increased just thinking about him lying near enough to touch, breathing him in, the possibility of where her hands might wander and what they might find. He turned and said something to Shelby, revealing white teeth made even more striking by the darkness of his surrounding beard. A dimple flashed as he grinned, and for a moment she let herself imagine a rerun of that night, as though her move was exactly the right one, instead of an embarrassing misstep…

  Then she shook herself back into focus. Her new start was underway, and it didn’t have to include a new man. In fact, better if it didn’t. Three months was long enough to taste American life, and to make a difference with Flashpoint. And, maybe, to fall hard enough for someone that goodbye would be a painful wrench. Even more so if that person could wave you goodbye without a care. So, no more daydreaming. There were things to do, and she intended to do them so fully that she’d go home with no regrets—just a stack of great memories, and the satisfaction of having done amazing things. Oh, and a more interesting Twitter profile.

  Ten

  Kyle banged his glass on the wooden table, sloshing out a wave of whiskey. “Okay, people. Here’s the plan.”

  They were at Sanctuary again, in what the girls now realized was their regular booth. Everyone quietened down and turned to him, waiting to hear something that would give their movement its mojo back. Cady hoped her idea—now Kyle’s—would be enough.

  “All right. There’s a family in Rownville who already have two preschoolers—and now they’re expecting triplets.” He shuddered. “God help them.”

  “Five kids!” Alison looked pained by the very idea. “I can’t even imagine having one at this point.”

  “I know, right?” Kyle agreed. “And, there are complications. The dad lost his job as a mechanic, and now the bank wants to foreclose on their mortgage.”

  A murmur of sympathy went round the table. Even though everyone there was single and childless, it didn’t take a lot of imagination to see what a devastating situation that would be.

  After seeing their story on the news, Cady hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the Rownville family—the Isaacsons. There was something in the mother’s expression, resignation mixed with determination, that stayed with her. Her belly was enormous already, although she was only halfway through her pregnancy. They were probably about the same age, and Cady couldn’t imagine how she’d cope in the same circumstances. As her husband talked to the reporter, he looked like he was ready to break under the weight of his responsibilities, but he toughed out the interview. The international financial crisis might be officially over (or not—she couldn’t keep up with all the differing opinions), but Cady knew that families all over America were still losing their homes. Here was one family they could help, at least.

  “So,” Kyle said, “I think we can do something. We need a new angle, and they need help. We’re going to stage a flash mob right outside the bank, all right? We’ll make it a fundraiser, and put pressure on the suits at the same time. Hopefully we’ll raise enough cash to take the weight off financially for the Isaacsons, plus get them better terms with the bank.”

  “But why did they have more kids if they couldn’t afford them?” Alison asked. “I mean, why have three more babies? They must have done IVF, to end up with three.”

  Jennifer nodded, a bobble-headed follower of her opinionated friend. Beside her, Cady felt Shelby about to say something—and she knew it wouldn’t be in agreement. She elbowed her sharply in the ribs. That little feud had to be put to bed, unless they wanted their time on the bus to be a nightmare. Or cut short when they were kicked off for causing trouble. Alison had first dibs, after all.

  “Nope, apparently not,” Kyle said. “Just hit with crazy odds.”

  Alison shuddered. “Ugh. Frightening.”

  It was definitely a sobering thought for the free-and-easy Flashpoint gang. After some more discussion, it was agreed to go ahead and plan the event. There was a lot to be decided—what exactly would happen on the day, and how the money would be raised—but they all seemed to love the idea as much as Kyle had.

  Cady smiled with satisfaction as they tossed ideas around, excitement building. Across the table, Reid smiled at her too, and leaned forward. “Sounds like a hit—best idea Kyle’s ever had,” he said.

  She nodded. “We can make it work, I’m sure.” Kyle could take the credit. If it got Flashpoint back on track—and kept the Isaacsons in their own house—she’d go home happy.

  * * *

  After dinner that night, they all headed back to the bus. Cady was apprehensive, to say the least—about keeping a lid on Shelby’s attitude around Alison, and keeping her own composure around Reid. Especially once she found out he’d be sleeping in the bed opposite hers. Kyle would be in his suite upstairs, of course. Both Cady and Shelby were dying to see what it looked like—especially Shelby, who was nurturing an ever-growing infatuation. But they’d be downstairs in cattle class, with Alison and Jennifer, Reid and Gavin. Tino lived nearby, so he said he’d join them early the next day, ready to head for Rownville and scope out the bank. It wasn’t Ocean’s Eleven—or any other number—but Cady still felt excited at the prospect, despite her nerves.

  It was late by the time they got back, and she’d had enough drinks that she started to flag as the effects wore off. It had been a long day of driving, too. She decided to put off having a shower until the morning, and tuck herself into her little ship’s bed. She wished everyone goodnight and scooted into one of the surprisingly spacious bathrooms at the back of the bus—like the kitchen, it was bigger than the one they had in Peckham Rye—and cleaned her teeth and put her pajamas on. Then she removed herself from temptation.

  As she settled herself under the feather comforter, she could hear Reid’s voice saying goodnight, and soon she recognized the sound of him getting into bed too. She rolled over, pulling the comforter up and squeezing her eyes shut. Out of sight, out of mind was probably the best strategy when it came to that distraction across the corridor.

  Out of sight was easy enough, but out of mind gave her trouble. She lay listening to the chat and clatter as the others bounced around, laughing and point-scoring. Shelby seemed to be behaving, luckily. The noise went on for what felt like an age, while she tried not to think about Reid lying in the bed opposite…

  She must have finally drifted off to sleep, because she gasped with shock when she felt someone shake her awake. In her blurred, half-asleep state she struggled to remember where she was, feeling disoriented by the close walls and ceiling of the bunk bed. Then she rolled over and saw who had woken her, and everything came back.

  “Shh.” Reid had his finger against his lips, urging her to be quiet. There was only just enough light to tell it was him. His features were in shadow, but he gestured clearly for her to come with him.

  She nodded, and he turned and disappeared, letting the curtain fall back. She got out of bed as quickly as she could, wondering what on earth was happening. He was already at the top of the bus stairs when she emerged, so she followed, trying to smooth her hair as she went. The dim night lighting in the
lounge was enough to see by, and she made it down the steps on sleepy legs without falling flat on her face.

  The cool air hit her as she stepped out of the bus, and goosebumps prickled on her skin. Even this close to the city, the stars were bright in the clear night sky. She shivered a little, suddenly acutely aware that she was wearing no more than little pajama shorts and a silky tank top. She crossed her arms, covering her breasts as her nipples inevitably reacted to the cold. Reid stood waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, wearing navy cotton boxers and a t-shirt. She couldn’t help wondering what effect the cold was having on a particular part of his body… A surreptitious peek gave nothing away in that department, but the sight of his long, tanned legs and strong thighs woke her up even more than the cold. He must wear shorts for all that sandcastle building.

  “Come on,” he whispered, and led her around the other side of the bus, away from the sleeping area. She trailed behind, wincing as loose stones stabbed the bottom of her bare feet, but unable to resist the view of muscular shoulders, and a perfectly formed butt clad loosely in really quite flimsy cotton.

  They stopped on a narrow path between the bus and the grass, and he turned to her.

  “That was your idea, wasn’t it.” It was a statement, not a question. “Something like that would never occur to Kyle.”

  She looked at him, letting her disbelief show. “You dragged me out of bed in the middle of the night to ask me that?”

  “Sorry. But there’s not much alone time with this crowd around.”

  Alone time with him was something she’d been planning to avoid. It was surreal to be standing with him in the parking lot, lit by only the moon and one distant street light. She suddenly had the urge to run across the grassy expanse of park, leaving footprints under the dewy moonlight. She leaned back against the bus, the chill of cold metal against her skin anchoring her in place and clearing her mind.

  “I know it was your idea,” he persevered. “You should get credit for it.”