Read My Heart (Rumor Has It)

by RH Tucker

  Refocusing, I stare down the lane, then proceed to throw the bowling ball right into the gutter. My head drops back, and I stare up at the ceiling. “Oh my God.”

  I can hear Alex laughing behind me, and normally I’d be laughing along. Like I said, I’m not horrible, but I’ve had some mishaps. Bowling with nacho cheese or pizza grease-laden fingers isn’t the best idea. But my teeth grind as I hear the opposing team chuckling along, no doubt including Cindy’s new guy. I look up at the empty score board. Their team name is the Doctors of Destruction. Of course she’d be going out with someone else whose father is like hers. I’m such a moron.

  Refocusing, I stare down the lane and throw the ball again, this time with a better shot, knocking down all but two pins.

  “Good shot,” Alex calls out, and offers me a high five.

  Slapping his hand, I look across the way. Cindy’s eyes jump up for a moment, finding mine, before looking back down at her phone. This is going to be a long game.

  Chapter 6

  Cindy

  We’ve been at the bowling alley for almost an hour. Joe’s game is dwindling down, and it seems like it’s close. From what I can gather, everyone on both teams are playing well, but I’ve been avoiding the screen that displays the scores. Because that means I’d have to look in the direction of Jackson.

  “This is so weird,” Veronica giggles, taking a sip of her soda.

  “Yeah, you think?” I scoff.

  “I remember you saying he did these things with his dad in the past. You didn’t think he’d be here?”

  “Veronica, I wasn’t even thinking about him when Joe told me about this. It was at the end of a date.”

  “Right.” She nods, looking over my shoulder. “I didn’t know how Micah was going to like this. I know he didn’t do sports in school. I guess Street Fighter is a good distraction though.” She giggles, and I turn around to see Micah playing an arcade game.

  “I can’t believe this,” I start, taking drink of my soda, casting a quick side glance in Jackson’s direction. “And he hasn’t even come over here.”

  “You haven’t gone over there, Cin.”

  “Why should I? He’s the jerk who didn’t call me after that last time we were together. I swear, every time we hooked up, or even just met up for lunch or something, it’s like I didn’t hear from him for a week. Who does that, Veronica?”

  As if he’s reading my mind, I look up from the table we’re sitting at, and Jackson is there. I gulp, hoping he didn’t hear me.

  “Hey,” he says, making eye contact, then reaching down where a rack of bowling balls are. “Just grabbing an extra ball.”

  “Whatever,” I retort. I don’t mean for it to sound rude, but now I’m on edge thinking about our last conversation. Or should I say argument?

  “You’re still mad?”

  “About what? The last time we were together and then you didn’t call me for a week?”

  “Cindy, I told you I was busy.”

  “Yeah, working at your dad’s. I get it.”

  He narrows his eyes, keeping his gaze on me, curling a lip. “Excuse me for not have my own personal shopping account.”

  His comment jolts me from the chair. “Jacks, you know that’s for school. And so what if I have a credit card from my dad. What’s it to you? You always make it sound like such a bad thing.”

  “Seriously? I’m the one who makes it sound bad? You’re the one that can’t decide what designer hand bag you want this week.”

  “Yeah, well at least I can decide if I want to talk to you, which is more than I can say for you. You don’t need a credit card to pick up your phone and text me, Jackson. You know my number. All you have to do is type the words, but no! No, you just figured you’d call me when you felt like it. Well screw that.”

  The staring contest between us solidifies, neither of us saying another word. Jackson’s friend walks over, eyeing me timidly, before calling out to him. “Yo, Jacks, you’re up.”

  Letting out a huff, he rolls his eyes and spins around, walking back to the game. Taking another sip of my drink, I shake my head, and glare down at the table.

  “What was that?” Veronica asks, slapping my arm. “Why are you still so mad over it? You said you liked going out with Joe.”

  “I said it was okay,” I answer, letting out a scoff. “He’s nice, albeit a little arrogant.”

  I turn around, avoiding Jackson’s side of the lane as much as I can, and see Joe look over at me with a smirk.

  Wait, why am I comparing them?

  I shake my head and try to remember what I’m even doing here. Joe invited me here. It might not be a date date, but it’s something that involves being more than just classmates. “He’s cute, right?”

  “Who, Jackson?” Veronica asks.

  “No! Joe.”

  “Oh, yeah. I guess.” She shrugs. “He’s more handsome than cute.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, that’s it. He’s handsome. That’s probably what it is. Jackson’s got this whatever-goes-with-the-flow vibe, and Joe’s more business. Like his dad. And my dad. See, he’s a better fit.”

  “You’re comparing them?”

  “No! I’m trying not to compare.” I let out a sigh, dropping my head. “I should be over him. Honestly, I shouldn’t even want to talk to him. He flaked on me more than I can count. We bickered over how much certain places we ate at cost like we were married. That is, when we actually went on a date. It was so wishy-washy, that I never even called him my boyfriend. Why am I acting like this?”

  “Because—”

  “Don't say it.” I point at her, and she closes her mouth, smiling.

  The game goes on and I do my best not to pay attention to any of it. Micah swings by, in between playing video games, and I keep my eyes on my phone, scrolling through social media sites.

  “The Doctors of Destruction reign supreme,” Joe says, sliding his hand around my waist. He glances over his shoulder, chuckling. “Subs n’ Slices? Might as well call themselves Crust and Crumbs,” he snorts.

  “Hey, good game, man.” Jackson’s friend walks over, setting a couple of the balls back on the racks. Jackson trails behind him, this time avoiding me by keeping his eyes on the ground. It shouldn’t annoy me, but it does.

  “Yeah, right,” Joe blows him off. Then he does a double take. “Hey, where do I know you from?”

  The guy shrugs. “I don’t know. Unless you like pizza, then probably my family’s restaurant.”

  “Yeah!” Joe snaps his fingers. “You’re a waiter at Pizza Castle. My nephew had a party there last week.”

  “Right.” The guy nods, looking over at Jackson, who’s still averting his eyes. “It’s a family business. I’m actually the manager there.”

  “Whatever.” Joe grabs a mozzarella stick from the basket that’s in front of me. “You guys need to work on your crust. It’s too dry,” he says with a mouth full of appetizer.

  I wrinkle my nose at the rude comment, then see the guy roll his eyes. He taps Jackson’s chest, motioning for them to leave, and Jackson still never makes eye contact with me.

  Micah says hi briefly to Jackson for a moment, before walking back over to our table. “All right, are we playing a game?” He grins.

  “Yeah,” I answer. “I just need to use the bathroom really quick.”

  “I’ll go with,” Veronica adds and follows me.

  Washing our hands, I stare at myself in the mirror. I’ve been good without talking to Jackson. Sure, every once in a while, I roll my eyes at a memory, but I was putting whatever we had in the past. Tonight, though, all of the annoyed and frustrated feelings came flooding back. But what makes it worse is remembering the other stuff.

  The stuff like when he’d apologize for ignoring my texts. Or when we were just a normal pair out on a date or hanging out at his house watching a movie. Feeling his arms around me. Remembering the warmth of his body next to mine. I went out with a few guys before Jackson, but being with him during those moments he fe
lt like something more than just a guy I liked. It felt like he was there for me and I was all he needed and wanted.

  Just like Veronica, Jackson doesn’t know about my parents. There were a couple of times I wanted to tell him, but I didn’t want to believe it myself. I have no choice but to believe it now, since the divorce is final. And during those small moments between me and Jackson, my mind would drift to my parents.

  I thought they were in love. Maybe they were for a short time, but somehow, someway, it faded. It was gone. When I was with Jackson, I remember thinking how that could be if they felt like I did with him during those times. Then, I remembered when I wouldn’t hear from him or we’d start arguing.

  Drying my hands, I follow behind Veronica as she opens the door, and we walk out of the restroom. Approaching the lane, I watch as Joe throws the ball toward the pins, as Micah stands near the bench, his arms folded.

  “All right, who’s first?” I ask, hoping to shake off these feelings.

  “Hey, let’s go,” Micah says, reaching for Veronica’s hand.

  “Go? We didn’t even get to play a game yet.” Veronica frowns, looking over at me, before returning her gaze to Micah.

  He shrugs, gently pulling her along. “We’ll come back with Taylor and Sasha, or something. Come on, V.”

  “Seriously?” I ask, following them along. “What’s wrong?”

  Micah stops, looking past me, over at Joe. I turn and watch as Joe pays us no attention, grabbing another ball, waiting for the pins to reset.

  Micah narrows his eyes, looking back at Veronica before his face softens. “Nothing. I just forgot; I’m supposed to help my dad out with something tomorrow morning. Sorry.”

  Without another word, Veronica follows him out, still asking him what’s wrong, but he shakes his head. Turning around, confused, I walk back over to Joe.

  “They’re taking off?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I nod. “What happened? Micah seemed upset.”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugs. “How long have they been going out?”

  “For a while now. Why?”

  He stares at the exit and I watch Veronica look back, giving me a soft smile and a wave. Micah doesn’t look back. “No reason. You still want to play a game?”

  “Actually, I think I’ll just head home.”

  Chapter 7

  Jackson

  “Hey, Mrs. Harold,” I call out from behind the counter. “Are we getting the salami and ricotta?”

  She nods, smiling. “How’s your day, Jackson?”

  “Livin’ the dream, ma’am. Livin’ the dream.” Chuckling, I start slicing the deli meat.

  When the bell rings at the entrance, I look up and see Alex walk in. He nods over to me. “What’s up?”

  “Hey,” I reply, and start preparing the sandwich. “Mrs. H., all due respect to Mr. Harold, I think you should start dating again.” Her eyes pop open, shocked. “Alex, this is Mrs. H. Though, she prefers Georgina from strapping, young, handsome men, such as yourself.”

  Alex lets out a chuckle and Mrs. Harold glances around at him. “Oh my.”

  Walking over, he starts laying on the charm that I’ve seen on more than one occasion at the bowling alley, when we spot a few cute girls playing with their friends.

  “Nice to meet you, Georgina.”

  Mrs. Harold snaps her eyes back to me, slapping my arm across the counter. “Jackson!”

  “I’m just sayin’.” I shrug. “You gave me that advice a while back. I thought I’d return the favor.”

  Finishing up her sandwich, I wrap it up and place it in a bag for her. Paying for the sub, she takes another look at Alex, who delivers a second smile to her, and if I’m not mistaken, I think she blushes a little. When she leaves, Alex walks over and leans against the counter.

  “What’s up, man?” he asks. “You missed the game last week.”

  After seeing Cindy and what I can only assume is her new boyfriend, I’ve avoided the bowling league. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

  “It’s cool. We got my little brother to chip in. I think he’s better than you.” He laughs. “The Doctors of Douchery were a few lanes down. We’ve got the same record as them, though, so we might play them again. You gonna come back?”

  Grabbing a towel, I wipe the counter down, shrugging. “I don’t know.”

  “Your girl wasn’t back.”

  I shake my head. “She’s not my girl.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.” He laughs. “So, what’s the problem then?”

  Like I said, Alex is a cool guy. I’ve known him for a couple years now, mostly just through the bowling league. Other than the games, I haven’t hung out with him.

  “Dude, I get it.” His words make me look up at him. “That guy was she was with seemed like a total tool. Plus, his dad and those other guys, I’ve seen them around the alley a little bit. They seem nice enough, I guess, but he was probably given whatever he wants. He comes off that way at least. I’ve dealt with asshats like that, just like you.” He chuckles. “That Mustang GT 500 he drives is pretty sweet though.”

  “Pft, my Corolla could take it.” My joke breaks the seriousness, and he laughs. “It’s got nothing to do with the guy. Yeah, he’s a cocky prick, but it’s not that. Believe me, I know what you’re talking about.”

  “Then what is it? You still hung up on that girl?”

  “Something like that.”

  He nods. Seeing my notebook by the cash register, he reaches over to it. “You’re taking classes? I didn’t know you were going this semester.”

  “I’m not.” I hurriedly grab the notebook, closing it. “It’s just some stuff I’m doing.”

  Raising an eyebrow, he leers. “Okay then. Anyway, a group of us from Pizza Castle are joining a softball league when bowling ends. I thought I’d stop by and ask if you wanted to join.”

  I shrug and walk around the counter with a small box of chips. “I don’t know.”

  “Didn’t you tell me you used to play ball back in high school?”

  “Yeah, I did.” Reorganizing the rack of potato chips, I nod.

  “Let’s do it then. I mean, my high school always dominated yours when we played, but I won’t hold that against you.”

  I laugh. “Weren’t you a grade above me? Your team didn’t play ours when I was on varsity, that’s why we lost.”

  “You’re proving my point.” He chuckles and waits for me to answer.

  It’s not like I have anything else going on. I’m taking the night class, but I don’t have to be there. Plus, Lucas has his schedule booked at UCI, so I’m left manning the deli half of the time, and then other half doing nothing but playing X-Box.

  “Yeah, all right.” I turn to him. “Why not?”

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” He grins. “You gonna be at the last couple of games at the alley?”

  “Yeah, sure.” I walk back to the counter. “I still have to beat your high score.”

  “Keep dreaming, bro.” Laughing, he heads over to the door. “All right, I’ll see you tomorrow night at the game.”

  “Okay. Later.”

  As he leaves the store, I glance down at my notebook. After turning in my papers that last couple of weeks, the emails I’ve been sent back tell me everything is good. I do feel like it’s helping, at least a little. If I’m being completely honest, I think I might have done this class to only boost up my self-confidence, but I don’t feel like that part has been improving.

  Seeing Cindy reminds me of the hang-up I have over all of this. I wonder what would happen if I told her. She’s snarky and sarcastic, but she’s never given me any reason to think me being dyslexic would make her change the way she feels about me. Well, at least, the way she felt about me. By now she probably hates me. I should’ve at least tried to talk to her more that night at the bowling alley, but when I saw that she was with that guy, I figured what’s the point?

  I let out a long sigh, opening the notebook back up, and grab a pen. No sense in wond
ering about things that probably won’t ever happen.

  Chapter 8

  Cindy

  “Hey, Julie.” I wave to her as I walk into the library. “How’s it been tonight?”

  “Quiet, per usual.”

  I chuckle, and pull out one of my text books, taking the seat she was just at. “I guess I’ll have peace and quiet to study for my physics exam tomorrow then.”

  “Yep. See ya.” She waves and leaves the room.

  My phone vibrates. Veronica’s name flashes across the screen, and then a text message from her.

  Vero: Hey, me and Micah are seeing that movie tonight? Want to come?

  Cindy: I’m at the library for the TA thing :(

  Vero: Oh, I forgot! :*(

  Vero: What about tomorrow?

  Cindy: Tomorrow could work.

  Cindy: Can I invite Joe?

  Cindy: We’ve only gone out once since the bowling game.

  The bubbles pop up on the screen as she begins to reply, then they disappear. Reappearing, they’re on the screen for about twenty seconds, when they disappear again.

  “Weird,” I mumble to myself, still waiting for a response from her, but return my attention back to my book. After a few minutes, I look at my phone and see she still hasn’t replied.

  Cindy: V??

  No reply.

  “Excuse me,” a soft voice calls out, and I look up to see the lady I’ve helped a couple of times, calling me over.

  I take a seat next to her, and help for a few minutes as she goes over some grammar rules. When we’re done, I head back to my place, and look at my phone. Still no reply.

  I’m about to text her again, when the door opens, and my eyes nearly fall out of their sockets. Jackson walks into the room, carrying a black, three-ring binder and scanning the room. At first he doesn’t see me. Then he does a double take, his gaze finally landing on mine.

  He looks away and scans the room again. In his red T-shirt, I can see him take a deep breath, then he drops his eyes to the ground. I think he’s going to turn around and leave, when he slowly creeps over to me.