A Bolder Version of Me (The Destiny Clark Saga Book 3)

by Cindy Ray Hale

  “I never took you for the nerdy science type of guy.”

  “You don’t have to be a certain kind of person to love the stars.”

  Destiny slurped the last of her frozen Coke and set the empty cup in the cup holder. “I guess not.”

  “I’ve always loved stargazing. Sometimes I climb outside my bedroom window to the roof and watch the stars. I have an awesome view from up there.”

  Destiny sobered. “That’s cool, Isaac.”

  When we pulled into the parking garage, Destiny unbuckled and crawled across to where I was sitting. She grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me. I pulled away from her and looked into her vibrant eyes. “Well, hello there.”

  “Hey.” Her face split open in a wide smile.

  “I should buy you frozen Coke more often.”

  She giggled and sat back on her knees, bouncing on her seat. “Let’s go look at fake stars now, ok?”

  I chuckled at her. “Okay.”

  She wrapped my suit coat around her and jumped down from the truck before I could even make it around to open her door for her. By the time I got to her side of the truck, she was ready to wiggle out of her skin. She still had on my hat, but it was turned to the side and her curls tumbled out from beneath it. She was so adorable I didn’t know what to do with her. There was such a sweet, childlike innocence about her that appealed to me in a way that caught me off guard.

  I took her hand, and we walked together into the crowded building. We got in line at the ticket counter, and Destiny looked around in wonder at the space displays while I bought our tickets. The final showing started in two minutes. We wandered through the crowd, and Destiny lifted the front of her skirt as she walked up the stairs in her heels. I offered her my arm, and she wove hers through mine. We looked ridiculous compared to the surrounding people—both of us in formalwear with Destiny sort of hiding a giant red stain on her dress with my suit jacket, wearing my ratty baseball cap. But the moment was perfect, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. I was falling for this girl, hard.

  We settled into our seats, and Destiny put her head on my shoulder as the show started up. Countless tiny white lights appeared on the domed ceiling above us and an announcer taught us about various constellations and random space facts. Destiny whispered throughout the show, commenting on how cool everything was. Someone behind us shushed her and she stopped a little, but I could tell she was about to bounce right out of her seat. When the show ended, and the room lit, I stretched and turned to her.

  “I think you need to go run a marathon.”

  Destiny crossed her arm in mock offense, but the sleeves of my jacket were swallowing her hands and I had to fight to keep from laughing at the image. “Are you trying to say I’m too energetic or something?”

  I held up my hands in defense. “No, not too energetic. I just think you could benefit from some exercise tonight.”

  She punched me in the arm. “I’ll show you some exercise.”

  “Ow.” I rubbed my arm where she’d hit me. “You can pack some strength into your blow.”

  She tossed me a sassy look. “Let that be a warning to you then.”

  I screwed up my face in mock pain. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this kind of treatment. No more caffeine for you, young lady.”

  She stepped toward a display of Mars. “Whatever. You know you like it.”

  “Where is this coming from? You’re full of nonsense tonight.”

  She straightened my cap over her curls as she examined a write up about space exploration. “I’m always like this. You just have to get to know me.”

  I stepped closer to her and murmured in her ear. “I like that idea.”

  She turned toward me until our noses touched. “What?”

  “I want to get to know you, Destiny.”

  Her breath quickened against my lips as she looked into my eyes. “Okay. You should do that.”

  Unable to hold back any longer, I closed the inch between our mouths and kissed her soft, full lips. A bolt of energy ran through me, and I pulled away. I took her hand and led her to the rest of the museum. The longer I watched the wonder and amazement on her face at the various displays the fuller my heart felt. By the time the museum announced that they were closing, I was about to burst with happiness. As Destiny and I left the front of the building to walk around to the parking garage, I grabbed her and spun her around into a dip, her hair dangling down to the ground. I kissed her and brought her back up. I turned to the empty street corner and yelled. “Hey everyone, this is my girlfriend, and no one can stop us.”

  Destiny giggled, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me again. She pulled away and laughed against my mouth. I pulled her back in for one more kiss.

  6

  Destiny

  When we arrived at my house, Isaac put the truck in park. He pulled me toward him and kissed me, his lips gentle. I leaned away. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  I reached to open the door, but Isaac said, “Wait. Can I go to church with you tomorrow?”

  I quirked an eyebrow. “You want to go to church with me?”

  “That’s okay, right?”

  “Oh, my gosh! Of course, it’s okay!” I leaned in and kissed him hard, emotion rippling through my consciousness. “That would be so amazing!” I filled him in on the details of when and where, said goodnight, and practically floated my way back to the house.

  When I got to the front porch, I slipped Isaac’s hat into the folds of my dress. Hopefully, I could sneak in unnoticed, stash it, and change into my pajamas before anyone noticed the gigantic stain on my dress. The less I said about my night, the better.

  I took one last deep breath and savored the crisp, autumn night air. But when I opened the front door, the pleasantness sucked away like a vacuum. Mom and Dad sat on the couch in the formal living room and both stood when I appeared.

  “Come in and sit down.” Dad said in an even, but strained tone, like he was fighting to keep control. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he’d been raking his fingers through his hair, something he frequently did when he was stressed. Oh, I’m so busted. My belly filled with dread, but I pushed against it in irritation. I’d made my choice, and I’d done it knowingly. My pushing did no good though. The dread was there to stay.

  I stepped into the room, chin up, and sat gingerly in the chair next to the piano to face them head-on.

  “We got a call from Michael tonight. He’s concerned about you. He told us you were glued to Isaac’s side all night, and before the night was over, you both disappeared. When he tried calling you, Olivia found the phone ringing in your bedroom. You’ve been missing for hours. Do you have any idea what went through my mind?”

  “What do you want me to say?” My mental wall of defense was thick and strong.

  “I want you to tell us where you were and who you were with,” he said.

  “What Michael told you was true. I was with Isaac. We went to the planetarium. He’s my best friend’s cousin, and he’s my friend. Is that a crime?”

  “No,” Mom said. “We wouldn’t be that worried about you spending time with Isaac if you really were just friends. Michael’s come to me several times trying to warn me, but I knew better. I’d seen you with Isaac. Your friendship seemed innocent enough.”

  “Gosh, Mom. You make it sound like I’m sleeping with him.”

  Dad’s eyes popped out in terror. Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? “You aren’t, are you?”

  “Of course, not! How can you even ask that?” I gripped the arms of the chair with so much strength it was a wonder I didn’t leave indentations in the wood.

  “Ben, calm down, you’re not helping.” Mom turned her gaze back to me. “What bothered me was when Olivia brought me your phone and told me what she’d found on there.”

  Oh no! No, No, No!

  I usually deleted all our texts but had forgotten in my rush to get ready for Homecoming. He’d said he couldn’t wait to put his arms
around me again. And oh! The one where he’d told me that the inside of my mouth tasted like raspberries!

  They would ground me for the rest of the school year, and maybe even longer. My life was officially over.

  “I’m concerned that you’re getting too serious, too soon with this boy. You’re still very young,” Mom said.

  Dad leaned forward like he was about to let forth a string of angry words, but Mom placed a hand on his chest, and he relaxed with great effort.

  “What is that you’re holding?” Mom asked. “Is that a hat? And what happened to your dress?”

  I ignored the hat question. “Someone spilled their drink on me. I’m sure if we soak it, the stain will come out. I’m really sorry. That was why I came home early. Michael was too busy getting crowned Homecoming King to notice his sister was being publicly humiliated.” Tears formed in my eyes.

  “Michael’s the Homecoming King?” Mom asked.

  “Yeah, he didn’t tell you when he called?” Called to ruin my life, was what I was thinking, but I wasn’t stupid enough to say it.

  “No, apparently, he was too worried about you to even mention it.”

  I frowned. I hadn’t even congratulated him. I could have at least told him Isaac was giving me a ride home. He probably would’ve understood. I was just so upset I didn’t think about it.

  “Destiny, you’re not getting away with diverting the attention off yourself that easily,” Dad said. “This thing going on between you and Isaac needs to stop.”

  “Why?” I hated the desperation creeping into my voice.

  “Because you know the rules in our household!”

  “That’s it!” I screamed. “I can’t stand any more of this conversation! I’ve had punch spilled on me and been attacked by two different girls at school tonight, and I refuse to be yelled at by my family.” I stood up and headed to the doorway.

  Behind me, I heard Mom say in a steady voice, “Ben, let her go. Saying anything else will only make things worse.”

  I went into my room and shut the door. Olivia flicked on the lamp and sat straight up in bed.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Isaac?” Her eyes were full of hurt.

  I blew out an exhausted breath. “Because I knew you wouldn’t understand.”

  “I thought the plan was to make Preston your boyfriend. What happened?”

  “Isaac happened.”

  “Yeah I know, Miss Raspberry Mouth.”

  “Why did you show those messages to Mom and Dad? You’ve gotten me in so much trouble tonight.”

  “I told on you for your own good,” Olivia said. “You shouldn’t be dating a Baptist boy. You know better!”

  “It’s complicated. You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Oh, yes, I do! Believe me, I understand! I go to Bethel, too. Don’t you think I have crushes on guys? What about the time Keegan asked me to be his girlfriend last year, and I had to tell him no? Do you know how hard that was? I’d liked him all year long!”

  I sat on my bed without a word and changed into my pajamas as she continued with her tirade.

  “I know Isaac is hot. Everyone knows that, but should you throw away everything just for him?”

  “I’m not throwing away anything! You don’t even know what you’re talking about,” I shot back. “This is my life. These are my choices. The last time I checked, this was a free country.”

  “Yes, but there are always consequences for your actions. Everything you do comes back to you somehow.”

  “Don’t give me that garbage. You’re not perfect either.”

  “That boy will hurt you. I can feel it.”

  “Whatever. I know what I’m getting into.” Did I? Did I really know what I was getting into?

  Footsteps came down the hall, and a knock sounded on my door.

  “Come in,” I said.

  It was Michael. “Hey.” He sat in my desk chair.

  “Hey,” I said. “Congratulations on Homecoming King. I was excited for you. Sorry I didn’t tell you that before.”

  “That’s okay. I saw what Jessie did to you.”

  “You did? I guess it was hard to miss.”

  He smiled softly, but it held a touch of sadness. “So, you and Isaac, huh?”

  “Yep.” I studied the pink plaid of my pajama bottoms. “I really wish you hadn’t called Mom and Dad. Why did you do that?”

  “I was worried about you. Jessie attacked you, and then you disappeared. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I tried calling, and when you didn’t answer, I freaked out.” Michael rubbed the back of his head. “I don’t know how I feel about Isaac dating you. I guess my protective side came out.”

  “I was fine. Isaac took good care of me. You don’t need to worry.”

  “I do worry. I know what goes on inside a guy’s mind. I keep imagining him with his hands on you, and it makes me want to beat my fist into the wall.”

  I blushed. I’d have to make sure not to kiss Isaac in front of Michael. Wait, a second. What was I thinking? I couldn’t let Michael dictate my love life. I turned to Michael. “I know you’re only concerned for my welfare, and I appreciate that. But, you’re going to have to get over it. I mean that in the most loving way possible.”

  “Yeah, real loving,” Olivia said. “The only thing you love right now is your own lust.”

  “Whatever, Olivia,” I said. “I’m sensing jealousy coming from your side of the room.”

  “Shut up!” she said.

  “You need to stop and think about what you’re doing. Seriously, think about it. What path are you headed down?” Michael said.

  “Relax. I’m not headed down some big scary path of evil. It’s not like we’re getting married. He’s my boyfriend. I’d appreciate it if you could at least pretend to be happy for me.”

  He let out a long breath of air. “I’m going to bed. I can tell you’re not going to listen to me.” He shut the door softly behind him.

  I grabbed my phone from my desk and scowled at Olivia. “Stay away from my phone from now on.”

  “Everything I did was for your own good.”

  “Then I’ll have to send texts to random people with your phone to teach you a lesson for your own good.”

  Olivia shrugged. “That would be a mean thing to do… if you knew my password.”

  “Why do you have a password on your phone?”

  “Like I want you knowing everything Brinlee and I talk about.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I really have better things to do than to read your conversations with Brinlee.”

  My phone buzzed in my hands. “Oh look. It’s my boyfriend.”

  Olivia stared at the screen of her phone with a bitter look on her face. She had a nicer phone than I did. Somehow it had just “worked out” that way with the rotation of the upgrades. Mom had promised me I’d get a smartphone for my sixteenth birthday, but they hadn’t been able to come up with the money. Instead, I got a few new sweaters and some books. Nice stuff, but not really what I’d wanted.

  I opened Isaac’s text.

  Isaac: Should I meet you at the church tomorrow?

  We texted back and forth for a while, until I’d filled him in on the details of when and where.

  Me: So my parents found out about us.

  Isaac: Are they okay with it?

  Me: Not really, but you coming tomorrow will help.

  Isaac: Are you in trouble?

  Me: I’m not really sure. They got upset, but so far, they haven’t really done anything.

  Olivia’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Is lover boy telling you about raspberries again?” She made a face. “That was gross.”

  “It ought to teach you to stay out of other people’s phones. If you want to know so badly, he’s coming to church with me tomorrow, and he was asking directions.”

  She snapped her mouth closed and raised her brows. “He’s coming to church tomorrow?”

  “No, he wanted the address so he could go toilet paper the place,” I
teased.

  Olivia shrugged. “He’s a Robinson. I wouldn’t put it past him.”

  “That’s not fair. Just because his dad and his brother are jerks doesn’t mean he’s one, too. I mean, look at us, we’re sisters, aren’t we?” I said with a crooked grin.

  Olivia pitched a stuffed white kitten at me but missed by a couple feet.

  I laughed. “Nice throw.”

  I climbed into bed and snuggled deep under my covers.

  Olivia’s voice sobered. “Do you think Isaac’s dad will freak out when he finds out Isaac is going to church with you?”

  I hadn’t thought of that. I’d been so excited that he was coming that I hadn’t stopped to think about Dr. Robinson’s opinion on the matter. “I don’t know if he will tell him.”

  Olivia turned off the room, and I heard her slip into her bed in the darkness. “How can he keep something like that a secret?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he’s not scared to tell his dad.” My stomach clenched at that thought. What if Isaac told his dad like it was no big deal? I had zero doubt that Dr. Robinson would be furious at Isaac. He thought we were part of a cult.

  7

  Isaac

  Since I’d gone to church with Aspen, her grandpa’s church, all summer long, Dad had gotten accustomed to me doing my own thing on Sundays.

  Thanks to Josh announcing our breakup right after I’d stormed from the house, Dad knew we weren’t together, but he didn’t realize I’d stopped going to Hillside. He knew I didn’t like Bethel. Dr. Green came off pushy for me. I preferred Pastor Gordon’s style of preaching. He taught the basics. Love God. Love your neighbor.

  When Aspen’s parents got divorced, her dad continued to go to church at Bethel with his new woman, so when she switched to Hillside, I went with her. Soon, a bunch of other kids started going there, too, making it the hip church. It was nice to get away from our parents breathing down our necks all the time, anyway.

  Last Sunday, I’d gone back to Bethel, but I couldn’t stand it there. I was there five days a week. It was too much to attend on Sunday, too.