My eyes were locked on the moving throng of partiers. “Sounds good. I’m sorry, Will, I don’t mean to be rude. I thought I saw someone I knew.”
A herd of loud, obnoxious guys arrived and took up any available room. Red plastic cups were filled and passed around with greeting rituals of chest bumps and knuckle explosions. Of course, their antics caught the attention of every available girl as they swarmed to them. Hair flipping, laughing, and groping ensued. With the commotion, I lost my hero. Once the room cleared, I navigated my way outside to the pool.
“Hey, Abby!”
Scanning the room, I didn’t recognize the voice, and I didn’t see its owner at first.
Jake Turner appeared, smiling. Jake was cute, lean but muscular, and really into football. I’d known Jake since elementary school, and while he was nice, I didn’t see him as anything more than a friend. “Mel said you and me should hook up.” He looked down at me, bottle-green eyes twinkling.
My brows rose. “Oh, did she? She wants a double date buddy.”
“I think you’re right. She’s with Tyler now.” His chin jutted toward the hall before returning his attention back to me. “How’s your summer so far?” I was glad he changed the subject—the bedrooms were down that hall
“Fine. Nothing special. You?” I took another quick glance around the room, trying my best to avoid my newly acquired rudeness.
“Same. Just been to parties like this.” Jake shrugged as if partying was an obligation. “You aren’t swimming?” He gestured to my attire.
I almost laughed, as if anyone here would want to see that. “Nah, not tonight. Do you mind if I get outside? I thought I saw someone I needed to talk to.”
“Yeah. I’ll catch ya later, Abby.” He gave me a playful swat on the arm.
The sun had set behind the mountain, still hot and the lack of breeze made the moist air stickier. The basketball court was empty and I didn’t see my savior by the pool. Disappointment crept in. It was just my imagination. Again.
A loud cluster of boys played football nearby. Greg Johnson, who happened to be a human tank, was one of them. I didn’t know him very well since he was with the more popular crowd. Greg was good friends with Jake and he seemed like a decent guy.
“Hey, Greg, heads up!” Those words didn’t register until that tank decided to dive for the football, which was over the water. Too bad I was standing between Greg and his ball.
Greg launched at me full force with an elbow to my chest. I didn’t know what I felt first—the warm pool water encompassing me, or the exploding pain from the impact. The pain, though, became my downfall.
Rational thought escaped me. Rational thought like, Get out of the water before you drown. Greg, I believe, was happy to have his ball and too drunk to notice the roadblock he flattened was still at the bottom of the pool.
My heart raced and an incredible amount of pressure gripped my chest. The blow must have been enough to shock my heart into an attack. I couldn’t feel my arms or kick my legs. Nothing worked. I couldn’t focus on the bubbles to figure out what direction the surface was. My vision became spotty and black. Lungs screamed for air and I was too weak to do anything, slipping away.
I was actually drowning in a pool full of people and I knew how to swim. I wondered how long it would take someone to realize there was a dead body in the pool. Would I sink or bounce on the surface like a floating chlorinator?
Closing my eyes, my thoughts drifted to my hero, the beautiful man from my dreams. I may or may not have seen him tonight. He may or may not exist. I never had a boyfriend and I’d never been kissed, but if I went out with his image on my mind, our dream kiss, that was something at least.
Vaguely, I felt two strong hands under each arm pull me through the water. My back was pressed to a firm, solid chest, rising with incredible speed. Cradled in his arms, my body swayed. The lub-dub of my heart slowed to near non-existent and the pressure in my chest wouldn’t allow me to breathe. I drifted off to the blackness.
With a jolt, my heart leapt to life and a tight, painful burn wrapped around it. Something foreign was in my lungs, a different pressure from within. Slowly, the tightness and pain subsided. I tasted chlorine and…lips? Yep, that was definitely a mouth forcing air into me, creating more pressure in my chest. I had to cough. My body jerked and I sputtered up the chlorinated water.
Whoever saved me, held my head to the side so I could expel the pool I inhaled. A hand was on my chest, under my clothing. The hand was hot, large, and definitely touching more than anyone without a medical degree had ever touched. When I finished coughing, he laid my head back down.
My pulse slowed and air came in easy currents. The pain vanished as if it never happened. Fluttering my wet eyelids open, I focused on my rescuer. I blinked not believing what I was seeing. I couldn’t be awake because inches away were those almond-shaped hazel eyes.
9
Abby
Dark hair had pasted to his forehead that was creased with concern. Droplets of water fell off him and onto my face, forcing me to blink. He was breathtakingly gorgeous and the exact image from my dream. My heart quickened again at the sight of him. He must have felt it beneath his long, tanned fingers.
“It’s okay. You’re out of the water,” a low, husky voice said. Was this another dream? Was I still at the bottom of the pool dying?
My breathing slowed down and my heart relaxed into its normal rhythm again. How was that possible? I should need a pill, but I didn’t.
His hand was still under my shirt, between and on top of my breasts, and it didn’t seem like he intended to move it.
Shooting my eyes to my chest, his cheeks reddened and dragged his hand away, leaving the skin behind warmer than the rest of me. I didn’t want to take my eyes off him out of fear I was hallucinating. If I looked away, he would turn into someone else and this wouldn’t be real.
Murmurs broke out around me, snapping me back to reality.
I choked out a rough, “Thank you.” Wasn’t my best, but considering I was brought back from the Reaper’s grip, it would do.
“Oh my gosh! Abby! Abby! Abby! You scared the hell outta me!” Melanie shrilled. Falling to my side, she yanked me into a hug. The smell of alcohol overpowered the chlorine and her words slurred. So much for her driving me home tonight. Mel grabbed the purse wrapped around my shoulder and looked for my pills.
Beth appeared and held my hand. She looked sober, thank goodness.
I put my hand on Mel’s. “Mel, I’m okay. I don’t need it. Thanks to him.”
All eyes shot to my savior.
He held his hand out for me. “Alexander Wright.”
“Abigail Miller.” As my hand touched his, tingles shot from my fingertips to down my arm. His hand was firm and warm, wrapping around mine. Almost twenty years had passed and I never had a name for him. Alexander Wright.
His eyes didn’t stray from me. “Do you think you can stand, Abigail?” His voice alone was enough to qualify him super-sexy, but I certainly didn’t mind the rest of him.
“Abby, please. Everyone calls me Abby. Yes, I’m okay, surprisingly.”
He didn’t let go of my hand; in fact, I felt his other hand grasp my hip and he lifted me in a liquid movement that I wasn’t capable of. Once steady on my feet, he let me go, but something flashed in his eyes when he did.
Facing me, I had another opportunity to examine Alexander, compare him to my dream. “You should go home. That was some hit. Did you drive here to the party?” His hazel eyes pierced into mine, tilting his head, and I stared at the water dripping off his strong jaw.
With a shake of my head, I said, “No. Melanie drove.”
Looking at her sway, we both knew she couldn’t drive.
Alexander frowned. “Uh, I don’t—”
“I’ll drive,” Beth offered.
Closing his mouth, Alexander gave her a curt nod.
I didn’t want to go home, but he was right, I should. I should be in the back of an ambulance on th
e way to the hospital or a black bag with a zipper, but somehow, I was okay. Did he do something to me like in my dream? No, that wasn’t possible, but neither was he.
“Please excuse me a moment.” Alexander strode away and I watched. Muscles swelled underneath his wet clothes, sticking to him like a second skin. His back rippled with the simple movement of walking, and even the outlines of his calves were sexy.
Beth and Mel pulled me away from gawking and mouthed at the same time, HE’S HOT!
I agreed with a gaping nod. I’d never seen a man this good looking in person.
A deep, gruff voice spoke behind us, forcing me to turn from staring at Alexander again. “Uh, hey. I’m sorry I almost killed you, and left you for dead.” Greg’s brown eyes were bloodshot, dark skin paled in the dim lighting, and his large frame wobbled. Greg clutched the football to his bare chest as though it had magical powers to keep him upright.
I put my hand on his arm, shocked to feel him trembling. “Greg, I know it was an accident. It’s okay, really.”
“This is a reminder.” Greg thrust the ball at me. “Don’t stand by the pool when drunk idiots are playing football, okay?”
“Got it. Thanks, Greg.” I slugged him on the arm, doubtful he even felt it.
Alexander appeared and he handed me a towel; our fingers grazed. Flushing, I looked away. My heart raced all over again and my legs didn’t feel like they had bones anymore. Yep, all of that from a skim of his finger.
“Um, I’m going to excuse myself a moment.” I needed to step away before I said or did anything even more embarrassing. No guy had ever made me this nervous.
Handing the football to Beth, I wrapped the towel around myself. Luckily, the bathroom was empty and didn’t smell like vomit yet. I guess it was earlier than I thought. I dried off as best I could. My braid was unraveling and makeup a bit smudged. I cleaned up and returned to the yard. The girls were where I left them, but Alexander was gone. Did he leave? Panic surged through me.
I whispered, “Where did Xander go?” Xander? That kinda flew out of my mouth. I wondered if he would mind the nickname, or if he preferred Alexander or Alex.
They pointed with goofy grins to across the yard.
Alexander stood near the pool, his back turned to us, drying off. He only had shorts on, wringing his shirt of water. The slight movement of his hands sent an undulating effect to each muscle in his upper body. Turning in the dim light, I caught a glimmer on his skin. Two thick, iridescent lines stretched along the length of his back, starting at each shoulder and stopping just inches above his pelvis, tapered to a point at each end. Had I not been staring at him, I would have missed them. If it hadn’t been for those strange marks, his skin would have been flawless.
He turned to face my direction and my mouth went dry, air left my lungs. Cast like a sculpture, his carved chest led into broad shoulders and his arms were bulky and defined. I hated the fact those arms were around me and I didn’t fully appreciate them. My eyes drew down to his abs, a washboard more-than-I-could-count-pack, and cut hips. Etched muscles plunged beneath the low-hung shorts. Good Heavens.
The wet shirt stretched back over his torso, covering up my last glimpse of that hard stomach. As his eyes met mine, he gave me a warm smile. My first smile from him. A bunch of butterflies took off in my stomach. He walked back toward me and the girls left; I would have to thank them later.
The smooth skin around his eyes creased. “I like ‘Xander,’ by the way.”
Any hint of a smile on my face fell away. How did he hear me from across the yard? I had whispered, didn’t I? I was certain I did.
He said, “You should get going soon, so you can rest. Are you feeling all right?”
I nodded, incapable of forming words. Thank goodness the part of my brain in control of motor function was working. I was staring at him again, but I could totally blame that on the near death experience, lack of oxygen to my brain.
Beth and Mel saved me before drool trickled out of my mouth. Mel grumbled that things were just getting good with Tyler, and I mumbled an apology.
Xander followed us out front to the car. Beth and Mel shot me looks of approval, and my stomach churned with nerves. He reached the passenger side before me and opened the door. Guys still did that? Xander waited for me to slip into the car. He grabbed the seatbelt, drew it out, and handed it to me to click in. Our fingers touched again.
Somehow, I found the English language in the recesses of my brain. “Xander, thank you for tonight. I don’t know what you say when someone saves your life other than, thank you.”
He smiled, revealing two rows of straight, bright teeth. His hand encompassed mine and lifted it to his mouth. Soft, full lips kissed my hand. He kissed my hand! Forget the butterflies. A flock of birds took off.
Returning my hand to my lap, those hazel eyes sparkled. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Abby.” Closing the door, he waited for Beth to pull away and didn’t take his gaze off mine.
Did I hear him right? He said it was a pleasure to finally meet me.
Finally.
10
Abby
“Holy hot guy, Batman!” Mel squealed from the backseat.
Beth grinned behind the wheel. “Yeah, he was so hot he was on fire! I would totally give up my no-boy rule for those muscles.”
I nodded.
“What’s wrong, Abby? Hot boy got your tongue?”
I rolled my eyes at Mel. “He didn’t ask for my number. He must think I’m a spaz.”
“No way, Abby. Did you not see the way he was looking at you? No one else existed. He was intense.” Beth pulled her eyes off the road long enough to make sure I heard her.
Mel’s blood alcohol level made her louder than normal. “And he kissed your hand goodnight! That was even hotter!”
“Mel, he was being polite,” I said, trying to downplay their excitement. Nothing good could come from reading too much into pecking the back of my hand.
“I’m telling you, Abby. He has a thing for you.” Beth sounded sure of herself.
Mel gripped the back of my seat. “Who is he? I’ve never seen him before.”
I shrugged. “Maybe Tyler’s neighbor or relative?”
The girls agreed.
“By the way,” Mel announced, “you two are coming to another party next week.”
This time, Beth cursed.
I had Beth drop me off at the curb. Since Mel was still three sheets to Captain Morgan, Beth would take her home and spend the night. When I stepped inside my house, everyone was huddled on the sofa, watching a movie.
Dad burst out into laughter, and it took me much too long to realize that I was the comedic relief. “You should have brought a bathing suit, Abby.”
I peeled the damp shirt from my stomach. “Ha, ha. I fell in.” Okay, yes, kind of a lie.
He composed himself but poorly. “Are you okay?”
“Just a bruised ego from mortifying embarrassment. I’m gonna get in the shower and go to bed.”
Everyone muttered goodnight.
As I washed the chlorine off me, thoughts bounced through my head. How did I know Xander existed? Who was he? Did he stay at the party and get another girl’s number? A girl that didn’t look like a drowned rat? For a brief moment, I considered not washing the hand that touched his lips, and then threw it under the hot water.
During the night, I tossed, turned, and had my nightmare once. I tried reading a book for a while, but it didn’t help. Xander invaded my thoughts, but it was a welcome invasion. How could I dream of a man my entire life and he appeared looking exactly like I had dreamed him? It just wasn’t possible. This went way beyond déjà vu. Maybe one of my heart attacks gave me psychic powers. Yeah, right.
Popping my earbuds in, I drifted off.
Monday morning, Dad was at work, Mom took the girls to their classes, and Margaret stepped out to the grocery store. Bozo lay on the cool tile by the back door with his puppy dog eyes gazing out. He looked like I felt: cooped up
and bored. His eyes wore me down, and I decided to take Bozo for a walk. Even though I didn’t run, I did own a running outfit. After throwing my hair up into a ponytail, I couldn’t resist a touch of lip-gloss to keep the dry, hot air from my lips.
Normally, I had my cell phone on me, but Mom went to get me a new one today since mine met a watery death. I grabbed my emergency pill bottle and stuck it in my front pocket. The sun burned my skin as the temperature was already in the high nineties. “Sorry, Bozo, this is gonna be a short one today.”
He wagged his tail at me and let his tongue hang out the side of his mouth.
The morning sun gleamed off windows and cars, blinding me. I pulled the brim of my hat down and pushed my sunglasses up. Down the street, lawn mowers and leaf blowers sparked to life, manicuring neighbors’ lawns. I couldn’t imagine having a job outside in the summer. Within minutes, my skin was tacky, my already tight clothes adhered to me, and Bozo’s thick hairs stuck to my legs as his tail rubbed up against them.
Bozo pulled too hard on his leash. I had to keep yanking him back and disciplining him as though he understood human. My parents took him running, because speed was the one way to keep him from noticing the neighborhood. When we reached the park, Bozo spotted a few neighborhood kids and dragged me; I tugged his leash the opposite way. There was a canal behind the subdivision, which would be quieter. We strolled along the rocky trail that was usually occupied by runners and bikers. I kept us clear of the holes dug from burrowing animals and away from thick brush that a snake could hide in.
The stagnant brown canal water was littered with wilted leaves from the sparse desert trees and bushes. Surrounding our community were fields and farms that used the water for irrigation. Where I lived was a strange mixture of the city, suburbs, rural farms, and desert. Travel one mile in any direction and you were bound to be in a different division. A half a mile from my house was a dairy farm; the faint odor of manure filled the air as we neared it. Hot manure smell. Gross.
To Fall (The To Fall Trilogy Book 1) Page 6