Gabe squished himself next to me in my bowl chair, “Me too, Em. But it is not just those two that make it hard for us all to hang out like we used to.”
“Yeah. I know. And I’ve about had it up to here with this little attitude Ryan has developed as well. I have the right mind to sit all three of them down and not let them get up until they can just move past everything and let us be friends again.”
“If only it were that simple.”
“I know. But it gets messy when feelings are involved.”
“Yeah, and all three…” he stopped midsentence. “Well, anyway…”
“Wait. What did you just say?” I questioned as he started to say something else.
“Nothing. I was trying to say it’s late so I better get going, but you cut me off.”
“Uh, no. You said three. What did you mean by three?”
“It’s late. I’m tired. I misspoke,” he countered, starting to get up.
“Gabriel Shawn Walters. Sit yourself back down,” I said in a tone that made him stop and sink back into the bowl chair. I waited till he looked at me. “You said three. Now you tell me the truth. You were referring to Ryan as the third. Does it have anything to do with him having feelings for McKenzie?”
He took a moment to just stare back at me. “Em, don’t worry yourself about this. Nothing happened or will happen.”
“What do you mean by nothing happened?”
Gabe leaned forward and put his head between his hands, running his fingers through his hair. “Oh God. He is going to be so pissed if he ever finds out I told you. That is if he even remembers saying anything to me.”
“Told me what, Gabe?”
He turned to look at me, dropping one of his hands so that I could see his face. “Listen, Em. Before I say anything, you have to know that nothing happened and that nothing will ever happen. You know Ryan, and you know the type of guy that he is.”
“OK,” I said slowly.
“I mean it, Em. You have always been really protective of Kenz. And you should be, cause she is your little sister. But in this case, you also have to know who your friend is and not jump to conclusions.”
“OK,” I said again.
“OK.” He slowly sat up. “So something happened over the summer. Shit, I mean something didn’t happen. Well it did, but in his head. Damn, this is not coming out right. Just let me start over.”
“By all means…”
“Alright. So you know how Ryan has basically been acting weird since Kenzie has been back from camp this summer.”
“Yeah. And?”
“Well. It may have something to do with the fact that he doesn’t view her as a little kid anymore,” he said with a winced expression.
“What?”
“Em, nothing has happened.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that. But have I mentioned she’s fifteen?”
“Valid point. But, Em, even you admit she does not look fifteen.”
“Are you defending him?” I asked in a tone torn between anger and understanding.
“I don’t have to defend him. He hasn’t done anything wrong. He can’t help that your sister has gone from a little girl to sexy as hell in one summer.”
“Uh,” I gawked, “She’s fifteen.”
“Yes, we’ve been over this. We also both know that she looks older than you, acts your age, and that because she’s fifteen Ryan would never do anything. She’s always been closer to him than with Dylan or me. When you think about it, it makes since that they would eventually see each other as more than friends.”
“But she’s fifteen,” I muttered.
Gabe let out a breath. “Oh my God. You’re relentless. Can you honestly say you didn’t see this coming?”
I took a moment to think about everything before I responded. “No,” I finally said, “I can’t say that I didn’t see this coming. She has really liked him since the first time she met him, but it was always a silly crush because he was so much older. And you’re right. If you didn’t know her, you would never guess she was so young. She doesn’t act her age and she certainly doesn’t look it. But if he ever. Tries. Anything. Before she’s eighteen, you better kill him or I will.”
Gabe let out a relieved laugh. “Deal.” He reached up to rub his eyes, then turned to look back at me. “But, Em, you know he never would. And it’s been killing him – trying to fight any feelings for her. It didn’t help when she was throwing herself at him. Then, knowing he can’t have her, he has to watch her date another guy. Imagine how hard that is for him, especially knowing that little hornball has one thing on his mind.”
“Please, Logan is a nice guy.”
“There is no such thing as a nice guy. Especially at fifteen. I guarantee you that guy has one thing on his mind. And it’s the same thing all guys think about when it comes to the Crawford sisters.”
“Eww. Too much information.” And it was. I did not want to think about any guy thinking about my little sister that way. Although I have to admit, I liked to hear that some guys really found me that attractive. I mean, I’m not blind. I know I’m pretty, but Gabe makes it sound like he thinks I’m a knockout or something. And if that’s the case, he really is blind.
“Yeah, now think about how Ryan feels. Knowing she is with a guy that doesn’t care about her the way he would or who would take care of her the way that any of us would. At least you know Ryan would respect her.”
“Yeah. I guess.” I took in a breath looking around the room before staring back at Gabe.
“I mean damn. Ryan has been through hell trying not to feel anything for her. Can you imagine what it would be like to suddenly be attracted to someone that you have viewed up to this point as a little kid? Then, knowing that they were too young for you and not being able to act on it. Like that sucks.”
I laughed for the first time since Gabe started talking. “You know when you put it that way, the whole thing really does suck.”
“And, Em, don’t let him know you know. The only reason I know is because of quite a few beers and a few other reasons. He probably doesn’t even remember saying anything to me. And I swear to you, if he ever decides to act on this before she’s eighteen, you can take a turn at him after Dylan and I do,” he finished with that boyish grin of his.
“I’m not going to say anything. I feel like that would just make this whole thing weirder. And about the other thing, thanks.”
“Any time,” he said, starting to get up, “Now I really do need to get going or neither one of us is going to be able to get up tomorrow.”
“You’re right. And tomorrow is only Wednesday,” I groaned as we walked over to my window.
Gabe turned to look back at me before he climbed out the window. “Night, Emmie,” he whispered reaching out to touch my face.
“Night, Gabe,” I smiled back. But there was that guilt again. I would have never thought twice about Gabe touching the side of my face before Jake; but now, knowing that for Gabe it was not just a simple touch, it had everything in my head all confused. I hate that this line got blurred and desperately wished Gabe and I could go back to when we both felt like we were just friends. I can’t put my finger on it, but in a way I feel like I’m starting to lose my friend.
Needless to say, I walked groggily into school the following morning. I saw Dylan first, standing with a group of guys from the tennis team. Come to think of it, over the last several weeks I’ve only seen Dylan hanging out with guys. And he certainly did not have his usual girl or two hanging all over him. I couldn’t help but wonder why I was just picking up on that. But I was quickly distracted from that when I finally spotted Maya, who was standing with Evan and Jake.
I made my way over to them just in time to hear Evan and Maya say something that I didn’t understand, then both start laughing. I looked over at Jake and he shrugged, then grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together – clearly not understanding what they were talking about either. Maya stopped laughing when she saw me.
�
��Look what the cat dragged in. I mean it literally looks like someone dragged you in. Not get much sleep last night, Em?”
“No. Gabe came over last night and didn’t leave till late.”
I felt Jake tense. “So that explains why you never called me back last night,” he was trying to sound nonchalant, even though I could obviously see how much what I had just said bothered him.
“Oh crap. Jake, I’m so sorry. We got to talking, then it got late, and I completely forgot,” I gasped, feeling terrible, which seemed to lighten Jake’s mood a little.
“So what were y’all talking about that required him to stay over so late?” Maya asked, taking another bite of the apple I didn’t realize she had until then.
“Oh nothing,” I said in a way that I hoped would satisfy them enough to move on to something else. Yet, it seemed to have the opposite effect. I felt Jake tense up again, and I could tell he was about to say something before Maya chimed in.
“Oh crap. Don’t anybody look now,” she panicked. “Evan, just go with it. I’ll explain later,” she uttered quickly, but desperately, right before she kissed him.
I was totally confused and then even more shocked when Evan wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close, and kissed her back. It’s like my brain needed a moment to process what it was seeing before I could even ask what the heck was going on. As soon as I heard Dylan’s voice, it all seemed to make a little more sense.
“Come on, man. You don’t have to work that hard to get Maya in the sack,” he sneered, unable to sound any more like a jerk then he did in that moment. His comment also ceased Maya and Evan’s lip-lock and gained both of their attention. “A little bit of whiskey and that girl is an easy lay,” he continued, giving Evan a cocky wink as he slapped him on the back and kept walking. He only took a few steps before he turned back to face our direction. “Oh, and Jack and coke is her poison. Works every time. Isn’t that right, babe?” he finished slowly, maliciousness dripping off every word as he spoke.
Maya’s eyes glazed over as he walked away and realization swept over me. She hadn’t just been hurt because she found Dylan with another girl when she thought they were going to get together. She had slept with him. She had slept with Dylan, and he was the first guy Maya had sex with that she really cared about. And to make matters worse, he just announced it to everyone in the hallway. You have got to be kidding me.
“Maya…” I started, unable to hide the sadness I felt for my friend in my voice.
“No, Emma. Just stop. This time I can’t take what you think you know. You, with your perfect family, perfect boyfriend, and perfect life. Just stop. I can’t. I can’t anymore,” she shouted. She took one more breath and a tear escaped down her cheek before she turned and quickly walked away.
I’m not sure when Gabe got there or what all he heard but when I tried to go after her, he grabbed me and told me to let her go.
“She needs some time to cool off, Em,” he said softly. Knowing how much it was killing me not to be able to help my best friend when she was hurting and somehow managing to be part of the problem, he added, “Just give it some time, Em, she’ll come around.
Between my exhaustion from last night and everything that just happened this morning, the next thing I knew I was throwing my arms around Gabe crying silent tears. It must have surprised him because it took him a second to hug me back. He held me close until I could trust myself enough to let go without letting everyone else know that I was crying.
When I pulled back I looked around and Jake was nowhere in sight. “Where’d Jake go?”
“He walked off pretty soon after you buried yourself in my shoulder.”
“Perfect! Freaking perfect!” I said louder than I meant too. “How is he ever going to believe that we are just friends when I do stuff like this? In his mind I bet he is thinking I chose you over him. Add it to the gosh darn list today.”
“Em?”
“What?” I demanded, clearly frustrated.
“Why did you just choose me over him?” He asked, sounding almost afraid to ask the question.
“I…I don’t know,” I let out as I sunk down on the floor leaning against the lockers. “I wish we could just hit rewind and do this morning all over again.” I put my hands over my face and sat there like that until the morning bell rang. Gabe was still standing there, waiting patiently, when I stood up.
“Want to just get out of here?” he offered, leaning against the lockers.
“Oh yeah, how would I explain that one to Jake? I’m just going to go to class.” I threw my bag over my shoulder and turned to walk toward Spanish.
“I’m here if you need me, Em,” I heard Gabe say as I walked away. I didn’t stop and turn around. I just put my hand in the air and gave a little wave to let him know that I heard him.
Maya wasn’t in Spanish when I got there. I couldn’t find her in the halls, and when she didn’t show up for the second class we had together, I knew she had left. I might as well have been gone. I spent most of my morning worrying about her. God, I just hoped she didn’t do anything stupid. She never did deal well when she was this upset.
Much to my surprise, when the bell rang for lunch Jake was waiting for me by my locker. He gave me his best attempt at a smile when I walked up to him.
“Evan texted and said he took Maya home,” he said in a forced voice.
“OK. Thanks. I knew she had left and was hoping she wasn’t driving around by herself somewhere. She is really unpredictable when she gets like this.” I starred at my locker unable to meet Jake’s eyes.
He reached out, grabbed my chin, and gently turned my face toward him. He waited until our eyes met. “I’m sorry I walked off earlier, Em.”
“You’re sorry?” I half laughed. “I throw my arms around Gabe instead of you and you’re sorry?”
“Not going to lie. I was pissed at first, but I know he’s your friend and sometimes you need a friend when shit goes down,” he swallowed, running his hand down my arm. “I’m here for you too, you know. I hope one day you feel like you can lean on me instead of him.” I could hear the strain in his voice as he said the last part.
My eyes swelled with tears, and as soon as Jake saw them he pulled me into him. “None of that. Do you hear me? I know you could be with him if you wanted to be, but you chose me,” he said, hugging me tight. “I mean you did choose me, didn’t you?” he asked, pulling away and pretending to be worried.
I let out a little laugh. “I’m sorry about earlier and I’m sorry I’m an emotional mess…I’m just sorry.”
Jake looked at me with that perfect smile of his while tucking away a piece of hair behind my ear. “Want to pretend that today just started?”
“More than you know.”
Jake turned around and jogged a few feet away. Then he turned back around and walked toward me.
“Morning, beautiful,” he said, scooping me up in a hug.
“Good morning, yourself.” I played along.
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned down and gave me a quick peck. “Now what do you say we go get some lunch?”
“Yes, please! I’m starving.”
The rest of the day went by extremely slowly. I was worried about Maya but also hurt and confused about why she had lashed out at me. She and I never fought. I was shocked when it first happened and thought it would blow over after she had some time to herself. I mean, this is me and Maya we were talking about. I didn’t really expect her to stay mad. When I hadn’t heard from her by the time I got to practice, I started to get irritated.
I pulled into the parking lot right behind Gabe and marched my way over to him as soon as I got out of my car.
“Like really? What is her freakin’ problem? I didn’t do anything.”
“Good afternoon to you too there, sunshine,” he replied as his passenger side door closed. I looked up to see Ryan getting out of his car.
“Yeah um, I’m just going to head to the courts and let you two work out whate
ver it is that y’all have going on here.”
“No, it’s fine Ryan. You know what’s going on anyway,” I spat.
“Uh, OK. I’m not sure what to do here?” Ryan said, looking a little nervous.
“Whatever.” I turned back to Gabe. “I mean, I get that Dylan hurt her and that she’s pissed at him. Heck, I would be too, especially knowing what I know now. But mad at me? Really?” I steamed.
Ryan relaxed a bit when he realized this was about Maya. And if I hadn’t been so worked up over this issue, I probably would have probed him about why.
“Give her some space, Em. You know Maya can get a little fiery when she gets upset.”
Ryan coughed, “A little fiery? You mean like a full on fireball. That’s chasing you. And it’s scary.”
“Yeah. Just never at me.”
“So that is what this is about,” Gabe said, sounding amused.
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, waiting for him to speak.
“This is y’alls first big fight.”
“No. Well yes. I mean we don’t really fight, especially when the other person hasn’t done anything wrong.” I said flustered.
“Listen, Em. You know Maya. Just give her some space right now. She’ll come around.”
“Yeah. Alright. But if Dylan decides to show his cocky, jerk of a self today, I’m going to peg him so hard with a tennis ball. This entire thing is his fault.”
“Note to self. Do not piss Emma off at tennis practice,” Ryan chimed in.
“Oh shut up. Come on, let’s walk over to the courts. Jake’s truck is here and he’s probably wondering why I’m not up there yet.”
“Heaven forbid your boy toy has to wait for you,” Gabe joked.
I just rolled my eyes and then started walking with both the boys in tow.
***
I hit my light and crawled into bed after what felt like one of the longest days of my life. I still hadn’t heard from Maya; at this point I was past mad and back to worried. This just wasn’t like her. I made up my mind that I was going to track that girl down tomorrow and make her talk to me if I had too.
The Exception Page 10