Here With Me

by Alla Kar

  “Jesus, what in the hell was that?”

  I frown. “It’s good to see you, too.”

  “Oh, no. I forgot you wore my dress today.” Heather jumps up and starts to examine the rip in her dress.

  “I’m sorry, I just—I had to get out of there. I couldn’t be there anymore.”

  “Why?” Bethany yells, twisting her strawberry blond hair out of her face. “Everything was going great. He was being a gentleman, which is something he never does for any other girl.”

  I debate telling them. It’s not like I’ll see Lachlan again. I don’t plan on attending this wedding. “The best man, I dated him in high school. I mean—he is the last guy I dated.”

  Heather stops her examination and gawks at me. “The sexy guy behind the groom? The one with the accent, that helped you out of the window? Holy shit, now I feel really bad for you.”

  “Tell me about it. I really just want to get out of this dress—I’m sorry about the dress by the way—and then go to bed. I feel like shit. We can plan our attack tomorrow, is that okay?”

  Bethany sighs, but says her goodbyes. I’m thrilled to be away from her. Heather waits until the door clicks before she pushes me toward the bed.

  “What in the hell was that? I’ve never seen you act like…such a girl. You were stumbling over your words, nervous as hell. What the hell happened?”

  Tears sting my eyes and for once, I can’t keep them in. A sob breaks from my throat. Heather doesn’t say anything. She climbs into my bed and holds me until I fall into a deep, dark sleep.

  Chapter Six

  Laney

  “I’m falling apart

  I’m barely breathing

  With a broken heart

  That’s still beating” — Lifehouse

  My eyes are still swollen the next morning. I blot make-up under them until I’m happy with the outcome. Heather has gone home for church today and I’m happy to be by myself. I never told Heather the truth. Not the real truth, at least. I’m not ready, not for the pitying glances. For the judgment.

  Slamming my mascara down onto the table, I answer my phone that keeps ringing. “Hello,” I snap. My side pulls as I twist in my seat. It’s still a little sore from yesterday’s incident.

  “Damn, girl. Remind me to always text you from now on,” Jacks says.

  “Sorry, I just had a really bad weekend. What’s up?”

  “Uh, the Cook Off, it’s today. Tell me you didn’t drink that much last night. Come on, you know, the extra credit for Dr. Phillips.”

  Shit. “Damn, I forgot. When is it?”

  “In thirty minutes. I’m coming over.” I hear the click of his phone and then some ruffling around next door. Jacks walks into my room, without knocking, two minutes later. He jerks his head back. “What happened to you?”

  I want to throw something against the wall. I pull out some Advil and dry swallow two pills. “Is there any good news you can bring me today, Jacks?”

  Smiling, he leans against my make-up desk and ruffles my hair. “Come on, kid. Let’s get this over with, then I’ll take you out for some ice cream.”

  The YMCA is packed when we get there. A sea of people are cluttered inside the building’s community room. Jacks says all we have to do is look for Dr. Phillips and he’ll show us where to go. But, I’m not sure I want to go where he points. He is pissed off at us, so there’s no telling what he has in store.

  “I see his bald head,” Jacks points, “over there.”

  Dr. Phillips is hunched over a table, scribbling things down. He doesn’t look up once we get in front of him, so Jacks knocks his fingers against the table.

  He jumps, frowning when he sees us. I knew it. He gives us a small smirk, and pushes his glasses up his nose. “Great, how wonderful for you two to actually show up. I guess you do care about your grades.”

  Hilarious. Jacks laughs sarcastically, making it unreadable whether he is being a smartass or genuine. “That’s too funny, Dr. Phillips.”

  Grumbling under his breath, Dr. Phillips pulls out a clipboard. “You two need to go around to the tables and make sure all of the contestants are here. Can. You. Do. That?” What a douche.

  Jacks salutes him and takes the clipboard. “You won’t have any problems out of us, sir.”

  He points for us to leave him alone. Gladly. Jacks pulls me to the side and glances at the clipboard. “Damn, there are like thirty people signed up. Who cooks nowadays?”

  I laugh. “I guess the people that are good at it. Because God knows I’m not.”

  “That’s the truth. I remember when you tried to make that cake in Home-Ec. Damn, that was pretty bad, all mushy in the middle—”

  “Okay,” I say, grabbing his elbow and squeezing, “no need to kick me while I’m down.”

  Jacks smiles, then focuses on the clipboard. “Okay, let’s get this done.”

  We go around the room, making sure every contestant has signed in. Heather texts me, asking what happened last night. I ignore it. I was not going there, not today. I’d tell her when she gets back. Then Aiden texts me. Three times. I was sure the window incident would run him off, but obviously not.

  Aiden: How are you? What are you doing? You looked so sexy in that dress last night. Want to get together later?

  Barf.

  I send him a quick text telling him I’m doing some extra credit and that I’ll text him later. I’m not going to, it’s not part of the plan. Never text a guy first. Sounds bitchy, but guys always fall for the girls that act like they don’t give a damn. Well, he hit the motherlode, because I certainly don’t give a damn.

  “Okay, I’ve got to take a piss, can you do the last three?” Jacks shoves the clipboard in my face. I guess it was a rhetorical question.

  Going to the next name, I scoot down the line. She isn’t standing behind her section, so I skip to the next name. “No,” I whisper, shaking my head.

  Lachlan Hems. I must have massacred a family in my past life. Biting my lip, I glance up over my glasses, searching for him. Maybe he didn’t show up. Maybe he decided it was lame. He did cook a lot when we were in high school. He was so good at it. The cupcakes he made for me after we found…no, don’t even think about it.

  Quietly, I place the clipboard on the table that is his. I sigh in relief to see he isn’t in sight. Maybe he will sign and turn it into Dr. Phillips. I’m almost in the clear when I feel eyes land on the side of my face. I don’t look, I turn and run toward the door. I wish I didn’t have to run. I wish I could turn around and plow into him. But, I don’t.

  I can’t.

  I run. Pushing through the crowded YMCA, I don’t stop until I’m in the alley next to the building. My legs are burning and my throat is on fire. How do track runners do it? I would be out in the first ten seconds.

  I’m half-limping and panting like a dog when I feel a rough, calloused hand wrap around my upper arm. I’m pushed against the alley wall in the next second.

  “Laney.”

  God, just hearing his voice makes me weak. Breathing in and out a few times, I keep my glare down. He is close…a little too close. His chest is rising and falling quickly. It’s the first time since graduation that I’ve really seen him…been so close to him. I’ve dreamt about having him close to me again. Having his lips on me, having him lying over me, making me scream his name.

  His white T-shirt is snug, giving me a perfect picture of how hard and tight his chest is. He’s gotten bigger, his once bulky frame is massive, muscular, hard, and hot as hell. My mouth isn’t cooperating with my mind…it won’t open.

  “Laney, look at me, luv. Please.”

  Goddamn it. I want to touch him. I want to feel him. I let out a breathy sigh and look him in the eyes. The green is still as transparent as I remember, so beautiful. The worry line in the center of his brow straightens out. A small smirk rises from the corner of his full lips, rising up his chiseled jaw.

  “Why have you been running from me, Laney?” he asks, sliding his fingers a
gainst my jaw, slowly, leaving a burning trail of lust behind.

  Again my mouth won’t open. Instead, I shrug. Biting my lip, I look for a way out. There isn’t one. He has me pressed against the alley wall. “What happened to that yabber I’m used to? I know you have something to say, Laney. Say it.”

  His tone makes me mad. Raging, even. “Don’t tell me what to do…you, you Aussie.” Wow, that was a good one, Laney.

  Lachlan leans toward me, hands on either side of my body, and laughs. It’s hard, rough, and makes my panties wet. “Luv, you haven’t changed a bit. How have you been?”

  Hiding my shiver, I narrow my eyes. Is he seriously so calm this close to me? I feel like I’m going to combust. His hands are so big. His forearms are rubbing against the sides of my arms. “It’s none of your business. What are you doing here, Lachlan?”

  Tilting his head, he scoots closer. “I’m in town for Lucas’s wedding. But, I’m pretty sure you knew that from last night.”

  Why bring it up! “Don’t even say anything. It was an accident.”

  “I never said it wasn’t, doll. I just thought you may have forgotten since you were too busy trying to escape. Then undressing for your little boyfriend in the bathroom.”

  Anger boils under my skin. How dare him! He doesn’t know anything about Aiden, obviously, because he would know that I would never truly date him. Conjuring up my fight, I push against his chest. He takes a few steps back but not enough for comfort.

  “He is not my boyfriend, you asshole.”

  “No? Maybe you should tell him that. He seemed to have his hands all over you yesterday.” His jaw is clenched shut. He is angry. Well, join the fucking club.

  I point my finger toward his face. “You have no right to show up here and judge me. If I want to date the devil it would be none of your fucking business.”

  He laughs, loudly, running his fingers through his hair. The edge of his shirt rises, showing washboard abs and tanned skin. “Of course it’s not. You didn’t even give me a chance to make anything my business.”

  Throw up. I’m going to vomit. Grabbing my stomach, I screw my eyes shut. Do no talk about that. Do. Not. Do. It. “Shut up,” I scream. “Stop talking about it. Just. Stop.”

  “Laney.”

  Shit. I open my eyes and look to my left. Jacks is standing a few feet away from us, hands pushed down into his jeans pockets.

  “Oh,” Lachlan says, pointing toward Jacks. “Is this another one of your boyfriends? Does he get to help you make decisions?”

  “He isn’t my boyfriend! And he wouldn’t have to help make decisions if you kept your promise like a normal person!”

  Lachlan is livid. His breath is heavy, his fists clenched. He looks dangerously beautiful.

  “Do you want me to come back?” Jacks asks.

  “No,” I shake my head. “Let’s go. I can imagine myself anywhere else but here. Let’s just go.” I turn on my heel and march toward the car. I don’t turn around and look at Lachlan, because I may cry. I don’t need any tears, not in front of Jacks.

  Jacks unlocks the car for me and I scoot in, burying my face in my knees. I hear Jacks start the car and then we pull out.

  “You want to talk about it?” he asks.

  “No.”

  Jacks sighs and runs his hand over my back. “Okay, well, let’s go get that ice cream. Ice cream makes everything better. Always.”

  The ice cream parlor is close to empty. I can’t remember the last time I came out just to get ice cream. Whoever said ice cream makes it all better is full of shit. Sure, it tastes great but it only hides the pain for a few minutes.

  Jacks is almost done with his double scoop chocolate cone when he glances over at me. “You going to tell me who that guy was?”

  “Do I have to?”

  “If you want a ride home.”

  I narrow my eyes and flick a piece of cone at his face. “His name is Lachlan. I dated him for two years during high school.”

  Jacks waits for me to continue.

  “That’s it.”

  Jacks snorts. “Sure, that is so not it. The way he was looking at you, like he was taking off every single piece of clothing with his eyes. What else happened? He seemed pissed. To be honest, so do you. Was it a bad breakup?”

  I nod. “Something like that. We just…had some issues. Then he moved back to Australia before we made it better. But it wasn’t going to get better. Not then. Not now.”

  “Weirder things have happened, kid. You going to eat all of that?”

  “Don’t buy a girl ice cream then take it away. That’s like taking candy from a baby. But, I promise it won’t be that easy.”

  Jacks laughs and raises his hands in surrender. “I’ll remember that. So we have to go back to the Cook Off Tuesday, you know that, right? Lachlan might be there. What are you going to do?”

  I hadn’t thought about it. I don’t want to think about it. Eating the last bite of my cone, I wipe my hands on my napkin. “Don’t know. Avoid him. Maybe we got it all out of our system today.”

  “Really? It didn’t look like you guys resolved anything but how much you have the hots for each other.”

  Throwing my napkin at his face, I shake my head. “Shows how much you know.”

  “Oh what the fuck ever, Laney—” Jacks trails off, causing me to glance up.

  “What are you looking at?”

  Jacks points behind me, a smile rising on his face. Turning around in my seat, I see Aiden marching toward our table. Oh, fuck.

  “He looks like a man on a mission. Does he cheat off of you in class or something?”

  “Wow, that makes me feel really pretty, Jacks,” I say, flipping him the bird. I wasn’t going to tell Jacks about my situation with Aiden. Because, being the voice of reason, he will definitely tell me to stop. It’s a bad idea. It is, but I’ve already, somehow, got him hooked.

  “Babe,” Aiden says, stopping in front of our table. “What are you doing here…with him?” he sneers down at Jacks.

  Jacks is biting his lip, trying not to laugh, a chuckle stuck in his throat. “Nice to meet you, too, bro,” Jacks says.

  Aiden turns his body toward me. “Are you two on a date…or something? I thought…I mean, I thought we were going to go out.”

  Okay, time to bump up my game. “Aiden,” I say, slowly. “We went out once…that doesn’t make us exclusive.”

  I can feel Jacks’ gaze on the side of my face. Aiden frowns and rubs his neck. He is debating what to do. He puts girls in this position every day, now it’s his turn. “Um, okay. Well, I guess I’ll text you later, then. Are you going home after this?”

  I nod. “Bye.”

  His jaw is open—I mean drool-coming-down-from-the-corner-of-his-mouth opened. I wait until he is back at his table with two other guys before I laugh. I turn around in my seat and look over at Jacks.

  “Please, tell me what perfume you’re wearing. Is there a male equivalent? You’ve got guys back to back. What in the hell was that all about? You went out with Aiden? What the hell has happened to you? Did you fall? Concussion? Lose a bet?”

  I slap a ten down on the table and stand up. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you on the way home.”

  I was right. Jacks lectures me the entire way home. Of course, I knew this wasn’t a good idea, but a little alcohol and him making Bethany cry changed my mind.

  I finally escape Jacks’ criticism and get to my room. Bethany is waiting on my bed with a big bowl of popcorn and two drinks. “Hi, friend,” she says.

  I sigh. I had really wanted to just come home and go to sleep. I’ve had the worse day possible, well besides yesterday, and now I had to give Bethany a rundown.

  “Hey, Bethany. We working on Aiden sabotage today?”

  She shakes her head and pats the seat next to her on my bed. “Nope. We’re hanging out. Grab a bowl, we’re watching John Tucker Must Die.”

  A coincidence? I think not. I don’t ask why we’re watching this movie, because it’s
pretty obvious she wants to get some tips. I snuggle under the covers and lay back on my pillow. Bethany points and laughs, then asks if we can do any of the things on the show.

  I shake my head. “Aiden isn’t an athlete, so I can’t spike his energy shake. And no, I won’t kiss you to see if I can kiss or not.”

  She snaps her fingers. “Darn. Because, I was really thinking about jumping your bones.” She rolls her eyes. “Have you heard from him today?”

  “Have I?” I blow my bangs up. “He texted me all day today, not to mention Jacks and I ran into him at the ice cream parlor.”

  Bethany gasps, then turns toward me, and sits Indian style on my bed. “What? What happened? This is vital information, you can’t hold out on me.”

  “He was mad…asked me why I was out with another guy. I told him we weren’t exclusive. Then I got chewed out on the way home by Jacks. See, I’m not the only one who thinks this is a bad idea.”

  Bethany waves me off. “Whatever, Jacks doesn’t know what he is talking about. What’s our next move? Has he texted you since then?”

  Digging through my pocket, I pull out my cell. I have five new texts. Jeez. Two are from Heather saying she is on her way home and the other three are from Aiden.

  Aiden: Since I have competition, I guess I need to amp up my game. Want to be my date to the TKE party tomorrow night?

  Aiden: You there?

  Aiden: Please, I’ll make it worth your while.

  Bethany gets up on the bed and starts jumping up and down. “Yes! He always gets some ass during TKE parties. I can’t wait for you to turn him down. Woo!”

  I roll my eyes. “He won’t try it just yet. He’ll wait a couple of weeks, unless he has a death wish.”

  “Well, what’s our plan? Are you going to kiss him?” Bethany asks, her voice suddenly low.

  I shrug. “I don’t plan on it, but we can’t keep him coming if I turn him down every time. I may give him a peck, then go throw up in the bushes afterwards.”

  Bethany sighs. “He is a really good kisser. Watch out.”

  Doubtful. But, any kiss would probably feel like Heaven to me. I haven’t kissed anyone since…Lachlan. I haven’t wanted to. I can’t allow myself that pleasure. Especially not after what I did.