by Jordan Ford
I lick my dry lips again and let her check my vitals.
“Any pain?”
“My shoulder.”
“Okay.” She bobs her head while checking my chart. “Looks like I can give you some more meds in about ten minutes. You sit tight, I’ll go and get things organized for ya.”
“Thank you,” Chief Barlow answers on my behalf.
She nods and smiles at him, looking like a dwarf next to the towering man.
He steps forward as soon as she’s left. “So, you think you could live with the Hale family for a while?”
“I guess.” I shrug, then wince, my shoulder reminding me not to move around. “Not sure Enzo will be too happy about it though.”
“Hey, you leave Enzo to me.”
“You can’t watch him every second of the day. He’s not just going to let me walk away.”
“If he lays one finger on you, I’m taking him down.”
I glance at the man, surprised by the strength of his statement.
“Don’t be afraid to trust me on that one, kid. Chloe tried to tell me what an excellent guy you are, and you showed me how right she was.”
There’s this warm thing happening in my chest right now. I’m not sure what it is, but no adult has ever made me a promise I could believe in. But I trust this guy. I trust the look on his face, the confidence in his tone and posture.
He’s not going to let me down.
A smile creeps across my lips before I can stop it. “So, am I allowed to date your daughter, then? You know, in front of your back?”
My joke falls a little flat and I cringe, looking down at the white blanket covering my legs. It was a lame joke anyway.
“Of course you can date me.” The soft voice at the door makes my heart sing.
I strain to see her, ignoring the pain searing my shoulder.
Gritting my teeth, I hold back my hiss and smile at the vision shuffling into view.
“Hey,” I whisper, drinking her in. My beautiful Chloe.
“Hi.” Her smile is pure sunlight and I reach for her face, but can’t get my arm high enough to touch her. “It’s okay.” She perches on the edge of the bed, leaning close so I can cup her cheek.
“You all right?”
“Yeah, I am now.” Her blue eyes sparkle, but don’t hide the trauma of what she went through. I wish I could wipe it from her mind. I wish I had a magic touch to heal the wound on her head and the bruise on her cheek.
Anger flares briefly as I picture Milo Carter punching her, but she takes the emotion away with her delicate fingers.
“How bad are you hurting?” She traces the contours of my face. It kind of tickles, but I’m not moving for anything.
“My shoulder’s not great, but I’m going to be fine.”
“I know you will be. You’re the toughest guy I know.”
I grin and pull her in for a kiss, but a little throat clearing makes me pause.
Chloe rolls her eyes, but doesn’t turn to acknowledge her father.
She keeps gazing at me like I’m the most important thing in the world.
No one’s ever looked at me like that before and it’s hard to know what to do with it. My chest feels like it’s going to burst; the emotion bubbling inside of me is indescribable.
“Okay, fine. I’ll let you have a moment,” her dad finally mutters. “Not too long though. You both need your rest.”
Chloe grins as her father steps out of the room. As soon as the door clicks shut, she leans down to kiss me. It hurts my split lip but I don’t care. Running my fingers into her blonde locks, I cradle the back of her head and skim my tongue against hers.
It’s warm and comforting, enveloping my senses and taking all the pain away.
She smiles against me, running her thumb across my cheekbone and murmuring, “I love you.”
The words only add to my heart expansion. I swear I’ll be floating soon. It’s like there’s this balloon inside of me that she keeps inflating and I don’t want it to ever pop.
For a second, I glimpse my future. Instead of dread and resignation, I spot something bright and brilliant. Chloe’s holding my hand, smiling her sunshine smile and letting me lead her out the door to prom.
I’ve never let myself imagine something so High School Musical before, but there it is. And I can’t help hoping the vision will come true.
It’d be so normal, so unlike anything I’ve experienced before.
47
Red, White & Blue
CHLOE
“Would you stop fussing!” Max smacks Maddie’s hand away. “I look fine.”
“It’s prom! You’re supposed to look more than fine!”
Rahn giggles behind me, winking in the mirror as she finishes twisting my hair into some elaborate design she saw on Pinterest.
Max groans. “I’ll be playing for most of it. I need to be comfortable.”
“Okay, fine, no heels, but do you seriously have to wear those red Converse?”
“Yes.” Max nods, her expression emphatic.
Maddie rolls her eyes. “Well at least let me put a little makeup on you. Please! Rock stars wear makeup.”
Max sits down with a huff. “Fine, but make it quick. I don’t want to be late for the sound check.”
“Is Cairo picking you up?” I wince as Rahn tugs my hair a little too hard.
“Sorry,” she squeaks.
I wrinkle my nose in forgiveness.
“No, I told him it’d be easier if we just met there.”
“Wow, you guys are so romantic.” Maddie bites back a grin when Max slaps her on the knee. “Sit still. Unless you want eyeliner on your cheek.”
Max goes still while I giggle in my chair. I’m so excited I could burst.
The last five weeks have been insane.
Between studying, baseball…and recovering from the aftermath of what happened, life has been overwhelming.
Dad made us all see a counselor and we’ve been going to weekly sessions to talk through what happened. I haven’t been allowed to sit in on any of Vincent’s, but something in him is changing. I don’t know if it’s living with the Hales or what, but he’s lighter somehow. He actually smiles without thinking about it. Even people at school are noticing.
You should have seen their faces when we finally returned to school, walking hand-in-hand down the corridor. I swear, the gossip train is still going strong on that one. It’ll probably be going until we graduate. Our senior year together. It’s going to be amazing. I’m determined to make it the best year ever.
There’s really mixed emotions as we scream toward Maddie and Max’s graduation. Maddie decided to go to USC and Holden’s heading there too. Cairo’s off to Berkeley, which is killing Max as she’s made the decision to stay put, work her ass off, and learn everything she can from Mr. Hale.
She’s going to miss Cairo big-time, but she’ll survive. That’s what Dad says whenever he hears her complaining about it.
I swear that man has forgotten what young love feels like.
“There you go. What do you think?” Rahn turns my head so I can see my profile.
“It’s beautiful!” I finger the layered French braids and smile at my reflection. “I hope Vincent likes it.”
“Oh please, you could be wearing a sack and have twigs in your hair and the guy would still drool at your feet.” Max looks to the ceiling while Maddie applies mascara to her lower lashes.
“He seriously has the worst case of goo-goo eyes I’ve ever seen.” Maddie laughs.
“That’s because you can’t see a mirror when you’re looking at Holden,” I retort.
Rahn laughs. “All three of you are ridiculous. Seriously, Barlow girls, you’re all stuck in that super-in-love, gushy phase.” Squeezing my shoulders, she bends down and kisses my cheek. “I hope it lasts forever.”
I smile at her reflection and squeeze her hand.
Zane’s taking her to prom tonight. They’re just going as friends, but who knows what might come from it?
Rahn doesn’t seem too bothered. She’s convinced she’s too young to fall in love and is quite happy to wait for some college man to sweep her off her feet.
Standing tall, I check out my dress. It’s a simple red number with a fitted, beaded bodice and a skirt that spins out when I twirl. I’m not sure how much twirling I’ll be doing tonight, but I love the fact that it can. When I tried it on in the store, I made myself dizzy spinning in front of the mirror, but I just couldn’t help it.
Rahn and I found these wicked red pumps with ribbon that winds around my ankles. Okay, they’re a touch uncomfortable, but so worth it.
I shuffle back so I can get a full view.
“You look gorgeous, Chlo-Chlo.” Max stands and holds up her foot. “Oh look, we’re both wearing red shoes!”
Maddie groans while I giggle at my sister’s teasing. She loves to rile Mads when she’s stressed. And of course Maddie is stressed because she wants to look perfect for Holden, who we all know will be smoking hot in a tux.
What she fails to realize is that she is just as gorgeous as he is. The slinky, blue, off-the-shoulder number we found for her floats around her toned legs. The split goes all the way up to the top of her thigh, but it’s elegant, not slutty. Mom had to say that a few times before Dad actually believed her.
But seriously, Maddie is dominating that dress right now. She looks like a supermodel. With half her hair up in this cool twist and the rest in loose curls around her shoulders, she looks incredible. Holden’s going to be speechless. I’m certain of it.
“Right, I gotta go.” Max puffs up her loose curls at the back before smacking her red lips together and tearing out the door.
She’s in this short, backless dress. It’s black and looks amazing on her slim figure. She was worried that it might slip off her shoulders when she’s rocking out, but Mom produced some kind of tape and Max is basically stuck into that dress for the night.
Dad laughed when Mom told him, telling us it was a good safety precaution and maybe we should all be taped into our dresses so we couldn’t get up to any mischief.
“Honestly, Dad, like I’m going to lose it on prom night. That’s way too cliché.”
Maddie swanned out of the room with a teasing wink while Dad’s smile disintegrated. I giggled behind my hand and trailed after my sister.
It was pretty hilarious.
Poor guy. Three daughters, all in love. That’s got to be rough.
“Are we ready?” I swing my arm around Rahn’s shoulders. She snuggles in beside me while Maddie takes the other side and we all admire our dresses. Red, white and blue. How patriotic. Rahn’s in this funky two-piece with an embroidered bodice. It’s totally unique and so her. I love that she doesn’t even want to be like anybody else.
“We’re ready.” Maddie nods, then grins at me. “Let’s go knock these guys off their feet.”
48
The Simple Things
VINCENT
The limo is kind of stuffy and quiet as we make our way to the Barlow house. Holden and I are the first two in it. He picked me up from the Hales’ place. Avia made us stand and pose for some photos before Cairo had to split with his dad. She’s dying to see what the girls look like and made us promise to send as many selfies as we can.
“You’ve got your phones, right?”
We both nodded.
Yeah, I have a phone now. I never want Chloe not to be able to reach me again, so I swallowed my pride and asked Mr. Hale if he could loan me the money for a simple cell phone. He agreed and ended up buying me something really nice.
“Only pay back what you can. The rest is a gift from us.” He winked at me, once again sending my head into a spiral. I’m not used to adults being so damn nice.
I’ve found myself an after-school job at Armitage High. I help the janitor with cleaning and classroom lockup. I was surprised he said yes when Principal Sheehan asked him, but everyone has been putting in good words for me around the place and things are finally going right.
It sometimes makes me feel like a bit of a charity case, but Chloe told me off for saying that.
“Don’t buy into that crap,” she warned me. “People like to bless others. It makes them feel good. If you reject their generosity, you’re hurting more than just yourself. Don’t be proud. Be grateful.”
And I am. I’m really grateful.
I shuffle in my seat, feeling awkward and uncomfortable in these fancy clothes.
“You look good,” Holden murmurs, catching my eye and trying to smile.
He’s been having a really hard time accepting everything that’s gone down. His life has been turned on its head and not in the good way mine has.
He’s gone from golden boy to the son of a criminal.
It’s impossible not to feel sorry for him.
I open my mouth to talk, but then don’t know what to say.
We’ve hung out a little because of the girls, but Holden’s going to need more than five weeks to accept what’s happened.
“You doing all right, man?” I can’t believe the words just popped out of me like that.
My eyes bulge and I look out the window, hoping he doesn’t mind my question.
He pauses for a second, then lets out a dry snicker. “Yeah, I’m… It is what it is, you know?”
I bob my head.
“When does Nick get out?” he asks.
“Should be next week. Courts are just finalizing the paperwork.”
“Sorry it’s taken so long.”
“It’s all good.” I shrug. “He’s been moved to minimum security while he waits, so it’s been pretty cushy for him.”
“Nice.” Holden tries to smile again.
I wince and scramble to change the subject. What the hell can I talk about that’s happy?
The girls. They make everything better.
I’m about to open my mouth and say something, but he starts talking before I can.
“Shit, man, I’m really sorry for how everything went down.”
“It’s not your fault,” I reassure him. “And you don’t have to keep apologizing.”
“I know.” He sighs and shakes his head. “I just hate what he did.”
“How’s your mom taking it?”
“She’s in rehab at the moment. Took me a while to get her there, but my older brother flew back from New York to give me a hand. He’s staying with me until the summer starts, and then my other brother is gonna move in and help me prep for college. I told them I’d be all right on my own, but they wouldn’t believe me.”
I grin at him.
“It’s weird. I didn’t even think they cared anymore.”
“Yeah, well, a crisis can sometimes bring out the best in people.”
“You’re living proof, man.”
Holden’s compliment stuns me and all I can do is blink at him. A half smile tugs at his lips. He rubs a hand over his mouth, obviously embarrassed by how candid he’s being.
I want to croak out a thanks or something, but I can’t quite manage it.
“Here we are, guys.” The driver pulls up against the curb.
Holden and I flash each other a nervous look before getting out of the limo.
I’ve never been to a dance before. I hope I don’t make a complete fool of myself.
Buttoning Mr. Hale’s jacket, I smooth a hand over my hair and follow Holden to the front door. No matter how many times I walk up this path, I always feel nervous.
Chief Barlow’s kept his promise and so far, Enzo and Diego haven’t even tried to get near me. It’s like they’ve forgotten we’re related or something. I mean, I haven’t ventured into that part of town again, but still…I honestly thought they’d come after me.
Chief Barlow has turned out to be much cooler than I thought. He’s even helped me get Selena out. It took a little convincing, but he managed to persuade her to flee the house when Enzo and Diego weren’t there. She’s now living in San Diego, cleaning houses, and happier than she’s ever been.
; I thought Enzo would kill me for sure after he lost her, but whether stuff’s gone on without me knowing or not, I haven’t seen him once.
Holden rings the bell and then glances over his shoulder.
“Smile, man.” He winks and grins as the door flicks back and Mrs. Barlow greets us with an excited smile.
“Oh, you two look so great!” She stands back to admire us as we step into the house.
Her eyes kind of glisten as she moves into my space. “Vincent, you scrub up real nice.” She smooths the collar of my jacket and gives me a motherly smile, just the way Avia does.
Shit, I feel like their pet project sometimes, but I’ll do my best not to complain. They’re good people.
“Is Zane here yet?” she asks.
“He was running late, so we’ll collect him on the way to the school.” Holden gives her a closed-mouth smile.
“Oh, poor Rahn, she—”
“I’m good, Mrs. B. Don’t you worry.” She skips into the room, her brown eyes dancing with excitement as she eyes us up and then turns to look down the hallway.
I glimpse Maddie walking toward me. She looks freaking hot in that blue dress, but the second I catch a flash of red, I’m owned by the one and only Chloe Barlow.
She looks amazing. That dress is so her—sweet and gorgeous, like a red rose that brightens up someone’s day.
I glide my arm around my flower’s waist and lift her into a hug. She giggles against my cheek before taking a step back to check me out.
“You’re looking pretty hot there, Mr. Mancini.”
“Watch it,” her father clips, leaning against the living room archway and checking us all out with a narrowed glare.
“Oh, Reece, stop it. They all look hot.” Mrs. Barlow giggles and holds up her phone, snapping photos while Holden and Maddie share a blushing moment and Chloe wraps her arm around my waist. “Can you pose for a couple of these?”
She lines us up, snapping an insane amount of pictures before finally letting us leave.
“We’ll see you guys there.” Mr. Barlow stands at the door with his wife tucked under his arm.