Damn it, Trivial Pursuit.
I wanted to cancel my plans for the morning, but I knew Uncle Al would never let me get away with that. Elliot and I won after seventy minutes of play.
“Yes!” He gave me a high five and looked all smug while the rest of the table sat back with a relieved sigh.
“Finally. It’s over.” AJ started packing up the game while Liesl giggled at him and started picking wedges out of color wheels.
“Now let’s talk weekend, peeps. What are we doing?” Jaeda flicked her hair over her shoulder and leaned her elbows on the table.
My eyes dropped away from Dani’s sweet gaze. I reached for the last wheel and started dislodging wedges. “I’m not around this weekend.”
“Where are you off to?” Jaeda flicked my elbow.
I didn’t have the guts to face Dani as I said it, so kept my eyes focused on the plastic game pieces. “Uncle Alex invited me to hang out tomorrow.”
“Oh, I love him. He’s so hot.” Jaeda squeezed my arm. “Can I come?”
“Firstly, that’s gross, and secondly, no. It’s just a guy thing.”
She slumped back with an exasperated sigh. “Okay, fine.” Her cute little nose wrinkled. I nudged her ankle with my foot and winked at her. Her huff vanished. “Well, I might just hang out with your girlfriend instead then.” She turned to look at Dani, oblivious to the fact that the air had been sucked from the room.
Dani’s cheeks flushed pink. I glanced away to spot Liesl’s bemused grin. I didn’t want to look at Elliot. He’d be seething. Me getting another girlfriend he’d have to rescue me from? He would not be impressed.
“You and me are hanging out Sunday, remember?” Elliot nudged my elbow. “Halo 2 rematch.”
“That’s right.” I nodded, hating that I’d agreed to that. Hanging out with Elliot was so not what I needed right now. If anyone could make me spill the beans, it was him.
I chose to pack away the game as slowly as possible, while the girls talked weekend logistics and I tried to figure out how I could get out of my Sunday plans with Elliot. My tired brain couldn’t think of anything. I’d just have to play it cool and keep my mouth shut.
Containing my yawn as I slid the Trivial Pursuit box lid on was impossible. It was only ten, but I was done. I needed to catch some zzzzs before tomorrow. I doubted I’d sleep much, but at least I’d be horizontal.
“I’m out. I’ll see you guys on Monday.”
“Me too.” Dani jumped from her seat. “Thanks so much for having me, guys.” She smiled. “I guess I’ll see you girls tomorrow then.” She looked nervous saying it, like she wasn’t really sure if she did want to hang out with my friends, but she was doing it anyway. For me? Or for other reasons I didn’t want to consider?
We said our goodbyes and walked to the door together. I couldn’t say anything. I was nervous she’d ask me more about my uncle or San Fran. Would she suspect what I was up to?
“Are you alright?” Dani’s nose wrinkled as we stepped out the front door.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I kept my gaze down as I pulled the door shut.
“You don’t seem fine.” She sounded nervous. “Have I done something wrong?”
I was stumped for a minute. What the hell was I supposed to say to her?
“Nope.” I gave her a tight smile that said otherwise.
The light in her eyes dimmed, her expression faltering as she took a step away from me, down the driveway, ready to walk home to who knows where. I tried not to let it rile me.
The air between us grew thick and suffocating. My hands were shoved in my pockets. I wanted to pull them free and reach for her, but I didn’t. She stood a few paces away from me, looking awkward and shy. She was waiting for me to ask. I knew she was, but I couldn’t form the words. I didn’t want to play her games anymore.
Finally she sighed. “Okay, well I’ll see you on Monday then, I guess.”
Her non-smiling wave nearly killed me. Before I could stop myself, I caught up with her retreating form and grabbed her wrist. Screw the games, I’d keep playing them if it meant wiping that forlorn look off her face.
“Wait.” Spinning her around, I pulled her towards me, holding her tight to my side. “Can I give you a ride home?” My soft question was laced with humor.
A relieved grin spread across her face. “Nope.”
I gently touched her cheek, my thumb caressing her jawbone. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to kiss you goodnight here instead.”
“I guess you will,” she whispered, running her fingers into my hair and leaning towards me. Our lips met for a warm embrace that was mostly tender, but tinged with a hungry desire that couldn’t be denied. She wanted me, I could feel it in the way her lips moved, in the opening of her mouth and the willingness to let me in. I pulled her close, running my hand up her spine and cradling the back of her head. My tongue darted into her mouth, tasting her sweetness. She was divine. Her body against me felt right, my senses reeling in my exploration.
I could have stayed there all night, forgetting the world and who this girl might be. Her touch made me lose all sense of time and place. The truth didn’t matter when her tongue was grazing my bottom lip and her fingers were dancing through my hair. She tried to pull away twice, but kept diving back towards my mouth before she finally managed to separate herself from me. Her blue eyes were on fire, her narrow lips puffy and beautiful.
I looked into her ignited gaze, my resolve to find out who she was faltering within me. I didn’t want to know, until her face flushed with realization. Her eyes suddenly went skittish as she touched her lower lip like she’d just done something she knew she shouldn’t have. She swallowed back the emotion, but then caught my eye and I saw it again, that starry-eyed euphoria. Yep, she definitely wanted me, she just didn’t think she was allowed me.
I had to find out why.
Initially I wanted to find out her secrets to give myself a reason not to fall for her, but now I wanted to prove myself wrong. I needed to discover that my imagination was on overdrive. I needed to find out that this girl was just Dani. The girl I was falling in love with.
“G’night, Zach.”
“G’night Dani.” I kissed her lightly one last time and took a memory shot of her dreamy smile, tucking it away forever. No matter what I would find out tomorrow, I’d always have this moment. As her body disappeared into the darkness, I pulled my phone free. I didn’t have the energy to talk, so instead sent a three-word text.
See you tomorrow.
The message swooshed away to Uncle Alex along with half my soul.
Chapter 20
ZACH
May 2014
Uncle Alex answered the door with a steaming mug of coffee in his hand.
“Don’t suppose you have a second one of those?” I asked him, bleary-eyed.
With a chuckle, he led me up the stairs and into the kitchen of his small apartment. I looked out the window, a little in awe as always. His apartment may be small, but it had the best view of the bay I’d ever seen. I could even see the edge of Alcatraz.
“Sugar, right?” Uncle Alex called over his shoulder.
“Just one.”
I picked up the newspapers sprawled over the table and read a few headlines. Nothing captured me. I could barely soak in the text. I’d been up half the night reliving the feel of Dani’s sweet tongue in my mouth.
“So.” My uncle placed a bright red mug on the table beside me before pulling out his chair and spinning it around. Throwing a leg on either side, he leaned his elbows against the back and gazed at me with those sharp blue eyes of his.
His wayward curls, unshaven face and easy smile made him look like a surfer, but those eyes — they were all business.
I blew on my coffee and took a quick sip, buying a few seconds to gather my thoughts. His eyes never left my face. I felt them drilling into me and eventually sighed.
“Her name’s Dani, at least I thought it was until I looked through Luke’s yearbook. He’s a
damant the girl’s Riley Mitchell.”
“And you’re positive it’s not two different people?”
From my back pocket, I pulled out the photo I’d scanned and reprinted. Opening it up, I handed it to my uncle. “I’ve been looking at that girl for the last ten weeks. I know it’s her.”
“She’s pretty.”
“Yeah.” That thought should make me happy, but it just made this whole thing so much harder to bear. I was nervous about what we’d discover today. Part of me wanted to pull out now, but how could I let myself fall for a girl who was obviously hiding something pretty huge? It would be irresponsible. I wasn’t going down Stalker Chick Lane again…and besides the day was all about proving myself wrong…right?
“She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?” Uncle Alex passed the photo back.
I couldn’t speak. I just gave him a simple nod.
His lips quirked to the side with a bemused smile. “Did you hear from Luke about Miles’ family?”
I nodded, pulling out my phone and bringing up the text conversation. “His name is James, he’s a sophomore and plays soccer. He sometimes plays down at Balboa Park. Luke thinks we should try there first.” I put the phone down, not bothering to go into his next text asking what this was all about.
Gulping down the last of his coffee, Uncle Alex slapped the table and stood. “Alright then, let’s get started. Bring your coffee. It looks like you need it.” He slapped me on the shoulder as he walked past, grabbing his wallet and cellphone.
We took my car and I followed his directions to Balboa Park. It took about fifteen minutes to get there, my fingers gripping the wheel tightly the whole way. Uncle Alex tried to keep the chatter going, but my terse, short answers eventually made him shut up. I felt a little bad for being rude, but I was stressed. My insides were thrumming. What would I find out? What would James reveal about Riley?
I knew our chances of actually finding him at the park were slim. Luke was only guessing. We’d probably end up having to call my cousin for more clues, something I didn’t really want to do.
“Pull over here.” Uncle Alex pointed. I steered up next to the curb and stopped the car.
There were some guys playing soccer. We had no idea which one was James. Although I had looked up his freshman yearbook photo, I wasn’t sure I could pick him out.
Slamming the door closed behind me, I shoved the keys in my pocket and reluctantly walked towards the group. It was a sunny day, making the green park look inviting. People were milling around, families played Frisbee and little kids chased each other. A group of guys was playing soccer with a few spectators gathered nearby. It was obviously a casual, friendly game. I scanned the puffing players for James, but didn’t recognize any of them.
We slowed to a stop and Uncle Alex was the first to introduce himself. He approached a line of girls watching the guys chase a white ball around. I wasn’t much of a soccer fan myself, so I could understand some of their bored expressions. My charming uncle sidled up to them and started chatting. I could tell from their coy smiles that they were into his rogue looks and easy grin. He was always persuasive, which is what made him such a good reporter.
“Well, I’m sure an intelligent woman like yourself will be able to give us a hand.” His blue-eyed gaze made the girl blush. Thankfully my eye roll was hidden behind my shades.
“Give us the picture, Zach.” Uncle Alex motioned me over and I dug the photo from my back pocket, caressing my thumb over Dani’s face before passing it to the girls.
They crowded around it. The two girls shook their heads, but one nodded.
“I think I do remember her actually.” The short Asian girl looked at me.
“Zach, this is Colette. She’s a senior at Lowell.”
“Hey.” My forced smile was met with a friendly grin.
She tucked a black lock of hair behind her ear and kept talking. “I can’t remember her name, but I do remember she dated a senior who was like super hot.” Her eyes danced. “Miles Filmore. He was rich and gorgeous and totally swoon worthy.”
“I heard he was a bit of an asshole.” Not to rain on her parade, but I was after honesty.
“Well, I guess he was a bit of a bad boy.” She blushed. “Totally under appreciated by that chick though.” She handed the photo back looking slightly disgusted. “She just up and disappeared. I mean who does that?”
“Do you know the story behind that?” Uncle Alex asked.
“Not really.” Colette shook her head. “But those guys might know.” She raised her hand and waved across the field. “Hey Stefan, come here for a sec!”
The guy frowned, looking reluctant to leave the game, but jogged over anyway. “What’s up?” He puffed.
“Do you remember that girl Miles was dating? The quiet one.”
He looked blank until my uncle popped the photo in front of his face. His eyes rounded. “Yeah, the one who freaked out at the mall.”
“Were you there?” I leaned closer, my heart rate accelerating. “Nah, but Miles told me the story. Apparently they were on this date, he was buying her a Christmas present or something and they ran into a friend of his Dad’s. Riley just went white, like a ghost, and took off. Miles tried to bring her back, but then out of nowhere this tall, blond, skinny guy jumped out and started attacking Miles.”
“Who was he?” Uncle Alex tipped his head.
Stefan shrugged. “Just some druggie. Miles said his eyes were all bugged out and kinda creepy. He thought the guy was seriously trying to kill him. The mall cops arrived and he was taken away, I think.”
“And you never saw…Riley again?” It was a struggle to say her name. Dani suited her so much better.
Colette shook her head. “She wasn’t at school on Monday…or any day after that.”
“Does anyone know what happened to her?”
They all shook their heads as a bunch of soccer guys came running towards them. “What’s the hold up?” One of them slapped Stefan on the back.
He lifted up the picture. “Do you remember her?” Several of them shook their heads, except one guy who frowned, reaching forward to grab the photo.
“Who is that?” he asked.
“She went to Lowell, you wouldn’t know her.” Stefan snatched the picture back.
“But I do know her. I think she went to Balboa High. She looks really different in this picture.”
“Wait, do you go to Balboa?” Uncle Alex pointed at the curly-haired guy. He looked younger than me. He stepped forward with a nod.
“How do you know her?”
With a huge grin the guy shook his head, his dark curls bouncing. “If you knew her, you wouldn’t ask that question.” Waving his hand, he called over his shoulder. “Hey, Brayden. Come check out this photo!”
Stefan nudged his opponent. “When did she go to Balboa, Justin?”
“I’m telling you man, I know this chick. She was at Balboa for like two months.”
“When?”
“A couple years back maybe. I wasn’t there then, she used to party with my brother’s crowd. I’ve definitely met her before.”
“Party?” I could barely get the word out.
The guy looked at me, his brown eyes dancing. “Absolutely, bro. She was wild.”
“She so was not. You’re talking about a different girl.” Colette shook her head.
Holding the photo up to his face, he looked at it closely. “She definitely looks different, but I bet you a hundred bucks when I show this to Brayden he will tell you it was that chick he used to hang with.”
“What was her name?” Uncle Alex asked.
The guy shrugged.
“Riley.” Colette answered.
“Nah, it wasn’t Riley. Tyler or something?”
I swallowed, my throat burning as it tried to contain the bile.
Brayden took his sweet time sauntering across the green park. By the time he finally reached his younger brother, most of the Lowell High players had lost interest and gone off to restart t
heir game. The Balboa High player still stuck around, gazing at the photo with this annoying grin. I snatched it back and turned towards Brayden as he approached with his girlfriend and another girl. They looked older than me. I felt small beside them and tried to push up to my full height.
“Hey.” I stuck out my hand to shake. He just kind of looked at it then over at Justin.
“So what am I looking at?”
I held my breath as I passed the photo over. The guy squinted at it, looking as though he didn’t recognize the picture. Relief started to ebb through my system. Hopefully that Justin kid was wrong. But then Brayden’s girlfriend leaned over his shoulder and gasped.
“Shit, is that Taylor?” She whipped the photo from his grasp.
“Taylor? No way.” Brayden held the other edge of the photo and peered at it. His chuckle was dry and a little surprised.
“Man, she looks different there.” Brayden’s girlfriend couldn’t take her eyes off the picture.
“Different how?”
“Well, her hair’s way longer and she dyed it. It used to be an auburn color.” Her fingers tinkled around her own blonde hair. “I can’t believe it.”
Auburn. I wrinkled my nose, trying to picture Dani with reddish brown hair. “Are you sure it’s her?”
“Well, pretty sure, I guess. I mean, maybe it’s not. She does look like Taylor, although she seems really subdued in this pic. Where did you get this?” She flapped the photo at me.
“I…” My tongue felt thick and flabby.
Uncle Alex stepped up, smiling at Brayden’s girlfriend as he gently took the photo back and handed it to my stupid self.
“This girl that you went to school with, what did you say her name was?”
“Taylor Jones. She was one cool chick.” The girl was grinning with some memory. I wanted to know what it was, unravel her brain so I could see what Dani was like as Taylor. “You know for a sophomore, she fit into the senior crowd straight away. People couldn’t get enough of her.”
I Know Lucy (The Fugitive Series) Page 13