by Dee J. Stone
I snake my arms around him and lay my head against his chest. “I love finding out all these things about you.”
He rests his chin on mine. “Me, too.”
Someone taps my shoulder. I raise my head to find Holly Bedford, captain of the squad. “Hey. Coach is waiting.”
I peer into the gym and find all the girls ready with their poms. “I have to go,” I tell Cruiser.
“Kick some ass.”
I change into my gym clothes, grab my poms from my locker, and join my teammates. We start the routine. I’m finding it a little hard to concentrate with Cruiser sitting in the stands. He has his earbuds lodged in his ears, shaking his head to the beat of the music. His eyes are fastened on mine.
Dance has a more special meaning to me than it did a few months ago. Because it was one of the tools that broke the ice between Cruiser and me. I contemplated putting an end to my dance dream to focus on a new one—to become a spinal cord injury specialist and help kids like Rosie. Dani and others tried to convince me to stay with dance. A part of me really wanted to, but I was consumed with guilt for what happened to Rosie. At Hamilton’s dance meet, no one showed up to support me. Rey had his after school activities, Dani had her karate, my dad was working, and Mom was with Rosie at some doctor. I was used to it because it happened often, but it still hurt every time I looked out at the audience and couldn’t find a familiar face. Then as we were on stage doing the routine, I saw Cruiser in the corner of the gym.
He ditched work to cheer me on. It melted some of the ice surrounding my heart. It meant so much that he came for me. Even now when I think about it, a warm feeling enters my heart.
He understood how much I love dance. He made me realize that my guilt for the accident was clouding my judgment. He made realize how much dance means to me.
When practice is done, I climb the bleachers and sit down near Cruiser. “Enjoyed the show?”
“Mmm.” He pulls out his earbuds, leans toward my ear, and whispers, “Still the hottest on the team.”
Giggling, I punch his shoulder. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
His face turns sour. Sweeping his hands around my waist, he pulls me onto his lap. “You know what I find very sexy?”
“What?”
“When a hot girl tutors me in math.”
I pull my head back to look into his eyes. “You need a tutor?”
He shifts in his seat.
I touch his cheek. “Sorry if I embarrassed you. I’d love to tutor you. I think it would be lots of fun to study together.”
He lips nuzzle the side of my face. “I can think of a million other things that would be more fun.”
His fingers dig into my rib, tickling me. I yelp. He lays me over his lap and closes his mouth over mine. I can feel the smile tugging on his lips. I bring my hands to his side, returning the tickle. He’s not as ticklish as me, which sucked when I was a kid because I never could get him back. He’s squirming a bit under my hands, but not as much as me.
“I win,” his whispers in my ear. He rights me up and stares into my eyes. “Those Rice Krispie eyes.”
“What?”
He bends closer to lightly press his lips on my right eye, then on my left. “Your eyes. They get as small as Rice Krispies when you laugh.”
I touch my right eye. “They do?”
He murmurs, “They’re as sexy as hell.”
My heart pounds in my chest, sending a million butterflies into my stomach.
He rests his cheek against mine. “I love when you get that look.”
“What look?” I rasp.
“Like you’re melting.”
“I am melting. You might have to carry me all the way to history.”
He chuckles. “I would do that.”
“Everyone would stare at us like we’re crazy.”
“Mmm.” He nuzzles my throat. My eyes flutter closed.
“Woods, Dalton, off the bleachers and out of each other’s arms!” Coach Lewis orders.
I open my eyes to find her glaring at us. I look around the gym and see a few students standing there, including my teammates. They’re snickering.
I untangle myself from Cruiser and jump to my feet, smoothing down my shirt and shorts, my face on fire.
“If I see that again, you’re both getting detention,” she says.
I grab my poms and Cruiser grabs his bag, and we flee the gym. We both laugh as Cruiser wraps an arm around my waist and tucks me close to him. “Screw her.”
“I can’t get detention, though. I’ll miss practice. Not to mention I could be out of the running for the dance scholarship.”
“Oh, not good.” He sighs like the fate of the world is on his shoulders. “Guess I’ll have to keep my distance from you.” He pouts.
I giggle. “You’re so cute, Cruise.”
“No, I’m sexy.” He flexes a muscle.
I laugh again. “You are totally sexy.”
“Mmm. How’s the scholarship going, by the way?”
I shrug. “I won’t know for another few months.” I glance down at my clothes. “I need to change. Meet you in the caf at lunch?”
He winks. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Seven
Cruiser
Rey comes down for breakfast the next morning. I nearly choke on my toast. What the fuck is he wearing?
He cut off his sleeves, his hair is gelled in some do that’s supposed to be badass, and his jeans are ripped.
“What the hell, Rey?”
He does a quick twirl like a girl. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re lucky as shit Mom and Dad left.”
He drops down at the table and grabs my toast.
“That’s mine.”
Biting into it, he raises his eyebrows in a whatchya-gonna-do-about-it look.
“You going to school like that?” I nod at his getup.
He raises his eyebrows again. “Yes, Dad.”
I grit my teeth. “I don’t think that’ll make a good first impression at school.”
He snorts. “On who? It’s not like I don’t know everyone there.”
“Is that what you wore on your first day at Kelman’s?”
He drops the toast, grabs my orange juice, and chugs it down. “Geez, you’re no fun anymore.” He wipes his crumby hands on his shirt and gets up. “Think the ladies will dig the look?”
My eyes sweep over him. “Hell, no.”
I guess he likes that because he beams. “Please. They’ll be all over me.”
I don’t say anything, but I got a lot going on in my mind. Mom was so mad last night. She tried to convince Rey to change his mind and go back to Kelman’s. But the guy wouldn’t budge.
I glance at my watch. “Gotta go.”
“So early?”
“Gotta drive Lex for dance practice.”
I see something in his eyes. Not sure what. Jealousy? Disappointment? Bitterness?
“Rey?”
He gulps down some more orange juice. Clearly, he doesn’t want to talk about it. I decide to let it go.
“See ya in school. And do yourself a favor and change.”
He waves his hand.
***
“Simon’s uncle owns the restaurant,” Lex is telling me. “He’s letting us dine there free of charge.”
My mind’s not on her, but on Rey. Bro didn’t take my advice and came to school looking like that. His friends were shocked. So was everyone else. Now at lunch period, he’s sitting with the kind of guys I used to hang out with before I left for New York. The kind of guys who are up to no good.
“Cruise? You okay?”
I blink and turn my full attention to her. “Sorry, darlin’.”
She follows my gaze. “What’s going on with him?”
“Dunno.” My leg twitches. Rey’s never come close to getting in trouble. Except for that time when he asked me for pot. He left a joint in his bag and Mom found it. I took the blame because no good woul
d have come out if Rey told her it was his. This isn’t like him.
“I’ll be right back, okay?” I kiss her cheek and get up.
Some of the guys whistle when I approach their table. One pulls out a chair, tells me to join.
I don’t. “Rey.”
He lifts his head. “Hey, Cruise.”
“What the hell?”
“What the hell what?”
“You know what I mean.”
Rey kicks the chair. “Join us.”
“What’s going on with you?”
He rolls his eyes. “So serious.” He turns to the other guys. “He sounds just like my dad now. Actually, my mom.”
They chuckle.
“Cruiser, what happened to you?” one of the guys asks. “You used to be the shit.”
“Got a girl,” Rey says.
They laugh. “Bring her over sometime,” the guy says, nodding toward Lex. “Show her a good time.” He winks.
I clench my jaw. “Rey.”
“What do you want?”
I take his arm and haul him off the chair.
“What the f—”
“Don’t curse.” I drag him out of the cafeteria.
“Get the hell off me.” He frees himself and glares at me. “What do you want?”
“What the hell are you doing? Dressing in those clothes. Blowing off your friends.” I gesture to Derek and Jared, who are sitting at one of the tables. They look bummed. “Cursing. Hanging out with those guys.”
“You hung out with them before you left for New York. And you curse all the time.”
“I used to hang out with them. Do you know what kind of shit they get into?”
He shrugs. “Guess I’ll find out.” He moves past me. I pin him against the wall. “What the—”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on. Will you get your fucking hands off me?”
I lean close until my face is a few inches from his. “Curse one more time and I’ll—”
He pushes his face closer. “And you’ll what?”
I narrow my eyes. He narrows his. I step back, but keep him pinned against the wall. Kids pass and look, but I ignore them. “You don’t need to go through a rebellious stage, Rey. It’s not a rite of passage or anything.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
I press my lips together. “You think you sound so badass with all those curse words?”
“You think you’re so cool playing big brother? Think you’re doing okay? Well let me clue you in: you suck at it.”
“Cruise? Rey? You guys okay?”
My head whips around. Lex stands in the entrance of the caf. She eyes the two of us like we’re a pair of monkeys at the zoo. Her eyes soften when she looks at my bro. “Hey, Rey. How are you?” I see her take in his choice of attire, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Oh, look. Lex is here.” Rey pulls himself out of my hold. “How are the two love birds doing? Sealed the deal?” His eyes scan her. “With that bod, I bet—”
I ram my arm into him. Push him against the wall. “Don’t talk to her that way. Apologize. Right now.”
“It’s okay, Cruiser.” Lex steps closer and smiles. “I missed you, Rey. How was L.A.?”
He snorts. “Oh shut up, Lex. Stop trying to make yourself feel better by asking about my welfare.” His eyes move to mine. “C’mon, Cruise. You banged her, yet? With all those girls lusting after you, you need to—”
I punch him.
“Cruiser!” Lex yells.
Shit. I didn’t mean to do that.
Rey rolls to the floor. I bend to give him a hand, but he shoves me back. I topple down. Damn, his lip is bleeding. “Rey, I didn’t—”
“Screw you,” he spits. “Both of you.” He storms away.
Lex helps me up. I glance around. No teachers, but lots of kids. All staring. Some grumble that they missed the show. “What just happened?” she asks.
I stare after him. “No idea.”
Chapter Eight
Lex
Mom and Dad are about to go out on another date. Rosie and I have the house all to ourselves. I have a special night planned for her. It’s been a while since it’s just been the two of us.
While Mom’s finishing getting ready, I text Cruiser. What happened during lunch period today was crazy. I’ve seen the Dalton twins fight—they are brothers, after all—but not like that. I’m worried about Rey. I know it must be hard for him to see Cruiser and me together, but Cruiser told me Rey assured him that he’s okay with it. I guess he lied, or maybe it’s different because he’s here now and is forced to see us every day.
Cruiser texts me that Rey’s not home. He’s really worried about him. He thinks he’s hanging out with the wrong crowd. Cruiser used to hang out with guys like that, and the only results are sex, drugs, alcohol, and getting arrested. Not that Cruiser’s ever been arrested.
Mom peeks into my room. “Dad and I are leaving. Watch over Rosie.”
A lump forms in my throat. Her words cut right through me. I’m sure she didn’t mean to, but the tone in her voice suggests something. As if she’s telling me to actually watch over Rosie and not let her run into the street and get run over. It’s not the first time I’m babysitting Rosie after the accident, but I guess it’ll take a while until we all forget about it completely.
I go downstairs and pop into Rosie’s room. She’s sitting on her bed, playing with her dolls. “So we have an action-packed night ahead of us,” I tell her, bouncing on the bed. “Movies, games, popcorn. Maybe some gossiping.” I laugh. “Let’s go.”
She frowns and continues playing with her dolls.
“Hey. You okay?” I reach to stroke her hair, but she dodges.
“Fine.”
Her cold attitude worries me. She’s been doing so well these past few weeks. “You sure?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yeah.”
“Okay. I’ll set up the living room and come get you.”
She nods.
I put popcorn in the microwave and lay her laptop on the coffee table. I remove anything that would be dangerous for her, not that there are many things lying around. It’s been over a year since the accident, but we always manage to slip up somehow and leave things in places they shouldn’t be.
Once everything is clear, I go back to Rosie’s room. I scoop her up in my arms and am about to sit her in her wheelchair, when she buries her face in my shoulder. I stop in my tracks and look down at her. She’s sniffing.
“Rosie?” I press my lips to the top of her head. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
Her arms come around my neck. I lower myself onto her bed and hold her close in my lap. She hiccups against my shoulder.
My heart lurches. “Whatever it is, it’ll be okay. Just talk to me.”
She continues to sniff.
“Did something happen in school? Did a kid make fun of you? Mom and Dad talked to you about—”
She shakes her head.
“Is it me? Did I upset you?”
She shakes her head.
“Is it Jamie?”
No response, just more sniffs.
Jackpot. “What’s wrong with Jamie?”
“He’s gonna walk again,” her muffled voice says.
I gently pry her off me so I can look into her face. “What do you mean?”
She wipes her eyes as she continues to hiccup. “He…” Hiccup. “His parents signed him up for some new operation.” Hiccup.
“What kind of operation?”
“I don’t know. To get him to walk again.”
“Oh, sweetie.” I hug her. “You think he’s not going to be your friend anymore if he walks again?”
She doesn’t say anything, though her sniffs restart.
I stroke the top of her head. “Jamie’s a really nice kid. Whatever happens, he’ll still be your best friend.”
She shakes her head. “He’ll walk and I’ll still be in a wheelchair. Mom and Dad don’t want to sign me up for
it. I want to do it. They won’t let me. I hate them!”
“Hey. Mom and Dad love you and want what’s best for you. If they feel this isn’t for you, you need to trust that they have their reasons.”
“But I can walk again, Lexi! I want to walk again.”
Tears well up in my eyes. I bite my cheek to keep them at bay. “I know, Rosie. I know.” My arms come around her middle and I squeeze her close, kissing the top of her head. She sobs onto my shoulder, asking me over and over why Mom and Dad won’t let her sign up for the procedure.
After a few minutes of comforting her, I convince her to come to the living room with me to watch one of her favorite TV shows. I help her onto her wheelchair, wheel her into the living room, and lift her onto the couch. Tears are plastered over her cheeks. It hurts every cell in my body to see her like this, so upset and in pain. If I were able to, I’d give her my legs and be bound to the wheelchair. She doesn’t deserve this. I do for abandoning her.
I settle down near her with the popcorn. Wearing a sullen expression on her face and more tears seeping out of her eyes, she flips through the channels. I wrap my arms around her and slide her onto my lap. Rosie usually hates when we baby her, but this time she leans into me, burying her face in my neck. I rub my hand up and down her back.
“What if he does walk again?” she whispers. “I won’t have any friends.”
I reassure her that as long as she’s her usual, fun, friendly and spunky self, she’ll attract many friends. But deep down, I wonder how true that is. She’ll be entering middle school in a few years. Kids that age can be pretty brutal. Mom contemplated sending Rosie to a special school with kids like her, but Dad would not hear it. He wants to give Rosie a normal life. I agree. I don’t want her missing out.
“No one likes me,” she says. “Not since the accident.”
“You know that’s not true.”
She shrugs.
“Why do I like you? Why do Mom and Dad?”
“You’re family. You’re supposed to like me. You don’t count.”
“And Cruiser?”
Her mouth snaps shut and her eyebrows furrow.
“He’s a cool guy, isn’t he?”
Her lips lift into a small smile.