Melody’s Crush
Installment 2
The sun was peeping through the windows, its welcoming heat warming my skin. That meant it was the weekend and at least ten o’clock. Stretching, I yawned and pawed at my pillow wrapping my arms around its billowy softness wanting desperately to sleep in a little longer.
But something in the back of my subconscious was screaming, “Get up, get up,” as I mentally tried to wave off the disembodied voice.
“Are you really going back to sleep?” a deep voice asked.
Jolting upright, my face came nose to nose with Kyle’s, his icy blue eyes staring at me in disbelief.
“You know. I would have never guessed the nerdy Melody Jenkins to be this lazy.” His heavy brow arched perfectly.
My mouth dropped open. Hooking the crook of his knuckle under my chin, he closed it for me all the while chuckling.
Again with the chuckling.
He moved to lay his back across the bed, his elbows supporting his weight. Thank God he had on a shirt because I didn’t think my heart would be able to handle an early morning adrenaline rush.
Lying back like that, the sunrays caught his hair just right giving it a slew of colors… blonde, caramel, mocha and every color in between that color pallet. Even though it was spiking in every which direction like a toddler just waking from a nap, it looked like it could be soft. A tingling sensation slapped my palms as I had an overwhelming feeling to run my fingers through it to see which it was… coarse or soft.
Was Kyle smiling at me?
The way it rearranged his features took him from schoolboy charm boy to hello gorgeous in less than a heartbeat. Yes. Kyle Warner was gorgeous and if I was honest with myself, I would recognize it for what it was. You don’t just get voted into most popular because you can throw a ball.
Then again, I wasn’t all too schooled on how the social chain of rankings really worked. What I did know from the rumor mill was his family had money, lots of it, and he didn’t mind flaunting it. Looks plus dough made him one tempting cookie to pull from the boyfriend cookie jar if you had the qualifications to reach in.
I didn’t!
Kyle’s features relaxed as he studied me. With my blatant scrutiny of him, why did I feel like he had no right? Not wanting to catch disappointment in his eyes, I cleared my throat and looked around the room hoping to find something to concentrate on other than Kyle’s physical features. Smalltalk was never my ‘thing’ and now I wish I had taken a little more time developing that skill. To say the moment was awkward was an understatement.
“Brush your teeth,” he commanded and then pushed himself up off the bed.
What did he just say?
Acting indifferent, I placed a hand in front of my mouth, huffed then sniffed.
Cringe.
Kicking at the blankets, I swung my bare legs around planting my feet on the floor and then moved quickly out of the bedroom, down the hall and straight into the bathroom.
While retrieving my toothbrush, I noticed a blue one on the side of the sink, a different brand of paste sitting neatly next to it.
I see he’s already made himself at home.
My lip snarled involuntarily.
Opening the medicine cabinet, I grabbed for mine only to find it missing. Blinking, I moved a box of tampons, Q-tips and a bottle of contact solution, but the paste was nowhere to be found. Pulling out the vanity drawer, I rummaged through it only to find an old tube so dried out, the lid was cemented closed.
Tossing it back into the drawer, I slammed it shut with a little too much force. Eyeing the neatly placed tube on the sink, I raised an eyebrow.
Would he notice?
Shuffling my feet toward the door, I peeked around the frame like a private eye making sure Kyle was still in the bedroom.
Dental hygiene was a serious matter. Morning breath even more so. Surly he wouldn’t notice a dime sized amount of paste missing.
I’ll just take a little.
Without another thought, I grabbed the tube and pinched a dollop of paste across the bristles of my toothbrush. After turning on the faucet, I screwed back on the lid and put it back just as I had found it.
There, you can’t even tell.
Satisfied, I shoved the tooth gadget into my mouth and started brushing. Mint exploded on my tongue. If I wasn’t awake before, I certainly was now. Moving my arm absentmindedly back and forth, the bristles did their magic to polish the ole’ choppers as I reached with my free hand for the tube again, wanting to know what brand name it was.
“I see you found my toothpaste.”
Paste splatters flew past my lips to land in clusters on the mirror. Guilt sent every shade of red to paint my face as I turned to see Kyle’s face peeking around the doorframe staring at me with a got cha grin.
He gestured toward the tube that somehow ended up in the sink. “Your mom said she would pick up some later today on one of her breaks since you guys are out. I think she used the last bit of it this morning.” His grin widened. “I told her you could borrow mine. My bad. Guess I should have told you that earlier.” He tried but failed miserably at hiding his delight.
Feeling slobber stringing down past my lip, I moved to spit into the sink only to find I hit the tube of paste.
“Oops.” I looked up at him, my lips covered in white foam. “My bad.”
His eyes narrowed as I reached for the door and closed it, once again, in his face. But this time, I only heard laughter echoing off the hall walls as he retreated.
Who was that and where was Kyle Warner?
Not wanting to accept this new side of him, I shook my head over and over trying to find reasoning as to why he was like this. It was like living with Dr. Jeckyll one second and Mr. Hyde the next, only the former was too new of a character and frankly, the more disturbing one. How was I supposed to cope with this for a whole week?
Not wanting to think of the therapy I would most likely need after this project ended, I tried desperately to find something else to focus on.
Grabbing a washcloth, I started cleaning.
After wiping down the sink and mirror, I looked at my reflection. My curls had tightened slightly during the night causing my hair to look full like a lion’s mane. My brush was sitting on the vanity in my room so there was no chance for me to brush them out in private.
Opening the drawer again, I found a few large bobby pins. Pulling my hair back with my hands, I twisted it all then pinned it up allowing the curls to crown the top of my head. A few fell down the back of my neck and some wild wisps framed my face, but for the most part, the mane was tamed and contained.
Satisfied, I washed my face and then struggled to put my contacts in. Since my glasses were still next to the nightstand and Kyle was in my room, I decided today was the perfect day to try them out. With them being extended wear, I could keep them in for at least two weeks without having to suffer trying to take the suckers out. The thought of pinching my eye gave me the hebbie jebbies. I didn’t wear them for that reason alone.
Looking around the bathroom, it was amazing the detail I had been missing out on. With the contacts being a newer prescription than my older glasses, it was like experiencing television in high definition for the first time.
Wow, I bet HD even looks HD.
Okay. I could feel my IQ dropping and I was running out of things to do. I realized I couldn’t stay in the bathroom all day no matter how much I wanted to. Although, the thought of keeping company with an imaginary friend was less scarier than facing the guy possessed down the hall. At any second, I expected the old Kyle to show up and that just made me feel… on edge.
Not at all fun.
Reluctantly, I reached for the door and padded quietly down the hall reaching my room. Kyle already had the baby in his arms bouncing it up and down while patting it under the bottom, gently. He was humming a tune, possibly a lullaby. The rich baritone notes were mesmerizing. Afraid to break the spell, I watched from the door as he continued his att
empt in soothing the child.
Either he read the manual or it just came naturally. Either one was completely unexpected from the Kyle I knew and despised.
He must have realized I was there as he stopped humming and turned to face me, a pacifier stuck in his mouth. Another image I never expected to see in my lifetime.
But what really captured my attention was the color of his eyes. They were somehow, I don’t know… different, I guessed. Maybe it was the contacts or maybe it was because they were wide open and nearly unblinking. And yet, they appeared icy yet fiery.
Chills raked over my spine.
Averting my eyes, I locked my sights on the vanity bench in the corner and then raced toward it. Sitting down, I pretended to look for something while chancing a glance in the mirror. Kyle’s reflection revealed him placing the baby back in the makeshift bassinet. Although a simple task, it was captivating to me and I didn’t quite understand why.
Afraid he would catch me watching, I quickly reached for my brush and then concentrated on my own reflection. For some reason, my skin was flushed and my cheeks pinked. At the base of my neck where a loose curl rested, my pulse raced at an alarming rate.
Like an idiot, I looked up to see if he had noticed. Standing at the foot of the bed next to the window, Kyle was staring intently at my reflection. My breath caught as his eyes danced from feature to feature. I could feel the heat radiating off my cheeks.
My lids flickered as I pulled my gaze back to my own reflection. Studying my image, I realized that my hair pulled up like this was actually… pretty. Dare should I say even beautiful. Why had I not noticed it before?
Frustrated, I reached to undo the bobby pin.
“Don’t!” Kyle barked out a bit too quickly.
My hands froze as I glared at his reflection.
He seemed a bit nervous and then swallowed, his Adam’s apple clearly straining. After clearing his throat, he said, “You should leave it… like that.”
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
It was obvious he was uncomfortable after basically admitting he liked any part of my anatomy, even if it was just hair. Something told me he didn’t hand out many compliments, backhanded or intended.
I took great joy in watching him shift his weight awkwardly as he looked away.
Glad to know I wasn’t the only one feeling out of my element.
Deciding that leaving my hair up for one day couldn’t hurt, I dropped my hands to my lap. Not wanting to look at myself any longer nor risk getting caught up in Kyle’s intense scrutiny, I turned to look at the baby who was wrapped up like a little burrito in the bassinet.
“You really are good at this, aren’t you?” I said, beaming up at him.
He shook his head yes. “I’m pretty much good at everything.”
And that wiped the smile right off my face.
“Gloat much?” I asked with a sour expression.
He shrugged his shoulders as he walked over to stand next to me. “I’m good at that too,” he said too honestly.
And the old Kyle was back.
Impulsively, the corner of my lip took shape of a snarl.
He looked down at me and the teasing smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth caused my breath to hiccup. Something inside my gut was screaming mayday! mayday! as he sat down on the bed across from me, his eyes more leveled with mine.
I don’t think I had ever seen his eyes before. I mean, really seen them. It’s not like we ever had a reason to be in each other’s company up until now. But how did I go three years through school and not notice something like that? They were an incredible arctic blue with a dark edge hugging the rim, the gradient of hues becoming nearly the palest of blue imaginable as it faded toward the center. A stark contrast to his pupils. They were literally breathtaking.
He was breathtaking.
I should know, because I couldn’t breathe. Not then and not when I looked away hoping to catch the breath that escaped me.
“So, you said it was a she, right?” His voice had taken on a low, husky sound.
It was simple enough. The question. However, it just wasn’t computing. All I could hear was the sound of his enchanted humming of the song from earlier stuck in my head.
“Melody?”
“Hmm?” I felt my throat vibrate.
His eyes danced with merriment, obviously pleased at the affect he was having on my wits.
Clearing his throat, he continued, “You keep calling the baby a she.”
I nodded.
“Does she have a …?”
“Chloe,” I blurted out interrupting his question and immediately regretted it.
It was the first name to come to mind yet it was the name Jake said he would have named his sister if his parents ever gave him one. It was also the name I planned to give my first daughter… if I ever had one.
I wanted to take it back!
I closed my eyelids, squeezing them together while mentally slapping myself.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Jake would not be happy.
“Chloe,” he repeated, his voice making it sound endearing.
“Uh… um… how ‘bout you pick a name?” I asked too eagerly.
Two perfect caramel colored eyebrows drew together. “I kind of like the name Chloe.” Turning to look down at her, he said, “It fits her.”
Turning back, his eyes locked onto mine unblinking.
My breath caught.
Displaying his heart melting half grin, he said, “Chloe it is.”
Hinges creaked and two loud thumps hit the floor. Surprised and delighted, I jerked my attention to Jake who was standing in front of the window. I had no idea what overtook me, but I quickly moved to him wrapping my arms tight around his neck, holding on for what felt like dear life.
He reached for my arms pulling them from around his neck as he took in an overly dramatic breath. Eyes wide, he looked at me as if I had lost my mind. But I didn’t care. I beamed up at him, just so glad to be with a familiar face.
Stepping back, he looked me over from head to toe… twice. There was no way I wouldn’t notice the flickering of his lids and the tensing of his jaw. It was the same look from the day he was privy to my Hello Kitty panties.
Maybe it did affect him after all.
My insides did a little dance. It was like Jake was seeing me for the first time. Really seeing me. And that just sent all kinds of tingling sensations flustering throughout my body.
My lips parted as his emerald eyes met mine. They were intense. Very intense. If I didn’t know any better, I would say they were even angry. At me!
Pop! There went my bubble.
Now what have I done?
“What the hell is he doing in here?” he glanced over my shoulder at Kyle for a mere second before returning his accusatory eyes to me. Even though he didn’t slap me, I still felt the sting.
Jake was not affected by my presence as much as he was by Kyle’s. I should have realized he was being my overly protective brother, the same Jake mom saw. The Jake I was frankly getting tired of.
For once, could he just look at me like a hormone crazed teenage boy? Even Kyle seemed to take notice of me.
Wait, what?
Swallowing hard, I chanced a glance at Kyle who was firing daggers at Jake. They didn’t need words. The mood was so tense it was like watching two prized champion fighters sizing each other up before the main event.
Thank God Chloe picked that moment to start crying.
Kyle didn’t move, but I could tell he thought about it. The little tick under his left eye gave him away.
Raising an eyebrow, I tilted my head as I looked at him. It was fascinating how he could flip the switch like that. Moving in and out of character like a yoyo. Mind boggling is what it was.
Stepping between the two, I kept my eyes on Kyle because the alternative would have me yelling. So instead, I chose the lesser of the two evils.
“Kyle?”
For a nanosecond
, his jaw relaxed but then, it was like a wall of sound deflectors was in front of his ears. Chloe’s crying had no influence on him and neither did my voice.
Guess that was my cue. It was my turn to take care of her.
Well if that is how he wanted it, it was fine with me.
“Get out,” I said flatly.
That got his attention. His eyes moved to lock on mine now. The same daggers he was throwing at Jake were now flying in my direction. My eyebrow rose again, daring him to continue. Something inside him softened as his chiseled features relaxed and I could see the bobbing of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
He rubbed the palms of his hands against the tops of his thighs before standing. I nearly forgot how tall he was. Next to Jake, Kyle easily out stood him by two inches.
He moved in close, so close that I had to drop my head back to look up at his face. It was like having to look up to view the top branches of a tree. His chin dropped as he looked down at me, the corner of his mouth tugging into a half smile triggering my heart to start racing. Unexpectedly, he leaned down, the softness of his lips brushing the outside of my ear as he stated, “He goes. I’ll stay.”
Shivers rolled down my back causing the base of my spine to tingle.
Behind me, I heard Jake take a step toward us. Without moving my head, I extended my arm behind me, my palm resting on his chest as I held him back.
Turning my head slightly, my lips came to merely a hair’s width from touching Kyle’s ear. “I suggest you step back before I kick… your… ass.”
My threat must have been amusing based on the deep rolling sounds that poured from his throat into the opening of my ear, the cavernous notes rattling my wits.
Jake pushed a little harder so I had no choice but turn toward him in order to keep him from attacking Kyle.
“Jake!” His nostrils were flaring and it was evident my voice wasn’t getting through.
“Jake!” I pushed him with all my might to where he was now back stepping toward the bedroom window.
Shaking his head, he looked down at me. When he tried to move past me, I stepped to block his path. He jigged and I jagged. We danced that dance two more times before he looked down at me in frustration.
Melody's Crush Book 2: KYLE - 1st & 2nd Installments (Young Adult Series) Page 5