Melody's Crush Book 2: KYLE - 1st & 2nd Installments (Young Adult Series)

by Dillon, Alora

  “Don’t even!” I said, my tone dripping with anger.

  His eyelids flickered, his glare unbelieving as he cocked his head to the side as if to question my sanity.

  “Seriously? You are going to pick him,” his hand rose to gesture behind me and then moved to touch his own chest, “over me?” the last two words barely audible.

  That did it!

  “What do you mean pick him over you?” I demanded. “How can you stand there and say that?” And now I was yelling. “As I recall, Jake, you picked Tricia and I was left with him!” I thumbed over my shoulder at Kyle, not caring he looked offended. “I didn’t ask for this, Jake. And I sure as hell didn’t pick anyone. But right now, based on how your acting and I am feeling… yeah, I pick Kyle.”

  That stung even my own ears.

  Jake blinked a half dozen times before my words sunk in. Standing straighter, he cupped the back of his neck with one hand, the other on his hip as he snickered to himself in disbelief.

  But I didn’t dare to back down.

  Although I regretted hurting his pride, I actually meant it. I picked Kyle. Even with his evil twin personality.

  Because for the first time, I felt like… a girl. Not a sister, not a friend but a teenage girl being noticed, even if I was being delusional, by a teenage boy. And what bothered me the most? Until now, I didn’t realize how much I wanted it.

  “Tsh.” A small titter of disbelief pushed past my teeth as that new discovery really sunk in.

  I blinked a few times before realizing Jake was studying me. His pupils danced in and out of focus as his eyes tick-tocked side to side, searching mine. I wasn’t exactly sure what he was looking for, but it was evident he didn’t like what he found.

  Stepping back, I watched his expression shift to that of someone who had just … lost. Tightness squeezed in my chest that surprised even me.

  What just happened?

  Why did I all of a sudden feel like hell?

  Mentally, I did a body check to make sure I wasn’t bleeding and just didn’t know about it. Although there were no evident signs of gaping holes or gashing wounds, the pain that gripped my chest was very real.

  “You two lovebirds done?” Kyle’s sarcasm from behind my shoulder slapped me back to reality, Jake’s jaw tensing as he glared over my shoulder.

  Turning, I had every intention of giving him a piece of my mind but stopped short when I realized he had already picked up Chloe and taken care of her.

  How did he do that?

  The sound of material rubbing against the window frame meant Jake had gone.

  What had I just done? Would he be back? Would he…forgive me?

  “You want to hold her?” The deep melodic sound that came from Kyle shook my reserve. It was sincere. I didn’t deserve… sincere.

  No. I don’t want to hold her. I want to run. Run after Jake. I want to say I’m sorry. I want to hear from his lips that everything between us is okay and that he is still my best friend. I want to…to… cry.

  Warmth enveloped my hand next to my side as Kyle used his fingers to lift it. Looking up at him, my jaw tensed as I tried desperately to hold back the tears. I reached for Chloe and he carefully handed her over, his arms rubbing against mine in the exchange. He cupped the back of Chloe’s head in his palm for support until I was able to get her settled in my arms.

  It was extraordinary how he treated her like she was a real baby, as if she were a delicate flower in his hands. Maybe because he actually knew what it felt like to hold a real baby that he took such care. Regardless, it was the first time I felt inferior in the knowledge department… especially in front of a jock. I thought reading the manual would give me the upper hand, but it was obvious Kyle’s real life experiences trumped my study skills.

  Looking up, his eyes were filled with a million muted questions that I wasn’t ready to answer.

  I furrowed my brows and shook my head no, silently begging him not to speak.

  I don’t know at what point my eyes started leaking, but the pads of Kyle’s thumbs gently swiped beneath them, protecting my cheeks from the onslaught.

  “I had no idea you and Jake were an item,” he said gently.

  “What?” I asked stepping back from his touch. Sniffling, I rubbed the back of my hand under my nose and then wiped the side of my shorts. “Ha. No. Jake and I’ve never been an item.” I did another nose swipe.

  “You could have fooled me,” Kyle’s voice was barely audible.

  “Yeah?” I asked sniffling again, trying to seem indifferent. My lips pressed hard together trying desperately to reinforce the dam protecting the sea of emotions threatening to overflow.

  I felt the warmth of his hand on my upper arm, his palm rubbing tenderly across my flesh. His effort at comforting me had me swallowing against a lump stuck in my throat.

  How could this person be Kyle Warner?

  Shaking my head, I looked down at Chloe who was in the cradle of my arm and realized a little late I was bouncing her unnaturally. If it were a real baby, she would have thrown up by now from the wave of movement. I forced my arms to slow to a more natural movement.

  My nose rattled as I took in a deep breath through my nostrils. The sound it made was cringe worthy, but then it was better than snot running down my face.

  Once I felt I had some control over my leakages, I felt like I should at least set the record straight. The last thing I needed was for Kyle to spread rumors around school that Jake and I were ‘an item’, as he put it.

  “Jake,” I swallowed, “has never seen me as anything more than a friend. Actually he’s more like a brother than a friend.” I placed the knuckle of my thumb to the inside corner of my eye, pressing, praying that the stinging would stop. I sniffled again and then took in a shaky breath. “It’s always been me who was hoping for… something more.” Saying it aloud, I realized how pathetic I really sounded.

  Chancing a glance at Kyle, he was looking at me with pity.

  That’s because you’re acting pitiful!

  Letting out a disgusted sigh, I walked over to the bed and sat down. Kyle followed suit, his body weight causing mine to shift and I was all too aware of how my bare shoulder was pressing into his upper arm.

  Trying to scooch over, I made an attempt to move but Kyle bounced slightly preventing the escape.

  I turned to look at him in surprise. His chin slowly turned toward me and I felt myself drowning in his icy pools as he refused to let go of my gaze. I tried swallowing but a lump formed in my throat.

  His eyelids flickered as he turned to stare at the empty vanity chair next to us, saving me from whatever spell he was casting.

  “Crushes suck,” he stated matter-of-factly, possibly trumping me with another life experience.

  The corners of my lips played with a smile.

  Well since he put it out there.

  “How would you know?” I asked, not daring to look at him.

  He took in a long, deep breath and held it. It seemed as if he was silently deliberating on whether answering that question was a good idea. Exhaling, he finally said, “I just know.”

  “I figured,” I said a little too flatly.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” He actually sounded offended.

  “It just means that you’re already better at taking care of a baby than me, why should I be surprised you are better at crushes too. I take it back,” I turned to look at his profile. “You have every right to gloat.”

  He turned and looked down at me, grinning as if to say, “I told you do.” The pain in my chest from before was slowly being replaced by a new feeling, a new kind of ache.

  It was scaring me.

  Trying to hide my new found fear, I gave a feeble attempt at offering a smile.

  “Was that a compliment, Melody Jenkins?”

  Raising an eyebrow, I said with a sardonic tone, “I know when to admit defeat.”

  “Ah, defeat is it?” he smiled causing his eyes to shimmer as he bore down into my sou
l. Unexpectedly, he shifted the conversation. “Do you love him?”

  “What?” I shook my head and then searched the floor for anything to look at. How was I having this conversation with Kyle Warner? When did our relationship go from despising each other to confiding?

  Making an effort to rise, I rocked my shoulders forward but Kyle’s hand gently pushed me back to my seat.

  Eyes wide, I turned and stared at him ready to yell if need be for him to let me go. He didn’t have the right to invade my personal space. My personal life… my very personal feelings!

  “That was too personal,” he said, concern twisting his features. “Sorry.” His hand moved to his thigh.

  Add mind reader to his list.

  Closing my eyes, I let out an irritated sigh. Not at him, per say, but at myself.

  “I...” my mouth moved but I just couldn’t form words. Not just any words, but the right ones. Why was I such a mess? “Kyle…” my voice was apologetic.

  “No, no,” he said as he raised a hand, signaling me to stop speaking.

  That was a relief.

  He stood causing my neck to strain as my gaze followed him. Looking down at me, his eyes danced playfully. “You’re intriguing, Melody Jenkins.”

  Blinking hard a few times, my mouth dropped in disbelief.

  Did Kyle Warner just use the word intriguing in a sentence? Did he even know what it meant?

  His mesmerizing chuckle came out as he hooked his knuckle under my chin, gently pushing my mouth closed. The warmth from his touch lingered like hot cocoa on a winter’s day and I felt my body melting like a tiny little ole’ marshmallow.

  Surprisingly, he cupped my chin with his long fingers forcing me to keep my eyes on him as he spoke. “You know, on the surface, we tend to project what we want others to see. And for that, we get stuck with a stereotype. But there’s a lot more to me than what you see on the surface, Melody Jenkins.”

  When I didn’t move or respond, he continued. “I’m sure the same goes for you, only you seem to have a lot more walls to go through.”

  Stunned, I could not believe the words I was hearing were actually coming from that… mouth.

  With that, he dropped his hand and moved toward the bedroom door leaving me stunned. Reaching for the knob he twisted it and then stopped. As he half turned toward me, I could see his eyes searching for invisible words he was forming into sentences in the air. For a second, I wasn’t sure he was going to speak as he waited so long before saying, “But what I’ve discovered about you so far,” he paused to swallow, “I like.” His fist gently bumped the side of his thigh a few times as if to punish himself for admitting it. Unexpectedly, he added, “A lot.” He nodded his head once as if to say he was done, smiled and then left the room.

  For what felt like hours I just stared at the back of my closed bedroom door chewing over the words he threw at me.

  No… fired at me was more like it.

  It was like cannon balls were flying all around and sooner or later, I was sure to take a hit.

  What on God’s green earth did he mean?

  He can’t just leave me hanging like that! Did he get me confused with someone else, I mean, cuz I was clearly sitting right there. No other person but me. So how could he shoot so straight and still miss the mark?

  Shaking my head, I moved to place Chloe in the makeshift bassinet so I could finally get dressed. It was nearing eleven o’clock and my stomach was rebelling.

  Moving to my claustrophobic walk in closet, I pulled out a pair of jeans, a white v-neck t-shirt with a little pocket on it then flicked a sandal out into the middle of the room with my big toe, then the matching pair.

  Shucking my sleep shorts, I continued processing Kyle’s words as I slipped into my favorite pair of weekender jeans.

  Surface…project what we want others to see… stuck with a stereotype.

  I tucked the t-shirt beneath the waistband of my jeans then zipped and buttoned.

  Was he saying I wrongly judged him?

  Tsh… as if. I’m not the type to judge people. In fact, it’s other people who misjudge me! Stupid jock!

  I froze. I blinked a few times as the impact of my words slapped me hard across my conscience.

  Letting out a sigh of defeat, I crossed my legs and bent my knees in a crisscross applesauce fashion. A loud popping sound filled the room as my butt connected with the floor. Placing my face in my hands, I rubbed until I felt my eyes and cheeks were going to slip off.

  When did I become that person? The person Kyle recognized in me so easily and I had been staring at her every day for nearly 18 years. Minus a few when I was a baby, but still. Less than twenty-four hours in his company and Kyle Warner had already called me out… to myself! Making me see the side of me that I knew was there but just ignored. The one who was never hurting anyone.

  But you let your stereotypical judgments blind you to who Kyle Warner really is. Didn’t he just say so? And you haven’t exactly been a saint toward him because of that judgment.

  How many more people have you been wrong about?

  Dropping my hands to my knees, my back curved forward as I hunched over giving me a great view of the tops of my bare feet. Wiggling my toes, I debated on whether or not to move from this spot. Facing Kyle with the whole ya got me feeling wasn’t exactly on my checklist of things I was excited about doing today.

  I could act indifferent, lie and say I didn’t understand what he meant. But then, that would make me look like an idiot. And for the most part, he did call me a nerd… so, he knows I’m smart… or at least, that’s how I project myself.

  I winced. It wasn’t going to be easy changing my thought process. Kyle just looked like a jock, acted like a jock and so did his friends. Tricia Scott just looked like a bitch, acted like one and I bet that wasn’t her just projecting what she wanted people to see. Something like that had to be a part of the genetic gene pool.

  Argh! Stop it, Melody… Stop it!

  Sighing, I rolled over onto my back, the rumbling in my tummy quickly winning over.

  Flustered, I stood up and checked on Chloe once more. Kyle’s key was still in her side. Reaching for it, I pulled it out and placed the ribbon cord that held it in a pile on the nightstand.

  Sitting down at my vanity, I looked at the image staring back at me. It was like seeing a newer me. Same eyes, same hair, same everything only a newer version. Although it looked like the old Melody, the upgrade was in the central processor along with a few minor tweaks to the esthetics.

  I liked it and then I didn’t.

  With all changes comes new challenges and for the most part, I believed I was ready for them.

  Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I placed it in my back pocket then exited the room. Heading down the hall, I spilled into the kitchen only to stop short as I met Jake sitting at the dinette, Kyle sitting across from him. Their horns locked.

  Kyle looked up first and then Jake.

  Not wanting a repeat from earlier, I walked by them both, trying to ignore them as my heart started racing.

  Wait…was Jake in the house the whole time? Did he hear any of the conversation Kyle and I were having? Was my secret out?

  Please, God, no. Tell me he didn’t hear any of that!

  Wincing, I made my way toward the freezer and pulled on the handle. The magical light popped on as I reached in for a package of waffles. Even though my mother worked in the healthcare industry, she still bought prepackaged foods. With her always working, it was something easily overlooked as I really didn’t mind. She didn’t have time to cook and I was no chef. However, she always made sure there was plenty of fruit plus green stuffs to make salads. So technically, I pretty much only ate ‘the bad for you food’ in the morning. Besides, it was tasty.

  Placing two blueberry waffles in the toaster, I leaned against the counter as it cooked. The sweet aroma filled my nostrils causing my stomach to growl so loud, I wouldn’t be surprised it reached out and grabbed them by itself. Guess that
would cut down on the dishes.

  I wondered if Kyle ate.

  Uh… why? Shouldn’t you be thinking about Jake’s well-being you two timing…

  Bacon! I needed bacon.

  Heading over to the fridge, I retrieved the bacon, pulled out a few slices and placed them on a paper towel inside the microwave.

  Forty-five seconds later and bam… breakfast was done!

  I turned to the freshly popped discs and placed them on a plate.

  Without even looking, I said to the wall, “Jake? Have you eaten?”

  The chair scraped against the floor sending chills down my spine. Before I could turn, his hand reached down to the plate in front of me grabbing its edge and then pulled it from my sight.

  I didn’t complain.

  Retrieving two more waffles, I placed them in the toaster and then pushed down the lever, waiting.

  The counter creaked as Kyle’s weight leaned against it. In his household, scraping the chair was probably a no-no or he had some ninja like skills, because I didn’t hear him get up. His shoulder blades rested easily against the cabinets above with his arms crossed over his chest. He had to be at least six two, maybe even six three. Funny how I never really took notice to it before.

  He probably knew I misjudged his height, too.

  I snarled.

  The waffles popped up.

  Turning, he gently pushed me out of the way and picked up the hot discs without as much as flinching. Placing them on the expecting plate, he lifted it with his free hand and then pulled my shoulder to turn me around as he guided me to the open chair across from Jake. Placing the plate on the table, he gently pushed down on my shoulder forcing me to sit.

  Looking up, I intended to rebel but he stopped me by asking, “Orange juice or milk?” My mouth shut.

  “She’ll take orange juice,” Jake said, thinking he knew me all too well.

  Then again, he did.

  I smiled sweetly, “Milk please.”

  With that, I glared at Jake daring him to say a word.

  I could hear the liquid being poured into a cup. Kyle returned to the table with silverware, a napkin and a glass of juice. I looked up at him again ready to complain only to be met with a grin and a wink.