“Yeah.”
Alec cuts in. “Actually, why don’t you leave your car here, Kyle? We can go in my truck. We can come back later for your car.”
Kyle looks uncertain. “Thanks, Bro. I think I’d rather take my car this time.”
Alec doesn’t look happy and neither does Mike.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mike,” I say as I follow Kyle to his car.
Kyle opens the door for me. I glance back and see Alec watching us.
Kyle gets in and starts the car. “I don’t like this, Kyle. I don’t like games. Alec is just a friend and he made this no dating rule. We should respect that.”
“Skylar. If this ‘no dating rule’ BS was not an issue, would you feel differently about him?”
“I—”
“Don’t lie,” he warns.
“I don’t know anymore.”
He smiles. “And neither does Alec.”
“Are you always like this?” I ask.
“Like what?”
“Trying to play cupid.”
He shrugs and grins. “It’s like a calling. I can’t avoid it.” He pauses. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want to do. It’s not like I’m going to kiss you to try and make him jealous. We’re just going to a party together. That’s all. Are you okay with that?”
I take a deep breath. My stomach is in knots. “I guess.”
By the time we get to the farm, a lot of people are already here; Alec included. Lizzie and Mandy are here too and they’re talking to Alec.
I suddenly wish Mike was here… or better yet, I wish I wasn’t here.
Kyle catches me looking at them.
“They’re not going to bother you. Not with me and Alec here.”
Alec looks over to the car and Mandy follows his gaze.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes,” he says.
I glance back at Alec.
A little while ago, Kyle asked me if I would feel differently if the ‘no dating rule’ didn’t exist. I told him the truth when I said I didn’t know. But now, as I glance at Alec’s arm around Lizzie’s waist, I know how I feel. And I feel stupid by doing exactly what Mike predicted.
“Can you take me home?” I ask Kyle.
He cocks his head to the side. “Why?”
I don’t say anything. “Skylar, what’s wrong?”
He follows my gaze to where I’m looking and then slams his hands against the wheel when he sees Alec and Lizzie.
He shakes his head. “He probably has some stupid reason to do this, Skylar. Just—Ugh. I’m going to kick his ass later. I swear. I’ll figure out what is going on, but I’m sure it’s not what it looks like. He can’t stand Lizzie.”
I look over from Alec to Kyle.
“Let’s stay for a while,” he says. “If you still want to leave, I’ll take you home.”
I reluctantly agree.
I get out of the car and Kyle comes over to my side.
“Is it alright if I hold your hand?”
I just stare at him.
“We have to amp up our game,” he says.
My stomach is in knots again. He grabs my hand and leads me past Alec and towards the back of the house.
I have to fight the urge to look back toward Alec.
On the other side of the house, some of the guys are getting things ready to start the bonfire. It’s getting a lot darker now and there is little lighting on this side of the house.
Kyle pulls me along with him and we get chairs and blankets and start putting them in a circle.
“Hey Kyle,” yells Grayson. “Did you bring your guitar? And what the hell are you doing with Alec’s girl?”
Kyle laughs. “Alec doesn’t have a girl,” he says. “Last I heard he has that no-dating rule. And my guitar is in my trunk. Can you get it?”
“Isn’t Alec out there? Text him to bring your guitar on the way here.”
Kyle grabs his phone and starts typing.
I look away so I’m not tempted to read what he typed.
He turns the phone my way. “You can read it.”
‘Can you bring my guitar on the way back here? And what the heck are you doing with Lizzie?’
A few minutes later, Alec replies back.
“I told you he was being stupid,” Kyle says as he shows me the phone. ‘Got the guitar. I’m trying to keep Lizzie and Mandy away from Sky and maybe it’s a good idea if Sky sees me with someone else. I don’t want to ruin our friendship. She needs to move on.’
That bad feeling I had gets worse, but I go along with Kyle’s plan, at least for the moment. I’m not carrying on this game past tonight.
“Will you sing with me tonight?” Kyle asks.
“Ugh.” I know he won’t give up until I agree. “Maybe a few songs.”
“Awesome!” He pulls me toward the circle around the fire. We take two of the chairs.
I see a crowd come in from around the corner. Among them, is Alec, holding the guitar and looking down at the ground. Lizzie and Mandy are right behind him. Alec gives Grayson the guitar and sits across from us on one of the blankets. Lizzie and Mandy sit down too, one on each side of him.
“Hey,” says Kyle and I look over at him.
“It’s gonna be okay. Trust me. I know him.”
I sigh.
“Do you want a drink?” he asks.
“Sure.”
He comes back a few minutes later holding a can of soda and a beer. I give him a look wondering what he’s doing with that.
“Grayson’s grandpa left a few in the fridge. I’m just drinking one. Promise.”
“Okay.”
I look across from me and see Grayson talking to Alec. A few seconds later, Grayson comes in our direction. He grabs the un-open beer from Kyle’s hand. “I don’t think so, Bro. Grandpa will kill me if he knows any are missing. After last time, he has started counting them before you guys come over here.”
Kyle doesn’t seem happy about it but he lets it go. “I guess I’m going to go grab another soda.”
Feeling awkward, with no one else around to talk to, I grab my phone and pretend to be looking at something interesting.
A text from Alec comes in.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yeah. Lizzie seems annoyed that you’re not listening to her. You should stop texting your friends and pay attention to your date.’
I close my phone and notice that he does the same. I’m disappointed he doesn’t try to say it’s not true; that she isn’t his date… even though that’s basically what he told Kyle.
I see Kyle walk over and pull Alec aside. I also happen to notice that the look Mandy is giving me could burn a hole through my body. I go back to looking at my phone.
ALEC
I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. Lizzie came along and, at the time, I thought it was a good idea to keep her busy and away from Sky. I also thought it was a good idea for Sky to see me with someone else, but now I get the feeling that Sky is mad at me, which I don’t get. She seems to be fine with Kyle.
Honestly, a part of me thought she would tell him no when he asked her to come here with him. And then they were holding hands too, which… it’s for the best. They have a lot in common and if the kiss the other night meant anything to her, I need to make her forget it.
I feel someone tap me on my shoulder and I turn around to see Kyle standing there.
“Can you help me with something?” he asks.
“I guess.” I get up and follow him to the side of the house.
“What do you need help with?” I ask.
“With understanding why you’re being stubborn.”
“I’m not going to answer that. You know my rules. Just leave it alone, please.”
I’ve known Kyle for years, but this is a side of him I’ve never seen before. He’s seriously upset.
“Fine. But I’m going to tell you something, as a friend. And I’m sorry, but I’m probably going to make you mad,” he says.
> “What?” I snap.
“From what you told me, you did some serious damage to the girl’s self-esteem when she was in kindergarten. If you really didn’t want to break your stupid rules, you shouldn’t have kissed her the other night, because I’m sure you’re doing far more damage to her self-esteem now than ever before. Now if you want to grow a pair and ask me to step out of your way and leave her alone, I will. But you need to figure this out soon.”
He doesn’t wait for me to say anything. He just turns around and leaves.
I sit down on the grass with my back against the wall. I close my eyes and stay here for a while.
He’s right. I messed up by kissing her, but not for the reasons he says. That was probably when I realized that, maybe, if things were different, I might want to break my rule and date her. Not that she would ever date me. I mean, how many chances can a girl like that give to someone who does what I’m doing? It was tough enough to convince her to be friends again and that was after ten years.
I stand up, pull my keys out of my pocket and start to walk to my truck.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Halfway to the truck, I hear her sing ‘Who You Are’; the same song she sang at my party, and it’s like I can’t move forward anymore. I turn around and go back, but stay to the side of the house, where Lizzie and Mandy can’t see me. Kyle plays the guitar and Sky sings with her eyes closed. After that song, I see Lizzie and Mandy going into the house. Kyle and Sky sing one more song and then take a break. Lizzie and Mandy come back outside, giggling and laughing. I overhear Mandy tell Lizzie the idea of writing ‘You are next’ was genius and they go back towards the bonfire.
Kyle asks if anyone has a song suggestion.
“I have a suggestion,” says Lizzie. She gets up and walks closer to Kyle. I get a gut feeling and quickly move toward them too. Once close enough, she throws something toward Sky and it falls on the grass.
Sky bends over to get it. She stares at a medicine bottle.
Kyle looks at Lizzie, “You are such a bitch!” he says and he puts his arms around Sky, who is now crying. Everyone is confused and I end up putting it all together… medicine bottle and the words ‘You are Next’.
I get even closer. I feel like I’m in a daze. I don’t see anyone else but Sky and Kyle. I tap on Kyle’s shoulder and he looks back at me without taking his arms away from Sky.
“Would you kindly back off,” I say.
He grins. “About damn time.”
He pulls away from her and I take his place. My arms go around her. I lower my head and whisper in her ear. “Forget the stupid rules. I’m sorry for being stupid all over again. You’re beautiful and amazing and, unless you stop me now, I’m going to kiss you again.”
She looks up at me, with tears still running down her face, but doesn’t say anything. I put my hands on each side of her face and lean in, giving her the kiss that should’ve been our first.
SKYLAR
For a moment, I forget all about Lizzie and her little games. I’m in Alec’s arms; I feel safe; and then, he whispers in my ear. “Forget the stupid rules. I’m sorry for being stupid all over again. You’re beautiful and amazing and, unless you stop me now, I’m going to kiss you again.” These words take me to another reality, and when I feel the warmth of his hands against my cheeks, I feel my knees weaken. He kisses me, and I forget everything else around us. It’s just Alec and me.
This should’ve been our first kiss.
When he pulls away, I open my eyes and stare right into his. He doesn’t look scared or like he regrets this at all. In fact, he smiles the very same smile that he has while playing ball.
I don’t even realize I’m still holding the medicine bottle until I feel his hand open mine and take it away from me.
He slides his other hand in mine.
For the first time since we kissed, I begin to make sense of other noises around us.
I hear someone say, “See Kyle. I told you she was Alec’s girl.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” says Kyle. “I already knew that.”
I spot Mandy and Lizzie not far away. Alec sees them too and he leads me toward them.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Trust me.”
Once we are in front of them, he hands the bottle back to Lizzie. “She doesn’t need this. However, I wish there was some kind of pill I could fill it with to make you a better person.”
“Damn!” says Kyle.
Alec turns around and leads me back toward his truck.
Once we reach the truck, he pulls down the tailgate, and helps me climb up. We sit back in the truck’s bed, looking up at the stars.
He reaches for my hand and I look over at him.
“You’re confusing the hell out of me,” I say.
He laughs. “I’m confusing myself.”
“So, what does all of this mean?”
“It means that I’ll break my rules for you. And, if you’ll have me, I’m willing to break my no dating rule.”
I blush and smile.
“But Sky,” I look back up at him. “I want you to understand that there is a possibility I could get sick again and—I keep thinking that I shouldn’t be doing this to you. You have too much bad stuff in your life already.”
He seems surprised when I say, “Then be my one good thing,” I pause and smile at him for a split second. “Alec, I could get up tomorrow and be sick. I don’t want to talk about that. It could happen to anyone.”
“I know. But I want to know that you understand if something happens to me again, I won’t get treatment. That will be it.”
“I understand,” I lie. Even before, I was already terrified of that possibility. I’m terrified of losing him. “Now, can we stop talking about this, please? I don’t want to hear you talking about these ‘what ifs’ anymore, Alec. I mean… you don’t want to ruin our first date talking about this, do you?”
He grins and leans in to kiss me, and once again, I get lost in time.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Alec gets me home a little past my curfew, but luckily, my parents are out.
I text him when I get to my room. ‘I’m not sure I mentioned it earlier, but you did amazing during the game today.’
He sends back a smiley face. ‘The guys want to play tomorrow. Do you want to come along? We can probably use your help.’
‘Sure, but I don’t think I’ll be any help.’
‘You will. Trust me.’
I close my phone and I relive that kiss in my head a thousand times. All of this feels so surreal. I can’t sleep so I go down to the kitchen to get a snack.
I didn’t even hear Mom and Dad come in.
They are in the kitchen, talking.
“Oh. Hey. Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah. We were just talking about Alec.”
I can’t hide my stupid grin.
“Yeah? What about?” I grab some chips and sit with them.
“I was talking to his mom yesterday and she mentioned all these changes he has been making lately, like playing baseball again, and going to the doctor without her having to practically force him to.”
“Yeah?”
Mom nods. “She says that he has improved a lot since you became friends again.”
It’s like Mom knows something is up.
I blush and look away.
“He asked me to be his girlfriend,” I say.
“And what did you say, young lady?” asks Dad.
Mom smacks his arm. “Don’t scare her out of talking to us about this stuff.”
Still looking away, I tell him I said yes.
And just like that, they both look concerned.
“What?” I ask, wanting to get this over with.
“I want you to be careful, Hon,” says Mom. “You and Alec have had your ups and downs as friends. Just—be careful. He has gone through a lot in his life already. And he seems to be going through a lot of changes lately. His mom is happy, but she’s also concerned,
which worries us too. We don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom.”
I notice that Dad stays quiet for the rest of the conversation. Finally, he says, “And he better come over and ask my permission to date you.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Mom laughs. “Yes, he is.”
“Now, do you want to explain why Alec’s mom mentioned to us that you’re dating Alec’s best friend, Kyle?”
I freeze. Now what do I say to that? “She must have misunderstood. Kyle and I are just friends.”
They don’t look like they believe me, but they leave it alone.
Saturday morning, I wake up to Mom telling me that Mike is at the house. I roll out of bed, get dressed, and go downstairs.
“Hey, Mike.”
“Hey.”
I turn on the TV and sit on the couch next to him.
“I assume everything went okay at the party?” he asks.
“Yes,” And because I’m sure he’ll hear all about it on Monday, I go ahead and tell him about Alec and me.
“Alec and I are dating.”
He doesn’t say anything for a while.
“What happened to Kyle?”
“We weren’t really dating. He thought if we went to the party together, Alec would realize that—”
He interrupts me. “Who are you? I mean, you started hanging out with them and now you’re playing games to manipulate results. This isn’t you.”
“I’m not manipulating anything, Mike.”
“Whatever. So, what happened to just being friends with Alec?”
“I like him, Mike. I really do. Can’t you just be happy for your best friend here?”
“I can’t, Skylar. Am I even your best friend still? Why didn’t you tell me about Kyle?”
I look away. He’s right about that. “I’m sorry. I should have.”
“I still think you’re going to get hurt, Skylar.”
“Yeah, well, everyone seems to think that, so join the club.”
“Did you ever stop to think that maybe ‘everyone’ is right?”
“I don’t need to. They don’t know Alec like I do.”
“Well, he hurt you before. He can do it again.”
“Mike! That was kindergarten!”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” he says. “I don’t want to fight. I said what I had to say.”
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