Kiss with Cherry Flavor (Grover Beach #4)

by Anna Katmore

  I gave them all the facts—as far as I knew them, anyway. In the end, I had seven people gaping at me, open-mouthed.

  Alex whistled through his teeth. “Deep shit, baby.”

  “Mighty deep,” Susan agreed. Then she leaned forward, stomping one of her crutches on the floor. “All right. What do we do?”

  I quirked my brows at her. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, we’re certainly not going to let that cow win. Apart from those two chicks”—Susan nodded at Lisa and Simone—“you’re my best friend. I won’t let you go home. No way. So what we need now is a plan.”

  The corners of my mouth twitched. “Tony said the same thing just a few minutes ago.” It was overwhelming how these guys didn’t take crap…from anyone. “But since I’m only seventeen and dependent on my family, I don’t see a way out. My uncle wants me out of his house. And my parents won’t be able to move to the States until next spring.” I scrunched up my eyes. “I’m so screwed.”

  Tony put his arm around me and yanked me against him, his gentle fingers drawing small circles on the back of my neck. I let out a long breath.

  “Don’t you have any other relatives in the States?” Simone asked.

  “My grams,” I told her. “But she lives in Boston. It wouldn’t exactly help my problem if I moved in with her.”

  Silence fell in the room. Everyone looked so pale we would have been the perfect cast for Dracula. And then I realized for the first time that they were as scared as I was. They didn’t want to lose me, and I didn’t want to lose them. In the past two weeks, I’d experienced for the first time what it meant to have real friends. People who cared if you were happy or sad. If you were there or not.

  I wanted to pull them all into a tight embrace and never let go. But right now, I could only hug one of them. I buried my face in Tony’s shoulder, wrapping my arms around him tightly. He was the only one who could hear me when I whispered, “I don’t want to go.”

  We sat there for a long while. No one spoke. Only deep sighs sounded in the room every now and then.

  Suddenly, Tony rose to his feet, startling me and the others. “I need to get out of here,” he said flatly and strode to the door.

  I gazed after him over the backrest of the couch until the door banged shut. When I turned back to the others, I found Ryan’s eyes on me. His lips were pursed as he seemed to be deliberating something. Finally, he sighed and walked after Tony.

  Lisa offered us something to drink then, and we tried to come up with a solution to my misery. But the idea stream was meager. The situation seemed hopeless. An impasse. And the sooner I accepted it, the better for me. I didn’t want to spend my last day lamenting.

  I wanted to spend it with Tony.

  Excusing myself from the others, I went outside too. Tony was sitting on the swing on the porch, head dipped back, studying the roof as he gently swayed back and forth. Ryan was leaning against the post next to the steps that led down to the beach. Both boys were silent.

  With my hands shoved deep into my pockets, I shuffled over to Tony. “Care for a walk?” I asked in a low voice.

  He lifted his head and looked at me for a couple of seconds. Then he nodded, stood up, and took my hand. When we passed Ryan, he placed a companionable hand on Tony’s shoulder and the guys briefly looked each other in the eye, but neither of them said a word.

  Ryan went inside then, and we strolled off along the beach, our fingers intertwined. The waves crashing on the shore was the only sound for a long time. I wondered why Tony was so silent. But then, I didn’t know what to say either.

  We had walked about half a mile when he finally found his voice. “It sucks. But you know, it’s doable.”

  “Hmm?” I turned to him. “What do you mean?”

  Tony stopped and pulled me into his arms, giving me a meaningful look. “A long-distance relationship.”

  My heart filled with joy at his words, and yet a grave sadness pierced my soul. “You’re willing to do that?”

  “Spring, huh?” He cracked a smile. “I think I can wait that long.”

  I stood on my tiptoes and placed a chaste kiss on his mouth. “You know, sometimes I wonder where the asshole has gone that I met a couple of weeks ago.”

  He smirked. “I can throw you over my shoulder and dump you in the sea, if that’ll make you feel better.”

  What actually made me feel better was his trying to cheer me up. Stretching as high as I could, I looped my arms around his neck. In turn, he wrapped his around my waist and pulled me tight against him. He sighed close to my ear, then he said, “Should we go back?”

  Back in time. Fourteen days. Start out differently. Make everything better. Yes, I would like that. But of course he meant back to Hunter’s beach house. Releasing him, I nodded.

  When we reached the bungalow, Ryan was on the phone, ordering pizza for everyone. The pizza place wasn’t far away, and a young guy brought the food ten minutes later. We sat around the table in the kitchen, and along with the rest of them I forced myself to eat a piece.

  “Maybe my mom can talk to your aunt,” Ryan suggested between two bites. “They’re friends. We might have a chance.”

  “She can try, but it won’t help. It’s not Pamela we have to persuade. She tried to talk my uncle out of it last night, and again this morning, I think. But he won’t listen.”

  “He’s a lawyer. They can be real jerks,” Susan pointed out.

  Next to me, Tony stood and walked to the fridge. When he turned around, he held two cans out to me. A Cherry Coke in his left hand and a bland Coke in his right. I pointed at the Cherry Coke, smiling because it reminded me of our kiss last night, and he placed the other one back into the fridge. Opening my can, he set it in front of me then walked over to the window, leaning with his butt against the sill.

  I enjoyed watching him for the next couple of minutes, trying to memorize every detail of him. For later.

  One dimple appeared in his cheek when he realized I was staring at him. He had the most adorable smile a boy could have. The sunlight flooding through the window accented the golden streaks in his blond hair. His blue eyes burned with longing.

  “If only you could check into a hotel for the next few months,” I heard Susan say.

  Yeah, that was a nice idea, and it probably would’ve been manageable if I were a few years older, had a job, and could pay for it.

  Tony’s expression changed, his eyes narrowing. “Hotel…” he repeated. All of a sudden, he straightened. “Miller! You’re a genius!” He strode to her, bent over, and kissed her on the top of her head.

  Everyone shot a startled glance at him, but Tony didn’t care. He rushed around the table, grabbed my hand, and pulled me up. “Come on, Bungee!”

  As he dragged me out of the house, I cast a puzzled look over my shoulder at the others, but they seemed as clueless as me.

  Tony gave me no time to ask questions or to even think. My hand in his, he pulled me to his car and had me climb in. The engine roared when he turned the key in the ignition and, with screeching tires, he raced off.

  Once on the road, he shifted funnily and fished his cell phone from his back pocket, swept his thumb across the display twice, pressed down, and held the phone to his ear. Cutting a glance at me, he wouldn’t explain what he was up to, but a second later he told somebody else on the phone, “Hi, Tony here. Are you home? I need to talk to you.”

  TONY

  LIKE A MANIAC, I raced down the street. Right now, I didn’t care about tickets. All that mattered was finding a way to let my girlfriend stay with me.

  Holy fuck, the word still sounded strange to me, even in my mind. But it was the best kind of strange possible. A grin sneaked to my lips.

  Sam cleared her throat, and when I glanced at her, she lifted her brows. “Will you tell me where we’re going and what’s making you so happy?”

  There was only a slim chance my plan would work, but it was also the only one we had. No, not a slim chance, but a fairly good
one, I corrected myself sternly. It must work. Period. Reaching over, I took Sam’s hand and stroked her knuckles with my thumb. “We’re going to find a new home for you. Temporarily. I know you’ll love it. You’ve already been there.” I released her briefly to shift gear.

  From the corner of my eye, I noticed that her gaze was still fixed on me. She thought for a second, then asked with a note of uncertainty in her voice, “Caroline Jackson?”

  “Exactly. Remember when I told you she hosts students during vacations?” Oh, this was a brilliant plan. The excitement in my voice was audible even to me.

  There was more space in my aunt’s house than twenty of Sam’s sort could ever fill. Carrie loved to have kids and teenagers around her, and currently, she lived alone. The summer season was over, and all the kids had returned home at the beginning of September. The entire loft was vacated and free to use. It was the perfect place for Sam to live.

  “Yes. But that’s something different. I’m not here for a vacation. I need to find a place for four months. Do you really think she’ll agree to have me in her house for so long?”

  “I’m praying for it.” Slowing down, I took the road up to her house and halted in front of the gate. Sam climbed out with me. I reached for her hand and dragged her hurriedly across the yard. We were running out of time, and I didn’t know how long it would take to convince my aunt.

  The door opened before we even reached it. Carrie rushed out and cupped my face. She looked downright frightened. “Tony! What’s the matter? Is something wrong with your parents? You scared the heck out of me with your call.”

  I released Sam and took both my aunt’s hands instead. “They’re all right. It’s not about them. We’re in trouble—Sam and me.”

  Her eyes turned even wider as her gaze switched between us. “Oh my God! Are the police after you?”

  I gave her an annoyed look. “No.” Damn, what was she thinking? “Can we go inside? We’re in a bit of a hurry. I’ll explain everything to you.”

  “Yes, of course.” She led the way, but she cast me a worried look over her shoulder.

  I pulled Sam after me.

  A lot of wood was worked into this spacious country house, and as soon as I stepped over the threshold, a tranquility came over me that I hadn’t thought possible only ten minutes ago. It might stem from the fact that I only had good memories of this place. Happy times. Laughter. Warm milk with honey and cookies in the evening.

  Even now a plate filled with chocolate chip cookies sat on the gray rectangular table in the dining room. Taking a seat at the upper end, I grabbed one. When I offered a bite to Sam, she shook her head. Her glance skated rather nervously across the room. With a slight tug on her hand, I made her sit down next to me and gave her an encouraging look. “It’ll be all right,” I whispered.

  Carrie lowered herself down opposite us, lacing her fingers on the table. “What’s up?”

  I took a deep breath, then I began with Sam’s story. My aunt listened patiently. She knew I had never been a liar and that I wouldn’t make this up now, even though her brows quirked at the part where Chloe supposedly wreaked havoc in Sam’s room.

  “Chloe Summers…” she mused. “The name doesn’t ring a bell. I guess she’s never been in any of my classes.”

  “She’s not that big a talent at art,” Sam said in a low voice. Then she added, “She plays soccer,” like this explained it all.

  I cast Sam a questioning look. “I play soccer.”

  She turned to me and just shrugged, a helpless smile tugging at her lips. Her hand sneaked toward mine, squeezing it. Okay, she got away with it.

  “And now you want me to do what?” Carrie asked us next. “Shall I talk to your aunt and uncle, Samantha? I’m sure if you explained everything the way you told me, they’d understand and let you stay in their house.”

  Sam shook her head.

  “We’re not asking for your diplomatic support,” I informed Carrie wryly. “We’re asking for a room.”

  “A room?”

  At my aunt’s surprised exclamation, Sam’s shoulders slumped. I knew she’d given up hope that minute. But I wouldn’t. “Yes. You run a hostel here over the summer. I know you like kids around. Sam will not be a burden. And she can help you in the stables.”

  Carrie sighed. “It’s not as simple as that, Tony.”

  “Why not? You’ve done this for over ten years. It sounds simple to me.”

  “First of all, the parents of the kids I take in over summer vacations always contact me. We talk, we meet, they get to know me, and we fill out some sort of contract. I don’t just gather kids from the street and give them a home for a couple of weeks.”

  “You can talk to her parents now.”

  “Are they here?”

  “No. On the phone.”

  Sam pulled at my hand, making me look at her. “I don’t have my phone on me.”

  “You can use mine.” I took it out of my pocket. “Give me their number.”

  “Wait.” Carrie reached across the table, placing her hand on mine to stop me from dialing. “What will Sam’s aunt and uncle say if I take their niece away without asking them first?”

  “What the fuck! They don’t give a shit about her. Do you really think they care?”

  “Anthony!” she warned me sharply.

  Lips compressed, I let a long breath escape through my nose. “Yeah, sorry.”

  Turning her gaze to Sam, Carrie tilted her head. At least she seemed ready to discuss things. “How soon do you have to move out?”

  Sam twisted my hand with hers as she looked at her watch. “Right about now,” she said in an unsettled voice.

  This information made my aunt gasp. She probably thought she had more time to think it over. A few days. Well, we couldn’t give her that. Above the door, the clock said it was three twenty. If we couldn’t sway her, I had to take Sam back home soon, so she could pack and get ready. My chest constricted.

  “Please, Carrie. Talk to her parents.” If I sounded desperate, it was for a reason. I couldn’t lose my girlfriend.

  Caroline leaned back in the chair, lacing her fingers over her stomach. She studied the two of us for an endless half minute. Then she shook her head.

  Shit.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling my heart give out.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this, but fine, get me your parents on the phone, Samantha.”

  What? My eyes shot open at my aunt’s words. She’d agreed?

  “I’m not promising anything just yet,” she warned us then, propping her elbows on the table. “I’m only going to talk to Mrs. Summers and hear what she thinks.”

  That was all we could ask of her. Punching in the number Sam recited, I could barely contain my hopeful grin. At the first ring, I handed her my phone.

  By Sam’s fast breathing, I could tell she was as nervous as I was.

  “Mom? Hi, it’s me, Sammy.” She moved her glassy gaze to me, and I place my hand to her cheek, trying to look confident. “I’m sorry. I was with friends and forgot my phone at the house.” Sam paused, taking the time to breathe in deeply. “I’m fine. Right now I’m at the house of a friend’s aunt. She wants to talk to you about an idea. A possibility for me to stay…maybe.” Another pause. “Right. I’ll give her the phone now.”

  Sam handed the cell to Carrie, who rose from the table and walked to the door. “Hello. I’m Caroline Jackson, your daughter’s art teacher. I hear there’s an issue with her aunt and uncle…”

  The door closed behind her, and we heard no more.

  CHAPTER 11

  THROUGH THE WINDOW in Caroline Jackson’s kitchen, we saw her wander up and down the yard while she spoke to my mother on the phone. Damn, how long would this take? Tony and I had been waiting for over ten minutes now. My nerves on edge, I snuggled deeper into his embrace, needing his warmth and the safety I felt with him.

  “This is madness.” The fabric of his dark gray sweatshirt muffled my mumble. “What if my parents don
’t agree? And what if your aunt says no after all?”

  “Stop thinking that, Bungee. It’ll work out. It’s our only chance.”

  “Gosh, I hate waiting.”

  “Me, too.” He stroked his fingers through my hair. Then suddenly, he pulled away from me and grabbed my hand, dragging me toward the door.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I want to show you something. Anything is better than just growing roots here and wrecking our nerves.” He dragged me up the wooden stairs that wound around a high, white column supporting the upper floor. There was a hallway with three doors. Paintings hung on the wall, photographs, and drawings, the latter all signed with an unmistakable T.

  Tony gave me no time to examine them. He went for the very last door, pushed it open, and walked inside.

  As I followed him, my breath caught in my throat. Oh my God, this place was beautiful.

  The wooden roof sloped down on both sides, its bright beige color warming the room that otherwise had only bland white walls. There were square windows facing east and south, overlooking the paddock and the garden area where I’d sat with Tony last weekend. Against one wall stood a king-size bed with white sheets and a nightstand on either side, made in the same style as the roof. The big, cottage-style wardrobe opposite the door battled with the bed for dominance. A light blue carpet ran the length of the room then stopped at the step leading to a spacious, sunken living area with a TV, a blue couch, and a small coffee table. Two tall bookshelves were stocked with books for every age. There was also a broad desk at the other side of the room, a kitchenette, and a door that looked like it led to a small bathroom.

  I walked deeper into the room and spun on the spot. “Who lives here?” I breathed.

  “It’s one of the three guest rooms. The prettiest of them all.”

  “A guest room? This is a freaking apartment.” Heck, there was room enough to dance in that sitting area.

  “Do you want to live here for the next few months, Samantha?”

  The quiet voice of Tony’s aunt made us both turn to the door. Caroline Jackson stood there with a warm smile gracing her lips.