The Good Race: Book One of the Grayson Falls series

by A. M. Mahler

  “You all set then?” Danny asked.

  “Yup. Where are we going?”

  “Nice try.” He smiled when he picked up her hand.

  Ryan heard Jackie’s sigh across the room when Danny kissed the inside of her wrist. He had to hand it to the guy, he did seem to do everything right in his sister’s book.

  “All right then, Ry. I guess I’ll see you later sometime.”

  “You two crazy kids be safe,” he said. Then he kicked his feet up on the coffee table, picked up the remote control, and turned on the TV.

  Once the door was closed, he sighed, shut off the TV, and tossed the remote back on the table. He felt restless. Usually, he’d go for a run, but he really didn’t feel like that, either. Still, he was inside on a Saturday, and it was sunny outside, even if it was a little chilly. He pulled up the school’s website and checked the movie listings. There was a Star Wars marathon running. He’d seen it a hundred times, but he’d never pass up a chance to see it in the theater. He grabbed his keys and coat and left.

  When he arrived, he grabbed a drink and something to eat and went inside. It was in between two episodes, and there was only one other person in there.

  Sophie.

  Ryan wasn’t surprised when he felt his heartbeat speed up. His physical reactions to her had increased lately, and he’d found that he wasn’t really interested in pursuing any other girls. If he couldn’t have Sophie—and a girl like her was strictly forbidden to a guy like him—then he wasn’t going to settle. It felt strange to stay home on date nights and watch Jackie leave with her boyfriend, but going out with no plan to hook up began to get boring and rather annoying. Girls he used to think were hot and had looked forward to hooking up with now came across as fake and shallow. He didn’t even have a date to the prom yet, though he supposed he’d have to find one. If his sister was going, he would be there, too.

  He walked down the aisle and turned down Sophie’s row. “Is this seat taken?”

  She looked up, startled.

  Damn, but those freckles on her face slayed him.

  “Um, no. I guess it’s not,” she said. “I figured I’d be the only one in here for the duration.”

  “You’ve been here since the start?”

  “Yup.”

  “What one are we on now?”

  “Episode IV, A New Hope.”

  “Excellent! Perfect timing.”

  Sophie chuckled and moved her drink to the holder on the opposite side so Ryan could put his down. “I didn’t realize you were a fan.”

  “Duh,” he replied. “I’m an American male. Of course, I’m a Star Wars fan.”

  “You don’t have a date tonight?”

  “Nah. Jackie and the chump she’s seeing are going ice skating, and then to dinner. I didn’t really feel like going out with people or staying in by myself.”

  “Well, now we’re both not alone.”

  She smiled shyly and Ryan felt actual butterflies take off in his stomach. He’d never had this feeling before. He hadn’t even thought that it existed, but damn if it didn’t feel like there was a swarm of them in there now.

  Had Sophie ever smiled at him like that before? He’d remember it if she had, right? He paid close attention to her now. She’d never looked this happy to hang out with him before, which made the afternoon and evening a bit more bittersweet, knowing it would never be more.

  “And I couldn’t ask for better company,” he replied.

  He enjoyed watching the blush crawl over her pretty face.

  “Are y’all heading home for Thanksgiving?” she asked, leaning over to retrieve her popcorn.

  That sweet Southern accent got him every single time.

  “Uh, no, actually, we’ll be here. This is a weird year, you know? Jackie didn’t want to go because my dad’s place doesn’t really feel like home to her, and it seems her chump is staying for the holiday, so she didn’t want to leave him alone.”

  “He’s really not a chump, you know.”

  “Yeah, but I have to keep up appearances, you know? There’s a difference between liking the guy and acknowledging he’s good for my sister,” Ryan said. “Anyway, I thought about going home without her, but again, it’s a weird year.”

  “You don’t really talk about that much, do you? About finding out Jackie was your sister.”

  “Nothing to talk about really,” Ryan shrugged. “It is what it is. At least she’s not too annoying, you know? I mean, she could take up less space in the bathroom, but it’s cool.”

  “You love her.”

  “How could you not? She’s a good person, and she got a bad deal.”

  “With you as her brother, I’d say she got a good deal.”

  Sophie blushed and looked away.

  Before Ryan could reply, the lights went down and the opening credits began. He reached down and took her hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her look down in surprise. Then she turned back to the screen with a small smile on her face.

  If this was all he could allow himself, he’d make the most out of it.

  “ICE SKATING!” JACKIE all but squealed as they pulled into the parking lot of the rink. “I’ve never been ice skating, and I’ve always wanted to go. Oh, Danny, thank you for thinking of something like this!”

  She leaned over the seat and planted a spontaneous kiss on his cheek.

  Before she could pull back, he cupped her face and brought her in for another kiss—on the lips this time. She sighed against him and allowed him to deepen the kiss. He moved across her jaw, down her neck, and back up again.

  “I thought we were going to take this slow?” she asked but tipped her head back for him.

  “I am. I’m slowly moving up your neck,” he replied.

  He pulled away and kissed her forehead. He knew her limits—their limits. He wasn’t about to press them. He took his cues from her. She was in charge of how fast they went, and Danny was fine with that. He certainly took more cold showers than he used to, but they were worth it. She was worth it.

  He got out of the car and went around to open her door. She’d been surprised when he’d done it earlier. It was obvious it wasn’t something she was used to. When she stepped out, she burrowed into her thick sweater and adjusted her scarf and hat.

  “Too bad we couldn’t go apple picking. We could have made an apple pie for Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “I’m sure Willis can take you to buy some,” Danny said.

  He took her hand and led her over to the cashier, then he paid and moved them over to the skate rental.

  “We’re staying at school for Thanksgiving,” she admitted.

  He turned and looked at her in surprise. “What? Why?”

  She looked down at her feet and kicked the carpet. “I don’t know,” she shrugged. “It’s my first Thanksgiving without my dad, and you’re going to be there. I didn’t want you to be alone.”

  “You’re not going home with your brother for the holidays because you didn’t want me to be here by myself?”

  She looked down at her feet again and shook her head. “I wanted to spend it with the person I care about the most.” She looked up at him. “And that’s you.”

  Danny didn’t know what to say. No one had ever put him first before, but here was this amazing girl—this pure and sweet being—who was willing to stay behind on campus just so he didn’t have to be there alone.

  Not leaving for holidays had never really bothered him before. There were always a few others staying behind as well—usually the kids on scholarships whose parents couldn’t afford all the plane flights. Danny kind of liked the school when it was quiet and deserted, but that had always just been his life. He didn’t know any different, but she did.

  He shook his head and stepped closer to her, bringing his hand up to her cheek. “Your heart is so big,” he said softly. “It’s why I love you so much. There’s so much good in you. I hope that never changes, Jackie. I hope to always be worthy of you.”

  “You love me
?” she asked, her eyes filling with tears. “Really?”

  He nodded. “You’re the first person I’ve ever said those words to.”

  And he hoped she’d be the last.

  Nine

  “THAT’S THE DRESS you got?”

  Ryan stopped in his tracks as Jackie emerged from her room in her prom dress. She looked stunning in a floor-length, red satin dress that clung to all her curves. The cut of the dress was nearly to her navel, so if she tripped in those ridiculous shoes, the whole class would get a show. Her hair was up in a riot of curls, with a few soft tendrils drifting down around her face.

  “It’s Stella McCartney.”

  “It’s…man bait!”

  Jackie looked down at herself. “I’m not trying to bait any man; well, maybe one.” She moved to the mirror over the living room couch to put on her earrings, then she studied her reflection.

  Ryan’s stunned face stared back at her.

  “Oh, no. Oh, hell, no.” Ryan waved his hands and walked over to her. “If you think you’re leaving this dorm in that ‘tonight’s the night’ dress, you’ve got another think coming, Jacqueline.”

  “Jacqueline? You’ve certainly never called me that before.” She laughed, turned away from the mirror, and looked back to Ryan. She patted his cheek and moved past him. “Don’t worry, brother dear, I don’t intend tonight to be the night, unless it feels right. I’m not rushing anything. I’m not going to do anything I’m not ready for, and Danny would never push the issue.”

  She checked her purse. When she was satisfied with the contents, she closed it up and turned back to her brother. “But Ryan, Danny loves me, and I love him. When I am ready, it’s going to be with him, and you’re not going to have any say in it.”

  Ryan scowled at her for a few moments. “You know what? I don’t like what this red dress has done to my sister. It’s given you crazy ideas. It’s turning you into a sex siren.”

  “It is not!” she laughed. “I’m still me, although I have to admit that I do feel fabulous in this dress. I’m looking to go dancing with the boy I love tonight and just have a wonderful time. That’s it. I love you, Ryan, and I love the way you watch out for me, but you know you can’t deny me life’s experiences. I can’t stay sheltered forever.”

  “Maybe, but I can damn well try,” he muttered as he walked to the door to answer the knock.

  “He’s here!”

  “It’s just Cooper,” Ryan said after peering through the peephole. “We’re going to pick up our dates together. I was hoping McKenzie would have picked you up by now.”

  “He was supposed to be here already,” Jackie said, looking down at her watch. “I wonder what’s keeping him.”

  “Well, I’ll wait until you leave. I want to make sure you get off okay.”

  “You mean you want to glower at him and warn him to keep his hands to himself?” Jackie scoffed.

  “That, too,” Ryan smirked, opening the door.

  Cooper stepped inside and his eyes immediately fell on Jackie. Then they widened and his mouth dropped open. “Wow,” he said. “McKenzie sure is a lucky guy.”

  “All I care about is that he doesn’t get lucky,” Ryan said, closing the door.

  “You look gorgeous, Jackie. Really.”

  She smiled in return. Cooper seemed sincere in his compliment, and for once, he wasn’t looking at her like he wanted to get her naked. She relaxed a little and thanked him. “I’m going to call Danny and see what’s keeping him.” She disappeared into her room and closed the door.

  Ryan frowned. The look in Jackie’s eyes told him that something wasn’t right. McKenzie was never late. Suddenly, he had a very bad feeling about this.

  DANNY WAS JUST getting ready to leave when there was knock on his door. Nothing could have prepared him for who greeted him when he opened it. His father, the commander, stood there in uniform with three enlisted guys behind him.

  Danny was stunned. How long had it been since he’d actually laid eyes on the man? A year at least. He took in his father’s appearance. His hair was more gray now, his face thinner. But he still had those hard eyes. He stood rigidly at the door, as did the three men behind him who stood at parade rest.

  “Sir,” Danny whispered. He never called him Dad. Not anymore.

  “Are you going to let me in, Daniel?”

  Danny stepped back as his father and the three men entered the dorm room.

  “Which side of the room is yours?”

  Danny gestured to his side.

  His father turned and nodded to his men. One man left the room, returned with packing boxes, and began putting them together; the other two began to open drawers and take things out.

  “What the hell is going on?” Danny demanded.

  “Don’t you take that tone with me, boy,” his father barked. “Not when I’m finally giving you what you wanted.”

  Danny stared at his father in horror. “What?”

  “As of this moment, you’ve been withdrawn from this school. You start the Virginia Military Institute on Monday.”

  “No!”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  The three men continued their systematic packing.

  “I can’t leave. Tonight’s the prom, and I’m already dressed. I was just about to leave and pick up my date.”

  “You are leaving now,” his father said. “Immediately. There will be no prom. You can explain it to the girl another time. You leave for Virginia tonight.”

  “The hell I am,” Danny growled. He started to march past his father, but on the commander’s signal, the three men came forward and restrained him.

  “Let me go!”

  “They will remove you from this campus bodily if need be, Daniel,” his father informed him. “You have begged me for years for this, and now, I’m finally giving it to you. You have made yourself a disciplinary case here in your quest to be removed. The military institute will take care of that.”

  “I can’t just leave. I have to call her. I can’t just leave her on prom night!” Danny’s hands fisted at his sides as he seethed with anger.

  “You will follow orders,” his father barked. “I told you, you can explain it all to the girl later. You’re packed, so we’re leaving now.”

  Danny looked at the man that had fathered him. The hatred rolled through him. He took several deep breaths to try to calm himself so he didn’t punch the old man like he deserved.

  Instead, he closed his eyes and opened them when he felt more in control. He looked his father right in the eye. “As long as I live, I will never forgive you for this,” he whispered harshly. “The day I turn eighteen and am out of your grip, you will be dead to me.”

  His father showed no emotion as he met his son’s heated gaze. “Well, I guess we both have something to look forward to, then.”

  “HE’S NOT COMING, is he?”

  Jackie looked up from her perch on the couch. Her hands were folded tightly in her lap, and her face looked distraught. Ryan paced back and forth and Cooper leaned up against the door with his arms crossed over his chest, a murderous look in his eyes.

  “Nobody stands my sister up,” Ryan said when he finally stopped pacing. “I’m going over there right now.”

  He turned to Cooper. “You want in?”

  “You better fucking believe I do.”

  “I’m going, too,” Jackie said, rising.

  “No, you’re staying here. I’ll hear what he has to say, and then drag his sorry ass over to apologize in person. He will apologize, Jackie, and after he does, you’re finished with him. Unless he’s been suddenly rushed to the hospital, there is no excuse for this.”

  “But what if he has?” she asked. “I need to go to him. He can’t be by himself. He doesn’t have anyone else.”

  “If that’s what happened, I’ll come back and get you.”

  “Just go get your dates,” she said. “I’ll go over and see what happened.”

  “Absolutely not,” Ryan barked. “I am not leav
ing this unresolved. And I’m not letting you go over there begging for his time. You’re better than that. Let’s go, Coop.”

  They left the building and hurried across campus.

  “I will kill that prick for this,” Cooper said. “I will put the biggest hurt on him, it’ll be months before he gets out of the hospital.”

  “You’re not getting to him before I do,” Ryan said.

  When they reached Danny’s dorm, the door was propped open. That was strange. Security wasn’t usually so lax. Sure, other kids would let friends of other residents up, but no one just left the door open like that.

  Ryan glanced at the nearby parking lot and noticed a man in a Navy uniform loading a box into a van. He closed the back door, and when he was inside the van, it pulled away. The pit in Ryan’s stomach grew. McKenzie’s father was in the Navy, but he didn’t know of anyone else’s parents that were.

  As they made their way up to Danny’s door, Ryan’s dread deepened. He was beginning to think that McKenzie hadn’t stood his sister up intentionally, and he found himself almost wishing that Danny did have a medical emergency of some kind.

  When they reached Danny’s open door, his suspicions were confirmed. Danny’s side of the room was empty, and there was no evidence he’d ever been there. A resident assistant stood in the room with a clipboard in his hand.

  “What’s going on?” Ryan demanded. “Where’s McKenzie?”

  “His dad just withdrew him from school.”

  “What the hell for?”

  “Don’t know. I’m just inspecting the room. Those Navy guys don’t mess around. This room is spotless.”

  “Does it matter why?” Cooper asked. “Good riddance.”

  “Yes, it matters,” Ryan said, turning to his friend. “My sister is going to be devastated over this. She loves him.”

  “Please,” Cooper scoffed. “She’s better off without him, and you know it. If he comes back, I’ll kill him. He was always in the way. At least with him gone, maybe your sister will finally look at another guy. It was disgusting the way that loser McKenzie brainwashed her.”