Distraction (Westbrook Series Book 1)

by Laura Clark

  I stare at the name Harry on the screen as I wait for him to respond. The irony of how I, too, only have Sam's first fake name programmed into my phone, is not lost on me. I have more of an excuse. After all, I couldn't really go through with writing the last name Buttes in there. I mean there is no way that my parents or Kyle would ever buy that one. Regardless, I think he would be in there as just Sam, even if we didn't have to keep our relationship secret. So, why then, does it bother me so much that Avery's last name isn't in Trevor's phone?

  Harry: I'm just looking forward to making a sequel. What do you say? How about you and me in the garage for part II Thurs. night? :)

  I really need to put my phone away, if I ever expect my face to return to a normal shade again. Time to change the subject, and get Sam's mind on other things.

  Me: Sounds like a date. :) I guess that means Kyle agreed to come home next weekend?

  Harry: Yeah. I was right. He wants to see Georgia again. Her living in Brookville might just be the best thing for us this summer. I won't have to do much to convince him to come home on the weekends. So, what are you up to tonight?

  How long does Sam plan on keeping our relationship a secret? It sure doesn't sound like he plans on letting the cat out of the bag any time soon, if he is talking about the whole summer. I'm not really sure how I feel about this.

  Me: Just hanging out with a friend. And you?

  I hesitate for a bit before I settle on the word friend and hit send. There should be no reason for me not to tell him Trevor is with me, and yet I still can't make myself type his name. This bothers me.

  Harry: We are going to Jayzee's to drink beer, eat pizza, and watch the Cardinals kick some serious Cubs ass. Kyle's words- not mine :)

  Me: That sounds like him :)

  Harry: So, who are you with again? Is Avery there? Where are you guys going?

  Me: Trevor's driving, but he won't tell me what we are doing, or where we are going. I think it may involve mud, though, and I'm not a hundred percent sure I'm going to like it. :(

  I'm being perfectly honest, but I realize that it still may seem like Trevor and I are with Avery, or maybe even a group. For some reason, I am still not sure why I don't want Sam to know that we are alone together.

  Harry: I can think of some fun things that involve you, mud, and me, but they probably shouldn't be discussed via text. Is Avery with you guys? I can't see her agreeing to participate in anything that involves mud!!! :)

  "You sure are getting a whole lot of texts from this . . . Harry guy? Who is that, anyway?" Trevor is leaning over the seat and my shoulder, just enough so he can see the screen of my phone. I quickly turn it away from him. I doubt he had time to actually read our conversation, since he is driving. Still, it irritates me.

  "Do you even understand the meaning of the word privacy?" I ask him sharply. I guess Sam will just have to wait for my reply until I am alone. I'm not really too upset about that, because I am still unsure of what to say, without lying to him. I throw my phone back into my purse, and let out a frustrated sigh.

  "Relax, Patterson. I didn't actually read your message. I'm just giving you a hard time."

  I decide to ignore him, and stare out the window, while I try to figure out where we are going. Thankfully, he drops it too, and turns up the radio. He starts singing again, while banging his hands against the steering wheel, as if he is playing the drums. I've always thought that guys did this just to impress girls, but I don't think that is what he is doing right now. He seems so natural, as if he would be singing and playing the steering wheel drums, even if I weren't here.

  He is a bit louder this time, making me realize that his voice isn't half bad. Actually, it's quite nice. He has a very sexy, almost raspy tone that is very unusual. I can't stop staring at him in awe. I didn't know that Trevor could sing. Why does this discovery make my stomach flip, and turn my insides warm and gooey?

  We could use a good male lead for the spring musical. It's too bad he plays baseball because I think he would be perfect. He probably wouldn't do theater anyway. Most jocks won't because of all those stupid stereotypes about guys that are in plays.

  I never really understood why it is perfectly cool and acceptable for a straight guy to be an actor in a film or on television. If he is in a play on stage, however, everyone automatically assumes he is gay. Even if he is gay, it shouldn't matter. Unfortunately, none of that seems to make a difference in the backwards and way-too-narrow halls of Westbrook High. Teenagers can be so small-minded.

  I am so lost in my head that I don't even notice when Trevor pulls the car over onto a smaller, gravel side road. The feel of the bumpy road wakes me from my daydream. I squint my eyes, trying to figure out where the road is going, but it appears to run straight into the woods.

  I start thinking about serial killers, and how they always take their victims to secluded areas where there are no signs of people for miles. Areas that are so far out there, nobody will hear them screaming. How well do I really know Trevor?

  "Where are you taking me?" I ask, trying to hide any signs of panic that may be hidden in my voice.

  "We're almost there." Trevor glances at me, and starts to smile. I can only guess what sort of expression is on my face right now.

  "Just chill. I think you are going to like it." Trevor gives me one of his reassuring, dizzy, spell-casting smiles, while lightly patting the top of my sweaty hands. His touch sends sparks flying through my arms, which immediately erases the whole serial killer theory. There is no way a serial killer would be able to make my body respond so . . . positively to him.

  Positively? Yeah, right. Like it or not, I'm pretty sure this is the edited version of how my body is really responding to Trevor. Even I must laugh at myself for attempting to change my reaction in my mind; as if by doing so, it will somehow make it more acceptable.

  He suddenly stops the car and cuts the engine. I look around curiously because it doesn't seem like we have arrived anywhere. We are parked, right smack in the middle of what appears to be the same stretch of tree-lined, gravel road that we've been driving on for miles.

  Trevor hops out of the car and has my door propped open before I can even click the button to take off my seat belt. He holds out his hand as if I need it in order to be able to get out of the car. I ignore it, purposely brushing past him, acting as if I didn't even see it. He quickly slips his hand into his pocket, no doubt feeling a little embarrassed for offering it to me in the first place. Good. I almost want to add a sarcastic Humph. It's about time he is the one left guessing.

  "I don't get it. Where are we?" I ask, while looking around. The gravel road veers off to the left straight ahead. It appears to continue on somewhere over a hill, while we sit here parked in the middle of nowhere. Trevor doesn't answer my question. He is too busy pulling stuff out of his trunk.

  He throws a blanket in my direction, when I am not expecting it. I almost don't catch it. I wonder if it is the same blanket he took on his date with Avery last night. I pull it up to my nose and sniff it, but it just smells like fabric softener. He probably washed it. He seems like the kind of guy who would have already washed it, judging by the way his car looks. There is not so much as a speck of dust anywhere in that car. Trust me. I spent plenty of time studying it on our ride over.

  He slams the trunk shut, and breezes past me, carrying a picnic basket. I look down at the blanket again, and realize that things are starting to feel a little bit date-ish. Does he think we are on a date?

  I pull the bill of Kyle's hat down tighter over my forehead. Of course he doesn't think we are on a date. What girl in her right mind would wear this dreadful outfit on a date? Plus, he would have to be the most dense guy in the world if he thought this was a date, because I told him just this morning that Sam is my boyfriend. He’s not just some guy that I'm interested in, but is my actual boyfriend.

  I am lost in my head so deep, I don't even notice that Trevor is already about two car lengths ahead of me, and is about to di
sappear into the woods. He stops and turns around, as if he has just now realized that I am not with him.

  "Hey Patterson, are you coming?" he asks in a somewhat annoyed tone.

  No, guys do not call girls by their last names, and walk so far ahead of them like this, if they think they think they are on a date. This sudden realization sends a weird mix of emotions funneling through me. While I am relieved that Trevor doesn't see this as a date, I can't help but be a little disappointed.

  What is wrong with me? How can I feel the way I do about Sam, and still be feeling whatever this is that I am threatening to feel for Trevor? Shouldn't I be so over the moon that Sam and I are finally together, that I don't even notice other guys?

  That is what seems to be the normal storyline in all of the books I've read, and in the movies I've watched. Girl falls for boy, but boy hardly notices her. Something happens etc. etc. and he finally notices the girl. Boy and girl fall madly in love and live happily ever after. The end. There isn't usually this other irritatingly gorgeous boy, constantly distracting and confusing the girl.

  I jog ahead to catch up with Trevor. He is balancing a lantern and a bag, along with the picnic basket in his arms. He doesn't say anything to me when I reach him. He just turns and keeps on walking. I am holding the blanket in my arms, searching for a clearing or some indication of where we are going, but all I see is trees.

  We walk for what seems like miles, but is really only a couple of blocks, when Trevor suddenly stops and turns to face me. "This part is a little tricky. You might want to hold my hand, so I can pull you out if you get stuck in the mud."

  He pulls a handful of billowy branches aside, providing the perfect window view. Sure enough, there is a narrow path of swampy mud that appears to be more than a couple of inches deep. I look down at my flimsy canvas shoes again, wondering if they will be okay enough to slop my way through the path. Why I ever thought these would be okay to wear in mud is beyond me.

  "Don't worry. It's only like this for a little bit. I promise you, it will all be worth it when we get there." His reassuring tone relaxes me a little bit.

  He bravely holds out his hand yet again. I reluctantly grab the tips of his fingers, allowing him to guide me, as we slosh our way through the sticky mud. I must admit that it feels a little too good to have my hand wrapped in his.

  I can't help but admire his boldness and confidence. Even in the face of rejection, he was willing to put himself out there again, and offer me his hand. I wish I had that kind of blind determination. Hell, I'd settle on having just a tenth of the clarity he seems to always have.

  Right now, my mind is as muddy as the slippery surface below us. Not only am I unsure about where exactly we are headed, but also, I am utterly confused about where we currently are. The sad truth is that none of it has anything to do with this mysterious, surprise location.

  Just when I am about to release his hand, because I think to myself that I've got this, and I think can stand on my own, my left ankle wobbles. When I try to pick it up, my foot sinks deeper into the mud. I try again to pull my foot out of the mud, but it doesn't budge. I grip Trevor's hand so tightly that I almost pull him down to the ground with me.

  "Stuck?" he asks. Clearly, he is fighting back his I told you so smile.

  I nod nervously. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed, especially since he warned me that this might happen, but I am. My face is probably matching this punch-colored, fleece blanket that I have tucked under my arm.

  After making sure I am steady enough to stand alone, Trevor releases my hand slowly. He grabs a stick and starts poking it down into the mud where my foot is. After digging underneath the sole for a bit, he drops the stick, and reclaims my hand.

  "Alright, start pulling your foot again. I think I was able to loosen up the mud around it, but make sure you hold onto me."

  I tug at my foot with a bit too much force, and it causes us both to tumble forward. We nearly fall flat on our faces in the mud, but luckily, Trevor is able to steady us both before we could fall all the way down.

  For the second time today, Trevor's strong arms are wrapped securely around me, and I would be lying if I said I didn't like it. He holds me tightly, with my body pressed against his chest a little longer than he needs to, making me wonder if he feels the same way. I know I should be pulling away, but I don't. Instead, I savor the way it feels, as the electric shocks pulse through my body. Finally, he loosens his grip, and starts pulling us along again.

  True to his word, the mud path clears just a few steps ahead of where I got stuck, and we are once again on dry ground. I can see an opening ahead, and possibly even some water.

  Trevor drops my hand and walks ahead through the clearing. He turns around to face me. "Ta Da," he sings while fanning his arms out like a game show host. "We're here."

  He is standing there, grinning like a fool, with the red-orange glow of the sun and its reflection against the still, glass lake behind him. I can't decide what is more breathtaking. Him standing before me, smiling at me with pride, or the view of the sun melting into various shades of pink, gold, and orange over the beautiful, clear water. I suppose it's really the combination of the two that is making me suddenly feel overwhelmed. I take a deep breath.

  "Wow. Where are we?" I ask in my breathless, awe-struck voice.

  It's almost too beautiful for me to even attempt to describe. Surrounding the small body of water is lush vegetation in every shade of green that you could possibly imagine. Sprinkled in throughout, is a light mix of white, lavender, and pale pink wild flowers.

  Trevor is still standing there with the same stupid grin on his face, as he carefully studies my reaction. Why in the world he is watching me, when he could be looking at this amazing landscape, is beyond me. I can't help but smile like a fool myself, because it's the only reasonable reaction to such raw beauty. We are standing here in the middle of this secret, untouched, natural slice of heaven, and everything else seems to melt away.

  I drop the blanket down onto the grass, and run to the edge of the lake. I have a thick coat of mud all the way up past my ankles. You can't even tell that my shoes were once grey. I do my best to kick them off, without muddying up my hands and the rest of myself.

  I find an old, crooked tree branch that juts out over the water, providing the perfect little seat for me to prop myself up on. I am sitting on it as if it were a swing. I slowly dip my toes in, and let the warm water cleanse my muddy feet. A pool of brown radiates in circles around my ankles amidst the otherwise crystal-clear lake water surrounding them.

  Trevor kicks his own shoes off, and hoists himself up so he can join me on the branch. "I see you found my favorite spot. So, what do you think?" he asks, while studying my expression.

  "It's absolutely amazing. I didn't even know there was such a thing as clear lake water." My feet are already clean, and the evidence that they were ever mud-ridden has vanished. It's as if the lake swallowed the mud right up. The water is so clear that I can see my clean, happy, wiggling toes perfectly, even though they are completely submerged.

  "It's not really a lake. My dad told me it's actually a rare type of natural spring. That is why the water is so clean." Trevor is playfully kicking my bare foot, as he skips rocks across the water. He has this expression on his face that I haven't seen before. He seems completely calm, relaxed, and at peace.

  I sure hope he doesn't notice how often I've been sneaking quick glances at him. I can't help it, though. There is just something that seems different about him here. I love how the corners of his lips are just slightly upturned. You can just barely see the subtle indentations where his dimples are hiding beneath his brown, slightly stubbly cheeks.

  "It's really nice at night, too," he says smoothly. He is half squinting those amazing green eyes through his thick, dark eyelashes, as he dreamily gazes across the water. His eyes seem so bright and happy. It's as if they are smiling the rest of the way for his lips.

  Of all the different Trevors I've seen s
o far this weekend, this one is definitely my favorite. I don't really want to think about the other sides of Trevor. I don't want to think about Sam, or about Avery, either. In fact, I don't want to think about anyone else right now. I just want to be here right now and live in this moment. More than anything, I wish I could just press pause.

  "Look, Patterson. It's a full moon." He points to the pale ivory outline that is almost blending right into the hazy blue sky.

  I wish his arm were wrapped around me, so I could rest my head on his shoulder right now. This is not the kind of thing a friend should be thinking about, but I don't want to beat myself up for it. Not yet anyway. I want to remember exactly what it feels like to be here right now.

  What I really don't want to forget is the way it feels to be alone here with just him. It's as if the rest of the world and our lives back home no longer exist. I love the way it tickles just enough to make me wiggle, every time his toes brush up against mine under the water. Or, how his irresistible dimples pull in, and his eyes immediately light up every time they find mine. I have this sudden urge to reach out and grab his hand, but I don't. Instead, I tuck my hand safely under my leg, and take a deep breath.

  We don't say anything for a while, but it's not an uncomfortable silence. It's the kind of calm, quiet easiness that two people can share when they are comfortable enough with each other to simply enjoy it. I've never felt this relaxed with a guy before. We are swaying our feet back and forth in the water, as we watch the sun melt from an orange, gold, and pink fiery ball until it is nothing but a faint red glowing line that barely hovers above the water's edge. When the last of the gold disappears, it's as if the moment has evaporated along with it.

  It is so quiet now that I can hear Trevor softly breathing, in between the sound of an occasional splash of water from our swaying feet. The steady, chirping sound of the crickets almost lulls me to sleep. My eyelids feel like they have tiny weights attached to them, making it nearly impossible to keep them open. I have to shake my head and blink a few times in order to wake myself up.