Rae of Sunshine

by Micalea Smeltzer

  “Marry the two concepts, obviously. You’ll dull me down and make my photos more realistic and I’ll help you spice yours up.”

  “Thanks…I think.” I mumbled.

  “Sorry,” she let out a small laugh, “I meant no offense.”

  “I know,” I replied. It was pretty obvious that Nova was a blunt type of person. She didn’t sugarcoat things. I kind of liked that about her, but I knew it could become annoying.

  “Will you be free this weekend?” She asked.

  “Uh…” I started. Cade hadn’t told me which day he wanted to go out or given me a time. “I should have some free time but I’m not sure when yet.”

  “You can let me know then,” she hopped off the bench. “I don’t have any time after classes this week but I should next week.”

  “Sounds good,” I nodded, and stood. “We’ll figure something out.”

  She unzipped her leather jacket and nodded. “See you later.” She turned on her heel and disappeared around the corner of a building.

  I headed to class, hoping this project didn’t turn into a disaster.

  seven

  I was startled on Wednesday morning when I walked outside for my morning run and found Cade sitting on the top step.

  He seemed lost in his thoughts and didn’t hear me approach.

  I sat beside him and lightly bumped his shoulder with mine.

  He pushed his hair out of his eyes and smiled. “Hey, Rae of Sunshine.”

  I sighed, but made no comment on the nickname. “What are you doing here?”

  He shrugged. “Coach gave us the morning off. I thought we could run together.”

  “Don’t you want a break?” I questioned. If this was a chance for him to relax and sleep in I didn’t understand why he was here.

  He shook his head, his lips curving up. “Nah, I’d rather run with you.”

  I started at his words. He wanted to run with me? Even though it shouldn’t have, his words pleased me. I stood up, hiding my smile, and descended the rest of the steps. “I guess we better start running then.” Without giving him a moment to join me I took off. It didn’t take him long to catch up. He shortened his strides to match mine. I didn’t mind having him run with me this time. In fact, I found his presence almost comforting. I hadn’t liked him, didn’t want to like him, but just like his sister he’d weaseled his way into my life and made it impossible to resist him.

  By the time I would’ve normally started heading back to my dorm, Cade slowed to a walk. He grasped my arm and tugged slightly. Nodding his head in the other direction, he said, “Come this way.”

  I followed him, because apparently all rational thought had been flushed down the toilet the moment I saw him sitting on the steps.

  He found a grassy spot and sat down, drawing his knees up and draping his arms overtop.

  I sat down too, plucking at my damp top.

  “Why are we here?” I asked, my breath coming out as a pant.

  “No reason,” he shrugged, flicking his hair out of his eyes. “I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you.” He grinned boyishly.

  “Hey, you shaved.” I couldn’t believe I’d just now noticed.

  He chuckled and scrubbed a hand over his bare jaw. “Yeah, coach doesn’t like us to look homeless when we have a game and interviews, so it had to go.”

  “Homeless?” I laughed.

  “Coach’s words, not mine.” He held his hands up defensively.

  “So you have a game coming up?” I wasn’t into football so I never kept track of such things.

  “Yeah, on Saturday.” He looked away briefly at a spot where a flock of birds were fighting over a crumb. “Will Sunday work for our…non-date?”

  I laughed at his terminology. “Sunday is fine.”

  He stared at me for a moment, his blue eyes like twin flames. “Will you come to my game?”

  “I-I-” I stuttered. I hadn’t been expecting him to ask that and I didn’t know how to respond. “Football isn’t my thing.”

  “Please?” He begged. “I want you there.”

  I didn’t know what to make of that.

  When I didn’t reply immediately he said, “If you won’t come for me, will you at least come for Thea? It’s a home game, obviously, and I don’t want her being harassed because of who I am.”

  Cade knew exactly what to say to weaken my resolve. Damn him.

  “I’ll go,” I finally relented. “For both of you,” I added, and he grinned. I liked Cade’s smile. It lit up his whole face and softened his chiseled features.

  “Thank you.” He reached for my hand and grasped it briefly before letting go.

  My hand tingled with warmth where he’d touched it. I schooled my features so he couldn’t see how much that single touch effected me.

  A part of me wanted to believe that the reason Cade had such an effect on me was because I’d spent so long without human contact like this. But I knew deep down that wasn’t the case. It was just Cade.

  “What are you thinking about?” He asked.

  “Nothing.” I lowered my head.

  “Liar,” he chuckled warmly. “That wrinkle between your brows says otherwise.” He waved a finger towards my face. “Come on, tell me. Don’t make me beg.”

  I shrugged casually. “I think about lots of things.”

  “Not going to tell me?” He pouted.

  “No,” I laughed. “I’m not.”

  “Does that mean you were thinking about me?” His eyes sparkled with laughter and he fought a smile.

  “You’re really full of yourself,” I muttered, suppressing a laugh as I shook my head and looked away.

  “I’m right, aren’t I?” Even though I wasn’t looking at him I could feel his smile like a caress on my skin.

  “No,” I said defensively.

  His answering smile said he didn’t believe me.

  “I’m hungry.” He rubbed his stomach.

  “Okay?” It came out as a question.

  “Let’s go to the dining hall and get something to eat,” he suggested.

  When I started to protest he pressed a finger against my lips, promptly shutting me up.

  “There’s no harm in breakfast.”

  He was right, but still…

  I looked down at my sweaty clothes and back at him. “I’m kind of gross.”

  “So am I.” He plucked at his white t-shirt. “Come on, Rae, we can be sweaty together.”

  I snorted in a very undignified manner. “That sounded kind of perverted.”

  He tapped my forehead with his long fingers. “I think you have a dirty mind, because that was a completely innocent comment.”

  He hopped up in one lithe movement that I was instantly envious of. It was amazing that a guy his size could move like that. He certainly wasn’t small—not with his height and those muscles, but he moved so gracefully.

  He held his large hand out for me and after a second of thought I took it. He hauled me up and against his chest. My breath left me in a gasp. My body curved against his hard lines and my eyes flicked up to his. Time seemed momentarily suspended. He stared at me for a moment and then his eyes darted to my lips. My tongue flicked out to moisten their surface. Blood roared in my ears as it rushed through my body. I couldn’t think about anything other than Cade and how good this felt. He reached up, smoothing his fingers against my cheek. My eyes closed and my breath came out in a shaky gasp. His touch felt heavenly and forbidden all at the same time.

  When I opened my eyes and looked into his I saw that they’d darkened into a stormy blue.

  Neither of us moved or even breathed.

  Then he released me and the spell was broken.

  I looked down at the ground, hoping to hide my embarrassment.

  He grasped my chin and forced my head up. “You feel it too.” His eyes seared into me, leaving a brand.

  I gasped, but didn’t get a chance to reply. He turned and walked away. When he realized I wasn’t following he turned around, his han
ds shoved in the pockets of his basketball shorts. “You coming?”

  “Yeah,” I shook my head and jogged after him.

  I made no comment about what he’d said. I figured that was better, because I wasn’t sure I could lie. I did feel it—whatever this thing between us was.

  When we arrived at the dining hall it was relatively empty.

  I fixed a bowl of Froot Loops and Cade got Captain Crunch. I couldn’t help smiling at our childish choices.

  We sat across from each other at one of the many tables.

  When Cade wasn’t looking at me I studied him. I noticed dark circles beneath his eyes and wondered what had caused them. Loss of sleep, obviously, but why?

  Before he could notice me staring and make a cocky comment I looked away.

  The silence between us was oddly comfortable. I’d never been this content to sit with someone and not speak, but with Cade it was okay. He felt like someone I’d known forever which was weird since I’d known him no time at all.

  When we’d both finished eating Cade grabbed my bowl and threw our trash away.

  I expected to head separate ways, but he fell into step beside me.

  “Thanks for having breakfast with me. I’m sorry I wasn’t feeling very chatty. I just…” He twisted his lips. “I have a lot on my mind right now.” He forced a smile.

  “I can relate to that,” I assured him.

  “I didn’t want you to think I was being rude since I’m normally so chatty,” he chuckled.

  I grasped his arm briefly and squeezed it in comfort. “You don’t need to explain anything to me. I get it. Trust me, I do. Probably better than most people. And honestly, I’m kind of surprised you even like me and want to spend time with me. I haven’t exactly been the nicest person to you.” Taking a shaky breath, I told him, “I’m going to work on that.”

  His smile turned genuine and then to a full-blown grin. “Is that so?”

  I nodded, smiling because his grin was so damn infectious. Everything about Cade was infectious—no, magnetic.

  “Yeah. Be patient with me, though. I’ve…I’ve been through a lot.” I knew that was probably admitting too much, but I needed him to know I had a reason for being so standoffish before. When you went through something like I had, and then had to deal with the aftermath, it made you skittish and untrusting of other people.

  “Patience is my middle name,” he winked.

  “Of course it is,” I laughed, bowing my head a little.

  My dorm came into view and I started up the steps.

  “Rae?” He called.

  I turned around and smiled. “Yes?”

  “This dinner on Sunday…are we really still going as acquaintances?”

  My smile widened. “No, Cade. We’re going as friends.”

  And then his smile lit my world on fire.

  eight

  “Are you reeeaaaaady for some foooooooootball?” Thea chanted, coming out of the bathroom. She took one look at me, wrinkled her face in disgust, and grunted, “You are so not ready for some football. What the hell are you wearing?”

  “Uh…jeans and a sweatshirt.” I looked down at my attire wondering what she found so appalling about it.

  “But it’s all black! You can’t go to the game like that! You’ll stick out like a sore thumb! You need to wear our school colors!”

  Since she looked like blue and gold had thrown up on her, I tended to disagree. Seriously, she had on little blue shorts with a fitted yellow short-sleeved top. Blue and yellow ribbons were wrapped around her ponytail. Even her eye makeup was blue and yellow.

  She headed for the closet and started rummaging around. It wasn’t long until she was throwing clothes at me that I somehow managed to catch. “Thea!” I groaned. “I’m not wearing this!”

  “Yes, you are!” She turned around, hands on her hips. “I am not letting you walk out that door looking like you’re going to a funeral! This is a football game and you’re going to support your school! Team spirit, Rae! Team. Fucking. Spirit.”

  Jesus Christ, I was never going to win this argument.

  “Fine,” I stripped off my shirt. “I’ll wear that,” I took the yellow shirt from her hands that was emblazoned with the school’s mascot—a wolverine. “And I’ll ditch the black jeans, but I’m wearing blue jeans, and not…whatever that is.” I waved a hand at the blue cotton shorts she held that I was sure were a twin of the ones she wore. No way was I leaving the dorm with my ass cheeks hanging out. That was not acceptable.

  “Fine,” she tossed the shorts back in her closet, “as long as you wear the shirt I’ll survive.”

  My lips quirked in amusement at her melodramatics.

  Once I was changed and dressed to her satisfaction it was time to leave.

  I was shocked by the flow of students when we stepped out of the dorm. Everyone seemed to be heading to the game and I had no idea how we’d even get seats.

  “This is crazy.” I hissed under my breath where only Thea could hear.

  “No, this is football.”

  “Same thing,” I mumbled.

  The walk to the stadium took forever thanks to the crowd.

  I had to admit that the energy was infectious.

  “I don’t have a ticket,” I gasped, when I realized they were checking slips of paper up ahead.

  Thea turned her gaze my way. “Chillax, did you really think Cade wouldn’t have us covered?” She held up two tickets. “Best seats in the whole place. We’ll be able to smell their sweat.” She said the last part like it was the greatest thing in the world.

  “I’m not sure I want to smell sweat,” I wrinkled my nose.

  “Oh,” she grinned, “trust me, you do.”

  “Tickets?” A voice interrupted our conversation.

  Thea handed them over and pointed to me so the man would know the second ticket was for me. He studied our seat numbers and gave her directions. She appeared bored by his explanation and I figured Thea had been to Cade’s games often enough, even though she hadn’t been a student here until this year.

  Since Thea obviously knew where to go I followed her.

  At one point we came close to being separated and she grabbed ahold of my arm, dragging me behind her.

  Our seats were close to the front and in the middle of the field. The benches where the players would sit were in front of us.

  Thea sat down and clapped her hands together, doing a little dance in her seat. “I’m so fucking excited!”

  “I gathered that.” I laughed, leaning away from her flailing her arms before she smacked me in the face.

  “This is my first time attending a game as an actual student!” She grabbed my arm and gave it a shake, like she was trying to force her excitement into me. “Aren’t you excited, Rae?” Her eyes were large, ready to pop out of her skull. I was pretty sure she’d had too much sugar this morning.

  “Ecstatic,” I said, trying to force some enthusiasm into my voice.

  Thea seemed to buy it, or at least she pretended to. “God, I love football season.” I swore her whole body was shaking with excitement at this point. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the next few hours if she kept this up. I wished I had a tranquilizer to give her—yeah, she was that bad.

  “You really love football,” I laughed.

  “Yep,” she nodded, threading her fingers together so they’d stop tap-dancing across her knees, “I’ve grown up with it.”

  A few minutes later I asked, “When do they come out?”

  She looked down at her phone. “Anytime now.”

  I wanted to ask her what number Cade was, but I figured she’d get the wrong idea, so I kept my mouth shut.

  The stadium was large and packed. The sounds of that many voices all speaking at once sounded like a roar. The energy was contagious. I could feel it vibrating through my body.

  “Here they come!” Thea grasped my arm, her fingernails digging in to the point that she drew blood.

  Our team—and I on
ly knew that since they were wearing blue and yellow—ran out on the field. They were huge, all tall and muscular. It made for an intimidating sight.

  And then the atmosphere changed. Everything became hushed and music—some rock song or something—started to play through the speakers.

  The last player slowly walked out onto the field, his shoulders straight. When the music picked up he turned to face us, as he walked sideways. He lifted his arms in the air and jumped up and down a bit, hyping the crowd up even more.

  I knew it was Cade. It sounded crazy, but I felt that it was him.

  The antics he was pulling on the field with the crowd didn’t seem like the Cade I knew, but what did I really know about him?

  After he had the crowd worked into a frenzy he ran over to his teammates. I made sure to memorize his jersey number. Eighty-three.

  “Isn’t it incredible?” Thea asked me with wide eyes.

  “Spectacular,” I agreed. And it was. I couldn’t deny that even if I had no idea what the hell was going on.

  The opposing team came out without the pomp and circumstance ours had.

  When they started playing I watched with awe. For the first time ever I wasn’t bored out of my mind watching football. My dad had been obsessed with it and every weekend during football season it was the only thing on our TV. I’d never cared about it then. But now I had someone to root for.

  At one point Cade was tackled to the ground, rather forcefully from what I could see, and I winced, hiding my face behind my hands. I didn’t like seeing him hurt.

  During halftime when they were about to walk off the field, I watched Cade remove his helmet and turn to search the stands. His shaggy hair was damp with sweat and he pushed his fingers through it, forcing it away from his eyes.

  His gaze landed on me and his grin spread. He slowly lifted an arm and pointed right at me.

  Thea squealed, “I knew it!” She kicked her legs excitedly.

  With a wink, Cade lowered his hand and ran off the field.

  People in the stands looked around wildly, trying to find whom he’d been pointing to. I knew it was impossible for them to figure out it was me, but I still found myself trying to blend in and not try to catch their attention.