“Uh, sure,” Sy said, standing up. “Are you coming in, Audrey?”
“I think I’ll stay out here for a while,” I said, my smile still in place.
“Cool,” Ash said, stepping forward and grabbing his hand. “Let’s go!” She yanked him through the door, giving me one last look of contempt before snapping it closed.
“Cool,” I mimicked her. Where did she come off treating me like that? Just because she wanted to get into Sy’s pants . . .
I stopped short, surprised at where my mind had gone. Sy didn’t do stuff like that, did he? Every time we were together he came across . . . responsible. Surely, a girl like Ash couldn’t get the better of him?
Why do I even care? I wondered. He’s a grown man and can do whatever he wants. I shook my head and stood, gulping down the rest of my soda before going inside.
Someone had turned the lights off and hooked up a nice DJ light set that was now flashing from the corner. I could see more people crushed together down the hall in front of the door. Awkwardly, I pushed my way through everyone, trying to get back to the kitchen—I couldn’t think of anything to do, other than get another drink.
As I walked through the crowd, squeezing between the sweaty bodies, I was repeatedly stepped on and bumped into. Finally, someone knocked me right into a wall and I decided to just stay put until a path opened up. At this point, it was looking like I was going to need Moses for that.
I clicked my tongue, the slight pounding in my head returning, as the speaker next to me blared out something from the phone plugged into it.
“It could be worse,” I told myself, folding my arms and leaning against the wall.
Several songs went by. Every now and then I would catch a glimpse of Sy, dancing with different girls. Ash seemed to have claimed the most time with him though, turning up twice as much as the others. I stayed in my spot, content to wait for everything to be over. I fervently hoped that Sy continued to remember not to drink and—most of all—that he’d remembered I was here with him. I didn’t want him running off with someone and leaving me here to call Mom for help.
Another hour or so passed by, I found myself on the floor, legs crossed as I waited for any signs of an end coming near.
“Why did you bring her? I would have come as your date.” Ash was yelling on the other side of the speaker, unaware that I was within hearing distance.
“She’s not my date,” Sy shouted back. “She’s my friend. I brought her because I thought she could use some fun.”
“Yeah, right!” Ash snorted. “I haven’t seen her anywhere. What a kill joy, right?”
“Give her a break,” Sy said. “She hasn’t been out in a while.”
“I can tell,” Ash continued. “She looks like she’s been living under a rock her whole life.”
I looked down at my t-shirt and jeans, wondering what in the world she was talking about.
“Be nice, Ash. Seriously.”
“Seriously, you should just kiss me now.”
White-hot jealousy shot through me and I jumped to my feet. They were dancing so close that I almost couldn’t tell who was who. Sy had one hand at her neck and was smiling.
Tears pricked in my eyes while I fought my way through the crowd and down the hall to the bathroom.
What is wrong with me? I thought as I pushed past people. I’m jealous?!
Finally, I reached the door I wanted and flung it open, ready to collapse against the toilet and get all my unexplained feelings and tears out. However, it appeared that someone already had the same idea.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, turning to leave.
“Wait,” the boy’s muffled voice called.
“Are you okay?” I asked, turning around to help him up.
There was a weird look on his face as he looked at me, eyes bugging out of his head. I knew that look.
“Oh, please, no!”
But I was too late. A scream tore from my throat as vomit cascaded out of his mouth and all over the front of me.
Shouts in the living room started erupting and I saw the flashing of blue and red bouncing off the hall wall out of the corner of my eye.
“The cops are here, run!” someone hollered, shoving people out of the way as he ran down the hall.
“Why do we need to run?” I asked in a panic.
“There was pot everywhere, dude. We were smoking it outside and some of it got baked into the food.” The guy who had just puked all over me smiled, obviously high, and then headed for the tiny bathroom window.
“You’re not serious!” I yelled. He ignored me, angering me further. “There’s no way you can fit through that!”
I heard the front door being kicked in and more screams coming from the rest of the house as he jumped on the toilet and began to pry the screen off the opening. Looking down at my clothes I sighed in frustration. There was probably a one thousand percent chance that the regurgitated food I was now covered in had illegal drugs in it.
“Freeze!” A voice commanded behind me. I turned, raising my hands.
“Help!” High Guy yelled behind me, his head stuck.
“I told you,” I muttered.
Chapter Eight
“Look, I already took all of your tests, can I just go home? Or do you need me to pee some more?”
The officer I’d been speaking to ignored me, moving down the row of holding cells full of people from the party.
“Can I at least get something to change into?” I yelled at the back of his head. I smelled awful, Sy apparently had gotten away, and now I was waiting for Mom to come and get me, even though I’d already proven I hadn’t taken part in anything illegal. Apparently, guilty by association was in place here.
I should have called her right from the beginning, I mused, frustrated I hadn’t wanted her to know I’d gone to a party. Now she was picking me up from jail.
What a great child I’d turned out to be.
It wouldn’t matter that I’d done nothing wrong. Someone would find out and hassle her because of it.
“Audrey Willis?” The guard who ignored me earlier walked up to my cell, keys in hand.
“Yes,” I grumbled.
“Your bail has been paid by your mother. She’s waiting for you outside.”
“Bail?” I asked incredulously. “I didn’t do anything!”
“We need to conduct a more thorough investigation to confirm that ma’am.”
All I could do was stare at him with my mouth open. I had done everything they’d asked! I hadn’t resisted arrest, I’d taken every drug and alcohol test they’d shoved at me, and still I was being treated like a criminal.
“Would you stop harassing her,” an older cop said, coming through the door at the end of the hall. “I told you to let her out ages ago!”
“Yes, sir!” the younger cop replied, quickly unlocking the door and opening it for me.
“You’ll have to forgive him,” the older, heavier man said. “He likes to think he’s the ‘bad’ cop. That’s why we keep him in here—so he’ll stay out of trouble. I’ll personally see to it that he gets reprimanded for the treatment he gave you.”
“Thank you,” I ground out, fuming.
“He’s not all there,” the older cop whispered as we walked away. “We love him though.”
“Oh,” I said, softening. “That’s very kind of you.”
“We like to make dreams come true here,” he laughed.
As we came around the corner, I saw Mom sitting on a bench, worry lines etched into her face.
“Audrey,” she exclaimed, running over to me when she saw us. Despite the nastiness all over me, she still tugged me into a huge hug. “What happened? You didn’t say very much on the phone.”
“I’ll explain in the car,” I said smiling. “Thank you for coming to get me. I’m sorry you had to as well.”
“It’s nothing,” she soothed, waving her hand. “What are mothers for?”
“You two have a nice night,” the officer said, turning to le
ave. “Sorry about the hassle.”
“It’s fine,” I lied, relieved to finally be departing.
“Let’s get you home,” Mom said, appraising me. “You look like you could use a nice, hot bath and some food.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I admitted. “Maybe you can help me beat Sy, too.”
“So he just left you there?” Mom asked incredulously, washing the dishes in my sink.
“I guess. I didn’t see him at the station. I can do those, Mom,” I added, drying my hair with a towel.
“How awful, sweetie.” She ignored my last comment, continuing on with ease. “If a man takes me out, I expect him to be fully accountable for the events of the evening. Especially, if he’s taking my daughter out.”
“It wasn’t a date Mom,” I sighed. “Which he made obvious when he spent the whole night with a bunch of other girls, who couldn’t stop fawning over him. The fawning didn’t seem to bother him, by the way”
Jealousy bit at me again and I scolded myself. Where did I come off, being so possessive of my neighbor? So what if he wanted to spend time and dance with other girls? Or . . . kiss them?
I shook my head, banishing my uncomfortable thoughts and coming back to what Mom was saying.
“—He should have been responsible, that’s all I’m saying.” She shook her hands off and left the kitchen to sit by me on the couch. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
She picked up the brush I’d brought in with me and started to comb my hair out for me. It was something that she’d always done when I was younger. I felt the comfort of my mother’s love instantly and relaxed. I really was a lucky girl to have her in my life.
A sharp knocking on the door broke me out of the memories of times gone by.
“Who on Earth?” Mom wondered aloud, standing to answer.
“Audrey? Audrey, it’s Sy, please let me in.” His voice sounded panicked.
“She’s sleeping,” Mom said through the door. “What do you want?”
“Who are you?” he asked, momentarily thrown off track.
“This is her mother,” she declared in a commanding tone.
“Oh. Uh, nice to meet you?”
“What do you want?” Mom asked, again.
“I just want to make sure she’s okay. I looked everywhere for her at the party, but I couldn’t find her. I’m glad she made it home okay.”
“After a stop at jail,” Mom interjected.
I didn’t know if I was horrified or pleased with Mom’s interrogation. Either way, I couldn’t think of anything to say to stop her.
“I’m so sorry,” Sy said. “Can I please come in?”
“Not tonight,” she stated firmly. “Audrey needs rest, not a pretty boy trying to convince her of something.”
“Pretty boy?”
I snickered into my hand as Mom grinned, the tease in her coming out.
“We’ll see you in the morning—at a reasonable hour—Sy. Thank you for stopping by.” She sat back down next to me and giggled softly.
“Wait!” There was a few moments silence and I wondered if he’d left. “Hello?”
By this point, Mom was laughing so hard she had to leave the room. I heard Sy sigh and walk from the door.
“Mom?” I asked, wondering where that show had come from.
“I’m sorry, Audrey,” she laughed. “I just wanted him to feel bad for leaving you there. Plus, I never get to be the bad guy. It was kinda fun!”
“Oh, Mom,” I laughed.
“Call me and let me know how good the apology was,” she instructed, hugging me, again. “I’d better get home. I have stuff to do in the morning.” She picked her purse up off the counter and slung it over her shoulder.
“Thanks again,” I said.
“It’s what moms do,” she reminded me, as she opened the door and left.
I woke early the next morning out of habit and decided to still go for my run, even though I was tired. As I shut the front door behind us, I heard Sy’s being thrown open.
“Audrey! I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I had no idea!” He went on and on without giving me opportunity to even speak. “I was there with you and I didn’t even—”
“Sy,” I said forcibly to get him to stop. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine, but we can’t do anything to change it now. It’s better off left alone.”
“I need to apologize—to explain though.” His eyes pleaded with mine, begging me to hear him out. “Would you come inside for a minute?”
I sighed and nodded, ushering Talley back into our apartment before following Sy into his. It was arranged the same as mine, but it was obvious that a bachelor lived here.
“This really isn’t necessary,” I said, taking a seat on his small, beat up couch.
“It is,” he insisted, sitting next to me. “First there was Ash, and then the cops . . . I’m just mortified over what happened.” He shifted uncomfortably before continuing.
“Ash is—she works at a shop in the mall. Whenever she’s on break she comes over to the aquarium to see if I’m on break, too. She’s been asking if I’ll go to dinner with her for a couple weeks. I guess last night I just wanted to see if she was, you know, worth it. But then she was too much for me and I couldn’t get away!”
“And I suppose you were just trying out all those other girls too,” I said, somewhat hurt.
“What? No! Audrey, I didn’t mean to leave you alone like that. I really tried to look for you when the cops showed up, too.”
“Then how did you not get picked up by them?”
“I just didn’t, Audrey.”
“I don’t know that I believe you,” I said, standing. “I mean really, I’m not as upset as I thought I was. But I don’t want to be lied to about everything.”
“I’m not lying!” he said, standing as well.
“I heard you,” I yelled. “I heard you and Ash. I know she asked you to kiss her. I saw you dancing with her and caressing her neck!” I walked over to the door furiously and grabbed the handle.
“We were dancing!” he yelled back. “What was I supposed to do? Stand on the other side of the room from her? And yes, she asked me to kiss her, but I didn’t!”
“I don’t think I can be friends with a liar,” I said, fighting the stupid tears that were forming in my eyes.
“Audrey, don’t say that,” he said, his voice softening.
I couldn’t understand my emotions again, rolling around like seaweed in the surf. All of my jealousy had returned, powering the unusual amount of anger I was feeling towards him.
“Goodbye, Sy,” I said tearfully, turning the knob in my hand.
Before I could even crack open the door, he was behind me, hands on my shoulders. With a force that surprised me, he spun me around and pushed me up against it, taking my face in his hands.
Time was frozen as his lips pressed against mine in a desperate frenzy, stealing my breath and shocking me to the core. His hot breath washed over my face as his hands slid to my neck, whispering softly over my skin.
Gathering all of my strength, I pushed him from me and wrenched the door open, running for the safety of my own home.
“Audrey, wait!” his voice called out behind me, pleading. “Please!”
I reached my own door and ran inside without looking back, slamming it shut and collapsing on the floor in a pile of shame and tears.
He kissed me! I touched my lips with shaking fingers, not believing what had just happened. As I pulled my hand back, the glittering band on my finger flashed in the morning light.
What have I done?
I sobbed harder, not understanding why he would do something so cruel.
“Audrey?” His voice came from the other side of the door, soft and apologetic. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. Please, talk to me.”
I stood, tears still streaming down my face and quietly locked the deadbolt on the door before going to my room. John’s picture smiled at me from the nightstand as always, no accusations in his face
. Guilt racked through me all the same, tearing my now fragile being into more pieces.
“John, I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “I didn’t ask him to. He just did it. Please, forgive me,” I cried, asking for a pardon because I enjoyed Sy’s kiss. I laid down on the bed and curled up into a ball, my plans for the day forgotten.
“Audrey?”
I opened my eyes, waking from the nap I’d been taking. The news was playing on the television, a sure sign I’d fallen asleep during a show earlier.
“Audrey, please talk to me. I’ve been thinking about what happened all day.” Sy sounded even more apologetic than he had this morning, but I stayed where I was.
I wanted to let him in though. I wanted to fling open the door and kiss him again. Every inch of me craved to have his hands on me once more—it scared me senseless.
“Audrey, I have something I want—I need to say to your face. Please, let me in.”
When I still didn’t open the door to him, he sighed and continued.
“You’re not going to let me in, are you?” Suddenly, there was a loud pounding on the door and, out of nowhere, he started to yell. “Do you think I want to feel this way? I bet you just lie around and imagine how you’re making me pine after you! Well, guess what? I don’t want to have feelings for a widow! Especially one who can’t let go of her dead husband!”
I sucked in a breath, the words like a slap in the face. Tears pricked in my eyes and I pulled a pillow over my head in an effort to shut his ranting out.
Then, just as suddenly as it started, his yelling stopped.
“I didn’t mean that last part. I just—” A sigh of frustration escaped him. “I can’t control my feelings, Audrey. I don’t want to look at you and think of every place I could kiss, or how much I want to hold your hand. I’m tired of trying to fight it off though.”
I didn’t respond, his confession having shocked me further.
“I’m not looking for anything serious,” he continued. “I’m not even wanting a one night stand. But then I look at you and I . . . I don’t know Audrey. Don’t leave me out here alone. Not after all I’ve said.”
Poseidon (The God Chronicles) Page 6