The Year of Second Chances (Sunnyvale Alternative #3)

by Jessica Sorensen

  “Yep. Today was the last day I was supposed to be here. I was actually getting ready to head back to Virginia, but I thought I’d stop by before I hit the road.” His attention shifts to me, his eyes narrowing. “And your punk-ass friend owes me a Taser.” He moves to shut the door, but Isa rushes forward.

  “Wait. Just one more thing.” She catches the door before he closes it. “I need to know if you think my mom’s going to be acquitted.”

  “I can’t really say either way.” He nudges her hand off the door. “But she has a decent chance, I think.” Then he slams the door shut and peels down the road, kicking up a tornado of dirt.

  Isa coughs, fanning her hand in front of her face. “Okay, so that was unexpected. I really didn’t think my mom’s lawyer was going to be the one driving around in the car.”

  “Definitely. Although, I think he might be more of an assistant to her lawyer. But I guess that’s not really the point.” I tear my attention from the road and focus on her. “So, your grandma’s going to try to get you a call with your mom?”

  She bobs her head up and down, anxiety etched on her face. “Yeah, I’m kind of nervous about talking to her.”

  “That’s completely understandable.” I take her hand. “Isa, I don’t know if it was just a coincidence, but I saw someone running around here wearing a weird mask.”

  “Really? That’s super strange. And really creepy.”

  “I know. And like I said, it could just be coincidental, especially with that abandoned house being right there. It’s covered in graffiti and I’ve seen a few rough looking people go in and out of it. But I just want you to be extra careful.”

  “I will. And I’ll make sure to be extra careful if I see any creepers wearing masks.” She smiles but her expression carries a nervous edge.

  Squeezing her hand, I pull her with me as I hike across the street. “Come on. Let’s get you inside, get some sugar in you, and then we can talk about what’s going on. I also want to check on this phone number and make sure that guy’s story lines up right.”

  “What? We can’t do that without sugar?” she teases, but her worried tone misses the mark.

  I need to distract her from her worry. She’s been doing way too much of it lately.

  “We can, but then I’d be risking you transforming into an angry little gremlin,” I joke, bending down to scoop up the Taser from the grass.

  By the time I stand up again, she has a strange look on her flushed face, like she’s half-scared out of her damn mind and half-bursting with excitement.

  “What’s that look for?”

  She rubs her lips together. “It’s nothing. It’s just that … I mean, I want to …” She shakes her head then squares her shoulders and steps forward. Standing on her tiptoes, she places a soft kiss on my lips as she circles her arms around me. “I’m not saying it was the right thing to do, but thank you for chasing down that guy.”

  She holds me for a little bit longer, and I bury my face into the crook of her neck, breathing in the scent of her perfume, which smells like cotton candy. So fitting.

  “And thank you for knowing that I need cookies and candy before having a deep conversation.”

  My lips turn upward. “Anytime.” I kiss her neck, gently sucking on her skin, and I am rewarded with a shiver. I meet her gaze, grinning like an idiot. “You know, you even taste like sugar.”

  She rolls her eyes in protest. “I so do not.”

  “You so do, too.” I twine my fingers with hers and start walking back toward the apartment. “You smell like cotton candy, your skin tastes like sugar cookies, and your lips taste like frosting.”

  She snorts a laugh. “Oh, my God, is this how you normally try to impress girls?”

  “I’m just telling the truth,” I say as we round the side of the apartment. “You’re like a walking bag of sugar.”

  “And you’re like a walking bag of smooth talker.” She laughs wickedly.

  I wink at her. “Only with you.”

  Her head bobs back, and she lets out a groan. “Please tell me this isn’t how things are going to be from now on.”

  “They’re not.” I grin because she’s smiling, and that was kind of the whole point of all of this. “They’re going to get a lot worse. Now that you’ve let me kiss you, it’s all I’m going to do.” I gently squeeze her hand. “And things are only going to get worse when we really kiss.”

  She elevates her head, her cheeks pink as her eyes instantly roam to my lips. I want to kiss her right now, and I mean really kiss her. But after what just happened with the lawyer and her mom and her still having the un-date with Kyler, I want to wait until she’s ready. When I kiss her for the first time, I want it to mean something. I want her head to be clear and her heart to be fully in it.

  I want her to completely want it.

  Chapter 7

  Isabella

  Kai and I spend the rest of Sunday checking up on the info Garth gave us. Everything checks out; he does work for the law firm handling my mom’s case, and she did ask if I could be checked on. But that’s about all the information they divulge, especially over the phone.

  Kai has a theory, though, that maybe there’s more to the story than the lawyer is telling us. And he seems a little worried about the unknown masked person. I am a bit too—I mean, talk about straight out of a horror movie—but all I can do is keep my eyes peeled for any wannabee horror flick stars. Plus, I have a ton of other things to worry about that are right in front of me.

  “I wonder why your mom would think you needed checking up on,” Kai says after he gets off the phone. “And why this Garth guy would follow you around for over a week. It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Maybe it took him a week to figure out if I was okay,” I offer, stretching my arms and legs out. “It’s probably pretty hard to find out a lot about someone by watching them from a distance.”

  “You’d be surprised by that answer.” Kai sets his phone down on the coffee table and reclines back on the sofa, sliding his arm behind my head. “People tend to let their guard down when they think no one’s paying attention.”

  I munch on some popcorn. “You say that like you’re speaking from experience.”

  He steals a handful of popcorn. “I kind of am. Back when I used to hang out with Kyler and his friends, I spent a lot of time being quiet and observing.”

  I press my hand to my chest, mocking shock. “Kai Meyers being quiet. It must be the end of the world.”

  “Ha, ha, you’re so funny.” Releasing a sigh, he drags his knitted cap from his head, the strands of his blond hair sticking up in every direction. “But seriously, I’m kind of wondering if maybe Garth was out here to keep an eye on you.”

  I slant forward to put the bowl on the table. “Why?”

  “I’m not sure yet.” He tickles my shoulder blades as he scoots closer to me. “But I’m kind of thinking maybe it has something to do with those texts you’ve been getting.”

  I nearly drop the bowl. “You think the texts are connected to the murder case somehow?”

  His fingers find the back of my neck and begin gently massaging the knots in my muscles. Okay, I so could get used to this.

  “I’m not sure yet, but what I am sure of is that your mom might be innocent, which would mean two things.” He holds up one finger. “One, the killer’s still out there.” Another finger pops up. “And two, someone could’ve very likely framed your mom, and you’re her daughter, so …”

  The truth of his words steals my next breath.

  He could be right. The killer could be someplace close, watching me, messing with me. But why? What do they want from me?

  Chapter 8

  Isabella

  “Are you nervous?” Kai asks me with concern as he fiddles with the volume on the stereo.

  We’re sitting in my car in the school parking lot with the pale pink morning sky stretching above us. I’m rocking a cute outfit: black jeans and a maroon off-the-shoulder top, along with boot
s and a choker. My hair is in a braid, and my lips are stained a fiery red. Kai told me I looked really, really good, but I don’t think even a nice outfit is going to distract the entire school from the fact that they know my mom’s in jail for murder.

  “Kind of.” I watch people lollygag around in the parking lot and along the outside quad in front of the entrance doors.

  He gives my hand an encouraging squeeze. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone do anything or say anything to you.”

  “I really want to believe you, and I think your heart’s in the right place, but …” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip until it stings. “I don’t think you can control an entire school.”

  A conspiratorial grin spans across his face. “Wanna bet?”

  I reach for my bag in the backseat. “Um … With that look on your face, no.”

  He winks at me. “Just you wait. No one’s going to bother you. I promise.”

  I nod, wanting to believe him. However, I’m not sure even Kai has the power to persuade an entire school to keep their mouths shut. Although, he does look cute today, rocking dark jeans and a grey, long-sleeved shirt. His hair is messy, but in the sexiest way possible, so maybe he’ll be able to coax some of the girls in my school … and a couple of guys, too.

  Hitching my bag over my shoulder, I haul my scaredy-cat behind out of the car and meet Kai around the front. The feeling of his palm against mine brings me a hint of ease, but my legs wobble like Jell-O as we make our way across the parking lot and toward the school.

  “Everyone’s staring,” I whisper, wanting to shrink inside myself.

  Kai sketches his thumb across the back of my hand. “Hey, did I tell you that there’s this guy coming to look at my car? I guess he has the same model and needs a bunch of parts.” He lifts his free hand with his fingers crossed. “Fingers crossed that shit works out.”

  A thankful smile graces my lips as I realize what he’s doing. “Thanks for trying to distract me. And I’ll keep all of my fingers and my toes crossed all day. Maybe even my eyes.”

  He grins, softly tapping my nose with his fingertip. “I’d rather you not keep your eyes crossed. They’re way too pretty.”

  My cheeks turn cherry gumdrops red. Dammit! Am I ever going to get over this embarrassment? He’s just giving you a compliment for heck’s sake.

  Smiling, Kai opens the school door and tows me in with him as he enters the crammed hallway. And just like that, my giddiness fizzles as everyone turns to gawk and people start whispering.

  I feel like I’ve time traveled back to junior year when Hannah would spread rumors about me, and everyone would laugh and point.

  “Deep breaths,” Kai whispers with his hand in mine, acting as a lifeline. “I’m here for you.”

  I try to do what he says, but my heart thrashes madly, making it difficult to get any oxygen.

  Deep breaths. Deep breaths. In and out.

  By the time we’ve made it to my locker, though, I’m on the verge of passing out. Then my anxiety doubles when I spot a flyer taped to my locker with “Like mother, like daughter,” scribbled across it in bright red ink.

  “What the fuck is wrong with people?” Kai yanks the flyer from my locker, shreds it to pieces, and then chucks it in the trashcan. “Seriously, people, get a fucking life.”

  His outburst draws attention, and I want nothing more than to get the heck out of the hallway and into class where there will be fewer people.

  I quickly collect my books, keeping my head tucked down, reminding myself to get air in and out of my lungs.

  “We should get you to class,” he says as I close my locker. “I need to go take care of some stuff.”

  “There you go, sounding all mobster again,” I attempt to joke but epically fail, sounding way too miserable. “Please promise me you won’t do anything that’ll get you into trouble. I’d rather deal with this crap than have you stuck in detention all week or something.”

  “I’ll try my best.” He smiles, all rainbows and sunshine.

  I wish I were there with him. Right now, I’m a fog of dark grey clouds, getting ready to rain.

  “Hey, chin up, okay?” Kai says, trying to be encouraging. Then he looks at me, and I mean really looks at me, before cupping my cheek and slowly leaning in, kissing me right there in front of most of the senior class. When he moves back, he winks. “But I can’t promise no one else will be getting into trouble.”

  That almost gets me to smile.

  I should never doubt the power of Kai’s persuasion. That’s what I learned today in school, because what started out as a shitty morning ends up turning into a decent day.

  Sure, it’s not amazingly fantastic at first, but around second period, the gawking-at-me-like-a-nut-job fades into casual glances. Around fourth period, I discover why.

  Someone has spread a nasty rumor that Bradon has an STD and gave it to, like, five girls from Hannah’s old clique. And I’m fairly certain I know who started the rumor.

  “You did this, didn’t you?” I ask Kai as I exit the classroom and find him waiting there for me. He’s leaning against the wall with a textbook tucked under his arm and a casual smile on his face.

  “Did what?” He straightens and thrums his finger against his lips. “I’ve done a lot of things today, so you might have to be more specific.”

  I hitch my bag higher onto my shoulder. “You spread a rumor about Bradon to distract people from the rumors about me.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” But the devious twinkle in his eyes suggests otherwise. “But, if I did spread a rumor of this magnitude, I’d make sure that the person deserved what they got.”

  “So, Bradon deserves for everyone to think he has an STD?” I ask suspiciously. “I thought he was your friend.”

  He reaches to take my hand, a flicker of anger flaming in his eyes. “Used to be my friend. He hasn’t been for a couple of weeks now.”

  I do a mental recap of the stuff that occurred a couple of weeks ago. One memory sticks out in particular.

  “Does this have anything to do with what’s going on with T?”

  He shrugs as we amble down the hallway, squeezing past people who are gossiping and laughing. “Maybe.”

  I inch closer to him as we pass a group of girls who are whispering and giggling, casting glances in my direction. “Well, if that’s true—if this has anything to do with you getting your ribs broken—then I agree with you. He does deserve to have an STD.”

  “Well, he really doesn’t have an STD. I just made that up.”

  “I know, but he deserves to get one. And from what I hear, he’s kind of slutty, so”—I raise my crossed fingers—“here’s to hoping.”

  He chuckles as we push out of the exit doors and into the sunlight.

  “You’re becoming as evil as me.”

  “Ah, shoot.” I snap my fingers, pretending to grimace. “Guess I’ll have to change my comic and give us both new names.”

  “Good,” he says. “I never liked Ego Man.”

  I bump my shoulder into his. “But it was so fitting.”

  “No way.” Then his lips twitch into an impending smile. “Okay, maybe it is just a little bit.”

  I start to smile, but then my phone vibrates, and all my smiles evaporate as I check the screen.

  “It’s from the unknown again.”

  Kai halts, his hand stiffening in mine. “What’s it say?”

  I take a deep breath and read, “You may have escaped the rumors, but we’re not done with you yet.” A chill slithers up my spine. “This is getting really old.”

  “Yeah, it is.” His jaw clenches as he stares off into empty space. “But don’t worry. I have a feeling that, in few days, it might stop.”

  My brows dip. “Why would you think that?”

  He shrugs. “I have a hunch.”

  Shock whips through me. “Wait. Do you know who it is?”

  He avoids eye contact with me. “Maybe.”

  I wait in anticipa
tion for him to explain, but his seemingly everlasting silence starts to drive me mad. “Are you going to tell me?”

  Appearing torn, he shakes his head. “Not yet. I want to talk to this person and make sure first.”

  “Kai, I don’t think that’s such a good idea. What if they’re … dangerous?”

  “They’re fine,” he assures me. “Look, I need you to let me handle this one and trust me that everything will be okay.”

  I don’t want him handling this. I’ve already dragged him too deep into this mess to begin with. However, the determined look on his face lets me know he isn’t going to back down. I only hope, whoever the unknown text sender is, they aren’t a whack job.

  Chapter 9

  Isabella

  Tuesday and Wednesday pass by in a blur. My grandma Stephy informs me that the lawyers said that getting a phone call with my mom might be extremely difficult, crushing my hope into smithereens. It feels I might never get to talk to her unless I go against my grandma Stephy’s wishes and drive out to Virginia to see her.

  Thursday afternoon, Kai and I take a break from all the drama and spend some time kicking some zombie ass. Or, well, Kai kicks some ass. Me, I’m kinda sucking big time.

  “Man, I thought watching all those zombie movies would help,” I sulk, aiming my paintball gun at the practice paper zombie.

  We’ve been stuck on the practice course for about an hour because I refuse to go to the main course until I hit my target. I was pretty optimistic about this at first, thinking my abundance of apocalyptic movie knowledge would help me eliminate the target like a badass mofo. But zombie, oh, zombies, do I suck balls. I suck so badly that, if I were starring in a zombie movie right now, I’d be that person who dies two minutes in.

  “You need to relax.” Kai points his paintball gun at the target in front of him, pushes the trigger, and a paintball shoots out and splatters across the head of the paper zombie target, like a total badass. He even looks the badass part, wearing a black shirt, matching jeans, combat boots, and a studded belt that matches the leather bands on his wrists. “This is supposed to be fun, remember?”