Stolen Moments

by Bowie, Emily

  Affair feels like the correct word. No one knows? Check. Sneaking around? Check. Lying? Check. Passion at each embrace? Check. Doing what one should not be? Check. To me that would be the perfect checklist to determine an affair. Minus the cheating of course.

  I find myself waking up each morning with my first thoughts centered on how I will get to see Luke. I honestly have never felt so whole in my life, like he was always the piece missing. I have never hummed while getting ready, sung to myself, or smiled bigger than these last few weeks. It all has to do with Luke.

  For the first time in my life I feel like a teenager. I’m irrationally happy, giddy, I would even say. I don’t care about the consequences; I only care about how I feel. Nothing else matters. Before this I have always felt like an old soul among my peers.

  But now I see that I was just waiting for my awakening.

  I look over at Kellen, he looks so serious. His once natural laugh doesn’t tumble out of him. That cocky boyish grin of his, the one that charms the pants off most girls, has disappeared. I want to ask what’s wrong but the thought of him rejecting my question would hurt too much. We both have always known what’s happening in our lives, up until now.

  “What’s with all of the singing?” Kellen finally breaks the silence as he pulls in front of the school.

  I ignore his question by asking him one of my own. “You heading in there today?” I nod toward the door that I rarely see him walk through anymore.

  He looks toward the school then to me, his eyes looking distant. “Sometime today I’m sure I’ll grace everyone with my presence.” His lips twitch into the closest thing to a smile that I have seen.

  I open the door to hop out, but before closing it I look to my brother.

  “You staying out of trouble?” I might be crossing the line in our current state.

  “As much as I normally do.” His deep voice travels out the door with a small hint of charm that it used to hold.

  Yep, one step closer to being besties. I chuckle to myself. Sooner or later I will wear him down like I normally do.

  *

  “Hey, girl!” Molly’s voice comes from behind me as I feel her arm wrap around me. “You need to figure out a way to come out tonight.” Looking around quickly, she lowers her bubbly voice, “We are initiating the new girl by going cow tipping.”

  Three Rivers doesn’t get much fresh meat, so when we get a new student they typically get roped into going cow tipping so we can prove just how country we are. This is the second new family to move here in the last two years.

  It also falls perfectly in place for a reason to spend time with Luke.

  “I’ll be there, and I’ll get Kellen to invite some of his friends, too.” I shrug like it’s no big deal and her eyes light up. I’m pretty sure Molly and Jessica became friends with me in grade one because they wanted to get closer to Kellen.

  She jumps up and down and rubs her hands together. “Tonight is going to be so much fun!” she exclaims before dashing away to probably tell Jessica the new details in her plan.

  The bell goes, but instead of heading to my locker, I walk right out of the back doors of the school. The ones only the football boys use if they have had practice. The hall is vacant; stepping outside it is just as quiet.

  I’m outside for no less than a second before I feel his hands come around my waist and he kisses my neck.

  I can’t help the light moan that escapes me before he turns around so that we are facing each other.

  “We are going cow tipping tonight!” I watch as his eyebrow lifts up in question. “Get your boys then we can sneak out early for you to ‘drive me home.’” I use my two fingers as quotations for the last part.

  “How do you plan to sneak out of your house?” he questions, still holding me tight.

  “Don’t worry, I have that under control.” I wink at him, excited to spend some time together with other people, even with no one knowing about us.

  This will be my first time caving to use Cynthia. I didn’t want to but then Brax’s disappointed look invades my thoughts, and I hope this could do a few things for me. Maybe she is a different person than I thought, and if not, I am hoping to get all of my information better prepared to have Brax see the real her. She may think she can manipulate me by having my parents let up on me, but that’s not how I’m playing her game. I have every intention to let her think she has control over me. She’s forgetting I am a Steele and I can be very resourceful when I want to get my own way. I feel a small tug at my heart thinking that this is precisely something that Kellen would do.

  Luke bends down, giving me a bruising kiss that will stay on my lips for the rest of the day. “See you tonight.” He leaves me weak-kneed watching him head to class before I realize I am going to be late too.

  *

  Just as Cynthia has anticipated, as soon as I told my mother that I would be having a girls’ night in with Cynthia watching movies, I was cleared to leave the house.

  Cynthia bats her eyes at my parents and they fall under her spell just like Brax. Women like her give us ladies a bad name. Yet, she always gets what she wants. When her world comes crashing down she won’t know how to handle it. Girls like her can’t adapt because they never had to.

  Yet, I play the good daughter part, masking my true feelings, even grabbing some popcorn for Cynthia and I to “make” for later. I secretly hope she will choke on her saliva.

  The moment our asses hit the cloth interior of her car, we both remove our masks. “Don’t forget how this works, I scratch your back, you scratch mine,” she tells me just before I step out at the end of the driveway, where Molly, Jessica, and the new girl wait in Molly’s roofless Jeep.

  “And here I thought you wanted to be friends,” I sarcastically say with a smile.

  “See you soon, little sister.” Her voice is cold with an edge to it.

  I take my sweet time, slowly getting out of her car to jump into the back of the Jeep.

  “Who’s ready for some cow tipping?” I yell, holding onto the roll bars as Molly guns the vehicle down the road.

  I feel free with my almost black hair flapping into the wind.

  When we stop at Tips Park there are already a bunch of trucks overcrowded with fellow classmates, everyone ready for the hunt for cow tipping.

  Luke is already here, surrounded by his football buddies. I hate that I can’t just run up to him. I can’t help but notice how he holds my eyes as he gives me that sexy smirk of his. When his eyes are on me, I feel like the rest of the world slips away.

  “I thought Kellen was coming?” Molly looks at me then over to where Luke is standing, meeting where my eyes are.

  “I told him about it, he must be coming later since his friends are here,” I tell her, feeling my pulse quicken with my lie as she looks back at me. She glances back over to where Luke is standing and seems disappointed with my response.

  “Looks like Luke is walking toward us, maybe he can tell us.” Hope fills her voice. I want to tell my best friend that Kellen refuses to date any of my friends but what’s the point. I’m mesmerized watching Luke as he makes his way over and anticipation twirls in my stomach. My senses are on high alert knowing that he’s walking toward me. No other girl matters. Only me. I practically sigh in excitement.

  “Howdy, ladies,” Luke greets us, flanked by two of his friends, Joel and Mason.

  “You have room for Mason and me?” Joel asks. I see that Molly has forgotten about my brother immediately. Joel is the starting running back of our team, who happened to just break up with the head cheerleader.

  I see her want to say yes then, as she looks at me, it’s like she remembers that we all can’t fit. I almost laugh, not believing how easy this will be.

  “I can go with Luke, I don’t mind,” I throw out there, hoping she doesn’t catch on. My fingers twist in hope.

  “We all can take turns going back and forth,” Jessica adds, trying to be helpful when she is anything but. It takes all of my ef
forts not to glare at my friend.

  “Kellen asked me to keep an eye on Shay. She will come with me,” Luke speaks up, the conversation done with his final comment.

  In just five vehicles we have about half of the graduating class out with us. It’s almost eleven by the time we organize ourselves enough to head down the road to Tips Ranch, named for its proximity to the park.

  Hopping into his truck, we laugh at how easy this was. No one took a double look, yet I’m not sure if we truly are fooling anyone. Just no one cares. At least that is what I hope.

  As we drive toward Tips Ranch, Luke keeps his hand on my thigh, his thumb gently going in circles on my sensitive skin.

  “Do you think we should tell Kellen?” I keep looking out the window, watching the fences and animals slide past my view.

  “You already wishing for a death wish for me?” he jokes, taking my hand and giving it a kiss.

  “I thought it would make it easier, that’s all.”

  “Soon,” he promises. “I’m just waiting for the right time, when he seems to have less on his mind.”

  Lining up behind the other vehicles, we step out, meeting up with everyone.

  The new girl, Carla, is to cross the wooden fence and go up to the sleeping cows and tip one over. I am amazed by how many people think this is a real thing. Standing at the edge of Luke’s tailgate, I keep my one hand behind the truck as Luke lightly holds onto it, our hands hidden in the dark, when all I want to do is lean into him like the other couples out with us.

  Carla looks back at everyone with uncertainty but we all cheer her on, giving her more confidence.

  Once over the fence the slow snickers begin as we watch her get closer and closer to the heavy animals.

  Just as she places her hands on the side of one cow, it moos loudly in her face, waking the rest of the cows that begin to shuffle their feet with the surprise.

  Everyone bursts out laughing as she screams in terror and practically jumps over the fence with ease.

  “Welcome to Three Rivers!” everyone announces.

  Nothing in the country is done fast. Tailgates are pulled down and we all get comfortable until we get our next great idea. As the night gets later, typically these great ideas aren’t as “great” as we once thought. Luke sits on the truck in front of where I am sitting, with general talk about the next rival football game, and our school circles around us in conversation.

  My cell phone buzzing beside me has me looking at a text message from Brax.

  Brax: Why did you ditch Cynthia tonight? I’ve been on the phone trying to calm her down, you really hurt her.

  Are you serious? The thought explodes from within me.

  Me: Are you serious? This was her plan!

  Brax: All I asked was for you to give her a chance.

  My fingers hover over the keys, not knowing how to respond. Continuing to text will do me no good. I can feel the slip of black poke into my heart. This girl may be the first person I can say I hate.

  “Luke’s eyes have not left you.” I feel Molly’s shoulder rub against me as she talks into my ear, bringing me back. I look up to see him looking directly at us, giving me that all American smile before moving his body to face one of his buddies.

  Like last time, I shake the feeling that Cynthia is out to get me, and replace my thinned out lips with a smile. I can’t help it, when Luke is around I always sport a grin.

  “It’s only because he told Kellen he would look out for me,” I lie, trying to stay straight-faced, but even I can feel my grin reach ear to ear.

  “Man, I wish my brother had friends like yours.” She fans herself, filling in what she actually means. I love Molly but she is a huge flirt.

  “Talking about brother’s friends, what’s up with Cynthia following you around? You friends now?” Jessica adds.

  “No, she hates me.” I roll my eyes at the thought of her. “I don’t see Brax staying with her for long.” At least I hope, I try to tell myself.

  “Well, if he needs to be set up…” Jessica lets her words hang in the air.

  I lift my hand up, as if I can stop her words. “No. Gross. No brothers!” I swat at my friends playfully but I mean what I say. Yes, I realize the double standard I have placed myself in, but in my defense Luke has been the one my whole life. You can’t just give up on something like that.

  Using this as my cue to leave, I begin to play out what Luke and I rehearsed. Making a big deal out of looking at my watch, I curse. “Shit, I’m late for my curfew.”

  “Already?” Molly pouts, leaning into Joel, our discussion already forgotten.

  “I can take her home,” Luke offers, and Molly accepts, looking relieved she doesn’t have to leave.

  CHAPTER 17

  The moment Shay and I are off the main road I pull us over in a small turnout that barely tucks us away from the road. Our hands fly to each other, like we have been deprived. Each time we are together it’s like this.

  The night stars are in full show, twinkling overhead. No cars drive this far out, leaving us to ourselves with the night sky.

  Slowly, I get a blanket out and put it in the back of my truck so we can watch the stars together. All I want to do is spend time with her. Our movements with each other are so natural. By the time I lie down her head is in the crook of my neck, my arms are around her and we are holding hands.

  “I was thinking, this September, if we both get into school, we should try to find a place so we can live together.” I can feel her body still. Each second that passes feels like hours.

  Slowly, her body turns so she can look up at me. “I love that idea.” She has this look of awe in her gray eyes; it makes me squeeze her tighter.

  “So we have until then to tell everyone.”

  “I think you should tell my dad first.” She chuckles, her eyes gleaming with humor.

  Smart mouth! I do the childish thing and dig my fingers into her hips to tickle her, enjoying her wiggle and worm into me before muffling any other comment with my mouth.

  We lie in each other’s arms, talking about our futures, hoping to go to the same college. We have big plans to find an apartment together, or maybe co-ed dorms together. I should be able to change a few of my classes so that we can be in at least one or more together. I picture Friday night games, with her in the stands cheering me on.

  The night is still with the sounds of frogs and cicadas all around us. Flickers of light fly above as fireflies dance in the dark sky, creating a perfect moment for us.

  “How come you don’t have your license yet?” I ask just to talk.

  I feel her shrug. “I just don’t see a reason for it. I know how to drive; I’ve been using ranch equipment for years. And I have you and Kellen to drive me around.”

  “I’m going to teach you how to drive and you’re going to take that test soon.”

  “I know how!” she defends herself.

  “Sure you do.” I laugh, elongating the o on the word do.

  “I’ll prove it. Let me drive your truck right now.”

  The frogs’ croaks vanish as motors rev and the sound of tires squeal in the distance, making their way closer to us.

  Shay and I sit up and stare in the direction the sounds are coming from.

  Headlights shine bright, exposing the front of my truck and the sound of gravel flying heads our way. What looks like Kellen’s truck and some sporty little car race side-by-side down the road.

  “What the fuck!” I say in horror. They are coming closer but the road is too narrow for two vehicles with my truck taking up the small shoulder. If they keep coming at the same speed, there is no doubt our truck will be hit.

  I want to jump out of the truck bed but that’s just as dangerous as staying put. Kellen sees us parked first, swerving, cutting off the smaller car that zigzags over the road, trying to take back control of their wheels.

  I hold onto Shay tight, willing to protect her with my whole self. Mind, body, and soul. I let go of my fear to save her, and my
heart beats a little slower, or maybe it just stops. Then the dust rises up and flies past us, moving along with Kellen’s truck. The vehicles are still moving side by side until it straightens out, giving Kellen what looks like a ten-foot lead before it races past us into the darkness.

  “Are you okay?” I search Shay as her tiny frame shakes in my arms. I’m so thankful we are both safe and alive.

  “What’s going on with Kellen and why is he racing again?” I hiss out loud.

  “I wish I could tell you why,” she says sadly.

  Kellen is my best friend and for the first time in my life I have no idea what’s going on inside of that head of his.

  “Come on, I should get you home.” I start to gather up our blanket, needing to find my head in all of this.

  CHAPTER 18

  It’s been a week since I watched in horror as Kellen effectively tried to murder himself in a street race. I have tried to ask him about it but he’s up before I go to school, then who knows when he gets home. Luke assured me that he will talk to him. Kellen getting officially kicked off the football team has destroyed him in far greater ways than I had ever thought. Or at least I think that is the issue.

  I head out to the barn to check if he is there doing chores. The radio is on but there is no sign of my brothers. That skittish cat that Kellen made friends with hisses at me and I tell her to hush down. I really wanted to catch up with him to ask about the street race.

  I take my time, walking around the yard, checking on a few animals before trying my luck out on the street as I head to the mailbox. Maybe with my luck I’ll see him coming home. The day is cooler for late fall but is perfect for a walk in the sun.

  Opening up our mailbox, a big manila envelope is folded inside. Pulling it out, I see that it is addressed to me. I look around to see if anyone is around but it’s just me on the lonely road. It feels hot in my hand and I realize this is my letter. The letter I have been waiting on. The reason why I pulled a two-day cram session with very little, if any, sleep.