“Lucky, wait!”
I glance back to spot a flame of blonde hair whipping through the night, and I pause just shy of Hallowed Grounds. It’s Daisy.
“Let me buy you some tea.” She nods toward the café, her breathing still erratic from her trek over. “Please.”
We head inside, and I race straight to the back among the fake foliage in the dark armpit of the establishment.
Daisy comes over less than two minutes later with two steaming cups.
“Chamomile. Is that okay?”
“Yes.” I pull it forward and feel the burn over my palms as it penetrates through the paper cup. “Thank you.” I like the burn. It lets me know I’m still alive.
She clears her throat. Her glossy lips hit the light, and Daisy glitters like the beauty queen she is. A part of me is thrilled for my brother. She is a stunner and seemingly nice to boot. “I swear on all that is holy, I will not tell Jet a thing about whatever it is that’s got you down.”
“I’m not down.” I can hardly get the words out without my voice cracking, calling me a liar right to my face. “Okay, maybe I’m down just a little.” A tiny smile breaks through.
“What’s going on, Lucky?” She reaches over and takes up my hand. Her pearly white nails run circles over the back of it. “It’s about a boy.” She says that last part like a fact—because it is.
“Okay, so maybe it’s about a boy.” I frown into my tea as I pull it closer, and the steam wafts over my face like a sauna. It feels good, safe to be here with Daisy, away from my friends, the Greeks, away from humans in general.
“Did he break your heart?”
A lone tear tumbles down my cheek as I shake my head. “No, not really.” Lies flow like water—they always have. “Okay, he did, but it’s really not his fault.”
“How in the world is it not his fault? Tell me who he is so I can scratch his horny little eyes out.”
“No!” I bark, sharp as a whip, and she straightens as if I touched her with a cattle prod. I slump back in my seat and let the dread I’ve felt all afternoon fill me once again. “He couldn’t break my heart because I never gave him the chance. You see, he thinks I’m not that into him. I may have made this clear as crystal. I never came to Briggs expecting to find love.” I shudder as the L word vomits from my lips. “I came looking for a good time. And he was so obnoxious.” I slap my hand over the table as if swatting a miniature version of Lawson under my palm. “It just killed me. He was getting on my last nerve, and I had to put him in his place, and then—” I shake my head in disbelief.
“And then what?” Daisy’s eyes bug out as if I’m about to confess to a body count.
“And then we were together all the time, and I kind of liked it.” I shake my head again, truly bewildered by the confession. “God, how could I not see this coming?” Lawson Kent barreled at me like a heart-shaped freight train, and now here I am trying to assess the damage.
“Lucky,” Daisy coos as if this were some candy-coated life event. “You have real feelings for this boy.”
“I guess I do.” More tears come to the party, and now I’m just blubbering into my tea with a woman I thought I hated just a few weeks back. And here Daisy is being the big sister, the mother that I’ve craved for so long. “I think”—a hiccup gets lodged in my throat—“I think I love him.”
There. A stone has been dislodged from somewhere deep in my heart, and I feel lighter than air. For the first time, in as long as I can remember, I can breathe, and dare I say smile.
“You love him.” Daisy leans in as hard, with tears of her own pooling in her eyes. “So, what’s going on? Is he seeing someone else? Is he emotionally unavailable?”
“No. It’s just like I said. He thinks I’m the last person who would want anything to do with him.”
Daisy’s expression hardens. “You need to tell him how you feel.”
A dull laugh rumbles through me. “Right. I can’t do that. I might as well strip naked and run through the quad. What if he drives a stake right through my heart? I couldn’t take it.”
“What if he doesn’t? What if he feels the exact same way about you, and the two of you are so busy trying to annoy one another you never reach your full potential?”
“You think so?” Hope rockets through me as my adrenaline kicks in. “You think he could actually want something with someone like me?”
Daisy inches back in her seat as if I were about to deck her. “What do you mean someone like you?” Her eyes ride over me up and down. “Oh my dear God, Lucky Madden, have you seen yourself in the mirror? You are knock-out, drag-down gorgeous. If that boy doesn’t want a bite out of your apple, then he doesn’t have his head screwed on straight.”
“What about the inside?” I whisper as if my rotting heart might hear. “I’m a little rough around the edges.”
Daisy wrinkles her nose. “Trust me, rough edges can be an asset. In fact, I’d dare say it’s my rough edges that Jet likes best. If this boy wants a nun, he can visit the nearest convent. I meant that in the spiritual sense, not the virginal.” She’s quick to admonish. “You’ve got spunk. The reason that boy has been hanging out with you is because he likes your sparkle.” She tilts her head and freezes. “Do I know this boy?”
Here it is, another opportunity for a greasy little half-truth. I practically specialize in them, so I don’t know why I’m hesitating. All I have to say is no. Conversation over.
“Yes.” My cheeks pinch with heat.
Daisy slaps her hand over the table as if she were swatting a fly. “Is it?”
“It is.” My shoulders hike to my ears as I slide down my seat. “The boy I’m in love with is Lawson Kent.”
Her jaw falls slack. “I called it.”
“Do me a favor and don’t shout it from the rooftops just yet. I guess I should let him know how I feel. I’ve never done this before. If you tell me it’s easy, I’ll deck you.” I’m only half-kidding.
“It’s not easy, but once that boy falls to your feet, it will be well worth it. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“What about Jet? Has Jet seen it? What kind of business does he have with him anyway?”
Daisy presses her fingers to her lips. “You know—um, I’m not quite sure.” Her face burns bright as a bonfire. Daisy has more than a clue. She’s just not willing to cough up the answer.
“That’s okay. You don’t have to tell me,” I assure her. “Because it works both ways, right? You don’t tell me his secret, and you don’t tell him mine.”
“I will never tell.” She shakes her head, emphatic.
“Pinkie swear?” I hold out my most delicate digit, and we shake on it.
“Pinkie swear.”
“I’d better go.” I scoot to the edge of my seat. “One more thing.” I clasp her hand, and Daisy bites down over her lip as if overcome with emotion. “I’m happy that Jet found someone to share his life with. And I’m very happy it’s you.”
I pull her into a hard embrace. I bury my face in her sugary hair and take in the fullness of her affection. For so long I’ve been a closed door, walled off from the rest of the world. I’m ready to climb down from my ivory tower. I’m ready to bring the memory of my sister with me and to tell Jet what little I know about her.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night at the shop.” I wipe the tears from my eyes.
“Yes!” Her eyes spin like pinwheels. “Tomorrow night for the grand finale of Jet’s show. Dress your best. It’s going to be a blast!” We head out and go our separate ways with a wave.
It feels as if another chain has been broken now that Daisy and I are where we’re supposed to be—where I know that Jet has wanted us to be all along.
I head back to Cutler Tower, lighter, freer, happier—and in love.
After the all-out orgy I witnessed after the game, I chose to forgo any parties on The Row or otherwise. Instead, after my pep talk with Daisy, I head back to Cutler Tower and think deeply about what I told her—and ironically wha
t I told myself for the very first time.
Come Saturday, the night of Jet’s big finale shindig, I primp in front of the mirror, switching outfits a dozen times until I settle on a little black dress and five-inch heels. Who knows? Maybe next week during my very first collegiate spring break I’ll actually have a boy toy of my own to contend with.
“When all else fails, go classic,” Ava muses. “Lawson won’t know what hit him.”
“Here’s hoping.” I do a little twirl in the mirror. Late last night when Ava stumbled in from her private after party with Grant, I may have told her everything—oh, hell, I spilled. Ava gifts me a kiss on the cheek as I speed out the door. “I’ll see you down at Think Ink!”
* * *
There’s a mixer at the Black Bear tonight, and Ava and I are headed straight there after my brother’s event. A part of me just wants to fast-forward to the part where I corner Lawson Kent and spill every last one of my feelings. My adrenaline soars just thinking about it, and passing out feels like a very real option.
“Don’t be late,” I sing as I make my way out the door. “I know Jet will love having both you and Grant there tonight. Daisy has invited half the planet.” I practically skip all the way to my truck at the litany of awesome this night has laid out in front of me.
Think Ink is lit up like a jewel on this early springtime eve. The moon is a sliver in the sky, and even the stars seem to be spraying out their glory over my brother’s entrepreneurial start-up. I’m so proud of him. I’m just brimming.
Inside is lined with bodies, lit up like a football stadium, and instead of the usual stray electronic eye following us around for the documentary, I count three cameras in the front of the shop alone. It seems as if every human coloring book that Jet has worked on has shown up to pay homage to my brother. And just as I’m about to do a sweep of the vicinity for the man of the house, I spot Daisy chatting it up with Piper and Scarlett—and just like that, my feet plant themselves into the floorboards. It never occurred to me that if Daisy told Scarlett, Lawson would be the next one up in that little game of telephone gone wrong.
“Lucky!” Daisy waves me over, and I hesitate.
A pair of arms wraps themselves around me from behind, strong male arms and a momentary panic sets in—God, is Lawson here? He can’t be here. I can’t tell anyone of the male persuasion I love them within twenty feet of my brother.
I glance up to see Jet with his ear-to-ear grin. “Oh, hey.” I deflate for a moment, and yet I’m flooded with relief. “Great party. It looks like the entire town showed up. You sure you need me here?” I bite down over my lip as I cast a nervous glance to Scarlett. What in God’s name possessed me to spill my soul to Daisy last night? Couldn’t I have waited just one more day until after I told Lawson himself how I felt? Although, speaking to Daisy was most definitely the catalyst for me to realize my own feelings—but still—I can’t help but feel I’m about to be outted in the very worst way.
Jet leans in. He looks twice as huge, his muscles bulging with fury as if they were drawn in like cartoons. The artwork all over his arms is on display tonight with that wife beater he’s donned just for the occasion.
“I know your secret.” The grin slides right off his face. “Daisy told me everything when she got back last night.”
“Holy hell.” I start to take off in the blonde ditz’s direction, and Jet reels me back.
“Don’t freak out. It’s not a big deal.” Jet gives a nervous glance around as a camera stalks us from a distance.
“It’s not a big deal?” I blink in disbelief. All of my life anything that remotely concerned me has been a very big deal. Maybe having Daisy in his life has really mellowed him out. “So you’re not going to freak out if—” I grapple, looking for just the right words a moment.
“If you ask me to redo your tattoo?” He pulls my arm up and flips it around until that disaster etched over my flesh is exposed. “Of course, I’m going to fix this for you. Why would you ever be worried that I was upset?”
My entire body relaxes all at once. Daisy covered for me. I glance over and offer a guilty smile her way, and she gives a wink and wave right back. A part of me demands I mouth I’m sorry for the mental tirade I just undertook. Daisy is a good person, and I never want to jump to the wrong conclusion again.
“Yes, you can fix it for me.” I pull my brother into a heartfelt hug. “Now, go out there and mingle with your adoring public. I’ll man the fort.” I give a little wink as I head behind the counter.
No sooner does a half hour pass than Ava and Grant squeeze through the door. Ava is gorgeous with that lion’s mane of hair of hers stealing the show, and, of course, Grant looks dapper and handsome as hell in his button-down shirt and dark inky jeans. And just as I’m about to lunge in their direction, I spot another dapper, handsome as hell young stud in a button-down shirt and jeans that hug that rock-hard ass in all the right places.
A breath gets locked in my throat, and I freeze. My head pulsates right along with my heart, and my adrenaline kicks in—it’s fight-or-flight.
Lawson Kent is here. The last person I expected to see, and the very person I was looking for. I could spend a small eternity just trying to number all of the ironies that plague us, but this one right here just might do us in.
The three of them head in my direction.
Perfect. I can’t ignore him.
I certainly can’t tell him how I feel—that I love him—not with both Jet and a half dozen cameramen running around on the loose.
No, this is not going to end well.
One thing I know for certain, a disaster is headed in my direction.
Lawson Kent has stolen my heart, and if I’d like to keep both his heart and his body intact around my rabid older brother, I’ll have to pretend that I’m not the least bit interested.
Back to square one.
Lawson
Lucky Madden is a work of living, breathing beauty in its truest form. I think it’s fitting that I let her know just that—just how deeply I feel for her right in the very place I’ve wounded her. I swear on all that is holy, if she comes in for a hug, she’s getting one back this time. If she comes in for a kiss, I’m kissing right back, and I won’t be the first to stop. But judging by that highly pissed expression, something has Lucky irritated right about now, and I’d venture to guess it’s me.
“What’s up?” Jet appears with Rex by his side, and I spot Scarlett and Daisy across the room.
Grant and I give them five as Ava excuses herself and heads over to Lucky.
Jet pulls Grant and me in by the shoulders. “Load up on the grub. The feast is on the network. I’ve got drinks in the coolers lining the hall. Take what you need, and have a good time.” He pats me on the shoulder. “You have a date?”
“No, actually”—I glance past him at Lucky, and my mouth contracts as if trying to figure out the truth for itself—“I’m working on it.”
“Lots of hot chicks, dude.” He pulls me to the side and dips in close. “I’ve got the back room locked off—protecting the equipment from getting tweaked, but if you gotta do what you gotta do, make yourself at home.”
I pull back and wince at him. Does he honestly think I’m going to find some chick within the next few minutes and bang her in the back? I know Jet was a player before he met Daisy. It’s clear he’s transposing his good old days right onto me. Maybe it’s his guilt shining through for compensating me to keep an eye on his baby sister to begin with.
On second thought—I think I just found the perfect location to have that one-on-one with Lucky.
“It’s on, man.” I shake his hand as I dive into the crowd. The food smells good, the entire back of the store is lined with silver chaffing dishes, and in the corner I spot a carving station with prime rib that’s making my mouth melt.
My appetite may be revved up, but food isn’t that high on the priority list. I push through the crowd, desperate to find Lucky—or Ava for that matter. But with each brunette that tur
ns my way and doesn’t bear those lavender eyes, it guts me. I’m half-afraid Lucky got spooked. Last night about sawed my balls off to see her with Eli. I nearly beat the shit out of him back at the house, but he assured me that kiss was nothing short of Mustang spirit. I told him to shower someone else with school spirit next time. Even if she did strike first, he shouldn’t have taken advantage of the situation. Lucky is pissed at me. And I’m betting, deep down, she’s not exactly sure why. Her walls are so high up not even Lucky herself can scale them—unless of course she’s come to her senses.
A dull smile rides over my face, and I smack into a familiar redhead and my stepbrother.
“What’s up?” I glance over the two of them and keep searching for all my wishes to come true in the form of Lucky Madden. And if I am indeed lucky, they will. I can’t wait to tell her how I feel—tell her that she’s been holding my heart all along. And here’s the kicker. I’m delusional enough to hope that she’ll tell me that I’m holding hers, too, that I have been for a while. What I’m feeling is powerful. I could light up all of New York City with the affection coursing through me for that girl.
“What’s up with you?” Scarlett rustles her fingers through my hair the way she used to when we were growing up, and, coincidentally, it bugs the shit out of me just the way it did back then.
“Don’t do that. You’re messing it up.” I can’t take my gaze off the crowd. Lucky has been MIA for so long I’m starting to case the exit in the event she’s got an escape plan hatched.
“What do you care if your hair is messed up?” she teases, jumping up on her tiptoes to further create follicular chaos.
“He cares because there are chicks around.” Rex reels my sister in with a shit-eating grin. “And if his hair looks like crap, they’ll run the other way. It’s a well-known fact. Isn’t that right?”
Lucky Kisses Page 14