In Pieces

by Gia Riley

  “Kinsley, please tell me why. If it’s me, if you’re not interested, I can handle it.”

  As soon as he says something as ridiculous as that, I realize I have to tell him the truth. I can’t let him think I don’t like him, or that I don’t want to spend time with him—because I want that more than anything. So, I swallow my pride before I hurt his feelings any more than I already have.

  “I can’t afford the ticket.” There, I said it. Now that I have, I’m ashamed. If I could, I’d open my truck door, and walk the rest of the way home, just to spare myself the humiliation.

  Sensing my discomfort, Rhett reaches over and grabs my hand. His thumb rubs tiny circles back and forth over my skin. I can hardly breathe with him touching me, but I don’t want him to stop, either.

  “I’m taking you this year, Kinsley. We stay in tents on the festival grounds, so other than the ticket and food, there’s really no other costs. It’s a little on the hick side if you aren’t into camping, and it’s a little miserable if it rains, but still crazy fun.”

  “Rhett.”

  “I’m not above begging, Kinsley. The guys always take their girls. I’ll be the odd man out without you.”

  His hand leaves mine as he turns to pull into my driveway, but he grabs it again as soon as the truck is in park. “Which one’s yours?”

  “Top right,” I tell him. “Number 422.”

  “It’s nice.”

  “Pfft, no it’s not.”

  “Don’t make it less than it is. You think people talk about you, and maybe they do, but not everyone disrespects you. I respect how hard you work. I’d never survive all you’ve been though. You’re brave.”

  “You think I’m brave? Rhett, I’m scared shitless every morning I wake up. I worry how I’m going to keep my car running. How I’m going to manage school and work again—if it’s all for nothing because I won’t be able to afford New York once I get there anyway. That’s if they even accept me. But then I remember, it could always be worse. Some kids at school have it so much worse than I do, and that’s what keeps me going.”

  “Like I said, you’re brave, Kinsley.”

  “I get jealous.” I look down at our joined hands, wishing I felt as strong as he thinks I am. “Sometimes, I just want to live in our old house, and I want my life to be the way it used to be—when my mom was alive.”

  “I want that for you, too. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to go home and be on my own. Do you get along with your sister at least?”

  I nod my head. Kate’s been my one constant. “We fight like sisters do, but we get along for the most part. It’s been different though, since she started working nights to make some extra money.”

  “You’re alone? I had no idea.”

  “No, I’m not alone. Carson’s home most nights. He was Kate’s doing, mostly. She has her sights set on a house after I graduate—one closer to Philadelphia. She’s been taking as many shifts at night as she can so she has more time to do school stuff during the day. I can’t fault her for going after her own dreams. Not when I plan on doing the same.”

  “What’s in Philly?”

  “Opportunity, basically. Plus, that’s where her boyfriend is originally from. They were in the process of moving in together when Dad left. She stayed for me and Wyatt, but I know she’s itching to get out of here. She sacrificed a lot for me which is why I tolerate her boyfriend.”

  “Tolerate? He’s a dick?”

  “Not usually, but he’s pissed she’s stuck with me. I can tell.”

  “Kate’s your guardian?”

  I nod my head. “Wyatt’s too—well before he turned eighteen.”

  Rhett runs his hands through his hair, processing my reality. I dumped a lot on him tonight—more than he probably thought he’d ever have to hear. Even if it makes him uncomfortable, I’ll never lie about my situation. It’s not ideal, it’s even pretty terrible, but it’s mine.

  “Please come with me to the festival, Kinsley. At least for those two nights, you’ll be with me—and I’ll know you’re safe. It’ll make me feel better about having to leave you here tonight.”

  I open Rhett’s palm and without even realizing I’m doing it, I trace the pattern of a heart, over and over. “I’ll go,” I whisper. Finally, I get the courage to look him in the eye. “Thank you. It’s hard for me to accept handouts.”

  “It’s not a handout. It’s a guy asking a girl on a date. That’s all.”

  “A date, huh? An overnight date.”

  “Yes, but if you’re not comfortable staying with me, I can bring a separate tent for you to sleep in. There’s no pressure. All I want is for you to have fun.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t need my own tent.” If I’m going, I’m staying with Rhett.

  “You’ll really go with me? You’re saying, yes?”

  “We’re jumping right in, aren’t we? They don’t even do overnight dates on The Bachelor until the end of the season.”

  “Don’t worry, by the time we go to the festival, my status will be changed in your contact list.”

  I laugh, remembering how he’s listed right now. “To what?”

  “Boyfriend,” he says with confidence. “We can change it right now if you want. I don’t intend on backing off.”

  I sit starring at Rhett, slightly in shock. Okay, a whole lot in shock. This entire day has been unreal. When I woke up this morning, I was just Kinsley. Now, I’m sitting in Rhett’s truck, and he just asked me on a date. I’m pretty sure he asked me to be his girlfriend, too.

  “Rhett, I don’t know what to say.”

  He shifts in his seat, picking up on my uneasiness. “I’m not trying to scare you, Kinsley, but I can’t tell if you’re taking me seriously or not. This isn’t a joke to me.”

  I hear what he’s asking of me—what he wants, but I’ve never had a boyfriend before. Rhett could end up breaking my heart. On the flip side, he could be worth the risk. There’s only one way to find out. Considering I never do anything halfway, now’s as good a time as any to go for it. For once, I decide to live in the moment, to take his word for face value—I hand him my phone without second guessing it. I want this. I want Rhett.

  “Yeah? Seriously?” he asks, as he takes my phone. “You keep surprising me tonight.”

  “I believe you. It’s really fast, and I had no idea my day would turn out like this, but if you want me.”

  “You’ll be my girl?”

  I nod my head. “Yes, I’ll be your girl.” There’s no use drawing it out. Before long, we’ll both be going our separate ways. I want to make the most of the time we have left. Whether we last a week or a couple months, at least we can say we tried. We’ll always have our memories.

  “Hold that thought.” He types frantically at my phone, screwing up a few times before he gets it right. Once his contact information is the way he wants it, he hands my phone back to me.

  I glance at the screen. “Your boyfriend.” Has replaced “Not just a Friend”.

  “Clever,” I tell him, as my stomach does summersaults. Those are two words I never thought I’d see. He brings our joined hands to his mouth, and gives the back of my hand a kiss.

  Holy shit, Rhett Taylor is my boyfriend.

  “This is my favorite day of school.”

  I smile. “It’s the first day of school, Rhett. It rarely sucks.”

  “I got a flat tire last year. I also broke up with Mandi that morning.”

  “Coincidence?”

  “Pfft. Not a chance. She flattened it at lunch time.”

  We laugh for a few more minutes, talking about nothing and everything at the same time. “It’s getting late. I don’t want you to get in trouble.” I may not have anyone keeping tabs on me when I come and go, but surely Rhett’s parents won’t like him staying out late with a girl. I reach down to grab my bag off the floor of the car, and Rhett shifts, suddenly looking nervous that I have to go.

  “You said you had Becca picking you up in the morning, b
ut can I come get you? I’ll call her if you want me to.”

  “You can pick me up, but I’ll tell her. She’ll kill me if I don’t tell her you showed up at the diner. Then, she’s going to freak out when I tell her the rest. You don’t care if she knows, do you?”

  He shakes his head. “We’re not a secret. Everyone will know tomorrow.”

  I hadn’t even considered the reactions I’ll get at school. “They’re going to think you lost your mind.” It almost makes me want to reconsider—almost being the key word. I couldn’t take it back if I tried.

  “If anyone gives you a hard time, you send them to me, okay? It’s me and you now.”

  “Okay.”

  “By the way, where do I stand with Becca? Is she still pissed about the dirt?”

  “Yes, she is,” I tell him, as I laugh at the thought of her licking dirt off the ground. She’s such a germaphobe and now I know how it all started. “She also talks really highly of you. You left quite the impression on her.”

  He stares through the windshield with a smile on his face. “I’ll be sure to thank her in the morning. I was such a little punk back then. I’m surprised she didn’t kick me in the balls—I deserved it.”

  “Don’t tempt her. She would still cash in if she could.”

  He cringes. “Good to know.”

  We sit in comfortable silence for a few more seconds before I call it a night for a second time. “See you in the morning.” With my bag in hand, I reach for the door handle.

  “Kinsley, wait.” Rhett leans over, and before I realize what’s happening, his lips are pressed against mine.

  I’m having my first kiss, in a truck, with Rhett Taylor. His lips melt into mine, and he pulls away before kissing me a second time. It’s an innocent kiss, that doesn’t last more than a few seconds, but as wonderful as it was, I’m sure I did it all wrong. I might even smell like an onion.

  I do the only logical thing I can think of, I slip out of his arms, open my door the rest of the way, and stumble out of his truck. I’m already halfway up the wooden staircase to my apartment by the time Rhett’s out of the truck, calling after me.

  I have to be the biggest fool on the planet for running, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop. Not until I’m safely inside the apartment. I hit the light switch and yelp when I find Carson sitting in the living room, in the dark. “What are you doing? You scared me.”

  “I was waiting for you to get home before I went to bed.”

  “Oh, you didn’t have to wait up. I’m always home late on work nights.” I hurry by him, in desperate need of a shower, and a chill pill.

  “What did you do,” I whisper to myself, over and over.

  “I’m wondering the same thing.”

  I spin around with my shirt in my hands, startled. “Jesus, Carson. Stop doing that.” I’m not used to him being here. There was a two week period after Wyatt left for school where I was all alone. I’m not used to having company after so many nights by myself.

  Carson’s eyes travel the length of me, and when he does nothing, other than take me in, I realize I’m standing in front of him in my bra and work pants. Once my mind catches up with my hormones, I reach for the door, shutting it in his face.

  Within the span of ten minutes, I had my first kiss with my first boyfriend before running like a bat out of hell away from him. Shortly after, a guy saw me in my bra for the first time—who wasn’t my boyfriend. This day needs to be over before it gets any crazier.

  I let the warm water cascade over my tired body, praying at any point I’ll stop feeling like the biggest fool on the planet. But the water runs cold before that happens, so I get out, and dry off. After pulling on a pair of boxers and a tank top, I slide under my covers. I reach for the plug to charge my phone, and see I have a waiting text—from Rhett.

  Rhett: Why did you run?

  How do I explain to him that I’ve never kissed a guy before, and that I’m pretty sure I was terrible at it? Before I start typing an answer to his first question, a second follows. There’s no time to read it, when Carson knocks on my door. “Come in.”

  The knob turns, and he stands in the doorway doing his best to look me in the eye instead of at my chest. “I’m sorry about before. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

  I wave my hand in the air, dismissively, like it was no big deal. Right now, compared to my Rhett drama, it’s not so bad. “I have to be more careful. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

  Carson walks closer, stopping next to my bed.

  “Can I sit for a second?”

  I scoot over, giving him a little space on the edge of my bed. “What is it?”

  He exhales, running his hand over his face. “I saw you with that kid in the truck.”

  “What did you see, exactly?”

  “I saw him with his tongue down your throat.”

  I sit up, pulling my blankets up to cover my chest. “You were spying on me?”

  He shakes his head. “I was waiting for you to get home. I saw the head lights pull in, and when they didn’t turn off right away, I got up and looked. I saw him kiss you.”

  “You were spying.”

  “Who is he?”

  “My boyfriend.”

  Carson recoils like I smacked him. “You were busy today.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. I’m just surprised.”

  “Why? Please don’t tell Wyatt. You have to promise me, Carson. He’ll start shit. Do you know he told all the guys not to touch me? I’m the one that should get to yell at him.”

  The way Carson stares at me, he almost looks disappointed. It was two tiny kisses. It’s not a big deal.

  “Just be careful, Kinsley.”

  “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I know what I’m doing.”

  Carson stands up. “I won’t tell Wyatt if you promise to tell him yourself the next time you talk to him. I don’t want to be put in the middle.”

  “Thank you. I’ll tell Wyatt soon. Things with Rhett are brand new. I don’t want to mess them up before we even get started.”

  “I understand. Goodnight, Kinsley.” He turns and walks out of my room, but I can’t shake the strange feeling that comes over me. Like something isn’t right. Like I made a mistake even when I don’t think I did. In fact, I know I didn’t.

  I swipe the lock button on my screen and read my next text.

  Rhett: Am I still picking you up in the morning?

  I answer that question easily. Even if I am an idiot, I still want him to take me to school.

  Kinsley: Yes, please.

  He responds right away, just like I thought he would.

  Rhett: Was it that bad?

  Kinsley: ???

  Rhett: The kiss. Was it that awful for you?

  Kinsley: No!

  Rhett: Are you sure?

  Kinsley: Positive. I was nervous.

  Rhett: I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.

  I never would have thought a guy like him would get nervous. He’s the one who knows what he’s doing.

  Kinsley: I’m not good at this stuff. I’m sorry.

  Rhett: Stop worrying. It’s not like you’ve never kissed a dude before.

  I’m too embarrassed to admit that I haven’t, so I don’t. I’ll keep my secret to myself.

  Kinsley: G’nite.

  Rhett: Nite babe.

  IF I WASN’T so tired, I’m sure I would have been up half the night rereading the texts from Rhett, and remembering the way his lips felt when they touched mine. Both definitely make getting out of bed a lot easier this morning. Not only do I have a day with Rhett, but I have his football game tonight to look forward to.

  Football’s a big deal in this town. It’s a way of life that begins as soon as kids are strong enough to keep the helmet on their head without falling over. It may seem like an exaggeration, but it’s not. Wyatt started playing on a team when he was only six. Before that, it was flag football. It’s why year after
year, our high school is one of the top in the state—if not the best.

  “Kinsley, are you eating breakfast this morning?” Kate yells from the kitchen. On mornings she works third shift, she tries to eat with me before going to sleep. It’s nice to see her for a few minutes, even if it isn’t much.

  “I’m coming.” I take one last look in the mirror. It’s nothing fancy, jeans and a school pride T-shirt, the customary attire on game days, but today, it feels a little different. Today, I’m supporting Rhett.

  “Hurry up,” Kate yells a little louder this time.

  “Sorry, I took another shower when I got up, but I used body wash instead of shampoo by mistake. Now my hair feels weird. Then, the wire in my favorite bra broke when I was putting it on.”

  “Um, Kins.”

  I look up from my bag, the one I’m mindlessly digging through as I spew my problems to my sister. Only she’s not the only one listening. “Rhett?” I glance at my watch wondering if I’m running late, but I wouldn’t normally leave for at least fifteen more minutes. “What are you doing here?”

  Kate winks at me, giving me a knowing look. I haven’t even told her about him yet. “I found this hottie sitting in the driveway when I got home. I couldn’t very well let him sit out there by himself,” she says with a smile.

  “I bet you did,” I mumble.

  “What was that?”

  “I said thank you.”

  Rhett’s grinning when I sit on my usual stool at the island which happens to be next to him. He reaches over and rests his hand on my thigh like he did in the car on the way home last night. I didn’t realize how much I liked it until he did it again, just now.

  “Sleep well?” he asks, as he pops a piece of banana into his mouth.

  “I did once I finally fell asleep.” I leave out the part about Carson walking in on me half naked. I don’t think he’d appreciate that too much—neither would Kate.

  Kate slides a bowl of oatmeal in front of me and sets a plate of scrambled eggs in front of Rhett. She doesn’t normally make me breakfast let alone cook much at all. She’s pulling out all the stops this morning, and I’m thankful for her—for making us seem like we have a normal routine like every other family in America.