In Pieces

by Gia Riley

  Rhett digs into his food, moaning around a mouthful. “These don’t taste like my mom’s rubbery eggs.”

  “That good, huh?” Kate asks, smiling.

  My stomach growls as I take another big bite of my oatmeal. Rhett looks at my stomach, laughing. “Sorry, I’m starving.”

  “Don’t apologize. I’m stoked you eat. I swear chicks think it’s a turn off to consume food.” He takes another bite of his eggs, and then continues. “You didn’t eat much yesterday though—probably why you’re so hungry today.”

  I stop with my spoon halfway to my mouth. “I ate. I had a salad.”

  “You didn’t eat much of it.”

  Kate looks up from the sink where she’s washing dishes, doing her best not to pry her way into our conversation, but I know she’s listening to every single word. At least he didn’t start talking about kissing me in the car. I don’t think I’d be able to handle explaining that to her this early in the morning.

  “We should get going.” I stand up and hand my empty bowl to Kate. She takes it and kisses me on the cheek. As she does, she whispers in my ear, “He’s hot, and he’s into you.”

  “I know,” I whisper back. “We’re sort of together.”

  She covers her mouth with the back of her soapy hand. “Really?”

  I nod my head. “Really.”

  “I want details later. All of them.”

  “Okay. We’ll catch up this weekend. Get some sleep.”

  Rhett hands his empty plate to my sister with a huge smile on his face that matches hers. “Thanks for breakfast, Kate.”

  “You’re welcome, anytime, Rhett. Just take care of my little sister. She’s pretty important to me.”

  Rhett grabs his keys off the counter, and then slings my backpack over his shoulder. “I intend to,” he says, adorably.

  We walk hand in hand out the front door, and as I turn to walk down the stairs, I notice Carson at the bottom with two grocery bags in his hands, waiting to come up. His head is tilted to the side, like he’s pretty sure this might be the same guy from last night. “Who’s your friend, Kinsley?”

  It’s awkward, for a number of reasons, but I have no choice other than introducing the two. “Rhett, this is my other roommate, Carson. He’s one of Wyatt’s friends.” I wouldn’t need introductions if Carson had gone to school with us, but his parents were strict growing up, placing him in the lone Catholic school in the area instead of public. “Carson, this is Rhett. A friend of mine.”

  The two size each other up, why I don’t know considering there’s no competition between them. “Can I talk to you a second, Kinsley?” Carson asks.

  “Sure, but I don’t have long. We have to get to school.”

  “It’ll just take a second.”

  I turn to Rhett. “I’ll be right over.”

  Rhett nods his head, and walks to his truck, glancing over his shoulder a few times before he gets there.

  “What’s up?”

  Carson sets the bags on the stairs, and turns toward me. “I didn’t realize you were seeing Rhett.”

  “I told you last night.”

  “We didn’t get into specifics, you were a little under dressed for that, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea—especially now that I know it’s him.”

  “Why not? What does it matter who it is?”

  He exhales before continuing. “Because even I know your brother isn’t a Rhett fan. He’s been with a lot of girls. I don’t want you to end up a number in a long line of has beens. Plus, Wyatt would kill me if I knew what was going on and didn’t try to stop it.”

  “Carson, you promised. You told me you’d let me tell him when the time was right. Rhett’s a good person, and Wyatt won’t like anyone I date anyway. It doesn’t matter if he knows him or not.”

  He cocks an eyebrow. “I don’t know about that. He wouldn’t have a problem with you dating me.”

  I roll my eyes. “You’re his best friend, so you don’t count.”

  “Gee, thanks, Kins.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose, wishing we weren’t even having this conversation. Why can’t he just be happy for me? Everyone always has to challenge my decisions. “You know what I mean.”

  “I’m not sure I do.”

  “Carson, come on. You can’t go back on your word now. If you care about me at all, you’ll let me live a little. This is senior year. I’ll never get another one.”

  He stares at Rhett’s truck, and finally, I can tell I have him on my side. At least for a little while. “Fine, but I still don’t like it.”

  “You don’t have to like it, but I want you to respect it.”

  Carson picks up the bags on the step. Before he walks away, he says, “When he breaks your heart, I’ll be here for you. Just remember that.”

  I stare at his back as he walks up the rest of the stairs and into the apartment. I’m pretty sure I can trust him, but he’s right. My brother will kill him if he finds out he didn’t tell him about Rhett as soon as he knew, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. For now, anyway. Wyatt can’t always control me the way he thinks he can.

  Rhett walks around his truck to help me inside when he sees our conversation is over. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, we’re cool.” I spare him the details. He doesn’t need to know what Carson thinks of him. It’s mostly a stereotype anyway considering they’ve never spoken two words to one another. He’s going on what he thinks he knows, not what he actually does.

  Rhett doesn’t say much for most of the drive, and he doesn’t reach for my hand like he usually does whenever he’s next to me. “What’s wrong?”

  “Carson wasn’t what I was expecting,” he says, truthfully.

  “What were you expecting?”

  “I don’t know. The way you talked yesterday, I assumed he was Kate’s boyfriend for some reason.”

  There’s a five year age difference between the two, which isn’t crazy or anything, but Kate and Carson definitely don’t have a romantic spark. I never said they were together, but Rhett must have assumed. “No, he’s just a friend.”

  Rhett nods his head, still not saying much. It only eats away at me more. I can’t seem to please anyone this morning. “What’s bugging you? Just say it.”

  “You introduced me as your friend.”

  “You can’t be serious right now.”

  He says nothing in response.

  “I wasn’t even thinking when I introduced you. It just came out that way. I told Kate we’re together—she knows. Her opinion matters way more than Carson’s.”

  “It felt like you were trying to spare his feelings, or something, and I guess I didn’t realize he was our age—or that he had a thing for you.”

  “Rhett, please. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. I promise.”

  “Kin, I saw the way he looked at you. I’d know that look anywhere because I’ve felt it, too.”

  “How did he look at me?”

  Without skipping a single beat, he says, “Like he wants you to be his.”

  There’s nothing I can possibly say to that. If I deny it, I’m blowing off his feelings. And if I tell him he’s right, he’ll never stop worrying about Carson. I wish he understood I don’t want Carson, even if there’s a chance he does want me. “You make me nervous when you get quiet.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Is it about Carson? Because I promise you’re the only guy I want.”

  “No, it’s not about him. I believe you when you tell me you don’t like him. I think it’s just harder because you live with a guy who’s not your brother. If he did want to date you, the possibility is always there for it to happen.”

  “It won’t. I wouldn’t lie to you, Rhett.”

  “I know you wouldn’t. It’s different this time.”

  “How so?”

  “I’ve never worried about losing someone before, especially when I just got her. It’s usually them trying to hold on to me—and that makes me sound like the
biggest dick ever. But it’s always been true. I’m not used to being the jealous one.”

  I thought I was the only one experiencing a relationship for the first time, but as it turns out, this isn’t how it typically works for him either. I didn’t even know Rhett knew the meaning of the word jealous.

  “Please don’t let the idea of Carson mess us up.”

  “I’ll try. Can I ask you one more thing before we put this whole conversation behind us?”

  “Sure.”

  Rhett reaches out and grabs my hand. It’s how I know we’re in a better place and that he’s accepting Carson for the time being.

  “Why did you run away last night? You’re gonna give me a complex if you take off every time I kiss you.”

  Again, I’m blindsided. I was hoping he forgot about last night. It’s been awhile since I had a panic attack, but as this morning goes on, I’m inching closer and closer. Between Rhett’s unexpected breakfast date, the run in with Carson, and trying to explain myself in a way he’ll understand, I’m overwhelmed again. This wouldn’t be so hard for any other girl—any other girl with experience and a normal family. “I’m sorry I ran away. It was nothing you did wrong.”

  “But you’re not going to tell me why, are you?”

  I shake my head. “You’d laugh if I told you. It’s my insecurities. That’s all.”

  “I won’t laugh, Kinsley. I promise.”

  I lean my head against the back of my seat, and while this is all new to me I know it won’t get any easier until we get on the same page. Right now, Rhett thinks I’m like everyone else—and I like that. But we’re doing the honesty thing this morning, which means I have to fess up, too.

  There will never be an easy way to lead into this conversation, but as we pull into the parking lot at school, I need more time. I don’t want to rush through it. “I’ll tell you everything, but can we do it after school instead?”

  “Sure, I’m still taking you home. You’re coming to my game, right?”

  “Yeah, I usually go to all the games with Becca if I’m not working.”

  “It’ll be cool having you in the stands,” he says, with a proud smile on his face. “What about the party after the game at Jake’s farm?”

  “I’ve never been to a football party before.”

  “Then this is the perfect opportunity to have some fun.”

  If that wasn’t enough, he reaches behind his seat, and pulls out one of his game jerseys. “Will you wear this today?”

  I was sure someone else was already wearing it, which is why I stare at the fabric in his hands, dumbfounded that it’s mine for the taking. He wants me to wear his number all day long—for the entire school to see. Showing up in his truck is a statement, but this, this is a declaration.

  He takes my hesitation as not wanting to, stumbling over his words as he says, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I’d like my girlfriend to wear it.”

  “I wasn’t expecting you to ask me. In fact, I was pretty sure someone else already had it. I thought I was going to have to watch Mandi walking around with your number on her back all day.”

  He shakes his head. “That’s not how this works. You’re my girl, so it’s automatically yours.”

  “Then I’d be honored to wear it.”

  He hands it to me with a smile on his face, and I slide it over my head. As he helps me pull my arms through the holes, I realize how much I like having something of his wrapped around me. It even smells like his cologne.

  There’s no chance I’m blending in today. Today, the whole school will see I’m taken.

  “WHAT ARE YOU wearing?”

  I shove the last book I’ll need for the morning into my bag, and close my locker. Mandi’s standing next to me, looking as disgusted as ever. She was blessed with resting bitch face, making her even more intimidating than she already is. “What does it look like?”

  I turn away from her, not caring what she has to say. It’s never nice anyway. She doesn’t let me get far before she’s by my side again, spewing more shit.

  “That jersey was supposed to be mine this week. How’d you get it?”

  “For someone who knows it all, you missed the memo. Rhett gave it to me this morning—in his car.”

  “Why were you in his car?”

  “Because he brought me to school.”

  She laughs at me like I’m delusional. I try to walk around her, but she pulls on my arm, spinning me around. Poking me in the chest, she says, “Don’t get too comfortable, Kinsley. I’ll get it back next week, so don’t suddenly think you’re special. Rhett still loves me.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” I mumble.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said, Rhett is my boyfriend.”

  This time, she jumps back like I set her on fire. “You have lost your mind, little girl.”

  “Don’t you ever get tired, Mandi? Move on, let it go. Rhett has.” This time, I don’t give her a chance to respond. Instead, I leave her with her jaw hanging open, and hurry to my first period class before the bell rings. Today was the first time I ever stood up to her—and it feels amazing.

  In fact, I’m still riding my high when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, hoping it’s Becca letting me know where she is. Of all the days for her to be late.

  Of course, I’m not that lucky. Somehow, word has even reached my brother.

  Wyatt: Rhett Taylor, really?

  Kinsley: What?

  Wyatt: Rhett took you to school today? What’s his deal?

  Kinsley: No deal. My car is in the shop.

  Wyatt: Is Becca’s car in the shop, too?

  Kinsley: No, smartass.

  Wyatt: That’s what I thought. I don’t like it, Kin. You need to end whatever you started.

  Kinsley: I’m not happy with you, either. I can’t believe you told every guy in this school to stay away from me, Wyatt. I’m so embarrassed. I’m not giving up Rhett.

  As I walk into my photography class, twenty pairs of eyes are on me, inspecting me from head to toe. I can thank Mandi and Wyatt for making me late.

  “Phone away, Kinsley,” Mr. Jasper says, when the bell rings.

  I shove my phone in my pocket, effectively shutting my brother up. For the time being, anyway. Carson promised me he wouldn’t tell, which only leaves two people—Kate or Mandi.

  I’m deep in thought about it when Rhett tugs on my jersey as I sit down. “I like this on you.”

  “I’m glad someone does.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  Rhett picks up his bag and hops over his stool to sit in the empty one next to me. “Who was it?”

  The last thing I want to do is complain. I’m happy—I really am. Even if Mandi made me feel it was only a matter of time before Rhett came to his senses and ran back to her. “It’s nothing, really. I’m okay.”

  “I see it in your eyes, something’s wrong. Tell me what it is.”

  “It was Mandi. She told me you’re still in love with her.”

  Rhett squeezes the pencil in his hand so hard, it snaps in half. “I was never in love with Mandi.”

  I believe him because the way he acts around her, definitely isn’t anything that can be confused with love. “Do you still have any feelings for her?”

  He shakes his head while playing with the pieces of his broken pencil. “None. I’ll tell her to back off.”

  “That will only make it worse.”

  “She’ll get used to it,” he says, confidently.

  I can’t help but think it’s only wishful thinking. She’s not the kind of girl to give up easily. Before I can say anything else, Mr. Jasper begins class.

  “Rhett, you’re up first. Let’s see what inspires you,” Mr. Jasper announces to the room.

  He winks at me before he pushes his stool under the table, walking confidently to the front of the room. He doesn’t stand nervously like I would. Instead, he hops on top of the
work table with his perfectly framed picture in his hand. I haven’t seen the final version yet.

  “My choice was Kinsley West,” he starts. “At first when we were asked to take a picture of something inspiring, I thought of the football field with my helmet sitting on the fifty yard line, but I’m sure that’s been done. It would have been a great shot, but the more I thought about it, I wanted something only I had—something special to me. And that would be Kinsley.”

  There’s a collective round of sighs from the girls in the class, wishing it was them he was talking about. Some of them turn around to stare at me, no doubt wondering what it is he finds so appealing. Others actually look like they want to be me—and that’s never happened before either. I have no choice but to duck my head and stare at the doodles I have scribbled on the front of my folder. Anything to make myself less visible.

  “I followed Kinsley while she took her picture for her own presentation. She didn’t know I was near her, and without her permission, I took this shot.”

  “It’s a beautiful picture, Rhett. Can you tell us about one of the properties you focused on? Either lighting, composition, or scale.”

  Rhett nods his head. “Honestly, I got lucky. Kinsley was standing in the perfect spot. The lighting is just the sun shining through the window behind her. It’s drawn to her the same way I am.” He pauses for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. “I can’t really explain it, but it makes perfect sense to me. She’s my sunny-girl—she makes me happy.”

  Mr. Jasper nods his head. “I think we’re all following. I just have one more question.” He turns to face the entire class before continuing. “I’ll be asking each one of you why you picked your source of inspiration, so start thinking of your answers.” And then he faces Rhett again, and I know what’s coming. It’s a question I’m both scared and excited to hear the answer to. “Rhett, why did you choose Kinsley as your inspiration?”

  “Look at her,” he says. The sweet timbre of his voice forces me to raise my eyes to find his. As soon as our gazes meet, he says, “She’s everything.”

  Mr. Jasper clears his throat, not so subtly ending our moment. “Is there anything else you’d like to add before you take your seat?”