I pulled my knees to my chest. "I'm so confused I don't know what to think."
"There isn't anything to think about." Chuck steepled his fingers under his chin. "Can you handle one last shock?"
"Probably not, but tell me anyway."
"I told you each candidate has a specific purpose assigned and their numbers helped decide their assignment. Well, you are one of the few chosen exclusively for reproduction."
"Reproduction! I'm commissioned to be a breeder?" I leapt to my feet and pressed against the wall, away from the screen showing more about me than I knew. "I know kids are expected at some point, but to make that my sole assignment? It's not fair." The world bubbled under water filling my eyes. My voice quieted, the words feeling small against the vast room.
"I want out."
The chair whirled without Chuck's body holding it still. He clamped my shoulders. "You can't mean that, Marli. Too much is at stake. And what about Jordan? He'll be assigned someone else if you leave. He won't sever his ties with The Program." Chuck backed away. "But you already know that, don't you?" His accusation stung.
"Maybe."
His voice turned concrete hard. "There's no 'maybe.' Jordan will stay. Now do you want move ahead, or should I start the process for withdrawal."
Robotically, I returned to my chair. "For the record, I want to be something besides a baby machine."
"Duly noted." A dim smile returned on his lips.
"Does Jordan know this too? It would explain his sudden 'ice man' routine when things heat up between us. Reproduction? Crap!"
"All right, maybe the term is too clinical." Chuck gave a guilty sigh, "Yes, I suspect Jordan knows, especially given his cloning research."
"Why? I don't understand."
"Your gene code and high markers if paired with Jordan's or possibly Doug's," he held his finger up to silence me, "not Jesse's, has the potential to create a child with a perfect '5.0' genetic code—something that's never happened, but everyone is hoping you'll change."
"Who's everyone? Jordan? At least he gets to keep living his life. I'll spend life as a test rat."
"Marli, you know that's not true."
"Do I? I find it hard to believe Jordan and I are the only ones with high scores."
Chuck leaned back in his chair, his silhouette black against the screen. "The nation is divided into East and West sectors under The Program. You and Jordan are the only ones in this sector, and as far as I know, fractionally higher than any other matches. Marli, you have no idea how valuable you are, but if things stay on track, you will."
The room spun for a fracture of a moment. On track—for what? Did I really want to know? At least I knew I'd get to have sex. Chuck laughed when I said it, but went ballistic when I pushed the joke further.
"Maybe I should rethink the 'Jesse option' this weekend and end this craziness. Life on the outside may be better."
"WHAT?" The alarm in Chuck's tone resounded off all four walls. "I thought we decided Jesse Mason was not an option."
"Before you go 'psycho' on me, I already decided to tell him I can't see him anymore. But I'm going to his band concert."
"Rick agreed to this? What does Jordan think?"
"Dad's allowing it because it's my birthday. Jordan? He's not thrilled, but he understands. It's Doug's proposal I'm worried about."
Chuck pinched his nose and groaned. "I know I'm going to regret this, but what proposal has Mr. Peterson presented?"
I gave him the rundown on Doug's invitation to go to Italy for two weeks, followed by a threat to take me against my will by formally making the request through The Program. Pulling my knees to my chest to form my usual body shield, I added that Jordan had asked me to come to their family beach house for the summer, even clearing it through Rick. When I told Chuck I hadn't given either of them an answer, he wanted to know why not.
"Because I'm afraid I might give them the impression that I want more from them. Chuck, I'm not even eighteen. I'm not ready to be somebody's life partner, let alone have a kid."
"You may only be seventeen, Marli, but you're wiser than most your age. I agree, though, far too young for the whole family package."
Chuck closed down the viewing screen and expanded the desk monitor, touching colorful circles and opening screen over screen. He shook his head, his lips tightening in a worrisome knot. My stomach dipped and I swiped a shaky hand over my forehead.
"Unfortunately, under the terms of the ninety-day hold, you don't have a choice. You're required to give Douglas Peterson equal time with you."
"No!" I cried. "I don't want to go! Jordan will flip out. What if I lose him over this?"
Chuck held my trembling hands, allowing me a minute to regain composure. "Marli, you're not going to lose Jordan."
"Why, because we're assigned to each other?"
"No, because you care for each other. Trust me, if your heart is set on Jordan, there isn't anything Douglas Peterson can do to sway you, here or in Italy."
He walked me toward the door, gave my shoulders a reassuring squeeze and reassured me everything would work out. Easy for him to say. Chuck offered to have Rick call if he had reservations regarding my trip to Italy. I stopped moving and Chuck leaned around my shoulder.
"Something tells me he knows nothing about Italy?"
"Or the ninety-day hold, but he will soon enough." I held up my cell receptor showing an anxious Rick calling.
18
NO CHOICE
Nothing short of a tranquilizer dart could calm Rick by the time I finished explaining the "ninety-day hold" and my unexpected trip to Italy. Luckily, he remained trapped in California, but he responded exactly as I suspected, which frightened me. Jordan's reaction would be equally, if not more so, intense.
Mentally, I'd played out worst-case scenarios all day, my muscles twitched to the point of pain, nerves raw and senses on overload. When my cell rang at precisely ten o’clock, I feared my heart exploded. We set the time, knowing our day would finally be over and we could concentrate on each other before going to sleep. I took a measured breath before answering, my chest still pounding with fear.
"Hi."
"What's wrong?"
All my self-confidence slithered away. "Why?"
"Because you're munching your thumbnail, which means your bottom lip is already raw."
Damn! I forgot to turn the video feed off before answering.
"So what's going on? You look worried, which scares me."
"What? Do you have a 'mega screen' receptor?"
"At the moment I'm linked to my viewing screen, so basically, yes. You're transmitting on sixty inches of digital quality, wearing my favorite blue plaid boxers."
"I'll make sure these boxers are in my suitcase so I can wear them on the island." I decided to start with good news in hopes of diverting any natural disasters when I released one, of many bombs.
"You're coming? Awesome! I shut the video feed off and Jordan freaked. "What happened to your transmission?"
"Relax, I'm still here. Promise to hold onto your good mood? Think of me on the beach alone with you in a skimpy bikini as I tell you I have to take a trip before I can come to the island, and...I have to leave my cell receptor behind."
I swear he sucked air through my cell.
"Oh? Where, and do I want to know with whom?" His sixth sense proved my greatest enemy.
"Are you picturing me in an itty-bitty bikini?" Maybe I should have chosen naked.
"Damn. I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"Pretty sure you're not. I'm going to Italy with Doug Peterson."
Silence—the deafening kind after a blinding bolt of lightning leaves the air white hot, milliseconds before the shattering crack of thunder. I heard his labored breathing building.
"I-t-a-l-y? With. Douglas. Peterson," each word pronounced with the precision sharpness of a straight edged razor. "You and Peterson alone in Italy?" The last calm phrase spoken. Rick's reaction paled miserably.
"No wa
y! I won't allow it!"
"Excuse me? What do you mean 'you won't allow it?' You don't own me."
"I do..." he stopped short. A smart move. His breaths deepened and the volume turned considerably lower.
"I'll go insane thinking about you there with him. How did this happen?"
"Apparently, I don't have a choice. Because of this stupid ninety-day hold, I'm required to give Doug equal time. I have to go." Tears trickled over my cheeks. "Don't be mad at me. I'm only following the rules."
Jordan's voice quieted. "Don't cry. I'm sorry. This isn't your fault, it's mine. If I'd left things alone, you wouldn't be in this mess."
"But if you hadn't, I could be planning something more permanent with Doug than a two week trip to Italy."
"Two weeks? Shit!"
The breaking point.
"Stop!" I shouted. "I can't take being micro-managed by everyone. The constant monitoring is draining and I'm too young for what's expected of me. I want something more from life than to breed perfect little babies!
"Babies? Where the hell is this coming from?"
There went my unfiltered "brainwave to mouth." I couldn't let Jordan know what Chuck told me. Getting him in trouble and me transferred to another counselor wasn't an option.
I answered flatly, trying to cover-up my emotional breakdown. "It's nothing."
"Babies aren't exactly nothing. Don't tell me Peterson is pressuring you about sex."
"No more than anyone else."
"That's not fair. I've never pressured you."
"I know. Sorry." I took a big breath, about to open a door I'd hoped would remain closed and locked. "Jordan, do you want kids?"
"Someday, sure. Marli, if we're having this discussion, turn on your video feed. I need to see you."
"Warning, you're entering a disaster zone."
"I told before, I like disasters, especially cute ones...please?"
I pressed the button. A blood-curdling scream, followed by wicked laughter vibrated over the tiny speaker.
"Oh, you're so not funny Mason and in serious trouble!"
"I live to be in trouble with you." His brow furrowed and he pressed his finger to the screen. "I wish I was holding you."
I did the same as if could magically feel the touch of his skin. "Me too. I hate this long distance stuff."
"You're killing me, Marli. I haven't been whole since the day you landed in front of my car. Now tell me, what's up with the 'baby' talk?"
"I talked to Chuck today. He pulled out The Program's crystal ball and told me my future."
Jordan stayed silent for what constituted an eternity. His expression changed with his thoughts, frightening me. He knew what Chuck revealed.
"What do you want for the future, Marli?"
"A normal life where I have you, and I can be a veterinarian. I want to raise puppies…for a while anyway."
"Any particular breed? I mean if we're having a canine family, I should get a say."
"Labradors."
"What? No Great Danes? How about a fluffy Newfoundland? I thought you loved a challenge?"
"That's you, not me. Besides, making you happy is the only challenge I want."
"You make me happy, babe." Our fingers reached out again. "A normal life and puppies before babies. I think we can manage that. You do realize, though, when you become a veterinarian there'll be two 'Dr. Masons' in our household. Someone requiring emergency brain surgery could get us confused."
"I think where we place a thermometer will keep us separated."
We laughed hard and I forgot about the bleak future Chuck painted. As long as Jordan shared it with me, I knew he'd keep me safe from The Program's tentacles.
A major case of the hiccups replaced my giggles.
Jordan quieted again. "I'm still don't like the idea of you alone with Peterson in Italy. Tell me again why you can't take your receptor?"
"In all f-airness to Doug, you can't have c-ontact with me until I return. Sorry. Another idiotic r-ule."
"Marli, close your eyes and concentrate on my voice."
I lay back on the pillows and did as instructed. "K-ay."
"One, breathe in and hold. Two, release it slow. Three inhale and hold. Four, release." He repeated the counting exercise in a low timbre until he reached ten.
Then he screamed.
"Damn you, Jordan!"
Blood pounded in my ears. Jordan folded over his desk, laughing so hard, tears rolled from the corner of his eyes.
"Don't you ever do that to me again!"
"Sorry, babe, really. But your hiccups are gone, aren't they?" I waited, trying to force one just to prove him wrong. "See. All better." I scrunched my nose and huffed. "Come on. Don't be mad. I heeealed you," he said in some contrived spooky accent and I couldn't stop the smile pulling my mouth.
Jordan's voice deepened. "I'm crazy about you, girl."
"I kind of like you too."
"Marli, when you get back, can you come straight to the island? In fact, pack a suitcase and I'll have a courier pick it up while you're gone."
"What about my luggage from Europe?"
"We have a storage locker at the hangar. I'll leave instructions with Mike. He'll be flying you to the island in the helicopter."
"Helicopter? I've never flown in one! What if—"
"You'll be fine. You are fine and I miss you so much it hurts."
"Jordan? You trust me, don't you? I haven't changed my mind about Jesse. I'll end things with him this weekend and after Italy, I'm through with Doug."
"Yes, I trust you. Enjoy Italy. It really is beautiful and you deserve a vacation. I'll have you the rest of the summer."
"Sure you can handle me for a whole summer?"
"I'm sure I can handle you just fine." My cheeks warmed instantly, putting a smile on Jordan's handsome face. "You look exhausted. I should let you go."
"Stay on the phone until I fall asleep? Please? It will feel like you're here. Dad's gone one more night and I'm kind of nervous."
"You'll hold me close to your heart?"
"I'll put you inside my shirt if you say 'yes,'" I teased.
"You don't play fair, and when it comes to peeking inside your shirt, Miss Davis, I want to be there in person."
No hint of regret mingled in his sinful chuckle. I placed my cell receptor in the docking station on my night table, so I could watch him. He flipped pages in a large book, entering notes on his digital pad.
"What are you working on?"
"An essay on my latest research is due by the end of the week." He glanced at me, his eyes following a path through cyber space from New York to Maple Heights, "You look soft and sleepy. I wish I lay beside you."
"I wish so, too." I yawned wide. "Hum to me, Jordan. Like the other night. I want your voice in my head when I fall asleep."
He smiled sheepishly. "Hum to you? What have I started?
"Pleeease…"
"Fine, but eyes closed. No more talking."
I watched him for a few minutes as he continued studying, while humming in his pitch perfect tenor voice. Every now and then a phrase to a chorus actually escaped his heart shaped lips.
I longed to taste those lips…to hold him and feel him holding me. Drifting into a lazy dream state where the mind reaches out to pick the last thoughts for your dreams and the last noises for a soundtrack, my eyes sealed shut.
I pictured myself in the middle of a meadow holding a daisy with one last petal. I plucked it. He loves me.
19
PARK CITY
We rolled between the rows of private planes to the hangar where a familiar Lear jet waited to depart. I hadn't seen Jesse since the day Rick kicked him out of the house, and butterflies tickled inside my stomach. I checked my breath against my palm.
Are you crazy? You're not kissing him.
My heart stopped for half a beat when I spied Jesse walking from a door at the far corner of the hangar. He had the same build as Jordan, with a gait that also held a confident, sexy sway.
I'm so going to kiss him.
Jesse paused midway, his eyes locking on mine as he tugged the lapels of his jacket. He smiled wide and held out his arms, "Marli!" We collided at a halfway point, locking lips.
"I've missed you." A slower, gentler kiss found my mouth. "Thanks for coming," he whispered.
"I feel guilty for missing you, too," I confessed.
"Let's hope you feel guilty for a lot more reasons after this weekend."
Another hangar awaited our arrival. As we claimed our baggage, the sound of a horn bounced off the corrugated metal walls. A custom painted motor coach with the band's name "No Regrets" spread the length of the hangar opening. Three guys bounded from various doors, one larger than the others.
"Who's the giant?" Alex asked.
Jesse motioned giant over. "Alex this is Hank, or as we call him, Moose."
Moose lifted Alex a good foot off the ground until her wide eyes leveled with his. "Nice to meet you Alex." He dropped her, gently, and Brittany and I doubled over in laughter.
"I hate you both," she snarled, stomping away.
Brittany took off after her, but Jesse curled his arm around my waist. "Brittany can handle Alex. We need to board."
Inside existed a mini luxury home on wheels. Jesse led me to a back bedroom, closing the door behind us. He climbed onto the bed, pulling me to his side.
"Jess, I don't think so."
"Relax, Mars. You're wound up tight enough to break in half. I'm not going to try anything, yet."
I wrapped both hands around a taut bicep. "I may not be able to fight you off. So tell me 'Mr. Muscle,' where did you get these arms? Rock stars aren't known for being buff."
A playful grin tugged the corners of Jesse's mouth. "Weights and running. I need to be prepared. Never know when I'm going to have to rescue a beautiful damsel in blue satin. Jesse eased me underneath him, stroking a finger down my throat and across my collarbone. "If memory serves me right, this position worked well for us."
He seared my lips with a long kiss. My toes twitched. How could I follow through with my plan? How could I not? I loved Jordan and with that love came with a price. Break Jesse's heart.
Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut Page 21