Deciding Love (Bloomfield #3)

by Janelle Stalder

  Now that we lived further from Bloomfield High, I made sure to always work my schedule around picking Cat up. Dad worked and Mom couldn’t drive, so it became my responsibility. One that I didn’t mind, because if there was one girl who I did actually love in this world, it was my baby sister. She was the one I needed to be strong for as our family slowly fell apart. I had to be there to protect her from all the world’s problems. Which meant, among other things, making sure she never wound up with a guy like me. I shuddered to even think of it.

  “Morning, Kyle,” Mom said as I entered the kitchen.

  She was reaching up in the cupboard to grab a mug, her hand shaking too badly for her to get a good grip. I hated seeing her this way. It ate up at something inside me that couldn’t decide whether it wanted to cry, or lash out and hit something.

  “I’ll get that, Ma,” I said, going to reach over her. “Go sit down and I’ll bring you a tea.”

  “Thanks, honey,” she said with a smile.

  I watched as she used her walker to make her way back into the living room. At just over forty, Mom now looked like she was nearing her sixties. Her face was still young, but her hunched, frail body made her appear older. She had lost so much weight over the past year, I was sometimes worried I’d break a bone if I hugged her too hard.

  It wasn’t right to see someone you love shrink the way she was. And yet, you wouldn’t know if it bothered her or not. Mom always had a smile on her face. Was always looking on the bright side of things. Cat got that from her too.

  Even Dad was pretty good at putting on a show for everyone. Me? I sucked at acting as though this shit didn’t get to me. I wanted our family back to the way things were. Was that too much to hope for?

  “Here you go,” I said, placing the steaming mug on the table beside her chair.

  “Don’t you have school today?” she asked, blowing on the tea before taking a sip.

  I’d decided to go to the community college only half an hour away so I could be around to help out here. It would have been cool to be able to go wherever I wanted, but I knew the beginning of senior year of high school that it wouldn’t be the case for me. Family came first. And I could get an education just the same around here as I could at one of the bigger universities.

  “It’s Monday, Ma. I don’t have class Mondays, remember?”

  “Oh, that’s right,” she said with a smile. “My days are always mixed up. That’s what happens when you don’t get out of the house much.”

  There was no bitterness in that statement, just simple fact. Anyone else would have sounded depressed, but not Mom.

  “I have to head out to the shop though, so I’ll be back later.”

  She nodded. “Okay, honey. Don’t forget to pick up your sister.”

  “I won’t.” I dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “You need me to get you anything before I go?”

  “I’ll be fine, Kyle. Go on.”

  Giving her another quick kiss, I headed out, pulling on my shades as I walked out into the late morning sun. My eyes briefly wandered over the small front yard, noticing the weeds popping up all over the place. I made a mental note to pull them the next time I had some time.

  The gate of the chain link fence surrounding our yard banged loudly as I walked through, heading to my car parked alongside the curb. This wasn’t the kind of neighborhood you wanted to keep your car parked in, but most of the guys around here knew I wasn’t one to mess with. I’d broken enough bones to make it clear my shit did not get touched.

  I nodded to a few of the older thugs sitting out on the porch two houses down before ducking inside the car. Breathing in the smell of leather, I let myself sink back against the seat, relaxing. My escape. Driving was the only time when I was on my own and had nothing to do other than drive. Everything whittled down to just one focus point, instead of a million. Outside the car my plate was overflowing. Inside, I was free - even if it was just for the moment.

  As I pulled away from the curb, I rolled down the windows and turned up the sound of Thrice on my stereo, letting the music sink into me.

  Rannon stood outside his uncle’s shop as I drove up.

  “What’s up?” I said as I got out.

  “Man, I feel like shit that’s been run over twenty times, and then stepped on,” he said, clasping hands with me in our usual shake.

  I chuckled. “That bad, huh?”

  He lifted his sunglasses to show eyes even more bloodshot than my own. I let out a low whistle.

  “My mom thinks I have a drinking problem,” he said, cringing.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll let her know you’re not that bad,” I said, slapping him on the back. We made our way inside, the smell of motor oil and metal hitting my nostrils.

  “What the hell did we drink? I can’t remember anything past us getting to Colt’s.”

  “Don’t ask me,” I answered. “My memory isn’t any better.”

  He grunted, sitting himself down on a stool beside the Ford I was working on.

  “You doing anything tonight?” he asked. “Going out with Jeeeenn?”

  “Why do you always say her name like that?” I said with a shake of my head. “And, no. We’re, apparently, over.”

  “Another one bites the dust.”

  “Fuck off,” I said as I leaned under the hood.

  “If you’re not doing anything then, we should go crash the senior bonfire tonight at the lake.”

  “I don’t know if you know this, but we’re not in high school anymore,” I pointed out.

  “So? We still have friends there, and you know how much those younger girls love us older guys.”

  I glanced up to see him wiggling his eyebrows at me.

  “Dude, those girls are the same age as my sister. No thanks. And if you even look in Cat’s direction I’ll kill you.”

  He lifted both hands innocently. “I wouldn’t even think about it. Cat is on the off-limits list, just like Chloe. Colt’s already given me the same spiel”

  I’d completely forgotten Colt’s mysterious new half-sister was going to Bloomfield High this year. I hadn’t met her yet, but I was glad Colt was on the same page as me. It meant more guys would listen to my warning knowing Colt was just the same when it came to his sister. I smiled to myself. Cat was going to hate me, but I couldn’t help but be pleased that I was dwindling her dating pool one guy at a time.

  3

  Chloe

  The tray slammed on the table making me jump. I looked around, shrinking under the stares of students who looked our way. Cat didn’t seem to care as she plopped down on the bench across from me, sliding the tray toward her. Her finger poked at something on the table, her nose scrunching up in distaste.

  “Doesn’t anyone ever wipe these things down?” she said loudly.

  If it were possible to become invisible, I would have right then. It was growing increasingly obvious that staying invisible in my new school was going to be impossible with Cat around.

  “So, how have the rest of your classes been?”

  I looked up, feeling bad for my previous thoughts. Sure, Cat could be a bit loud and in your face, but she was also the only person who had instantly reached out to me today, and seemed genuinely interested in us being friends. When she’d walked me to my other class, I’d noticed lots of people waving at her, so it wasn’t as if she didn’t have other friends she could be spending time with.

  I shrugged, poking at the macaroni on my plate. I was still trying to decide if it was edible or not before I took a bite. “They were fine,” I answered. “Typical first day stuff.”

  She nodded, watching me as I played with my food.

  “If you keep poking at it like that, it might just poke back. You never know with this cafeteria’s food.”

  I laughed, dropping the fork. The both of us leaned on our elbows, the cold food on our trays forgotten.

  “So, have you seen any guys you think are hot?” she asked.

  I laughed again, shaking my head. “
No. To be honest, I wasn’t really looking.”

  “You’re going to get hounded by them, I just know it. Those eyes of yours alone will be your downfall.”

  I blanched. “My downfall?”

  “For sure. How often do people have two different colored eyes? It’s so cool. I wish mine were like that.”

  I had no idea what to say to that. I’d grown up always being made fun of for my one hazel eye and one blue eye. This was the first time someone actually seemed to like them. Maybe the kids in my previous school were all just assholes.

  “Do you see differently out of them?”

  I had to bite back the smile threatening to break out, looking at Cat’s eyes, widened in genuine interest.

  “Uh, no,” I replied. “I see the same. They’re both just plain old eyes.”

  She frowned. “Bummer. Wait till Ky sees them, he’ll think they’re cool too.”

  “Who’s Ky?” I asked, looking around to see if someone else was supposed to be joining us.

  “He’s not here silly,” she answered with a giggle. “Kyle’s my brother. He picks me up at the end of the day, so naturally he’ll be driving you too.”

  “Oh, that’s okay -” I started to say, shaking my head. Cat cut me off, waving her hand.

  “Of course he is, don’t be stupid. I cover his ass enough with my parents that he owes me, for like, the rest of our lives. It’s no problem.” She grinned.

  “Okay...”

  “He’s the reason most people are nice to me around here,” she said. “Some of the girls still like to throw me their stink eye, but they never say much. Probably because most of them want to get into his pants, if they haven’t already,” she continued with a shudder.

  “Why would they be mean to you if it weren’t for your brother?”

  “Because they’re bitches,” she said simply, making me smile. “You know how girls can be. They won’t like you because you’re new, and pretty. But you’re Colt’s sister, which means the guys will instantly be nice to you, forcing the girls to also, at least to your face. For me, it mostly has to do with where I live. I used to get teased a lot, but then Ky started beating anyone who talked shit, and eventually got a reputation of his own, and most people started to back off.” She sighed. “And of course, the more trouble a guy is, the hotter he is to the estrogen infused population.” She rolled her eyes.

  I giggled, thinking of how girls reacted to Colt too, and all his bad-ass image. Shifting uncomfortably, I asked, “so, where is it that you live? If you don’t mind me asking. I’m not really familiar with Bloomfield.”

  “Ugh, I cringe at how cliché this is going to sound, but I live, literally, on the other side of the tracks.”

  My eyebrows instantly popped up as my mouth twitched from the look on her face.

  She laughed, looking at me. “I know, I know, how typical, right?”

  I laughed along with her. “So what’s wrong with the other side of the tracks?”

  She sat up straighter, her face turning all defensive. “Nothing’s wrong with it,” she said, shooting looks at other students, as if they’d been the ones criticizing it. No one was even looking our way.

  She focused back on me. “The houses are just a bit smaller, and maybe not as well kept as the ones over here. But whatever, they’re still nice. I love my home. My dad is the only one working since Mom got sick, so it’s all they can afford.”

  My shoulders slumped. “I’m so sorry. What’s wrong with her?”

  “She has MS,” Cat answered. “She’s doing better though. There are good days and bad days.”

  “That really sucks, Cat. I can’t imagine either of my parents being sick.”

  “You learn to deal with it,” she said, with a small shrug. “I think it’s why Ky started acting out so much. We used to live in a nicer, bigger house before she couldn’t work. The fact that people made fun of us for it when we had no other choice really pissed him off.”

  “Makes sense,” I murmured, thinking I’d be the same.

  “Anyway,” she said, waving both hands, “let’s not talk about depressing stuff. What we need to focus on is finding you a guy so we can snag you a date for homecoming.”

  “What? Why?” My voice squeaked, my cheeks heating. “What about you? I don’t want to focus just on me.” Was it hot all of a sudden?

  Cat broke out into a fit of giggles. “Girl, are you sweating?” she managed to get out between bursts.

  I wiped at my forehead. I definitely was.

  “Are you allergic to guys or something?”

  “No,” I scoffed. “I just don’t see why there needs to be a fuss.”

  “Uh, hello? Because you’re new. You don’t want to go to your first dance here alone. That would be über sad.”

  I liked being alone. What was wrong with that? And why did I even have to go to homecoming? I hated dances.

  “What about you?” I asked, turning the proverbial table. “Who are you going with?”

  She waved me off again. “No one. Unlike you, I’m not allergic to boys, but I still can’t date them.”

  “And why is that?”

  “None of the boys here have the balls to ask me and face the wrath of Kyle Briggs. My brother has effectively ruined all my chances at young love. Much to his enjoyment, I’m sure.”

  I scrunched my nose at her, wondering what I’d do if Colt tried to be as over protective as her brother.

  “That doesn’t really seem fair,” I said.

  She sighed. “You’re telling me. Welcome to my life.”

  The bell for fifth period rang out just then. People all around me hustled to throw out their uneaten food and head to class.

  “I’m living vicariously through you now, girl, so don’t disappoint me,” Cat said, looking much like her namesake with the wide, mischievous grin on her face. “Keep those eyes open and report back at the end of the day. I’ll meet you in the front by the stairs.”

  Before I could agree, or not, she was gone. I sat there for a moment wondering if I should shove some quick mouthfuls in before leaving, just to tie me over for the rest of the day.

  Bringing a forkful up to my nose, I took one whiff before letting it fall back on the plate. I’d survive, I decided.

  My drama teacher, Mr.Cliffe, was officially the strangest person I’d ever met. At first, when I walked in to class and saw him, I had assumed he was in costume. He wore bright orange pants that reminded me a lot of MC Hammer days, the way they billowed in the middle, tightening at the bottom. His shirt was a Hawaiian print of bright blues and purple - definitely not something I would have paired with orange pants.

  His hair was a disaster all of its own. If his hands had been placed on one of those static electricity balls that made your hair stick up all over the place, then it would have made sense. How it managed to obtain the same effect naturally was beyond me - or science, for that matter.

  I must have been standing there with a confused look. I kept thinking, who he is supposed to be portraying? Eventually, another student had felt the need to set me straight.

  “He always dresses that way,” a girl said.

  I turned to look at her, my eyes roaming over the thick black around her eyes and lips. Goth. It worked for her.

  “The teacher?” I asked, just to make sure we were talking about the same person.

  She nodded her head. “He’s a tad eccentric,” she murmured as he walked closer to us before continuing on.

  “There’s an understatement,” I said softly, watching him with a renewed sense of confusion.

  Who left their house that way? Did he have no one around to tell him normal, sane people didn’t dress like that?

  Attire aside, the class was awesome. I’m not one for drama, but it’s an easy course and guaranteed credit. By the time it was done, my face had actually hurt from smiling so much. Mr. Cliffe was surprisingly funny and had made the period fly by.

  Last period was geography. My worst subject, by far. Not that I c
ouldn’t read a map if I really wanted to, but if you asked me to step outside and point north, I’d be lost.

  The room was set up a lot like a science one would be, with larger desks shared by two people. I’d just sat down at a middle one when the chair beside me screeched back to signal the arrival of my desk-mate.

  Normally I wouldn’t have looked up, but I could feel the person’s eyes on me. With a hesitant smile, I glanced at them, at the very least acknowledging their presence.

  “Hey, you’re Chloe Morgan right?” the guy said, causing me to keep my eyes on him instead of my lap.

  He was cute, in that classic boy-next-door sort of way. He wore one of the football team’s varsity jackets, and I’d put money on him being the quarterback. Dirty blonde hair was swept casually to the side. Eyebrows that were slightly darker were set over blue eyes. He practically reeked of the all American dream.

  His smile was easy and welcoming though, not the sleazy kind you’d expect from someone as good looking as he. One side tipped up more than the other, making it sort of crooked. An imperfection. Probably his one and only, I thought.

  I found myself smiling back at him, nodding my head.

  “You’re Colt’s sister?”

  Did they pass out my biography when I wasn’t aware?

  “Uh, yeah, I am,” I replied, tucking my hair behind my ear. I looked back down at my blank notepad. First day of class meant I couldn’t just pretend to do my work…there wasn’t any. Damn it.

  “I’m Jax,” he said.

  I looked back over at him. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

  “Not at all.” I didn’t really. He was easy to look at and he smelled good. It could have been worse. That was, until I noticed one of the girls from the morning saunter in, her bitch-laserpoint-glare instantly beaming in my direction when she saw Jax sitting with me.

  “Cool,” I heard him saying, completely unaware I was being figuratively incinerated right then. “Mrs. Donaldson always does a lot of pairs projects, so we’ll get to work together.”