I noticed, however, that Hayden was staying peculiarly close to camp today. He didn’t disappear suddenly or go off riding on his own. He was always somewhere I could find him if I looked, though I tried not to. If he felt I was looking at him, too, God knows what he’d start thinking.
“Come and get it!” Carl called that night at dinner, ringing a silver bell that made his wife laugh. He’d made home-made Florentine quiche.
The girls and I had settled into a tiny circle away from the main group, but not too far from the fire. I was cracking open a water bottle to go with dinner when—
“O—M—G!” Cheyenne cried, then whispered, “Did you see that?”
I looked up. “Did I see what?”
“Oh my gosh. He totally just looked at you!” Kinzie was hawk-eyeing something over the top of my head.
I rolled my eyes, but glanced curiously across the way.
Hayden was sitting next to Joe, rotating a soda can in his hands. “Stop it. All of you,” I demanded, but it was a lazy order. I’d given up on discouraging them from talking about the boy, and it seemed like the harder I tried the more they did it.
They all snickered. “I think he wants your attention back,” Sami teased, mouth half full. “No, really. That’s the second time I caught him looking over here now.”
“Yeah, well…” I had to think of a comeback. “He’s probably thinking what a psycho I am.”
“Oh, puh-leez,” Cheyenne laughed, spitting quiche. “You’re so not psycho. Besides. I can see you dating him.”
I nearly choked on my water. “Cheyenne,” I sputtered.
“What? I’m just saying!” She shrugged innocently, hands out in front of her. “You haven’t dated anyone since Scott! And Scott was a freak. Plus, once you guys were dating you didn’t seem all that into each other anymore.” She looked back at the boys. Hayden was sipping his soda. “But him… I don’t know. I can see you in the parking lot, sucking the face off of that one.”
I didn’t know if it was just perfect timing or what, but Hayden choked on his drink just then. He coughed into his sleeve a minute, then once he gained control got up and disappeared around the corner.
“I wonder what that was about.” Cassie had seen his little episode, too.
I frowned, getting this yucky, sinking feeling. It was almost like—… No. He couldn’t have heard that. I’d have to kill Cheyenne for sure if he did.
But… why the sudden rush out of camp?
Lying in bed that night, I listened to my friends fall asleep one by one, knowing I was still awake. Besides their snores, it was unusually quiet outside. No owls hooting or crickets chirping. It took a long time before I even felt halfway sleepy. As the minutes ticked away and the girls’ snores increased, I was sure the clock had made its way past two in the morning.
I was starting to think I might actually snooze when a snap echoed outside.
My eyes shot open. I looked around the tent, illuminated by the moonlight. My ears were peeled, but everything was silent. A minute passed, and I figured I was just overacting. It was probably a squirrel or a grey digger. They were always out and about when the human population quieted down. You’re just being silly, Rose.
And then I saw it. A dark, silent shadow loomed up the front of the tent.
My heart caught in my throat. Wtf? Footsteps padded the ground as the shadow edged closer, then from side to side, like a cobra. I was roped with panic. Who the heck would be creeping outside our tent this late at night? Race and Preston? No they’d be snickering. They could never pull off a silent prank, and Greg wasn’t childish enough to play tricks.
I only had one suspect, and even then I’d just started to think he wasn’t so psycho… was he?
The shadow made a frantic movement and spun sideways, going still.
I instinctively reached towards Sami’s big metal flashlight—just incase this intruder decided he was going to take his chance and attempt coming inside.
Suddenly the shadow was wiped off the tent, and there was the sound of feet bolting for the forest. Another shadow blew across the tent, dashing in the same direction as the other.
I exhaled. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been holding my breath, but by the fact that I was practically gasping for air, it’d been a while. Dropping Sami’s flashlight near my bed—just incase the shadows returned for round two—I gingerly rolled onto my back. I stayed on alert for another hour after that, just to keep watch, but they never returned.
My eyelids started to droop. I was forced to resign guard duty. *
Dad rattled our tent early. He made us all get up and help pack up the camp. The girls were all tired today and, frankly, we looked like crap. The fact that none of us had used makeup or taken a shower in the last seventy-two hours was starting to show.
Hayden had disappeared off my radar for the millionth time, and I thought back to last night with a shiver. Had he been one of the shadows outside our tent? Even if so, I didn’t feel much better. There had been two, which meant he could only be one of them. That left one other unknown intruder, and I didn’t have time to question anyone in camp. We were all running behind schedule.
Hayden appeared last minute just as I was getting in the truck. His face was all hard lines and tight eyes this morning. His old attitude seemed to have returned, bringing my nerves with it. He didn’t say anything to me as he hopped into the cab, and I couldn’t find the courage to talk to him. I was still getting the invisible treatment as we left the park. On Friday, that was all I’d wanted was for him to ignore me. But now…
For some reason, it bugged me.
It was a tense, long ride home. At the outskirts of Los Angeles, the group parted. I said goodbye to the girls over walky-talky, promising I’d actually stay in contact this year. When we reached the house, I saw Joe’s dysfunctional vehicle still parked on the side of the driveway, creating lengthy shadows across the yard.
“Great,” Joe mumbled as we pulled in. “Well, I’ll see what I can do about it now. If nothing, then it’ll be like Hayden said: I’ll have to take it in.”
“Ah, don’t worry about it tonight, Joe,” dad replied. He put the truck in park before adding, “Let me unhook the trailer and just take my truck. It’s not a big deal.”
I cocked up in my seat, my spine cracking. It was the first time I’d moved in hours. “Dad what are you going to drive to work? Your Sentra is at the shop in the garage.”
Dad grinned. “Hey, I’m capable of driving a Mitsubishi!”
“So what am I going to drive?” I snapped. “You aren’t seriously—”
“Oh come on, Rosie! You used to always enjoy driving together in the mornings, it’ll be just like old times! I’ll even grab my Taylor Swift CD.” Dad chuckled.
My nails dug into my face, cheeks flaming. I restrained from snarling like a displeased animal.
Dad’s little reminder had gained Hayden’s attention. I caught him looking at me from the corner of my eye, but that was the last contact we had before he and Joe left in the truck.
Dad made us eat whatever was available in the house for dinner once he’d sent them off. I think I spoke for both of us when I said we missed Carl’s cooking already. Settling with a cup of applesauce and a slice of toast, I was preparing for bed when my phone rang for the first time all weekend.
“Aw, crap.” I hobbled over to my purse. “Hello?”
“Hey, motocrossed Barbie! Are you home?” Chanel’s voice chimed in my ear. It seemed like forever since I’d talked to her, though it had been just a few days.
“Yes. Hi, Nelly.”
“Oh. My. Gosh! I have so much to tell you!” She squealed worse than a piglet.
I crawled into bed, sleepy, exhausted. I was barely back a couple hours and everything was returning to normal with her delivering new gossip. I didn’t really feel like it, but I said, “I’m listening.”
She giggled and went on to tell me about her and Ashley’s trip to Macy’s downtown, something about Ashley needin
g a dress for James’ concert. Yada, yada. I, yeahed and uh-huhed every couple minutes to show I hadn’t passed out yet.
“And then there he was! Trent was standing around the corner. All alone. I couldn’t believe it! It had to be fate so, you know, I had to talk to him. So I go over there and guess what he brings up?”
“What did he bring up?” I tried to sound interested, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
“Halloween!” She screeched. “Oh my goodness! Rosie, he wants me to meet him at the Viper and Vixen for their annual Halloween Party!”
“He asked you… to the Viper and Vixen?” My stomach had twisted by the time she said, Halloween. I didn’t have to fake my interest now—or my dislike. “Nelly, how are you planning on getting in there?”
“Well, don’t tell anyone, especially my parents, but Trent’s uncle works at the bar there. He said he’ll get us in for free!” She was thrilled.
I was not. And I rolled my eyes while saying, “So I take it you’ve said yes?”
She became hesitant. “That’s why I called you. I’m not sure I—well it would mean the world to me if—… Oye. Ok, can you do me a tremendous favor—”
“I am not, let me repeat that, NOT going with you to the Viper and Vixen, Chanel Ballantine. Especially on Halloween.” I laid it out thick and firm with no loop holes for her to work through.
She whined loudly. “Oh please, Rosie, please? Won’t you do this one itty bitty thing for me? I love you so much!”
“Cha… I love you too, but heck no.” I leaned against my bed frame. Trent’s party was enough of a disaster, and it had wounded both of our reps. The Viper and Vixen? I smelled permanent damage.
“Aw, Rose!” More whimpering. “I’ll drive us! I’ll buy you any costume you want!”
“Nope. Not tempting enough.” Not even close. I was preparing to act like mom was calling on the other line so I could hang up and go to bed.
Then suddenly she said, “Paul will go with us.”
Silence. My heart tugged. It was like someone waving a cup of vodka in front of an alcoholic, a candy bar in front of a recovering food-addict. She’d just pinpointed a weak spot. “You…” I hesitated, Paul’s beautiful face taking over my brain. “You think so?”
“Oh, yeah!” She was quick to see this had fazed me. “He so likes you. I bet it’d be pie getting him to come with us on Halloween. Then if Trent and I hung out, you and Paul could have a little alone time to get to know each other!”
I tapped my good foot on the floor. Crap. I couldn’t believe how cunning she was becoming. This was sheer cruelty, tempting me with something like sweet, funny, gorgeous, Paul McKnight. I hadn’t thought of him all weekend, too preoccupied with Hayden’s existence. How dare she! But what if I didn’t get another chance with him? This was senior year. I might never see him again. And not just that, if I didn’t go, Chanel might go alone. Alone. With Trent and his jocks and their backstabbing cheerleader girlfriends. Heaven only knew what kind of hurricane could blow in.
“Alright, missy,” I said in a low, dangerous tone. “Here’s the deal. I’ll go, but! There are three conditions—outside the fact you can never ask me to do this kind of thing for you again. I’m seriously done after this.”
“Name your conditions,” she blurted, excited. “They’re yours.”
“Ok.” I took a deep breath, not sure I should be committing to this. “One, you’re driving and buying my costume.”
“Deal. I’ll pay for the gas and any outfit you want. Any price.”
“Two, Paul has to commit to going. If he doesn’t go, I don’t go. End of story.” “Done. And your last condition?”
I sighed. “You can’t tell anyone, at least no one on planet Earth, that we’re doing this. If my parents found out, do you know how much—”
“Yes! I’m completely aware of how much crap you’d be in!” She interrupted in a whisper. “I’d be in three times that amount if my parents find out! Now. Costume shopping. When do you want to go? Halloween is this Friday. We’ll want to go no later than Thursday. Big shops are already selling out of the best costumes.”
“Wednesday,” I decided. I needed some serious sleep and time to complete homework tomorrow. And hopefully by Wednesday I’d stop thinking, you are such a sucker, Rose. Haven’t you gotten yourself into enough trouble lately?
11) Surprise
I
wasn’t looking forward to third period. I knew Chanel was going to be a chatterbox, a ball of ecstatic energy. My legs were sore from squeezing my quad, so Mr. Varner let me sit out on warm ups. While I was sitting on the gym sidelines watching Chanel run laps, my shorts pocket buzzed. Varner turned his back, and I whipped out my cell phone.
It was a text from—eep!—Paul. Hey! So Chanel cornered me this morning. Is it true we’re going to the V and V Friday?
We. Oh my God, he’d said we. But as much as I liked the sound of that, I frowned while texting him a yes. It sounded like he was going, no questions asked. He’s doing this for you, Rose. Which meant I was turning my beautiful good boy into a sneaky, rule-breaking clubbie. I disgusted myself. Plus, his consent meant I was now tied into this. Really truly. Why was I so weak when it came to my friends? Why couldn’t I just tell Nelly no?
When German ended, I joined the crowd and filtered out to the parking lot, phone in hand. My finger hovered over the keypad, prepared to speed dial should dad not appear. I never forgot the time when I was eight and he was supposed to pick me up because mom was working late. He spaced it and I was stuck sitting outside the elementary school, panicked and staring at an empty parking lot for two hours until mom showed up. She was angry as a trampled hornet.
I stood on the curb outside school, scanning cars. “Oh, phew,” I sighed, spotting my little Mitsubishi out passed the bus lane. He hadn’t forgotten.
Opening the backdoor, I threw my stuff in without glancing at the front seats. I was just ducking into the passenger side, about to sit when—
“AHHH!” I stumbled backwards, splatting on the sidewalk.
Hayden raised an eyebrow, sitting behind the wheel. His stringy dreadlocks were coming out of a new hat today, this one the color of a stormy sky. He modeled a T-shirt with a faded Element emblem on the chest, looking prepared for a mall date rather than a day at the shop.
“You know,” he started, watching me. “I was tempted to say surprise, but I see it wasn’t necessary.”
“What the—why are—did I get in the wrong car?” I looked around wildly, expecting another Mitsubishi to be parked along the road. Then my eyes shot to the pink seat cover Hayden was sitting on. “No. This is my car. Oh my God, you’re in my car. Why the heck are you in my car?”
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Will you just get in?”
“Holy shit!” I jabbed my finger at him. “You stole my car!”
“Oh my God.” He slapped a hand over his face, shaking his head. “No, Rose! I did not steal your car! I was—”
“Does my dad know you’re here?!”
“Yes! He knows I’m here. He was busy with some customers so—”
“Wait! So he asked you? He asked you to come get me?!” Holy. Freaking. Cow. Dead! He was so dead when I got home tonight!
Hayden was grinding his teeth now. His fingers tightened on the zebra steering wheel. My zebra steering wheel. “No. I volunteered.”
I couldn’t get up, even as I gained a small crowd of onlookers. My mouth was the only thing that moved as it quivered wordlessly. Was I going into shock?
“I need to talk to you.” He softened his tone as he took in my horrified expression. “So, will you please get in?”
“I—” Panic meshed with my logical thinking. How did I know he wasn’t going to kidnap me? He had no problem in deceiving me, making me think he was dad because he was in my car. “How can I trust you? We barely know each other.”
A Subaru across from my Mitsubishi honked. The snooty blonde girl driving it yelled some not-so-nice words out her window. We we
re blocking her parking space. Hayden barely acknowledged her existence, but he said, “You’re making a scene will you just get in? You really think I’m going to run off with the boss’s daughter?”
Blondie honked again. I took a deep breath, trying to think logically and quickly but my brain was clouded. Get in? Don’t get in? Call dad? Run away screaming? I did have options here. Some sounded more appealing than others.
And yet, I scrambled off the pavement and crawled into the passenger seat. “Thank you,” Hayden sighed in relief.
Closing the door, my hands started to shake. What had I just done? Hayden chuckled, then spun the wheel and shot towards the parking lot exit before Subaru Snot could throw us the finger.
I was thrown back in my seat. “Holy schmuck! Slow down, you idiot, I’m not even buckled yet!” I scolded, grabbing the armrest. He didn’t listen. “Holy mother of pearl, if you crash my car I swear!”
“Will you relax?” He snapped. “No cop has ever caught me.”
“Oh, great, that’s reassuring!” So did that mean he frequently drove like this, but was never caught? Or he was only driving like this now? Either way, I was scared, worried, and furious all at the same time. Not a good combo for me. “What do you want from me? Just, what is it you came for? Money? Info? … Blood?”
“Calm down.” The humor left his laugh after I named that last one. “Before you give yourself a heart attack.”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was already having one. I pressed a hand to my chest. My heart was practically break-dancing below my fingers. “Does Joe know about this? What about Race and Preston? Are they aware you—”
“No, I didn’t tell them. Yeah, they’re probably aware by now, and yeah, I’m sure you’re going to get an earful when we get back.” He scuffed, watching me from the corner of his eye. “Will you stop it?”
I was jiggling my leg. My body can never hold still when it’s overly nervous. My mind was whizzing numerous directions as thoughts of his legal papers returned to haunt me. Was he going to kill me? Was I being kidnapped? Was I about to be raped and stuffed in a trash can? I was having a panic attack. No—anxiety. Definitely anxiety.
A Taste of Silver Page 11