He's With Me

by Tamara Summers

  “Depends on your definition of ‘know’” Colin said. “For instance, Amy

  Sorrento is here.”

  Lexie felt a twinge of jealousy. Jake had dated Amy for four months. She

  was part Latina, part ballerina, and all gorgeous but was too demanding, snobby,

  and cold for Jake. Lexie had never understood why he’d liked her in the first place.

  “Really?” she said. “Is she dating Ian, like Bree promised?”

  “I haven’t seen him,” Colin said, shaking his head.

  Amy passed them just then, but she didn’t bother to glance down and

  acknowledge their presence. She patted her smooth bun of glossy brown hair and

  sailed over to Jake, greeting him with a large smile as if she hadn’t dumped him

  only a couple months earlier.

  “I hate parties,” Colin said.

  “I just hate these kinds of parties,” Lexie said. “Stand, hold a drink, smile

  painfully, look interested in boring chitchat, comment on the weather, avoid the

  subject of school, wish desperately that there were any good movies to talk

  about, shift drink to other hand, wonder how many peanuts one can eat without

  looking like a ravenous hippo, nod politely, stand some more.”

  “Speaking of peanuts,” Colin said. “check out the table behind us.”

  Lexie swiveled around and discovered a low plastic table (white, of course)

  with three trays of appetizers on it.

  “Wow, excellent location-scouting, Colin,” she said, snagging a pastry ball

  that turned out to have sausage in the middle.

  “I thought so,” he said with a modest nod.

  After about twenty minutes, Jake finally managed to fight his way over to

  them.

  “I can’t believe you abandoned me like that,” he said, flopping down on the

  ground next to Lexie. He leaned back against her legs. “Do you know how many

  times I’ve had to say, ‘Yeah, it had been how this summer, hasn’t is?’ in the last ten minutes?”

  “This’ll make you feel better,” Lexie said, handing him a crab dumpling.

  “Thanks,” he said. “And thanks for the party.”

  “It really wasn’t my idea,” she said. “I’m sorry for letting you be surprised.”

  “It’s okay,” he said. “I’ve never been to a Bree McKennis party, but I guess

  people weren’t exaggerating about the food. What are those?”

  “Something involving cheese,” Lexie said, passing him the tray.

  “Awesome,” he said. “If you can make it to the other side of the pool, there

  are mini hamburgers and tiny French fries to match.”

  “Just think,” Colin said, “if you dated Bree, all this about be yours.”

  Which is exactly the point of all this, I’m sure, Lexie thought. How could she compete with flawless beauty, impeccable fashion sense, and a house like this?

  Her little cupcakes didn’t begin to compare.

  “Yeah,” Jake said. “but then I’d have to date Bree.”

  As if on cue, Bree swayed her way through the crowd and dropped a large

  box in Jake’s lap. “Jake, darling, here’s your birthday present,” she purred.

  “Ohm” he said. “You didn’t really –“

  “Of course I did!” She crouched beside him, revealing a long slim line if her

  leg. “Open it at once.”

  With the expression of a guy who was pretty sure his present was about to

  explode, Jake hesitantly peeled the glittering gold-and-white wrapping paper off

  and opened the box.

  “Whoa,’” he said. “Seriously?”

  Nestled in the thin folds of the crepe paper was a black leather jacket.

  “Happy birthday, Jake,” Bree said with a triumphant smile. “It’s all the way

  from Italy. And very expensive.”

  “I’ll bet,” Jake said. Lexie could tell he was feeling uncomfortable. She

  wasn’t exactly thrilled herself. It would take her several lifetimes to babysit up

  enough money for a present like that.

  “How did you get him a present from Italy?” Colin asked curiously.

  Bree gave him a disdainful look. “We had it in our emergency gift drawer. I

  think it’ll fit you perfectly, Jake, dear. Let’s go find a mirror and try it on! Come on, come one.” She grabbed his hand and pulled. With a sigh, he climbed to his feet

  and followed her.

  “Jake, darling,” Colin said, imitating her, “come into my lair and let me tie

  you up.”

  Lexie saw a blur of motion out of the corner of her eye, but before she

  could react, a pair of male arms had seized her and swung her up off her feet.

  “Put me down!” she protested, shoving Riley’s shoulders. He tightened his

  grip on her and gave her his sly smile.

  “Feel like going swimming?” he said.

  “No,” she said. “Do not throw me in the pool, Riley.”

  “But don’t you want to cool off?” he said, swinging her dangerously close to

  the edge. “I think I owe you a soaking.”

  “You do not!” she said, struggling to get down. “We’re totally even! Riley!”

  “She doesn’t want to get wet, man,” Colin said.

  “What do you know about it?” Riley said, but he put her down. She stepped

  out of arm’s reach quickly. “Aw, I’m just kidding around, Lexie.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t be funny,” she said. Yes, he was kind of joking, but she

  was sure he would happily have dumped her into the pool without even thinking

  about the fact that she didn’t have a change of clothes or that she’d look like an

  idiot in front of everyone. A wet idiot.

  “Have you seen the basement?” Riley asked cheerfully. “It’s totally

  awesome.”

  “Not yet,” Lexie said.

  “I’ll show you,” he said, taking her elbow. “There’s a foosball and Ping-Pong

  and air hockey and Ms. Pac-Man and pinball –“

  “Colin, don’t you want to come?” Lexie said, seeing that her brother wasn’t

  standing to follow them.

  “I’m going to get one those hamburgers first,” Colin said, apparently

  missing the significance of her look. Lexie sighed inwardly. Sally would have

  understood! “I’ll find you in a minute.”

  “Okay. Bring me one, too,” she said. “Soon.” Riley gave her a weird look

  and she added, “I mean, because I’m starving – you know, totally starving.”

  “Sure,” Colin said.

  Lexie reluctantly followed Riley down a few steps to a lower patio paved

  with sparkling gray stone. A set of glass doors led into the basement, which, to

  her dismay, was empty. She’d expected to find other partygoers in there playing

  with the games.

  “Isn’t it cool?” Riley said, wandering over to the foosball table. He spun a

  row of players around and then looked up and grinned at her. “Want to play?”

  Lexie felt bad. Riley hadn’t been anything but nice to her. Why did she keep

  feeling uncomfortable around him? Was it because he seemed to like her? Or

  could it be because she liked him?” She tried poking that thought, but her feelings

  for Riley still weren’t anything like her feelings for Jake. Still, here was a cute guy flirting with her. She could at least be nice back.

  “Okay, sure,” she said, going around to the other side of the table. Riley

  fished a ball out of the side pocket and dropped it in.

  Lexie wasn’t really good at foosball, but Riley was hilariously bad. He

  basically played by
spinning the players around and around as fast as he could.

  She couldn’t help laughing at him, but luckily he didn’t get offended.

  She was winning 8 – 4 when a phone rang somewhere in the far corner of

  the room. Riley spun his payers one more time and then announced, “I’m bored.

  Let’s check out Ms. Pac-Man.”

  “Oh, okay,” Lexie said. She followed him over to the arcade game, which

  had a place of honour in the centre if the room, it’s back against a column. Just as

  she got up behind him, he turned and caught her wrists in his hands.

  “Lexie” he said, “why don’t you like me?”

  She had been about to pull away, but when he said that, she stopped,

  feeling guilty again.

  “What do you mean?” she said. “I do like you.”

  “But only as a friend – right?”

  “Well,” she said awkwardly, “Riley, I’m – I’m dating Jake.” Not to mention

  I’m secretly on a quest to convince him he’s my soul mate.

  “Forget Jake,” Riley said. “What if he weren’t in the picture? Huh? What if

  you’d met me first?”

  “I don’t know,” Lexie said. “I mean, I didn’t, so – and Jake is – I’m sorry

  Riley, but –“

  Suddenly the door from the patio opened. Riley dropped her hands like lit

  firecrackers and sprang away from her as if he’d just been caught stealing

  diamonds.

  It was Jake...and Amy Sorrento.

  Chapter 12

  “Jake!” Lexie said.

  “Oh, man,” Riley said. “We’re so busted.”

  “What – no!” Lexie said. “What are you talking about?”

  Jake hesitated inside the doorway, looking confused. Amy still had one

  hand on the doorknob, and the other was resting lightly on Jake’s shoulder as if

  she owned him – as if he was her car, or her horse, or her umbrella stand.

  “I guess we’re not going to get any privacy in here, Jake,” Amy said in a

  murmur that Lexie could clearly hear.

  Lexie felt her heart sink. Jake and Amy had been looking for privacy? Why?

  Did she want him back? More importantly...did he want her back?

  She couldn’t really blame him. A real girlfriend sounded much better than a

  pretend girlfriend who he didn’t want to date at all, even if that real girlfriend was an ice queen like Amy.

  What was he thinking then? Was he disappointed that they were

  interrupted? And did he really think she and Riley...?

  She couldn’t tell from his expression, although she thought maybe he

  looked a little bit mad.

  There was a tense pause, and then Jake seemed to take a breath and come

  back to the room, blinking. He gave his shoulders a small shake that dislodged

  Amy’s hand, and he stepped across the space to Lexie.

  “Hey,” he said, and his smile made the knot in her stomach melt away.

  “Hey,” she said, smiling back at him. He took her hand and turned to Amy.

  “Amy, you remember Lexie,” he said. Amy lifted her nose and looked down

  it at Lexie. She seemed even taller than Lexie remembered, and she was also

  dressed elegantly, in skinny jeans, a long purple top, and a sleek silver belt. Jake

  had tried to bring her out with Lexie and Colin a couple of times, but that had

  been a disaster. Amy clearly had no interest in talking to either of them, whereas

  Jake seemed more interested in their conversation than hers. That was close to

  the end of their relationship.

  “Yeeees. Bree told me you were dating...her,” Amy said. “Is it true?”

  No, Lexie thought sadly. It’s not true. If it were, this would be the best moment ever, you skinny witch.

  “Yup,” Jake said with no hesitation. “Lexie is my girlfriend.” He shot a glare

  at Riley, as if that was a reminder for him, too.

  “That’s right,” Lexie said. “He’s with me.” She couldn’t resist giving Amy an

  enormous smile – a smile that said, That’s right, you lost him and now he’s mine.

  Still, Lexie wondered if Jake felt as confident as he looked. The whole

  scheme had been for Bree’s benefit, to protect him at summer camp. He probably

  hadn’t expected the entire school to find out. Now everyone, including Amy and

  whatever girl he’d like next, really would think he’d dated her. Was he

  embarrassed about that?

  The patio door opened and Bree came in, followed by a handful of other

  people. One of them was Colin, who wondered over to Lexie with a plate of mini

  food.

  “It’s about time you showed up,” she hissed.

  “Believe it or not, someone actually spoke to me,” he said. “I wish I could

  tell you who, but it wasn’t that memorable a conversation.”

  “Oh, there you are, Jake,” Bree said. “I saw Amy whisking you away and I

  was like, ‘Oh, no, we’re not going to see them again for the rest of the night!’” She gave Lexie a sly look.

  “We just couldn’t resist the air-conditioning,” Jake said.

  “Me, too,” Bree chirped. “Hey, who wants to play Truth or Dare?”

  There was a chorus of “ooh, me!”s.

  “Truth or Dare?” Jake said skeptically. “That’s a little childish, don’t you

  think?”

  “Not if you play it right,” Bree said with a coquettish smile. She plopped

  herself down on one of the fluffy couches. “Come sit here with me, birthday boy.”

  She patted the cushion next to her, Jake glanced at Lexie. “We can go back

  outside,” he said in a low voice.

  “Wait, I want to play,” Colin interjected in a whisper. “I’ve never been to a

  party with Truth or Dare before.”

  “I don’t think you want to play Bree’s version,” Lexie said softly to him.

  “Come on, guys,” Colin said. “Just for a minute? Please?”

  “It’s up to you, Lexie,” Jake said. “Whatever you decide.”

  “Um – okay,” Lexie said. “Maybe it’ll be fun.” Doubtful...but if it cheers Colin

  up, it might be worth it.

  Amy and Riley were already settling onto beanbags on the floor, and other

  people had taken the other couches and chairs. Bree patted the cushion beside

  her again, batting her eyelashes at Jake.

  “Scoot over,” Jake said to her firmly, holding Lexie’s hand.

  Bree sighed huffily and slid to the side so Jake and Lexie could both sit

  down. Colin dropped to the carpet at their feet.

  “All right, I’ll go first,” Bree said. “Amy, truth or dare?”

  Lexie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She’d been sure Bree would go after

  her first.

  “Dare,” Amy said.

  “Okay,” Bree said. “I dare you to take off your shirt.”

  Before Lexie could blink, Amy had unclipped her belt and pulled off the

  purple top. Underneath, she was wearing a pink polka-dotted bikini top.

  “No fair!” Bree protested. “You’re wearing your bathing suit!”

  “As if I would have taken off my top otherwise!” Amy said in a mockingly

  scandalized tone. “Okay, my turn. Jake.”

  Lexie’s heart sank. Would she make him kiss Bree? Or her? She didn’t want

  her first kiss with Jake to be on a dare in front of all these people.

  “Truth,” Jake said.

  Also dangerous, Lexie thought. Considering how much truth we’re hiding

  here.

  “Truth,” Amy said slowly. “All right. Of all the girls i
n this room who do you

  think is the prettiest? Be honest.”

  She and Bree both looked expectant. Of the two of them, Lexie would

  probably say Amy, because Bree’s prettiness was harder around the edges, and

  Amy had really long eyelashes. But, of all the girls in the room, Lexie would

  actually pick the red headed girl on the sofa opposite her. Not only was she pretty

  but she also looked nice instead of scary. Lexie thought her name might be Clara,

  and she might be on the field hockey team –

  “Lexie,” Jake said. “Of course.”

  “Of course!” Bree parroted in an offended tone. “You don’t have to say that

  just because she’s your girlfriend. You’re supposed to answer truthfully, Jake. I’m sure Lexie wouldn’t want you to lie.”

  “I’m not lying,” Jake said, putting his arm around Lexie’s shoulders. “I’d

  think she was the prettiest even if she weren’t my girlfriend. I love how long and

  curly Lexie’s hair is, and she has beautiful brown eyes, and the cutest nose, and

  just a sprinkling of freckles, and the best smile – ”

  “Gag me with an artificial sweetener already,” Bree said, rolling her eyes.

  Lexie was sure she’d turned a brilliant shade of red, but she kept her head resting

  on Jake’s shoulder so she wouldn’t have to meet anyone’s eyes. Bree waved her

  hands. “Fine, whatever, blah blah blah, move on. Your turn.”

  “Okay,” Jake said. “Colin.”

  Colin looked pleased. He thought seriously for a moment and then said,

  “Dare.”

  “Hmmm,” Jake said. “Let’s see. I dare you to...” He looked around the room

  thoughtfully and pointed. “I dare you to kiss Claire.”

  The redheaded field hockey player turned pink. Clara, Claire, I was close,

  Lexie thought.

  Colin stood up awkwardly and so did Claire. He stepped over the rug and

  leaned forward, she leaned forward, too, and they ended up bumping lips more

  than kissing. Still, Lexie could tell that Colin was trying not to smile when he sat

  back down. She realized that Jake had done him a favor, especially by picking the

  nicest girl in the room. Amy or Bree might have refused to kiss him, which would

  have been terrible.

  “Colin, it’s your turn to ask someone,” Lexie said, poking his shoulder.

  “Right, okay,” he said. “Uh –”

  “And don’t pick your sister,” Bree said snidely. “Act like you actually know