“How did you even get in here? You didn’t climb through the window again, did you?”
“Your mom let us in,” Harvey explained. “She said you needed to get out of the house.”
“I went out yesterday, to Mr. Doherty’s piano concert.”
“That doesn’t count.” Harper started going through her closet and throwing clothes her way as she spoke. “Mr. Doherty is like your security blanket. We’ll give you ten minutes to get ready and then you are going to have a day of fun. Eli will be a distant memory.”
Kaley shot Harper a look, to even mention his name when Harvey was there, was wrong. Had Harper told him the whole story of her horrible day at school? She didn’t want anyone to know of her humiliation, especially not Harvey. She had kept it a secret from him for a reason. Harper just shrugged, revealing nothing.
“Fine, get out then,” Kaley ordered. She didn’t need a full ten minutes to get ready, but she did need a few minutes to finish waking up.
She took a shower, letting the water awaken her body. She wondered what they had in store for her, hoping it wasn’t anything that required a lot of energy. Worrying about Eli and wondering what was going on with him was tiring enough.
She got dressed and went downstairs. Georgie had a bowl of cereal out and ready for her. Whatever the plan, she was obviously in on it too. At least it shouldn’t be dangerous, she would never have agreed to it then.
Perhaps it would be fun, the perfect thing to take her mind off that certain someone. If only she could forget about him. If she had the choice, she would. That almost-kiss and the horrible yearning she had for the real thing was practically painful.
The three of them, Harper, Harvey, and Georgie, kept staring at her with a grin on their faces. Kaley found it difficult to eat with such a disarming audience. She did her best, the sooner she got through her breakfast the sooner they would stop looking at her. She took the last mouthful and handed herself over – come what may.
Georgie drove them over to the beach and left them by the roadside. People were soaking up the sun as they dotted the sand. Some brave surfers were riding the waves out to sea.
Kaley couldn’t work out what they were doing there, it wasn’t like she was told to wear her bathers or dress for the beach. The weather was nice enough, but the water would be on the chilly side. Looking at her conspirators, they didn’t look dressed for a day at the beach either. Whatever they were doing, it wasn’t going to be to laze on the sand all day.
“I give up.” Kaley threw her hands in the air. “What are we doing here?”
Harper smiled knowingly, keeping her secret a little longer. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
They started walking, Kaley waiting a moment to see where they were headed before catching up to them. They casually strolled along the path that followed the curve of the beach. It slowly climbed upwards, eventually straying from the sand and leading up to a park that overlooked the beach.
At the top of the incline, and catching a glimpse of the park for the first time, Kaley finally understood what they were going to do.
At the edge of the green, overlooking the beach, was a large movie screen. People were starting to lay out blankets and beanbags on the grass, ready to watch the feature.
The park normally showed movies once a month and held a short film festival once a year. Being sheltered on one side by a mountain and the beach below, it was the perfect spot to spend a lazy Sunday.
“Well?” Harvey started. “Are you up for watching a movie?”
“It’s perfect, thank you, guys. What’s showing?”
“Only your favorite movie,” Harper said. “The Sound of Music.” She pulled out a blanket from her oversized handbag and went to find the perfect spot. Kaley and Harvey trotted after her, not arguing.
She spread out the blanket and they each claimed their spot on it. According to the screen, it would only be fifteen minutes before the movie would be starting.
The longer they sat there, enjoying the warming sun, the more people started to arrive and find a comfortable place to watch. It was a popular attraction, it wasn’t like they had a whole lot to do in Sandyridge – especially since the ice skating rink closed down.
When the first scene opened and Julie Andrews ran across the green hills of Austria, Kaley tried to relax. It was her favorite movie and should be enough to keep her mind off Eli. She knew all the words by heart and could play all the music on both the guitar and the piano.
Normally she would be able to focus on nothing except the movie. But that morning she couldn’t do it. Eli was playing on her mind, a plague that would not go away or have any known cure.
She danced between thinking him a manipulative soulless creature and a nice guy whom she had misjudged because of something overheard. She had thought about it so much that she didn’t know what was reality anymore. Even the Von Trapp family couldn’t help her make sense of it.
The only thing that cheered her up were the two people either side of her. She knew Harvey hated the movie, he had told her on countless occasions that he considered it a form of torture to sit through the three-hour long film. Yet, there he was, studiously watching the screen and appearing to have a good time.
On the other side was Harper. She loved the movie just as much as Kaley did. They watched it every opportunity they could get – girls’ nights, sleepovers, when they both had measles, and when they were so bored they couldn’t think of anything else to do. She knew it would be comforting for Kaley to see it now. It was so familiar to her that it was like being wrapped in a security blanket.
Kaley considered having the two of them was worth a thousand Elis. She never had to wonder how they felt or whether they were using her for their own motives. They were true friends that would always be there for her, through thick and thin.
They were what life was about, not some stupid boyfriend that made her feel terrible about everything. Kaley decided, as she looked between her friends watching the big screen, that she didn’t need him.
She didn’t need all the drama that came with Eli. When she got home and had some privacy, she would text him and formally decline the invitation for a second date.
Having finally made the decision, Kaley instantly started to feel better. Giving up anything she may have had with Eli didn’t feel as bad as she thought it would.
She may have been waiting sixteen years for one guy to see her, but surely he wouldn’t be the only one. Perhaps within the next sixteen years, there would be another man who saw her when she was invisible to everyone else. She could wait, the pain from Eli was enough to remind her.
She leaned back onto the blanket and lost herself in the movie, finally giving over to the screen. Any time Eli started creeping into her thoughts again, she flicked them away like a bug. She had made her decision and she had every intention of sticking with it.
After the movie, the trio wandered down to the kiosk on the beach. They each grabbed an ice cream and sat on the sand. The beach had filled considerably with families running amuck and bronzed bodies lazing around.
“Thanks for today, guys.” Kaley wrapped her free arm around Harper and gave her a hug. “It’s just what I needed.”
“We just want you to be happy again,” she managed to choke out from the stranglehold around her neck.
“Yeah, I need you to focus on our science project,” Harvey added. “I’m not building a rocket on my own.”
Kaley still didn’t know how much Harper had told Harvey about Eli. Knowing her big mouth, she probably gave him a blow by blow account of everything she herself had been told. She didn’t know why it bothered her so much, but it did. And she would rather talk about any other subject except Eli with him.
“So… what’s next?” She changed the subject, not wanting to let them dwell on the topic. She would rather talk about anything other than a certain someone right now – or ever again.
“We’re going to the pier and riding the rollercoaster until Harper
throws up,” Harvey said proudly.
“Sounds like fun.” Kaley tried to sound enthusiastic. The rollercoaster wasn’t exactly her thing, she was more likely to vomit before Harper. Then they would eat a hundred corndogs and ride again. It was a vicious circle she couldn’t escape until they closed the amusement park. At least it would definitely keep her mind occupied.
They finished their ice creams and started the walk to the pier – located at the far end of the beach. It almost felt like it used to when they hung out, just the three of them against the world. They didn’t need anyone or anything else.
Chapter 15
Georgie pulled up outside the house and Kaley jumped out of the car with the bear Harvey had won for her at the pier under one arm and Harper attached to the other.
They were still laughing from the joke Harvey had told while they were waiting for the ride. And nobody had thrown up all afternoon, not even once. It was a great day.
As they walked toward the house, Kaley heard her name being called. She turned to Harvey, it was definitely a male voice, but he was lost in a conversation with Georgie about how he won the bear. She slowed her pace and looked around.
There, standing by his car on the curb, was Eli. So much for texting him a final goodbye. She stopped and turned to him. Harper felt her hand drop away and spun around too.
“What’s he doing here?” she whispered in Kaley’s ear. Her voice was a mixture of surprise and contempt. Nobody hurt her best friend and got away with it. He was her arch nemesis number one at that moment.
“I don’t know.”
Eli saw them stop to look at him and started approaching. His face was covered with a smile, the same crooked one with that damn dimple. Kaley considered running, making a break for the door.
If she didn’t talk to him, then she could maintain her resolve. It was only when he was near that she got all confused again. She couldn’t risk having those horrible conflicting thoughts again, she had made up her mind. The last thing she needed was Eli being there and causing that confusion again.
“What should we do?” Harper whispered again, awkwardly standing by her side. Georgie and Harvey had now stopped to look too, they stood like mannequins on the front lawn – there just for decoration.
Kaley’s mind was shutting down, she couldn’t think straight anymore. All she could see was Eli getting nearer and the stuffed bear in her hands getting heavier. She wondered if that’s how it felt to have a stroke. It was probably something similar.
“Kaley?” Georgie asked, as if she had all the answers for them.
Kaley shook her head, trying to make her brain sit right again. She handed the bear to Harper for safekeeping, fearing she would drop it any second. “Can everyone wait inside? I’ll just be a minute.”
“Are you sure?” Harper wasn’t so certain, united they stood together. Alone and she would be left to face him by herself. She didn’t like that idea, they were her support system.
“I’m positive. Just go.”
The trio reluctantly disappeared from her side just as Eli reached her in the middle of the front yard. He had the nerve to give them a friendly wave as they left. Kaley held steadfast, not wanting to let any of his cute little movements sway her. She had to be strong, she just had to be.
“I hope it wasn’t something I said,” Eli joked, gesturing to the quickly retreating others.
Kaley ignored him. “What are you doing here?”
“I haven’t heard from you since our call the other day. I figured you might be having second thoughts so I decided to come over here and convince you to go out with me again.”
He smiled that dimple. That damn dimple. Why did he have to be so cute? She should have texted him earlier and avoided the whole situation. She could be free and clear of him by now, not having to stand there with three sets of eyes drilling into her back.
“I don’t think I can go out with you again,” she finally managed to get out. She looked at the ground between them instead of his beautiful blue eyes. She didn’t want to see them twinkling, that would be the final straw.
She just needed to get through the next few minutes and then it would be all over and done with. As long as she didn’t think ahead to seeing him at school.
Eli’s confidence faltered, he tried to cover it but his quieter voice still betrayed him. “It’s easy to go out with me. I pick you up, we have a good time, and then I drop you home. I don’t understand why you can’t do it.”
“It’s just… not for me.”
Eli stood staring at her, getting frustrated when she wouldn’t meet his gaze. He needed to convince her somehow that he was worth the risk.
Kaley expected him to turn around and walk away, he didn’t need to bother convincing her. He could get another girl easily, probably before he even reached the curb.
She waited. However, Eli did something completely unexpected. He took a step forward, to be within reaching distance of her. Then, he took her hand, the one that had been holding the bear.
“I really care about you, Kaley. I was hoping we might have something great. I know I had a really good time last week. If I’ve done something wrong, or something to offend-”
Kaley cut him off, unable to take his ramblings any more. “It’s not you, okay? I just don’t think I’m ready for this,” she lied, well partly. Perhaps if she was really ready for a guy like Eli, she wouldn’t be afraid to give him the real reason why she was letting him go. She would confront him about Abigail instead of shying away from the whole deal.
He didn’t release her hand. “We can go slow, Kaley. I swear I’m not going to do anything to hurt you. We can take it one date at a time. I like hanging out with you. Just say yes to one more date. Let me convince you I’m worth taking a chance on.”
She finally looked up from the ground and instantly regretted it. His eyes weren’t twinkling like she thought they would be. Instead, they were sad and resembled a puppy dog – even worse. She hated seeing that look on his face and knowing she had caused it.
Suddenly she wanted that sparkle back – and the dimple too. She wanted to turn it all around and the only way to do that was to give in. All of a sudden, all the reasons why she had decided to ditch him didn’t seem logical anymore.
They all seemed silly.
Perhaps the whole thing with Abigail was in her mind, the guy standing in front of her wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t date her to make his ex-girlfriend jealous, he just wouldn’t.
Eli saw her resolve fading and jumped on it. “Come on, Kaley. Just say yes, we’re going to have a great time. I’ll make it really special, something to blow your mind.”
“If I agree to a second date, will you go away? I’m pretty sure there are at least three people watching our every move right now.”
He laughed and nodded. “I’ll go right away. I promise.”
“Then fine, I’ll go out with you again,” she sighed, hoping she wasn’t going to regret it but fearing she already was.
“Okay, I’m going to play it cool because of our audience, but just know that if it was only me here, I would be doing my happy dance right now.” The sparkle struck his eye and it was totally worth it, Kaley couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll call you with the details.”
“Thanks.”
Eli let her hand drop and started backing toward his car. Kaley watched without moving a muscle. She didn’t know how she was going to explain everything to the spies.
They could probably gather most of it through the window, but she was still going to have to give Harper a full explanation about her change of mind. She wasn’t looking forward to it. Perhaps she could lie and say she was blackmailed, maybe that would work.
As Eli reached his car, Kaley heard the front door swing open. She watched in horror as Georgie ran for the car, waving for Eli to stop in his tracks. Kaley’s stomach dropped with the bad feeling she was getting. What was Georgie up to? And, more importantly, how could she stop her?
“Mom!?”
She could feel her face burning with embarrassment. Oh well, she did tell him about her crazy mother, he had fair warning and he had turned up anyway. Surely she couldn’t be to blame for his lack of judgment.
“Eli is staying for dinner,” Georgie said proudly, as if she would win the Mother of the Year award for her valiant efforts. “Harper and Harvey are staying too. I’ve made enough for everyone.”
Kaley inwardly groaned. She mouthed an ‘I’m sorry’ to Eli as he was dragged past her. She received a crooked grin in return, he seemed to actually be enjoying it. There was a guy that was a sucker for punishment if ever she saw one.
She trailed after them, slowly dying on the inside. Her parents, her best friends, and her potential boyfriend all in the one room. It was as good as a waking nightmare.
Her mother didn’t hesitate to get them seated around the table in the dining room. Strom and Georgie were at either end, Harper and Harvey were on one side, and her and Eli on the other. The worst thing about the seating was that Harvey and Eli sat opposite each other, able to stare and glare at one another all night.
Kaley hoped for a swift meal, she prayed for no dessert. The plates were passed around, and then the bowls of vegetables and chicken. They were dining family style – helping yourself to whatever passes your way.
Strom started the conversation. “So what did you all get up to today?”
Harper answered quickly. “We went to the beach cinema and then hung out on the pier. We had a fantastic day. The weather was beautiful, you should have seen it.”
“What did you do today, Eli?” Georgie asked, pointedly joining him in on the conversation.
“I trained with a friend. We have a game this Friday so I thought I could use all the help I could get,” Eli answered politely. Kaley never would have thought he was a parent pleaser before.
Love Songs (Secret Songbook #1) Page 13