Sublime Karma

by Peyton Garver

  Ari rolled her eyes at Lorianne, then turned to Mia. “Do you have your dress?”

  “Yes. I’m wearing a lavender chiffon dress. It’s kind of short, but not way short.”

  “You mean like ass-cheek short?” Ari asked, as only she could.

  Mia nodded. “Yeah, not that short. The skirt drapes nicely and it could be strapless, but it has spaghetti straps as an option. Don’t even ask, yes, I’m going to use the straps.”

  “Sounds cute, and lavender looks really good on you with your complexion and black hair,” Ari offered. “What about you, Brie? It’s kind of last minute.”

  “I can just wear one I wore at my last school. No one here has seen it. It’s a teal cocktail dress, kind of short, but not too short. It has one strap, over my right shoulder.”

  “Oh. My. Gosh. That sounds sexy.” Flashing her perfect smile, Lorianne shook back her long spiral curls.

  “Why?” Brie felt her face warm, thinking of her form fitting dress.

  Ari laughed. “Because, you are going to have those bitchy princesses all ticked off. This is great.”

  Chapter 9

  Jake drove through the packed parking lot to the edge of the field next to the stadium. He spotted the main bonfire and several smaller ones scattered around the field. He pulled his father’s navy blue Altima onto the edge of the field, next to Troy’s black Mustang Shelby GT by the fire farthest from the main one.

  Each of the smaller fires had a different group gathered around it, like the fire nearest theirs—that’s where the smart kids hung out. But, here at their fire? Most of the varsity football players, cheerleaders, pom girls, and a few other varsity athletes had already gathered. They did their own tailgating, a private party within the party, the who’s who of Frederick Central High.

  Even before he opened his door, Jake could feel the bass reverberating from Danny’s tricked-up Silverado, where Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” blared from the audio system. Since it was Danny’s system, Jake was sure they were in for some great classic rock.

  “Hey, man,” Jake said, bumping fists with Danny who was with some of the other guys from the team. “You seen Troy?”

  Danny nodded. “Yeah, he went off with Pam about ten minutes ago. They should be back in another ten.”

  Jake scanned the nearby crowds, wondering if Brie had come. “I’ll be back in a few.” He knew it was a long shot. Who would she have come with? Maybe Mia, Lorianne, Ian . . . or maybe Ryan. His chest tightened. If she shows with Ryan, they’ll probably hang here. That’ll be awkward. He spotted Mia with a group of her friends by the next fire. Ian was among them. Brie was not. He laughed to himself. Ian and Brie? What could they ever have in common?

  He circled the perimeter of the field and then weaved through the crowds, pretty sure she wasn’t there. But, if by chance she was, he’d invite her to join his group, unless she was with someone else.

  Now that he thought about it, no one had ever turned him down before. Then again, he was always with Sarah. Before her? Only Ari, and with Ari, he really wasn’t with her. He was just . . . with her. Okay, so that didn’t make sense, but that’s exactly what it was, a thing. They were together—when they were alone. The thing with Ari was that he really cared about her, and that scared him. He sighed and continued scanning the crowds for Brie.

  He grabbed an ice-cold bottle of water from the concession area near the main bonfire where the staff hung out. He didn’t spot Coach. Guess he didn’t draw this chaperone duty. That’ll be good for Marcus and Lorianne. He headed back to his buddies. Pulling out his phone, he navigated to his messages and looked at the thread he had started with Brie from the afternoon at the deer blind.

  He touched the screen trying to think of what to text her but changed his mind. No. He scoffed. She’ll think I’m a stalker. Instead, he checked a missed text from Ari: Hey

  That’s it? Hey? So, now I’m supposed to text you? I texted twice yesterday, and you ignored me in third period yesterday and today. Make up your mind. He pocketed his phone and headed back.

  Approaching their site, he could hear “Baba O’Riley” blaring, taking him out of his melancholy mood. “Teenage Wasteland,” how appropriate. He grinned. There was Danny, sitting on the tailgate of his truck, making out with his girlfriend, Paige, who was straddling his lap. She must have just gotten here. “Get a room.” Jake called out to them, bumping fists with Kal and Marcus.

  Grinning at Marcus, Jake asked, “Where’s Lorianne?”

  He held up his phone. “On her way.”

  “Wouldn’t wanna be you,” Jake teased.

  Marcus’s face dropped. “She said yes to homecoming. Coach don’t know yet.”

  “Man, maybe you should have asked him, before you asked her.”

  Marcus shook his head. “I thought about it. But, who does that? Who asks their date’s daddy for permission to ask his daughter to homecoming?”

  “Whoever decides to ask Coach’s daughter, that’s who.”

  “Lorianne said her mother would take care of him.”

  Marcus shook his head. “Man, Coach is gonna take it out on me on the field. I know it.”

  “Like I said, wouldn’t wanna be you.”

  “Gee thanks, bro.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Jake clapped Marcus on the back, then turned his attention to Kal.

  Jake saw him shoot a glance toward the next closest fire and looked to see who had Kal’s attention. He couldn’t be sure, but thought it might be Mia. Looking away from her friends, she gave Kal a curious look. But, Kal just gave her a nod.

  Jake caught the exchange and couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “What’s up with that?” Before Kal could answer, Jake’s message alert sounded. He checked it—Ari, again. He pocketed his phone without reading the message.

  Kal shrugged, but stepped away from the other guys, turning his back to them and pulling Jake with him. “Keep it on the DL bro, but I’m on academic probation. Had to sign up for tutoring with someone in the National Honor Society. Coach said I’m off the team if I don’t stick with it.”

  “Whoa, Kal. You cannot get kicked off. Not now. We need you.” Kal wasn’t as big as most defensemen, but he was strong, sneaky quick, and could find a hole in any line. Third on the state leader board for the most sacks in their division, he was affectionately called, “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” by the press.

  “Shh! Mia’s been comin’ over to my place twice a week. She’s my tutor.” He gave a nervous laugh. “I think I’m falling for her.”

  “Say what?” Jake laughed and shot another look at the group. He watched Mia in an animated conversation sitting near the end of the log. He turned back to Kal with a grin.

  “I know, right? The first day she didn’t even tutor me. She started talking about football.” Kal laughed again. “We talked about the positions. Then, she started talking about some of the NFL teams and players. I was floored, man. When I asked her how long she followed football, she said she didn’t. All that stuff? She learned it the night she was assigned to tutor me. I just looked at her. Man, I had nothin’. And . . .” He looked back toward Mia, who was laughing with her friends. The light from the fire gave her a euphoric glow.

  “And?” Jake prompted.

  Kal turned back to his friend with a smirk. “And then she said, ‘You know a lot of stuff about football. Stuff you had to learn. You can learn anything you want. You just have to make up your mind to do it.’ She’s just . . .” he shrugged. “I dunno.”

  “Nice? Not fake?” Jake finished Kal’s thought for him. “Go talk to her, Kal.”

  “Really? Dude, look who she’s sittin’ with, all the nerds.”

  Jake looked at the group sitting upwind of the fire, probably mathletes, debate squad, mock trial, definitely Honor Society. “Who cares? If you’re fallin
g for her, go talk to her.”

  Just as Jake looked back, the girl sitting next to Mia whispered to her, and they both looked over. Caught looking, Kal blushed, but gave Mia another small nod. Jake, on the other hand, gave the two girls a wide grin, a nod, and a blatant salute, like he would give Ari’s brother Trevor, sign language for “hello.” Mia’s friend grabbed her arm, giggling.

  “You’re welcome.” Jake chuckled, giving Kal an elbow.

  “Dude, really?” Playfully shoving Jake back, Kal gave the girls a sideways glance.

  But, just as Mia smiled back, Becca came out of nowhere snaking her arm around Kal, claiming him. Pressing against him, she rested her head on his shoulder and breathed out a sigh. “I’ve been missing you. How come you never hang out after practice anymore?”

  Breaking from Mia’s flustered gaze, Kal looked down at Becca. He thrust his shoulder up to cast her off, then he peeled her arms off his waist. Yet, she stood giggling in front of him.

  “I don’t hang out, ’cause I got other things to do. Jeez Becca, you’re tanked.”

  “Well, whatcha doin’ now? You wanna go for a walk?” She looped her arm through his.

  “No.” He smoothly sloughed her off, slipping out of her hold. He looked toward Jake. “Gonna go get somethin’ to drink. You want somethin’ braddah?” A mocking glint in his eye showed he was deliberately ignoring Becca. “I’m gonna take your advice,” Kal added, nodding toward the other fire.

  “No man, I’m good.” Jake held up his bottle of water. “Good luck with that other thing.”

  “What is wrong with him?” Becca asked, watching Kal saunter away.

  Jake shrugged, looking past her. His message alert went off again. This time he opened the message, shouldering past Becca, on his way back to Marcus. Ari, again. He sent back a quick response: Yeah at bonfire now you coming? Even though he already knew the answer, he focused on his phone.

  No can’t gotta watch Trevor just thought if you were home maybe you could come over and hang out ok since your not home ttyl

  What’s with that? Where’s Greg? Jake wondered, pocketing his phone. Now she wants me to come over? The thought froze when he heard the voices behind him.

  “Awkward,” Sarah’s voice sang out.

  “More like rude,” Becca retorted. “What is up with him?”

  “Who, Kal or Jake? Welcome to my world.”

  Jake could tell Sarah was watching him. He could feel her eyes on his back. I’m outta here, but then spotted Troy. “What’s up, Troy? Where’s Pam?”

  Troy shrugged. “She’ll be back. Hey, who you takin’ to the dance? Danny’s having an after party. Just us seven and our dates.”

  “Private party? That’s cool, but I’m not takin’ anyone.”

  “Sarah just assumed you’d hook up. You know, at the dance. Or, before it?” Troy focused beyond Jake.

  Jake glanced over his shoulder to see what had Troy’s attention. Narrowing his eyes at his friend, he lambasted him, not bothering to keep his voice down. “Why? Why would she assume that, Troy? I told her I’m done with her. If she’s looking to hook up, it won’t be with me. She’s a two-timing bitch.”

  “If you give her another chance, I’m sure—”

  “Another chance? What are you doing, Troy? We saw her at the movies with her tongue down that guy’s throat. Remember? Choose a side. If you choose mine, I don’t wanna hear another word about her. If you choose her side . . .” he paused. “Just forget it.”

  “Whoa, hold up bro.” Troy grabbed Jake’s arm. “You know I’m with you. It’s just Pam’s on my case. She wants it to go back to the way it used to be, the four of us. I’ll let her know there’s no chance of you getting back with Sarah.

  Jake hesitated, but then gripped Troy’s extended hand, locking it in their bro-shake before they slid their hands out of the hold, crossing each other’s open palms until their fingers hooked. And then, they pulled each other tight to knock their right shoulders together, embracing with their free arms. And, there it was—an oath.

  “Well, who are you takin’ then? Wait. What about Brie?”

  Jake’s eyes met Troy’s.

  “Dude, ask her. She’ll say yes. It’s obvious she’s into you.”

  Maybe, but she hadn’t said yes. “I said I’m not takin’ anyone.”

  “You’ll still come to Danny’s after party?”

  “I dunno, maybe.” Jake nodded toward a spot behind Troy. “There’s Pam. Catch you later.”

  Chapter 10

  Jake looked out the passenger window of Kurt’s old beat-up Suburban, his thoughts drifting to Brie. Finding her there in his deer blind last week had to be fate—karma. Jake grinned at the thought.

  But, he had to put all that behind him now. The guys were counting on him. Kurt parked his Suburban in front of The Market Street Tap House to unload. Jake lifted the heavy amp out of the back of the vehicle. Lowering it to the curb, he caught a glimpse of the patio across the street and did a double take. Whoa. Brie? No freaking way. Yet, it was her. She sat at a table, on the patio, closest to the street having dinner at the brewery. Coincidence? It had to be. Who was she with? It was chilly for outside dining, but the propane heaters had been set up, and the patio was filled with twilight diners.

  Jake’s eyes settled on the guy sitting across from her. His heart dropped. He hadn’t known she was seeing someone. Maybe that’s why she turned him down. Could he be from her last school? No, he looked too old for high school. And, if he was drinking that beer legally? He had to be too old for her. Yet, they seemed comfortable, intimate even, leaning toward each other talking. But then, their posture changed. The man appeared agitated, and she pulled back. Leaning toward her, he held the table edge. Brie shrugged. Shaking her head, she looked away from him. He finally relaxed, nodding.

  She reached out to touch his arm. He suddenly grabbed her hand. What the hell? Jake stiffened as he watched the guy turn over Brie’s hand, and then push up her sleeve. She tried to pull out of his grasp. It had all happened so fast. Still holding her hand, the man rubbed her forearm, and then flipped her hand over. Puzzled, Jake continued watching.

  Brie patted her date’s arm, shook her head, and pushed her sleeve back down. Taking a swig from his beer, the man relaxed. They leaned back toward each other as if nothing had happened.

  What the hell was that?

  From across the street, she met Jake’s eyes. First recognition, then a smile crossed her face. Leaning closer to her date, she touched his arm again in that intimate way, saying something to him before giving Jake a simple wave. Her partner looked over his shoulder at Jake with contempt.

  Jake scowled back at the dark-haired stranger before Kurt clapped him on the back and, with a low wolf whistle, commented. “Looks like that one’s taken. C’mon, let’s get this equipment in there. There’s gonna be plenty of hot girls in here tonight. I guarantee it, college town.”

  Taken? Jake’s heart pounded a little faster. Yeah, this had to be the reason for her rejection. He felt the heat flash through his face. Jeez, I can’t believe I put that in her contacts, My Dream Guy. What was I thinking? “You weren’t,” he mumbled.

  “Hey!” Kurt called. “Let it go. Get this amp in there, and then get back out here and get the rest of your gear. Keep your head on straight. This is our big chance.”

  Jake turned his back on her, but couldn’t clear his mind until he was on the platform and heard Kurt’s mellow voice follow the piercing mic feedback. “Good evening, thanks for coming out tonight. We are Sublime Karma—you ready to turn it up?”

  A loud cheer came from the back section of the bar. Kurt pointed at Lamb who started tapping out a rhythm, and then he gave Jake a nod. After playing the first chord, Jake lost himself in the music. The only people who existed to Jake from that moment were his band mate
s. There was no Sarah, no Ari—no Brie. Still new to the band, he smoothly played with them on their own indie songs and led them on the other pop and classic rock numbers on the set list. One tune right after the other, until Kurt finally called for their break. “Hope you’re enjoying the show. We’re gonna take fifteen. Stick around, the second half is just as good.” He handed control over to their soundman who took on the role of band-break DJ.

  “Dude, you’re sweatin’ like a pig,” Alec said, laughing at Lamb.

  Lamb smirked and turned to Jake. “Watch this, the girls love it,” He made a production of sticking his drumsticks in his back pocket, peeling off his sweat-drenched T-shirt, mopping off his abs, pecs, and pits with it, and then pulling out a clean shirt from his backpack. He tossed the sweaty one onto the ground behind his drums.

  Lamb swung his arm around Jake’s shoulder. “College girls. Man, you are in for a treat tonight. Time to break in the newbie. By the way,” he added under his breath, leaning toward Jake, “you’re twenty-one tonight. We only get one round, can’t play if we’re wasted.” He guided Jake to the bar with Alec behind them.

  Lamb ordered the round of beers. Turning to pass them out, he came face-to-face with a sexy brunette who was anything but shy. “Don’t I know you?” Lamb asked, passing the beers off to Alec, Julia, and Jake without looking at them. He boldly slipped his now empty hand around her slim waist, holding his own beer in his other hand.

  “No, but we can take care of that,” she purred, leaning into him.

  “College girls,” Lamb wagged his brows at Jake before escorting the girl away from the bar, leaving the rest of the girls to Alec and Jake.