Sublime Karma

by Peyton Garver

  Invading his space as if she was still his girl, as if nothing untoward had ever happened between them, her lashes swept up, and he was looking into her predatory eyes. “Hey, long time no see.”

  He scowled. “Yeah, guess you could say that.” He held his ground, crossing his arms in front of him, and swished his hair back out of his eyes with a jerk of his head.

  “Are you going to Danny’s party Friday night?”

  “Danny’s havin’ a party? Didn’t even know about it.” His eyes skimmed her body. She made no qualms about showing him how much she wanted him.

  “Really? It’s Danny’s party and you didn’t know about it?” she teased. “Everyone’s talking about it. Well, do you think you might go?”

  He shrugged. “I dunno. I might.”

  His ringtone sounded, interrupting them. Looking at the screen, he stiffened. Are you kidding me? Ignoring Leif’s call, he pocketed the phone. “I gotta go,” he said, brushing her off.

  “Okay. Will you call me?”

  He only hesitated a second. He slung his equipment bag over his shoulder and shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He walked around her without looking back.

  What did Leif want? By the time he got to his Jeep, curiosity had gotten the best of him. He pulled up his voicemail list, selected Leif, and pressed speaker. All right Leif. Why are you calling me? But, it was Brie’s voice. His heart plummeted. He pressed call back. The phone went directly to Leif’s voice mail. Jake ended the call and played Brie’s message all the way through on speaker. He leaned his head back against the headrest and listened.

  “Jake, I had to call from Leif’s phone. I left mine in my gym locker the day I ditched school to find you. Leif told me everything, about the flash drive and what happened with Rick at the lake house. It was horrible. Jake, I have so much to tell you. But, right now we’re on our way to meet our mom. Leif’s in the car now. He’s waiting for me to finish this call to you. My mom, Leif, and I, we have so much to work through. We’re going to spend a few days together, alone, with no distractions. That’s why I’m calling you now before we go. I hope I can be back in time for your Fall Fest concert. But, I just wanted to tell you . . .” He heard her take a breath. Her next words were slow and deliberate. “Jake, I trust you. I miss you.” She finished with a whisper. “I want you. I need you. Jake, I love you. Goodbye, I’ll see you soon.”

  Jake swiped at his eyes. Embarrassed, he looked around the parking lot, and then started up his Jeep. He expelled a breath. She loves me? He felt his lips twitch up in a spontaneous, sappy smile.

  Chapter 36

  “Darling, I thought you wanted to go to your friend’s concert.”

  My friend’s? Before Brie could roll her eyes, Leif winked from behind their mother. A smile flashed on her face before she answered. “By the time I get there, it’ll probably be over. But, that’s okay. I’m glad we went away together, it was fun.”

  “Did you really have a good time?”

  “Ugh. Mother, don’t keep looking for affirmation. It’s off-putting.”

  Leif laughed and interrupted. “Hey, come on.” He took hold of Brie’s shoulders and steered her out of the room.

  “Thanks,” Brie murmured. “I hope she’s not deciding to be around all the time now. I can only take her in small doses.”

  “I doubt she will. She likes her freedom, too.” Leif laughed. “Anyway, Jake called my phone. He’s expecting you to be there. So, get moving.”

  “He called? Did you talk to him? Why didn’t you put me on?”

  “Nah, he left a message, just saw it.”

  “Leif, it’s too late. I should have gone there with him. I haven’t even talked to him for four days. It’ll be weird. He’s probably not even expecting me to come.”

  Leif checked his watch. “No, it’s not too late. And, didn’t you hear me? He is expecting you. He gave this to Carlos this afternoon.” He waved the VIP pass.

  “Leif, it is too late. The streets are shut down, and there’s no parking.”

  “Stop making excuses,” he barked. “That’s what the VIP pass is for.” A mischievous grin covered his face. “Is he your dream guy or not?”

  “Leif! Ohmigosh! I cannot believe you went into my phone.” She balled up her fist and gave him a sideways smack on his arm.

  “I take it that’s a yes,” he said, laughing. “Come on. We can go on my bike.”

  “On the Ducati?”

  “Yeah. It’ll be a frigid ride, dress warm. You can wear my leather jacket.” He was walking toward her door.

  “Wait, what do I do when I get there?”

  “Uh, you just . . . go to him.”

  “Leif, he’s going to be on a stage with his band. There’s going to be people there. A lot of people, watching.”

  Leif turned around. “Look, he wants you there. I’ll wait there until it’s over if you want.”

  Brie nodded. “Yes, don’t leave me. He might not even know I’m there.”

  “Now hurry up, go get ready or you’ll miss it.” Leif motioned toward the steps.

  Butterflies suddenly swarming, Brie rummaged through her wardrobe. She pulled on a pair of jeans and an oversized sweater and then hurried to her bathroom to straighten her hair and pull it up. After swiping on some lip-gloss, she took one last look in the mirror. She was ready. Grabbing her boots, she ran downstairs. Leif was already waiting.

  “You look great,” he said, picking up his helmet and holding one out to her.

  “Well, you look like a superhero in that,” she laughed. “You have heard of Green Lantern, haven’t you?” Instead of taking the helmet, she grabbed his wrist to steady herself as she pulled on her boots.

  “Laugh all you want. I told you it’s gonna be cold.” He grinned at her, completely outfitted in his bright green and black cold-weather riding gear.

  “I don’t think Jake knows how lucky he is. You’re the only girl I know who can be ready in less than ten minutes and still look good.”

  “You’re partial.” She grinned as she slipped into the jacket, zipped it up, and then took the helmet. “Come on, let’s go!” she said, pulling on the helmet and pressing the shield lock to secure it.

  Leif grinned back. “Yes ma’am!”

  On the Ducati, Leif was able to get her right up to the back of the amphitheater by the creek that had been cordoned off, just opposite the stage. He slipped the VIP pass into her hand. “Take it. Just in case they card you.”

  Nervous, she handed her helmet to him, let her hair down, and shook it out. “Thanks, Branch.”

  He took his helmet off and gave her a quick wink. “Don’t mention it, Cheddar. Now, go find him.”

  She nodded, looking from the band then back to Leif. “Don’t leave yet. I mean it, Leif.”

  “Go on. I’ll wait right here.”

  She nodded and turned toward the crowd. The amphitheater by the creek was packed. Jake’s band was on the stage, and he was the one singing. She looked back over her shoulder at Leif, still sitting on his bike where she left him. He encouraged her forward with a single nod.

  She didn’t need the VIP pass. Last call had already been made. No more alcohol was being served. She weaved her way through the audience and stopped on the center steps when she could see him clearly, hesitant to make her way further through the crowd. And then, somehow, even with all the people surrounding her, their eyes locked. He held her in a trance with his hypnotic gaze, and that familiar warm rush flowed through her. He wrote this song, for me. And, she knew he needed her as much as she needed him.

  Every time I see your eyes

  You draw me in, a little bit closer

  And when I’m finally breaking through

  Getting through to you

  I know it can’t be over


  She stood where she was, mesmerized by him and his promise as he sang the last verse:

  Even when you walk away

  When you can’t bring yourself to stay

  I’ll be here waiting for you

  Baby you know it’s true

  I’ll be waiting here for you

  Finished, Jake placed the microphone in the stand and hopped off the stage with the audience still applauding, and the drummer still tapping out the dwindling rhythm. Oblivious to the stares, he headed to her as the curious crowd parted for him. She waited where she was, never taking her eyes off him, and when he reached her, he pulled her close, burying his face in the crook of her neck. “Do you have any idea how much I missed you?”

  She threaded her fingers through his hair and closed her eyes, breathing him in. She savored his cinnamon, sandalwood aroma and the feeling of his lips brushing against her throat as he murmured in his rich tenor voice.

  “How much I need you? How much I love you?”

  In the background, the music had faded, and the voice over the speaker was putting in the plug for their regular venue. “Thank you for coming out and supporting us tonight! We play the first Saturday of every month at The Market Street Tap House.”

  Jake gazed into her eyes and smiled with the short pause, then leaned down to whisper the next words in her ear as it was announced from the stage. “We—are Sublime Karma.”