Rock Candy Kisses

by Addison Moore

  I thread through the crowd, but Annie isn’t anywhere to be seen. Shit. She probably took off. I head for the door and spot her in the corner with a blonde by her side and two guys I recognize from parties past chatting it up with them. I hold back a smile. It looks like they can use another person in their circle. Annie spots me and steps toward the guy to her left. He’s tall and GQ with a freaking suit on. A suit. Who the hell wears a suit to a frat house? I get a little closer, and Annie glances my way before putting her hand on his shoulder.

  I pause a moment trying to figure this out. It’s not that Tristan douche. In fact, I’ve never seen her with this guy before. A thought occurs to me. Is she trying to make me jealous? I’d be amused if I wasn’t annoyed or—for the lack of a better word—jealous. Wait, this doesn’t have to do with pole climbing Jo-the-ho back there does it? Holy heck. A smile digs into the side of my cheek. Maybe I’m not the only jealous one around here. The music spikes up ten octaves, and the smile glides off my face because Annie can’t hear it. No music, no favorite song, she hasn’t heard a note of what comes from my mouth, and yet she’s always faithful with a smile on her face each time we’re at the Black Bear.

  “What’s going on?” I dig my gaze into hers and step in front of the preppy who’s trying to rope her in with his smooth tie, his smooth talk.

  “Dude”—he pulls me back by the shoulder a little too rough for my liking—“we’re having a conversation.”

  “She’s with me.” I don’t take my eyes off Annie. I can’t. Her lips are a luscious juicy red tonight, and I’m dying to take a bite. She’s beautiful with her eyes glowing in this dim light, her frosted eye shadow sparkles just enough to give her that angel effect. But Annie doesn’t need it. Annie is an angel, my injured soul can testify to that.

  “What part of we’re having a conversation don’t you understand?” The dude barks in my ear, and my jaw clenches because I know his type. He’s not able to leave well enough alone until things get physical.

  I turn to get a better look at the guy I’m about to assault—clean cut, hair parted neatly down the side, glasses. I’ll try not to bend the frame.

  “See those chicks over there?” I nod to where Gunner and Eddie are about to close a deal. “They’re aching for some action. You want to get lucky? I’d hurry if I were you.” I turn my full attention to Annie. That beaming smile of hers goes off, and it makes me wonder what the hell we’re still doing in a room full of people.

  My shoulder gets yanked from behind as the idiot shoves me into the wall. A slight gasp emits from the immediate crowd around us. He’s teasing out my anger like a rock against flint.

  “I’m glad you started it.” I draw back my arm. “Because I’d love to finish it.” My fist connects with his jaw, and his glasses go flying. Sorry sport. He lands on top of me and offers a knee to the balls.

  Holy shit! Who does that? I roll over, dying in pain, and, before I know it, the entire frat house has turned into a brawling match.

  Ah, fuck. I get on all fours trying to get the hell up. I try to recompose myself enough to find Annie but can’t see straight for the life of me. The dull ache sears right through to my belly, and I fight the urge to puke. A surge rises through me. I kick the legs out from beneath him before we go at it again.

  Idiots—both him and me.

  After the melee dies down, Barkley, the house “sitter” AKA house brother, kicks everyone the hell out. The place is trashed. There’s a questionable pool of liquid in the middle of the room leading right up over the sofa where I lay my head at night. And something tells me that good time is over.

  I pull my phone out and shoot a text to Annie right from where I’m lying on the floor. Sorry about that.

  Don’t apologize. Are you ok???

  I’m fine. Just want to make sure you’re safe.

  She texts right back. My roommate and I went home.

  I’m glad. You free tomorrow afternoon? 3:30?

  Sure! I imagine the excitement on her face, and my heart thumps at the idea of making her happy—making anyone happy.

  Great. I’ll pick you up at Prescott.

  And how do you know where I live?

  A smile comes and goes. I can practically see her flirting.

  I’m a proficient stalker. Goodnight, Annie.

  Goodnight, Blake.

  Perfect. I’ll pick her up right after work. I know just the place to take her—that is if the weather behaves.

  “Daniels!” A swift kick to my thigh rouses my attention as I get up off the floor. Barkley helps me up the rest of the way. “Sorry about your balls, dude.” He shakes his head. “But you gotta go. It’s university policy, no squatters allowed. I would have let you stay if you didn’t start shit.”

  I’d let him know I didn’t technically start shit, but I’m pretty sure it’s not a fight I’m going to win, so I raise my hands in surrender and give.

  “I’ll be gone come morning.”

  “No can do. I need you gone right now.”

  “Where am I supposed to go?” It’s dropping down to the thirties tonight. I hate sleeping in the truck. I’ve done it a time or two, and I’m not in the mood to assume the neck cricking position.

  “Not my problem.” He heads for the stairs. “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding some girl to share a bed with. Alpha Chi is fucking generous this time of year.”

  “Alpha Chi.” I groan as I think of hauling all my crap down from the attic. I don’t want to share a bed with anyone from Alpha Chi tonight or any other night. Annie blinks through my mind, those ruby lips, that wild hair, those lucent eyes that I wish I could stare into all night long. I think I know who I want to share a bed with, and I’m pretty sure she deserves someone way better than me. Maybe that preppy. I’m betting he’s not a homeless dropout with a kid on the way.

  I collect my things and start the long drive over to Jepson.

  The light is on in Wyatt’s ranch house. Those cowboy boots Annie wore tonight come to mind and hit me like another kick in the balls. Wyatt has more than a few horses I can teach her to ride.

  I head up the porch and give a brisk knock to the door. It takes a good five minutes for it to swing open. Wyatt appears in nothing but his sweats. A girl stands behind him with his dress shirt wrapped around her body like a robe.

  Great.

  “What’s going on?” He squints past me into the night. He’s my spitting image minus the rough edge and tats—same dark hair, same God-breathed eyes our mother used to say.

  “You said you wanted to talk.” I plunk my duffle bag onto the porch. “Here I am.”

  Silent Kisses

  Annie

  Saturday morning I wake up with the sun—reeling off the excitement of seeing Blake later on today. Marley and I head to Hallowed Grounds for breakfast before Holt picks me up for a lunch date with my mother. I’ve been heading home almost every Friday night and staying through the weekend, but as soon as I learned that Blake would be at Regency House last night, I knew I wanted to stay.

  So how are things with William? I tap the screen on my phone playfully. Marley has her hair up in a messy bun. Her eye makeup is slightly smudged, and she’s still unreasonably gorgeous.

  “Great.” Her brows rise, but she doesn’t smile like she usually does when she gushes about him. She types into her phone. I miss him more than I thought I would. I’m beginning to wonder if I made a mistake by coming to Whitney.

  Now I feel bad. Don’t say that. Things happen for a reason. I’m sure everything will work out. You just need to get used to everything. How did things work out with the velvet handcuffs? I bet he was thrilled to do a little research with you.

  She makes a face. Never did use them. His stomach was upset, and he ended up leaving early. I don’t know why, but I got the feeling it was just an excuse.

  I’m not sure what to say now. Is he coming down again soon?

  She lets out an exasperated breath. He was supposed to come down today, but he has a big pape
r due on Monday. He’ll be down next weekend for sure. I think I’m going to surprise him and drive up. It’s only fair if we take turns. She strums her nails, getting lost in thought for a moment. “And what about you? Where do you think Blake is taking you later today?” She mouths the words carefully to me.

  I have no idea. Maybe the lookout again? He’s picking me up at 3:30, and I’m worried my brother won’t bring me back by then. I really want to go out with him.

  Marley darts her gaze to the ceiling a moment. “How old are you again? I’m sorry, but I’d tell my brother a thing or two if he was trying to stand in the way of me and my boyfriend—not that I have a brother. And the boyfriend feels questionable right about now, too.”

  I touch my hand to hers a moment before replying. Well, I have two brothers who both happen to feel very protective of me. And Blake isn’t my boyfriend. We’re just sort of friends. Not that I haven’t imagined him as my boyfriend. I’m sure my brothers would freak out on a daily basis if that were the case. I can see their torches and pitchforks now.

  Marley stares down at my phone a moment too long before typing into it. Annie, you do realize that he’s interested in more than a friendship with you. She tilts her head awaiting an answer.

  She’s right. I can feel it in my bones. My teeth graze over my bottom lip. Heck, I want more than a friendship with him.

  I know. I think I want the same. I’ve never done this before. I’m not quite sure what to expect. But I’m excited for it. I’ll take whatever he’s willing to give me. My cheeks flush with heat as I show her my response.

  Marley gives an open mouth laugh. “How does he make you feel?”

  How does he make me feel? I blush from head to toe as I glance around afraid she’s shouted the question.

  I stare into my phone a good long time trying to formulate the words. Blake makes me feel like I’m falling—like I’m laughing and crying all at once. I can’t really describe it, but it’s an insane, happy feeling. The other day when he wrapped his arms around me, it felt like my body was on fire. My heart raced so fast I thought I’d pass out if he let go.

  I carefully slide the phone across the table as if it were my heart.

  Marley takes it from me and studies it a good long while before placing it down with tears in her eyes.

  “Oh, Annie.” She covers my hand with hers. “I think you’re really falling for this guy.”

  * * *

  Holt drives us over to Mom’s house with the radio turned up a little too loud. I know this because I can feel the bass vibrating through my skull as I lean my head against the window. Holt always drives with the radio turned all the way up, his window down and his fingers strumming against the dash. I can see his mouth moving along with the rhythm as we enter the suburban housing track that leads towards Mom’s sprawling home. Dad left her with a nice piece of land and my childhood home in the backcountry just past Hollow Brook. I love it here with the evergreens lining the road, the open sky above, the pale pastures that stretch from one property to the next.

  When we get there we find Mom downstairs with Nitro, my black lab, hopping around like mad happy to see us.

  Baby, Mom signs. I’ve missed you like crazy. Tell me everything and start from the beginning. Baya and Bryson are coming, so you might want to skip to the juicy parts before they get here. She gives a little wink. Mom is beautiful with her sensible chic style, her modern rectangular cut glasses. Her shoulder length hair has grown out a bit, and, thankfully, she’s growing out her bangs as well. Last fall she colored it a shade too dark, and she’s finally starting to sprout her chestnut highlights at the roots again.

  “There are no juicy parts.” Holt winks at me.

  Nice. I glance to Mom with a look that says see what I’m up against? But honestly I don’t expect her to understand.

  “What’s going on?” she asks. It’s rare she doesn’t sign around me, although that was clearly meant for Holt.

  “There’s some guy that’s got it bad for Annie. Don’t worry. I’ve got my eye on him. He’s not getting anywhere.”

  I bend down to scratch Nitro’s belly until his hind legs kick out of control. I want no part of this conversation. If Holt wants to think he has it all under control, I’ll gladly let him believe it. At least Izzy seems to be understanding. Sometimes I think neither of my brothers will ever accept me having someone in my life. I’m sure they’ll want to supervise on my wedding night just to make sure the whole evening ends on a chaste note. I think they’d dance a jig if I announced I was heading into a convent. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if they already signed me up for one. I’ve already got the vow of silence down pat. I make a face at Nitro. I used to envy him for so long. The way my mother spoils him—the way the world expects nothing out of him but a wag of the tail, he really does have it made.

  Baya and Bryson show up, and Mom serves us a huge brunch on the back terrace. The apple trees lining the property are dotted with bright red fruit that hang like Christmas ornaments, and their fragrance fans all the way over to where we’re sitting.

  “So when do I get my grandchildren?” Mom directs the question to Baya and Bryson, and they both nearly choke on their next bite.

  “Not for a while.” Baya smiles sweetly at my brother. “I want to graduate first and settle down. No hurry over here.” She looks to Holt.

  Izzy had to work at the dance studio this afternoon, or she would have joined us for my mother’s maternity shakedown.

  “We’ve got cats.” Holt is quick to jump out of the baby fire, both signing and speaking. “For now,” he teases.

  Mom rides her shoulders to her ears with a content look on her face. “I’m just so glad you’ve all found your special someone.” She glances to me, and her eyes widen. “And don’t you worry, sweetie, your special someone is out there just waiting to find you. And when the time is right, he will.”

  I glance down at my phone. The time will be right in approximately two hours, and the place he’ll find me will be right in front of Prescott Hall. I try to hide the blooming grin on my face. I can’t help it. Blake makes me want to laugh out loud with joy. Something I haven’t felt, since, well, ever.

  “Annie?” Mom waves to garner my attention. “I got those pamphlets from the Hoover Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. They have an extensive website. There are tons of video testimonials that I’d love to go over with you tonight. We can get Chinese and maybe dabble in some cyber shopping. We’ll paint the Internet red.” She raises her fork to me before taking another bite of her omelet.

  Oh—I can’t stay over. Study group tonight. I sign so fast I’m not sure if I actually have a study group or if I’ve just lied to my mother for the very first time. My breathing grows erratic, and I feel light headed like I might pass out. Ironic since that’s exactly how I feel around Blake. I’m not sure what it means that both lying to my mother and my feelings for my new boyfriend are one in the same. Wait—did I just call him my boyfriend? I shake the thought out of my head.

  “Annie?” Mom waves, and I freeze with a grimace glued to my face. All eyes are on me, and oh, wow, this has become uncomfortable far too quick. Is it too late to fake a stomach ache? It’s as if the lies are ready to shoot out of me like a geyser.

  “Are you okay?” Mom’s eyes enlarge with concern as if I’ve malfunctioned once and for all. “You seem a little distracted.”

  Baya’s mouth drops open as if she’s just had an epiphany. I’m sure she’s onto me.

  Distracted is a good word, I sign back. School is a bit tougher than I anticipated. God’s honest truth, right there. I have an eight-page essay due on Monday. It’s just a first draft, but the professor likes for the class to critique each other’s work.

  Bryson does a quick translation for his new wife.

  That’s why I have to get back tonight—actually, this afternoon. I need to be back by three thirty. Some of the other girls—people in the group—want to have their evening free. God, this just keeps getting worse. Forg
et faking a stomach ache. I have one.

  “Are you sure it’s not a boy who has you distracted?” Mom gives a knowing look, and my face heats up like hell fire. “Holt mentioned that someone had their eye on you. I can imagine a whole lot of boys have their eyes on you.” Her face lights up with glee as if she lives to torment me over a boy. I know she means well, and I’m pretty sure she’d be singing a different tune if she knew this boy were the reason I wanted to head back to campus. It’s all fun and games until there’s a real penis involved. If I didn’t feel like crying, I’d laugh at the thought.

  What if there was a boy? I force a smile, but it comes out more of a scowl. A part of me wants to probe just to see if she’s all right with the idea.

  Bryson whispers to Baya, and her chest hiccups with a gasp.

  Mom’s amusement is quick to melt away. “Well, I suppose you’ll have to bring him around.” She nods to Holt and Bryson. “I’m sure your brothers will want to approve. I’ve never envied you on that front. But I’m sure if you find him interesting, that’s enough for me.” She does a quick sweep of all the secretive faces. “Well, who’s going to tell me about this mystery boy?”

  Holt leans his head back a moment. “He’s the lead singer in a band that performs at the Black Bear—the 12 Deadly Sins.” He looks to me. “In the event you haven’t noticed, they added about five extra transgressions.”

  Good God. I roll my eyes.

  “His name is Blake.” Baya nods at my mother. “He’s amazingly sweet, and he has a voice that makes ovaries cry for a ten mile radius.”

  My heart thumps at the idea. She nailed it all right.

  Bryson shoots her a look before pulling her in close, and she giggles. It’s nice seeing him so happy. He was so depressed, and rightfully so, after his friend Stephanie died. He thought she killed herself over him, but she was pushed off a cliff by that evil witch, Aubree. Baya is lucky she survived Aubree’s clutches. My thoughts drift to Blake, how horrible he must feel to have lost his brother just this past summer, and now I can’t wait to see him in just a few short hours. He hasn’t talked much about his brother, but I want him to. I want him to tell me everything there is to know about him. I want to be that person for Blake—someone he can share his intimate thoughts with.