by J. L. Drake
“Well, now.” A guy I recognized from the team wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Newbies need to have the house special.”
“Is that so?” I challenged the quite good looking player, pulling back out of his grasp, my body stiff.
“Mmhmm.” He nodded at Clark, who poured some random concoction into a plastic cup.
“Bottoms up, newbie.”
I decided to brave it out and play this through, so I took the cup from him, but stopped. “Your name first.”
“Steven.”
“Okay.” I shrugged and tipped the cup, downing the entire nasty drink. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but I knew when I wanted to make a statement.
“Impressive.” Steven leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Mimi laughed, then handed me a cup full of beer.
“Dibs!” Steven yelled as he crushed me to his chest. My beer splashed over the rim, and I shook my hand dry. “This one is all mine.”
“Is that so?” someone said behind us. Keith had a hint of scruff along his jaw bone and sported a tight dark blue t-shirt and jeans, and he reached around us to pour some beer.
“That’s right, my friend.” Steven kissed my head playfully while I cringed at the glare Keith gave him. I threw Mimi a look that pleaded for help, but she just rolled her eyes. I guessed this was normal behavior for him.
I drew in my bottom lip. I was afraid I was going to say something that might get me into trouble. I caught Keith’s gaze from under his ball hat and wanted to run to him.
“Get your hands off my sister.” Elliot looked less than impressed.
Steven released me quickly and sent me sailing into Keith, who caught me by the waist.
“I was just making sure she was warm.” Steven laughed. “You know, skimpy uniform, ice; October in Boston is kind of cold.”
“I’m okay, El.” I gave his arm a little squeeze to let him know I really was all right. I would never fault my brother for looking out for me. He had every right to. After all, what happened to me back home was why we made the move down here in the first place. Elliot was just worried.
He gave a little nod as he calmed down and looked at the people around us.
“El, have you meet Mimi?”
He shook his head like he did when he needed to get it on straight. “No, sorry, I haven’t.” He offered a hand. “You’re the head cheerleader or something, right?”
“I am. Let’s go talk.” She took his hand and led him outside.
“Keith.” Nicole waved him over while she twirled her long red hair around her finger. “It’s our song.” She stretched out her hands. “Dance with me?”
I didn’t miss that she was staking claim, so instead of reacting to the sting I felt inside, I took Steven’s hand and played along. “Now, that sounds like fun.” I led him to the living room where Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It” pulsed through everyone. With my hands on his shoulders, I started to swing my hips. He followed, and in no time we had a good rhythm going. I ignored my natural instinct and the need to stay in the shadows and decided to let loose.
The song changed to Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Steven grabbed my hands and did some weird hip roll with me. Oh no, this is so not my music. However, the playful look on his face made me give in. I wished my mother could see me now. I was relaxed and having fun for the first time in what seemed like a long time.
Steven raised his arms and rolled his hips in my direction, and right before I stepped into him, I noticed Keith was off to the side speaking to Nicole, but his eyes were on me.
“I need some air.” I fanned myself and pointed to the door. “Be right back, okay?”
He took my hand and led me toward the door. I didn’t mean for him to come, but okay…
I stopped at the patio, not wanting to stray too far away from the house with him.
“Pretty great spot.” He sighed and leaned against the rail, looking down at me. When I only nodded, he stuck his hands in his pockets. “You have someone back home?”
I raised a brow, reluctant to answer his question. So I gave him my normal run-around comment. “Everyone wants to know the new girl’s story.”
“No, I just want to know if I stand a chance here or not.”
The effort it took not to roll my eyes was something else. Did he even care to get to know me first? All Steven saw was a pair of legs to spread. Suddenly, my conscience pinched me. I wasn’t a hearts and flowers girl anymore, though I didn’t think I ever was. Sadly, I never got the chance to get to know the real me. I could be a bit self-destructive. It gave me an outlet from the darkness that lived inside me.
Elliot, for the most part, knew what I was going through, and a part of me hated it, but the other was thankful he could see through my bullshit. My parents, on the other hand, still struggled. They constantly worried about how I was doing. I found myself trying to prove I was okay, like joining the cheerleading team. If my friends back home could see me now, they’d die. But they couldn’t, and I had to build another life around false illusions.
“You want a drink or something?” I could tell my silence was bothering him. I wrapped my arms around my mid-section, suddenly feeling the cold around me. “You cold?”
I nodded just as he put his cold hand on my exposed lower back. I jumped at the uncomfortable jolt that leapt up my spine.
As we were going in, Keith was coming down the stairs. Nicole followed behind, fixing her top. She gave me a little wave with a grin.
Shit.
A lead ball hit my stomach. I needed to find Elliot and get out of here.
I raced to Clark, leaving Steven to speak with one of his friends.
“Hey, have you seen my brother?”
“Ha! Yeah, last I saw them, they were heading upstairs, and the only reason you go up there is to get—”
“Thanks!” I cut him off. I didn’t need that visual. I headed outside to find Trish. I cupped the window, hoping the car was open. “Shit.” Of course not. The road was full of people, but no sign of my new friends. Fine. I let my inner stubbornness show her face.
Fifteen minutes into my walk, I wondered if Clark had a permit to attend our school, because this was a lot farther than I remembered. I was thankful for my sneakers, but it was cold and my body started to shake. I was sure there must be a pay phone up ahead where I could call my parents. The number one rule in our house was if we were ever in trouble, we could call with few questions asked, but if we didn’t, we’d get in real trouble. My parents were pretty frigging amazing.
Headlights flooded the world ahead of me and cast a shadow that grew as the car came closer. It slowed and the window rolled down, and there was Keith, looking mighty pissed off.
“What are you doing?”
“Hey, what’s up?” I tried to act normal, but it came out forced.
“What are you doing?”
“Walking.”
“Why?”
“Couldn’t find Elliot, so I left.”
He shook his head. “Where is your jacket?”
“Mimi’s car.”
He raced ahead and parked the truck. The door swung open, and he hurried toward me. He stopped when I was only a foot away.
“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here? Dammit, Lexi! Look what you’re wearing. Any guy would pull over to check you out.”
I shook off the image of Nicole’s face when she figured out Keith had come after me. “I’m fine, Keith.”
“Hey.” He snatched my arm and pulled me to a halt. “What’s wrong? Did Steven do something?” Before I could answer, he dropped down to look right into my eyes. “Did he touch you?”
“No! God, no! He didn’t do a thing but be friendly.”
“Come on, I’ll take you home.”
I squared my shoulders at his tone. Pardon?
He turned when I didn’t follow. His eyes narrowed in on me while his fingers strummed at his sides. In two strides he was in front of me. He placed his han
ds on my shoulders and looked down. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I blinked with confusion.
“I’d really like to take you home again. I promised Elliot I would watch out for you.” My stomach sank. Oh, great, I was his pet he got to babysit. My tongue pushed on the back of my teeth as my anger grew. My father was right. I was too stubborn for my own good, but I couldn’t help it. It calmed me, made me feel like I was in control. Truth be told, I hated control, but I’d never felt safe enough to let my guard down.
“I’d rather walk.”
Oh, the face he made was rather appealing. “Get in the damn truck, Lexi.” I walked around him and his truck. “You’re so damn lucky you’re you.” He snickered as he went back to his truck.
I wondered what he meant, but before I could get that thought through, I tuned into the engine, the engine now rumbling away behind me with its headlights on full beam.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Okay, here we go.
Every once in a while, a car would drive by. I was mortified, although I’d never show it. I held my own. I had walked almost seven blocks before I felt the first raindrop. Of course. Second by second, they fell harder and harder.
“You about done?” he called from the window.
“No,” I hissed without looking back.
A truck passed, and they slowed down and started yelling at me. “Whooooo! Damn, a wet cheerleader. My prayers have been answered!” I recognized him. He was one of the terrible football players. “Danny, pull over!”
Shit.
I stopped when they did. I heard a door shut and heavy footsteps, and Keith appeared by my side. Then he took a step forward almost as if to shield me.
“Get in the truck, Lexi,” he barked over his shoulder. “Troy, shut your door before I break both your legs.”
“Aw, come on, Keith, we’re only playing with her.”
“I’ve seen you play, and I know if your dad saw you now, he’d beat me to the first punch.”
Keith grabbed my hand and pulled me to his side of the truck. He opened the door and lifted me in. I quickly shuffled over to the other side, becoming cooler as I relaxed.
“You are one stubborn girl.” He reached behind the bench, pulled a flannel blanket free, and handed it to me.
“Thanks.” I gladly took it and covered my shoulders.
He sighed heavily before his hands fell from the wheel. One rubbed his chin as he thought about something. He leaned forward and removed his slick t-shirt, tossing it behind me. I couldn’t help but stare at his figure. Damn, he was seventeen but had a body of a trainer. He tugged a dry long sleeve shirt over his head and pulled it in place.
The rain beat the windshield, clearing momentarily as the wipers zipped by. The truck pumped out heat, but the thin layer of ice that ran along my skin prevented it from warming me.
“I should get you home.”
We didn’t speak the whole way. I wished I knew what to say, but I didn’t. He pulled into my driveway and looked up at my dark house.
“Guess Elliot isn’t home yet.”
“Nope.” I undid my seatbelt. “I was supposed to stay overnight at Mimi’s house, and he was going somewhere else.”
“Where are your parents?”
“They had to go back home and deal with our house closing.”
He looked at me strangely as I handed him back his blanket. “Do you even have a key?”
“There’s a spare in the shed.”
I hated the idea of heading back there in the dark, but what other choice did I have?
I swung the door open, and the rain beat down on my shoulders. I awkwardly dropped the long way to the ground, preparing myself for the landing this time.
“Thanks for the—” I watched him jump out and start walking toward the house. “What are you doing?” I raced to catch up. My sneakers squeaked under my socks, and I lost my footing and fell on my ass. Awesome, Lexi. He turned around, and his expression changed into a smirk. “Really? You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
He offered me a hand and brought me to my feet. “Just fun when I see your wall drop for a moment.”
“I don’t have a wall.” Water splattered from my lips.
“You’re kind of cute when you lie. Come on.” He pulled me behind him to the shed, and after a moment or two of searching, we found the spare set of keys.
Once inside my house, he handed me the keys. Thunder rolled above us and the rain started to really pour.
“Well, you did your duty.” I kicked off my sneakers and began to wring out my soaking hair.
“Go get warm. I’ll stay until you’re settled.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t.” He ran a hand through his dark hair, and his eyes begged me to challenge him.
“Okay,” I whispered as I took the first step upstairs.
After a hot shower, my bones finally felt warm and my lips had stopped twitching. I changed into red and black plaid pants and a tight white tank top with a black sweater that hung open in the front. Taking two steps at a time, I hurried down to the living room to find Keith watching TV. He looked over and his gaze dropped down my front.
“I’m fine, you know. You don’t need to babysit me.”
He shook his head as he stood. “You think that’s what I’m doing?”
“It’s what you said.”
“Did you ever think maybe I like you?”
I folded my arms, feeling my anger rise. “How stupid do you think I am?”
“Pardon?”
“Look, I’m not someone’s sloppy second.”
He matched my stance. “How are you that, exactly?”
My chin lifted as I headed over to the door. “I think you should go.”
“Have you always been this friendly? Or is it something I draw out of you?” He pulled his keys free from his jeans. “So glad you’re home safe, Lexi.” His sarcasm wasn’t lost on me.
He walked straight up to me, his large body nearly touching mine. The top of my head came up to his broad shoulders, causing me to tilt my head back.
“Whatever your reason is for being so guarded, you can knock it off now.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“You’re maddening!”
“So are you.”
“Keith—” He grabbed my shoulders and dipped down, pressing his lips to mine. I stayed still at first, not sure what to make of it. I was pissed, but oddly turned on. His tongue moved inside my mouth and his arm hooked around my back. My body started to take over and I wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. He stepped forward and pressed me flat against the wall. One hand moved along my bare skin between my pants and top, and the other threaded into my hair.
Oh my God, he was a good kisser. Forceful but gentle. Perfect combination.
He pulled back and let out a heavy sigh before he lifted my leg and hooked it on his hip. His lips found mine again and consumed my mind. I ran my hands over his solid arms and shoulders; I needed more.
The phone rang and pulled us back down to reality. He didn’t stop right away, and I didn’t want him to. On the fourth ring, he finally pulled away.
My hands dropped away and I moved around his body toward the phone on the entryway table.
“Hello?”
“Dammit, Lexi, you scared me half to death!” Elliot shouted over the line. “Mimi has your keys and all your stuff. I thought you were going to her place tonight.”
Keith was fiddling with his keys, then he looked over and found me watching him.
“I couldn’t find her, but I’m fine, El. Keith drove me home and helped me find the spare keys.”
“Well, tell him Nicole is on the warpath and looking for him. That girl has a scary streak.” My stomach twisted. “Guess he drove you home first. I’ll let her know he’s with you.”
“No, don’t.” I closed my eyes as if that would allow me to avoid the drama. “Let him tell her.”
&nb
sp; “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” I hung up the phone with a heavy heart.
“Everything okay?” he asked in a deep voice.
Letting out a small sigh, I turned and found my voice. “You may want to head back to the party. Nicole is looking for you.” His face said all I needed to know. “Thanks for the ride home, but you should go.”
He had a strange expression on his face as he disappeared into the rain.
CHAPTER THREE
Keith
Lexi avoided me for two weeks after that, and even skipped one of our games. I wished I knew what was going on with her.
I caught Elliot on his way to class. “Hey, where is your sister?”
“Practice out on the field.” He stopped. “Are you dating Nicole?”
What? “No, why?”
“Well, Nicole made it very clear to Lexi that you were. Lexi saw you two walking downstairs at Clark’s party. When Nicole found out you drove her home, she made Mimi drop Lexi from the last game.”
“Seriously?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Look, my sister has been through some rough shit, but I can tell she likes you. If you like her, then tell her, but if you’re going to string her along, don’t. She’s had enough bad things happen in her life.”
“Like what?”
He shook his head. “Not my stories to share, man.”
“Yeah, I get it. Thanks.” I hurried to the field to find her.
The girls were in a human pyramid. Lexi and Mimi were on top. With an effortless drop, they fell one by one into the arms of the other girls.
“Nicole!” I shouted over the music. She grinned at me and strolled over. I noticed Lexi glanced my way too.
“Hey, sexy.” She went to hug me, but I stepped back.
“What are you doing telling people we’re dating?”
Her face twisted as she looked back at Lexi. “Oh, come on, now, Keith. You know we’d be perfect together. We have a history.”
“Right.” I turned to face her crazy notions. “We are history. We dated junior year, for one week, until I found you kissing the whole damn football team. Let it go and move on.”