by E. K. Blair
Analise beamed at me. “Sit, sit. Let’s chat.”
I sat and glared.
She pushed a cup to me. “James didn’t touch his coffee. You can have it. I know you like those coffee drinks.”
It went ignored. “I went home today.”
“Honey, this is your new home.” She frowned and glanced towards the ocean. A divider wall sectioned off their backyard, but a small trail led from behind a door in the divider to the beach. “Isn’t it beautiful here?”
“I saw dad.”
She picked up her cup. “I just love tea.”
“Since when?”
“Oh, Samantha. You’re too funny sometimes. I’ve always liked tea.”
“You’ve been a caffeine addict since I was little.”
“Yes, well, I’m trying to wean myself from that. Tea is much better for you.”
“And is James better for you too?”
She turned and set the cup down.
“Is he, mom?”
“So you saw your father?” Her voice hardened. “He wasn’t supposed to be there.”
“At his own house?”
“I asked him to stay away. I knew you’d go back today to make sure we had remembered everything.”
“You didn’t want me to see him?”
“It’s for the best, Samantha.”
“For who? You? He’s my father.”
She patted my arm once and leaned back, tea back in hand. “You’ll see him at school. Your tuition is still going to be paid.”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
“We’re getting a divorce, honey. You do know that certain things in life change during these times.”
“Yeah,” I bit out. “Like families.”
The corner of her mouth curved down and she set the tea down. Her hands were gentle as she placed it back on the cup holder. “I am your family, Samantha. It’ll always be you and me, but now I have James. You should get to know Mason and Logan. They’re very nice boys.”
“And you’ve gotten to know them?”
“I have.” She watched me. “A few times.”
“When?” My stomach churned inside. My hands clasped onto the back of my seat.
“Over the last year, I’ve had dinner with them.”
“Over the last year?”
“I did tell you that I left your father. We’ve been struggling for a long time, Sam. I know you noticed, though you never say anything. You should talk more, honey. It’s healthier for you.”
“You cheated on dad for a year?”
She sighed. “I didn’t cheat—”
“You said a year. You’ve been cheating on dad for a year?” I leaned forward in the chair. “Did dad know?”
She rolled her eyes. “Like your father was a saint. It takes two to keep a marriage. David hasn’t been around for years. You might want to ask him why he’s been so absent too. Or didn’t you notice?”
“He coaches a football team. He’s gone a lot.”
“Football season doesn’t last a year, honey. You might want to wake up if you’re going to start casting blame.” Her voice was like whiplash.
I shoved back the chair. “It takes long hours, sometimes two practices a night. They’re already starting their Sunday practices. They have training that lasts all year, mom. It’s a private school. Their football program is a big deal there. I know all the hours it takes. Jeff’s been on the team for three years.”
She sighed again. “You and that Jeffrey boy, he isn’t good for you either, Sam. His father’s a mechanic and his mother works as a cashier at the grocery store. There isn’t a future with him.”
I reared back. “I’m not marrying him.”
“I know you, Samantha. You’ve been dating him since before you were freshmen. And even I noticed that he cheats on you.”
A cruel smile came to me. “You’re right, mom. You would notice. Cheaters can always tell when they’ve met another cheater. Congrats on being in that special club.”
I sailed inside, but stopped short. Mason and Logan both sat at a table. They watched me. I watched them and then I darted upstairs. It didn’t take me long to change clothes and grab my iPod. When I went back downstairs, they were gone. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered.
I hit the driveway running and kept going. Running had always been an escape for me and it still was. I didn’t return until it’d grown dark and my body could barely stay upright. When I walked back inside, the whole place was silent. Eerie. My footsteps echoed in the hallways.
When I went past the dining room, my mom spoke from the table, “You’ve taken up running again?”
I took out my headphones and stood there. Sweat dripped off of me and I wondered if she’d make some comment how I dirtied the floor.
She sighed to herself and stood. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
I mopped some of the sweat off my face.
“I had dinner with James and the boys. They asked about you, but I told them you were upset with me. And do me a favor, Sam, eat something tonight? I don’t want to start worrying that your eating disorder is back.”
When she went down a hall, I saluted her back and then extended my middle finger. Then I rolled my eyes and went to my room. After I showered, I sat down and turned my phone on. It beeped continuously. Jessica and Lydia were at a bonfire. There was no word from Jeff. Then I shut it back off and crawled in bed.
My first day of the school year was going to be exhausting. I knew the whole year would be. The weekend had just started it off with a bang.
***
CHAPTER THREE
It was the first day back and I was a junior this year. Before last weekend happened, I’d been ecstatic for the year. We were juniors, one year away from being seniors. Then IT happened and I had no idea how the day would go.
My dad was their varsity football coach. He was beloved by many rich fathers and even a few mothers. The guys respected him. And my mother had left him high and dry. As I walked towards my locker, I wasn’t sure what reception I’d get. If people would sympathize with me or label me a whore, like mother like daughter and so on. But when a few of the football captains rushed past me without a second glance, I wondered if no one knew...
Then Jeffrey fell against the locker beside me. His hair was filled with mousse and he gave me a crooked grin.
Oh, those dimples, how they used to work on me.
He grunted. “You no showed all weekend. What’s up with that?”
“After that great farewell you gave me on Friday?” I reached inside for my books. “I have no idea what you mean.”
He rolled his eyes. “Come on, Sam. I texted you a ton and I apologized. You didn’t text me back at all.”
I shrugged.
“Jess and Lydia were hurt. They thought you’d show.”
I shrugged again.
He sighed, “What’s with the act, huh? What’s wrong with you?”
My eyes snapped to his. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been weird since Friday. It’s like someone died in your family or something. What’s going on?”
“How was the party and bonfire?”
He sighed again. “Whatever. They were fine.”
“Did you find another hot chick there?”
His jaw stiffened. “You’re playing that card?”
“I’m playing a card? Why don’t you tell which one it is because I’m not aware of the hand you’ve dealt me.”
He pushed off from the locker, rolled his eyes, and strutted away.
I didn’t do anything. I didn’t curse, sigh, or feel like crying. What I did do was roll back my shoulders and put my bag in the locker. Another day, another adventure. I took two steps towards my English class before Jessica and Lydia bounded up to me, literally.
We all wore uniforms, but their skirts barely covered the bottom of their ass cheeks. A lot of girls had the same. My friends had their shirts unbuttoned to show off their cleavage, complete with the red and bl
ack lacy bras each of them wore.
“Hey...”
Lydia readjusted her shirt so more of her right boob showed. “You totally were absent this entire weekend. What’s up with that?”
Jessica nodded with a solemn look on her. “We were worried about you.”
“Really?” I arched my eyebrow up.
They both nodded, and then someone walked past us and down the hallway. Their expressions changed immediately. They went from seriousness to exuberance.
Jessica clamped onto my arm and leaned forward. “Ashley DeCortts and Adam Quinn broke up this weekend.”
Lydia nodded. “We heard that Ashley slept with one of the Kade brothers. Adam found out and dumped her. It was real and public, at Kara’s bonfire last night. I was front and center.”
“She was.”
“You were?”
“I was. It was awesome. Adam was all grrr and ‘I thought we meant something to you,’ and she was all, ‘I did, but a girl can only do what a girl can do.’ It was awesome. Totally. I wish that happened at every bonfire.”
“You should’ve been there.”
“Yeah,” I deadpanned. “I should’ve been.”
“So where were you?” Jessica asked, but both of their faces turned to blank masks as they stared at me.
“What?”
“Where were you? We went to your house, but no one was there. Lincoln said that your dad was at some conference over the weekend. Did you go with?”
“I had family commitments this weekend.” I lifted my shoulders. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
Lydia leaned closer. “It’s football confidential?”
“Yeah.”
Jessica frowned. “Really?”
“Really. My dad would get mad. I wasn’t even supposed to say anything.”
“Oh.” Lydia looked at Jessica. “They do play Public this week. He might’ve gone to a conference for more pointers. That team is good, really good.”
I clenched my jaw and my fingers tightened around my books. “What are you talking about?”
“Mason Kade.” Lydia gave me a ‘duh’ look. “He’s the star of that team. I heard Adam Quinn talking to Mark Decraw that he thought Kade can go pro some day. I’m not sure about Logan, but they were mainly focused on Mason. I think he’s scared of him. He’s the one that tackles, right? He can sack Adam the whole game, right?”
Jessica and I frowned at her.
Lydia rolled her eyes. “That’s what I heard anyway, that Adam’s scared of Mason Kade.”
My fingers clenched tighter around the books and my knuckles went white. I was so sick of hearing about the Kade brothers, either of them. And I tried to remember if it’d always been like this, but I had never cared.
I was grateful when my class started and I tried to avoid Lydia and Jess the rest of the day. Bonus, no one else seemed interested in me. I didn’t pick up any extra buzz about my dad so I was safe to bet that he hadn’t spilled the beans. Everybody was more interested in the Double A break up, Ashley and Adam.
The week passed uneventfully. Lydia informed me on Wednesday that the Double A team was still broken up and Adam had been spotted by Nancy Burgess’s locker that morning. Jessica made a disgusted sound and stomped away. I thought I heard a few curse words, but wasn’t sure. Probably.
And I met Jeff for pizza that night. He liked the buffet, I liked the salad bar.
“You need a ride home?” he asked as we went back to the parking lot.
“Nope. I drove, remember?”
A look passed over him. “Yeah, about that—why did you drive? I usually pick you up.”
I shrugged as we came to my car. “I’m going to Lydia’s after this. It makes sense.”
“Oh. Okay...” His frown never left and then he leaned in for a kiss.
I breathed out as our lips touched and felt his hand cup my cheek. His lips were soft and he didn’t apply pressure. As his thumb stroked my cheek, I let out a soft moan.
Jeff smiled and rested his forehead against mine. “That was nice, huh?”
“We’ve been doing this for three years. It should feel nice.”
He chuckled and kissed me again. This time he was more insistent, harder. I leaned back against my car and Jeff pressed against me. His hand tilted my head up and his kiss grew more demanding. When his tongue swept in, I pulled away.
“What?”
“What do you mean ‘what’?” I pushed him back. “I don’t want to make out on the street.”
He rolled his eyes. “What do you expect? Is this why you drove here, so you wouldn’t have to kiss me?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Come on, Sam. We used to be hot and heavy, but the last couple months you’re ice cold.”
“I didn’t think you cared. You’ve been so distracted lately.” I bit my tongue.
His mouth clamped shut. “What are you talking about?”
I took in the storm in his eyes, how his jaw was clenched and the stiffness of his shoulders. And something gave way in me. This wasn’t a fight I wanted right now. At least, this wasn’t the fight that I wanted.
I glanced away. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
He touched the back of my elbow. “Hey, what doesn’t matter?”
I didn’t look back, but some tension left me at the softness of his voice.
“You think I’m cheating on you?”
I met his gaze now. “It’s nothing, Jeff. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Like what?”
“Like how I need to get going. My mom’s been on a rampage about family time. The longer I’m at Lydia’s the later I’ll be. You know what she’s like.”
He still frowned, but nodded. “Yeah, okay. You want me to pick you up for school tomorrow?”
“I’m good. I’ve got a car.”
“That’s not the point, Sam.”
“I know.” I didn’t care.
He sighed and turned away. “You’re kinda being a bitch, you know.”
As I watched him go, I stood there. I knew I was being a bitch, that wasn’t the problem. Then I sighed when my phone vibrated. Lydia wanted me to hurry so I got in the car and drove over.
When I got there, she was bouncing like a rabbit on meth. She squealed as she pulled me to her room. “Jessica told me today that Adam Quinn asked about you!”
My insides snapped to attention. “What?”
“Yeah.” She grinned and nodded her head up and down. “Can you believe it?”
I watched as some drool slipped down her chin. “Why would he ask about me?”
“Who cares! He did. Aren’t you excited?”
“What did he say?”
“Are you kidding me? I think he asked how you were doing. You want a soda?”
“You’ve had enough for both of us.”
“Huh?” She stopped bouncing and stared at me.
“Nothing.”
Then she grabbed my arm again. “Get excited, Samantha. You can dump Jeff, finally.”
“Dump him? Why?”
She snorted and threw herself backward on the bed. As she landed with her arms spread out, she rolled her eyes. “Like you really care about the guy. When was the last time you went out with him?”
“Tonight. We just had dinner.”
She stopped short and jerked upright. “Really?”
“Yeah.” I sat at her desk. “Why?”
“You and Jeff had dinner tonight? As in right before you came here?”
“What’s with the twenty questions? Yes. I had dinner. With my boyfriend. Who I have been dating for three years.”
“Oh.” Her mouth shut, though her eyes were still wide.
“I get interrogated for this?” I stood up and started for the door.
“Don’t go!” she called out and caught my arm. Then she sat me down with a serious expression on her face. “So if Adam Quinn asked you out, you’d say...?”
“No. I have a boyfriend.” I frowned. “What’s goi
ng on with you? You’re acting like Jeff and I broke up.”
She lifted her shoulders weakly. “Well...you two don’t act together.”
“That’s crap. What’s really going on? You always ask me about Jeff, if I’ve seen him at the parties or whatever.” I folded my arms over my chest.
Then I stared her down. Hard.
Lydia swallowed. “I, just, I, nothing. Adam Quinn would make a way better boyfriend than Jeff. He was faithful to Ashley when they were together. She wasn’t, but that’s beside the point. Come on, you can’t turn Adam Quinn down because of Jeff.”
“Uh, yeah I can.”
“Jeff cheats on you every weekend.” She jumped to her feet.
“So I’ve heard.” I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.
“Wait, Sam. Don’t go like this. I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I whirled around to her.
She stopped an inch from running into me and her mouth opened, closed, and then opened again. Her eyes looked to the ceiling. “Uh, for...hoping you’ll dump Jeff because he’s a scumbag?”
“Thanks, Lydia.” I headed for my car. When I shut the door behind me, she had stopped following. I saw she had the phone to her ear so I turned mine off. Jess would be calling in a minute, after she’d heard the whole story from Lydia first.
I didn’t care. As I drove away, I sat back. I really didn’t care, about any of it. And I knew in the back of my mind, far far in the back of my mind, that this wasn’t the healthiest feeling. But then again, I didn’t care.
When I walked inside, it was dark. No one was around, but a plate was left on the kitchen table with a sandwich wrapped in saran wrap. My name was posted next to it, but I bypassed it and headed upstairs for my running gear. Five minutes later and I was back out the door. This time, I only stayed away an hour. However, sweat still ran down me as I went into the kitchen for a glass of water.
I sat at the kitchen table to finish it because I knew I’d need a refill before I headed upstairs to shower and crawl in bed for the night.
I was almost done when the door burst open and laughter filled the room. The smell of perfume and booze followed behind. I slumped further down in my chair and watched when Mason came into the kitchen. He turned for the fridge and stuck his head inside. Logan came next with a blonde wrapped around his arm. Her top barely hung on her and it exposed the side of her breast.