by E. K. Blair
“No, but they played football together against me last year. I’m happy that I only get sacked by Kade this year and not both. Anyway, whatever. I’m sounding stupid, aren’t I?” He gave me a grin.
I sipped the beer, but it tasted flat.
“Maybe I should go find Becky and get something to drink?” His blues sparked in good humor and another knot in my stomach unraveled.
When he left, I watched him go. My hands were curled into my chair and I jerked a hand up to finish my beer. Another was handed to me and I looked up. This one was from Logan. He had a sober look on his face, but he wasn’t watching me. I shifted and saw that he was staring in the direction Adam had just gone.
When I took the cold can from him, it slipped from my hold. He caught it and sat in Adam’s seat as he held it to me again.
I held my breath, but I didn’t say a word. Something in me wouldn’t allow it, but I opened the beer and put it in the chair’s cup holder.
He stretched out his legs and lounged back for a moment.
Then he sighed.
I heard the small sound escape his lips and was confused. It was a sound that I’d make.
Laughter rang clear not far from us. I realized that Adam and I had picked seats farther away from the party. I didn’t know if it was for privacy or because of the loud music, but I was suddenly aware of the looks we were getting now. Had Adam and I gotten the same interest?
“They went to the city this weekend.” Logan’s voice sounded rough.
I glanced over and he lifted his head up.
“Mase went to go see our mom tonight.”
We had both been watching the crowd and when two figures separated themselves from the rest and were headed towards us, he grimaced before he stood.
He didn’t look at me. I didn’t look at him, but he held out a second beer. I took it and then he sauntered away. The party-boy air was back with him when Logan neared the crowd. Some girls eyed him with sultry poses and his friends made way for his arrival.
When Adam and Becky stopped by the chairs, neither sat nor said a word.
Then Becky said in a rush, “Was that Logan Kade?”
I gripped the beer tighter and kept my voice neutral. “I wanted to ask about Jessica, if he was going to date her or not.”
Something flashed in her eyes and she clipped out, “I heard that he told her to get lost. She’s back to rubbing herself all over my cousin again. I just walked past them.”
My hand gripped the can tight and I chugged the rest of it.
Adam shot her a look.
Becky’s mouth opened and hung there. “I mean...she’s not good enough for Kade. That’s what I think. And my cousin’s a loser, a first class loser.”
Adam grunted.
She bit her lip and pulled a chair over. “Are you okay, Sam?”
I finished the beer and put it away. It was the last bit of alcohol that I’d consume that night or heaven help me, I would do something I’d regret later. I almost hit my mom once, I wouldn’t be held back a second time with Jessica.
***
CHAPTER NINE
The party went late, but not late enough. Becky was stumbling drunk by the time Adam parked his car outside the two houses. He had to help get her inside and then asked if I needed a ride home. After he asked, he gave me a rueful grin. “Sorry, you’re sober, aren’t you?”
“I only had those two beers.”
“Yeah.” He scratched his head and Becky’s snores soon thundered down to where we stood in front of her door. He laughed and shook his head. “She’s something else, isn’t she?”
“She likes you.” I watched him carefully.
He stood still for a second and closed his eyes a fraction.
It was enough. I knew where he stood. “Stop being nice to her. You won’t hurt her so much then.”
He nodded and ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I do. I like Becky, just not that way.”
I shrugged and started towards my car. “She’s not Ashley DeCortts, but I think that’s a good thing.”
“Hey.” He hurried to walk beside me. “Do you—would you want to meet for dinner tonight?”
I opened my car door and turned around to look where Becky’s room was. “That’s my only friend right now.”
“She’s my friend too and I could be another friend.”
My laugh was genuine. “That’s what you say now, but when I don’t put out it’s going to be a different story.” My eyes narrowed on his. “Because I won’t, you know. I never had sex with Jeff and I’m not going to start again with you. My first and only time was a mistake I will never make again.”
“I know. That’s okay. I respect you for that.”
Another one of those knots unraveled in my stomach again. Why did it happen with him? And at times when I felt he was being honest?
I tilted my head to the side and studied him. “Are you really this nice guy or is this an act?”
He grimaced. “I’m nice. I am, but I’m not being that nice to Becky.”
“No, you’re not.”
“She’s the only person that you talk to. I didn’t know how else to approach you without looking like a complete loser.”
I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t shake the slight smile. “Try not going through the friend that likes you next time.”
“Next time?” His hand caught my car door and held it open.
I looked at it, saw he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and stared him straight in the eyes. “What do you want, Adam Quinn?”
His eyes widened an inch, but he didn’t miss a beat. “Dinner. Just dinner.”
“And if I don’t want dinner? If I want to bail? If I bring Becky with?”
His smile looked painful. “Then I think you’re not being a good friend either.”
“Maybe.” I got inside and shut the door, but I rolled the window down. “Or maybe I don’t believe in friends anymore.”
He leaned down. “For what it’s worth, Becky’s the best friend you could get. Those other two were jokes.”
I gave him a small wave and started home, but I muttered under my breath, “You don’t say.”
When I pulled into the driveway, I had to key in the code for the gate. It wasn’t usually closed, but I figured the party was still in full gear. After I made sure my car was in the garage and the front gate had been closed again, I headed inside and towards the kitchen.
A peak of sunlight was starting outside and I saw it was five in the morning. When I’d gone to all-night parties with Jessica and Lydia it was a tradition to go for breakfast in the morning and on cue, my stomach rumbled. However, as I opened the fridge, the bright light filled the room and I screamed.
Mason stood behind me, leaning against the kitchen counter with one foot crossed idly over the other. He looked relaxed and carefree, but everything in me went on alert. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up and I knew he was anything besides relaxed.
When he didn’t say anything, my insides clenched even further. So this is how we were going to be? Fine. I reached inside and pulled out some slices of meat. I was determined to ignore him or, at least, not let him bother me anymore than he already had. My stomach wanted a sandwich and I wasn’t leaving the kitchen until I got one.
An arm reached around me and I jumped. My heart doubled in pace and I bumped against his chest as Mason reached for the water pitcher. He caught me from moving back into him with one hand on my arm. I held my breath as he held me in place. When his arm moved clear of me, I sagged in relief. Then my fingers deftly plucked out the tomatoes and a head of lettuce.
When I pulled out a cutting board and a knife to start on the lettuce, Mason placed a glass of water into my hands.
I stood there, dumbfounded, as he nudged me over with his hip. Then he picked up the knife and I watched in almost sick fascination as he started to cut the lettuce and tomatoes. A moment later, he pulled out cheese and arranged all of them with the meat between two slices of bread.
&nbs
p; He put the sandwich on a plate and pushed it into my other hand.
I stood there, water in my left and the sandwich in my right. My mouth was open. I knew I needed to close it, but I couldn’t.
He reached into a corner cabinet and pulled out some rum. After he mixed himself a drink, he sat at the kitchen table and kicked out a chair for me. I sat, but I didn’t remember doing it.
He leaned back and sipped his drink. It was early in the morning so the sunrise peaked into the room more. The bass from the music was muffled through the windows and then the air conditioner kicked in. We could barely hear the party still going strong outside.
He raked a hand over his face. “They’re going to be out there all weekend.”
I didn’t hide the grimace that came to my face.
“Logan said you went down there.”
I gulped down half of my water. “You went to see your mom?”
He jerked a shoulder up. “It’s not her fault my dad’s a prick. I’d want to know.”
“She didn’t know?”
He gave me the first grin I’d ever received from him. It was soft and I knew it had more to do with his mom than me. “They divorced last year and haven’t talked since. James probably didn’t feel she was worthy of this information.”
My eyes went wide. I couldn’t stop them. When I realized I was staring, I shoved the sandwich in my mouth. Then chewed.
His eyes narrowed, a gleam of anger glittered in them. His mouth drew shut and his jaw tightened.
My stomach clenched again and something burst in my body. I shifted, uncomfortable, on the seat. I shouldn’t be there. I shouldn’t be hearing this, talking to him. It wasn’t right. When a full blown alarm started to sound in my head, he shoved back his chair and stood.
He took my now-empty plate and glass to the sink. As he passed, he tapped my shoulder lightly. “You should come down. I think Nate got some jet skis.” Then he was up the stairs and gone.
It was like he’d never been there. I still sat at the kitchen table.
I never went down to the beach. I didn’t want to chance a run-in with Jessica, Lydia, or Jeff. I didn’t care about the others, but a headache had started. It grew as the day progressed. When the evening came around, it had lessened dramatically. I felt a bit more human and checked my phone.
There was a text from Becky. ‘Adam likes you. You should go out with him.’
‘You like him.’
I waited a minute. ‘He doesn’t like me and I’d rather he were with you than someone else. No one’s good enough for him.’
Oh Becky. I groaned, but replied, ‘Maybe.’
‘Good. I gave him your number.’
And sure enough, I saw an unknown number had texted me. ‘This is Adam. Dinner?’
I stared at it. What the hell was I doing?
He sent another. ‘Please? I’m being a loser here.’
I smacked my forehead with my palm. ‘I’ll meet you at Mastoni’s, 830.’
It wasn’t even thirty seconds before I got back, ‘See you then!’
Again, what the hell was I doing?
Mastoni’s was a nice restaurant. I’d been there once with my parents, or my mom and my fake father. Analise wanted to dress up so we did. I wore a simple dress while hers was blaring red. David wore a dress shirt and khakis. It’d been good enough for me, not for her. As I walked inside the cool interior, heard the fountain gurgling, and saw all the foliage around, I remembered the fight that had happened that night.
It’d been my first two-hour run.
This time I wore jeans and a black top, nothing special. This wasn’t going to be special. When I spotted Adam at the bar, he waved, and I saw he must’ve felt the same. He had on khaki cargo shorts and a blue polo. He looked good, but not the dressy that my mom had wanted so long ago.
I preferred this night already.
He held out a drink for me as he drew near. “Hey, I got this for you.”
“You’re twenty one?”
Perfect white teeth flashed me. “The manager’s a friend of the family, plus, I used to work here a while ago.”
Oh. I took the drink from him. Great.
“I already got a booth for us; it’s kinda in the back if that’s okay?”
It was. Privacy was always good, but it wasn’t long before a group of girls took the booth beside ours. When we waited for our food to come, they sent flirty looks and smiles Adam’s way. I was sure they talked louder for his benefit too.
When the food came, I heard one of the girls exclaim, “I didn’t know Nate was in town.”
“Oh yeah!” Another shrieked in laughter. “You didn’t know? He’s been here for a week.”
“Whatever, Natalie.”
A third offered up, “I heard they’re going down the beach to Roussou tonight.”
The girls grew quiet for a moment.
“What are they going to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“They always do something. When Nate and Mason team up, they always do something. Last year they stole some police cars and then they went on a bender.”
“I heard that too. Mason’s dad paid off the cops. They vandalized some of the bars. He must’ve paid the owners off too.”
Then the first girl spoke up with authority in her voice, “Well, they’re doing something tonight. They disappeared from the beach an hour ago.”
“How do you know?”
“Duh. Summer texted me. She’s still there.”
“Hey.” Adam’s hand jolted me back to our booth. He gave me a gentle grin. “You okay?”
“Actually...” I looked down at my plate of pasta. “I’m not hungry.”
His smile stretched a bit. “You’re not bailing, are you?”
I gave him a weak one in return. “I think I am. I’m sorry. I...I have to do something.”
When I got to the house, Mason’s Escalade was just starting to leave. I raced towards it and waved my arms in the air. He braked and rolled down his window. “Yeah?”
Nate grinned at me from the passenger seat, but I felt he was laughing at me.
I was breathless from my hurry and panted, “You’re going to Roussou? I know where the coach lives.”
Mason frowned. “What are you doing?”
“I want to go with you?”
Logan howled from the back seat and a fourth guy started to laugh with him.
“No.”
“Yes.” I grabbed his window when he started to let the vehicle roll forward. “Let me come.”
Nate elbowed him. “Let her come.”
“What?” Logan popped his head forward. “No way. No way in hell, Mase.”
Mason jerked a thumb towards the back. “Get in.” He popped open the back trunk area and I crawled in. My heart was pounding. I knew my face was red, but as soon as I heaved the door shut the Escalade shot forward.
It was an hour drive down the beach. Logan grumbled and sent me a glare every now and then. The fourth friend ignored him and after a while, started to give me a few grins. He offered me a soda too. Mason and Nate talked with each other and Logan would lean forward to join in.
Something told me that Logan was trying to persuade them to drop me on the side of the road. When they didn’t, I relaxed a little. I figured we were too far for them to do that and then we were in the town of Roussou. It was small, but it was rich. A lot of wealthy men owned stock in internet companies, which helped their football program be competitive against Fallen Crest High and it was the reason why an extra sense of rivalry sparked between the two schools. I remembered hearing a rumor that the Roussou team had heavily recruited Mason and Logan for their team.
They’d given them a resounding middle finger.
“Where’s the coach’s place?” Logan glared at me.
I jerked forward to recite the directions. It wasn’t long before we were outside the three-story house I knew where David played poker on Saturday nights. And then I saw his car. My hands curled into small balls
and everything inside of me went cold.
My chest started to heave up and down at a rapid pace. But I only saw my father’s car, not my father’s car. David’s car.
“What the hell?” Logan cursed and shot me a look. “There’re people here.”
“Does it matter?” I asked idly as I spied some fireworks in the back with me. Then I heard a door open and loud voices came across the yard. I snagged a couple of them and a lighter before I started to get out of the car.
“Are you crazy? He’s going to tell.”
He wasn’t. I got out, but left the door open. David had started down the sidewalk to where his car was parked, but he stopped when he saw me.
“Samantha?”
I lit the fireworks and strolled to his car.
“Samantha! Don’t!”
I keyed in his code, opened his door, and threw them in.
“Oh my god!” He rushed past me, but I locked the door. It’d take him a moment before he could get it open.
The fireworks started to sizzle and they exploded in the next second.
David threw himself away from the car, shaking and cursing.
My face was blank. I didn’t feel a thing. My hands didn’t shake. My back was straight. My shoulders were square and then I turned back for the Escalade.
“Samantha, what did you just do?” David reached for my elbow.
I whipped away and seethed, “Get away from me.”
“Get in!” Mason cursed and pounded the side of his door.
I whirled and threw myself in the back as he started to pull away from the curb. I heaved the door shut. It was silent in the car for a moment and then Logan and his friend threw their heads back and howled in laughter. I curled into a ball and stayed there. I didn’t care about the smirk on Nate’s face or how Mason seemed to look through me in the rear view mirror. He could try, he’d only see emptiness. The guys stopped a few times, left, and returned to do the same thing. I didn’t know what they were doing. I didn’t care. I’d done what I wanted.
***
CHAPTER TEN
They dropped off the fourth friend and the rest of us traipsed into the house. Logan picked up a phone and ordered a pizza. Nate snagged a cooler of beer and brought it downstairs to the media room. I followed behind. I didn’t know why, I just did. When Mason turned on the news, I curled into a ball in one of the leather recliners and after a while I tugged a blanket on top.