by V. R. Knight
I smiled.
“Thanks.”
She nodded.
“Your father is coming home tomorrow.” She said shutting my curtains. Her voice was shaky but brave.
“Why don’t you go take a hot bath I’ll come and get you when your soup is ready?”
I smiled.
She left the room but popped her head back in. “Oh and the meds are in the cupboard above the sink.” I stood up and got my clothes together then filled in the big tub with all sorts of bubbles and soaps to make your nose open up and laid in it.
After I took my bath I forced a whole bunch of pills down my throat wanting to feel better again. Mom made chicken soup and I carried millions of blankets into the den and found a comfortable spot on the couch will a big bowl of hot soup. I turned on the TV to watch the Twilight Zone all day.
A call came later and I thought maybe it was dad but mom came into the living room a smile on her lips.
“It’s Zane.” she whispered.
I narrowed my eyes at the phone held in her head.
“Here” she handed it over to me.
I took the phone and turned it off.
“Olivia!” she yelled.
I rolled my eyes.
“Mom, Zane was a jerk to me. I’m not giving in that easily.”
She sighed.
“OK fine, it’s your decision.” She walked back out and into her office. He called 5 times that day. Every time I picked it up, he tried to say he was sorry and not to hang up. The last time I almost talked to him but didn’t. I laid down on the couch and fell asleep.
The next morning I was feeling a lot better! Mom still made me stay home though. I sat on the couch in my black and purple PJs with my hair in a messy bun. I was watching Tom and Jerry, eating a bowl of cereal. I usually did this on Sunday mornings but it had been busy for a while. The phone rang in mom’s office so I didn’t bother getting up.
“Mom, phone!” I yelled. I heard her answer it. I turned the TV up and sighed. My mom came out of her office a couple minutes later trying to hide a smile.
“What are you grinning at?” I asked frowning at her. She just pursed her lips together.
“Um. Can you go get the newspaper for me?”
I put the TV on mute and stood up.
“Sure.” I walked out the front door and saw the paper on the step.
“Good morning.”
I jumped and looked out at the driveway. Zane smiled his white teeth gleaming in the sun leaning against his car.
Chapter 16
“What are you doing here?” I yelled.
He held a single red rose and put it to his nose to sniff still looking at me.
“I wanted to apologize for being a complete asshole to you.”
I shifted on the porch my feet freezing. He came forward a little and held out the rose.
“Please forgive me?” He put a little pout on his face that made me want to melt.
I pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and crossed my arms realizing I was in my nighty, I looked away from him to show I was mad.
He sighed. “Olivia,” he said; his voice soft but amused. “Come on! Please!”
I looked back at him and clenched my teeth. He was doing this on purpose. He hated me! Oh, but he was so cute! Get a hold of yourself!
“Pretty please.” he pushed out his bottom lip and titled his head to the side like a lost puppy.
I started to smile and the looked away.
“No! No, no! I saw that.”
I pursed my lips together trying hard not to laugh. He came up the steps and I kept looking away.
“I saw that,” he whispered.
My stomach fluttered. He put his fingers tips on my chin and drew my face over to his. His blue eyes glistened with excitement and something else. He put his lips right in front of mine. Teasing me. I stopped breathing for a moment and he just grinned. His bottom lip rubbing against my lips and I shivered.
“Please?” he asked again; his voice low and seductive. I nodded staring into his eyes. He smiled and stepped back. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had held. He got down on his knee and I stared at him in. “Will you be my fake girlfriend?” he asked holding out the rose. “Again,” he added.
I laughed and smiled.
“Why not?” I said throwing my hands in the air. He grinned and stood up. I took the rose and smelled it.
“Mm, I forgive you.”
He looked at me. Again the strange gleam in his eyes came as he looked at me. And not just at my body or face. He saw me. He looked into me. I felt like I was losing myself in his eyes. His hand came up and touched my cheek with the back of it. A smile played on his lips. I just started feeling the warmth of it.
“Olivia!”
We both jumped and turned to see my dad getting out of his car and coming up to us.
I glared.
“Dad,” I said through my teeth.
He frowned at the two of us. Even Zane seemed to glare.
“Mr. Walker,” dad said to Zane.
“Sir,” he answered. Dad looked at me.
“A little late to be wearing your bed clothes?”
I gasped.
“Dad I was sick.”
He made an O with his mouth nodding. He went past me.
“Is your mother home?” he called.
“Yeah,” I looked at Zane and he shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“Does your mom know?” he whispered.
I shook my head.
“No, I didn’t have the heart to tell her.”
He nodded.
“Do you want to go to the play ground?” he asked.
I laughed a little.
“Sure,” I looked down at myself and chuckled. “Let me get changed first.”
He laughed and we walked back into the house. I could hear my parents talking in my mom’s office and urged myself not to listen. I walked up the steps and into my room. I laid the rose down on my dresser and I changed quickly out of my PJ pants and slipped on a pair of jeans. As I unbutton my top I looked at the rose. I smiled biting my lip. My PJ top fell to the floor as I grabbed a bra quick stilling looking at the rose. I picked it up and smelled it again.
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
I jumped slightly and turned around. Zane stood at the door as I clutched my bra to my bare chest.
“It’s ok,” I said softly.
He stared at me. I turned my back to him feeling my face turn a little red as I slipped on my bra and found a t shirt. I put his rose back down and turned around to him and smiled a little. His eyes were glazed over and he still was looking at me.
“I-I didn’t-I mean—“
“It’s ok, chill.” I laughed. “You already almost got my shirt off so it’s no different.”
He looked down and I swear I saw pink come to his cheeks. I grinned.
“Is Zane Michael Walker really blushing?!” I said putting my hands on my hips.
His head sunk lower and I saw he was smiling too.
“Aww, that’s so cute.” I walked over and looked at him. He lifted his eyes to me. His cheeks were red but he was smiling.
I laughed. “Wow, not so tough anymore are you tiger?” my words soft.
He gasped a little.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I laughed and patted his shoulder.
“It’s ok I won’t tell the football team,” I went out past him grabbing my shoes from the door.
“You little….” He trailed off as I started running and laughing. I ran out the door grabbing my heavy coat.
“Olivia!” he yelled. I ran behind the yard and across Mr. Roger’s yard then found my way to the park. Zane caught up and pushed me as I stopped at the gate.
“Ow!” I yelled laughing. He laughed. He pulled his jacket on the rest of the way feeling the chilly air. I opened up the gate and walked in. the grass was browning and crunchy under my feet and leaves fell onto the slid and on the swing. I ran over to t
he swing and jumped on. Zane laughed and zipped up his jacket.
“You’re real funny, you know that?” I grinned. He ran over and put his hands on either side of the swing his face inches from mine. My breath caught in my throat a moment.
“Oh, really?” I asked. He nodded smiling lightly. The smile was something I had never seen before on his face. Only in his eyes but it would never spread this far on his lips. It made me melt in side.
“Yeah,” he nodded.
“And here we go!”
I squealed as he pushed me up then went under me as the swing came back down. I laughed. I kicked my feet so I went higher and then felt the thing start to move. I slowed a little laughing hard.
“Whoa there girl!” Zane said grabbing my swing and stopping me.
“This thing isn’t meant for us.”
He laughed and nodded.
“Yeah, I think it’s been here for a while.”
I nodded and looked around.
“Since I can remember, it’s been here.” Zane sat in the swing beside me and kicked a little to swing slowly.
“We lived in a small town before. I always loved it; summer evenings in the fields. My friend and I had a tree we would always climb. It was great.” he said quietly gazing out across the park. “But when my mom broke up with her boyfriend there, she said she couldn’t stand to stay. So we moved.” I watched his eyes. They were dark blue now. He looked over at me and smiled sadly but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. I didn’t know what to say. I bit at my lip then turned in my seat to look at him. I put my legs up on his lap and smiled. He rolled his eyes and grabbed my legs. I jumped slightly surprised. He turned his swing and put my legs through his swing on either side of him.
“Does your mom have a boyfriend now?”
He stiffened and I watched.
“Yeah, she does,” the words were forced from his mouth I could tell.
“Is some---“
“What movie are we going to watch tonight?” he said his words sharp and trying to tell me to shut up. I frowned.
“Um, I’m not sure.”
“Something good,” I nodded. His hand was on my leg and my heart was pounding in my chest. Good God Olivia! His hand is just touching your ankle stop freaking out!
“Princess?” and there went the romance. I looked up and he was raising an eyebrow.
“What?” I asked my breath a little ragged.
“You’re really out of it aren’t you?” I smiled. I pulled my legs back from his swing and stood up. “Come on,” I said. He stood up.
“What are we doing?” he asked. I smiled.
“Going on the slide.”
Chapter 17
We played around the park for about two hours. It was nice laughing and joking around with Zane. The wind picked up and played with my hair as I stood behind the ladder for the slide.
“Boo!” Zane said through the ladder. I jumped slightly and hit his hand that came through the bars in front of my face. “Ow!” he cried and jumped back.
“Oh! I’m sorry!” I said almost laughing.
He frowned at me and sucked on his index finger.
“That hurt,” he said and came back to the ladder.
“I said I was sorry,” I said.
He sniffed and looked down.
I rolled my eyes. “What else do you want?” I said throwing my hands in the air.
He looked up his eyes a deep blue making me stop and stared at him through the latter.
“A kiss.”
My eyes got a little wide and I stared at him.
“Wh—“
“I think a kiss would help me forgive you.”
I rolled my eyes. He leaned further in his face inches from mine. The wind blew at the back of his head sending me a whiff of his hair.
“Fine,” I said and stepped forward. I stood up a little. He stood very still as I reached in between the steps to his lips. I lightly kiss his lips. I opened my eyes a little watching him. His eyes were closed. I kissed him again a shiver going up my spine. I wanted to do more than this! I closed my eyes and moved his lips with mine and finally he started to help. My body was on fire again. I wanted to press myself against him. To feel him….but the ladder was in the way. I trailed my tongue across his top lip and he seemed too groaned. I smiled. I put my hand between the stairs and onto his jaw. He pulled back and looked at me his eyes a little wide. I frowned.
“OK…I forgive you.”
He was breathless. He has never done that to me before. I almost felt hurt. Come on! He doesn’t want you. I told myself.
“Um…yeah I think we should head back and get ready for Candice and Tommy.”
He nodded and swallowed. He looked at me sucking on his bottom lip his chest rising and falling.
“Yeah,” he said it out of a low voice. I cleared my throat and went out from behind the slide steps and toward the gate. I turned and Zane was still standing there staring at where I had been.
“Zane?” I asked. He looked up his face blank then came toward me shoving his hands in his pockets. I walked out and Zane walked next to me as we went back to the house.
When we got back, mom and dad were in separate ends of the house. I walked into the kitchen and smiled at mom. She just gave me a grim smile.
“Um, Candice and Tommy, some friends from school, are coming over to watch movies. Is that alright?”
She smiled tiredly and nodded.
“Yes, of course baby. Do you want me to take you guys something?” she looked at Zane behind me.
“No, its ok. Why don’t you go to bed.”
She sighed, then her eyes got big.
“You can sleep in my room.”
She smiled, relief showing in her face, then she gave me a tight hug.
“Thank you honey. I love you.”
I kissed her cheek.
“I love you too.”
She pulled back and sighed once again.
“Well, I’m going to get a drink and go to bed.” she said matter of factly.
I laughed.
“Don’t let the drink be too strong, ok?”
She looked at me as if I had just insulted her.
“Of course not!” She waved a hand at me, then winked. “Maybe just two or three of your father’s expensive Scotch.” I laughed and Zane laughed too.
“Go ahead,” I said and patted her back as she grabbed a big glass cup and headed to wine bar in dad’s office. I laughed at her as she disappeared.
I turned to Zane and he shook his head smiling. “Like I said, I like your mom.”
I rolled my eyes and slapped his shoulder.
“No chance in hell.”
He gasped and laughed.
“We’ll just have to see….but for now…” he looked down at me with an amused look. “I have to be your boyfriend….but you know I don’t think it’s that bad.” the words ‘your boyfriend’ rang in me and made my stomach feel alive again.
“Wow, was that a complement from Zane Walker?” I asked putting my hand to my ear. He laughed and rolled his eyes. He pushed my hand down and I laughed.
“Yeah, actually it was,” he said smiling like the stars. He pulled me toward him and my breath was caught again. “Olivia….” He trailed off and looked down pink coming to his cheeks a little. My heart was beating quickly now before he could say anymore.
“I think we should make the snacks now before it gets too late.” I pulled back and went over to the frig. I closed my eyes just for a moment then grabbed the milk and eggs. I turned around and Zane was biting the inside of his jaw then looked at me. He regained his face and put on a funny one.
“What are we going to make boss?”
I smirked.
“Cookies. Want to help?”
He gasped.
“I don’t—“
“Here!” I gave him the milk jug and the eggs and he grabbed them before they fell. He looked at me under his eye lashes and I grinned. “You’re so sweet now let’s go.”
We made chocolate chip cookies. It was fun. Zane and I stood side by side making them. Mixing, putting them on the sheets, putting them in the over. I put the last tray of cookies in and shut the over door. I sighed. Zane washed his hands. I grabbed a piece of left over cookie dough and ate it.
“Eww!” Zane cried looking at me in disgust.
“What?!” I asked laughing. He scrunched his face up shaking his head.
“What? Haven’t you ever tried it before?”
“That’s sick Olivia. There’s raw eggs in there!” he said, pointing to the empty egg carton. I laughed.
“Try it!” I grabbed a spoon and put a little on it.
“No!” he said laughing a little.
“Come on! It’s good just try it!” I backed him up against the counter laughing. “Ugh! Just try!”
“No!” he yelled. I pushed his shoulder so he hit the counter and he saw he was pinned.
“Just try,” I warned, smirking.
“I don’t want to try it,” he mumbled as I pushed the spoon to his lips.
“Yes, you do,” I said laughing. “Zane! Just open your mouth!” I yelled. He huffed and opened his mouth. I put the spoon in his mouth and he chewed it up his eyes closed.
“See, now, how was that?”
He opened his eyes and tasted it. He looked surprised.
“It’s actually not bad.”
I rolled my eyes and threw the spoon in the dish pan.
“See! What’d I tell you?”
He laughed, put his hand on my waist and pulled my hips to him.
“I would do it again because I liked being backed up to the counter like this.” He whispered low and seductively. A shivered coursed my body but I pulled back and gave a nervous laugh. “You’re so stubborn and perverted,” I said rolling my eyes taking a breath. He smiled at me. The door bell rang and I jumped slightly.
“Come on,” I told Zane as we made our way to the door.
Chapter 18
I opened up the door and Candice and Tommy stood there smiling but shivering from the cold. “Hey guys, come in,” I said and let them in. I shut the door and shivered myself. The air was getting nasty.