by Mia Belle
My hands slam on my hips. “There’s more to a guy than his looks, Sophie. And besides, just because a guy is hot doesn’t mean anything. Josh was hot and he…” I shake my head. “Forget it.”
She pouts. “But Lia, why are you so against my wanting to date one of the guys? Not all guys are monsters like Josh.”
“Maybe. But I’m not dating in high school. And I’m not against you dating. I just want to protect you.”
She puffs out her cheeks, turning away from me. “Alexis told me…” Her voice trails off and she sighs again.
“What?”
“Nothing, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Sophie.”
She takes in a sharp breath. “She told me guys stay away from me because you’re like a momma bear protecting her cub and they don’t want you to scratch.”
“What?”
She nods sadly.
“Are you saying guys don’t talk to you because of me? You believe that?”
She doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t have to. Her eyes say enough.
“Wow.”
I shove my door open and drop down at my desk chair. Sophie enters a few seconds later, her unsure eyes on mine. She slowly sits down on the bed, wringing her fingers in her lap. I click my mouse, but I’m not really looking at anything, just giving myself something to do.
“Do you want me to stay away from you?” I ask after several minutes of silence.
She shakes her head. “You’re my best friend. Of course I’ll never choose a guy over you.”
I smile sadly. “Thanks. But I want you to be happy. I know how badly you want a boyfriend.” I pause, thinking. “Go to Alexis’s party this weekend.”
“What?”
“You usually skip them because of me. But you don’t have to stay with me. I’ll read the whole night anyway, or watch a romance movie.”
Her lips quirk into a grin. “You’re probably the only kid our age who watches Hallmark movies.”
I continue clicking my mouse. “The guys in those movies are nice and gentlemanly.”
She rolls her eyes. “And boring. I mean, the most they do in those movies is kiss—and that’s usually at the end!”
I stick my tongue out at her. “Kissing is nice. It’s sweet.”
A chill runs down my spine as I remember hands pinning me down, demanding something I refused to give. I quickly shake that away before I go to a dark place I’ll never crawl out of.
Sophie laughs. “Yeah, well some of us want to do more than kiss.”
I bury my head in my hands. “I’m not talking about this!”
She laughs harder, and the next second something whacks my hands. My pillow. Sophie’s got a wide smile on her face and her chin lifts in triumph.
I grab the pillow and haul it at her, but she ducks and the pillow slams into the wall. Getting to my feet, I bound for the bed, grab the pillow before she can, and ram it into her stomach.
She clutches my arms and rolls on top of me, trapping my feet and arms under hers. I can’t move anything other than my head.
“Come to the party with me,” Sophie says.
I shake my head. “You know I can’t.”
“Please? I need your help with the hotties.”
I try to sit up, and she must be too distracted because she lets me. “They said they’re not coming. And do you really want your life to revolve around boys? Don’t you want to go to the party for you?”
She pulls at her strawberry blonde hair. “I just want a boyfriend. What’s wrong with that? You’ve had one, but I never have.”
“Believe me, I wish I hadn’t.”
Her eyes fill with compassion. “What will it take to get you back out there again? I mean, you’ve had a shitty year, but life has its ups and downs. You’re telling me my life shouldn’t be about boys, but what about you? You want to look back at your high school years and remember how depressed you were?”
I hug my pillow. “My mom died a month ago. What do you expect me to do? To go out and party and drink and distract myself, just so I wouldn’t feel anything? That I shouldn’t remember what an awesome person she was?”
Her mouth clamps shut. “I’m just saying it wouldn’t kill you to have some fun. Your mom would want you to be happy and not mope around all day.”
She’s right. Of course my mother wouldn’t want me to mourn her for the rest of my life. But how could I go out there and have fun when she’s lying six feet under? I can’t just brush her death aside.
I glance at Sophie. She’s been at my side through it all. And all she wants is for me to do this one thing for her. I can be the best friend she needs. “Okay, I’m coming.”
Her eyes shine as she throws her arms around me. “Yay! It’s going to be so much fun.”
Fun? Doubt it.
My best friend doesn’t see the unsure look on my face. She’s busy talking about what a great time we’re going to have.
Maybe she’s right?
Chapter Seven
Caleb
Aidan’s been avoiding me all day. But he knows I’m not about to drop this. As soon as we arrive home, he plops down on the living room couch and flicks on the TV. Same as he does every day. I don’t know why I thought things would change here in Missouri. My aunt and uncle were hopeful this would be a great way for him to let go of the past and start over, but it seems the guy needs some time.
I get it. I mean, the only reason we’re even in this mess is because of me.
After plunking my backpack on one of the chairs, I drop down next to my cousin and stare at the screen. Sports. What else would Aidan be watching?
“Look, man,” I start, but he lifts his hand, eyes still glued to the TV.
“I know what you’re going to say and I’m not interested.” His gaze connects with mine. “I’m going to that party.”
“We’re supposed to keep a low profile,” I remind him. “Not bring any attention to ourselves.”
He’s quiet. From the look on his face, I can tell he blames only one person for the situation we’re in: me. He lost all his friends because we had to move. Sure there’s social media, but we had to cut off from that, too. To stay safe.
“I know you miss the guys—”
He snorts.
“Being popular was important to you,” I continue. “You had so many friends. And even after the accident, your friends stayed by your side. You’ve lost that and you’re desperate to get it back. But this party is a bad idea.”
He grits his teeth, eyes back on the TV.
“Zane understands the risks.”
“Because Zane is Zane. Maybe he’s okay with being antisocial and maybe you’re okay with hiding away like this. But I’m not.”
His words slice through me. “I knew you blame me for what happened.”
“No, I…” He sighs, running his hand down his face. “I don’t blame you. I just can’t live like this, Caleb.”
He needs to be around people. As a former football star at our school back in New York, he was the most popular, most well liked, kid in school. And then he vanished from the face of the Earth. Of course it’s hard for him.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
He shakes his head, puffing air out of his cheeks. “It’s not your fault, man. I’m glad we’re here and that you’re safe. But I can’t…” He sighs again. “I don’t know.”
“If anyone gets too close,” I say. “If anyone takes a photo and posts it online…”
“I know.”
I lean back against the couch. “But it’s not fair for you to suffer because of me.”
He laughs lightly. “Wouldn’t call it suffering, but yeah it’s hard. Going to parties was my thing back home.”
“Yeah.”
He wasn’t a player, but girls flocked to him. He’s only had one girlfriend, and she broke up with him when he told her we were moving. It crushed him, but Zane and I helped him realize that she wasn’t good for him. We both secretly knew she only dated him bec
ause he was captain of the football team. The guy could do much better.
But maybe not right now. Until it’s safe, girlfriends need to be put on the back burner.
“Any updates?” Aidan asks.
I shake my head.
“That’s good.”
“Guess so.”
He’s about to say something, when Zane downs the stairs and plops down next to us. “We’re going to that party.”
Aidan and I blink at him. Mr. Antisocial wants to go to a party?
“You know that’s a bad idea,” I say.
Zane shrugs. “Want to go.”
“Why?” Aidan asks.
“Just want to.”
Zane sometimes doesn’t bother giving a reason. He does whatever he wants whenever it’s convenient for him.
“But we don’t tell the parents,” Zane continues. “They’ll try to stop us.”
I raise my hands. “Hold up. You were against the idea when that girl Alexis invited us. What changed your mind?”
“Just want to.”
“It’s not safe,” Aidan says, but there’s a spark of hope in his eyes. Two against one.
Zane rolls his eyes. “A high school party isn’t dangerous, man. It’s not like he’ll find us.”
“Kids post pictures all the time. What if he’s looking?” I say.
Zane rolls his eyes again. “Then we’ll be careful. Watch over each other and make sure no one snaps a photo.”
Aidan and I exchange a glance. He’s caving. After what we’ve just discussed, he’s going to give in to Zane just like that. I get that he wants friends, feels whole when he’s surrounded by people. But he doesn’t need others to make him happy. He’s got us.
“This is a bad idea,” I say.
“You want to spend your whole life running?” Zane says. “Hiding? Believe me, I’ve done that and it sucks.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to put you guys or my aunt and uncle in danger. They’ve done so much for me so far. More than I deserve.”
Aidan rests his hand on my shoulder. “You’re family and they love you. Of course they’ll do whatever they can to protect you—protect us. But I’m with Zane. Nothing will happen if we go to this party.”
There’s no point in arguing since I’ve obviously lost this battle. They could always go without me, but I feel like we should stick together.
I pat each guy on the arm before leaving the living room and entering the kitchen. Aunt Julia is cooking like we’re about to enter a zombie apocalypse. Uncle Craig’s probably still at work. He had to quit his law firm and get an office job here. My aunt hasn’t found anything yet.
She smiles when she sees me. “Hey, Caleb. How was your first day?”
I shrug as I grab a banana and peel it. “Was fine. What’s with all the food?”
“I’ve invited Lia and her dad over for dinner.”
“Oh. That’s cool.”
She stops chopping vegetables and heads over to me, resting her hand on my back. “What’s wrong?”
I rake my hand through my long blond hair. “Nothing.”
Her blue eyes search mine. “I know that look. Something’s eating away at you. Come on, spit it out.”
“I just…” I inhale, then let it out. “I blame myself.”
She raises a brow.
I wave my hands around. “We’re stuck in this tiny town in the middle of nowhere because of me.”
“I think this town is sweet. Small, modest. And everyone seems nice.”
I sweep a knife off the counter and help her chop. “Yeah, everyone seems nice so far, but Aidan misses his friends and Zane…well, you know he doesn’t like change. We had a good thing going on back home and I wrecked it.”
She watches me carefully. “Yes, we did have a good life in New York. But the only thing that matters to me and Craig right now is your safety.”
I know. She’s told me that a million times, but it doesn’t make me feel better.
I focus on my chopping. Cooking always makes me feel better, but I’m more of a dessert guy. When I’m feeling down or upset, I bake. Our freezer back home was filled with different assortments of pastries.
“It’ll be okay,” Julia tells me. “We’ll get settled in and have a good life.”
I lift a brow. “And live in hiding forever?”
She pushes some hair away from my face, reminding me of when my mother did that when I was little, before I moved in with Dad’s brother and his wife and son. “Hopefully it won’t be forever,” she says, her voice soft. “Just until the police find him.”
Which might be forever. He’s escaped the feds more than once. What makes them so sure they’ll catch him this time?
Chapter Eight
Lia
Sophie left a few hours ago, gushing about the party. It’s not like we haven’t been to any, but I guess this one will be epic.
She makes it seem like parties are the most important thing in the world, and I’m glad she has something positive to focus on. Not like me, who’s constantly thinking about how good her life used to be.
Biting my lip to hold back the tears, I reach into the drawer of my end table and pull out the photo I buried under my notebooks and junk.
She stares at me, her smile bright, her eyes shining with love as she wraps her arm around a much younger version of me.
Her hair and eyes are the exact color as mine. People used to say we were twins born twenty years apart. Dad always told me I’m just like her.
Maybe I used to be. My mom was the kind of person who always put others first. She tried to stay out of arguments, tried to make everyone around her happy. She was like sunshine whenever she entered a room.
Growing up, I wanted to be just like her. But I’m the complete opposite of her now. “I’m sorry I can’t make you proud of me, Mom,” I whisper.
There’s a soft knock on the door. “Lia?”
I quickly shove the picture under my pillow and tell my dad to enter. He frowns when he finds me lying on the bed like I have nothing to do with myself.
“Sweetie,” he says. “We’ve been invited to dinner. Please get dressed.”
I sit up. “Where?”
“The Armstrongs.”
Julia mentioned she wanted to invite us over for dinner, but I didn’t actually think she was serious. Maybe she feels bad for the poor widower and his daughter.
I shut my eyes. No. No thinking bad thoughts. Our neighbors are just trying to be nice.
I’d have to see those three guys again. But whatever.
Dad closes the door and I attack my closet for something to wear. While I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying too hard, I don’t want to offend them by wearing rags.
I settle on a pink T-shirt and jeans. I brush my hair, but it’s nearly impossible to do anything with these curls. I’ve tried many different products, but my hair refuses to cooperate. So I just leave it as is, hoping it doesn’t look too terrible.
I meet Dad outside, where he’s clutching a bottle of wine, and we stroll over to the house next door. As we climb the stairs, my stomach does this weird twist. That’s never happened before.
Dad changed his shirt and ran a comb through his thick hair. I might look like my mother, but I’m pretty sure I inherited these curls from Dad’s side of the family. Both he and my mother were the only kids in their families and my grandparents are dead. We don’t have any family other than each other.
Dad and I used to be so close, but now it seems we’re worlds apart.
He rings the bell and steps back. No more than thirty seconds pass before it swings open to reveal Aidan.
“Hi.” His chocolate brown eyes flick from my dad to me. “Thanks for coming.” He widens the door, inviting us in.
Dad and I step into the living room, and I catch a football game on the TV. Aidan motions for us to enter the kitchen, where Julia and Caleb are. Caleb’s wiping the counter, his blond hair tied in a long ponytail to prevent it from falling into his eyes.
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“Hello,” Dad greets, handing Julia the wine.
She scans the label and beams at him. “Good choice. It’s my favorite brand. Thank you.”
Dad’s smile is strained. “It was my wife’s favorite as well.”
Craig enters the room. “Hi, Alaric, hi Lia.” He shakes our hands.
“Hi. It smells so good in here,” I blurt. It’s been a while since the smell of cooking has permeated through my house. Dad doesn’t know how to cook and neither do I, which is why we’ve been eating takeout for the past five weeks.
Craig sends his wife a warm smile. “It sure does. I told Julia she didn’t have to work so hard, but there you have it.”
Julia blushes. “Caleb helped me.” She gestures at him. “The desserts are all him. He’s magic in the kitchen, no joke.”
He grins sheepishly. “My aunt’s exaggerating.” His sky-blue eyes flick to me, then away.
“Aidan, Zane,” Craig calls. “Dinner.”
Dad and I trail Craig, Julia, and Caleb into the dining room, where the table is set as though royalty will be dining here. I hope they didn’t do all this for me and Dad.
Dad must be thinking the same thing because his mouth widens as he takes everything in. The expensive china and tablecloth and napkins. The candelabra in the center of the table, the glass cups. “You didn’t have to go through so much trouble for us,” he says. “Especially since you just moved in yesterday.”
Julia chuckles. “That’s Caleb. He tends to go a little overboard with these things. But I agree with him. You two are our guests and should be treated as such. And don’t worry, we have mostly everything unpacked already.”
“Zane, Aidan,” Craig calls again as his wife motions for us to sit.
“A second,” Aidan calls back. “The game’s almost over.”
“You DVR’d it. It can wait until after dinner.” Craig smiles lightly. “Football and Aidan go hand in hand, I’m afraid. It usual takes us half an hour to pull him away from the TV.”
“Does he play?” Dad asks as he takes a seat on the right side of the table. I lower myself next to him. “Our school has an amazing football team.”
Julia and her husband exchange a glance. “Unfortunately no,” Craig says. “He used to, though. He loved it.”