by J. L. Wyer
My phone chimes from where I left it charging on my bedside table. I pick it up.
ScaryGuy: I’m sorry.
So am I. For so many reasons.
∞∞∞
Lunch today was excruciating because of the palpable tension between me and Jayson, so I was more than happy when it ended and I could escape to English class. I’m looking forward to fifty-five short, drama-free minutes.
“Hey,” Trevor says, sitting down in front of me. Meredith takes her usual spot at the desk beside me.
“So, I was thinking,” she begins.
“We were thinking,” Trevor corrects her. She rolls her eyes at her brother.
“We were thinking that it would be cool to do a study group together. What do you think?”
“I think it's just English class. There's really not much to study. We read a book and write papers.”
“True, but we could proof each other's writing; provide constructive criticism; quiz each other on important material for tests; and work on projects together to cut time. It'll be a win-win.”
Her points are valid. “Alright, you've convinced me. I'm in.”
Meredith claps her hands together. “When and where?” she asks.
“Our house?” Trevor suggests.
“What do you think, Elizabeth? Mom and Dad are cool and won't bother us while we study. Or not study. Dad finished setting up the home theater. We have a huge wall-mounted screen and surround-sound speakers, so we can always just watch movies or something if we get bored of studying.”
My desire not to be stuck at my house all the time makes the decision for me. Any other place sounds good to me right now. “Sounds great.”
Our teacher walks in, which signals that class is about to start. We've currently been discussing realism and reading Oscar Wilde. Wilde’s writing is actually very funny in a dry sort of way, and I've been enjoying “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I discreetly take it out, hiding it under my desk to check the screen.
Trevor: There's a party this weekend. Want to go?
Is he asking me out? I kick the back of his chair and Meredith raises her eyebrows at me.
Me: Me and the guys are going to watch Ryder race at the Fields on Friday and then Ryder's taking me surfing on Saturday.
Me: You and Meredith should come on Friday.
Trevor: What? Like a rally race or Motocross?
Me: Cars. Ryder races his Hellcat.
Trevor: Cool. Sounds much more fun than a boring party. Text me the info.
“Elizabeth, what did you think about the scene in Act Three where Jack and Algernon are revealed as not being Ernest?” Mrs. Pender asks.
Crap! I wasn't paying attention. She knows it and is calling me out. Luckily, I caught the last part and can figure out how to answer her question. Mrs. Pender isn’t fooled for a second, but since I answer her question correctly, she lets it go.
When class ends, Ryder is waiting for me outside in the hallway. Just the fact that he's here sends those skittery little butterflies in my stomach to migrate up into my chest, making my heart flutter. Ryder is leaning against the wall with one leg bent at the knee and his foot propped flat against the cinderblock wall. He's looking down at his phone. A girl I haven't met yet is talking to him, but other than polite nods of the head, he's not paying any attention to her.
“What about Wednesday evenings?” Meredith asks me.
I forgot Trevor and Meredith were with me.
“What are we doing Wednesday?” I ask, confused. Meredith follows my gaze and grins a wicked smile.
“Study group. And you're drooling.”
“No, I'm not,” I splutter, but I wipe my mouth anyway, just in case.
Ryder looks up and sees me, and I forget to breathe.
Meredith pokes me in the side and lowers her voice, “You’re still drooling.”
Chapter 12
Hot Rides and Hellcats
Elizabeth
Okay, Fast and the Furious, it is not, but for a bunch of small-town high schoolers, the scene at the Fields comes pretty darn close. I can’t wait to see Ryder race tonight.
Jayson parks his truck along a furrow. Julien hops out the back of the cab and opens my door.
“Is he here yet?” I scan the throngs of people milling about. I’m trying to locate Ryder, but instead, I spot Celeste, Beth, Davis, and Keith. Beth sees me and waves, and I wave back.
“Over there,” Julien points.
Ryder is standing in front of his car with the hood up, and Fallon is beside him. They’re talking to two guys, as a third guy peers under the hood to get a better look at Ryder’s engine. A man who is an older version of Ryder walks over and pats Ryder on the back. Two girls, one who looks like she’s in her early twenties and one who looks my age or a year younger, join them.
“Awesome, Randy’s here with Brea and Jamie,” Julien says.
“As in Randy of Randy’s Custom Auto? Ryder’s dad?”
Jayson puts his arm around my shoulder, and this time I don’t shove it off. He and I are taking slow baby steps with one another, and I consider the fact that I’m not fleeing from his touch progress.
“I keep forgetting that you don’t remember our families. Brea and Jamie are going to freak out when they see you. Brea and Hailey were best friends,” he tells me.
Daniel has been working with the local police to find Hailey. She was officially listed as a missing person months ago. I know I don’t remember my sister or what caused her to decide to run away, but I honestly can’t wrap my head around the fact that she hasn’t tried to reach out to me. Wouldn’t she want to know how I’m doing or want to know more about what happened to our parents? Those questions lead me down a dark road of wondering if something bad happened to her and if that’s why she hasn’t come back to Fallen Brook or tried to call. Or did she come back when I was in Durham with Daniel and then left again when she couldn’t find me, Mom, or Dad? So many what-if questions.
“There she finally is!” someone calls out nearby. I recognize Elijah instantly from all the pictures I’ve seen on Julien’s phone. He jogs over and lifts me up in a bear hug, then smacks a gigantic kiss right on my mouth, taking me by surprise. “I have missed you,” he proclaims.
“Hey, no kissing between my boyfriend and my best friend unless I’m invited,” Julien jokes, sandwiching me between them.
“Help?” I squeak out to Jayson, who’s enjoying my dilemma.
“Sorry, princess. I know better than to get in the middle of a Julien-Elijah sandwich.”
Elijah puts me down and gives a chaste peck to Julien’s lips before taking his hand, their fingers entwining. “Hey, babe. Sorry I was running late. Looks like the races haven’t started yet.”
“We just got here ourselves. And why are you grinning like a creeper, Jay?” Julien asks him.
“Honestly?” Jayson says, flicking his gaze to where Julien and Elijah are holding hands. “I'm just happy to see you and E acting more like a couple out in public.”
Confused, I ask them, “You didn't before?”
“We were afraid that everyone would treat us differently. You know how some people can be with their prejudiced beliefs.”
How awful. I can't remember what Julien and Elijah had to face, but from my own personal experience since school started, I understand something about being treated differently, so I guess I get it to some degree. But I shouldn’t compare oranges to apples.
Elijah turns back to me, taking me in. “Liz, it really is so good to see you. Love the hair.”
I touch the ends of my long ponytail which is still dyed pink at the ends. Once the pink fades, I’m thinking of doing grape Kool-Aid to make the tips purple. “Thanks.”
Elijah has this easy way about him that has me relaxing and smiling at the same time. And he’s hot — like over six feet tall, wavy, dark blond hair that looks more surfer dude than geeky, and hazel eyes — hot.
“Not to be
the bearer of bad news, but I saw Marshall on my way in,” Elijah tells us and gets several pained groans in response. I decide not to ask who Marshall is because I’ve already been overloaded with too many new faces since we got here.
“Is he racing tonight?” Jayson wants to know.
“More than likely.”
“Should we tell Fallon?”
“Looks like he already knows.” Jayson nods in Fallon’s direction, and Fallon does not look happy. He’s zeroed in on a guy across the road who I assume is Marshall. I would seriously pee my pants if someone looked at me with as much menace as Fallon is looking at Marshall with now.
Fallon shifts his gaze, and his ice blue eyes search the crowd until they land on me. He cocks his head at me, and I mirror him. A slow smile spreads across his face. He taps Ryder’s shoulder and nods in my direction. And just like every other time when Ryder looks at me, those darn butterflies in my belly go berserk.
My phone breaks our intense stare-off when it vibrates in my pocket.
Trevor: We’re here, Ace. Where should we meet you?
Trevor nicknamed me ‘Amnesia Chick,’ but shortened it to AC which then turned to Ace. Meredith took great delight in teasing her brother about it in class today, saying it’s because he has a crush on me.
Me: Look for the black Chevy Silverado.
Trevor:
“Hey guys, Trevor and Meredith are here.”
“Perfect timing. Let’s go check out the other cars before the races start,” Julien suggests.
Jayson wraps his arm around me again, but I feel like he’s doing it to make a statement. Like he’s staking a claim on me. So this time, I do step out of his hold.
Meredith runs over to me. “This place is crazy,” she pants, catching her breath. “Oh, hello,” she purrs when she spots Elijah.
“He’s taken, Mer,” I inform her.
“Aww, seriously? All the smoking hot ones are,” she pouts.
Our group of six walks over to the line of cars parked perpendicular to the road. Every single one of the cars have their hoods up. A way to show off, perhaps? A couple of the cars are blasting music out of ginormous speakers in the trunks. A few have undercarriage lights that glow blue or yellow. There are tricked-out trucks as well, and a few motorbikes. Ryder’s car is the fourth one down the line, and when we get to it, twin squeals ring out.
“Lizzie! You’re here!” the younger girl who was with Ryder’s dad, exclaims. This must be Brea.
“Hey, Brea.”
“Oh my God! You remember me?”
Her face beams, then falls when I reply, “Sorry, no. But Ryder has told me all about you.”
Randy approaches me, his arms outstretched for a hug. I look at Ryder and he gives me a nod.
“Hey, sweetheart. So good to see you. You doing okay?” Randy is a big man and I feel so small being hugged by him. He smells like motor oil and Old Spice, and for some odd reason, I find it comforting.
“Doing well,” I reply.
“Faith is going to be so mad she didn’t come out tonight. Promise to drop by the house soon? We’ve missed seeing your pretty smile.”
Randy and the guys start talking about cars, leaving me and Meredith with Ryder, Fallon, Brea, and Jamie.
“You ready to race?” I ask Ryder, as Meredith practically pounces on Fallon, desperate to talk to a new cute guy she hasn't met yet.
“Yeah. I’m glad that you were able to make it tonight.” Ryder shifts and props his hip on the side of his car. He reaches out and takes my pinky with his, pulling me in. It seems to be our thing.
“Lizzie, I’m Jamie, this guy’s older and smarter sister,” she teases, hip-bumping Ryder.
“I’ll be over here with Dad,” Brea announces. I don’t think she knows how to be around me. I can empathize.
Once Brea is out of earshot, I say, “I know this must seem so odd to everyone — me not remembering who you guys are. I don’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable.”
“Oh, Lizzie. No. Don’t think anything about Brea. She’s been missing Hailey. So, what do you think?” Jamie spreads her arms wide to indicate the Fields.
“I love it. I came out with Ryder and Fallon a week or so ago. Ryder taught me how to drift, and it was the most amazing experience of my life. Literally.” Luckily, Jamie shares Ryder’s wry sense of humor and gets my hidden meaning. Everything these days is a new or amazing experience for me.
“I don’t think this guy here has shut up about your Hellcat.”
Ryder groans and shoves Jamie’s shoulder. She punches him playfully in the stomach which earns Jamie a wet willy. I watch, observing their sibling dynamic with interest, and loving how Ryder is so playful with his older sister.
“Hey, kitten.” Fallon pulls himself away from Meredith who has been talking a mile a minute to him. Poor guy.
“Hey, Fallon.”
Meredith smirks at me. “Kitten?”
“Don’t ask. He won’t even tell me,” I tell her.
“I’m jealous. How come you get two nicknames? I want one.”
“Three, actually. Princess, kitten, and Ace.” I think for a second and snap my fingers. “How about I call you Firecracker?”
Meredith ponders it over. “Deal.”
“Hey, Princess Kitty-Ace,” Fallon snickers, “do you want to do the honors tonight?”
“What honors?”
“You have a choice. You can be the race MC and signal to the racers when to start, or—”
Ryder finishes the sentence, “Or you can ride shotgun with me.”
What now? “Do you mean ride in the car with you for the race?”
“Yep.”
It’s like Christmas, my birthday, and the Fourth of July all rolled into one, except I don’t recall what I did for any of them.
“Ride, please!” I say a little too enthusiastically.
“In that case, hop on in the car. I’m up first.”
Fallon pulls Ryder aside and I overhear snippets of their conversation including the mentioning of Marshall’s name. Fallon lifts the trunk of the Hellcat and tosses me the helmet Ryder had me wear last week. No HANS tonight, thankfully. I hop in the passenger seat of Ryder’s car and slip the helmet on my head.
“Liz, what are you doing?” Jayson calls out, the sound of his voice carrying through the closed passenger side window. I wiggle a finger wave at him.
Ryder opens his door and slides in, and I catch Fallon telling Jayson to chill out. Thank you, Fallon.
“I don’t know why, but you make everything so much damn fun. Thank you for this,” I tell Ryder as he buckles up.
He reaches over and checks to make sure I’m secured as well. I take his hand, cupping it between both of mine, and bring it to my cheek.
“Seriously, Ryder. Thank you. Thank you for not pushing and allowing me to find my own way to readjust. Thank you for being supportive. Thank you for not expecting me to be her. Thank you for giving me new experiences. And thank you for being a friend.”
Ryder turns his hand over so he can cradle my cheek, his thumb swiping along my cheekbone. “I would do anything for you, Elizabeth.”
The heat in his eyes sets a fire inside me, one that radiates out, until it feels like it will consume me whole.
“Ryder, I…” am so desperate for you to kiss me, I want to say.
Someone taps on the window, and Ryder drops his hand from my cheek. Fallon circles his finger and points. It’s a signal Ryder must understand because he nods and starts the car. He drives the short distance to the track, and following Fallon’s hand gestures, lines his car up on the starting line.
“Eight okay to pick you up tomorrow morning?”
“Really? You’re on the starting line about to race against another car, and that’s what you’re thinking about?”
Ryder looks over and grins at me. Tomorrow is our trip to the coast so he can teach me how to surf.
I shake my head at him when he continues to smile at me. “Eight is perf
ect. Need me to bring anything?”
“Just yourself and a swimsuit, pretty girl.”
A loud engine rumble comes up beside us and a blue Mustang lines up to where Fallon directs it.
“That’s the guy Fallon was glaring at earlier. Is that Marshall?”
Ryder’s jaw is clenched, a small tic pulsing at the base. “Yeah.”
Marshall looks over and sticks his middle finger up at Ryder.
“I take it we don’t like him?”
“Be glad that you have amnesia. It’s saving you from remembering that douche-twat. Marshall is a humongous asshole.”
“Got it.” I wave at Marshall, smile prettily, and blow him a double-middle finger kiss. “Kick his ass.”
“With pleasure.”
Chapter 13
The Big Kahuna
Jayson
My eyes are gritty as I rub them while stumbling into the kitchen in a desperate search for caffeine. Jules and I crashed at Ry's house after the races last night. The evening started out great with Liz. She was more relaxed around me, even letting me put my arm around her. And then something changed, and she went back to being wary whenever I got near her. Not to mention, she's spending all of her time with Jules and Ry. It’s starting to make me jealous and tick me off. Julien keeps telling me to be patient, but all I can think of is how much time I've lost with my girl already. How she must have been in pain after her car accident, and I wasn’t there to take care of her. How scared she must have been when she woke up and couldn’t remember anything. I want to make things better for her. I just want my girlfriend back.
The Keurig finishes making my coffee. I set another K-cup in and refill it with water just as Ryder comes strolling in wearing board shorts and a swim shirt. I pass my mug to him and grab another from the cupboard.
“Thanks, man.”
“You look like you’re heading out to the beach,” I comment.
“I’m taking Elizabeth surfing.”
I’m surprised the coffee mug in my hand doesn’t shatter under the pressure I strangle it with. “Liz doesn’t surf.” And why didn't I know anything about their plans?