“Rachel, I’ll have to go back to Mimi’s and get ready!” Cat exclaimed looking at herself.
“You’ll have time. I’ll text Luke and see how much he has left.” Rachel’s fingers went to work on her phone at once.
“You could take my car if you wanted and then just drive back when you’re ready,” Rachel said looking up.
“I — I don’t think I know my way back,” Cat replied, looking away. She didn’t know her way back, that was true. It also sounded better than saying she didn’t know how to drive.
Rachel’s phone beeped.
“Ah! He’s finished. Seems he conned my little bro, Roman, into helping him,” Rachel put her phone away.
So, Luke would be back soon. Cat would get ready and before she knew it, she would be enjoying a party thrown in her honor. This day had been full of so many surprises. She leaned back in the chair and smiled as Rachel began to fill her in on all of the cliques, girls, and guys that made up their senior class at Watauga High. Her new school.
Chapter Nine
Cat had laid out five outfits. She had talked to Rachel three times and she had modeled for Mimi in two of them. She still wasn’t sure what to wear. What did one wear to a ‘casual’ party at a lake to meet a bunch of people for the first time? Too dressy says, “I’m a rich snob from New York.” Too casual says, “I don’t care enough to look nice for you people.” She finally decided on a crisp pair of BCBG white shorts and a blue lace tank. She slipped on her silver Jack Rogers sandals, and she was ready to go. And, not a moment too soon, she was just skipping down the stairs when Luke pulled up in his truck. He had run home to shower while she got ready.
He jumped out of the truck and started towards the door before he saw her. He stopped for a second and fought the urge to whistle when she came skipping through the door. She was stunning. Her caramel waves were down loose around her shoulders. He hadn’t seen her hair down yet, unless you counted when it was dripping wet and fresh out of the shower the night before. He liked it down. The light brown color had just a shimmer of gold in the sun. He hadn’t noticed that before.
“What?” she looked down at herself, he had apparently been staring too hard.
“Hmm?” he faked confusion.
“Is there something wrong? Am I too dressy? Too casual?’’ She looked at her outfit self-consciously. “I can run back up and change.”
“No. You look … fine,” Luke wasn’t sure if this response was unkind. But he felt saying, ‘you look amazing,’ would make things uncomfortable.
He offered his hand and walked her around to the passenger side of the truck.
This whole act of being walked to her side of the vehicle felt new and strange and made her stomach do back flips. Was it being walked to the car door or the person who was doing the walking? Cat had a feeling it was the latter.
Cat slid into the seat wondering if she should have changed after all. She didn’t want Luke to think she looked just ‘fine’. She wanted him to find her tempting, irresistible even. She sighed as she watched him walk around to the driver’s side. He was wearing khaki shorts, a white button up with the sleeves rolled up, and Birkenstocks. His short curls were tousled in a messy, yet utterly sexy way. It was Cat’s turn to be caught staring.
“You okay?” Luke asked, eyeing her suspiciously as he got in.
“Umm hmm, fine,” she turned her eyes forward.
They drove for the first ten minutes in silence. Each one always seemed to be on the verge of saying something, but then stopped when they opened their mouths. Cat caught him staring at her twice and had been caught looking at him three times. Each time, they gave an awkward smile and pretended to be staring at something just beyond the window.
Finally, Cat couldn’t stand the tension any longer.
“So, Rachel told me you have a girlfriend?” Cat asked nonchalantly, keeping her eyes forward so they wouldn’t betray her.
“Had,” came Luke’s one-word response.
“Oh?”
“I, um, broke up with her recently.”
“How recent?” Cat was dying to know the details, but thought playing it cool would get her further.
Luke looked at her for a moment, before turning his attention back to the road, “Last night.”
“What happened?” Cat was genuinely curious. Was it her arrival that had been the catalyst, or was that her wishful thinking?
“I guess I was tired of pretending that I cared. I haven’t cared for a long time. Each time I’d try to break it off, she would cry and want to talk things out. Then, before I knew it, we’d be back together. I finally just did it,” he said with a shrug, as he turned onto a gravel road.
“How long did you date?” Cat inquired.
“Ten months or so,” he was clearly looking for a change of subject.
“Wow. You guys must have been serious,” Cat raised her eyebrows. She wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship lasting longer than an hour.
“Clarissa liked to think so,” Luke sighed. “I would’ve broken up with her months ago.”
“So, I know she cried and made you feel bad; but, if you were so miserable, why didn’t you just end it sooner? It couldn’t have been worth it … or was it? I guess if you guys did … things. Maybe it was?” Cat wished she hadn’t asked such a personal question, but she did want to know.
“Oh, no. Well, I mean. Yes, but no,” Luke stumbled over his response. He felt so guilty all a sudden. He didn’t want Cat to think badly of him.
“Ahh, that makes a lot of sense,” Cat had this icky feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was it jealousy? She had only met him yesterday. How could she be jealous of some girl he may or may not have slept with before they had even met?
“Cat,” he reached across the seat and grabbed her hand, “we didn’t.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Cat pulled away.
“And I haven’t,” he said, not releasing her hand.
“Okay,” Cat looked down at his hand still on hers, “Luke … why are you telling me this?”
“I — I just thought, maybe if I show you that I can open up to you, you’ll realize you can open up to me,” he let go of her hand and shrugged. “You just seem like you could use someone to talk to.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cat swallowed the lump rising in her throat and got out of the car.
How did he see her so clearly? For a moment, Cat wanted to tell him everything, to cry and let out all the pain and anguish that she had worked so hard to bury and forget. She had told herself today that the pain of her past was gone. That today was her fresh start. Why did Luke threaten to make her remember, when all she wanted to do was run away from it all?
Luke hurried from the truck to catch up with her. Again, he regretted his moment of honesty with Cat. Confused was not adequate enough to describe how she made him feel.
She let him catch up to her. Partly because she didn’t know where she was going, but mostly because she liked being close to him.
The path wound through a small bit of woods and opened up to a sandy beach along a perfect mountain lake.
Rachel already had a bonfire going and was popping up camping chairs around the fire beside large logs that looked like they were used for benches.
“Hey!” Rachel came running up and greeted Cat with a warm hug, almost knocking her over, “You’re early!”
“Oh. I’m sorry,” Cat began.
“Don’t be silly,” Rachel grabbed her hand and pulled her towards a card table still flat on the ground. “This just means you get to help me set up.”
“I’m happy to,” Cat bent down to help Rachel set up the table.
It wasn’t too long before the first guests arrived. Before the first hour was up, Cat counted nearly 60 people milling around on the beach. She had met everybody. Some greeted her wi
th handshakes, some went straight for a hug, but everyone wanted to hear about New York City and how she came to be in Boone.
Cat had already practiced her response.
Her parents were too controlling and she needed a change of pace.
It was simple, and surprisingly everyone was able to relate on some level.
The fire grew bright as the sun went down. Someone had brought their iPod and speakers to hook up for music. A few others had been happy to supply beer. Apparently, they knew Rachel would not be bringing any. Cat had asked her when they arrived if there would be alcohol and Rachel had responded with one sentence, “Cat, my dad is a Baptist preacher.” Then she laughed when Cat asked what being Baptist had to do with it. Apparently, Cat had a lot to learn about the South.
Cat hadn’t planned on drinking anyway; she had just been wondering what kind of parties they had here in Boone.
“Okay,” Rachel said, “That’s Troy. He plays basketball. Matt, super smart. Ford, he’s our best linebacker. He’s like a big teddy bear.”
Cat followed her gaze to where Rachel was pointing out each of the guys. Trying to remember their names was quite a feat. They all knew her name, but of course, they only had one name to learn.
She felt like she had most of the girls’ names down, based on where they were sitting around her. Of course, more people were arriving, so it was making it challenging when they kept trading places. Remembering them in order had not been a good idea, Cat decided.
“Uh-oh,” Carey piped up from where she sat on the log beside Cat, “bitch alert.”
The heads of all the girls in their circle turned to see four girls walking onto the beach.
They were all wearing cutoff jean skirts and polo tops. Thankfully, not all the same color.
“Did they plan to dress the same?” Cat directed her question to Rachel, yet the entire circle erupted in laughter.
“Good Lord, I hope not,” Rachel smiled. Then, she looked at Cat and mouthed the word “Clarissa.”
Cat nodded knowingly.
The small blonde led the way. Her hair was bobbed short and stacked in the back. She had a look on her face as though she had just smelled something nasty. Other than her expression though, Cat thought she could be considered quite cute.
“So that’s Luke’s ex,” Cat said thoughtfully.
“She’s so sneaky,” Sarah said with narrow eyes. “Best to stay on her good side.”
“Really?” Cat didn’t like the sound of that.
“No one likes her,” Rachel lowered her voice, “But her family has money and so she invites everyone for ski weekends at their chalet all winter. Apparently, it’s easy to buy friends.”
The girls all watched Clarissa and her posse grab beers from the table and turn to approach them.
Sarah spoke first, “Hey, C! You look so good.”
“I try,” Clarissa looked over her shoulder to Luke, “He’ll be seeing what he’s missing out on.”
“We were all so sorry to hear about you guys,” Carey added.
Cat was shocked at how quickly all the girls poured on the compliments and the sympathy. The ski weekends must be an important invite for everyone to go through this much trouble, Cat thought.
“You must be Cat,” Clarissa turned to her with a half-smile. The pitch of her voice had gone up noticeably.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Cat stood and extended her hand.
“You’re living with your grandmother? Is that what I heard?” she inquired.
“That’s right,” Cat nodded.
“Why would anyone leave New York to come here?” Clarissa smirked. “Unless, you didn’t have a choice.”
“Well — I,” Cat didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t believe this girl she didn’t even know was being so confrontational. “I guess I just needed a change of pace.”
“You must find this place so backwoods compared to what you’re used to,” Clarissa added. It was as though she wanted Cat to say something snooty and come across as the snob from the city.
“No, we visit my grandmother every year. So, I’ve been coming to the mountains my whole life,” Cat smiled forcefully.
“Oh, who’s your grandmother?” Clarissa took a swig from her beer.
“Martha Wilson, she lives near Valle Crucis. Everyone knows her as Mimi, though,” Cat could see Luke staring at them out of the corner of her eye.
“Mimi. That’s who my boy — I mean my ex-boyfriend works for,” there was a sudden edge to Clarissa’s voice.
Rachel stepped beside Cat before she could say anything, “Cat already met Luke. Yesterday.”
Cat wanted to clamp a hand over Rachel’s mouth, but the damage was already done.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Clarissa turned away from them and stomped towards the fire. Stopping a few feet from Luke, she motioned for him to follow her. Luke stepped out from the safety of his guy friends to follow her, but not before shooting a deadly look in Cat’s direction.
“Rachel, now he’s going to be pissed at me,” Cat spun around to face Rachel.
“No, Cat. Now you have an excuse to go over to him,” Rachel informed slyly.
“What?” Cat asked.
“You can go rescue him, Cat,” Rachel took her arm, “Come on, let’s go sit on that log and see if we can hear what she’s saying to him.”
Cat pressed her lips together — torn between her desire to know what was going on and the guilt of eavesdropping. Curiosity won and she nodded. Rachel was good at this game. But she was certain there had to be an easier way of hitting on Luke than this. She was such a novice at this.
Once settled on the log, they could hear nearly everything Clarissa was saying, or yelling as the case may be, at Luke. It seems as though being in the cover of the nearby trees had given Clarissa the false impression that they couldn’t be overheard.
“Tell me, Luke. Say it to my face. Why did you break up with me?”
“Clarissa — I”
“I know it’s that new girl, whatever her name is.”
“Cat?”
“I knew it!”
“Clarissa. I haven’t been happy in a long time, and you know it.”
“Don’t lie to me, Luke. I know you loved me. I was prepared to do anything for you … ANYTHING!”
“Clarissa, I’m sorry that you’re hurt.”
“Have you kissed her?”
“What?”
“Have you kissed her? I know northern girls are sluts, but I would’ve done whatever she did to steal you.”
“Don’t talk that way about her. She hasn’t done anything to you. She just got here yesterday.”
“Yeah! YESTERDAY … as in the day you dumped me. Asshole! You are an asshole. Both of you are!”
Cat’s face burned red. Half the party had gone silent to better hear the argument. Cat felt dozens of eyes watching her. She kept her eyes glued to the fire. Rachel was pinching her arm to the point that Cat had to ask her to let go.
“Sorry, Cat. But did you hear that? He’s crazy about you!” Rachel breathed in her ear.
“Why are you sticking up for her, Luke!” Clarissa’s voice shrieked.
“I’m not sticking up for her, I,” Luke began.
“I blame her. I will make her pay for this. I forgive you, Luke. Oh, Luke,” she crooned. Her voice dropped quieter and Cat leaned back on the log, straining to listen.
“Baby, I still love you. I’m willing to give you another chance,” her voice went on silkily. “If you say you’re sorry and that you love me, I’ll take you back.”
Luke didn’t say anything.
“I’m waiting,” the sweetness in Clarissa’s voice began to wane.
“Well, I’m not going to lie to you,” Luke said quietly.
“Luke, this is your last chance. If you don’t apologize
right now, I will believe that you cheated on me with that Yankee whore.”
Anger flared in Cat, and she lost her balance, falling backwards off the log. Embarrassed, she leapt to her feet. Rachel stood up after her. By now, the entire party watched silently as this strange love triangle unfolded. There were whispers and friendly nods towards Cat. She felt her cheeks burning and it wasn’t from the bonfire.
Rachel gave her a nudge, “I think Luke could use some help.” She winked.
Cat turned before she could change her mind and marched into the shadows where Luke and Clarissa stood. She cleared her throat. Luke had no idea what Cat was up to, but he was glad to have her there. He was so close to telling Clarissa that he was crazy about Cat. He couldn’t tell her that yesterday; he didn’t realize it was possible to have such a longing for another person. Not just physically, but wholly. He longed to know all of Cat — her quirks, her secrets, all of her. He would have told her all of that if he didn’t know that half of the senior class was listening a few yards away.
“Excuse me, Clarissa,” Cat said from behind.
“What?” she shouted without turning around.
“We just met. Cat, the Yankee whore. I just thought, since I was a topic in this argument, I would set the record straight,” Cat walked around her and stood beside Luke. “Luke hasn’t done anything. He hasn’t hit on me. He hasn’t kissed me. He just met me,” Cat touched Luke on the shoulder.
“I don’t believe you,” Clarissa snapped at her.
Cat saw a window of opportunity to make Clarissa leave Luke alone and leave her insanely jealous in the meantime. It may have been wrong, but she took it.
Cat spoke up, “Well, Clarissa. Since you already think the worst of me, since you already believe that Luke and I have hooked up, I might as well make it a reality.”
And with that, Cat was on him. Luke was completely taken aback. The force of her kiss nearly made him stumble back; but he recovered in a millisecond, and hoisted her body up against him, her legs wrapped around his waist. Luke heard a scream of frustration from Clarissa and catcalls and whistles coming from everyone else around the lake. But all he saw was Cat. All he felt was her body firmly against his own. Her lips parted just enough that he could taste her tongue against his. Never before had he been kissed so passionately. And certainly, never in front of so many people.
What Cat Lost (The Last Life of Cat Book 1) Page 9