Stay

  Mia stretched out her hand and rubbed it against the inside of his arm where his sleeve ended. Her fingertips were moist from the plastic cup’s condensation, and they left a damp trail against his skin. The damp evaporated against his warmth. Alexi’s arm felt smoother under her fingers, but not soft like her arms, rougher somehow. Flipping her hand over, she rubbed the back of her fingers against the same spot. Neat sensation. She took a drink, completely oblivious to his eyes on her.

  Alexi lifted a hand to her outstretched arm and ran his fingers along the inner skin of her arm. The lightning sensation caused her to jerk, and her fingers fell away. Looking toward the fire, she grasped her plastic cup, hard enough that the side caved in an inch. She loosened her grip and heat rose in her face. She hoped he attributed her blush to the bonfire.

  Jake and a few others joined them. Dropping onto the log on the other side of Mia, he scooted close. “Hey. I was going drop by later, but I didn’t want to miss out on anything.”

  “Hey.” Eyeing the proximity, Alexi frowned at Jake, then the dancers.

  “Love the two-step.” Mia set her cup on the ground and pulled at Alexi’s hand. “Come on, I’ll show you.” The smell of burning wood emitted from the blaze. It wasn’t cold enough for a fire, but it made a nice glow. She put his right hand on her waist, then her left hand on his shoulder. Taking his left hand, she placed her right palm on it. “You lead. Step toward me quickly with your left foot, then your right. Then slowly with your left, then slowly with your right.” The romantic strains of music carried through the dark. She loved feeling close to him, and whatever was in that cup was making it hard for her to behave. Swaying, she moved a little closer.

  A nearby couple took off on a small trail, and Alexi raised his eyebrows.

  “They’re going to the pier to view the lake.” Sort of. She wished Alexi wanted to see the lake with her.

  “It’s dark.”

  “They’re not really going to look.” Mia grinned and slid her left hand from his shoulder to the back of his neck.

  Alexi frowned and his accent deepened. “What do you know about the pier?”

  Mia wished he’d stop talking. He was killing her beautiful dancing in the dark moment. She slid her hand from his hair back to his shoulder. “What everyone knows.”

  Alexi stopped dancing and dropped his arms.

  So temperamental.

  Boom. Sizzle. Whistle. Pop. Fireworks exploded overhead.

  Jake threw another handful in the fire, and off to his right, Quinn lit the fuse on a long bottle rocket.

  Morons. Illicit Party. Fireworks. Alert the neighbors. “We have to go.” Mia grabbed his hand. “Trust me on this. How far away did Vincent park? He just went to dinner, right? He should be back in the area again by now.” Her tennis shoes crunched on the underbrush as she jogged toward the road. “Text him so he’ll pull closer.”

  Alexi easily kept up with her and texted with one hand.

  Sirens sounded in the distance.

  “Run.”

  Chapter 13

  They ran, and bundled into the car laughing.

  Alexi flipped the switch to the intercom. “Take us home please, Vincent.” The engine kicked on and pop rock filled the car. Alexi turned it up. Mia turned it louder and slid back in the seat. Alexi’s smiling laughter died and he frowned.

  So temperamental. Why did she feel indulgent about it instead of annoyed? Whatever. She felt what she felt. “What?”

  “You and that pier. Who have you been there with? Who with? Jake?” Alexi demanded, his accent more pronounced than normal. More upset equaled a heavier accent.

  She rather liked the accent, but didn’t like the thought of him being upset over something that didn’t even exist. “I didn’t go to the pier with a guy. It’s just something everyone knows.” She was a little annoyed at telling him something that was none of his business, but was too weak to watch him sulk.

  Alexi looked at her probingly through the darkness of the car. “No guy?”

  “I’m waiting for someone special.” Mia dug through the minibar and removed a chilled bottle of champagne. She handed it to him.

  Alexi relaxed, clearly happy with her response. He untwisted the wire and eased the cork out slowly. There were benefits to having a driver. She held out a champagne flute for him to fill.

  “Me, too.” Alexi grabbed a second empty flute from the minibar. “Crystal is much nicer than those plastic cups.” He filled the glasses and set the bottle down in a nook atop the bar. Then he took a drink. “Liquids taste better out of crystal. Cook can pack crystal in with our lunches. Vincent will retrieve the glasses after we finish and clear for us.” He looked as if she’d agree with his crazy idea.

  How could a guy so picky still look like such a guy? Mia tossed her drink back, poured herself another glass then slid next to Alexi. She met his gaze. “From now on, your eyes will remind me of dancing in the dark in Texas.”

  “Your eyes remind me of the water back home.”

  Lovely uniquely-him compliment. “To finding someone special,” she toasted.

  Alexi frowned and clinked his glass against hers. Even frowning, he was handsome. Great bone structure, incredible physique. She couldn’t believe she’d confessed to waiting for someone special…to being a virgin, and he’d said ‘me too.’ He was so much like her, such high standards and big dreams. He was unique. Mia rubbed a hand over the side of his cheek, along his jaw; his skin was slightly rough. He needed to shave.

  Alexi turned his head and kissed her palm right in the center. Mia curled her fingers in as if capturing the tingly feeling, and then stretched up to retract the moon roof. The stars shined down on them, lighting the limousine’s interior like a NASA picture. What a perfect night—music, stars, champagne, and Alexi.

  “I’m glad you’re waiting, too.” Mia shrugged. “It makes me less alone. Lauren thinks I’m crazy not to hook up and turn in the V-card.” Mia leaned back against the cushions and curled her feet up into the seat. “I’m glad you’re holding out with me.”

  Alexi tilted his head and then pulled her legs across his lap and rested a hand against her ankles. He took another drink without saying anything.

  ***

  Mia had to wear her cheerleading uniform to school, so she made sure to throw warm-ups on prior to going down to breakfast. It was too early for a fight about clothes. Niko greeted her with a new paperback. “Thanks.” Mia pushed her meal aside and took the book.

  Niko handed Alexi a book in Greek.

  “Thank you.” Alexi tapped the spine on hers. The Odyssey in modern Greek. “You read Greek?”

  “We read it in English last year, but imagine reading it in almost its original language. Thank you, Niko.”

  Niko nodded. “Hope said you enjoyed the story.” Hope smiled over at him, and Niko grinned. There wasn’t much Niko wouldn’t do for one of Hope’s smiles.

  Alexi lifted the book out of Mia’s hands, opened it, and read the first line aloud. “Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns/driven time…” He handed it back.

  “You have a beautiful voice,” Mia said. “Maybe you can read more? Until I learn enough Greek to do it.”

  “Maybe.” Alexi took a bite of toast. He’d taken to eating larger breakfasts, given the horrible school lunches.

  “You really do,” Hope said from behind her sketchpad. “You could make a successful career out of it, as a radio announcer or, with your looks, acting. Do you like entertaining?”

  Alexi and Niko wore identical frowns, and Mia giggled.

  “No,” Alexi said.

  Her giggling made her choke on her toast, so she gulped some water. When her throat cleared, she said, “Alexi’s not really a people-person.”

  “True,” Niko said.

  “Okay.” Hope gave Alexi’s arm a small pat. “Whatever interests you.”

  “I’ll be late tonight; we’re cheering at the soccer tryouts. I’ll take my own car so Vincent won’t have to driv
e back for me, and you won’t have to wait.”

  Hope’s eyes widened. “You’re not trying out? Don’t all Europeans play soccer?”

  “He’s not a team player, and the tryouts are for spring teams,” Mia said.

  “Oh, I’m going. We can ride together.”

  Niko raised his head from his paper, eyebrows arched. Mia was pleased, too, and hoped it meant he’d be here in the spring.

  “I can do the team portrait,” Hope said.

  “No, thank you.” Alexi was ever resistant to the idea of anything involving art, but he seemed more open to Hope’s friendly overtures since the gallery.

  Hope walked Mia out. “How’s Alexi fitting in at school?”

  Mia winced. She’d been dreading this question. “Um, he doesn’t. He likes who he likes and doesn’t care about anyone else. I can’t decide if it’s non-American or non-teenager, but it’s interesting.”

  “Oh. Is he okay? Is he alone too much?”

  “No, no, he’s fine. The privileged few quite like him.”

  Alexi caught up to them so she stopped talking about him. Mia got in the limo and slid off her jacket. Houston was too hot for a jacket, even in the fall. Polyester combined with Houston’s humidity was just cruel. How had people lived through the seventies? Today’s uniform top consisted of a sleeveless shell. Alexi shook his head at it. He and his brother could be super-conservative. The school picked the uniforms. Schools were masters of the conservative. She turned her face up to the vent, reached up and opened it wider. Ah, cool air. Better. Her cheer top rose a little with her stretch. The purple shell came down in a V-shaped point across her midriff.

  Alexi traced the V-shape with his finger.

  Mia jumped a little, startled at the tingly feeling, and looked down at his hand.

  Alexi pulled it back with a blush. “Sorry. That top. You—”

  Mia slid back into the seat beside him. “Do it again.” She took his hand to skim it across her midriff, just above her belly button. Amazing. “It feels tingly, kind of like goose bumps, but different. Let me do you.” Mia stretched a hand toward the hem of his shirt. Slipping her hand just under the edge, she ran a fingertip along his skin.

  Chapter 14

  Mia brushed his abdomen back and forth lightly. “You feel different, very hard, what does it feel like to you…”

  The door clicked. Vincent was opening the door.

  Mia flushed and jerked back her hand. She hadn’t even realized the car had reached school. Who knew how long they’d been sitting there? She usually beat Vincent to the door. Slipping out, she told Alexi, “See ya at lunch.”

  Alexi remained seated, his eyes glazed over, his hand clenched. She wanted to rejoin him. She left instead.

  ***

  Mia watched soccer tryouts from the sidelines with the other cheerleaders. The coach made the guys do chin-ups. It was Mia’s favorite part. She forgot to cheer as she watched the muscles in their arms bunch then release as they lifted their body weight. It was hypnotic.

  Alexi looked wonderful in gym clothes. She wished she stood closer to him so she could see the purple bring out the blue in his blue-gray eyes. He was also one of the fastest, and he made the team easily, as did the other European, Kristnaldo. After the announcement, Alexi jogged off the field and over to her. “Yay, Alexi.” Grinning, she put her arms around him and squeezed.

  His arms encircled her waist. “I could hear you cheering for me.” Alexi smiled into her eyes. He released her and stepped back.

  “You were awesome.”

  Alexi glanced around as if to make sure no one was paying attention to them and hugged her again.

  Jake jogged over. “I made it.”

  Mia gave Jake a hug, too. “Great job, I knew you would.”

  Jake hugged her tight until Mia wriggled out of his embrace.

  Lauren unscrewed the cap on her water bottle and joined them. “Congrats, guys.” She offered the water to Jake.

  “Thanks.”

  Lauren’s gaze was on the field. “Did you see the new guy? What a surprise. He’s so good, and he’s hot.”

  Mia smiled at Alexi. “Yeah, Alexi’s great.”

  “Not him. Quinn,” Lauren said.

  Quinn stood out on the field, tossing a soccer ball between his palms. He was pretty good; who’d have thought? Rock star and soccer star. He was going to do well at this school. Plus, Quinn could rub his eyeliner down to his cheeks and reduce the sun’s glare. She smiled at the idea of him offering his eyeliner to the other players. Quinn smiled at Mia from the field and waved. Mia returned the wave. Alexi glared. He was a possessive kind of friend.

  “Leave the cheerleaders alone and get back to practice,” Coach Ameen yelled from the grass, so Alexi and Jake jogged back to the other guys.

  Maddie retied her hair bow. “I miss the red bows.”

  Willow made a no-go gesture with her pompoms. “Uniformity is what matters. How’s the crowd going to cheer if we don’t look the same?”

  Maybe because they were standing in front of them waving pompoms.

  “It’s stifling.” Maddie scrunched her face as she made her bow tight. “I don’t think we all have to have our hair the same.”

  Was that what she was doing to Alexi? Stifling him?

  “You’ll learn.” Willow motioned for them to form a line. Clap, clap. “Pyramid.”

  The bases took their positions.

  Mia wasn’t short, but she had great balance, so she tended to get shoved to the top of each stunt. She took a hand up from Lauren, who served as the base for Willow. Putting one foot on Willow’s thigh then one against Maddie’s, she let go of their hands and lifted her arms into the shape of the letter V for victory.

  Three tall. Awesome. Up this high there was almost a breeze.

  “Sell it, girls. Smile. Spirit. Attitude.” Willow’s leg shifted under her foot, and Mia looked down. Willow was glaring backward toward the soccer field, her smile totally gone. Then she turned her head toward the parking lot. The only thing unusual in the lot was the limo. Willow’s thigh straightened, causing Mia’s foot to shift.

  Mia waved, but couldn’t stay up. Lauren grabbed for her and held her a second, then Mia slipped.

  Weightless.

  The pyramid toppled.

  Chapter 15

  Lauren and Maddie grabbed for Mia, somewhat slowing her fall, but she landed flat out on the track, winded. The track was hot and hard and her hair pulled under the weight of someone’s tennis shoe. Mia lifted a hand to push at the ankle.

  “Oops, sorry,” Willow said, and the pressure on Mia’s head eased.

  They hadn’t had such an epic tumble since they first formed a squad, back when the bases would just hold her toe and heel, rather than her whole foot, keeping it steady. She’d grown too confident.

  “You did that on purpose,” Lauren shouted at Willow, while picking herself up out of the tangled mass of arms and legs. Mia tried to say it was an accident, but she had no breath.

  “Give her room,” Maddie said, making the girls back up. All of them did except Lauren and Willow.

  “Mia needs to work on her balance.” Willow had her hands on her hips and she used her bossy captain voice. “She needs to increase her attention on the squad, not just focus on the guy she’s living with.”

  Lauren threw out her arms. “He’s her brother. Well, step-brother. Well, he’s her sister’s brother.”

  Next she saw tan guy legs. She tilted her head, relieved it didn’t hurt to make that move. Alexi stood over her in his soccer uniform. He must have left practice. Sweet. But maybe not the best time.

  Alexi knelt, ran his hands down her arms and legs, a fleeting, glancing check of her unbroken limbs. “Don’t move.”

  A couple more guys from the team got there next, then Coach. “I’ll call the nurse,” Coach said.

  No, please.

  “Nurse?” Alexi shook his head.

  Mia sucked in a breath. Good. She didn’t need a nurse. This was s
o embarrassing. What a klutz. She should have watched her footing. She struggled up to her elbows.

  Alexi spoke into his phone. “Mia fell. Pull the car around and arrange for a doctor to meet us at the house.”

  “Car? Don’t you mean limo?” Willow said, but Alexi ignored her.

  Doctor. “What? No, I’m fine.” This wasn’t her first fall, or even her fifteenth. Maybe her balance wasn’t all that. She could be a base. Mia sucked in a deep breath and could smell the black spongy surface of the track. She bet she had marks from the track’s surface along the backs of her arms and legs.

  More guys from the team ran over. A sea of yellow and purple workout clothes. The girls moved back in closer. A sea of stares. A whole team worth of stares. Willow got in front of her, right beside Alexi. She could see the dragon fire emblem on her socks. “Oh no,” Willow said, “you really could be hurt. That was at least two feet.”

  It was way more than that. Willow was acting like she did whenever she was in a fight with someone. Like a big B. That someone had just never been her.

  “We should take you to the emergency room.” Willow’s tone was super exaggerated and sarcastic. Some of the other cheerleaders and several of the guys laughed.

  “The nurse is good enough.” Coach clapped his hands together. “All right, all right. Nothing to see here. Boys. Back on the field. One of you girls take her up to the school.”

  “I’ll do it, Coach,” Jake moved forward as if Alexi would get up and get out of his way. Alexi stayed kneeling beside her.

  “Fine. Fine.” Coach walked off and most of the guys followed.

  Jake stayed, and Alexi stayed, too.

  Willow’s heavy Asian perfume competed with the smell of the track. She sprayed it on mid-practice like deodorant. “Really, do you need a little more attention, Mia?”

  “You’re the one who dropped her, you cow. Just because her brother won’t go out with you,” Lauren said. “It shows he has good taste.”

  Willow rolled her eyes. “Yeah right, Alexi’s her brother.”