Find You There

by Brianna Bennett

  “It’s really quite simple, Lyric. I decided that it has been too long since the three of you performed together, so I made arrangements for it to happen.”

  “Without our consent?” Cadence asked before Lyric could. Elena looked at Chuck askance as if she hadn’t been involved in anything but still felt compelled to be there.

  “Don’t be dramatic, Cadence. I intended it to be a fun surprise.”

  “Blackmail is fun for you?” Lyric screeched. “Never mind, I shouldn’t be surprised at that. I . . . I . . . can’t deal with this.” Lyric threw her hands up and took off running out of the carnival tent, disappearing into the summer night.

  “Go after her, you dumbass,” Carrie hissed at Luca, who stared after Lyric like a hypnosis victim. “Luca!” She shoved his shoulder, and clumsily got to his feet, scowling at her for good measure. She just raised an eyebrow. He took a step but stopped himself, turning back to Carrie, clearly caught between a rock and a hard place.

  “What if she just wants to be alone?”

  “You won’t know that if you don’t go after her,” Carrie replied. “So, go!”

  Lyric ran until she got a stitch in her side, and it took a few moments for her to orient herself. She’d found her way to Claymoor’s only playground. She made her way over to the empty swing set, practically collapsing against the cool metal, her hands curling around the chains that held it to the top.

  As she fought to catch her breath, she worked through her chaotic thoughts. Dad arranged for the three of us to perform in the summer bash talent show, knowing that we’d make our way there eventually. Okay, fine. Kind of shitty for him not to ask us first, but definitely not the worst thing he’s ever done. But dragging Mom into it? When he’s the one who kicked her out in the first place? That’s definitely a new low. Luca flopped into the swing next to her, and she didn’t even look up at first. Of everyone that could’ve chased after her, she was relieved that it was him.

  “If you want to be alone, I get it. That was a completely batshit thing for your dad to do, and I know a thing or two about asshole sperm donors.” Lyric smiled, coughing out a sound caught somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “I also get it if you don’t want to be home right now, so you could come back to my house, and we could watch a movie or something. My parents already left for their first campaign rally since Dad announced his candidacy.” Lyric took a few minutes to gather her thoughts, listening for any of her family members in the distance. She stared at Luca for a few minutes, biting the inside of her cheek, but ultimately nodded.

  After toeing off their shoes, Luca led Lyric into the kitchen, which was astonishingly clean. It even smelled like a combination of Clorox and Windex, which should have made her gag but was actually vaguely comforting. I’m so screwed up in the head right now that I can’t even think straight.

  “Why don’t you head downstairs and pick a movie while I make some popcorn?” he suggested, gesturing toward the basement door. “I’ll be down in a minute.” Daisy whined helplessly from her crate, so Lyric unlocked it for her. The dog sniffed Lyric curiously and then licked her cheek, obviously remembering her from that day in the park.

  When Luca got downstairs, he found Lyric sitting on his bed, legs crossed at her ankles and a cocky smirk on her face. Daisy had made herself comfortable on the edge of the bed, though she perked up when she smelled the popcorn. The sight of Lyric on his bed caused something in his chest to unfurl. It’s definitely too soon after ending things with Carrie, right? It’s got to be.

  He distracted himself by staring at the posters he’d seen dozens of times. Mildly embarrassed by the pile of laundry in the corner along with the abandoned cans of energy drinks scattered around the room, he admitted to himself that it looked like a bachelor pad. “Sorry for the mess. I wasn’t expecting company, and our maid Maria doesn’t come down here.” He cleared his throat. “What’s that face for?”

  “Two things: Isn’t that for straining noodles? And you’re going to love my selection.” He glanced at the TV, and his brow furrowed. It was off, but the DVD player was on, so she obviously wanted to keep him in suspense.

  “Yes, this colander is intended for straining noodles, but it can have multiple uses too! For example, the equal distribution of popcorn with salt and butter on top.” He climbed onto the bed beside her, making sure to keep a respectable distance between them. He didn’t want her thinking that this was his lame attempt at getting into her pants. Daisy made her way over, but Luca gently nudged her away from the popcorn until she gave up and went back to her spot facing the television.

  “I always wondered why those movie theater popcorn buckets were so wide but also incredibly narrow,” she commented as Luca got himself comfortable. “Ready?” He nodded, and he groaned dramatically once she turned on the screen.

  “You’re not serious. Of all the movies in my collection, you chose this one?”

  “Hey, Mean Girls is a classic of our generation, and I won’t have you slandering it!” Lyric told him archly, shoving his shoulder when he rolled his eyes. “It’s so fetch.”

  “‘Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen. It’s never going to happen.’” Luca quoted flatly, and Lyric grinned delightedly.

  “You’d make an excellent understudy for Regina George,” Lyric informed him with a teasing grin.

  “I don’t know whether to take that as an insult or a compliment,” Luca replied, and Lyric said nothing, eyes twinkling in the dim lights. “I’d like it noted for the record that I’m watching this chick flick against my will.”

  “Consider it noted,” Lyric replied, pressing play. She repeatedly reached for some popcorn at the same time as Luca, so their hands brushed more than once. Her skin was alive with sensations, and she wasn’t sure how to feel about them. Halfway into the movie, Luca voiced a question he’d had for years, ever since Carrie had forced him to watch this movie for the first time when they were teenagers.

  “Do girls actually think like that?” He gestured to the scene unfolding before them. “Because if so, that’s actually terrifying.”

  “Obviously, this is overdramatized, but my high school experience wasn’t that different than Cady’s. Before she joined the Plastics, that is.” Luca glanced at her, tilting his head curiously. Daisy, who’d begun to doze, decided to try her paw at begging again, but Luca told her no, and she gave up once again. “I ate a lot of lunches in the bathroom, except my two older siblings came before me, and everyone expected me to be just like them. I kind of got used to being overlooked.” She cut herself off and wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Sorry. I got a little carried away with the backstory there. Anyway, let’s continue!” Luca pretended to divert his attention back to the movie, but he was actually considering what Lyric had just told him, his mind whirring with possibilities.

  “I bet I know why you get overlooked so much,” he said after a moment, and she stared at him in confusion. “It’s because you never let anyone get close enough to get a good look.” Lyric shifted uncomfortably, far too aware of their proximity and her own vulnerability. “My dad sent my brother to a nuthouse.” He blurted it out so quickly that she didn’t fully comprehend him at first. “He has bipolar II. He’s on medication and was doing pretty well with it, but my dad is obsessed with his image and sees anything even slightly abnormal as a threat. He keeps us in this . . . glass prison. At least, until we no longer serve his needs.”

  On-screen, Janis was screaming at Cady for hosting a party the same night as her art show, but neither Lyric nor Luca were paying attention. Lyric had no idea what to say in response to Luca’s words, and Luca’s attention was focused on her lips, especially once she licked them clean of butter.

  I . . . really want to kiss her, Luca thought, a fluttering in his chest. Too soon, too soon, too soon! Abort, abort, abort! Even as his thoughts raced, they leaned forward together, caught up in each other’s atmosphere. “Uh,” he murmured, unable to tear his eyes away. He swallowed hard, and Lyric watched his Adam’s
apple bob. Seconds passed, and Luca’s hand unconsciously curved against Lyric’s cheek, his thumb stroking the shell of her ear. “Lyric, I—” he started, but couldn’t get any further because Lyric launched herself forward and kissed him. Half of the popcorn spilled onto Luca’s lap, but he didn’t even notice.

  He tastes like butter . . . butter and mint. Where is the mint coming from? Has he been chewing gum without me noticing? I wouldn’t put it past him . . . . Lyric pulled back a few inches, uncertain, but Luca took control and cradled her head, pulling her back in. “Don’t go,” he rasped before pressing his lips to hers this time. He carefully guided her down until her spine met his mattress, the kisses becoming more intense. Disgruntled, Daisy jumped off of the bed and marched over to her crate, but neither human paid her any mind.

  Her legs straightened out with no direction from her brain, and soon he was supporting his weight on his elbows and forearms, breath raggedly hot against her chin. Why did he stop? Lyric thought distantly. Her brain could’ve been oozing out from her ear, and she wouldn’t have noticed. She made a noise of distress and sunk her fingers into his hair, pulling his mouth against hers once again. She played with the hairs at the nape of his neck, and he grunted when she scratched a sensitive spot. Luca moved his mouth away from hers, peppering light kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

  Lyric tried to give as good as she got, but her insecurities made her feel like a fumbling virgin. All of her movements were clumsy and nervous, and the operational part of her brain waited for him to pull away and mock her for even thinking that he wanted her that way. Luca didn’t do that, though.

  Instead, he latched his hands onto her waist and rolled over so that she was on top, her knees straddling his hips, where his interest made itself known against her. “My arms got tired,” he explained breathlessly, leaning up to kiss her again. She returned the kiss eagerly, her hands moving out of his hair and down to his chest, where his heart thrashed erratically against her palms. He’s just as nervous as I am, she thought, leaning back to stare into his eyes. He followed her movement, but she put her finger to his lips, mocking his earlier movement. His normally vibrant green gaze had gotten darker with his arousal, like a shadow over a rainforest’s canopy.

  “I’ve only had sex once before,” she stated, throwing the words out like a projectile. “His name was Shawn, and I liked him a lot, but he didn’t quite . . . do it for me. You know?”

  “He didn’t . . . ?”

  Lyric shrugged. “I didn’t say no.”

  “But you didn’t say yes either.” Lyric looked away, which was answer enough. Luca pressed his tongue to the pouch of his bottom lip, anger sweeping through him like a hurricane. It’s assholes like that that give the rest of us a bad name. Taking what they want with no heed of what they could be doing to someone they’re supposed to love . . . .

  “Sorry,” she said after a beat. “I guess I ruined the mood?” She made to get off of him, but he tightened his grip on her hips. His arousal still prodded at her, but less insistently than before.

  “Nah. It’s important to talk about this stuff.” Her heart did a funny little leap, lighting a fire under her ribcage. “Just to be clear, by the way—” He shifted his hips ever so slightly to relieve the pressure there, groaning quietly. “You are interested in having sex with me?”

  “At some point, maybe,” she answered. “But probably not anytime soon.” Luca chuckled lightly and brushed his thumb over her lips. Despite being chapped, they were soft to the touch, and he wanted to kiss her again.

  “You’d be worth the wait,” he whispered, as if speaking too loudly would actually ruin the mood. Their mutual attraction had already hit a crescendo, but that didn’t mean they had to stop. They rolled over so he was on top, hands starfished by either side of her head. She stared up at him breathlessly, but when he leaned down to resume their previous activities, she took advantage of his distraction and shoved him hard so that she was on top once again.

  “Pinned ya,” she bragged with a cocky smile. He brushed his thumb over her cheek, fondness dancing in his eyes. “Guess the movie,” she challenged, her voice wobbling ever so slightly.

  “Are you the Nala to my Simba?” he said in reply. She stammered out a response that leaned more toward gibberish than English, and he chuckled softly. He continued to stroke her cheek, adding, “I like that I get you all flustered.” Apparently overcome with embarrassment, she burrowed her face against his neck.

  Chapter Eight

  “Thank you for this,” she said after a moment of inhaling his calming petrichor scent. “Have I ever told you that you smell really good?”

  “No, you’ve never mentioned it, but I’ll keep that in mind,” he responded, and Lyric sighed, reality making itself known once again.

  “I’m surprised my parents haven’t sent out the cavalry.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if Carrie talked them off the ledge.”

  “Why would they listen to her?”

  “She can be pretty convincing when she wants to. Plus, your dad should know he screwed up.”

  “That would require him to have some level of self-awareness, but he doesn’t. Either way, I guess I’d better rejoin the so-called real world. Could I bother you to give me a ride back home?” She climbed off of him and straightened up her clothes, adjusting her braid and zipping up the coverup she’d long abandoned. Luca took a few more minutes to get ready but acquiesced to her request.

  Both of her parents were waiting on their front patio when Luca put the car in park. “Crap,” she muttered. “Well, I guess it’s time to face the music.”

  “Do you want me too . . . ?” Luca trailed off when Lyric shook her head.

  “No, I’ll deal with it. You should just head back home. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Thanks for . . . you know. Everything.” She got out of the car before she could make a bigger fool of herself and made her way to the patio. Luca’s car idled for a few seconds, as if indecisive, before Luca drove away. Elena stood up wordlessly and pulled Lyric into a hug, surprising her. I thought she’d be pissed.

  “That was Luca Sherwood’s car,” Dad said flatly. “Are you dating the senator’s kid?” Lyric’s first instinct was to say no, but after what had happened between them just a few hours before, she honestly wasn’t sure. “Lyric. Answer me.”

  “Chuck. She’s not one of the criminals you deal with every day. She’s our daughter.” Elena’s voice had a steely edge to it that Lyric didn’t recognize.

  “No, Mom, it’s okay,” she told Elena. She turned to Chuck. “What’s it to you if I am or not?” she demanded, fishing through her backpack for her keys. “What gives you the right to know anything about my life? You’re the one that ripped our family to shreds—you and Aunt Rita.”

  Elena’s tests came back cleared of all signs or symptoms of cancer. The oncologist warned them that it could return at any time, but they were too relieved to be concerned about that. Instead, they’d dealt with their dad’s sister packing up all of Elena’s things for her because he was too drunk to do it himself. “Aunt Rita, what’s going on?” Cadence asked her godmother, who hadn’t responded, just zipped up the final suitcase and pushed it toward the door. “Aunt Rita?”

  “Your father asked me to pack up your mother’s things. He’s arranged for her to live apart from you from now on.”

  “What? Why? She’s in remission now; she can finally come home!” Lyric had said. Their aunt wouldn’t—couldn’t—meet their eyes. Cadence had stormed into their father’s office and demanded answers. The next few minutes passed by in a blur, but their dad managed to explain that he couldn’t handle the ups and downs of Elena’s treatment anymore, that he needed time away from her. He’d even said it would be good for the three of them to be separated from her for the time being.

  “You can’t do this!” Cadence had grabbed onto their father’s arm, but he’d shoved her away so hard her back hit the wall. Rhythm and Lyric ran over to her, but Elena was too sh
ocked to do anything. She hadn’t moved from her spot in the threshold, grief and shock warring for control on her waxy face.

  “I am your father. You should show me some respect,” Dad had spat.

  Lyric straightened her shoulders, rudely coming back to the present.

  “I respect people who’ve earned it,” she told him coldly. “I also respect people that don’t go behind my back and then try to trick me into performing without even enough notice to practice!” Chuck’s face betrayed nothing, and Lyric shook her head. “I’m going to bed, and tomorrow, I’m going to Mom’s.”

  Luca could count the number of times he’d walked in on his parents fighting on one hand. They usually kept that to themselves, refusing to be anything but the perfect couple just in case the reporters used illicit methods to get a story. (That had happened less and less ever since Henry had convinced Dick to get better security, but it was always a possibility.) He let the door close behind him with a slam, but his parents didn’t even flinch at the noise.

  “If you don’t stop this foolishness, I’ll—I’ll leave. I’ll take Luca and Rider to my parents,” Marjorie hissed. “You signed the papers to send him to that hospital; I’ll sign the papers to get him out.”

  “Don’t be irrational, Margie,” Dick responded cockily, shoulders back and smarmy smirk in place.

  “I’m not. For the first time in a long time, I’m actually thinking for myself.” Marjorie stomped away before Dick could say anything else, and the sound of a wine bottle popping open sounded like a gunshot in the silent house. Luca knew better than to confront either of his parents at this point, but he did catch a hushed conversation between his dad and Henry.

  “You need to do something about Margie. Get her in line,” Henry urged. Get her in line? What is this, the 1950s? Luca thought, grinding his teeth. “She’s a liability otherwise,” he continued.