“Saw what happen?” I asked.
“I forgot. You don't have first period. Matthew met the wrong side of Rick Yellen's fist.”
“The junior, Rick Yellen?”
“Yeah. The one who looks like he's thirty. Him and his buddies have been messing with Matthew for years.”
“Along with everyone else.”
“Pretty much.” Jamie's tone was matter-of-fact rather than sympathetic. There were plenty of kids who were bullied at Gulf City High. I heard about it, but I never saw it, trapped in my own world as I usually was.
The period ended and Jamie and I were no further along with our project. Morgan looped her arm through mine on the way to Calc.
“That was awful,” she said.
“I'll bet.” I hated how my voice sounded, but I hated my words even more.
10
Jamie
Why did I sleep with her?
I needed to dump her, but this was Amelia, hottest girl in school. I'd be persona non grata so fast in those halls. She was the one person with the power to bring me, Jamie Daniels, down.
I didn't care about popularity, but I did care if I ever got a date again.
Not like the one girl I wanted to date would care what Amelia said.
No. Dammit. I didn't want Callie. She made me mad. Always had. She hated me. She had Jay.
Throwing my books into my locker, I slammed it with so much force it shook.
“Something wrong, baby?” Amelia walked up behind me.
My fist clenched at my side in response to her voice. Breathing deeply, I turned and pasted the fakest of fake smiles on my face. Not like she'd notice.
She reached out and ran a hand up my chest, stopping at my collar and using it to pull my face down to hers. Pushing me back into the locker, she deepened the kiss. I kissed her back, hard. This part I didn't hate. The girl could kiss and do just about everything else that drove guys wild.
She broke away. “You better go if you want to catch the bus to your game.”
I nodded and left her without another word.
That afternoon, I played like crap. It was like I was running in cement, sluggish and just off. We still won, because let's face it, I said I was the talent on that team, but that wasn't exactly true. Colby already had a scholarship offer to play in college. I'd be lucky to get into a community college.
Maybe my father was right. A disappointment was all I'd ever be.
Both my parents were sitting at the kitchen table when I got home, enjoying dinner. I walked by them to the fridge, pulling out a soda and sandwich makings.
“James,” my father barked. “Aren't you going to greet your mother?”
“She's not my mother,” I muttered, not in the mood to pretend. It's not like I was lying. “But hello, Ashley.”
I finished making the sandwich and tried to move past them, but dad jumped forward and grabbed me.
“Respect.” He knocked the plate from my hands. It clattered to the tile floor, spilling its contents. “Your betters.”
He surprised me by going for the face this time, his open palm slamming into my cheek, catching the lower part of my eye socket. I ducked away from the next hit, shoving him backwards and running back out the way I'd come. His bellows followed me out.
I wasn't watching where I was going and slammed into someone, sending us both tumbling to the grass. My eyes connected with my brother's.
“Jesus Christ, Jamie,” he growled, getting to his feet. “Where's the fire?”
My dad was still inside yelling, and it finally registered on Jay. He winced, finally taking in my harried appearance. His hand slid through his dark hair as he glanced toward the door, then back at me. He knew what was going on. Reaching a hand down, he pulled me to my feet, finally catching sight of the red mark on my face.
I saw the war raging in his eyes. He was my father's son, but he was also my brother. “Go.” He jerked his head toward my car. “I'll see you later.”
Squaring his shoulders, he headed inside. He wasn't in any danger though. Dad would never lay a hand on him, only on the unwanted son.
Swallowing the bitterness, I drove away. The farther from that house I got, the better I felt.
11
Callie
“It's decided!” Morgan burst through the front door of my house without bothering to knock.
“What's decided?” I looked up from the history book on my lap, rubbing a hand across my forehead.
“You're coming to my house.” She leapt onto the couch, jostling me and furthering along the ache building in my head.
“Wait.” I snapped my book shut and sat up. “Really?” I was still having a hard time believing Morgan and I were friends, choosing instead to think that I was a passing fad for her, knowing as soon as my brother broke her heart that we'd be over as well.
“Yes.” She locked her fingers around my arm and pulled.
“Now?” I asked.
“Well, you should change first. I'm thinking something a little more…” She cocked her head, regarding me. “Sexy?”
“Uh…” Why the hell would I need to look sexy at her house? That was sooo not my thing.
She pulled me from the couch despite my protestations and dragged me toward my room where she rummaged through my closet. I doubted she'd find what she was looking for in there.
“Don't you have any cute clothes? Ugh.” She pulled back from my closet, scowling.
“Sorry I'm not like you,” I snapped, slamming the closet door and crossing my arms over my chest. “I have better things to care about than clothes.”
Morgan's eyes widened. “Cal, I didn't mean to offend you.”
“Then you should try not saying offensive things.”
Her lips pressed together in a flat line as she shifted from foot to foot. “I've got it.” Her face brightened. “You're going to wear something of mine.”
“I don't get why I have to change at all.” Looking down at my jeans and Tampa Bay Lightning t-shirt, it looked normal enough for me.
“Because.” She clapped her hands together. “Tonight is your eighteenth birthday party.”
“What the hell?” I didn't know whether to be angry because I told her I didn't want one or to feel good because she cared.
Kat cared, but she was busy and knew better than to go against my wishes.
Colby threw himself a beach party.
Then a thought struck me. “Who would even come?”
“Taken care of.” Morgan grinned. “Come on. We only have an hour before they get there.”
Morgan drove us to a house that must have been four times the size of mine. Beige, front-facing concrete made it blend in among the surrounding browns and whites. The two-story house was surrounded by perfectly manicured lawn and a flower bed my mother would have loved to have. Yellow allamandas. They were her favorite.
The inside mixed whites and greens and blues to create a calming ocean theme throughout.
“Morgan,” a woman called from the kitchen. “Is that you?”
“Yeah, Mom.” Morgan walked toward the voice and I followed, coming face to face with a middle-aged woman with dusty-blond hair and a wide smile. She hugged her daughter and then turned to me. When her arms came around me, I stiffened in surprise.
“You must be Callie,” she said. “We've heard so much about you.”
I just nodded when she finally released me.
“Are you girls hungry?” she asked. “The food for the party is here. I could make you up a plate?”
“Nah, Mom,” Morgan answered. “We have to go get ready.”
We turned to leave and as we reached the bottom of the stairs, Morgan's mom called to me. “Oh, I almost forgot. Happy birthday, Callie. Eighteen is a life changing one.”
Words caught in my throat at the motherly smile she gave me.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cook.” And then I escaped up the stairs.
Morgan was already in her closet, which was a freakin' walk-in. It didn't take long
before she came back out and lobbed a black dress my way.
Holding it up, I shook my head. “In your dreams, Cook.”
She crossed her arms, narrowed her eyes, and stared. “It's just a dress.”
Sighing, I changed. She gave me an approving nod and went to find a dress for herself.
It was short, shorter than pretty much anything I'd ever worn. I sat on the corner of the bed, pulling on the edges of the dress when Morgan walked back in, looking gorgeous in a simple green maxi dress.
“Ugh,” I said. “Why couldn't I wear that?”
“I don't see what the problem is. You're a surfer. You always run around in your bathing suit.”
“Yeah.” I grimaced. “With a rash guard or wetsuit over it. Have one of those?”
“Now.” She tapped a brush against her hand. “Your hair.”
I fingered the ends of my ponytail that brushed the top of my shoulder.
“Hey Morg.” A gorgeous blond with long legs and tanned skin pushed into the room.
Did this family hit some sort of gene lottery?
“Callie, this is my sister, Parker.” Morgan waved a hand between us.
“Older sister,” Parker clarified.
“As opposed to all the other sisters we have?” Morgan rolled her eyes my way.
“Well, there's Troy.”
Morgan snorted. “Troy's our baby brother,” she explained to me. “He's a sophomore.”
“Anyway,” Parker said. “I didn't want to talk to you just for the sheer pleasure of it.”
“Gee, thanks.” Morgan laughed.
“But,” Parker continued with a wink. “There is a man downstairs who looks like sex on a stick and is asking for Callie.”
I put my hands to my ears. “You better not be talking about my brother.” He was the only one I could think of who'd ask for me.
“Colby?” Parker asked. “Nah. Don't get me wrong, my sister done good.”
“Eww.” I plugged my ears.
“But this one happens to be someone I went to school with and he's no high-schooler, that's for sure. I've only been out a year, but let me tell you, as soon as you walk across that stage, there is this distance between you and the people that are still there. I wouldn't make this guy wait any longer.”
I jumped to my feet and walked into the hall to look down the stairs. My breath caught. Jay stood near the front door, his eyes scanning pictures on the wall. His dark hair looked ruffled, but I knew he styled it that way. He looked good, but I didn't know how much of that feeling was because I hadn't seen him in weeks.
I ran down the last few steps, seeing him turn as he heard me. His smiled beamed as he stepped forward and scooped me up in his arms. I didn't even think about it as I kissed him.
“Well now,” Parker said behind us.
I leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. “You're really here?”
“I told you I'd come for your birthday.” He laughed. “Colby called me about tonight.”
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Just then, there was a knock at the front door. I didn't move from Jay's arms as Morgan opened the door. Colby walked by, giving Jay a welcome home clap on the back. Jamie and Amelia followed close behind.
Morgan came up to me and pulled my hair tie out, letting my brown locks fall to my shoulders. She backed away, and I looked up, catching Jamie's widening eyes as he scanned me from head to toe.
A satisfied flush rose in my cheeks, and I buried my face against Jay's firm chest as he hooked his arm around my waist.
I didn't know how Morgan convinced Jamie and Amelia to come.
“Hey brother,” he said, a look passing between them that I didn't understand.
“Hey,” Jamie replied, rubbing a spot on his face that I only now noticed sported a bruise.
I watched the exchange between the brothers, now knowing I was missing a piece of the puzzle. Hopefully, Jay would put it together for me if I could get him alone. I didn't know why, but the urge to understand Jamie was strong.
Shrugging off Jay's arm, I joined everyone else around the food. If our mouths were full, we wouldn't have to talk. Just what everyone wanted for their birthday party.
“Soooo.” Jay lifted my legs into his lap. “How is my Callie girl doing without me in town to keep her from becoming a hermit?”
I punched his shoulder.
“A cute hermit?” He grinned. “A very cute surfing hermit.”
“I'm just fine, thank you very much.” I couldn't help laughing at him. “Good, actually.”
“Good?” he yelled. “Call the band. We need to celebrate. Callie McCoy is good!”
“Shut it.” I pinched him before realizing everyone else had stopped to watch us when Jay yelled.
Parker flopped down onto the couch beside us. Her eyes skipped over me before landing on Jay. “Hey there, sexy.”
He only laughed and gave me a very Jay-like satisfied grin.
“Oh man, he's going to get a complex,” I groaned.
“How long are you in town?” Parker asked.
“All weekend.” He raised a brow.
“Fancy a bite?”
I stared at her open-mouthed. Forward, wasn't she?
“Sorry, Parker. I'm sort of seeing someone.”
My head whipped around so fast I was surprised I didn't break my neck.
“So, you two are together?” she asked.
Jay laughed, and I had every urge to use the foot that was in his lap to kick him where it hurt. “You should see your face,” he said to me, not quite answering Parker's question yet. “Don't forget, I can read your mind.” He looked back up at Morgan's sister. “Nah, I've started dating someone at school.”
Now I hit him for another reason. “You didn't tell me?”
“Don't tell me there aren't things you haven't mentioned lately.” His eyes flicked to Jamie, and I cringed. Did he know? “Plus, it's new. I didn't want to jinx it.”
I nodded, relief flooding through me. If Jay was in a relationship, it took some pressure off the two of us. I'd always felt like I should love him like that and guilty that I didn't. Now we could take a step back and just be friends as we used to be.
A thought struck me. “Uh, sorry I kissed you tonight then.”
He grinned. “One for luck.”
“Right, I'm going to get a drink.” I slid my feet from his grasp and stood up, not realizing Parker was following me until I reached the kitchen.
“You cool?” she asked.
“What?” I responded absently. “Yeah.” I twisted the top on a bottle of Coke and threw it in the garbage.
“Not exactly the birthday you'd imagined?”
Sighing, I shook my head. “I'm not one for parties.”
“You call this a party?” She laughed. “The only parties I really like are boogies.”
“As in, what's in my nose?”
“Um, gross. A boogie is a skydiving party.”
“You're a skydiver?” I perked up, setting my Coke on the counter and leaning forward.
“You bet I am. I'm a tandem instructor at the Gulf City drop zone.”
“What's it like?” I'd seen the tail end of a sky dive once before. The drop zone was out in the boonies near my mom's favorite farm stand. We'd go there some Saturdays. The three of us. One morning, when I was about nine, we stood watching what seemed like two people just flying through the air. Through the eyes of a child, they seemed larger than life. Now I know that it's a controlled descent, using equipment that makes it possible. Back then they seemed like superhumans.
Parker leaned against the counter, her eyes bright. “There's nothing like it. Best feeling in the world. When you're up there, you don't have to think about what's down here. You don't really have to think at all. Mind blank, you just fly.”
Closing my eyes, I imagined myself up there and smiled.
“If you ever want to go,” Parker continued. “I can get you quite the discount.”
“Cal.” Jay poked his head aroun
d the corner. “You ready to head out? Everyone else is leaving.”
I looked back at Parker one more time, and she gave me a wink before I followed Jay through the house and out into his car.
“Where to, darlin'?” he asked, using his fake southern accent. “Your humble abode?”
I thought for a moment, needing to take my chance.
“No, let's go to the beach.” Looking sideways at him, I continued. “We need to talk.”
12
Callie
The water turned cooler as fall moved on. It wouldn't be long before I had to pull my wet-suit out for surfing. The evening air was warm, with a slight chill that only came on when the breeze blew across the darkened beach. The hairs on my arms stood on end as I walked along in the shallows, letting the water lap against my calves, draining away the day's stresses.
Tomorrow I'd be eighteen. Today, my friends had thrown me a party, if you could call it that. But, the operative word was friends - even if only Morgan and Jay could qualify. It used to only be Jay, but life changed as one season turned over to make way for another.
The great myth about Florida was that we didn't get seasons, or at least changing ones. It was true that our leaves never fell to prepare for winter. We didn't get snow. But we had the rains that turned everything green. Those would end soon to give way to a dry, chilled winter where, yes, we'd have to break out our coats. Grasses would turn brown, flowers would hide away, the ocean would grow cold. Then all at once, everything would burst with color again and residents returned to the beach - when it wasn't raining.
Those were our seasons. The only ones I'd ever known. For so long, they'd controlled my life. The surf was good in the winter, flat in the summer. The cold water required different attire. The diner was busiest in winter, when the northerners were in town seeking a little warmth, and traffic was a nightmare.
This year, I could already feel myself changing, but it was more than my routine. Jay was right. It was odd for me to consider myself 'good'.
Invincible- The Complete Set Page 6
