Something I'm Good At: A Sol del Mar High Novel

by Caroline Andrus

  She shakes her head, pulling herself together. “He was all right.” She tries to act serious, but I can see she’s just messing with me.

  I scoff. “I bet he was more than all right.”

  She shrugs again, then says, “Well, he was a pretty good kisser.”

  My smile at this is so big it's a wonder my face doesn't split in half. “You’re not half-bad yourself.”

  She blushes and hides behind her hair again. I wish she’d stop doing that, I like when she blushes.

  “So,” I say, stretching my arm out and resting it on the chair back behind her. “About that date you promised…”

  “Yes?”

  “How about this Friday? You can pick the movie, but I want to pick the restaurant.”

  “Dare I ask?”

  I waggle my eyebrows. “It’s a surprise.”

  “Are we taking your bike?”

  I sigh, wondering when this sore subject would come up. “It’s that or walking. I kind of don’t have my license.”

  “Oh really?” She raises her eyebrows, a smile tugging at her lips.

  I narrow my eyes and glare at my desk. “My mom doesn't seem to trust me behind the wheel.”

  She snorts again, unsuccessfully trying to hold in her laughter. “I wonder why.”

  16

  Summer

  This week went by too fast. When Kane dropped me off at home after our private beach excursion, I crashed. Mom woke me for dinner and my meds, and then I was out again. I really shouldn’t have gone with him after school. We stayed mostly in the shade, but the sun and all the walking took a toll on me. But all that said, I have no regrets. I know I should have regrets, but I think it was worth it.

  All week I’ve eaten lunch with Kane, Abigail, and Mark. It’s crazy how quickly they’ve accepted me as one of them. There’s none of the pettiness and gossip that I’m used to from my old friends. It’s refreshing. For once, I feel like I can just be me. Well, almost. I may be giving this thing with Kane a shot, but I’m not telling him about my illness.

  School let out an hour ago, and the weekend has officially begun. I’m supposed to pick up Kane any minute now, but instead I’m staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of my closet door. Biting my lower lip, I scrutinize my outfit. I don’t know why, Kane never cares what I wear, but second guessing myself is one of my worst personality traits.

  Finally, after applying a fresh coat of lipgloss, I deem myself ready. I’m wearing a baby blue top with a denim skirt. My hair is down around my shoulders, and I have on my favorite silver strappy sandals. It’s dressy, but not too dressy. I have no clue what Kane has in mind before our movie.

  I drape a white cardigan over my arm and close my bedroom door behind me—a vain attempt to keep Mandy out. It doesn’t take long to find Mom, and her car keys, at the kitchen table looking over some legal documents from the office.

  “Keys?” I say, holding my hand out toward her.

  “Oh, right,” Mom says. Absentmindedly, she reaches for the purse sitting on the chair beside her. She extracts the keys and holds them out to me, her focus still on the papers spread out in front of her.

  “Thanks, Mom.” I turn to leave.

  “You look nice.”

  I freeze, my back to her. I thought I’d get away without her noticing my ensemble.

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Who did you say you were meeting?”

  My cheeks grow warm as I turn back to face her. “Just...my partner from foods class.”

  Mom smiles, which makes my face grow warmer. “A boy?” There’s a teasing quality to her tone of voice.

  I roll my eyes and sigh. “Yes, Mother. A boy.”

  “It’s good to see you spending time with friends,” Mom says, ignoring the eye roll. “And boys. It’s been a while since you’ve been on a date. You even missed prom.”

  I fight to keep a scowl off my face, mentally reminding myself that Mom doesn’t know how sour the memory of prom is for me.

  “Right, well…he’s waiting, so…” I wait for her to catch the hint.

  “You took your meds, right?” Her voice is serious now.

  I nod.

  “Go, have fun. Don’t stay out too late.”

  I head for the door and smile when I hear her call out, “Make good choices!”

  Closing the door behind me, I leave the comfort of the AC for the warmth of the sun. I climb into the driver’s seat of Mom’s black SUV, then drive to Kane’s house.

  I drive slowly, nerves getting the best of me. Only days ago, I had planned to tell him there was no chance for us. Now here I am, pulling into his driveway to pick him up for a date. I pause, mentally preparing myself, before getting out.

  How did this happen? How did I end up on a date with Kane Dwyer, or any guy for that matter?

  The same thoughts were running through my head a few days ago when he kissed me on my doorstep. I was a flurry of emotions that day, between the kisses, and agreeing to go to the homecoming dance, and of course that awful encounter with Rachel.

  By midweek, when I’d finally sorted through everything, I realized that when I’m with Kane I feel more alive than I have in months. With him, I don’t feel like I’m at death’s door, but like my whole life is ahead of me. What is it about this crazy guy that makes me feel good when nothing else does?

  He’s the first person I’ve let in since my life fell apart. When I don’t want to talk, he gets it and doesn’t push. Kane lets me keep my secrets.

  But I wonder, how long will I be able to keep them secret? Sooner or later, I’m bound to have another flare up, and he’s going to figure out something is wrong with me. I quickly shove the thought away, determined to live in the here and now.

  Breathing deeply, I try to tame my nerves. I stare at Kane’s house; it’s an unassuming rambler, beige in color with a dark blue door and trim. It’s a lot smaller than my own house, but the rock garden in the front yard, dotted with little pops of colorful flowers, indicates it’s well cared for.

  I debate honking the horn to summon Kane when he doesn’t run outside immediately, but decide against it. That would be an awful first impression if his mom is home.

  My god, when did I start caring what his mother thinks?

  After another deep breath, I step out of the car and stride as confidently as I can toward the front door. I knock twice and wait with my hands clasped together behind my back.

  The door opens moments later, and Kane’s face lights up at the sight of me.

  “Summer, hey!”

  His enthusiasm makes me smile. What have I ever done to earn his infatuation?

  “Hey. Are you ready?”

  “Absolutely. My mom wants to meet you first, though.” He turns his head and shouts into the next room, “Ma! She’s here!” He turns his attention back to me. “Come on in.”

  I step through the front door, as Kane’s mom enters the room. I vaguely recall her annoyance with Kane at urgent care, and I’m pleased she seems happy to meet me. I suppose meeting Kane’s date is less stressful than accruing medical bills for his broken bones.

  She smiles at me and extends her hand. I shake it and return the smile.

  “You must be the infamous Summer.”

  I shift my gaze to Kane.

  “Mom!” he groans, but he’s grinning.

  She laughs and wraps an arm around him, pulling him against her in a one-armed hug. I would be mortified if one of my parents did that in front of my date, but Kane just laughs and places his own arm around her.

  It’s fascinating watching them. Though I've only just met her, I can already see that their relationship is vastly different from mine with my own parents. Maybe because it’s just the two of them?

  With a laugh, she releases Kane. “What are you kids up to tonight?”

  “Dinner and a movie,” Kane says.

  “And the movie is done at what time?”

  Kane groans again, “I don’t know, 10:30 or something?
”

  His mom shakes her head slightly, and I can see she’s holding back a smile. “Home by 11:15, got it?” I get the feeling she’s not very strict with Kane, and this is just an act to mess with him.

  Kane nods.

  “Good. You two have fun.”

  “Bye, Mom!” Kane says, pulling open the front door and taking me by the hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” I call over my shoulder as I’m ushered outside.

  “Sorry about that,” Kane says. He doesn't look sorry though. He looks thrilled to have had the chance to show me off.

  “Nothing to be sorry about. Your mom seems great.”

  Kane rushes ahead of me and pulls open the driver’s side door for me. I smile in thanks and climb in while he runs around to his side.

  “Where to?” I ask, once he’s settled beside me.

  Kane gives me directions, one street at a time, refusing to tell me the name of our destination. When he finally instructs me to park, we’re at a tiny waterfront cafe. It’s further south than I usually travel, so I don’t recognize it.

  “This place has the best enchiladas.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do say so. Come on, you’ll love it.”

  He jumps out of the car, and before I even have my seatbelt unbuckled, he’s at my door, opening it for me.

  “Thanks,” I say, as he extends a hand to help me out.

  “My pleasure.”

  I feel the annoying flush in my cheeks again, and let my hair fall forward to cover it.

  “I wish you wouldn’t do that.” His fingers gently brush my cheek, as he tucks my hair behind one ear, which only causes my cheeks to burn hotter.

  “Let’s eat,” I say quickly, sidestepping him and walking toward the restaurant’s front door.

  The restaurant has a “seat yourself” sign in the doorway, so we find a booth with a window view that overlooks the ocean. I sit, and instead of seating himself across from me, Kane slides in beside me and picks up a menu. He puts an arm over my shoulder and begins pointing to items on the menu.

  “I love their fish tacos,” he says.

  I wrinkle my nose.

  Kane notices and laughs. “Not a fish person?”

  “Not really. Most fish are just…too fishy,” I say, and instantly regret it. That was so lame.

  He laughs. “I think fish are supposed to be fishy.” He squeezes my shoulder, then moves down the menu pointing out other entrees he recommends.

  We fall back into our usual pattern of Kane cracking jokes and me trying to keep up.

  When the server approaches, we order enchiladas, chips and salsa, and soda. The food arrives in record time, and Kane moves to the other side of the booth. I take the initiative and ask him some questions.

  “So, your dad is a stuntman?”

  Kane nods, his mouth full of food. He swallows and then looks around conspiratorially. “Can you keep a secret?”

  Nodding, I almost laugh. I’m the queen of secrets these days.

  “I haven’t told anyone else this, but I want to be a stuntman like my dad.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” I’m smiling when I say it, and he grins back.

  “When I was little, before the divorce, Mom took me to watch him on set a few times. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I knew then, that’s what I want to do with my life.”

  “Is that why you’re always doing these crazy things?”

  He shrugs. “Nah, that’s just me.”

  “So, nobody else knows that you want to be a stuntman?”

  He shakes his head.

  “Not even Abigail or Mark?”

  He shrugs. “They’d probably laugh at me or make a joke. Which is normally cool, but this…well…”

  The Kane across the table from me is reminiscent of the serious Kane I’d glimpsed on our walk to the secret beach. I like it. I feel honored that he trusts me enough to keep his secret.

  “What about you?” he asks.

  17

  Kane

  What about me?” Summer asks.

  “I just told you my life’s ambition, what’s yours?”

  Her cheeks flush pink again, and I reach out and place my hand on hers before she can hide behind her hair.

  “What if I told you I don’t know what I want to do?”

  I shrug. “I wouldn’t believe you.”

  Her eyebrows shoot up. “Why not?”

  “You seem like the type to have your entire life planned out.”

  She bites her lower lip and stares at her dinner plate, lost in thought. “Maybe I used to, but I don’t know anymore.”

  “Then tell me your former life’s ambition.”

  There’s another long pause, and a wry smile crosses her lips. She shakes her head, and says, “I wanted to be a makeup artist. Like, stage makeup.”

  My eyes light up. “We could totally work together.”

  She shakes her head. “I’m not going for that anymore.”

  “Oh.” I can hear my disappointment dripping from that one syllable. “What are you going for then?”

  She shrugs. “I have no idea.”

  I study her face, trying to bore into her soul and really read her. Finally, I say, “Do you still love it?”

  “Of course.” The answer comes automatically. No hesitation.

  “Then why give it up?”

  She crosses her free arm over her chest and stays quiet. She’s starting to shut down on me. I give the hand I’m still holding a little squeeze and give her an out.

  “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want,” I say gently. “I mean, someday I hope you’ll trust me with your secrets, but it doesn’t have to be right now.”

  She lets out a slow breath, relief, I think.

  “But I wanted to ask you one more thing. About that Rachel girl.”

  Her gaze darts up to mine, and she inhales a sharp breath.

  “There’s clearly some bad blood. Will you tell me what happened?”

  She scowls and pulls her hand away, and I’m sure I’ve blown it. Stupid. Why did I have to ask her this on our first real date?

  She chews her lower lip for a moment, wringing her hands on the table between us. “You won’t want to hear it.”

  “Try me.” I give her my most charming smile.

  “She kissed my boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend,” she quickly corrects herself.

  I don’t like to hear her say the word boyfriend if she’s not talking about me, but I keep that thought to myself. “Oh.”

  She closes her eyes, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “I was supposed to go to prom with him last year, but I got sick. I asked him to take her instead, because I knew she really wanted to go, and she was my best friend. But then, a few days after the dance he came to my house and told me she kissed him. I was pissed, especially when she came to my house later that day and told me he kissed her.” Shaking her head, she finally meets my eyes. “I didn’t know who to believe, so I dumped them both.”

  I sit in silence for a few beats, absorbing what she’s just told me. Two thoughts are running through my mind. First, who in their right mind would cheat on someone as amazing as Summer? And two, how hard must it be to lose both your boyfriend and your best friend in one go?

  “How long were you together?”

  “Bradley and I only dated a couple months. I’m so over him.”

  That’s a relief to hear. “What about your friendship with Rachel? How long were you friends?”

  “Nine years.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Yep.”

  I try to imagine Mark or Abigail kissing Summer. I’d probably punch them, and I’m not the violent type. I can imagine the pain Summer went through, but I also don’t think I could just give up on the friendship. It’s a dick move, but that’s a lot of years of friendship to throw away over a single kiss.

  “Have you talked to her?”

  “No.” The word is like a dagger, aimed at Rache
l, but I feel the force of it.

  “Nine years is a long friendship to let go of.”

  “Believe me, I know.”

  I narrow my eyes, studying her. I can see the anger on her face, but I can also see the hurt. I hate seeing her hurting. I decide we need a topic change.

  “Are you done eating?”

  She looks down at her plate, and shrugs. “Yeah. I’m done.”

  I pay the bill and lead her down to the water’s edge. “We have some time to kill before the movie, let’s walk.”

  She lets me hold her hand, and we walk in silence for a little while, taking in the view of the ocean. This moment is perfect, walking along the oceanside with the girl of my dreams.

  “You know,” she begins, “before I met you, I never really did this.”

  “Did what?”

  “Nothing.” She shakes her head and gestures with her free hand. “I was always so busy, either with volleyball or my blog, show choir or debate club, or whatever. I never did just…nothing.”

  “This isn’t nothing,” I tell her. “This is walking in one of the most beautiful places on earth with the most beautiful girl in the world.”

  Her cheeks flush pink. Before she can hide behind her hair, I stop walking and place my hand on her cheek. She looks up at me, and I smile, then lean forward and press my lips to hers.

  The kiss is brief. I’d stand there all evening kissing her if I could, but we have a movie to catch.

  We head back to the car and drive to the theater. At the ticket booth I pull out a couple of bills and pay before she has a chance to unzip her purse. Grinning, I put my cast arm over her shoulder and take the tickets with my other hand.

  “How long again until you get that thing off?” she asks.

  “Three days.” I grin proudly.

  “Good, no offense, but it’s looking a little rough.”

  I laugh and pass our tickets to the kid at the ticket stand. He hands me the stubs and directs us toward our auditorium.

  “Popcorn?” I say.

  “Kane. We just ate.”

  “Okay. More for me.” I steer her toward the concession stand and get in line. When it’s our turn, I order a large popcorn and soda combo. Turning to Summer, I ask, “Are you sure you don’t want anything? Last chance.”