Collecting the Pieces

by L. A. Fiore

  “So is high school all you thought it would be?”

  “I’m surprised by how much homework is assigned, but yeah, it’s way better than I thought.”

  He moved closer, his shoulder touching mine. “Am I a part of that?”

  “What? Being better?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You know that you are.”

  He reached for my hand, something so simple and yet my breath caught. It was a first for me, having my hand held. His big, calloused hand enveloped mine and it felt so perfectly right. Doubt wiggled in because I still didn’t understand his interest in me, but I didn’t want to question it. I just wanted to ride the wave.

  He asked, “Is this okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s okay.”

  “I’m sensing a but.”

  I tried to dismiss his comment; he wouldn’t let me.

  “Sidney?”

  “I just don’t understand why you’re with me.”

  He pulled me over to the lockers, his expression both incredulous and a little pissed. “Did you really just ask me that?”

  Holding that intense stare was difficult, so I looked down at our hands. “Yeah.”

  He touched my chin to lift my gaze back to his. “Am I moving too fast?”

  It wasn’t the speed in which we were moving that I feared, but of him coming to his senses. Being dazzled by him only to be forgotten shortly after. Talk about setting yourself up for a nasty fall.

  “No. I just don’t understand why me.”

  “Do you want to be with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then don’t overthink it.” He touched my cheek as his lips pulled up on the one side. “You’re overthinking it. Okay, honestly, it’s those big brown eyes that look wounded sometimes, a sadness that has no business clouding your expression. I want to remove that look, want to see you smiling and happy. That first day, I felt you like a punch to the gut. I want to explore this, us, because I’ve never felt that before.”

  His words moved me deeply and knocked me off-balance, so I responded with humor—a nervous response. “You probably say that to all the girls.”

  “Never, Sidney. I’ve never felt like this before. There’s a game on Friday. I have to play, but I’d really like knowing you were in the stands. Will you come?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll pick you up, say around five?”

  “A date?”

  “Yeah, the first of many.”

  Friday arrived and as I dressed I went back and forth between excited and nervous. Connor had already left and the Millers weren’t home, at least I was alone while I freaked out. The sound of the bell kicked off the butterflies in my stomach as I hurried down the stairs. I caught myself and slowed my approach, took a few deep breaths before pulling the door open.

  Jake was dressed in jeans and a tee. There was a smile on his face, one that grew wider when his eyes moved down my body in a very thorough perusal. He looked past me as his smile dimmed a bit.

  “Are your foster parents home?”

  “No.”

  “Connor?”

  “He already left for the game.”

  He had a thought on that, but whatever he was thinking he didn’t share. Instead he reached for my hand. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  We reached the stadium and parked before Jake turned in his seat. “I need to head to the locker room to change, but I’ve saved a spot for you and Rylee upfront. I instructed the student manager to show Rylee to your seats if he should see her. I’ll show you before I join up with the team.”

  “I’m sure I can find it. You don’t need to see me to my seat.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. Are you nervous?”

  “To play? No. I’ve been doing this for so long it’s like second nature.”

  “I’ve never watched a football game.”

  “Really?”

  “Does it hurt when you get tackled?”

  Cocky was how he looked now. “I rarely get sacked, but when I do the adrenaline is pumping so I don’t feel much during the game. My muscles protest after I’ve cooled down. Come on.”

  I had no idea what sacked meant, but I’d ask Rylee. Jake climbed from the car and came around to my side and reached for my hand. “I want to get you settled.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I know.”

  My tummy twisted and my arm tingled from the heat stirred by our joined hands.

  “After the game, we can grab a bite to eat,” he said as he led me into the stadium.

  “You’re going to feed me too?”

  Wicked was how he looked in reply. We reached the bleachers; Rylee was already there. “Hey, Sidney.”

  “So after the game, I’ll feed you.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  He didn’t seem to want to go, his hand tightened on mine for a minute before he released it. “Don’t leave.”

  “I won’t.”

  “See you later.”

  “Good luck!”

  He looked back at me from over his shoulder and winked before he jogged from the bleachers.

  “Holy shit. He is so into you,” Rylee squealed.

  Dropping down next to her, I couldn’t contain the smile since I loved hearing that, especially since I was just as into him.

  “You’re going out after the game too?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Boy moves fast. I like it.”

  “He makes me lightheaded.”

  “Wait until he kisses you. You are so lucky.”

  I wasn’t sure I’d live through him kissing me if I felt as I did just from holding his hand, and what a way to go.

  The team entered the field, Jake leading them to the roar of the crowd. He reached the sidelines and searched for me in the stands. As soon as our eyes met, he smiled.

  “You just made every girl in this stadium jealous,” Rylee muttered next to me.

  And I didn’t care because that smile, I’d wrapped it up and stored it away so I could replay it whenever I wanted.

  I watched the game, the first time I ever did. It was addicting and even being new to the sport I could tell that Jake was an exceptionally good quarterback. The team won, the cheering people were on their feet in the stands. Jake moved from the field and climbed through the railing, taking the steps two at a time, to reach me. Right in front of the entire stadium, he pulled me to my feet and kissed me. It was just a brushing of our lips at first, but then I heard him growl deep in his throat before he opened his mouth, his tongue darting out to push past my lips. And even as the crowd roared louder, I just melted into him because nothing had ever felt so right.

  He pulled his mouth from mine; his heart pounded and his breathing was erratic. “I need a shower. I’ll be fast.”

  “Okay.”

  “Wait for me.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  His lips brushed along my jaw ending at my ear. “I want to kiss you again.”

  “I really want that too.”

  “Wait here. Don’t move.”

  “My feet are rooted.”

  He touched my chin, rubbing his thumb along my lower lip. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  He grinned and then ran back down the bleachers.

  “Was that as hot as it looked?” Rylee asked.

  “Hotter.”

  “I need a cold shower. I was here for the beginning,” Rylee said.

  “What?”

  “Some people you just know are going to make it, that they are meant to be. You two, you’re meant to be and I was here for the beginning.”

  After the game, Jake and I had burgers at a popular hot spot. I had trouble eating because I couldn’t stop staring across the table. I was on a date with Jake Stephens and what really left me breathless was how perfectly right it felt.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Jake asked.

  “I’m fine. It was a good game, at least it looked goo
d to me.”

  “Yeah, we were pretty tight tonight.”

  Heat burned up my neck thinking about after the game and the kiss he laid on me in front of the entire stadium.

  “That was my first kiss.” I couldn’t believe I blurted it out like that. Mortified, I lowered my head.

  He touched my chin and lifted my gaze. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. It was…incredible.”

  His expression surprised me. He looked upset. “I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have done it in front of all those people. I’m sorry, Sid.”

  “Why? It’s already stored as my favorite memory ever.”

  “Your first kiss should have been private and more memorable.”

  “More memorable? You kissed me in front of a stadium full of people. It was memorable, believe me.”

  “You’re not mad?”

  “That the hottest guy in school, who just won the opening season game, kissed me in front of all those people? No.”

  He leaned closer, his face washed with humor. “So I can make that a tradition, kissing you in the stands after we win.”

  “You won’t get any arguments from me.”

  “Sweet.”

  We were jarred from the moment when someone slammed up against the window. It was Connor and he looked drunk.

  “Oh God,” I whispered just as Jake moved from the booth.

  “Wait here.”

  “I should help.”

  “He’s drunk, Sid, please stay here.”

  “Okay.”

  Jake stepped outside. Connor walked over to him, really stumbled toward him. It wasn’t a long conversation; Jake helped get Connor in the car. Connor’s girlfriend, who looked to be sober, climbed behind the wheel. Jake waited until they were on their way before he returned to me.

  “Drunk?”

  “And high,” Jake said as he settled in the booth.

  “I’m worried about him.”

  “We’ll keep our eyes on him. He’s a senior and it could be nothing more than sowing his oats.”

  “Maybe, but I think he’s getting worse.”

  “If he does, we’ll get him help.”

  “You would help me?”

  “Absolutely. He’s important to you and you are important to me.”

  I lost my heart to him in that moment.

  “Let’s finish up here because I really want to kiss you again.”

  “This is Tigger and this is Stuart.” It had been two days since my first kiss and still my lips tingled from the memory of it. I felt the need to share all I could with Jake. I wanted him entwined in every part of my life, but I didn’t have much going on in my life. I did have my cats though.

  “How long have you been caring for them?”

  “A couple years.”

  “They seem very comfortable around you.”

  “I’d like to believe we have a bond, but I am the one who feeds them so it could be as simple as that.”

  “I don’t think so. Why don’t you bring them inside?”

  “The Millers would never allow that.”

  “The Millers? Why do you call them that?”

  “It’s what they want us to call them, that or Kathleen and Gary.”

  Jake started to laugh, thinking I was joking, until he realized I was serious and then his expression turned dark. “You’re not kidding.”

  “I wish I were.”

  “Unbelievable.”

  “Anyway, I just wanted you to meet the two other men in my life.”

  He yanked me to him, pressing my body to his. It was my very favorite place to be. His fingers were moving up and down my spine in the softest caress. “I like your friends.”

  “I like you.”

  He clearly liked that answer because he kissed me, long and hard.

  “How would you feel if they came to stay with me?” He asked, but I didn’t answer right away since my brain was still on that kiss.

  “Sid?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Your parents would be okay with that?”

  “They love animals.”

  “I…that would be incredible.” With the magnitude of what he was offering, taking in Tigger and Stuart and giving them a home, I threw my arms around his neck and this time it was me who kissed him long and hard.

  A First

  Jake’s house was huge; the Millers home would fit in their garage. Of course the Stephens’ garage was big enough for six cars. Jake pulled up the drive as I fiddled with my dress. It was Thanksgiving and Jake had invited me and Connor to share it with his family. Connor had backed out at the last minute, said he had to work. I had wanted him to experience Thanksgiving, a first for both of us, and was really disappointed that he bailed.

  Jake parked, his focus shifting to me. “You’re upset about Connor.”

  “I think this would have been good for him, to see there’s more than what we grew up with.”

  “Maybe he’ll join us next year.”

  The idea that we’d still be together next year was one I really liked. “Maybe.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “To meet your parents? A little.”

  “They’re going to love you.”

  I wasn’t so sure about that, but I smiled big and pretty when he came around to my side of the car and helped me from it. Taking my hand, he led us inside. My breath caught because his house was amazing. The foyer was done in black and white tiles. A round table that looked like an antique sat under a crystal chandelier and the vase of freshly cut flowers sitting atop that table was exquisite. The stairs were huge, starting on the left of the foyer and curving up the wall to the second floor.

  “How do you not get lost in here?”

  Jake laughed, but I wasn’t kidding. I’d need a map.

  Jake’s parents appeared from one of the hallways off the foyer. His dad was tall; Jake got his build from him. Even in his forties, the man was in great shape. His brown hair was cut short with a dusting of gray. His mom was almost as tall as her husband. Her long brown hair looked like sable, wavy and full down to her shoulders. Her brown eyes had hints of green, picked up by the green wrap dress she wore.

  “Sidney. How nice to finally meet you.” Mrs. Stephens greeted as she reached for my hand.

  “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “It’s our pleasure. Let’s move to the kitchen because we’re still prepping the dishes.”

  A home cooked meal not made by me, what a novelty. “Can I help?”

  “Absolutely. The more hands the better.” Mr. Stephens said.

  Their kitchen was massive. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a huge butcher block kitchen island, and a pot rack over it loaded with copper pots. “Wow.”

  Jake’s hand found my waist as he pulled me closer. “Sidney likes to cook.”

  And I did. At first it was out of necessity and now I just enjoyed it.

  “Wonderful. She can take my spot since I haven’t a clue what I’m doing.” Mr. Stephens said, but it was directed at his wife. Obviously an inside joke. “How about I get us something to drink? What would you like, Sidney? We have iced tea, soda, coffee, sparkling water.”

  “Iced tea, please.”

  “Jake, how about you help me.”

  Jake followed his dad to another room that looked like a pantry of some kind as Mrs. Stephens stepped up next to me. “I’m sorry your brother couldn’t make it.”

  “I’m sorry for the last minute cancellation.”

  “No worries. I have most of this under control, but I haven’t finished with the bread. Would you like to help?”

  “You bake your own bread?”

  “Yes. I’m guessing you’ve never tried.”

  “No, but I’d love to learn.”

  “The aprons are in the closet by the refrigerator. Why don’t you put one on, I would hate for your pretty dress to get covered in flour, and I’ll teach you.”

  I had never had a grown-up talk to
me like she did. Like I mattered. Like I was good enough to be here. I felt the tears burning the back of my eyes and my voice grew hoarse when I said, “Thank you, Mrs. Stephens.”

  She seemed to understand because her face grew soft as tenderness looked back at me. “You are so welcome, sweetheart.”

  “Your first Thanksgiving. What did you think?”

  “I’ll never eat again, but I loved every second of it. Thank you.”

  “My parents really like you.” Jake said as he pulled me into his lap while we sat in his car outside my house.

  “I really like them too.”

  “Christmas is next. What do you want for Christmas?”

  “Nothing.”

  Jake had been brushing his lips over my shoulder, but hearing my reply he stopped. “You don’t want anything?”

  “I’d like for Connor to join us, but other than that no.”

  “Because you’re not used to getting gifts?” Anger had his words sounding clipped.

  “No, because I have you. I don’t need anything else.”

  His hold on me tightened. “And you do have me, Sidney, totally and completely.”

  I was in my room doing homework, but I struggled with my focus since my thoughts kept veering to Jake. Five months we’d been together and every day was better than the last. I wasn’t sure how I had gotten so lucky to find him, but I thanked the stars for him every night.

  Flashing lights from outside reflected against my wall. I stepped to the window to see as two cops escorted Connor up the front path. The way he staggered, he was clearly under the influence. Mr. Miller knew a few of the local cops, they’d gone to school together; this was likely them doing a favor for him since, based on how he looked, Connor should have been arrested for underage drinking or drugs. Maybe this was a good thing. The Millers were home, the cops were here, maybe they’d finally get off their asses and parent Connor.

  I heard Connor on the stairs before he slammed the door to his bedroom. The cops left a few minutes later followed by Mr. Miller stomping up the stairs after Connor.

  “What the fuck! Where did you get the drugs?”

  “Like you care.”

  “Pack your shit and get out.”

  No! How could he? At the first sign of trouble he kicked Connor out instead of trying to help him. The Millers were terrible foster parents, but this behavior bordered on criminal.