More Than Each Other (More Than Best Friends Book 2)

by Sally Henson

I roll my eyes and chuckle at his confident-moron attitude.

  “I don’t think it’s too strong. I like it,” Haylee says, leaning into him as if she needs to get that close to smell him.

  I tilt away from their closeness and avert my eyes to the gym doors again. Tobi strolls in, saving me from once again wishing Lane were back in high school. Even if I got to see him over the weekend, it’s not enough.

  The bell rings, so I grab my stuff and hustle down the steps to meet her in front of the gym’s stage.

  “Hey.” I smile and raise my eyebrows at her hair pulled into a messy ponytail, and lack of makeup.

  “I look like you today,” she teases.

  I shrug. I don’t usually wear any makeup to school. “There’s no one here I want to impress, so what’s the point?”

  She leans her arm on my shoulders, “You got to see Lane?”

  “Yes! I can’t believe it. Friday—”

  “What’s with the hair and no makeup?” Cam cuts in as he and Haylee step down from the bleachers.

  “Chores were a B this morning,” Tobi gripes.

  “That’s why you were late?” I ask. Tobi always shows up early enough to hang out before school starts. And always before Cam.

  She nods. “Yeah.”

  Cam looks back over his shoulder as we exit the gym. “What happened?”

  “We have a cow that’s limping. Dad and I tried to separate her from the bull, but he wouldn’t let us anywhere near her. He’s a possessive beast.” Tobi stops at her locker to swap out her books.

  Cam laughs. “He doesn’t want anyone touching his woman.”

  “Exactly!” Tobi laughs.

  “You want me to come out after school? Be another body?” Cam offers

  “Sure.” Tobi smiles. “You might get some entertainment at least.”

  “Oh, can I come?” Haylee asks, looking at Tobi and then Cameron.

  Tobi shrugs. “Might as well make a party of it. As long as you don’t try to help with the bull.”

  Haylee claps her hands, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Yay.”

  I move along to my locker, stuffing my books and bag in, and grab my things for first period. Going to Tobi’s after school is out of the question for me. Looks like I’m going to miss another G5 party.

  When Cam and I took our seats in math, I asked him about the party and mentioned that Haylee pretty much ignored me this morning. He said the party was great and Haylee’s been like that since she got her new books. He didn’t make eye contact with me, though, like he was lying or hiding something.

  Even at lunch, Haylee seems aggravated with me. Though she does include me in the conversation here and there. Maybe Tobi knows what’s up with her. I’ll ask her during P.E.

  Tobi nods toward the front of the cafeteria. “Uh-oh, Cam. The principal’s coming this way. What’d you do?” Tobi teases.

  Cam chuckles. “You wish.”

  Mr. Steward stops beside our table. He has a glum expression on his face. It’s nothing new because he wears it all the time, only it's more grimaced than usual. “Miss Bridlow?”

  Tobi’s eyebrows shoot up. “Yes?”

  “Will you come with me, please?”

  Her eyes widen. “Am I in trouble?”

  “No. Come with me, please.” He presses his lips into a tight line, and he glances around the table at each of us before stepping away.

  Tobi eyes dart between all of us. Her shoulders lift in a shrug as she stands to follow him. Mr. Steward waits until she's caught up before turning to lead the way.

  Cameron makes up an absurd story about why Steward came to get her. Haylee laughs at him. It is funny, I'll have to admit. It’s about the only thing I’ve laughed at today. I look at the cold rubbery food on my tray and push it away.

  “You going to eat that?” Cameron asks. He's already forking the food off my tray before I answer.

  “Go ahead,” I mumble, propping my elbow on the table and resting my chin in my hand. Dread of chemistry and my new lab partner fills me. It must show because Cam raises his brow, questioning me while he eats my food. I shake my head and wave him off.

  He and Haylee ramble about some new movie they want to see, the amazing cheeseburgers he grilled for her birthday, and a secret dessert thing she gave him. Whatever.

  Tobi never comes back.

  The last bell rings and I head to my locker to load up my backpack with homework. Cam stalks up to me with Haylee by his side and shows me the screen on his phone.

  Tobi’s dad was trampled by a bull and is in serious condition in the hospital.

  I gasp, “Oh, no.”

  “Not good,” Cameron says flatly. “You know she’s going to have to take on all the workload. There’s no one else.” He’s already given this some thought.

  My heart aches for Tobi and her parents. “Is there any way we can help?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. Let me talk to my dad and see what he says.”

  “I want to help, too. If I can,” I mumble. Tobi already works her butt off. If she has to do everything herself…I don’t know how she’s going to be able to handle the ranch and school.

  “Right,” Haylee says under her breath.

  Cameron slides his phone back into his pocket. “I’ll call you tonight,” he confirms, and they turn to leave.

  Stacey’s stupid pretty dress is sprawled across the table when I come home from school. Mom glances up from her tedious work of hand sewing sparkly jewels on the bodice. No words pass between us. We give each other the usual cold shoulder.

  As much as I’d rather escape to my room, I need to talk to her. It’s been a while since I’ve initiated a conversation with my parents. “Tobi’s dad is in the hospital.”

  Mom stops working and makes eye contact. “Oh? What happened?”

  “All I know is he was trampled by a bull and is in serious condition.”

  She rubs her mouth with the back of her fingers. “That’s terrible.”

  I lean forward so she’ll know how serious this is. “Mom, Tobi’s going to need my help on the farm. I want to help her. She doesn’t have anyone else.”

  Mom’s lips mash into a thin line. “You’ll have to talk to your dad about that.”

  I lean back against the chair and drop my hands from the table. “Come on, Mom. You know it’s the right thing to do.”

  She focuses back on her work. “He’ll be home soon.”

  My temper surges. It’s been doing that lately, but most of the time I’m in my room and I can scream into my pillow. “You aren’t allowed to make any decisions?” As soon as it slipped out, I knew it was the wrong thing to say.

  Her eyes dull, and she huffs out a loud breath. The darkness under Mom’s eyes make it look like she hasn’t slept in days. She goes back to her work as if I haven’t even walked through the door and ticked her off.

  I swivel out of the chair, snatch my bag, and head to my room—all the while screaming in my head. Fine. I don’t want to exist in this house anyway.

  26

  Regan

  The “congratulations, you're grounded” gift has been a life-saver. If I don’t slow down and pace myself, I’ll read all of the books before I’m ungrounded. I’m not even sure how long that is.

  Thank God for Tobi. I don't give her enough credit for being such a great friend. She may not get me like Lane does, but she loves me.

  Dad calls through my door, telling me it’s suppertime. A couple weeks ago, I stashed a few water bottles and snacks in my closet so I wouldn’t have to eat dinner with them. Even if they’re letting me see Lane on the weekend now, I haven't spoken to either of them unless they ask me a question directly.

  As much as I hate to break the silent treatment with Dad, helping Tobi is more important than proving a point right now.

  I go to the kitchen, plop food on my plate and sit down in my usual seat at the table where my parents are waiting to give thanks for our food.

  Amen is barely out of my mouth
when Dad drops his first blatant hint about me changing my major. Some guy he works with has a neighbor interning at some new accounting firm in Effingham. Every other bite he takes fuels his dribble of boring college degrees of every Tom, Dick, and Harriett he works with. Not to mention their relatives no matter how twice removed they are.

  My insides are going crazy wanting to jump up on the table, scream, and stomp my feet. Real mature, I know. But there is no way I could sit in a cubicle all day long. My head is about to explode just thinking about it. I need to learn to tune my Dad out.

  Instead of blowing up about what he’s doing, I change the subject. “Mr. Bridlow was trampled by a bull this morning and is in serious condition in the hospital.”

  Dad puts his fork down with raised eyebrows, “Is he okay?”

  “No,” I look him in the eye and try to pour out how important this is. “Tobi’s going to need my help. There’s no one else to help with the farm and she can’t do it all herself.”

  He sighs and takes a drink of his iced tea. It’s so quiet, the drop of condensation that drips from his glass sounds like an ocean wave crashing onto the tabletop.

  “I’m sorry for what the Bridlow’s are going through, but you’re grounded.”

  “Dad,” I plead. “Who’s going to help her? I’m her best friend.”

  He picks up his knife and fork, cuts a piece of meat, and pops it in his mouth.

  Heat rises from my middle. By the time it reaches my chest, my ticked-off level is too high for me to keep in. “I’ll go after school and get a ride home. You and Mom won’t be bothered about giving me a ride or anything.”

  He rattles off, “You blew off the field trip and snuck behind my back with Lane. You’re lucky I’m even letting you see him.”

  I bark out, “Come on, Dad. You know it’s the right thing for me to do.”

  He answers in an even tone, “You’re the one who broke the rules. You can help after you’re ungrounded.”

  My voice raises, “You can’t be serious.”

  “No,” he growls. “Keep it up and you’ll add another week to your time.”

  My fingers curl into my palms as I stand so fast my chair wobbles back, nearly tipping over. “This is so stupid! You can talk about other people’s career choices all you want, but I’m not changing my mind.”

  Dad cuts me off, narrowing is steel-gray eyes at me. “You just added another week to your month.”

  “Regan,” Mom says softly. Probably to calm both me and my dad. It doesn’t work.

  I shake my head. “That’s a real Christian thing to do.”

  “Regan!” Dad hollers my name coming to a stand, effectively shutting me up. “One more word and you’ll lose Lane too.”

  The glare I give him hardens as I snatch my plate, take it to the kitchen to scrape my food in the trash and put it in the sink. I return to the table and slide my chair underneath it, keeping my mouth shut. My eyes burn like lasers into his.

  The phone rings as I turn to silently make my way down the hallway and into my room.

  Dad answers, “Hello?” He pauses and says, “No, she can’t come to the phone.”

  The latch of my door clicks shut. I take a deep breath and blow it out as I flop onto my bed. Screaming into my pillow is the only way to let out my frustration these days.

  Losing Lane is not an option, even if I am trying to help Tobi. I turn my palms over to inspect the nail marks I’d clawed by balling my fists. Blood has pooled just under one of the indentations.

  One more word, he says. No worries, Dad, that’s not going to be a problem.

  Operation isolation just got turned up to ten.

  27

  Regan

  Tobi gripes at Cam for taking a peach slice off her plate. She’s more cranky than usual today. Not that I can blame her. It’s only been a week since her dad was hurt, but she has so much on her shoulders.

  She pulls her phone out and looks at it. “Lane sent you a message.” She tilts the screen my way for me to read it.

  Lane: Tell Regan to try and call me after school before five.

  “Thanks.” I nod, giving her a grateful smile.

  She types a message back, but I can’t read it before she slips it back in her pocket.

  “You know, farm families used to have like six or seven kids. I love having the upstairs to myself, but damn,”—Cam drops his sandwich on his plate and ignores Tobi’s crappy mood—“I wish I had some brothers and sisters to help out. Maybe one of them would want to take over the farm.”

  When he or Tobi talk about having to take over the farm it stirs something inside me that makes me want to fight for them. We’ve had too many arguments over it for me to speak my mind about it anymore, though. So I grit my teeth together and force myself to keep quiet about it.

  I look through the crowd in the lunchroom as Cam chatters about being an only child. Stacey catches my eye, sitting at a table on the other side of us. Paul’s at her table too, hogging all the attention of her minions. Her eyes meet mine and I stare back at her. There’s no snarl or expression of disgust on her face. It’s a slightly bored look. She’s been civil to me today. Not like her at all.

  Cam pounds his fist on the table, drawing my mind and my eyes back to my friends. He points his hands across from him, zeroed in on Tobi. “What were our parents thinking? If you had a couple brothers or sisters to help you out it sure would be nice. Right?”

  Tobi looks down and picks at the bun of her sandwich. “Yeah, I know. I’m really tired of having sore muscles and bags under my eyes.”

  I put my arm around her and give her a side hug. “I wish I could help you somehow.”

  Tobi’s lips twist to the side. “I still don’t get your dad letting you and Lane hang out but he won’t let you come over and help me.” Her tone is accusatory, as if I have a say in what my dad does.

  It hurts she thinks I’d try to get out of helping her. I peek across the table to Cam and Haylee. Haylee diverts her eyes to her plate of food, forking a cherry. Cameron takes a bite of his chicken sandwich holding my stare. He shakes his head slightly. Maybe he believes me.

  There’s not much I can do about it. “I don’t get it either. I’ll ask him again tonight. Maybe he’ll change his mind.”

  Dad obviously doesn’t cave to my requests or I wouldn’t be grounded in the first place.

  Cameron grins, pointing at me with a chip between his fingers. “Make sure you keep that fire in check or you might find yourself alone on the weekends.”

  We share a short moment of understanding. The girls may think I have some control over my situation, but at least Cam isn’t mad at me.

  “What’s Rex up to?” Cam changes the subject, and his eyes linger on me for a second longer.

  “He’s been busy.” Tobi sighs. “His dad’s had the flu so he’s had to take up for him and I haven’t seen him in forever.” She huffs, placing her elbow on the sticky table and plopping her chin in her hand.

  I bump her shoulder. “I bet if you showed him those pouty lips more often, he’d be over every night.”

  Tobi cracks a smile.

  Cam makes a suggestive comment about what would get Rex over to Tobi’s house more often, causing Haylee to pop him in the gut. I throw a handful of fries at him and so does Tobi. Things lighten up.

  When I step off the bus and make it up the drive to my house, Mom’s car is in the shed. My chest heaves a heavy sigh. That means I won’t be able to call Lane. Today sucks. I open the door at the same time Mom does.

  “I have some deliveries to make. I’ll be back in an hour.” She slides past me with her hands full. “Oh.” She stops and turns around. “When the oven is done preheating, put the casserole in and set the timer for an hour.”

  I nod.

  Mom scurries off to the Jeep, and go inside, close the door behind me, and rest my head back against the hard wood. We’re almost like strangers passing each other on the street. It’s the way it has to be.

  I reach for t
he phone on the counter and watch Mom drive away. Maybe it's because I've been hiding out in my bedroom for so long, but I don’t have much to say. Definitely not to my parents, and after this week, not to my friends. Lane is the exception. I smile and head to my room. Lane is always the exception.

  Before I even drop my backpack and take off my coat, I’m dialing his number. His sweater sits on a shelf in my closet. I cross the room, put the phone on speaker, and slip it on as he answers.

  “Regan?”

  Hearing his voice is good for my heart. “It’s me.”

  “I wish you would kiss me already.” That sweet voice speaks cotton-candy words in my ear. My mask comes off and a smile takes its place.

  “I would if you were here.” I’d kiss him like crazy. Like until he’s breathless, or I’m breathless, or we’re both breathless.

  “How's your day been?”

  I scoff. “Not great. Sort of like prison.”

  “It won't last forever.”

  “I know, but this week at school has been…different. I sit with the gang and listen to the conversation, but it's like I have nothing to say—nothing to contribute. When I do, they look at me as if I came from outer-space.”

  “Wait, you’ve been an alien all this time and I didn’t know it?”

  I chuckle. “Ha ha.”

  “I take it no one’s home at your house.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t think I was going to get to call you, but Mom left when I got home. What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready for work. You?

  I'm not going to tell him I'm sitting on my bed staring out the window with his sweater on, inhaling his smell as I long for him. “Homework and reading.”

  “I've been working on that song I was writing.”

  “Play it for me.” Hearing him sing reminds me of summer and riding shotgun in his truck.

  “I can’t. I'm sitting in my truck outside work right now.”

  “Oh.” I can't help the disappointment that flows through my one word.