Expect the Unexpected

by L. M. Heidle

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Trayton, I have to know so I can decide what to wear.”

  “Clothes. On second thought, I’m okay with you going without, less of a headache for you.” And cue the fuchsia again.

  “Trayton.” I tried to sound firm but failed miserably.

  “Wear something comfortable. See you tonight.” Without waiting for my response, he hung up. “Something comfortable?”

  “What’s comfortable?”

  “That’s what he said I need to wear tonight.”

  “So you can punish him?” This was another one of those don’t kill your roommate moments. “Alex, that was freaking hilarious.”

  “Oh, would you shut up and help me pick something out?”

  I paced in front of my mirror over and over. My mind racing with excuse after excuse to get out of tonight. I couldn’t go out with him. I made a fool of myself every time I talked to him.

  “Don’t.” I stopped, facing my open door. “You’re not canceling.”

  “Kass, I have to.”

  “Give me one good reason.”

  “How about I turn into a complete idiot whenever I’m around him?”

  “It’s not that bad.”

  “Are you freaking kidding me? Did you forget the coffee shop incident?” Her entire face was twitching from the effort she used to stop the laughter. I pointed at her as I started pacing again. “See you can’t even think about it without laughing.”

  She took a deep breath to compose herself. “I’m not laughing.” She had lasted two seconds before she lost it.

  “See!” I exclaimed as I fell back on my bed. With my arm over my eyes, I moaned, “I’m doomed.”

  After a few deep breaths, Kass laid down next to me. “Yes, you’ve had a few epic moments, but he’s still interested.”

  “Yeah, but for how long? Guys like him are used to the fast lane. I’m barely in the slow lane.” I loved Kass’ advice, but these were the moments when I missed my mom most. She’d know exactly what to do.

  “Alex, look at me.” I moved my arm, turning my head so I was facing her. “Get out of your head and have fun. I told you, you’ve got me and Ben & Jerry’s if things go wrong.”

  A knock at the front door had my heart rate spiking as I sat up. “Guess there’s no way out of it now.”

  “Nope. You look amazing. Let yourself be a twenty-one-year-old single female for one night. Worry about what could happen tomorrow.”

  “I’ll try.”

  ALEX

  I climbed off his bike with shaky legs. “When you said dress comfortable I didn’t realize we’d be riding your bike to the middle of nowhere.” I shook my legs trying to get the blood flowing again.

  “What can I say, I like you wrapped around me?” I blushed but had no words to respond. His fingers glided down my cheek before lightly pushing my hair behind my ear. “So beautiful.”

  He leaned down and softly placed his lips on mine. I closed my eyes as I felt the usual free-falling sensation as his lips moved against mine. When he pulled away, I kept my eyes closed reveling in the heat he’d left me with. His kiss on my forehead had me slowly opening my eyes. As much as I loved his lips on mine, I loved this even more. My dad used to kiss my mom like this, and I’d always dreamed I’d find someone who did the same to me. I silently chastised myself. I couldn’t let my heart get involved. Well, any more than it already was. He stepped back, grabbing my hand.

  I glanced around what I guess was a park. There was playground equipment and picnic tables scattered around the breathtaking view of a lake. “Where are we?”

  “Beltmore park. I like to come here when I need to think.” He led me over to a bench overlooking the lake. “Give me the backpack.” He’d asked me to wear it when he picked me up, and I’d completely forgotten I had it. After I had handed it to him, he opened it and pulled out several containers.

  “A picnic?”

  “Girls still like that, right?” I nodded as a small smile crossed my lips. Another thing I’d always dreamed a guy would do for me. “Good. I didn’t know what you liked so I picked a little of everything.”

  “I’m pretty easy.” Foot meet mouth...again. Thankfully he let it slide. “So did you cook all this?”

  “No, I wanted you to live.” He laughed. “I’m a horrible cook.”

  “I’m sure you’re not that bad.”

  “I burnt spaghetti.”

  “Oh,” I said through laughter. “That’s like the easiest things to cook.”

  He shrugged. “Like I said I can’t cook.”

  “Your mom didn’t teach you?”

  Sadness crossed his face as he watched a boat in the distance. “She died when I was five, breast cancer.”

  I squeezed his hand without thought. “I’m so sorry, Tray.”

  “Thanks.” He was quiet a moment before he turned toward me. “I like you calling me that.”

  “Tray?” He nodded. “Isn’t that what most people call you?”

  “Yeah, but it sounds better coming from your lips.” He leaned in for a soft, quick kiss. “So how about your mom? Did she teach you how to cook?”

  It was my turn to face the lake. “A little.” I reached for a container popping the lid off, macaroni salad. “You did well. I love this stuff.” He stared at me for a minute, probably trying to figure out why I kept avoiding family questions.

  “Good, let me get you a fork.” He rustled around in the bag until he came out with plastic-wrapped silverware like you’d get at a fast food place. When I laughed, he said, “What? I do a lot of take-out. My drawer was overflowing.”

  I reached over and grabbed one from his hand. “Uh-huh.” I’d never admit it, but I found it adorable that he kept the extra silverware. We ate in peaceful silence, both staring out at the lake. There was a middle-aged man trying to teach a young boy to fish, but it wasn’t going well. I chuckled, “Think he’ll learn?”

  “Probably, but the memories are what matter.” I almost asked if he had those memories with his dad but stopped. If I asked, he’d ask.

  “Are you going to finish that?”

  I looked at the piece of fried chicken in my hand. “I was planning on it.”

  “Oh okay, just checking.”

  I watched him for a moment before handing it to him. “Here.”

  “Are you sure?” Mind you he asked after taking a bite.

  I laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure.” I sat with a smile on my face watching him devour the chicken. “How are you still hungry? That’s your fifth piece of chicken.”

  He rubbed his belly. “I’m a growing boy.”

  “What is it with guys thinking they’re still growing boys? My friend Lucas says the same thing.”

  The smile dropped from his face. “Who’s Lucas?”

  I frowned at his sudden mood change. “A family friend.”

  His response was interrupted by his ringing phone. When he looked at the caller ID, his demeanor shifted. His voice was filled with tension as he answered. “What?” There was a brief pause while he listened. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he glanced at me. “No, I’m not doing anything important. Let me call you back in thirty, though.” He hung up with whoever was more important, not looking at me.

  Wow, okay then. I jumped up and pulled my phone out as I walked toward his bike. Kassandra’s phone rang and rang until her voicemail picked up. Dammit. Looks like I’m calling a cab. It was going to cost a small fortune, but it was doable. It had to be because I wasn’t going anywhere with him.

  I’d just pulled up the local cab number when Kass called. I answered on the first ring. “Shouldn’t you be enjoying your hunky date?”

  “Can you come get me?” I will not cry, I will not cry. Dammit, I was going to cry. I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Can you come get me? I’m a
t Beltmore park.”

  “Yeah, I know where that’s at. It’s going to take me about forty-five minutes, though.”

  Trayton walked up behind me and jerked the phone from my hand. “Kass, don’t worry I’ll get her home.”

  He hung up the phone and handed it back without saying a word. “There’s no way I’m going anywhere with you.”

  “Stop. I’m taking you home. I have to go, so can you shut up and get on the damn bike?” Pissed didn’t even begin to cover what I was feeling, but I bit my tongue. The faster we left, the faster I could put this night behind me. I climbed on the bike and tried to find anywhere else to hold onto, but he grabbed my hands and pulled them around his waist. Muttering, “Difficult woman.”

  The drive back to the apartment seemed to take twice as long. I was off the bike before he was completely stopped. I ripped the helmet off my head, taking a few hairs with it, and threw it at him before turning on my heel and stomping toward the door.

  Right as my hand hit the doorknob he hollered, “I’ll call you.”

  I looked over my shoulder. “Why bother? I’m nothing important, remember? Do us both a favor and lose my number.” I yanked the door open as he peeled out of the parking lot.

  Kass skidded to a stop as I flung the door open, slamming it behind me. “I was on my way to get you.” When the sheen in my eyes registered, she pulled me to the couch. “What happened?” she demanded.

  “Trayton’s a jerk.”

  “I’m going to need to know more than that. Is this a get the shovel and duct tape moment or a Ben & Jerry’s moment?”

  I cracked a smile. “Ice cream, psychopath.” She shrugged as she walked into the kitchen coming back with my favorite, banana split.

  “Just making sure. Now talk.”

  Against my wishes a smile crossed my face. “He planned a picnic by the lake. It was so romantic.”

  “I don’t see the problem here.”

  “We’d just finished eating, and he got a phone call. It was so crazy. One minute we were talking, the next he was radiating tension and telling the person on the phone he wasn’t doing anything important.”

  “Did he say who it was?”

  “No, and I didn’t ask. If I’m nothing important to him then why should I care?”

  “Alex, maybe.”

  “Don’t, Kass.” I pushed the ice cream toward her. “I’m going to crash and try to forget this night happened.” I gave her a hug and went to my room. I fell face first in bed, not caring enough to change my clothes or take my makeup off.

  ALEX

  I shoved open the apartment door with my shoulder, shutting it with my foot. I almost dropped my laundry basket when I saw Lucas sitting on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table.

  “Get your feet off my table.” He paused the TV, slowly turning toward me. “And what the hell are you doing here?”

  “Well, hello to you too. Who pissed in your cornflakes?”

  “Sorry. How are you?”

  “Apparently better than you.”

  I blew my bangs out of my face. “Not that it’s not great to see you, but seriously what are you doing here? I gave you that key for emergencies.”

  “You haven’t been answering your phone.”

  “Sorry, I’ve been avoiding my phone for the last couple days.” I’d finally shut it off when Trayton wouldn’t stop calling.

  He grabbed my arm pulling, making me fall on the couch. Thankfully after I’d set the laundry basket down. “Why?”

  “No reason in particular.”

  “Lex, you can’t lie for shit.”

  I smacked his stomach. “Watch your mouth.”

  “Stop stalling.”

  “I’m avoiding a guy.”

  The playfulness in his voice disappeared as big brother mode took over. “What’s going on? Someone hurt you? Stalking you?”

  “Geez calm down. He keeps calling to apologize, and I don’t want to hear it.”

  “Tell me who it is right now. I’ll take care of him.”

  “Down, boy. I’ll handle it on my own.”

  “Alexandria Rose Parker.”

  I faked shivered. “Eww using my whole name.” He crossed his arms, frowning. “Seriously, Luc, I’ve got it.”

  He looked at me skeptically. “Like you took care of the mangy mutt in second grade?”

  I threw my arms in the air. “Oh my gosh, I was seven! How was I supposed to know it had rabies?”

  “Pretty sure your brother and I told you that.”

  “Oh shut up.”

  “Alex, you’ll tell me if you need help, right?”

  I smiled at him. “Of course. You’ll be my first call.”

  He squeezed me to him, kissing me on the head. “Okay. Since I’m here how about you make me your fajita chicken quesadillas?”

  I rolled my eyes. “That’s the real reason you came over isn’t it?”

  “No, I was worried. A man can hope, though, can’t he?”

  “Sorry, I don’t have the stuff.”

  When he scratched the back of his neck and smiled, I glanced into the kitchen. “Let me guess those bags have all the ingredients I’ll need?”

  “Like I said, hope.”

  I stood up making my way to the kitchen calling over my shoulder. “Uh huh. If you know everything they take why don’t you just make them?”

  “I know how much you like making them for me. I don’t want to deprive you of it.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yep.” I did, but I couldn’t let him off that easy.

  “Well, if I’m making them you’re dicing onions.”

  I set out the stuff he’d need. “Come on, Lex, you know I hate that,” he whined.

  I walked up to him, pinching his cheek. “Awe, poor baby need a bottle.”

  He swatted my hand. “You’re a brat.”

  “But you love me.”

  “Like fungus loves bread.”

  I threw a pepper at him. “You’re so gross.”

  After we had eaten dinner, we sat around catching up. Well, mostly I talked. Lucas was always tight-lipped about what was going on in his life. He didn’t use to be that way. When my parents died, he pulled away from me. I kept hoping we’d get back to the way we were before. He was my brother’s best friend and most of my memories growing up included him. Kass asked me once if I wanted to kiss him because Lucas was a very attractive guy. Girls had always fallen all over themselves when he walked by. I threw up a little in my mouth when she asked because he was firmly in the brother category right next to Trip.

  ALEX

  “Daddy,” I whined. “You promised.”

  “I know, Lexi-Girl, but I need to find your brother. We’ll watch it as soon as we get back, I promise.”

  “We?” I swung toward my mom. “You’re going too?”

  “Honey, your dad shouldn’t be alone in case the storm hits early.”

  I ignored the worry lining my dad’s face and snapped, “But it’s okay for me to be alone?”

  He ran a weathered hand down his weary face. “You’ll be fine in the house.”

  “So because my irresponsible brother probably lost his phone again you guys are bailing on me?”

  My dad sighed. “No.”

  I crossed my arms and huffed, “Whatever.”

  My mom’s normally sweet voice was stern. “Enough, Alexandria.” She pulled me into her arms, softening her voice. “One day you’ll understand the worry of a parent.” She kissed my cheek as she pulled away.

  I let out a dejected sigh as I grabbed her for another hug. “I’m sorry.”

  She smiled. “No sorry needed.”

  I turned to my dad giving him a hug. “Be back soon, Lexi-Girl. Get karaoke set up. We’ll make your brother play.”

  I stepped back with a face-splitting grin. “Deal.” My brother acted like he hated karaoke, but after a little hem-hawing, he’d always join.

  An hour later I had the karaoke system set-up, snacks in bowls, the movie r
eady, and was pacing. No one was answering their phones. The storm rolled in about thirty minutes ago, and as my dad would say, it was furious. The rain was coming down in buckets. It was pitch black, except for the intermittent lightning. I screeched, hit my knees, and put my hands over my head as thunder shook the house. The lights flickered but thankfully didn’t go out.

  There were several loud knocks on the door, so I jumped to my feet and ran to answer it. “Garage door not...” I asked, but the words fell short when I realized it wasn’t my family knocking. Two drenched police officers stood in front of me. My stomach dropped, and I started shaking my head. “No, no. Whatever you want you’ve got the wrong house.”

  The older one stepped toward me. “Alexandria Parker?” I numbly nodded. “Why don’t we sit down?” His eyes showed enough sadness to let me know my world had just drastically changed.

  I choked out, “Where’s my parents?”

  “Alexandria, I’m sorry.” Before he could say anything else I lost it. I lunged at him, beating him on the chest as tears poured down my face. All the while screaming No repeatedly. He gently grabbed my wrists, leading me to the couch.

  His eyes had a light sheen as he spoke. “There was an accident.” That’s all he got out before I lost everything I’d eaten today all over him, the floor, the stupid snacks I’d set out. When he spoke, I barely heard him over the roaring in my ears. “Have we reached her uncle yet?”

  My eyes moved to his blurry partner. “The team had an away game, but officers are waiting for the bus at the school. They’re about twenty minutes out.”

  I jumped up screaming. “NO! NO! NO! I want my brother. I want Trip. Get my brother! NOW!” The cop by the door moved his eyes over my shoulder, saying nothing.

  “What?!?!” I hysterically looked between them. “Where’s my brother? I want my brother! Get me him now!” I sank to my knees, not caring that I was sitting in my own vomit. “I want my brother,” I whispered.

  The cop next to me tried to lift me. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”

  I let him help me up. I ran to my phone, somehow managing to find my brother’s number. It rang and rang and rang. When voicemail picked up, I cried harder. “Please, Trip. Where are you? Trip.” I hiccupped, “Mom and Dad.” When I started dry heaving at the thought of them, the officer pulled my phone from my hand. I sank to my knees, rocking back and forth whispering Trip over and over again. My body slowly started going numb, until I no longer felt, heard, or saw anything.