by Dale, Tracy
"Nice effort," she drawled. "But, nope. Didn't work."
Connor turned to leave. "Oh, hey," he said, and his expression turned meaningful, maybe even slightly threatening, "be good."
"Couldn't agree more, Connor," Dad chimed in instantly.
After Connor left, Liv went to get a drink, careful to touch the glass as little as possible to keep her lip gloss intact. When the doorbell rang, she shimmied excitedly while Dad opened the door. She was a little stunned when he greeted Jackson with a grim expression. If he had a shotgun, she suspected he would have brought it out, just for effect.
She wasn't fooled. He was enjoying playing the protective father role.
Dad slowly opened the door wide enough for Jackson to walk through. Liv smiled when his gaze locked on her. "Hi, Jackson," she said almost shyly.
"Still going to dinner and a movie?" Mom said.
"Yes, ma'am."
Liv grabbed her purse. She wanted to slip out before her parents got too enthusiastic with their Good Cop, Bad Cop routine.
"Jackson." Mom didn't wait for him to "ma'am" her again. "Do anything stupid and I'll make your life miserable. For the next ten years." She said it so mildly it took Liv a moment to make sense of it.
Guess he's not getting a Good Cop. Poor Jackson.
"I would expect nothing less, ma'am," Jackson said.
Dad slapped him on the back and told them to have a great time.
Liv couldn't look at anyone as they went out the door.
When they were in his car he said, "Your parents are great."
Liv had to laugh. Clearly, he was exceptionally polite. "Enjoyed being threatened, did you?"
Jackson smiled lazily. "That was nothin'. Wait 'til you meet my dad."
He wanted her to meet his parents? She was shocked. That was relationship stuff. "Why? Will he have a shotgun? My Dad would be so jealous."
"No. He'll try to convert you though. Scare you with Hell and damnation. He's pretty good at it." He must have noted her surprise because he said, "My dad is a preacher. That's why we've moved around so much. There's always some new place to go where a congregation needs to be saved."
She didn't hear any bitterness. "Are you a Super Christian?" Was it wrong to feel a little dread? She imagined their date turning into an intense attempt to convert her.
"My dad wishes. I go to church, but that's about it."
Liv shifted uncomfortably. She thought it best to clear the air now. "I'm not a churchy type person." Jackson didn't say anything but he didn't seem perturbed by it. She wondered how the night was going to go.
When they got to Wahoo's she ordered a couple of tacos. He ordered enough food to feed a small family. "Hungry?" she said, after he'd paid.
"A little."
His answer reminded her of Connor and she laughed. When they sat down she said, "So how many times have you moved?"
"This is my tenth school."
How could he sound so casual about it? "Doesn't it bother you?"
He raised one shoulder in a half-shrug. "My dad always makes sure I get into a school with a good basketball team."
"Save souls and play ball?" As soon as the words left her mouth she winced. She probably sounded insulting.
His chuckle told her she hadn't hurt his feelings. "Exactly."
She relaxed marginally. "Do you like it here?"
"So far it's been one of my favorite places."
"Where was your favorite?"
"Texas."
So that's where the subtle drawl had come from. "Do you like hunting?" Killing helpless animals, she wanted to say.
Jackson's lips twitched. "It's super chill there."
Like he was. She rather liked that about him. "Maybe I'd like Texas too."
"Yeah. You could hunt."
"And kill Bambi? Or Wilbur? Or shatter all the peace in the world by shooting a little dove? That's tragedy right there."
"I guess taking you hunting on our next date isn't a good idea?"
Next date? That had to be a sign things were going good.
"Unless by hunting you mean catching butterflies, no."
They went directly to the movie after dinner. When they were seated in the theater he didn't try to be slick. "Mind if I move this?" he said of the arm rest. Liv shook her head. He pushed it up then draped his arm behind her chair, his hand hanging down to rest on her shoulder. His fingers teased the exposed skin. Liv almost shivered at the soft touch. He wasn't slick. He was straightforward.
Liv was barely conscious of the movie, preoccupied with wondering if Jackson was going to kiss her, or maybe grab various parts of her body. It could happen. But it didn't. He was entirely gentlemanly. She wasn't disappointed.
Especially when he dropped her off at her house and gave her Her First Kiss.
He walked her to her door. As she was thanking him for a lovely time, he was scanning the windows. He stepped forward, so close he was in her personal space.
Liv nearly cheered. She would have been disgruntled if he hadn't at least tried something.
He didn't ask if he could kiss her, but he leaned in so slowly the question was implied. It seemed like an eternity until he reached her.
Liv kept waffling between which facial expression to maintain. Did she close her eyes and pucker? But she just knew she would look ridiculous. Besides, she wanted to see him. But wasn't it the antithesis of all that was sexy to stare wide-eyed while someone was trying to kiss you?
She almost laughed aloud from sheer nervousness. Withheld it, just barely, but the effect caused a rippling motion on her face that only momentarily caused Jackson to hesitate. Then...
Finally!...Oh!...nice...little bit of tongue!!!...holy mother-- no wait. Jackson, preacher...soft lips...warm...wow.
Liv was in a daze when he finally released her. As far as first kisses went, that was pretty amazing. He had skills. An undeniable confidence that bespoke familiarity with the female mouth.
When she went inside, she tried to subtly wipe at any smeared lip gloss she might have. It was a good thing she did, since her parents jumped off the sofa and practically charged her the minute she cleared the door.
"Livvy," Dad said, "did he behave himself?"
"Yes."
He grunted and went into the den. Mom stayed. "Did he do anything stupid?"
"No."
Was it Liv's imagination, or did she grunt too? Mom asked a few more questions about the date before she too disappeared. Liv floated up the stairs and got into bed. Just as she was drifting off, she wondered if Connor was as good a kisser as Jackson. Or better. She fell asleep thinking that she couldn't wait to tell him about it.
Her phone must have gone through five rounds of ringing before it penetrated. She grabbed the offending device and croaked, "He-o." She looked at the clock on her bedside stand. Not quite six. In the morning.
"Liv!"
Who? Oh. "Connor?"
"Open the door. I'm outside."
She was instantly awake. "Are you okay? Did your stepdad do something?"
"Open the door, Liv."
She bolted out of bed and ran downstairs. She was afraid of what she would find. She almost didn't want to open the door and find his face bleeding and covered with bruises. Stare into his beautiful eyes and see the emptiness, the shame, there.
She opened the door. And stared uncomprehendingly.
He was wearing the most delightful, rascally smile on his face. The kind that could make any girl melt--even the cougars. She groaned. "Why did you make me get out of bed?"
She turned away, resisting the urge to close the door in his face, and went to the kitchen to make coffee. No, scratch that. Chai.
"Make me some breakfast, Liv?"
"You are evil and should be destroyed."
"But after breakfast. Please?"
"Chai first."
Connor made a show of looking frail and starved as he went to the fridge and grabbed an apple.
"What are you doing here at this godawful hour? Totally awake, no le
ss, and smiling about it."
"I'm in training."
"For what? How to be even more annoying than you already are?"
He chewed noisily and swallowed. "I'm going green, Liv."
"Like save the planet type stuff? Do you really have to wake up early for that? You can save the planet at a reasonable hour, I'm sure."
"The Army, Liv."
That welded her mouth shut. She pulled the pancake mix from the cupboard.
"Cat got your tongue?" Connor said.
She could hear his excitement in his voice. "I don't want you to join."
He clearly hadn't expected that. "But your family is totally Army. I already talked about it with your dad and he was--"
"Traitor!"
"Uh--?"
"All this mi casa es su casa stuff is crap," she muttered, mostly to herself. "I mean, it is your house, but damn it, you're my friend, and I don't want you getting killed fighting some war that people in power always want to be in. And just because my dad never had a son and always regretted never going into the Army with Mark, I don't want him living vicariously through you."
"Vicariously?"
"Look it up!" she snapped.
He covered his mouth with his apple, probably to hide his smile. "It was my idea, Liv."
"Bull. Mark was totally recruiting you. I heard him. I didn't think you'd get suckered into it--"
"Whoa. Stop, Liv, before you make me cry."
She glared at him.
"I don't got money for college and I don't have the grades for a scholarship," he said. "I want to travel. And I really want to do the Special Ops stuff that Mark was telling me about. I'd be good at it, Liv. I know I would."
She poured the pancakes out, the motion strangely soothing. "What if you only ever travel to the Middle East? And all you ever see are women with their faces cut to pieces or children with missing limbs? You could get PTSD-- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder--
"I'm serious!" she said when he started to laugh.
"I know you're serious. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. I don't want to never do things because I'm afraid I might get PT...whatever the hell you said. And I want to help those women and those children, so if that's where I get sent, I'll be glad I can be there to help them."
More quietly, he said, "I needed someone to help me, Liv. It would be an honor to...I don't know...pay it forward."
Liv had to swallow over a knot in her throat. She flipped the pancakes. "I still don't like it."
Connor gave her a knowing smile. "It's cuz you love me."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't make you any less annoying."
The heaviness eased. Connor set the table and poured two glasses of milk while Liv finished the pancakes. When they were seated, he said, "So how was your date?"
"Wonderful."
He stared at the soft smile on her face. "Did he try anything?"
Bigger smile. "He kissed me."
"What kind?"
She ignored the intensity of his gaze. "He's a good kisser."
His jaw flexed. She always found that sexy.
"It wasn't all hot and heavy, but he did use his tongue a little bit." Was telling him violating the Don't Kiss and Tell rule? She didn't care. She was still excited about it and Connor was one of her best friends-- maybe even the best.
"That's a bit much for your first date," he said. Liv wondered why it seemed to take restraint for him to say only that.
"You've got to be kidding me, it was hardly anything." Earth shattering and delicious perhaps, but she knew it was barely even PG. "Besides, it's not like we hardly know each other--"
"What the hell--heck, sorry--do you know about him, Liv?"
"He likes basketball. He's been to ten different schools. His dad is a preacher--"
"Are you kidding me?" Connor interrupted. "He's PK?"
"What is that?"
"Preacher's Kid." He looked pained. "That's it. You have to stay away from him, Liv. I mean it."
"Um. Why?"
"He's PK!"
"Oh, I get it now." She rolled her eyes.
"Shi-- Shoot, Liv, everyone knows how crazy they are. They are the worst. That and Catholic school kids."
"Wow, stereotype much?"
"Stereotypes are there for a reason, baby."
She knew she flushed a little at the meaningless endearment.
"Seriously, Liv, stay away from him."
"Nope." She drew the word out languorously, clearly enjoying it.
"Liv--"
"Oh please. Don't 'Liv' me Mr. 'I've been around the block so many times there's a marked pathway'."
"I'm not just talking about that. But look, Liv, be proud of that V-card."
"Do I even want to know?"
His expression clearly said, Don't you know anything?
"V-card means Virgin."
She forced herself to laugh. "This is so not appropriate. We've had one date."
"I slept with Ana on our second."
Her jaw dropped. "You whore."
He shrugged. "It's okay for me. It isn't for you."
"Double standard and sexist. Women shouldn't be judged differently than men."
"I don't make the rules. Doesn't change the fact that it's true."
Liv knew he was right. She didn't have to like it. "I had a great time with Jackson," she said. "I'm going to go out with him again, if he asks me."
Connor took a long drink of milk. His expression was sour when he said, "He'll ask. I think he wants to take you to Homecoming."
Her face lit up. "He told you that?"
"Yeah. But, Liv?"
"What?"
"I'm going with you."
"When Hell freezes over."
"Weatherman said a cold front was moving in."
"No."
"This will go easier if you accept it now."
Liv sighed. "Here's the thing, Connor. And I don't mean this in a bad way. But...well...I don't like Ana anymore."
He wasn't even a little bit surprised. "You won't be going with her. We'll all go as a group."
"But she'll be there with her boobs hanging out, licking her lips all the dang time." She continued through his laughter, "Or your lips, which isn't remotely better. I'm going to start calling you Sugar Lips with the way she's always sucking on them."
He was still grinning when he said, "I'll keep it clean, Lucky."
"You said I wasn't Lucky anymore."
"I guess you're more sleek now. Like a greyhound."
She shrieked. "A dog? Jerk."
"I'm serious, Liv--"
"I am not a dog."
"Son of a-- About Homecoming, Twiglet."
She was only slightly mollified. "I'll tell you what. If Jackson asks me to Homecoming, you can come with us if you go dress shopping with me."
He stared dumbly at her.
"That's right, sugar," she said. "Get your walking shoes on because you are going to help me pick out a dress."
Connor looked around. "Did you mistake me for a chick somewhere along the way?"
"You do have a rather perky backside."
He looked smug. "I knew you checked me out."
"It begs for attention. Or maybe you do."
"Okay, whatever, but do I look like someone who likes to shop? I'm a man," he said with a He-man voice, and puffed out his chest, flexed his arms to show his muscles. "I like doing manly things." He suddenly started laughing. "Dress shopping. Geez, Liv."
"Those are my terms."
His laughter abruptly cut off. "I'm not going dress shopping with you."
"Then you aren't coming to Homecoming with me." It did occur to her that this was all rather moot if Jackson didn't ask her, but still. Negotiations were important and she clearly held the upper hand.
Connor rubbed his hand back and forth across his buzzed head. Liv loved that scraping sound. "All right," he said, "maybe I'll just meet you at the dance."
"Nope."
He gave her a dirty look. "Liv, I can't go dress shoppi
ng with you. It's just wrong."
"You helped me pick out my outfit for last night."
"Quietly. Where no one could see me. Anyway, you're supposed to go with your mother." Why hadn't he thought of that sooner? He was relieved it had occurred to him because he knew Mrs. Jones would want to be there.
"She'll come too. It will be the three of us. Dress shopping. And maybe accessorizing too."
He groaned long and loud. She wasn't budging. He shifted uncomfortably. This wasn't just wrong, this was all kinds of wrong. But he couldn't see a way around it. His skin felt clammy. He just knew he was going to be sick.
"Deal."
* * *
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Not What You Thought
Jackson called her Sunday afternoon. Liv just knew that was a good sign. She had anticipated he would play it cool until Monday at least, but clearly, he couldn't wait. He even sounded eager when he spoke to her and wasted no time asking her out again.
"Tonight?" Liv couldn't keep the astonishment from her voice.
"I know it's short notice," Jackson said. "But I thought we could meet for coffee maybe?"
"Um, I--" She had things to do, but she really wanted to see him again. "Yeah, I think that would be okay." She would just have to stay up a little later.
Her mother didn't comment when Liv told her.
Connor did. "That's kind of quick turnaround, Liv. You should make him work a little harder for you."
"Like Ana did with you?"
He made a mocking sound.
Mom gave him a look. "Trouble in paradise?"
A spot of red appeared in each of his cheeks. "Uh, no. It's fine."
For the first time, she fully donned the Mom-Hat with him. "Don't string her along, Connor. Regardless of the degree of respect you perceive a woman deserves, you should always be respectful. Be honorable with them." She waited for him to nod before she left the kitchen.
Connor stared after her. "So that's where you get it."
Liv had to laugh. "She has her moments. I like to think mine are more consistent, less surprising, you know?"
"Wow. I feel like a jerk."
"At least it's not the first time."
"You think I should break up with Ana?" He sounded like he genuinely wanted the advice.
"Do you want to?"
"I don't know. Who will go to Homecoming with me?"
Liv didn't want to think of him taking anyone else. She could barely choke down the thought of Ana. "Go stag."
