by L A Cotton
Lots of beers at the party.
It all came back like a bad home movie. I'd been on a mission to forget. Laurie watched on as I drowned myself in beer after beer until hitting the strong stuff.
But the memories fluttered away into oblivion like a piece of string in the wind.
How had I gotten home?
Another thought crossed my mind… did I want to know?
After another few minutes, I finally dragged myself off the bathroom floor. I splashed some water on my face and brushed my teeth, swilling my mouth twice for good measure. What I really wanted was a shower, but my legs were like jelly, barely able to support my body as I shuffled around the bedroom. So, instead, I opted for a change of clothes, swapping my jeans, sheer blouse, and vest top for sweats and a clean t-shirt. Running a brush through my matted hair, I swept it up in a ponytail and sat on the edge of my bed, scrolling through my phone.
Kyle: How's the head?
I swallowed my pride and texted Kyle back asking if he knew how I got home. His reply came straight through.
Kyle: That's for me to know and you to find out
Ugh. I was too broken to play games so I moved onto Laurie's text message.
Laurie: Hey, just wanted to check you're okay? Sorry I let you get so wasted.
I texted back.
Lo: You didn't let me do anything, I'm a big girl. Guess I just needed a blowout. No more though. I think I burned away my stomach lining.
Laurie: Ouch. We’ll see you at the game, right?
Lo: Maybe. I'm not sure I'll make it out of the house today.
There was a good chance, I’d need a whole day to recover. Possibly two.
Laurie: You have to come. Call me later xo
I ignored the two text messages and one missed call from Dad, and went in search of fried food and water.
“Oh look, it’s awake.”
I shot Macey a severe glare. The throb in my head didn't have time for her crap. All I wanted was grease and liquid, and to sleep off my hangover … preferably, in that order.
“I heard you made quite the spectacle of yourself last night.” Her accusation hung in the air between us and I slammed my hand down on the island. “I heard you're a complete bitch, but life goes on, right?” My saccharine sweet voice had the desired effect, and she blanched.
“You should—” her words died on her lips as Kyle bounded into the room looking as fresh as a daisy.
“You look like shit.” He came around the island, leaned in close and sniffed. “And you smell like it too. Jesus, Lo, did you drink enough to sink a ship?”
“Don't,” I groaned. “Please, don't remind me.” I moved to the refrigerator to get some water.
“Where's Dad?” he asked Macey.
“Golf. They left an hour ago.”
“And Momma P?”
“Seriously, Kyle? You know she hates that.” She snorted. “Mom’s here. She's taking me and Summer to the mall later.” I didn't miss the inflection in her voice. It was a family thing, and I wasn't invited.
My inner bitch refused to stay quiet. I met Macey's smug smirk and said, “How is Summer today?”
Her face paled again, only this time she pushed her plate away and stormed out of the kitchen.
“Must you poke the beast?” Kyle dropped onto the stool opposite me.
“She's a bitch.”
“I don't disagree, but she's family.”
“Whatever, Kyle. My head feels like it's going to explode.” I sipped the water, testing my stomach. When it didn't rush back up my throat, I drank the rest in small doses.
“What happened last night?” He looked concerned. “Laurie said something happened with your dad?”
“Did you know?” I met his eyes.
“I feel like you're setting me up to fail here, Cous.”
“About Stella, did you know about Stella?”
“Ah, that.” His smile slipped, and I had my answer.
“You knew?” I felt sick again.
“Whoa, it's not like that. It's not some huge conspiracy against you. Uncle Robert wanted to tell you himself and he wanted to wait until—”
I slid off the stool and hurried out of the kitchen and toward the pool house. If Kyle knew, what's betting they all knew. Which meant when Maverick taunted me about it… he knew!
I burst through the door, slamming it behind me.
They knew.
They all fucking knew.
“Lo, Cous, come on, don't be like that.” I glanced back at the door. Kyle was pressed up against the glass pouting like a child. “He asked us not to say anything,” he said as he slipped inside, holding out his peace offering of more water and a pastry.
My body trembled with anger, and something else I didn't want to succumb to. But I couldn't fight back the tears.
“Oh shit.” Kyle dropped the peace offering on the counter. “Don't cry. I have to leave soon for the game, but I can't leave you like this, and Coach will kick my ass all the way into next week if I'm late.”
I stifled back a laugh and dried my eyes. “You can't be late, you have a game to win.”
He puffed out his chest. “Damn right, I do. But seriously, Lo, are you okay? Rick would—”
My eyes widened at the mention of his name. “Maverick would what?”
“Nothing.” His eyes darted around me.
“Kyle, how did I get home last night?”
“I drove you.” He continued, avoiding my eyes.
“Thank you. I can't imagine it was a pretty sight.”
This got his attention, and he smirked. “I've seen worse.”
“So, it was you who tucked me in? That's kind of weird.”
“Hmm.” He ran a hand down his face. “Are we good here? I really need to shoot.”
I narrowed my eyes, the pieces I was far too hungover to assemble slowly falling into place. “Yeah, we're done. I'll see you later if I can shake this awful hangover.”
“You'll live. Besides, you have to be there for my first game, you’re family.”
~
Five hours later, I found myself back at the high school, in the bleachers watching Kyle do his thing. Laurie insisted I go. Even after I found out Dad planned to go with Gentry and Summer. And after a ten-minute lecture on all the reasons I should go, I realised she was right. Just because we were both going to be there didn’t mean I had to talk to him.
“How are you?” I leaned in close to Summer.
She nodded, but didn't take her eyes off the field. “Okay, thanks.”
“Things are okay? With Nick?”
She nodded again, but I didn't miss the way her lips pulled tight.
One of our players broke through the defense and the crowd went wild. Even Summer, the quiet, shy, Stone-Prince, cheered. But the noise was nothing compared to the roar when we scored. The place erupted, and I covered my ears to stop my head from exploding.
Laurie was talking, her mouth moving rapidly with excitement, but I couldn't hear a word she was saying. I smiled along until she went back to watching. Then my eyes roved over the crowd, landing on Gentry. He and Dad were nearer the front, in seats reserved for family members, both sporting red and white Wreckers caps. A bolt of envy flared through me. Dad was so comfortable here, so settled. It was almost as if he hadn't spent the last twenty-five years living in England, he’d slipped so easily back into his old life.
His life before Mum and Elliot and me.
When the final whistle blew, our team had won by seven points. Laurie informed me it was the perfect opening game. Knowing nothing about American football, I could only agree.
“You're coming to JB's, right?” She asked as me and Summer trailed after her and Autumn.
“I don't think so. I need sleep.”
“You have to come. We won, we need to celebrate. Kyle will—”
“Live without my presence for one night. Go,” I waved them off. “Have fun and remember alcohol is the devil. Trust me, I know.”
They di
sappeared into the sea of people and I turned to Summer. “Are you heading back with your dad?”
“I, hmm, I was going to meet Nick. But I can come with you.”
“No, go. It's early. I'll be fine. I promise.”
She smiled and tucked her long hair behind her ear. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye.” I waved and scanned the crowd. There was no way I was riding back with Dad. I wasn't ready to deal with him yet. Which left me no choice but to walk.
Hands jammed deep into my pockets, I wound through the bodies until the crush cleared and I could see the parking lot.
“Lo, wait up.” Devon jogged toward me. “You're leaving already?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I don't know if you heard but things kind of got messy last night. I feel like death.”
He laughed. “I thought getting wasted at parties was my trick? Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” I spied his car behind him. “But I could eat. Peace offering?”
Devon's whole face lit up. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “I owe you an apology,” I said as we walked to his car.
“No, you don't. I pushed and I shouldn’t have. My beef is with Prince, not you. I'm sorry. Forgive me?” He grinned over the roof and I smiled.
“Forgiven.”
We climbed inside. I was glad we'd cleared the air, but something still bothered me.
“What is it with you two, anyway?”
Devon's hand gripped the wheel a little tighter. “Long story. Maybe one day I'll tell you all about it. I know he's your cousin, Lo, but you can't trust him. He only looks out for one person. Himself.”
Well, okay then. I had no comeback for that so I kept quiet, waiting as Devon turned the key and the car roared to life. He peeled out of the parking lot, and I couldn't help but wonder exactly what had happened between the two of them.
Devon didn’t drive to Pattie’s this time. He chose a little place on the outskirts of town, claiming that it would be quieter after the game. I was relieved I wouldn’t have to see anyone from school. It had been a crazy few days, between Dad, Summer, and Maverick. It was hard to believe I’d only been here two weeks.
“Shall we?” Devon held open the door to the diner, and I ducked inside. It was nice. Quiet. We sat in a window booth that overlooked the sea.
“Cool view,” I said playing with the menu.
“Yeah, it’s nice. What do you feel like?”
My stomach rumbled, and we both laughed. “Apparently, I’m finally ready to eat.” I’d barely managed a piece of toast earlier.
“That bad, huh?”
I shot him a look. “Like you didn’t hear all about it?”
Devon smirked in response. “Laurie may have said something.”
“Of course, she did,” I mumbled under my breath, focusing on the menu and not the heated gaze he was throwing me.
The waitress came and took our orders and we settled into easy conversation. I liked Devon, I did, but it was like he was holding back. Keeping secrets. And I’d had enough of that lately. So, I brought up the elephant in the room.
“You weren’t at the party yesterday? Or the game today?”
“The party, no, but I was at the game. You just didn’t see me.”
“You’re avoiding me,” I said, and he shrugged.
“I was giving you space. It’s no secret I like you, Lo, but you seem, I don’t know, unavailable. I didn’t want to crowd you and after the other day, I figured space was the best course of action.”
“Well, thank you, I appreciate it. It’s been a crazy two weeks.”
“That’s all you have to say?” His eyebrow quirked up.
“Look, Devon.” I met his gaze head on. “I like you, I do, but I just got here. There’s a lot of stuff I’m still dealing with, and I’m not sure jumping into anything with anyone is what I need right now.”
The blood drained from his face and I quickly added, “But I could really use a friend.”
“A friend?” He threw my words back at me and I nodded. He wanted more. I knew that. But I wasn’t ready and besides, girls and boys could be just friends, couldn’t they? I wasn’t leading him on if I was being upfront with him.
“What kind of friends are we talking? The kind who hold hands and have sleepovers and share all their deepest, darkest secrets?” The corners of his mouth lifted in amusement and I wafted my menu at him.
“Devon! I’m being serious. I want to be friends, I don’t want things to be awkward between us.”
He threw his hands up. “I’m only joking with you. Friends, got it. I’ve been told I make an excellent friend.” It didn’t come out sarcastically, but there was an undertone to his words I couldn’t quite place.
Our food arrived, and we ate and chatted like two friends would. Maybe it was a mistake thinking we could just be friends, but back home in England, I’d had plenty of male friends. And Devon hung around with Laurie and Autumn and I didn’t get any lusty vibes between them. It would be fine. Totally fine.
My phone vibrated, and I debated ignoring it but Devon said, “Aren’t you checking that?” so I retrieved it from my pocket and swiped the screen.
Dad: I’ll be at Stella’s tonight, but I’d really like for us to talk tomorrow. I’m sorry.
“Everything okay?” Devon motioned to the phone still in my hand.
“Yeah,” I replied. “Everything is fine.” I slipped it away and pushed my plate away. Suddenly, I wasn’t very hungry anymore.
~
Devon dropped me back at the house after we argued about splitting the bill. He wanted to pay, but I’d insisted friends didn’t do that. I won, much to his disappointment. But I didn’t want the lines to blur into dangerous territory.
Gentry’s car wasn’t in the driveway and when I entered the house the place was empty. I sent Summer a quick text checking she was okay. As I cut across the garden to the pool house, my eyes swept over the pool. It looked so tempting. I hadn’t dared swim in it yet, not wanting to strip off in front of my new family. But if they were all out…
I hurried to change into my bikini, grabbed a towel, and went back outside. Curling my toes over the edge, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, lifted my arms into a point and pushed off. My body sliced through the cool water and I gasped when my head surfaced. It wasn’t ice cold, but it was still a shock to the system. I moved in slick lines, front stroke on the way up, twisting to back stroke on the return. I wasn’t competition worthy or anything, but before the accident, I’d loved the water, and it was something I hadn’t done in a long time.
Breathless, I finally hoisted my arms onto the side, my feet treading lazy circles beneath me. The Stone-Prince’s garden was something I’d only ever dreamed of. And for the meantime, it was home. But despite its beauty, its perfection, it was all an allusion. Gentry and Rebecca put on a united front for Dad and me, but I saw the cracks. They were barely ever home. If Gentry wasn’t at work, he was out playing golf or meeting friends for drinks, and his wife was the same. Rebecca worked as an events planner which meant lots of late nights and weekends scouting venues and putting the final touches to banquets and galas. Which left their children to come and go as they pleased.
Lost in my daydreams, I didn’t notice Maverick and his friends enter the garden before it was too late. Their laughter and chatter died at the sight of me but I only had eyes for Maverick as I silently pleaded with him to do something. I didn’t want to have to climb out in front of five boys.
When no one moved to help me, I snapped, “Are you all just going to stand there and leer, or is one of you going to get my towel so I can get the hell out of here?”
A fair-haired boy jerked into action and moved toward the sun chair where my towel was, but an arm flew out and stopped him. Maverick turned to his friends and said something in a hushed voice. His friends nodded, craning over his frame to have one last glance at me as if they hadn’t ever seen a bikini-clad girl in a pool before. Which given how many part
ies they had, I highly doubted.
They disappeared inside and Maverick turned to me. Anger blazed in his eyes, or was it frustration… or something else entirely? He didn’t utter a word as he fetched my towel and brought it to the edge of the pool, dangling it in front of me. I snatched it from him and placed it by the steps.
“Okay, you can go now,” I said.
“Why are you acting like this?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re embarrassed?”
“You just turned up with four of your friends while I’m half-naked in your pool. I am embarrassed.” I wasn’t, but he didn’t need to know that.
Maverick regarded me for a second before raking a hand down his face and saying, “We were going to hang out here for a bit. We can go somewhere else, if you want?”
I gaped at him. He was asking my permission about things now? His mood swings gave me a serious case of whiplash.
“It’s fine. I was just getting out anyway. I have homework. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t want to cramp your style.”
He looked ready to say something, but someone yelled his name from the kitchen. Maverick didn’t say another word as he stalked off, and I hopped out of the pool as quickly as I could, wrapping the towel around my body and making a run for the pool house.
I spent the rest of the night holed up in the pool house. The laughter from Maverick and his friends drifted through to my room, but I did my best to ignore it, jamming my iPod buds into my ears and turning up the volume.
The next morning when I woke up, Dad was already waiting. His shirt was pressed, matching the undisturbed bed sheets on the sofa bed. Since I hadn’t heard him return, I figured he’d never made it home. But there he was, sitting at the small breakfast bar as if everything was fine.
“Morning,” he said, a guarded smile playing on his lips. “I’d wondered when you were going to show.”
