Don't Say a Word (Hometown Antihero)

by Amber Lynn Natusch

  “That kid at homecoming. The one you were running away from—”

  “Yep. That was AJ,” I replied. His lips pressed to a thin line. “And you will do your best to be nice to him, because I would have told you that I found out he was innocent.”

  “Yeah. I guess you would have.” He got quiet for a moment, looking at me with his intense hazel eyes. Something was brewing in that mind of his—I could feel it. But when he finally opened his mouth, I hadn’t planned for what came out. “What you did homecoming night—” He cut himself off before finishing, those words dying off into the silence that followed them. Just when I thought I’d have to say something to ease the tension growing in the room, he spoke. “That was reckless, Kylene. You and Garrett could have been killed.”

  “Yes, well, had we known that going in, we might have acted differently.”

  “Or not.” His words were backed with such confidence that I squirmed a little. Maybe Dawson knew me better than I thought. His profiling skills were on point.

  “What about you?” I asked, turning the heat in his direction for a moment. “You’re the one who scaled a flooded bridge railing to cross it on foot—in a suit.”

  “I had no other choice. You, however, had options.”

  “You had other choices.”

  “Like what?” he asked, his harsh tone forcing me back a step.

  “I don’t know … helicopter?”

  “You reached out to me for a reason. I wasn’t going to leave you to fend for yourself, Danners.” He said those words matter-of-factly, but I couldn’t help but feel there was something else behind them. Something warmer and softer and unfamiliar to me coming from him. I had to look away for a moment to clear my head.

  “Gramps will be back any minute. You should probably go.”

  “All right,” he said, turning to leave. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Can’t wait,” I replied, following him to the door.

  I watched him disappear down the driveway and into his car. I wondered how in the hell I was going to pull off this stunt. Tolerating Dawson was one thing, but liking him was another thing altogether. It would take a herculean effort to convince my friends and Gramps that I was once in love with the rookie agent.

  Possibly even a miracle.

  FOUR

  Monday morning, my anxiety was through the roof, the whole Dawson fiasco starting to finally sink in. I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. He suggested (read: threatened) to pick me up that morning, but I declined, reminding him that we were exes and I didn’t want to ignite rumors on my first day back. Obviously, he saw right through my argument, but let it go.

  Gramps was up making breakfast for me by the time I got out of the shower, so I quickly got dressed and threw my long blond hair into a ponytail so I could join him. I loved mealtimes with Gramps. They made me feel like a kid again.

  “Mornin’ Kylene.”

  “Hey Gramps,” I replied, going over to kiss him on the cheek while he pulled bacon from the pan. Gramps made the best bacon. Not too crispy. Not too limp. I’d become convinced after attempting to cook it a couple of times that it was an art form and a grossly underappreciated one at that.

  “You sure you’re up to this today?” he asked with a frown. “It’s been just over a week since—” He cut himself off and I pretended not to notice.

  “I think so. I’m still a bit sore, but capable of taking a swing at someone if necessary.”

  He shot me a look over his shoulder and I winked back.

  “Girl, your apple didn’t fall far from your daddy’s tree.”

  “Did it even fall at all?”

  “That right there is a good question.” He put a plate in front of me, then sat down and took a bite of his eggs. “That ex-boyfriend of yours you mentioned, is he starting school soon?” he asked. I nodded, looking none too happy about it before I practically kicked myself under the table. With bashful blue eyes, I looked up at him, trying to force my pale cheeks to rosy.

  “Today.”

  “I’ll be at work tonight, and I don’t want him over here alone. I don’t really want you over there, either, since he’s livin’ by himself.”

  “Gramps, it’s not like that at all, but that’s fine. I’ll only have him over if Tabby is here, okay?”

  It was his turn to nod. “Or the Higgins boy once he’s outta the hospital and well enough to visit.”

  “When Garrett is out, I want him all to myself for a bit.”

  “I wonder how everyone else will feel about that.…” Gramps let his unspoken words hang in the air around us. I struggled for the proper response.

  “Everyone else?” I asked, taking a bite of bacon.

  “I think you have a couple of exes that seem mighty interested in getting back with you.”

  I wanted to argue that point but couldn’t. I took another bite of my food and chewed it dramatically to buy me time.

  Gramps just laughed.

  “Oh, to be young again.…”

  I glanced up at the clock and realized I was going to be late.

  “As much as I want to have this conversation with you, Gramps, I gotta run. Thanks for breakfast!” I snatched a piece of toast and gave Gramps a hug before hurrying to grab my bag and keys. I broke through the front door at a jog, slamming it behind me. Moments later, I was in the car, begging her to start. “Come on, Heidi … don’t let me down today.”

  Thankfully, she sputtered to life without argument and we were on our way.

  I pulled up to the school to find Tabby heading in. She saw me and waited at the edge of the parking lot. I was a mess, hurrying while trying to put my backpack on. I dropped my keys and fumbled them again when I tried to pick them up a second time. Yeah, I was on edge about the Dawson thing, and it was affecting my basic abilities to function, which I needed to survive JHS. I knew right then that this undercover investigation wasn’t going to end well for me.

  I actually cringed when I saw Tabby come running toward me, watching what could be best described as a baby giraffe trying to sprint. She managed to make it to me injury free—somehow.

  “Kylene!” she screamed in true teenage girl fashion—all high-pitched and screechy.

  “Don’t squish me!” I replied, backing away from the open arms headed my way. “My ribs still hurt!!”

  She stopped short, smiling like a creepy clown. “Oh my God, I’m so happy you’re here!”

  “Good to see you too, Tabs.”

  “I’m so sorry I couldn’t come visit you—Dad wouldn’t let me.”

  “No worries. I wasn’t very good company. Showering while injured was a pain in the ass, so … let’s just say I’ve smelled better.”

  “You smell great now,” she said, realizing how awkward that sounded right after it slipped out. Classic Tabby.

  “Yes, well, that took far longer to accomplish than you should probably know.”

  She laughed, then gently wrapped her skinny arms around me and gave me a light hug.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay.” The sun reflected off her glistening blue eyes, and I had to look away.

  “Me too.”

  “And Garrett’s awake! Things are going to be back to normal soon.”

  “He’s awake, but he won’t be in school for a while. I’m hoping to find out when in the next couple days.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “We should probably go inside. The first bell is about to ring.”

  As if on cue, it did just that. We followed the herd of kids entering the building, engulfed by the cacophony. Tabby and I parted ways on the second floor, and I made my way up to room 333, Mr. Callahan’s den of doom—or physics, as some called it.

  He wasn’t waiting by the door like he usually did, which gave me a moment’s relief, but the second I rounded the corner to enter, that disappeared. I saw Garrett’s empty seat and my chest tightened.

  “Ms. Danners,” Callahan called from his desk. “I have your missed assignments here.” For once, he looked less smug
about doling out homework. Maybe he actually felt sorry for Garrett and me. “I’m assuming a week will be sufficient to get all caught up.”

  Nope. Not sorry at all.

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  I took the stack of papers from him and made my way to my seat. Thankfully physics wasn’t one of the classes we had testing in that day, but I hated being there all the same. I hated the sound of Callahan’s voice and the groans of the students around me. But most of all, I hated the fact that Garrett wasn’t there to suffer with me. Instead, he was suffering in an entirely different and unacceptable way on his own.

  Because of me.

  For the rest of the class, I zoned out, letting my eyes glaze over while I stared at the front of the room. I wondered if maybe I wasn’t ready to come back to school yet.

  * * *

  Tabby and I got separated during our study period and I had to sit out in gym class because I wasn’t cleared for activity until the next day, so it wasn’t until lunch that I had a chance to really talk to her. We quickly grabbed some food and made our way outside, headed for our usual table. I couldn’t help but think of how lonely Tabby had been when Garrett and I were gone.

  I realized on our way that there were some additions to the lunch area. Some of The Six—the boys originally accused of taking those topless pictures of me—had abandoned their parking lot luncheons in favor of joining the masses. Mark Sinclair and Jaime Chavez sat with some of the other popular kids while Eric Stanton and Scooter Brown surrounded themselves with football players only.

  I walked past the football table only to be greeted with a bunch of smartass comments, none of which were favorable. I turned to face their ridicule, my muscles rigid with adrenaline, ready for a fight. But before I could start in, Mark intervened.

  “Why don’t you guys shut the fuck up. If you don’t, I’ll gladly sit back and watch her kick your asses. She may be small but she’s fierce. Consider this your warning—you should probably thank me for it.”

  Silence fell over everyone.

  I looked over at Mark, who gave me a sharp nod, then sat down next to Jaime.

  Dumbfounded, Tabby and I continued to our table.

  “So,” she said, twisting open her bottle of water. “As you can see, not much has changed.”

  “Or has it? Seems like there’s a rift in Jockland.”

  “Maybe. Mark and Jaime were really nice to me while you were gone. They’ve been worried about you and Garrett.”

  “So weird. Don’t get me wrong, I like this turn of events, but it feels strange. I’d kinda just hoped everything would be normal when I got back.”

  “That’s impossible now that ’roid-raging Donovan Shipman is gone.”

  “Thank God for small blessings.”

  “Small?” she asked. “I’d say that’s huge.”

  “And it came at a huge price, too,” I replied, my voice quieter.

  Her smile fell. “He’s going to go away for a long time, right?”

  I nodded. “Seems like his get-out-of-jail-free cards have all been used. No big bad guy is coming to save him this time. He’s on his own. Last I heard, there was a plea deal on the table, which would be fine with me. I just want him behind bars for a long time. Frankly, he’d be smart to take anything they gave him.”

  “Well, I hope he has a really burly cell mate named Bubba who likes to snuggle.”

  I nearly shot soda out of my nose as I choked on it.

  “One can only hope,” I said before clearing my throat. “Hey, do you think you can help me get caught up a bit on my assignments, providing we don’t keep getting separated in study hall?”

  “Of course. No worries.”

  “Great. I feel like I’d just dug myself out of that hole and now I’m right back in it.”

  “You might have to hang up your cape for a while—at least until you’re back up to speed.”

  “Agreed.”

  The two of us ate and laughed and gossiped our way through lunch. It felt good. It felt normal. At least until I paid attention to the empty spot on the bench next to me. Then it felt like shit.

  But that bench didn’t stay empty the whole lunch period. Nope. That would have been way too simple. And my life didn’t do simple.

  Instead, I looked up at the door to the cafeteria to see AJ Miller making his way outside. The second he caught sight of me, I knew there’d be no avoiding what was headed my way. Ready or not, here came trouble.

  “Hey Tabby,” he said, propping a foot up on Garrett’s usual seat. Tabby’s eyes darted to me, waiting for a cue. AJ, sharp little cookie that he is, took one look at Tabby staring at me and started pleading his case. “Ladies, I couldn’t help but notice that you both were looking a bit like someone had run over your dog, and I think I know why.” He indicated the bench beneath his foot. “So I have a proposition for you. I know I’m a poor substitute for the infamous Garrett Higgins. I’m not quite as tall, dark, or handsome, but my gift for sarcasm, unparalleled charm, and ability to discuss the latest fashion trends should suffice in his absence.” Once again, Tabby’s eyes darted over to me, then back to AJ. “And,” he said, an impish grin taking over his expression, “if all else fails, my face serves as a pretty good punching bag.”

  He gave her a playful wink for good measure.

  “About that,” Tabby started, squirming in her seat. “I should apologize.”

  “No need, Tabby. You thought I’d hurt Ky. You were being a good friend. A great one, actually. I’d have hit me, too, if I were you.” His piercing green eyes fell on me. “I’d punch anyone that hurt her.”

  Tabby’s freckled face flushed. The poor girl was swooning so hard I feared she would faint. She’d always liked AJ—thought he was noble for standing up to Donovan on my behalf. And, yeah, that changed in a blink when she found out what we’d thought he’d done, but the second she learned the truth, she was all about him and me getting back together. Honestly, I thought she would have rolled out the red carpet for him when he came to join us. The fact that she hadn’t spoke to how much she cared about me—how loyal she was.

  My cheeks might have warmed a bit at the thought.

  AJ was still hovering when I pulled away from my musings long enough to notice. He was waiting for approval to stay.

  “Are you really in this much of a hurry to commit social suicide?” I asked.

  He looked around the outdoor eating area full of staring students and shrugged. “They can like it or not. I don’t really care. Most of them are sheep anyway. If I like you, they’ll accept you.”

  “Wow,” I said with a laugh. “If your ego inflates any more, you’ll float away. Is the view different from way up there?”

  His playful expression sobered for a moment. “It’s pretty damn good.” I held his gaze for as long as I could until I finally broke and grabbed the pizza from my tray.

  “Wait,” I said, mouth full of the bite I’d just taken. “This isn’t even your lunch period! Don’t you TA for Callahan now? Shouldn’t you be up doing his evil bidding or something?”

  “I’m supposed to be organizing some after-school thing for him.”

  “Sounds awful.”

  “It is.”

  “So, to avoid it, you’re skulking around the school looking for me?”

  He shrugged. “Guilty as charged.”

  I sighed in my most put-upon way. “Well … it is Callahan, so I can appreciate the desire to bail.”

  “Totally,” Tabby added, nodding a little too enthusiastically.

  “So now that I’m officially Garrett’s second-rate understudy, what do you need me to do, ladies? Brood? Act misunderstood? Be a feast of manly eye candy for you?”

  Tabby giggled like a schoolgirl, covering her face with her hands. She was clearly going to be no help where AJ was concerned.

  “Manly eye candy?” I asked, my tone incredulous.

  He feigned offense. “Kylene, I spend at least five minutes a day in the gym actually working out, thank you very m
uch.”

  “Five, huh? I would have thought someone with your DNA could have achieved those washboard abs in less time than that. Unless, of course, you don’t have them anymore.…”

  Without batting an eyelash, he whipped up his shirt. Washboard abs, check. But along with them were pecs I didn’t remember, and lats that seemed to fan out wider than they had before. Yep, AJ Miller had grown up and filled out while I was away.

  Maybe he wasn’t so far off about the eye-candy thing.

  “Well,” he said, pulling his shirt back down. “Now that we have that settled.”

  “We sure do,” Tabby said, her voice distant and awestruck.

  “The bell is going to be ringing soon, and just in the nick of time,” I said, gathering up my things. “Because I for one was starting to think that Garrett number two over here was about to lose more than just his shirt.” Tabby’s eyes widened at the thought. “Down, girl. Gonna need you to find a poker face, Tabs. And wipe that drool off your chin.”

  “It looks like my job here is done,” AJ announced, smiling like he couldn’t have been more pleased with his lunchroom interruption. And, as much as I wanted to put a damper on his parade, I couldn’t. Was he Garrett? No. But in those five minutes spent joking with him, I’d seen the AJ Miller I’d fallen in love with once. The boy that used to make me laugh and blush and so much more. The boy that had stolen my heart. And even though I’d blamed him for breaking it, I knew I had to let those memories go, or at least try to. It wasn’t fair to hold a false past against him. Once my dad was free and his name cleared, I wouldn’t want people to hold his incarceration against him, either. AJ had pointed out the similarities between him and my father to me once, and he’d been right.

  But knowing the truth didn’t turn back time—didn’t grant us those two and a half years we’d both lost. I had no idea if AJ thought we could pick up where we’d left off, but I didn’t think even he was that delusional. At some point, we’d both have to acknowledge that we were different now. Changed by the events of that night and the fallout. The question that begged to be asked was: Were we changed for the better, or worse? AJ seemed to be the kid I remembered, wrapped up in a fancy, upgraded package. I, on the other hand, had pieces of the old me tucked away in an armored shell. I was tougher. Harsher. And far more prickly. It seemed like AJ’s endgame was to be with me, but would the me he got be the one he actually wanted? I pondered that while I walked down the hall to my next class, uncertainty clinging to me like a wet shirt.