Left Behind: Left Behind Series #1

by D. J. Pierson

  I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe because I’ve been here for four years?”

  “Maybe.”

  “So, that guy from the club last night? Is he someone who will be bothering you again?” I really need to shut the fuck up and go home but, instead, I dig my hands into the pockets of my shorts and refuse to do what my brain is encouraging me to do.

  “I’m not worried about him. It’s my parents that annoy the shit out of me.”

  Just as I am about to ask her to elaborate on that, Jake calls my name. “Yo, Evan! Chris is on the phone! Thursday night! You in?!” Not everyone gets this much notice about a race. Any new people or those who have been around a few times only hear about it the day prior. Otherwise, we’d have a whole shitload of people show up to enter. Too many people would attract unwanted attention.

  “Yeah, I’m in!” I call back. He waves me over to him and goes back to talking on the phone. “I’ll see you around,” I say to Kacie.

  “‘Bye,” she says.

  As much as I don’t want to leave, I walk away and try really hard not to look back. I meet up with Jake in his kitchen. He is just finishing up the call when I sit at the table and put my head in my hands. “Chris said he’s expecting at least seven cars. I think that’s more than enough. This shit is starting to get too big.”

  “It’s fine,” I tell him. “If we didn’t have the cops, I’d worry. The road will be empty both directions by the time the flag drops.” I don’t look up.

  “Evan,” he starts, “what Jade isn’t telling you is that she needs Kacie to be here. She depends on Kacie way more than Kacie will ever depend on her. I’m quite happy with our parents not wanting to be around, but Jade isn’t. She’s hurt that they aren’t. Kacie gets it. That’s why Jade was freaking out so much.”

  “You don’t have to worry about it,” I sigh. “I just met the first girl in my life who’s not interested in me.”

  “Don’t take it so hard,” he laughs, patting me on the shoulder. “Kacie Foster isn’t interested in anyone.”

  Jake’s attempt to make me feel better only makes this whole thing a lot worse.

  Chapter Six

  Kacie

  Since we left the club last night, Jade has done nothing except lecture me on how awful a human being Evan Pierce is. She told me all about how he’s the biggest player she’s ever met. How Evan has been known to take girls into his office, back to his place, out to his truck in the parking lot, and even random places in public only to send them on their merry way shortly afterwards. Very rarely will he be with the same girl more than once but, apparently, he does have a few favorites he’s able to call on every so often. He doesn’t try to hide it, either. All the girls are aware of his behavior, but each wants to be the one he picks. Jade said to make sure I don’t fall for him. That he’ll put on an act by pretending to be a sweet guy, but then he’ll end up breaking my heart. She’s witnessed him doing it over and over again.

  Lying on the lounge chair, I’m thinking about how many times I listened to Jade’s warnings. Not only did I listen, but I also thanked her and assured her nothing would happen between Evan and myself. The sight of him threw me for a loop last night. That’s all. Those eyes make it all too clear why so many girls would risk anything to be his flavor of the night. I’m sure my attraction to him was only due to the amount of alcohol I consumed, along with the lack of sleep from the long drive from Pennsylvania. The next time we meet, if there even is a next time, will be different.

  When Jade comes back from her house, she whispers, “Speaking of the asshole” as she drops into her chair beside me. I glance up from my book to see Evan following her through the yard, heading right toward us.

  “What the hell is he doing here?” I mumble low enough so he can’t hear me.

  “Not sure, but it probably has something to do with you,” she says, not looking away from her magazine.

  Evan plops himself next to me and I have to force myself to keep looking at my book. So much for the alcohol being the reason my head started spinning in his presence. Why does he keep trying to talk to me? I’m at one of the best parts in the whole book, but I can’t read a single word with him so close to me. My eyes stay glued to the page, hoping he’ll get tired of being ignored and leave. Has he noticed that I haven’t even turned the page?

  My damn heart starts racing the second he so rudely rips the book out of my hand. Now I actually have to deal with him. Damn it! I make the mistake of touching his arm as I try to get my book back. It’s almost as if my hand is shocked the instant our skin connects. I feel as though it suddenly became even hotter than normal in the Florida sun. I need to get away from him, so I jump in the pool. The moment my body hits the water, I’m hoping he’ll be gone by the time I come up for air. No such luck.

  I silently curse myself for not grabbing my towel before getting in. Feeling exposed and extremely insecure in this bikini, I wander over to check on the garden instead of walking back to where Jade and Evan are. Out of nowhere, he’s right behind me, putting a towel over my shoulders. His hands linger on my arms and, unexpectedly, I like the way it feels. The look on his face forces me to turn away. Why am I feeling like this with someone I don’t even know instead of with Jake? He’s the one who has always been wonderful to me.

  Just in time, Jake yells over, saving me. I wonder what he’s talking about, though. Is Evan in for what on Thursday? If I ask Jade, she’s going to worry about me being interested and I don’t want to deal with that.

  It’s not until he leaves my yard that I’m able to return to my chair.

  “What the hell was that?” Jade demands to know, slamming her magazine on her lap.

  “What?” I ask, opening my book back to the page I was on.

  “With Evan.”

  “Nothing. I walked away from him. That’s what you wanted, right?” I say, nonchalantly.

  “Kacie, if anyone else would have touched your book, you would have bitch-slapped them.”

  “Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little bit? I don’t even know him. I can’t go around slapping people.”

  “Overreacting? Me?” She willfully takes a deep breath. “I told you he was going to pull this shit. You’re new. He always goes for the new girls in town. You should see when tourists come into the club.”

  “I’m not a tourist, and I’m certainly not new. Did you forget I was here long before he was?”

  “You’re new to him,” she states.

  “Jade.” I put the book down and stand up. “I didn’t move back here to get involved with anyone in any way. My focus is completely on teaching and continuing the mission Gram started at Shining Stars. I owe her that. I can’t risk being distracted by some boy I don’t even know.”

  She seems satisfied with my reaction and relaxes. “And hanging out with me, right?” Jade asks, rhetorically.

  “Right.” I smile at her. “I’m going to make a sandwich. Want one?”

  “I guess your hangover is gone. Sure, if you don’t mind. Thanks.” Jade pulls her magazine back up to her face and all is well again.

  My hangover from the alcohol is gone, but the one left by Evan Pierce doesn’t feel like it will ever be cured. Good thing I’m smart enough to keep that minor detail to myself.

  Once inside, the cool air helps clear my head. What is it about Evan that causes my brain to get all fuzzy? Of all the guys I’ve dated over the last four years, not one of them ever made me feel the way he has. I’ve only known Evan for about twenty minutes, but the shit I want from him would make even Jade blush. Which is no small feat, by the way.

  Leaning on the counter in front of me, I try to think of a way to shake the thought of him. Since he’s such good friends with Jake, avoiding him isn’t an option unless I want to avoid my friend. The thought of sleeping with him does cross my mind. Like Jade said, he very rarely goes for the same girl twice. Maybe once he’s gotten me out of his system, he’ll move on, making it easier for me to do the same. Would that ma
ke it easier? Of course, this theory is totally based on Evan being interested in me. What if Jade is completely off?

  The rest of the afternoon, Jade and I alternate our time between baking in the sun and cooling off indoors. Jake stops over with take out and asks what our plans are for the evening.

  “We’re going back to Skyline,” Jade announces. Wait, we didn’t discuss that!

  “Isn’t there somewhere else we can go?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent. “We were just there last night.”

  “I know, but it’s a cheap night out,” Jade says, shoving a piece of chicken in her mouth. “Besides, you were only there for the party. You didn’t get the full experience.”

  “What’s the full experience?” I must look horrified because Jade laughs.

  “Don’t worry, Kacie. I’m just talking about dancing and cute boys.”

  “I’m sure there are plenty of cute boys somewhere else,” I mumble, noticing Jake’s smirk. Nope. Still doesn’t affect me.

  “Alright,” he says. “I’ll be ready before the two of you, so just text me when you’re ready to go.”

  “Will you be escorting us everywhere we go this summer, Jake?” I wonder. “Don’t you think it will get old after a while?”

  “Didn’t we go over this last night? Making sure my little sister and my best friend are safe will never get old.” He stands up to go. “Evan asked me to come in tonight anyway. We have some things to go over.” This is my chance to ask what they were talking about earlier, but I notice Jade tense at the sound of Evan’s name. “About what time will you be ready?” Jake directs his attention to her.

  “Around nine-thirty. The hot guys don’t start showing up until then.”

  Jake covers his ears. “Okay. Okay. The time was all I needed to know. See you girls later.”

  “I don’t think he wanted to hear about the hot guys,” I tell Jade after he left.

  “And you think I enjoy listening to the sounds coming from his bedroom whenever he has a new girl over?”

  “That’s just gross,” I reply, disgusted.

  “Exactly.”

  ***

  After napping and showering, we walk through Skyline’s front doors ready for a night out. A different kind of stress falls over me than what I felt the previous night. Is it possible to be here and not run into Evan? I wish he was off tonight.

  “Jade!” a sweet voice calls out. When I turn to see who it is, the tall blond Evan was talking to last night is walking toward us.

  “Hey, Meg! I saw you around last night. Every time I went to talk to you, someone was pulling you in another direction.”

  “I’m sorry. It was supposed to be my night off, but Evan needed me to come in for a party. I was a little flustered.”

  “No big deal. I was here for the party, too. Believe it or not, I wanted to be here even less than you did.”

  “Why the hell did you come then?” Meg asks.

  “Best friends always stick together,” Jade says, grabbing my arm. “This is Kacie. I came for her.”

  Meg just now notices me. “Hi,” she says, recognition on her face. “Weren’t you the girl at the bar I saw my cousin talking with?” Evan is her cousin?

  “I’m sure just one of many.” I make it known there’s no interest on my part. “I’m sorry you had to waste your night off because of my family. I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant.”

  By the look on her face, it’s obvious that she has things to say about them, but decides against it. “You’re related to Addison Morgan?”

  “Not exactly. She’s dating my brother. The party was for him.”

  “The doctor?”

  I sigh. “That’s him.”

  “Don’t hold anything either of her parents said or did against Kacie. She’s nothing like them,” Jade adds. Meg visibly relaxes. “We’ll be over in my normal spot. Come hang out later if you get a chance.”

  “I will. Want me to tell Evan you’re here?” She glances between the both of us. I keep my mouth shut.

  “Jake went to find him. I’m sure they’ll find us eventually,” Jade tells her as we walk away.

  “Have fun,” Meg says, disappearing into the crowd.

  “You have a normal spot here?”

  “I had to find something to do while you were gone, Kacie. Hanging out where I can get free drinks and be surrounded by sexy, drunk guys always seems like a good idea.”

  “She seems nice.”

  “Meg?” Jade looks at me. “She is. Most of the time, anyway. Sometimes she’s a royal bitch. Jake knows her from middle school or something. I think he comes here more to see her than Evan.”

  “Really? Has he asked her out?” I inquire. The news of Jake being interested in someone else doesn’t bother me. I wish it would. At least it would give me hope that maybe he was a possibility.

  “Not that I know of,” she says, suddenly distracted. “I think she has a boyfriend.”

  “Poor Jake.”

  “If you feel bad, maybe you should stop being such a chicken shit and date him yourself.”

  Before I can flip out, my attention is diverted to a group of people screaming surprise. It takes a few moments to realize that I know the people at the table in front of me and a few more moments to realize they were the ones just yelling.

  “What the hell?” I ask, looking around, trying to figure out what’s going on.

  “Welcome home, Kacie!” the girls shout.

  “What are you all doing here?” My mood brightens immediately. With Gram being so sick the last time I was home, I was only able to see these girls briefly.

  “You didn’t think we’d ignore the fact that you’re back in town for the summer, did you?” Brittany blurts out.

  Danielle comes over to give me a hug. “We’ve been planning this since Jade told us you were coming home.”

  “Why didn’t you just come over? We could have hung out all day,” I tell them.

  “We’ll have plenty of those days, girlfriend!” Danielle says. “This is a special night.”

  “Things haven’t been the same around here without you,” Amber says, coming over to put her arms around me.

  “I can’t believe you did this,” I say, mostly to Jade.

  “Yes, you can. Don’t get all teary-eyed on me now,” she whispers.

  These girls have been our friends since freshman year of high school, when we all had to suffer through Mr. Wright’s Geometry class together. Part of me is surprised any of them would care so much about me coming home. Essentially, I bailed on all of them four years ago. I took off and never looked back. I never considered the people I was leaving behind or how it would affect them. It’s been four years and I’m just realizing what a shitty friend I was.

  As we climb onto the stools surrounding the table, a waitress appears with a tray full of margaritas. “We ordered the first round already,” Danielle says. “Figured we’d go with our all-time favorite drink.”

  “I’ve really missed you girls,” I tell them, smiling. The best times of my life have been with either Gram or these girls. I’ll always be closest with Jade simply because we live next door to each other and we have the most in common.

  “To a fabulous summer,” Amber says, holding her glass up. We all follow her lead and repeat her toast.

  The second round of drinks arrives just as a group of guys stops by our table. “Were you girls planning on saying hello or just ignoring us all night?” one of them asks. I’m really hoping my friends know them because that is one of the lamest pick-up lines I’ve ever heard.

  Thankfully, a look of recognition falls over Danielle’s face. “Hi, guys! I’m sorry. We didn’t even see you. Pull up a chair. We’re having a welcome home celebration for our friend.”

  “Welcome home,” one of the guy says, holding up his beer. I nod and smile, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

  “Guys, this is Kacie.” Amber takes the lead on the introductions. “That’s Lance, Kyle, and Gabe. Dani and I work with Lance.”
>
  “Where have you been that this is the first time we’re meeting you, Kacie?” Kyle asks me, laying his hand on the back of my stool. He’s kind of cute. Light hair, green eyes, muscular build. How is it that guys can pull off looking hot in just a plain t-shirt and jeans when I have to spend hours fixing my hair and make-up, then still have to put on a dress and heels? Life is totally unfair.

  “College,” I answer shortly.

  “Kacie is going to medical school in the fall,” Brittany offers.

  “Impressive,” he says. “What kind of medicine are you interested in?”

  “I’m undecided right now.” Somehow, my second drink is now gone. How long will I be able to keep this secret? What will my friends think when they hear I’m teaching?

  “Hey, Gabe. How’s it going over at Danny’s shop?” Jade changes the subject for me.

  “It’s great. Danny is really cool to work for and I fit right in with the other guys there. I owe your brother big time,” Gabe tells her.

  “Jake doesn’t look for anything in return when he helps out a friend. You know that,” Jade assures him. “Excuse us. We’ll be right back.” She practically yanks me off the stool and through the crowd. Jade is lucky I love her so much or I might have to hit her.

  “Care to tell me why you’re dragging me through the fucking club?!” I ask. I’m trying to keep up with her so she doesn’t dislocate my shoulder.

  “I have to pee!” she yells so I can hear her over the music. She says it so loud, I’m sure everyone around us heard her.

  Luckily for Jade, there’s no line once we’re finally in the restroom. She leaves me standing in the middle of the room while she goes into the first open door and slams it. Something’s up. If I’ve learned anything in the last twelve years or so, it’s not to force Jade to tell me something until she’s ready to. It doesn’t matter that she demands to immediately know everything from everyone else. She has always taken her time. When she comes out of the stall, she washes her hands in the sink next to where I’m checking my make-up. She must feel me staring at her because she looks the opposite way. This makes me laugh. She turns back to me and I can tell she has something to say.