Wicked Chemistry

by R. L. Kenderson

  Me: I’m sorry.

  Mace: Don’t be. I don’t want to monopolize all your time. Go have fun with your friends.

  Me: Thanks, babe.

  Mace really was the perfect boyfriend. Except for the whole secret, high school thing. It was a shame I had to hide him.

  Becca and I took a seat at a booth in the restaurant she’d picked for dinner. The waitress came over as soon as we were seated, and we ordered drinks.

  “So, how are things?” I asked Becca.

  As the day had worn on, I’d come to the conclusion that maybe she needed some girl time. Maybe she needed to talk to me about something, and I felt bad for turning her down so quickly at first.

  “Good,” she said as the server put down our drinks.

  “How is everything going with Connor?”

  “Great,” she said with an extra glint in her eye.

  “Oh my God, did he propose?”

  Becca grinned. “No, but I think he might be working up to it.”

  “No way.”

  She nodded.

  “That’s so exciting.” I got out of my seat and went to her side to give her a hug.

  She laughed. “Don’t jinx it. He hasn’t asked me yet.”

  “What makes you think he’s going to?”

  “He asked to see my ring one day and then accidentally forgot to give it back to me before I went home.”

  “Ooh. He wanted your ring size,” I said.

  “And he wants to go somewhere over spring break.”

  “Do you think he’s going to propose then?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you want him to?”

  “Yes, but I’m kind of scared.”

  “But it’s a good scared.” I clapped my hands. “This is so exciting.”

  Becca quickly put a hand on my arm. “Shh … don’t say anything. He has no clue that I know.”

  “Huh?”

  My question was answered by Becca raising her hand and waving. “Over here.”

  She was waving at Connor.

  So, he was coming out with us. I hadn’t been sure by our conversation this morning. And I didn’t care either way. I liked hanging out with Connor, too.

  “Here, I’ll move, so you can sit by him.” I swiftly moved to my side of the booth.

  “It’s okay because—”

  “Eden,” Connor boomed out. “You came with us.”

  “Hey, Connor. Yeah, Becca convinced me.”

  He lightly hit my shoulder. “Can you move over?”

  I raised my brow. “You’re sitting with your woman over there,” I told him. “But no funny stuff. I still have to eat dinner.”

  Becca laughed mockingly at my joke, which had me laughing for real.

  “It’s not for me, dork. I brought Mace with.”

  I sat up straight and forgot what was funny. “Oh. Okay.” I pushed my purse to the wall and moved over. I had no idea how to act around Mace. If I was too familiar with him, it would look suspicious, but if I was too indifferent, that would look suspicious, too.

  “Hey, Mace,” Becca said as he sat down next to me.

  I had just seen him in class, but now that he was so close to me, I wanted to touch him, just to feel him under my hands. But I couldn’t.

  “I’m glad Connor invited you to join us tonight,” Becca said.

  “Yeah. He pointed out that we hadn’t done anything since we helped Eden move,” Mace said.

  “That’s kind of what I was saying to Eden this morning.”

  I froze. Is Becca hinting at something?

  Mace nudged my leg with his knee, and I relaxed. Looking stiff and uncomfortable would only make Becca think something was up with the two of us.

  The server came over again, and as Mace and Connor ordered their drinks, I picked up my own and took a long swallow.

  “You okay?” Becca asked.

  I set down my glass. “Of course.”

  She eyed me, but I ignored her.

  “So, how’s baseball going? Is it weird to have your cousin coach you in both?”

  Mace smiled and shook his head. I’d already asked him this question before when we were alone, but I honestly didn’t know what else to say to get Becca to stop staring at me.

  “No,” Mace said. “Connor and I grew up together. It’s kind of like having a friend coach me.”

  “Do you find it hard to tell Mace what to do?” I asked Connor.

  Mace butted in before Connor could answer, “Connor? Are you kidding? He’s been bossing me around since I could walk.”

  Connor grinned. “Now, I get paid to do it.”

  “Not a bad gig.”

  “I love it,” Connor said.

  The server brought the guys their drinks, and Mace got out his phone. He swiped the screen a few times but didn’t really look at anything before putting it back in his pocket. I wondered what he was up to until his hand landed on my leg. He had used his phone as an excuse to get his arm under the table.

  I smiled to myself as I put my own hand on top of his and squeezed his fingers.

  “So, Mace, besides baseball and school, what else have you been up to?” Becca asked.

  “I’m kind of dating this girl.”

  “Oh? And how’s that going?”

  “Good. I really like her.”

  Don’t blush; don’t blush, I commanded my body.

  I picked up my glass and took another drink.

  “Does she like you, too?” Becca asked.

  I rubbed his hand to let him know the answer was yes.

  Mace laughed. “I think so.”

  “He’s been boning her almost every night,” Connor said.

  Now, my cheeks felt like they were on fire, and Mace squeezed my leg in reassurance.

  Becca smacked Connor’s chest. “Jeez, Connor. Could you be any more crude?”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  “Don’t answer that,” Becca said. “And I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t be talking about a student’s sex life, no matter how old he is.”

  Connor shrugged. “He was my cousin long before he was my student. It’s not weird for me.”

  “Well, I’m glad that you’ve found someone, Mace. Will she be going to college with you next year?”

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen next year. We haven’t really talked about it.”

  Mace was right. We hadn’t talked about the future at all. He was going to go away to college, and I would be staying here.

  If my happiness were made up of a bunch of bubbles, a big one had just popped.

  The rest of dinner went fine even if I was now in a melancholy mood. As a result, I did order an additional two drinks and was feeling a little better. I didn’t get drunk very much, but it was Friday, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt anything.

  After our plates were cleared, Connor asked the server, “Is there a possibility of us moving to a different table? I have some friends coming to meet us, and we don’t have enough room here.”

  “Sure. I’ll let the hostess know. I’ll be right back.”

  “Who’s coming?” Becca asked.

  “Xavier and Kurt.”

  “Great,” Becca said.

  “I haven’t met either, but I take it, you like them?” I asked Becca.

  “They are both very nice guys.”

  “I agree,” Mace said.

  “So, you’ve met them?” I asked.

  “Yes. Just be careful. Xavier’s a police officer. No driving drunk,” Mace said as he looked at my almost-empty glass.

  I couldn’t tell if he was actually warning me or if he was letting me know he wasn’t happy with my drinking.

  I laughed it off either way. “I rode with Becca. And I’m not drunk.” But I was feeling a bit tipsy, and I didn’t really care if Mace disapproved. I was an adult.

  The server came back and led us to a big, round table. I sat down first, and Mace sat across from me this time, but I wasn’t sure why. I questioningly raised my eyebrow at hi
m, but he ignored me.

  “Anyone need another?” the server asked.

  I raised my finger. “Me, please. I’ll have the same.” I shook my empty glass.

  “I’ll have one, too,” Connor said. “A beer. Whatever’s on tap.”

  The waitress left, and two guys came to our table. Both slapped Connor on the back and kissed Becca on the cheek.

  “You guys remember my cousin, Mace, right?”

  Mace tipped his water glass toward them. He’d had his one beer earlier, and he was only drinking water now. “How’s it going, guys?”

  “And this is Eden,” Connor said, pointing to me. “Becca’s friend from the Midwest.”

  The guy closest to me held out his hand. “I’m Xavier.” Xavier was a good-looking black man with deep brown eyes that sparkled when he smiled.

  “You’re the cop,” I said.

  “I am. But I’m off-duty tonight.”

  And the guy next to him, a blond who was also good-looking but shorter than any of the other guys at the table, held out his hand. “I’m Kurt.”

  “So, how do you know Connor?” I asked.

  “We all went to high school together.”

  “That’s nice,” I said as Xavier sat next to me.

  Becca was sitting on my other side, between Connor and me. “Here, Kurt. You can have my seat.” She got up and moved to the other side, between Xavier and Mace. “I’ll let you sit by Connor.”

  “So, I heard you’re from North Dakota. Is that right?” Xavier asked.

  “South Dakota,” I corrected. “And it’s not the same thing,” I quickly added.

  “She means business,” Kurt said.

  I laughed. “People are always lumping them together. They are not the same state.”

  “So, how do you like Texas?” Xavier asked.

  As I looked from Kurt to Xavier, I caught Mace watching me. I had no clue as to what he was thinking, but I could tell something was on his mind.

  “I love the winters here,” I answered. “They are so much warmer.”

  My phone buzzed in my purse the same time Kurt said something to Connor, so I reached in my purse for it.

  It was Mace. I held my phone close to my chest, so no one could see who was texting me.

  Mace: You know Becca is trying to set you up with one of these guys.

  I looked back and forth at the two newcomers. Mace was crazy.

  Me: No, she’s not.

  I watched him read my message and shake his head. There was a little bit of a smile, which made me feel better.

  Mace: You just wait and see.

  Me: But I don’t want them. (And I’m pretty sure they don’t want me either.) I only want you.

  Mace grinned.

  Mace: I know, babe. I’m not jealous or mad. I’m just warning you.

  I still didn’t think he was right. Becca wasn’t the type to be sneaky. Or the type to set people up.

  Me: Thanks for the heads-up, but you’ll see I’m right.

  Mace set his glass down and stood up. “I’d better get going.”

  He’s leaving? Why didn’t he text me that first?

  I stood up as everyone started telling him good-bye. “I’m going to go to the restroom,” I said after catching Becca’s eye.

  “Do you want me to come with?”

  “No. I’m fine. I’ll be right back.”

  The restrooms were at the front of the restaurant and down the hallway. Once I started walking, it was apparent that I was a little more intoxicated than I’d originally thought. I did manage to use the facilities and wash my hands all on my own.

  When I came out of the restroom, I ran into Mace. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, and the thought of being without these kisses next year made me sad. And angry. I was angry with myself for getting attached.

  Mace slowly pulled his lips from mine and ran his thumb down my cheek. “You be careful tonight, okay?”

  I pulled on his shirt. “Why do you have to go? Why can’t you stay?”

  “I just can’t. It’s too weird, being here with you but not being with you. Plus, you need to have fun with your friend.”

  I suddenly saw how unfun a secret relationship could be. You could get a high feeling from doing something you were not supposed to, but when it came down to the simple things, like hanging out with friends, it sucked.

  “Are you going to be at my house later?” I held my breath, worried he’d say no. Some women might pull away, knowing their relationship had to end someday, but I wanted to be with Mace as long as I could.

  He smiled gently. “Yeah, I’ll come by later.” He kissed my cheek and my forehead. “Don’t get too drunk, okay?”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  But I didn’t try very hard.

  After Mace left, I was feeling down, so I decided to have another drink. And, while Mace had suggested I stay to hang out with my friend, I hardly talked to her. Instead, I spent a large amount of time talking to Xavier.

  If I didn’t have Mace in my life and Becca was really trying to set me up with one of Connor’s friends, I would have gone for Xavier. That was, if he liked me, too. He hadn’t made any indication that he did.

  But that didn’t mean Xavier and I couldn’t be friends.

  We discovered we liked the same movies and had the same sense of humor.

  “So, tell me what it’s like to be a cop. I imagine television gets a lot of things wrong.”

  He laughed. “You’re right; they do.”

  “I once heard about officers who have retired without ever shooting their gun or even pulling it from their holster. Is that true?”

  “That is true.”

  “Wow.”

  “Hey, you want another drink?”

  I looked at my empty glass. “Yes, please.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

  Xavier went up to the bar, and Becca swooped in out of nowhere.

  “What do you think of Xavier?” she asked.

  “He’s very nice.”

  “You two seem to be having fun.”

  “We are.”

  “Yeah, I figured, out of Xavier and Kurt, you’d like Xavier more.”

  I was beginning to think Mace was right about Becca setting me up.

  “Why’s that?” I asked.

  “Because I know you, Eden, and you like tall men. Kurt’s too short.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I feel bad, but he really isn’t tall.” I pointed at Becca. “But that doesn’t mean that anything is going to happen with Xavier.”

  “Why not?”

  “Do you want something to happen?”

  She shrugged.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Becca, are you purposely trying to hook me up with someone?”

  “I might have asked Connor to invite some single friends to come out with us.”

  “I can’t believe you,” I said with a smile, but I was being serious.

  “I’m sorry. I just feel bad that you don’t have anyone.”

  If only she knew.

  “I think it’s sweet that you’re looking out for me, but you really don’t have to find me a man.”

  Becca tilted her head. “Does this have anything to do with …”

  “Have anything to do with what?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”

  I was struggling to think of what she’d been about to say when it came to me. “Does it have anything to do with Adam?” I shook my head. “If that’s what you were going to ask, the answer’s no.”

  She smiled awkwardly and squeezed my arm. “I’m glad.”

  I had a feeling she didn’t believe me. “Seriously, this morning, I was just thinking about how I’m ready to talk to him. Maybe I can even put my big-girl panties on and call him this weekend.” I shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  “That’s great, Eden.” She leaned closer. “Part of me wants to be a fly on the wall when you call him. The other part of me doesn’t want to be anywher
e near that awkward conversation.”

  “Thank you for your vote of confidence.”

  Becca laughed. She looked over my shoulder and stood. “Xavier’s coming back. I’ll leave you two alone. Just in case.” She winked.

  Xavier set the beer down in front of me. “Did I scare Becca off?”

  “No.” I rolled my eyes as Xavier took his seat. “She had Connor invite you and Kurt here tonight in hopes that I would start dating one of you or something like that.” I took a sip of my new drink.

  Xavier laughed.

  I laughed, too. “I know, right? I’m sure you have plenty of women to ask out on dates.”

  He took a sip of his beer. “Who knows? I maybe would have asked you out.”

  Mace or no Mace, Xavier had my attention.

  “Really? And what’s stopping you?” I couldn’t help but flirt back.

  He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.

  “What?” I pushed. “You’re killing me with suspense.”

  He leaned into me, so I did the same to him, a little excited to see what he was going to say.

  “I would have asked you out,” he said in a low voice, “if you weren’t with Mace.”

  I gasped and backed away. Oh shit.

  Xavier was a cop.

  Am I in trouble?

  I thought he sensed my panic because he put his hand on my forearm.

  “Relax, Eden. You’re not doing anything wrong. Last I checked, Mace was eighteen, right?”

  I nodded.

  “Besides, seventeen is the age of consent in Texas. You’re not breaking any laws.” His hand left my arm, and he took a drink of his beer. “But I’m guessing, you’re more worried about your job.”

  I nodded. “Are you going to tell?”

  He put down his beer and held up his hands. “Hey, I’m off-duty. I’m not telling anyone.”

  “Good, because nobody knows.” That had me thinking. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve been trained to pick up on things the average human wouldn’t.”

  “But you were only with the two of us for about fifteen minutes.”

  Xavier shook his head. “Trust me; it was very obvious.”

  I looked around in a panic. Why, I had no idea because Mace was long gone, and no one was looking at me.

  Xavier started to chuckle. “I also might have caught you two kissing outside the restrooms.” His chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh.