Forever (Cruiser & Lex, Book 3)

by Dee J. Stone

  I’m about to tell her not to wait on me like I’m royalty, but like last night, I realize she wants to do this for me. Because she wants to show me that she cares. “Never mind.”

  “Is your brother up yet?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I just woke him.”

  “Let’s hope he chooses to wear decent clothes.”

  Last Mom remembers is Rey dressing like a thug to school. She doesn’t know he hasn’t worn any of those clothes since we moved in with Dad. “I don’t think you got anything to worry about,” I tell her.

  As if on cue, Rey comes downstairs. Dressed in normal clothes. Mom sighs in relief.

  “Dude, pancakes!” He leaps for the table. Somehow in less than thirty seconds, he manages to pile four pancakes on a plate, sits down, and stuffs half of one into his mouth. “So good,” he says. He swallows hard and continues to devour the food like he hasn’t eaten anything worth crap in weeks.

  “It’s my pleasure, boys.” Mom looks real happy. No, more than happy. I can’t think of the word at the moment. It feels good to make her feel this way. She was pretty down after Dad left, and then was a mess with my attack. She doesn’t know how many times I heard her crying at the hospital when she thought I was asleep. I don’t know why, since I didn’t sustain any major damage. But I guess it was the fear of what could have happened to me. The fear of what would have happened if I died.

  “Are you going to eat that?” Rey nods at my plate. I’m not even halfway through my first pancake.

  I yank my plate closer to me. “Mine.”

  Mom laughs. “I’ll make you some more.” She goes to the stove. Rey and I continue eating until she returns with the new batch of pancakes. Rey grabs two. Mom laughs again. “Did your father cook at all?”

  “Not really,” Rey says, his mouth full.

  “Basically pasta.”

  Mom doesn’t look pleased. “He never could take care of himself. His parents babied him and expected me to do the same.”

  “Mom,” I say.

  Rey scowls.

  “Sorry,” she says.

  We eat in silence. Mom watches us. After a few minutes, bro says, “Do you want him to come home?”

  Mom looks surprised. “Your father?”

  “No, the Easter Bunny,” Rey mutters.

  I give him a kick underneath the table. He tries to return it, but I move my leg out of the line of fire. He nearly slides off his chair and splats on the floor. “Shit, Cruise!”

  “Language, Reagan.”

  He straightens himself and mumbles under his breath. Mom doesn’t hear, but I do because of the twin telepathy. He said, “Again with the nagging.” I’d kick him again, but I don’t want to start this thing all over again.

  Mom clears her throat. “So are you planning on signing up to any clubs?”

  It’s obvious she doesn’t want to talk about Dad.

  Rey shrugs. “I heard Loser Cruiser wants to be a theater geek.” He laughs to himself. “Loser Cruiser. Oh my God, I can’t believe this is the first time I’m coming up with this. Loser Cruiser.” He laughs like a damn hyena.

  “Reagan,” Mom says. Then she looks at me. “Theater is a great club.” Her eyes are dancing. Because this is the first time I’m actually being part of a school activity. She turns back to Rey. “What about orchestra? And didn’t you want to join orchestra, too, Elvis?”

  I nod toward my sling. Mom frowns and looks apologetic.

  “I’m sure they can give you a lame instrument, Loser Cruiser. Maybe the triangle? Oh, never mind. You need two hands for that.”

  This kid is going to make me bust a vein.

  “Reagan,” Mom says again. “Elvis, maybe there is something you can play at orchestra. Just talk to the teacher in charge.”

  “The tambourine!” Rey says.

  “Shut up!” I say.

  “Boys,” Mom warns.

  Rey holds out his hands in defense. “Touchy.”

  “It’s your first morning back,” Mom says.

  I want to yell I’m in this damn sling because of you! But I use every bit of my willpower to hold back. There’s no point in making things worse. Rey’s acting like a little shithead because he’s nervous to go back to South Beach High. Nervous to face the people and things he once loved and misses. I just got to bear with it until he grows some balls.

  We both get quiet. Just munch on our pancakes. More like Rey munches while I take small bites. He does look guilty for what he said, though.

  Mom clears her throat again. “What about law club, Reagan? And debate?”

  Rey shrugs. “I don’t really like them.”

  “You used to love those clubs.”

  “Used to love a lot of things.”

  Mom frowns like she doesn’t exactly know what he’s referring to. But she skips it because she says, “I’m going to call your violin teacher and schedule an appointment for this afternoon.”

  Rey explodes out of his chair. “Are you serious?”

  Mom blinks at him.

  “Who said I want violin lessons?”

  She blinks again. “If you don’t keep practicing and performing at recitals, how are you going to get scouted?”

  He throws his hands up. Marches out the door, slamming it behind him.

  Mom’s never looked so confused before.

  I play around with my pancake.

  “Elvis, what’s going on?” she asks.

  “Rey and his violin…they’re not exactly getting along at the moment.”

  She raises her eyebrows.

  “Give him time, Mom. Rey loves the violin. We all know that. He’ll come around.”

  I hope it won’t be too long before Rey tells her what went down at Kelman’s. If he even plans on telling her.

  Mom rubs her forehead. Sighs. I know what she’s thinking: how did things get so screwed up?

  I stand. “Thanks for breakfast, Mom.”

  She gives me a smile. It’s forced. “Have a great day.”

  I sweep my backpack off the floor and throw it over my shoulder.

  Rey’s back is pressed against the building when I get out. Arms crossed over his chest. A scowl on his face. “When are you going to tell her?” I ask.

  He ignores me and storms toward his car. He sits there with this pissed-off expression on his face. I wait a bit for him to calm down before I get in, stashing my bag between my feet. I open my mouth, but Rey says, “Don’t.” He starts the car.

  “Fine. I won’t.”

  He steps on the gas and gets on the road. The car is silent.

  After two minutes—yeah, I counted—Rey says, “Okay, what?”

  “What?”

  “I know you want to say something. So say it.”

  “I got nothing to say. Just that Mom’ll understand what you’re going through if you just tell her.”

  He scoffs. “She’ll never understand.”

  “You’d rather blow up on her all the time?”

  He squeezes the steering wheel. “Can you drop this?”

  “Okay. It’s dropped.”

  “Thank you.”

  The rest of the ride is quiet. My head isn’t, though. I’ve come to a conclusion: I’m here for Rey. I will always be here for him. But if he won’t be there for himself, there’s nothing else I can do. What went down with Jake and his jackasses had to have knocked some sense into him. Hopefully, more sense will get knocked into him soon. He’s got to face things at his own pace. I got to learn to give him some space, no matter how long it’ll take. I guess I need to believe that he can get past this without my having to be in his business. I need to treat him normal.

  When we get to school, I get out of the car and throw my arm over his shoulder. “Maybe we should have landed here with nothing on but shoes. Then these morons wouldn’t stare at us like this.”

  I’m not exaggerating. They really are staring. We should have sent them a memo so they could prepare themselves.

  Rey snorts. “I don’t get it. Remind me why t
hey’re staring.”

  “Because they know Jake beat the shit out of me?”

  “Right. So why are they staring at me?”

  “Because you’re lame as hell and they don’t want you here.” I dig my fist into his hair.

  He breaks free of my hold. “Be nice or I won’t carry your books for you.”

  I make a tsk tsk noise. Then I dump my backpack on him. “To think you made me carry this with my broken arm.”

  Rey rolls his eyes. “You’re taking advantage of me.”

  “Hell yeah.” I elbow him before walking to the gym. Lex should be finishing up with dance practice. She’s been on my mind all morning. No, that’s a lie. She hasn’t left my mind once.

  “Where’re you going?” Rey calls after me.

  “We attached at the hip?”

  “Yep.”

  I wave my hand before continuing on.

  “I guess I’ll keep your bag then?” he says.

  I turn around and march back over to him. Hold out my arm. He helps me get one of the straps on my shoulder and settles it on my back.

  “Thank you, kind gentleman,” I say.

  He snorts.

  When I get to the gym, I peek inside and see the Sharkettes doing their routine. It doesn’t take me more than two seconds to spot my girl. I stand here for a bit, watching her. See the way her body moves to the beat of the music. Like I told her so many times, she is the hottest, most talented Sharkette on the whole squad. I mean it.

  She doesn’t see me. She’s too focused on her moves. I take a step in and lean on the wall. I don’t want to disturb her, just want to see those beautiful eyes light up when she sees me.

  “Cruiser Dalton,” a familiar voice says from behind me. I turn around and come face to face with Carter, the school’s guidance counselor. She smiles this sweet smile that might look fake on someone else. But not her. Though I’m not one to be open with my feelings and whatnot, she’s not that bad.

  “Sup?” I say.

  Without warning, she throws her arms around me. Because of my lame arm and my weak state, I almost lose my balance. Damn, either she’s been working out, or I’m really as strong as a tissue. “Welcome back!”

  I just stand still. Her hugging me doesn’t seem right.

  She rubs my back like it’s supposed to comfort me or tell me some message. Then she pulls away and gives me that smile again. “How are you?” Her eyes dip to my sling for two seconds before going back to my face.

  “How do I look?”

  “Like a smart young man with a bright future ahead of him.”

  I tilt my broken arm toward her. “Like the new addition?”

  “Looks good on you.”

  I glance back at the Sharkettes. They have finished their routine. Most of them have gone to the showers. I don’t see Lex.

  “Come see me during first period, Cruiser. Okay?” Carter says.

  First period. She wants me to miss class? Damn, I’m so behind. I should object, but she’s not suggesting. She’s telling. No, ordering.

  “Fine,” I mutter.

  She gives me another one of those smiles before walking off. I look back into the gym and see Lex. Some of the other girls blocked her before. She’s sitting on the side, downing a water bottle. Chugging and chugging and squeezing the thing. When she’s done, she falls back and breathes heavily. Wipes her mouth. I head over to her. When she sees me, she leaps and flings her arms around me. My good arm wraps around her and holds her tight.

  “Did you see the routine?” she asks. “It’s insane. Half the girls can’t even do it.” She shakes her head. “I think Coach has lost her mind.”

  I lean in close to whisper in her ear, “You are the most talented Sharkette in the entire squad.”

  She playfully slaps my good arm. “Shut up.”

  “Cruiser,” someone calls. I glance up and see a girl standing in the doorway. “Can I sign your cast?”

  I look at Lex and see a small frown on her face. Then it disappears. “Sure, you can sign,” she tells the girl.

  “You sure?” I ask. I can’t forget what happened when Erica tried to get it on with me. Because of my past, I know it’s hard for Lex to see me talk to other girls. I’m not that guy anymore, but it doesn’t mean girls don’t throw themselves at me. Shit, that sounded as cocky as hell. It’s my past, dammit. I wish I wouldn’t have slept around, but I can’t change it. Just gotta move past it.

  It doesn’t mean Lex is some insecure girl. She’s just realistic, and sensitive. I wouldn’t blame her for being worried. Hell, if any guy would so much as look at my T. Rex—

  “Of course,” Lex says, giving me a quick peck on my lips. “I trust you.”

  That means a lot. The girl comes over with a marker. “Nothing dirty,” I warn her.

  She gives me a look. “Please.” Then she bends over and scribbles her name. It’s barely legible. When she’s done, she says, “Thanks. Ever since my brother was in a skateboarding accident and broke both legs, I have this crazy need to sign a cast whenever I see one.” She shrugs like she thinks she’s crazy but has no choice but to accept it.

  “It’s cool,” I say.

  “Feel better.” She walks away.

  I put my arm around Lex. “Thanks for not getting upset.”

  She nuzzles my nose. “I don’t think it bothers me anymore. I mean, it will always bother me when girls flirt with you or try to hook up with you. I mean, look at you.” She’s teasing me. I roll my eyes. “But I trust you, Cruiser,” she continues. “I really do. I should have realized that back then with Erica.”

  “It’s cool,” I tell her. “Moving past it, remember?”

  She nods.

  The bell rings. I curse because I don’t want to leave Lex and because I’m forced to go see Carter. She’s not that bad, but I don’t want to miss any more school work and I’m not in the mood of sharing my feelings.

  “Can I help you with your books?” she asks.

  I wave my hand. “Carter’s kidnapping me.”

  She raises her eyebrows. “Oh?”

  “Yeah. She and I are going to get all cozy with each other.”

  She laughs. “Okay. So I’ll meet you at your locker after first period?”

  “Thanks, darlin’, but Rey promised he’d help me with my books.”

  “No problem. See you at lunch?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

  I hold onto her for a bit before we separate. I sigh loudly and head to Carter’s office. The first thing I see is that stupid red chair that’s as hard as a rock and will make my ass feel like wood. Then the file cabinet where she keeps all the info on the students. Little notes she takes as she digs into our souls.

  What the hell am I doing here?

  Carter is at her desk and glances up. “Cruiser.” She sounds surprised. Maybe she didn’t think I’d actually show. Damn, I shouldn’t have. Now she’ll think I want to be here.

  “I just came to tell you that I’m skipping out on this,” I say.

  She gets up, slides past me, and closes the door. “Nonsense. You’re here, aren’t you?” She gestures to the chair.

  I shrug my bag off my shoulder, shaking it so that it slides down and crashes to the floor. I kick it near the chair and plop down. Carter’s been watching me like I’m her first born child learning to walk for the first time. That woman analyzes everything.

  “Just one second.” Carter gets up and rummages inside the drawer. Pushes folder after folder aside, then plucks one out. The doorway to my soul. She sits down and opens it in front of her. Holds up her finger as she skims it over. Then she looks at me, locking her fingers together. “So how are you, Cruiser?”

  “Didn’t we already get past that in the gym?”

  She nods slightly. “If I recall correctly, you didn’t give me an answer.”

  “I have a broken arm.”

  She looks at it for two seconds again. “A little hard to miss.”

  My leg twitches.
/>   “Are you nervous?” she asks.

  “No.”

  She knows I’m lying. It’s obvious on her face. She writes something down. “So, Cruiser. What’s up?”

  I shrug. “Nothing.”

  “You’ve been through a lot these past couple of weeks.”

  My other leg starts to twitch.

  Her eyes move over my face. “How are you holding up?”

  “Fine.”

  “You sure? What you’ve been through is a big deal.”

  Yeah, no kidding. “Doesn’t mean we have to talk about it.” I don’t need to relive it.

  She nods and spreads out her hands. “The floor is yours, Cruiser. You’re welcome to talk about whatever you want.”

  “What if I don’t want to talk about anything?”

  She taps the watch on her hand. “Then this will be a very boring forty minutes.”

  I feel my jaw fall. “You won’t let me go to class?”

  “Nope. You’re mine until the bell rings.” She leans back and plucks a pen from behind her ear. Chews on the back of it.

  Unbelievable.

  I look at her. She looks at me. The pen is still on her lips. She’s watching me like I’m some animal in the wild. Like she’s studying my behavior patterns or something. It’s so quiet I can hear her watch ticking. Nah, it’s the clock on the wall.

  Is she really just going to sit there like this?

  I dig into my brain to come up with something to bring up. Something neutral where I won’t feel like she sliced my brain open and left it out to dry. Then it hits me. “Clubs.”

  Her eyebrows shoot up. “What?”

  I sit up like I’m excited. I kind of am, because I have something to talk about that doesn’t include how I got pummeled. “I need to join some clubs.”

  A look of disappointment flies across her face. “We can talk about clubs at our next meeting.”

  “Didn’t you say the floor is mine?”

  She doesn’t blink. “How do you feel, Cruiser?”

  I groan so loud I bet they can hear me in China. Then I curse to myself. I don’t want to be rude. I just don’t want her in my head or heart.

  My ass is killing me. Damn chair.

  Carter scribbles something in the folder.

  “What are you writing?” I ask before I can stop myself.

  She glances up at me and gives me this ridiculous smile before continuing to write. I don’t get it. I didn’t say anything. What does she have to write? When she’s done, she puts the pen behind her ear. “Are you going to answer my question?”