She is staring at me silently, but I can feel her breath moving rapidly in and out of her partially opened lips. It’s tickling my skin, and the scent of sweet mint swirls around me.
“Selene.” I whisper her name.
It’s like her name pulls her back from wherever she went just now, because she begins to push against me. The only problem is my arms are reluctant to let her go, and she is struggling. I realize I need to get a hold of myself. I can see the panic in her eyes, and I don’t want to scare her. Finally, I loosen my embrace and release her. Our gazes remain locked as she gets to her feet.
Slowly, she begins to back away, speaking rapidly under her breath. Is she saying, “Shit”? I think she is, and I can’t help the small chuckle that escapes. I pick myself up from the cement sidewalk and watch her.
As I dust off my beige cargo shorts, I say, “We really need to stop running into one another this way. One of us is bound to get hurt.”
As I say the word hurt, something pricks my heart. My smile fades. Why do I suddenly feel like this girl standing in front of me, looking so vulnerable, has the power to hurt me so severely that I would never recover?
Finally, she speaks and breaks through my thoughts. “Look, I’m sorry.” She sounds annoyed, and I’m not sure why. “I will admit I wasn’t paying attention. It’s just that I came all the way here to register for school, and I forgot the one paper that would finalize everything. So now, I’m still not registered, and I have to come back.”
I hold my hands up and take a step back as if I’m fending her off. “Sorry to make things worse,” I say. I can’t help the smile that begins to widen on my face again. Damn, she is cute when she is flustered.
“It’s not you. I was just hoping this was going to be easy. I gotta go. See you around.” She stammers out as she turns on her heels and heads toward the parking lot.
I watch her ass do this cute little back-and-forth sway. “Looking forward to it,” I say as I tilt my head to the side to see how nice it is from another angle. Yep, just as I suspect. It looks just as good from that perspective too. I imagine myself looking like a dog angling my head to the side when its owner is talking about it. I don’t give a damn. The thought makes me laugh out loud.
She stops and looks over her shoulder, giving me a confused look, then turns back and leaves. As I continue to watch her walk away, I know I must to learn more about Selene the mystery girl.
Selene
AS I TURN THE CAR at the corner, I allow myself to relax. My body is a traitor. I’m pretty sure I could light the whole town with the amount of electricity I can feel shooting through it. What the shit? It’s his fault. Why does he have to be so cute? No, wait, not cute. Drake is much more than that. A puppy is cute. He is like Channing Tatum, Ryan Reynolds, and Ryan Gosling all rolled into one. Beautiful, mouthwatering, hard to resist, and he knows it.
He was actually checking me out. Well, I’m not interested. He is all charm and arrogance like he is used to having his way. It’s like he is always on except for that one moment he dropped the smarmy smile and looked like he wasn’t quite in control of everything around him. Before I even had a chance to blink, he was back to his usual façade.
I pull into Aunt Vi’s driveway and notice she is watering her plants along the front porch. I hop out of her ‘58 cherry-red Chevy Impala convertible. I can’t believe she let me drive it. Riding in the Impala was one of my favorite things to do on our visits when I was little. We would go to the local drive-in that was still open and all sit in the back seat together, stuffing ourselves with popcorn and candy.
I rub my hand along the side as I make my way to the porch. “Hey, Aunt Vi,” I say as I take a seat on the steps that lead up to the porch. She stands at the top, in her soft, A-line floral-print skirt and white cotton button-down blouse neatly tucked in. She looks like she belongs in a Martha Stewart magazine.
“Hello, dear. Did you get all registered?” She continues to move around to the different potted plants that line the railing of the porch.
I shrug. “No, ma’am. I was missing one paper I needed with Dad’s signature on it. I know I had it this morning. I guess I left it on my bed by accident. The counselor told me to just come back, and they would have everything ready for me.” I stare out over the front lawn, wondering how she keeps it so green in this sweltering heat.
I notice a pitcher of lemonade sitting near the steps and reach over to pour myself a glass. I take a drink, and it’s the most refreshing feeling as the liquid slides down my throat. It’s just like Aunt Vi to have this made and ready for anyone who might stop by. There isn’t anything more refreshing than her fresh squeezed lemonade.
Interrupting my thoughts, she stares down at me and says, “Well, don’t wait too long, Selene. It will be better if you just get that taken care of. Then you can enjoy the last few weeks of summer.” I nod as I stand up and make my way up the steps to the front door.
As I reach for the handle of the screen door, I stop and turn toward my Aunt. “Aunt Violette, what’s the story with that boy who was here a few days ago?”
I don’t want to let her know I remember his name. I don’t even know why. It just seems like it would make my question more important if I did.
“Are you talking about Drake? Drake Thomas, dear?” She is now looking at me with tenderness.
“Uh, I—yeah, I think that’s his name.” I try to sound casual as I speak.
She is watching me with a knowing look. I need to set her straight. It’s not what she thinks. I’m not interested. I’m just curious. Is that the same thing?
I speak again before she can say anything. “It’s just that I ran into him at the school just now.” Literally, I mutter under my breath.
She sits her body carefully into one of the wooden rockers and uses one foot to gently rock herself as she replies, “Well, Drake is the mayor’s son. He is quite the athlete, and I hear very popular among his peers, especially the girls.”
I notice a gleam in her eyes as she mentions the girls. Of course he is popular with the girls. Who wouldn’t want hotty toddy, ChanRyRy? Well, I don’t, I tell myself quickly. Of course I don’t.
“Anyway, you may remember his sister, Lacey. She always came around and helped me here at the house. She was here a few times when you were visiting with your mama.”
At the mention of my mother, a knot suddenly forms in the middle of my chest, and I subconsciously begin to try to rub it out. Aunt Vi continues, “She was a sweet little blonde thing with the prettiest hazel green eyes.”
I think back over the years, and I do remember a girl my age. She was sweet. In fact, she was the one who told Mama and me about the hidden spot on the river we loved so much. How did I forget that? It might be nice to see her again. I could always use a friend, and since I sort of know her already, it would make things less awkward once school started. So she’s Drake’s sister. Well, that doesn’t matter.
“I do remember—”
I’m cut off by the phone ringing.
Aunt Violette pushes herself up out of the rocker. “I better get that. I’m expecting the roofers to call about that leak in the shed.”
She disappears inside, leaving me thinking of a new school, old acquaintances, and seemingly dangerous boys.
Drake
I TELL LACEY ABOUT SELENE today. As I read the next chapter of the newest romantic adventure to her, I can’t help imaging myself and Selene. Inevitably, fate puts us together, we fall in love, I rescue her, and then we live happily ever after.
I’m pathetic. I mean where are these pansy-ass ideas coming from? So, like any good brother, I blame my sister. This is your fault, I tell her quietly, and I release a small snort.
Seriously, if she didn’t love these ridiculous love stories so much, I wouldn’t be brainwashing myself every weekend into becoming some mushy, lovesick, feeling shithead. So, I tell her so, which leads me to the story of seeing Selene in our secret spot then running into her at Mrs. D’s. I talk an
d talk until I realize I’ve told her every detail of each meeting and how it made me feel. I tell her about Selene’s sun-kissed skin, long golden hair, and fierce green eyes. I give her every detail, knowing I will never hear her teasing laughter, but I feel it down to my core anyway.
Closing the book, I stand and stretch. “Gotta go before Mrs. Durham begins to wonder if I’ve left her hanging today. See ya, sis.”
As I pull into Mrs. Durham’s driveway, I can’t help hoping for another run-in with Selene.
I back my truck in so I can load up the scraps of metal and junk I promised to take to the dump site outside of town this afternoon. As I hop out of my truck, I notice Mrs. D stepping out of the kitchen door onto the covered porch. She cheerfully lifts her hand in a good-morning salute.
“Good Morning, Drake dear, how are you?”
“Good morning. Sorry I’m a little late. I lost track of time with Lacey.”
Mrs. D is the only person who knows how I spend my Saturday mornings. I confided in her when she told me just a couple of weeks after coming around that she went to visit Lacey every Sunday after church. She didn’t actually ask me if I went, and honestly, I didn’t come out and tell her. She only said that the flowers I left were exactly what Lacey would have loved. She never said another word after that.
She has never asked me what happened the night of the accident. There was one day I know she wanted to ask, but when she opened her mouth nothing came out, and she immediately closed it before walking away. I could see it was too painful for her, and I’m glad she didn’t ask. I needed her, and I’m afraid if she knew then she wouldn’t forgive me.
“Drake, you don’t have a set time. And I will never reproach you for spending time with Lacey. In fact, I look forward to visiting her tomorrow. I miss having her around here.” She sighs, and I notice a bit of sadness in her eyes.
It’s such a wonderful feeling to know that Lacey was so loved by this woman. Although, I hate seeing Mrs. Durham hurt. Love isn’t something we were shown very often at home.
I suddenly remember Selene. I wonder where she is right now. Does she like to sleep late? Is she an early riser? Does she drink coffee? There are so many things I wonder about her. It’s strange; I’ve never wanted to know so much about any one person before, especially a girl.
“Well—uh, you have Selene now. Uh…uh…where is she, anyway? Did she get registered for school?” I sound like a complete fucking moron. I can’t even look up at Mrs. D for fear she will see the pathetic cream puff I’m becoming.
I think she knows anyway. I’m pretty sure she just giggled, but she quickly presses her lips together before saying, “My niece is all registered, and as to her whereabouts, she went for a walk about an hour ago.”
Handing me a piece of paper, she changes the subject to our task for the day. “This is a list of what I would like to get done today. I have a few more boxes upstairs in the attic, and then I would like to move the garage sale items into the shed. But put them closer to the front so we can get to them.” She sits in one of the rockers she has set on the porch on every side of the house.
“Yes, ma’am.” I turn to enter the house through the kitchen.
As I pull the screen door open, Mrs. D stops me. “And, Drake, be careful with my Selene. She isn’t one to open up and trust quickly. She has suffered many heartaches and has been let down by one person or another for her whole life.”
I stand still with my back to her, unable to move. What does she mean? Be careful with her? I don’t even know what I want from her. I’m not even…fuck.
“Yes, ma’am.” I walk through the door and get to work.
Selene
I NOTICE THE FAMILIAR BLACK truck parked in the driveway as I walk back up to the house. Stopping dead in my tracks, I dart behind one of the huge oak trees. Damn. What the shit am I supposed to do now? I’m not ready for this. Whatever this is. I just know being around him makes me feel too much.
I forgot he was coming here today. I can feel the pull already, even though I can’t see him as I peer around the tree trunk. My body is so close to the tree that I appear to be hugging it. I don’t have my game face on. I’m not ready to see him. When I say game face, I mean my asshole-repellant war face. Grrr. Grrr, I keep saying to myself, trying to work up my angry-girl attitude. Grrr. Grrr. I peek around the side of the tree again, and still no sign of ChanRyRylicious. I turn back around.
“Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.” A loud growl erupts in my face, so close I can feel the warm breath against my cheek.
I scream and stumble backward over an enormous root protruding out of the ground from the tree. As I’m falling back with my arms flailing to help keep my balance, I feel two large hands encircle my wrist and pull me forward with so much momentum I fly forward into a rock-hard chest. It all happens so fast, I barely stop screaming before I hear a roar of laughter.
The body holding me is shaking so violently with amusement that when his grip relaxes on my wrist, I jerk away from his hold.
“What the hell, Drake? You scared the shit out of me.” I want to be pissed. Asshole. It’s not funny, I think as a mirth tickles my throat. I fight to keep my face straight. He has no right sneaking up on me. The worst part is he heard me growling, and now I’m mortified. I can’t let him know I’m embarrassed, but I’m pretty sure my cheeks are the color of a ripe strawberry.
At this point, Drake is bending over, clutching his stomach as if he were in pain. I hope he is. He looks up and starts to say something, but before he can get a word out he is in another full-blown fit of laughter.
“Nice. Real nice.” I abruptly turn and begin to walk toward the house. I’m trying my best to sound offended to hide my embarrassment. Why am I an idiot around him?
I’m walking as fast as I can without running. I hear him calling my name between his hilarity. I yell over my shoulder as I hear him getting closer to me. “I don’t know you very well, Drake Thomas, but you’re a shit head.” This only causes him to laugh more. I can’t take it anymore, so I whip around to face him. He is only two or three feet behind me.
“It’s not funny. Are you always this way? Do you think people should just fall at your feet?” I try to sound angry and severe. Try being the key word. “I have news for you; I will never fall at your feet. I don’t think you’re funny or charming. Not one bit.”
Of course, the fluttery feeling in my stomach and my irregular heartbeat are contradicting every word I’m spouting, but I continue anyway. “So, if you will excuse me, I have things to do, and I know that you have things to do too.” There! I told him. Yes, I sure did. As I begin to turn around again, his arm flies out and he grabs my wrist, whipping me around to face him.
“Look, Selene. Don’t be mad—please. I’m sorry.” He puts on this pouty face with his lips sticking out slightly. I wonder how soft they are, and my hands itch to reach out and touch them.
“Do you forgive me? Can we start over?” He bats his eyelashes at me.
Drake puts his hand out to me so I can shake it, and his lips tip up at the corners. “Hello, I’m Drake Thomas. Welcome to Montgomery,” he says as his hand remains suspended in the air between us.
His eyes never leave mine. I have no other choice but to give in to his little game. God knows I’m going to regret this. My hand slowly moves to his, and now we’re palm-to-palm. My god, I’m in trouble, but he doesn’t need to know that. “Hi, I’m Selene Chandler.” I hesitate before adding, “This is much better, but I’m still not falling for your shit.”
“You say shit a lot,” he states in a matter-of-fact tone without letting go of my hand. His smile is wider now.
“And?” I retort as I yank my hand out of his grasp. It was beginning to feel too comfortable.
“Just noticed, that’s all.” Again, he still wears a smirk like he’s won something. It irritates the shit out of me, but it is irresistible at the same time. Ugh. I want to smile. I hate being a girl.
Taking a few steps back, he continues
to beam at me. “Well, Selene Chandler, I better get back to work before Mrs. D has my hide.”
I can’t help but stare at his mouth as he speaks. “Oh, by the way, we’re going to be excellent friends—magnificent.” This sends my walls back up. I’ve never been trusting of people, especially a handsome guy with a cocky grin and oozing charm. But damn if I don’t want to give in to him.
“We will just have to see about that,” I yell over my shoulder as I hurry up the back porch steps, into the house. I don’t even sound convincing to myself, and I can’t help the pleased look that spreads across my face.
Drake
I’M FINALLY DONE PUTTING EVERY last scrap of metal and junk into the back of my truck. I hop out of the back and lift the tailgate closed. Taking off my gloves, I put them in my back pocket before wiping a trickle of perspiration from my brow. The temperature has reached a record high for the day, and I’m dripping with sweat.
I’ve been working hard for several hours without stopping. There hasn’t been any sign of Mrs. Durham or of Selene. As I was working, I thought about the confidence Selene tries to display when I’m around her. She is so different from any girl I’ve ever met. It’s refreshing that she doesn’t fall at my feet—well, at least not in the same sense as most girls. She is a bit accident prone, which only makes her more adorable and interesting.
Lacey would have really liked her, and I can’t help but laugh to myself imagining how they would have ganged up on me. It was always Lacey who kept me grounded, and since she’s been gone, I haven't been able to keep myself there. Since meeting Selene, I feel that same sense of calm.
I was serious when I said we were going to be friends. I know without a doubt after today, when I caught her talking to herself and growling, that I have to know her. I chuckle a little, thinking about her growling. I’m not even sure what she was doing, but damn if it didn’t make her more appealing. There is no choice for me; I need her to be in my life.
When Destinies Collide Page 4
