"Well Governor, do I have your endorsement on my new foreign policies?"
"I will safely say I can support all of your policies, both foreign and domestic." He smiles in a polite respectful way.
"Glad to have you on board."
The guys move over and allow me space on the hood of the car. I continue swaying to the music, actually having a good time. Jesson stands in front of me and swigs back his beer.
"Want to dance?" he asks. I like how he doesn't seem overly enamored by me. Sam and Elijah always have this look on their face like I am some exotic creature that holds the world in her hands. They seem to put me on some pedestal I don't deserve to be on. Jesson offers me his hand and I hop off the hood. We began to move. His friends move forward, allowing us a small dance floor and continuing their conversation about some football game this weekend.
"You are one cool chick," Jesson says into my ear.
"Thanks, you are pretty cool too."
"So do you live nearby?" His question first makes me wonder if he thinks I would offer to take him there. But our school is a magnet program so most of the students don't live close by but have to commute like I do.
"I live in Sandbridge. You?"
"Cool, me too," he says. We continue to dance for a while and I finish my can of wine again and it makes me sad. I look inside and see the silver bottom reflecting back at me.
"I am going to get a refill."
"I'll walk with you," Jesson offers. I sneak over to Elijah's cooler hidden behind a large pine and find the flask is empty. Aw boo. I plop down on the soft pine needles and look pitifully at my empty can.
"All gone huh?" Jesson asks in a gentle voice. I nod.
"Oh well, I have some beer in my car if you want?" I crinkle my face and shake my head. He offers me a hand up and I take it.
"Thanks but I'd better go check on my friends."
"Cool, catch ya later Bren." Elijah catches my eye as I emerge from behind the tree. He follows Jesson with his eyes and wonders what I have been up to. Peyton is standing in front of him still trying to get her hooks in no doubt. He leaves her standing there in mid-sentence and strides over to me. The look on her face is priceless.
"Having fun?" Elijah asks. His voice is unreadable. He looks too delectable in his white polo and well-fitting jeans. He smells like heaven. I sway back and forth to the music in front of him.
"Dance with me," I say, still not able to read his mood but not caring either way. Metisse is singing to some eclectic Indian beat and it is sexy. My wrists roll around in the air like a gypsy, my hips curl in and out in small circles, inviting him in, and then he is there moving with me. He accentuates my moves, his grace and form are mind numbing. He is not touching me but matches my rhythm as my own shadow would. I can feel the heat rolling off of his body like he is the sun, and we orbit each other. I don't want this moment to ever end and then all too soon, it does. The song is over and reality grounds us as a thick layer of fog creeps in, we both sigh.
"Brennen, may I drive you home tonight?" I nod at his request. A fight has broken out and Elijah leaves me to go break it up. I am unconcerned about the fight that has the crowd rushing towards the sound of profanities being screamed. I hear dirt scuffling as the skirmish is quickly put to a halt. Still on cloud nine from my dance with Elijah, I walk over and find Emily, Chris, Sam, and Avery settled in by the fire.
"Well aren't ya'll the cute couple," I say to both of my friends sarcastically. Okay maybe I have had too much to drink by just a little bit, but I have gone passed the point of giving a damn and into– I will probably hate myself in the morning.
Emily takes my arm and leads me to the side.
"Brennen are you okay? Sam feels like shit already, don't rub it in for him even more."
"What are you talking about? I am happy he finally found someone that is not as screwed up as I am. I bet no one wants her dead. I bet her parents are still alive and well. And she is lucky to have Sam. He kissed her and stuck around for more. That is what a good guy looks like right there." I point to Sam. Emily shhh's me and pulls me further away from the crowd. I guess I am kind of loud.
"Bren, Chris told me that Sam and Avery kind of had a fling this summer and she still wants him back but he doesn't feel that way about her. She just keeps trying to talk him into giving her another shot. She won’t leave him alone tonight even though he has basically told her to."
"Oh my Emily, my dear sweet Emily, Sam was not fighting her off. Last I checked he was using his tongue to go fly fishing into her mouth. Save it for someone who cares. I am going home. Elijah is driving me. I'll call you tomorrow, byes Em.” I traipse off toward the string of cars and look for Elijah's baby blue Camaro. The door is unlocked and I get inside and recline the seat. I must have fallen asleep because I am startled awake by the door clicking open. I hear Elijah slide into the leather seat and I put my hand around his muscled forearm. I open one eye to make sure it’s him before closing it again. I see his sweet smile reassure me before I pass out.
Chapter 8 ~ Pajama Day
Ugh, is someone seriously ringing my doorbell? It sounds like a thousand crashing symbols have hit the tile floor. My head is killing me. What time is it anyway? Again, the bell rings, sending another round of stabbing pain into my brain. Okay, okay, I'm coming I mumble to myself. I feel incredibly dizzy when I sit up. I slowly make my way downstairs. Someone will surely die for this. I find myself holding on to the railing apparently still drunk from last night. Why did I drink so much?
Oh, yes, because of you. Sam stands outside my door looking fresh and clean and fully awake. You are the reason I nursed the soda-wine can last night, well half of the reason, the other half is probably next door plotting all of the ways he will never let me live this down. I don't even bother looking at a mirror. I know my hair is a wreck and my teeth are un-brushed. I open the door anyway. My eyes are only half way opened when I greet my visitor. I swing the door open wide and sweep my arm inside.
"Come on in." I pad to the living room in my bathrobe not bothering to look back and see if he's following me. I am sure my appearance may have sent him running in the other direction. I plop on the sofa and lay my head on the cool pillow.
"Well now, let Dr. Montgomery take a look at his patient." He cracks open the top of a bottle of Gator-aid and puts a couple of pills in my hand. "Here is some ibuprofen for your head."
I pop the pills into my mouth and barely lift my head to swallow them. The cold liquid rushes down my throat and swims in my stomach.
"Thank you Sam, but shouldn't you be tending to Avery's hangover." Sam sits on the floor beside me.
"No Brennen, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I met Avery this summer and it never went anywhere. Last night Emily said you saw me kiss Avery but she actually kissed me. I told her that I had feelings for someone else and she still kept trying to talk to me all night. I didn’t know what to do. I was hoping to spend some time with you at the party but every time I went to find you, you were in the company of some other guy or Avery would track me down again. When you said you had a complicated love life you weren't kidding, I guess I do too."
I move to sit up and drink a long chug of the gator-aid hoping it will rehydrate me, drown out this nasty feeling.
"My lack of a love life is no more complicated than yours. Elijah and I shared one kiss and he just wants to be friends. Jesson and I were just hanging out. He is in my Government class. He didn't even hit on me."
"Wait, if Elijah just wants to be friends then why is he always giving me murderous looks."
"He's my neighbor I guess he is just protective over me I don't know." I lie back down as my head feels like it's in a vice.
Sam sits up straight and looks around. I pry one eye open and try to figure out what he is doing.
"Okay so Elijah is nowhere in sight. When you’re feeling better can I take you out on a date?"
I smile and cover my eyes with my arms.
"No."
"
Oh, um okay." He sighs and begins to get up off the floor. I grab his hand, smiling again.
"Why wait for dinner? Today is pajama day, you can be totally useless with me if you want." I catch his eye and he smiles.
"Only if you let me buy the pizza."
"It’s a date." I try to laugh but I am in too much pain. I drink down the rest of the orange flavored drink and Sam finds the remote to the television. "I am going to try to take a hot bath and see if I can get rid of this headache. Please make yourself at home." He smiles up at me, already tuned to a football game.
I come back down feeling better but still tired. True to my word I am in flannel pajamas and fuzzy socks. Sam smiles up at me.
"Well don't you look all cozy?"
"Come on, kick off your boots and let’s go up to the media room." I go into the kitchen and load up a tray full of junk food. "There that should last us until dinner."
"Very good choice ma’am. Please, allow me." Sam takes the tray and carries it up the stairs to the media room. The room sits behind two navy blue velvet drapery panels. It's dark and has a large overstuffed sectional sofa. I love this room. Sam sits on the end of the sofa and invites me to cuddle in next to him.
I spend the whole day wrapped up with him on that plush sofa. I fall asleep on his chest to some superhero movie. I wake up to the sound of his stomach rumbling in my ear.
"Sorry, I am such a horrible date. Are you ready to order the pizza now?" I say as I pry myself off of his firm chest. He looks adorable smiling back up at me.
"Are you kidding me? Having you in my arms for the past six hours has been the best date I have ever been on."
"And now you know how lazy I am when I declare pajama day."
"Pajama day should be a nationally celebrated holiday. When you are president you need to make that happen."
"I plan on it." Sam chuckles and dials the number for the local pizzeria.
"What do you like on your pie?"
"I like the fresh mozzarella basil one they have," I reply as I go to freshen up in the bathroom.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Oh my goodness, I really like Sam. He is easy to be with. This whole day has felt like I have been hanging out with my best friend. He feels right. I brush my teeth and hair and hop over the back of the sofa for one last movie. I scroll through the Netflix screen and decide on the true test. Will he cry during The Notebook?
My doorbell rings and I leave Sam upstairs to answer it. It’s no surprise Elijah is on my porch. He must have seen Sam’s truck parked outside all day. I open the door only enough to stick my head out.
“Hi Elijah, thanks for bringing me home last night.”
“You are quite welcome Brennen, how are you feeling.” I hear Sam pad down the stairs. Elijah zeroes in on him.
“I feel better, Sam is nursing me back to health. So thanks for checking on me.” I go to shut the door and Elijah bravely puts his hand between the door and jam to stop me. My mouth hangs open.
“Brennen, I ordered more than enough pizza if you want to invite Elijah for dinner.” I smile curtly to Sam and turn back just in time to see Elijah’s smug grin disappear off of his face. I open the door and allow him though.
***
After dinner and the last movie Elijah decided to stick around for, we all go downstairs. I wonder if he has ever heard of the term third wheel. However he didn’t show any objections to Sam and I snuggled up together throughout the movie.
“This has been the best first date ever,” Sam whispers into my ear.
“Mm, agreed,” I say as he gives my neck a soft kiss.
“Did you like sailing with me the other day Brennen? I thought you’d like to do it again one day soon,” Elijah spurts out. Okay he is going too far with the jealousy. Had he been eaves dropping, how could he have heard us?
“Actually Elijah, I found it to be quite cold on board.”
Sam and I both look at him with peaked brows. The look of resentment is thick in his eyes. I stand up, breaking Sam’s hold on my hand, which is just a little too tight all of a sudden. I guess he read into Elijah’s expression too.
“Who's ready for strawberry cheesecake?” I throw out, hoping to curb the tension in the air.
“Why Brennen, did you bake?” Elijah jests with what has now become our own little inside joke.
“Oh yes Elijah, I baked,” I say dripping with contempt.
I slice up the cake and serve it them. Sam takes his plate outside and Elijah and I find ourselves in the kitchen alone. He comes over and stands only inches apart from me.
“So have you had enough of drinking too much?” He smiles that charming I-can-get-anything-I-want-smile and he's right, I melt on cue, despite his inane behavior.
“So what is to you if I have or haven’t, are you coming over to play daddy now?” I am still hurt by his dejection of me two nights ago. He smiles the same smile and the butterflies inside me do the samba.
“If I was your father you'd be getting a spanking from me after your friend goes home,” he says in an evocative low voice. It makes me clinch my breath. He takes a bite of his cake and licks the red glaze from his fork. He is purposely trying to turn me on. He looks humored as he strides off.
Sam has found the ignite button for the outdoor fireplace. What is it with guys and fire? The flames wave delicately above blue shimmering glass beads. I sit beside Sam on the sofa. Elijah lounges sideways in the chair and props his legs up on the arm with his back to us as he dives in to his dessert.
“Brennen this is the best cheesecake I've ever had,” Sam says with exuberance. He has already inhaled his cake. I still can't get the image of Elijah wanting to spank me out of my head, or the fact that I was jealous of a fork.
“Thank you for dessert Brennen, I should get home.” Elijah stands and shakes Sam's hand.
“You’re welcome.” He takes his dish into the kitchen and emerges a second later bounding down the stairs.
***
Sam holds my hand as I walk him outside. We linger in the doorway for a moment.
"Goodnight Brennen and thank you for a night I will never forget."
"Goodnight Sam, thanks for being useless with me today."
"It’s a tough job, but I promise I am the guy to get it done." He slides his hand to the small of my back and gently presses his lips to mine. He pulls me close to his chest and deepens his kiss. I feel my heart becoming undone for him. I lean against the door jam and watch as he backs out of my drive way.
Chapter 9 ~ Revelation
I insisted that Elijah ask someone out on a date to this dance because I didn't want his eyes on me the whole night. So naturally he asked Peyton and they are both downstairs waiting on me to get ready and for the rest of our group to show up in the limo. Sam and I have been dating for a month now. Tonight is the homecoming dance. Elijah is still not keen on Sam and he still tries unsuccessfully to not flirt with me.
I put on a pair of diamond studs that my dad gave me our last Christmas together. I found a short black dress made of satin for tonight. It’s gathered at the waist with a beautiful garnet colored broach. I slip on claret red three inch heels and sing out loud about “My red high heels” while I get ready. I am so glad Sam is tall.
My plan to get my hands on Elijah’s journal tonight has been put into motion. Now I just have to wait. The doorbell rings and I ask Elijah to get the door while I teeter down the stairs trying not to break a leg. Sam is watching me from the bottom stair looking dapper in his black suit and Cabernet colored tie. His soft amber waves look silky and sexy. I bite my lip nervously. He pulls me in and kisses my cheek.
“Baby you have taken my breath away, you are smoking hot.” I blush, three shades of crimson. Elijah is standing beside Peyton with his mouth hanging open, but his eyes are glued to me. Peyton snakes around him, coyly straitening his tie. He frowns at her, and adjusts his own tie. I smile inside. We take the limo to Emily's house where her mother and father gush over us, snapping a million pictures,
and posing us in different scenarios. Emily is in a lovely blush halter top dress and silver satin strappy heels. Her hair is in a fun and funky up-do only she could pull off.
The gymnasium has been transformed into the cheesiest cliché of a homecoming dance ever witnessed, all by design of course. Blue and gold streamers tent the ceiling complete with matching balloon towers every few yards. Centerpieces of white mums adorn each table and golden glittery claw marks are scattered everywhere imaginable. Go Eagles! Rah!
Our group fills up the large table and Emily and Chris return with a round of surely spiked coke. Sam caresses my knee from under the table sending warm heat throughout my core. I whisper in his ear. “I love the way you look in that suit.” I pull suggestively at his tie and he writhes under my spell. I return my attention back to my friends. I sip on my Coke and taste the warm presence of some sort of whiskey ebbing in the aftertaste. I glare up at Emily and she smiles wistfully shrugging it off. Peyton whispers something into Elijah's ear and he rolls his eyes at the inane suggestion. He looks very impatient with her. I down my drink wishing it would wash away the image of Peyton’s tongue running along the edge of Elijah’s ear.
Sam scoots back his chair, offering me his hand. I accept and we are on the floor before I can blink. The song is a slow country song and I can't two-step. Sam places his hand on my back and pulls me in so that we are clamped together and then he moves. His long legs guide mine in step and his hand on the small of my back lets me know just where he wants me. We are like one body moving effortlessly around the dance floor. He twirls and spins me with grace and ease and I laugh. I caress the back of his neck and he cuddles into my neck with kisses as soft as butterfly wings. I could stay out here with him forever. He whispers in my ear.
My Soul to Keep (The Soul Keeper Series - Young Adult Paranormal Romance) Page 8
