“How do you know that?” I said, not turning around to look at Becky. “Maybe she is just daydreaming about something completely out there.”
“Well, that’s obviously possible, but I don’t think so.”
“How do you know?”
“She’s just one of those people who is easy to read. You have to admit yourself Becky isn’t really too hard to figure out.”
I smiled. “But I am?”
He nodded.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“I have a question.”
“More questions?”
“Well, just one—maybe two.”
He nodded.
“What were you doing in the woods that night?”
He chuckled. “I told you—I walk. I don’t sleep well, so sometimes I just walk all night.”
“How did you know how to find me? Um…two questions.”
He smiled again and dropped his head for a moment.
“And at the party…and the bookstore.”
“That’s more than two.”
“Aidan…”
“All right. You want the truth?”
“Of course.”
“I have this thing…where I can feel when danger is close. When there is a strong possibility that someone may be hurt. I don’t know how it happened. It was just…one day I woke up with this odd new feeling. And to think of you being hurt…” He shook his head and lowered it again.
I was silent for a moment. “How does it work?”
He shook his head. “You believe me?”
“I do,” I said, nodding.
“I don’t really know how it works. I usually can’t feel it unless it involves you.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He laughed. “You obviously are, as I have said before, a walking accident.”
“Just a little clumsy,” I answered.
“As an understatement.”
I glared at him.
“You know, Jane…my knight in shining armor act shouldn’t have made you want to talk to me.”
“It didn’t. You talked to me, remember?”
“I’m just saying that Rudy was right—well, about one thing. You really should avoid me.”
“Why?”
“I’m not a very good friend.”
I sighed. “Aidan”—my face burned when I said his name—“you’re strange.”
He smiled. “I know. But you should, and that, to answer one of your first questions, is exactly why I acted that way in class.”
Again, I felt angry over the fact that he affected me so strongly. I tried to ignore it.
“Maybe I will then!”
He nodded. “It’s probably better for you.”
“Okay, so now it’s suddenly better for you to not talk to me?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I snapped. “At least you warned me this time, so don’t be mad when I don’t talk to you.”
“It’s not that I want you to avoid me—”
“Make up your mind, Aidan.”
“It’s just that it would be best,” he said, ignoring my response. “It’s just that…well, as a person I like you…enough to be good friends, but I would let you down. It’s in my nature. So logically you should avoid that. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Maybe this time I’ll do what I should.”
“Be careful who you choose to rescue, Jane.”
I glowered at him, and when the lunch bell rang, Aidan was gone before I could blink.
Ignoring him proved to be easier than expected. When I didn’t speak to him, he didn’t speak to me—that simple. He still sat next to me in history, but there was obvious tension and coolness between us. Aaron seemed pleased by that and always took the seat at my other side.
“Do you know if Becky has seen Jared lately?” he asked at the beginning of class before Aidan had taken his normal seat.
“I don’t know.” I giggled. “After the party, they sort of stopped hanging out.”
“Oh.”
“Why?”
“No reason. Just curious.”
“Mm hmm.”
“Okay…so I kind of like her.”
I smiled. “I kind of hoped you did.”
“Did you?”
I nodded. “You’d be good for her. Becky needs a decent guy like you.”
“Oh. Well…what about you and Rudy?”
“Rudy?” I cried. “What about me and Rudy?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he said. “He’s always liked you.”
“I’m not exactly on speaking terms with Rudy right now,” I snarled.
“Why?”
“Long story.”
He nodded, realizing by my tone that I didn’t want to talk about it. I could feel Aidan’s eyes on me, and I tried to ignore. He was so close that all I would have to do is move a few inches to touch him. I wished I could touch him, wished it would have been normal. He was too perfect—and beautiful—and dark. He was also irritating and confusing. I couldn’t believe that I even thought for one second that he could like me. I always knew I was too average for somebody like him, but yet he had rescued me. If it was just that he cared about people, he would have stayed at Andrew’s and watched over Becky. Instead…he took me to a movie. I shook off the thoughts of him. Nobody should make me tremble and lose my breath that way, him least of all.
Chapter Eight
Becky stopped by after school. She mentioned how fun a shopping trip would be.
“Becky, why would I go shopping?”
“Because I’m your best friend and you love me.” She chuckled and batted her eyelashes playfully.
“I don’t know. What are we shopping for?”
She averted her gaze, staring at my bookshelf.
“Becky,” I whined, “no more plotting.”
“It’s the only way to get you to do this,” she said, meeting my eyes again. “This may be more difficult than the party.”
“Just tell me.”
“It’s been really sunny lately—or haven’t you noticed?”
My mind had been elsewhere. I hadn’t noticed at all.
“And I was thinking about heading down to the mall and buying new swimsuits for a beach trip.”
“What? You want me to wear a swimsuit?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on, Jane,” she pleaded, clasping her hands together. “Just come.”
“I’ll go with you to the beach. I’ll even go shopping with you. I just…”
“No shorts and a T-shirt this time, Jane. Please.”
I sighed. I hadn’t seen Becky in almost two years, and she had given up many dinner dates and movie nights to stay in with me. I guess I owed her.
I sighed. “Okay, but no bikinis.”
She squealed and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
Becky tried on at least seven different bathing suits until she found one she liked. I almost hated how everything looked good on her. She ended up buying a black bikini with white polka dots, showing off her new belly button piercing.
I ended up giving in when Becky insisted that I buy the one piece with the holes in the sides. At least it came in my color. I was relieved I could wear red; it was my comfort color, oddly enough since I shied away from attention, but being normal was never something I strived for. My suit was low cut, and I kept pulling it up.
“Stop it,” Becky said, laughing. “A little bit of cleavage is a good thing. Be thankful you have some.”
I frowned, not wanting to be that exposed. I would already be drawing attention to myself, being with an attractive girl and wearing bright red.
It was still sunny by the weekend, and Becky seemed overly thrilled that the beach trip was still on. I was tempted to put on my old pair of shorts and my black tank, but I had to do this one thing for Becky. I put on my red swimsuit and examined myself in the mirr
or, not unpleased with the way I looked but uncomfortable. I put on a pair of black form-fitting sweatpants over the suit, at least until we got to the beach. I pulled the top up again and covered my pale skin with sunscreen. I grabbed my towel and headed to Becky’s truck.
This was not exactly my ideal day off. I hated to ruin Becky’s fun, so I smiled as often as possible and engaged in conversation. Eventually, I forgot about the discomfort I was feeling. That lasted only until I got out of the car and stepped onto the hot sand.
It was sunny and warm but not as warm as it would have been back in California. Still, it was very unusual for it to be so warm this time of year. The sun was lower in the sky than I expected, but the sky was blue instead of that light gray color I was used to. No rain clouds to make me nervous either. It was nice.
I listened to Becky’s babble about the newest “hottie” in her French class. My mind was elsewhere. I managed to tune in when I heard her mutter something about how he was a senior. I took the opportunity.
“You know, Becky, it wouldn’t be too bad to go for a guy your age.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like maybe…Aaron for example?”
“Aaron? As in Aaron Raines?”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with Aaron?”
“Well, nothing. It’s just—”
“Then there’s no problem?”
“He’s just…a little too…I don’t know. Geeky?”
I laughed. “Oh, come on, Becky. He’s a sweet guy, and he likes you.”
“Does he?”
“Oh, like it’s not obvious. Come on!”
She smiled. “I don’t particularly like his type.”
“Type?” I was almost offended. “What do you mean type? You know, Becky, most people would consider themselves lucky to have a guy like him.”
“Then why don’t you date him?” She was angry now.
I sighed. “Never mind.” That definitely didn’t go as planned.
The tension lessened when I was willing to talk to Becky about things that interested her more, like Jared Emery.
“Oh God.” She laughed, almost synthetically. “That guy was so drunk at Gallagher’s I’m surprised he remembers me being there. I don’t think he remembers knocking me over.”
I laughed. “Becky, I didn’t think you remembered that.”
“Okay, I wasn’t that wasted, Jane.”
“You were wasted enough—definitely. Your wild streak shone a little brighter than usual that night.”
It had gotten pretty cold later, and Becky insisted on staying late and lighting a bonfire as soon as it got dark, but no rain bothered us even after the sun set.
“You trying to burn down the nearby houses?” I chuckled.
“Oh, this is fun. Admit it.”
“Sure, but where are the marshmallows?”
I was only joking, but sure enough, Becky had two bags full. Again, I sat mostly silent except for an occasional laugh or one-word response as she gossiped. It was only until the subject reached me that I joined the conversation—mostly to try and change the subject.
“So, you haven’t said anything about your new man.”
“That’s because I don’t have one.”
Becky was persistent. “But you went out with Aidan, didn’t you?”
“It was one time,” I answered. “I wanted to leave that awful party, and I had to come back to make sure you were all right anyway.”
“Still,” she said, laughing. “It was crazy of me to…” She broke off. “Never mind.”
“No, what?”
“Nothing. It's just that he’s so gorgeous. I was silly to think he’d like me when you were right there.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why do you think people stare, Jane? Because you’re from outer space?”
I looked away, staring at the flames and charring wood.
“You’re beautiful,” she added. “I wish you knew that.”
I shunned her. “Let’s keep me out of the conversation.”
She let out a short breathy laugh. “Sure, sure.”
She dropped it there, and I daydreamed through her babble, looking for shapes and pictures in the fire. For whatever reason, I wasn’t seeing Danny’s face in the flames like I normally would have—I was seeing Aidan’s. I sighed and looked away at the waves. The water was dark and not as beautiful without the sunlight sparkling across it or the sunset reflecting. The fire was much more interesting. Becky was busy taking pictures.
I laughed quietly.
“You awake over there, Jane?” she hissed playfully.
I glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah. But I should be getting home. Ethan won’t be happy if I stumble in near dawn.”
Becky laughed cheerfully, still full of energy like she always was. “Sounds like your dad. Sometimes I wish my mom would tell me no. Would at least mean she notices me.”
I didn’t answer. That topic was uncomfortable for the both of us.
Becky drove me home, chattering the entire time. I wasn’t listening to much of it.
“I love driving,” she said. I had no idea where that comment came from since I wasn’t listening, but I took the opportunity to reply.
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’s relaxing.”
“Oh, well I was kind of thinking about a road trip.”
She laughed. “You feeling okay?”
“No, I’m serious.” I laughed, smacking her arm. “I mean, not just for fun. I wanted to go visit my mom.”
“OH,” she answered. “That sounds more like you.”
“Hey, I’m not that boring, Becky.”
“I didn’t say you were boring.” She giggled.
“Well, what do you think?”
“When?”
“Winter break. You can spend Christmas with us.”
She smiled widely. “Great! I’d love to.”
I wondered how long it had been since Becky had a real Christmas. I decided not to ask.
“Can’t wait to wake up Christmas morning in California.”
“It’s not like it would be snowing.” I laughed.
“Not entirely my point.” She wasn’t smiling anymore. “I’ve just always dreamed of waking up to the smell of apple pie and cider, to the sounds of Christmas music from the stereo in the other room—anything like that.”
“I guess my family’s more normal than I thought.”
She laughed. “Your family defines normal…even if you don’t.”
I laughed. “Glad you’re excited.”
Becky stayed over, and we were up half the night, planning our road trip. She seemed even more excited about it than I was.
“What should I get for your mom?” she asked, still smiling as usual.
“I’m not sure. I’ll take care of that.”
She laughed. “No, I want to get her something that’s only from me.”
I giggled and shook my head. “Suit yourself.”
“So…does your mom make apple pie and eggnog and cook ham and all of that?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s so amazing. Does she still do the whole stocking thing, or are you too old for that now?”
I laughed again. “To my mom, I’ll always be six.”
She almost started jumping up and down. It was so funny. I wished then I invited her over for Christmas before.
We would have to leave before Christmas Eve to make it there in time, meaning I wouldn’t even spend that night with Ethan. I was sure he would be celebrating with his work buddies and the Thompsons, so I wasn’t too worried about leaving him.
The next night, I served myself dinner silently as I always did. Ethan didn’t seem at all surprised about the road trip. I didn’t even have to tell him.
“So,” Ethan started, always the first to break the silence. He sipped his coffee then continued. “Are you going to spend Christmas with your mom?”
It was almost like a sudden relief, but I didn’t tell him I had alre
ady planned on it. It was good to know I wouldn’t have to break the news to him and hurt his feelings.
“I was thinking about it. What do you think?”
He smiled. “I won’t be alone if that’s a worry of yours.”
It wasn’t.
“But,” he continued, “if you do want to stay here this year, I wouldn’t tell you no.”
I smiled. “Mom wants to see me, and I think Becky would like to come along.”
“Great. That girl needs a friend like you.”
I nodded. “I know.”
Chapter Nine
Becky and I had decided to leave the twenty-second. That way we would make it to my mom’s by Christmas Eve so Becky could wake up to the smells of Christmas like she was dreaming about. We took my car, and for the first hour of driving, Becky didn’t once hold still.
“Is your mom mad?” I asked.
“What?”
“Your mom,” I repeated. “Is she mad you’re leaving her?”
“No.” She laughed. “Of course not. She’s with her new boyfriend, Cal or Carl or whatever his name is. She goes through them so fast I can’t keep track.”
Becky must have been getting a bit of that from her mom.
“Just making sure I’m not causing any waves doing this for us.”
She smiled. “It’s worth it even if you were.”
I laughed silently. I started imagining what it would be like to be back home for a while with my mom. I couldn’t hold in the smile. I was more excited than I realized. I hadn’t noticed before how much I missed her.
The drive was brutal, and we didn’t have time to stop for longer than a few minutes at a time. We stopped at a gas station to fill up and grab a few snacks.
“I think it’s my turn now,” Becky said, laughing. “To drive.”
I had been driving for six hours. I was more than willing to let her. “Thanks.”
I fell asleep in the passenger’s seat while Becky drove, but every bump she hit would jolt me back awake.
“Jane, look!” she yelled.
I bolted up to see a sign saying “CA 300 miles.” She woke me up for that? I put my head back again and tried to get some sleep.
Becky was like a rock when I took over driving again. Nothing woke her up, so the road trip wasn’t going to be the fun part of this plan. I kept my focus on my mom, hoping it would take my mind off the cramping in my legs.
Summers' Deceit (Hunters Trilogy Book 1) Page 7
