The next ball flies, and she squeals. “Oh my God! I did it! Did you see that?”
“See? I told you you could! Now hit a few more. Let all your aggression of the week out on the balls. I promise you’ll feel ten times better by the last pitch.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sarah
I thought he was insane. Well, okay, I was ready to kick his ass when he didn’t take me home and instead took me to an indoor batting cage.
But surprisingly enough, I actually did have a really good time. I guess I didn’t think my visit with my parents would affect me the way it did. I was wrong. My mom tore a hole straight into my heart. The hatred in her eyes. The malicious smile. The words laced with venom.
When I got off the plane, it felt like the first day I arrived at my auntie and uncle’s. Only I wasn’t trying to inflict my pain upon Madison, making her life miserable. Nope. I wanted to forget. Forget the awful past attached to me. Forget about breaking Graham’s heart. I didn’t want the memories.
Sexual bliss sounded like the perfect way to do that. But Graham turned me down, and it felt like I was being rejected by everyone around me.
Then we ended up here. And I’m actually happy we did this. I’m so glad I trusted him.
“Babe, you all right over there? You’re awfully quiet.”
“I’m good. Thanks for this. Really. You were right; I feel a lot better.”
His lips curl into that sexy smile that makes my heart melt. “I’ll say or do stupid things from time to time. But I promise I will always make up for them. Just stick with me, and I will always do everything to put a smile on your face. Even if I wasn’t the person who erased it.”
His hand finds mine, and I smile. “I love you.”
“I love you too, sunshine.”
***
A week later, my interview is on TV.
I do not want to watch it, but Kyle is waiting for the next football game to come on when I hear my voice. I turn back to the screen and cringe.
Kyle glances at me and then back at the screen. “Um … I can change it.”
“No. I, uh … ” What can I say? I’m curious. I take a seat next to him.
“If it gets weird or whatever, let me know. I’ll change it.”
I nod. Watching yourself on TV is kind of strange. I mean, I feel like there are two of me. I know there isn’t, but it feels that way. My mannerisms are so mechanical. Did anyone else notice this? And my dad, well, he looks so much older from this angle. The interview changes.
A light nudge in my ribs diverts my attention to Kyle. “You still, oh … whoa. Really?”
I grab the controller and turn up the volume a few more notches. My insides quiver. My voice booms, “I’m keeping the money. I’m not giving it to the employees you stole from.” And then my nose wrinkles.
Oh my God! That’s not what I said!
“I didn’t say that,” I yell. “I swear! Ask Graham. He was sitting right beside me.”
Kyle shakes his head as he shuts the TV off. “Sarah, this is why we told you not to go. That woman was from one of those scandal-type programs. They twist the truth because it’s drama. That’s what they feed off of. And the fact that you took a cut from them doesn’t look good at all.”
“I didn’t, though. I mean, yes, they gave me money, but it’s in a fund for those employees. I don’t have any of it in my own personal account.”
“Well, that’s great. But other people aren’t going to see it like that.”
Auntie Heather walks into the room with a deep frown upon her face. Growing up, I never cared if I disappointed people. I did it often enough it sort of felt expected. But that changed after I moved in with my auntie. Now, I can’t bear the thought of disappointing her.
“Auntie Heather?”
“Please don’t. I need time to process this.” She walks out of the room and upstairs. I want to follow. Kyle gets up off the couch and starts for the kitchen.
This is a mess. It was never supposed to be like this. I was just supposed to get the money and try to repay those people. Not this. Now what am I going to do?
Madison flies through the front room looking around, and her gaze lands on me. Tears are welled up in her eyes. Her hands are in tight balls at her sides and shaking. “I trusted you! I thought you changed! You’re just a monster. Those poor people, you sneered in disgust like they were mud on your shoes. Are you kidding me?”
“Maddy. I didn’t.”
“Save it!” She turns away and focuses on Kyle. “Tell Mom if she’s here”—she points at me—“I’m not going to be. I’ll be at Bryce’s. I’m not sharing a room with her ever again!”
“Mads, you’re being unreasonable,” Kyle says. “You know that station is just gossip. Sarah said she didn’t say that shit. Graham was there.”
“Right. Because I told him to go. But here’s the funny thing: I didn’t see Graham in the room during either interview. So explain that one. Oh, and if she didn’t say it, how did they get her on camera saying it? Hmmm?”
“I did say it but not like that!” I scream at her. “I said I was putting the money into an account for the people my parents stole from. They just used my words and twisted them around!”
She glares at me. “Plausible story. I will believe it when I actually see it.” She rushes up to her room and comes back down a few minutes later hauling her suitcase with her.
“Maddy, as soon as Dad finds out where you went he’s going to drag you back over here,” Kyle points out. “He won’t care if you’re engaged or not.”
“Let him. I’ll just take a trip down to city hall.” And with that, she walks out the door, leaving Kyle with his mouth hanging open.
My stomach twists as soon as the phone rings. “Kyle?”
“I’m not answering it. Let the machine get it.”
We do. Fifteen phone calls and at least a dozen hateful things spew from that tiny recording box. On call number sixteen, Kyle rips the cords from the phone and the answering machine. “The game’s on. Wanna watch?” he asks as he returns to living room with a soda and a big tub of popcorn.
“I think I’m going to go lie down.”
He nods. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”
I try to smile, but my lips don’t want to move up. I head to my room and slump down on my bed. Why do bad people always win?
Chapter Thirty-Six
Graham
I saw the interview. I try calling Sarah, but her phone is off. The Issacs’ house phone is off the hook. And Maddy. Well, she basically chewed my head off for even asking about Sarah.
So it came down to plan B. I needed to see her.
I hurry down the steps and turn the corner to step into the garage. “Graham, there is some mail for you on the table.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll get it later.” It’s not like those Howlers in Harry Potter. My mail isn’t going to come to life, read itself, and then self-destruct. Yes, I read the books. And you know what? I loved them. But enough about that. The mail can wait. Sarah. She needs me right now.
My mom comes barreling out of the kitchen with a letter in hand. “It’s from the school.” She hands it over to me, and I study it.
Sure enough, the envelope is thin and has the school’s insignia in the corner. This can’t be good news. No good news ever comes in tiny letters. I rip one edge straight across and pull the single letter out. I read it quickly. I blink then read it again.
“What’s wrong?” my mom asks.
I divert my attention to her. “I can go back to school.”
“What? When?”
“According to this, as soon as winter break is over.”
She smiles. I guess I should be smiling too, but I can’t. This is what I wanted. It feels empty, though. Why?
“What’s wrong?” my mom asks.
“Nothing. I’m going to go to Madison’s.”
She nods. “Don’t stay out too late.”
“Yeah, sure.”
/> ***
My knuckles rap on the wooden door.
Out of the corner of my eye I see the curtain in the front room flicker. Then the door opens. Kyle cracks it like I’m a stranger. “What do you want, man?”
“Kyle, why are you acting weird? Let me in.”
“Can’t. Sarah isn’t seeing anyone. And if you’re looking for Mads, she’s next door,” he grumbles.
“I need to see Sarah. Let me in.” I try to nudge my foot between the crack, but Kyle slams it closed.
“Kyle!” I bang on the door. “Kyle! Open up!”
“Dude! I told you she’s not seeing anyone. Go home!” he yells through the door.
All right. He doesn’t want to open the door? Fine. I’ll just go through the window.
One time freshman year, Madison’s parents went to one of Kyle’s games and locked the house up, but Maddy forgot her key. So she took the tall ladder from her parents’ toolshed and entered through her window. I just hope the ladder is still there and the toolshed is unlocked.
Yes! It is unlocked. I glance around, but there’s no ladder. Son of a bitch!
Plan C.
I march over to Bryce’s house. He answers the door the second time I ring the doorbell.
His hair is all a mess, and he’s shirtless and in his boxer shorts. His expression is between surprise and grumpy. “What the heck? Call much?”
“Yeah. No. Listen, I’ll be quick then you can go back to fucking your girlfriend.”
He glares at me. “Watch it, or I’ll punch you in the mouth then shut this door right in your face.”
“Whatever. Do you have a big ladder?”
“Why? Don’t you have one?” He looks utterly annoyed.
“Bryce, if that’s my parents, tell them I’m not coming back until that bitch leaves!” Madison bellows from somewhere in the house.
Bryce turns away from me. “Not them, babe. Go on back up, I’ll be there in a second.”
“Oh, who’s here?”
“Dude, ladder?” I say. “Trying to break in.”
Bryce glances back at me. “Wait. What? Have you lost your fucking mind? You’re in enough hot water as it is. You want to get busted and wind up in jail and drag me along with you? Fuck off, Graham!”
“No, asswipe. I’m just busting into Maddy’s room. Now give me a ladder.”
The door opens wider, and a really pissed off Madison is facing me. “Did you just say you’re trying to break into my room?”
“Jesus, I don’t have time for this!” I yelled at her. “Your dick of a brother won’t let me in!”
She sighs. “Fine. Break in. Although I don’t see why you want to. You’re better than this. She’s a horrible person!”
“Madison! Shut up! All that shit on the interview was taken out of context,” I growl.
“You know what, dude? Ladder’s in the garage. Don’t fucking yell at my girl because of what we saw on the news. Let’s not forget the fact that Sarah cheated on you and did horrible shit to Mads most of her life.”
I huff out my frustration. “I know. I got it. Maddy, sorry for being pissy. Thanks for the ladder, man.”
I head to the garage, which opens a minute later. Bryce points to the wall. He turns back into the house before I can even get out a thank you. God, he’s so moody. Of course I’d probably be equally as pissed if I was in the middle of getting some and he came over asking for something.
I line it up against the house just under Madison’s window and climb the cold steel rungs. Hopefully the window is still unlocked. If it isn’t, I hope she lets me in.
At the window, I try to push it up. It goes a little, and then the damn thing sticks. Shit! I try forcing it up more, but it’s not budging. This isn’t my only problem, though.
A blood-curdling scream comes from the room.
“Sarah!” I yell, trying to bust the window. Lights in her room flip on. Kyle and Mrs. Issac rush over to the window.
The curtain separates, and Kyle shakes his head at me. Mrs. Issac, on the other hand, scolds me. “Graham Nichols! What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I … uh … I needed to see Sarah.”
She glowers at me. “We use the front door. Not windows.” She slams the window shut and locks it.
Well, this sucks.
I climb down the ladder and return it to Bryce’s garage. After I close his door, I return to the Issacs’ house.
Mrs. Issac steps out on the porch wrapped up in sweater. “She doesn’t want to see you. She doesn’t want to see anyone. I know you mean well, but if I ever catch you trying to sneak into my house again, you will not like me. Do I make myself clear?”
I nod. “I just wanted to let her know I’m here. Can you tell her?”
“When she’s ready, hon, she’ll call.” She walks back into the house, so I head home.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Sarah
I’m being a big, spoiled brat. I totally know this. But it doesn’t matter.
When I finally got the courage to visit Graham, his mom told me he was at his last meeting.
“Last meeting?”
“The school has decided to let him attend spring semester,” Ms. Nichols said with so much delight. I only wished I could have felt that kind of joy over the news she gave me. I couldn’t.
So I faked a smile and left.
I’ve refuse to see him ever since. What would be the point? He’s leaving. Just like everyone I’ve ever cared about.
What sucks the most is how much I miss him. Break isn’t even over yet, and I crave his presence. This is why I need to keep him away from me. I’m so attached. The boy has stolen my damn soul. Yes, it’s my fault for letting him take it. And now, I have to figure out how to get over someone a second time. How do you possibly move on after they stole all of you? Can someone tell me?
With my very bruised heart, I head to work. Michelle waves to me, but I barely wave back. She’s been kind enough to let me sulk. She hasn’t pushed. Unlike Madison, who has apologized but constantly asks me why I won’t see Graham.
She doesn’t understand. And I’m not going to explain it to her. Waiting to see someone on the weekends sucks! Waiting to see them for months really blows. And that’s what this would be.
“Hey, chica, you know I’m here for you, right?”
I nod. “Thanks.”
“Your boy is in here. I’d lie for you, but I’m pretty sure he’ll spot that eyesore of a car you drive in the lot.”
I nod again. “I’ll go in the back and start on the tills.”
“Oh, um … Brandon says he wants you to go count inventory.”
“But … I always count tills.”
She frowns at me. “I know. Uh … It’s just … Oh, for goodness’ sake. Listen, Brandon is just being paranoid about your … Just go do some inventory today, and I’ll talk to him. Promise.”
“Don’t bother.” I stomp off to Brandon’s office and enter without knocking.
He sets down his phone and blushes. “Sarah? What can I do for ya?”
“Nothing. It’s what I can do for you. I quit. So you won’t have to worry if I’m a good employee or a thief like my parents.” I slam my name tag down on his desk.
I pivot to leave, and he stutters, “N-now, t-that’s not what we think.”
I swivel back around. “We? We? You know, I actually don’t care. I quit. End of story.”
As I’m leaving, Brandon follows. “Sarah, be reasonable!”
I flip him off. He’s not my boss. He’s nobody. Fuck him.
“Sarah,” Michelle says as I pass the customer service counter, “where are you—”.
I keep marching right out the door. There is no reason to answer them. Any of them really.
In the parking lot, I don’t expect someone to stop me. But I’m wrong once again. A hand latches on to my wrist. “Sarah, what’s going on?”
“Let me go, Graham.”
“Look at me please.” He tries to raise my he
ad up, but I turn away.
“Let me go. Please.”
He does. “Okay. I just … Are you okay?”
I hate that he knows me so well. Why couldn’t he hate me like most people do? Why couldn’t he just give up on me? “I gotta go.” I hurry off to my car and shut myself in it. Part of me wishes he’d come pounding on my window. The other part is grateful he lets me leave.
Nothing stops the tears or the ache in my chest.
***
Maddy studies me from the far side of our room. “What?” I growl.
“I’m sorry. Truly I am.”
“Madison.” I rub my temples. “I know. I told you a billion times that I forgive you.”
She walks over to my bed and sits down. “Want to do something? We’ll leave the city. Take a long drive to no specific destination. We’ll stop when we reach a fourth of a tank. Or something like that. What do you say?”
“I don’t feel like leaving.” I lay back on the bed and stare at the ceiling.
“Too bad.” Her face blocks my view. “It’s my birthday, and this is what I want to do. Let’s go.”
She grabs my hands and yanks me off the bed. “First, you need to change. I’m not taking a road trip with you dressed like that. You can put on PJs or be in totes grunge mode, but you can’t be in that godawful cashier outfit.”
I laugh. It’s the first genuine one I’ve managed for a week. I go grab a change of clothes. “Don’t you have a special date with Bryce tonight?”
She smiles. “We’ll be back in time for it. And if I’m a little late, it’ll be okay. He’ll understand.”
“Must be nice,” I mutter.
“Hey. You’ll get through this. I promise. And I know you want me drop it, and I swear I am, but not until after I say this: Graham’s a really good guy, and he loves you. I mean, he did piss my mom off by trying to climb through our window. But he was dying to see you, to make sure you were okay. Seriously, if it wasn’t for him I’d probably still be mad.”
Graham (Scandalous Boys Book 2) Page 17
