She leaned her head against my shoulder and broke down with unrestrained sobs. I could feel my shirt getting wet and no doubt stained with mascara. It would simply add to the Sprite. I wrapped my arms around her.
Black rage was an understatement for what I felt. I wanted to find Carter Hanson and squeeze his balls until they popped. I knew about his asshole tendencies, but why go after Libby? There were plenty of other girls far more experienced and willing. It was almost like he was trying to scare her. I didn’t understand it.
Libby’s sobs slowly ebbed. I had no idea how long it took. I felt like I’d been standing there forever. Her fingers dug into my back as she clung to me. I knew she wasn’t ready to step away and I didn’t have the heart to push her. So I stayed where I was, giving her the silent comfort she so obviously needed while trying to hide her from prying eyes as party-goers wandered up the driveway and into the house. It became increasingly challenging as whispers spread, and when two giggling girls actually came down the driveway to investigate, I couldn’t take it anymore.
I squeezed Libby’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Go for a walk on the beach or something.”
“Are you sure?” Libby’s eyes rounded with surprise. “What about Stella?”
“She’ll understand.” Not really, but I wasn’t about to tell Libby that. Pulling out my phone, I texted Stella and told her to call me when she was ready for a ride.
There’d be backlash, but Libby needed me and I wanted to be there for her.
12
The night air was cool and refreshing. Libby and I walked for only a few minutes before finding a nice little spot on a sandy dune. We sank into it, not caring that our butts would get covered. I whipped off my shoes and dug my toes in, loving the feel of the cool grains against my skin.
There was no doubt about it. Nature was good for the soul.
The pale moonlight was glistening against the gently surging water and I felt safe in the dark, magical haven.
I hoped Libby felt the same way. I peeked a glance at her. She hadn’t said much as we drove down the hill and parked at a nearby beach. It was pretty much deserted, perfect for what Libby needed—a private place to cry.
She wasn’t sobbing anymore, but I noticed her lips pucker every now and then, and a few more tears would descend.
I rubbed her back, not knowing what else to do or say.
Swiping at her tears, she finally drew in a shaky breath and muttered, “It was so insane to think that Carter would even be into me.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s the truth, isn’t it? You told me so.”
I bit my lip, suddenly wishing I hadn’t.
“It’s so unfair.” Libby scowled. “I have two gorgeous sisters who sailed through high school, a mother who could pass for a model and I take after my fat father.” She winced and grabbed my arm. “I love him. Really I do. But why? Why did I have to inherit his genes?”
I licked my bottom lip, wanting to sound sincere. I didn’t have to try hard; I meant was I was about to say. “You’re gorgeous, Libby. You have great genes.”
“That’s easy for a skinny person to say.” She shot me a sardonic frown.
“Hey, at least you have boobs. My brother spent most of my teenage years comparing me to a surfboard.”
Libby tittered. “You’re not that flat.”
“Yeah, I think I graduated to a B cup last year...maybe.” I rolled my eyes. “Come on, look at you, you’ve got a great set.” I pointed at her breasts, which made her giggle.
She thrust them forward and jiggled them. We both laughed, bumping our shoulders together like comrades. But the laughter soon died away, the crappy events of the evening not far from reach.
“I wish I could just disappear sometimes,” Libby whispered then scoffed. “Like a girl this size could vanish, right?”
“Hey,” I softly reprimanded, squeezing her arm.
“Maybe I should just go back and do what he wants. Five minutes of torture could save me from three months of agony.”
“Don’t say that.” My tone was much firmer than I meant it to be, but I was annoyed that she’d even consider it. “You’d hate yourself.”
“What if it’s the only chance I’ll ever get?”
“What are you talking about?”
“For physical contact. I mean what guy is ever going to be into me?”
“Libby, stop it. There’s a guy out there for you and he’ll be kind and sweet and not some jerk who demands blow jobs. You don’t want to be with someone like Carter. No matter how caring they might seem at the time, you’ll come away feeling shallow and tainted.”
She nodded, knowing I was referring to Chase.
Libby sighed. “When Carter first started taking me upstairs tonight, I thought about what you said at school. You know about him being untrustworthy?” Her nose wrinkled. “I was so annoyed with you and I didn’t want your voice in my head.” Her eyes landed on me, sparkling with a gratitude I wasn’t expecting. “But if you hadn’t warned me, maybe I wouldn’t have seen through his gentle persuasion. He was being so nice to me and even when he started unzipping his fly he was making it sound like we were going to do this intimate thing that was special.” She shook her head with a cynical snicker. “He made it seem like we were already a couple. I would have fallen for it, but I couldn’t get past what you said.”
I gave her a soft smile as my insides flooded with intense relief. Thank God I’d said something. What if I’d just walked away?
“I’m sorry for going off at you the other day,” she whispered. “Out of all of Liam’s group, you’re one of the nice ones—you and Indie. I should have listened to you in the first place. I guess I so badly wanted to fit in.”
“I know. I wish high school was easier for you and I’m sorry guys like Carter even exist, but like I said, the right guy is out there.”
Her lips puckered and she shrugged. “I’ve dreamed about having a boyfriend for forever. I keep fooling myself into thinking he’s waiting for me somewhere. Any guy who ever talks to me, I practically fall all over them. I’m pathetic. The only thing people want me for are my smarts. Whoopdeedoo.”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged, her features overrun with a guilt I didn’t understand. “Just people always want help with their homework and stuff. That’s the only time they ever talk to me.”
I frowned, trying to decipher her expression. Maybe I was reading it wrong, the light was dim, but did she feel guilty for helping people with their homework? I didn’t get that.
“Libby—”
“It’ll all be over soon anyway. I’ve applied to a bunch of schools on the east coast. Soon I can fly away from this place and start anew. No sisters to compete with, no mother to feel fat beside. Just me.” She drew in a shaky breath, but then turned to me with a smile. That thought calmed her and I didn’t want to disrupt it by bringing up the homework thing.
“That’s cool, Libby. You’re gonna be great.” I grinned at her, my insides tripping as I suddenly wondered what my future held. No matter where I went, I now had this power. I felt like there was no starting anew anymore. I was cursed...or maybe blessed...until I died.
It felt good to know that Libby hadn’t crossed her own line because of something I’d said. It was with a sinking realization that I knew I wouldn’t have said anything if I hadn’t been able to see. I mean, yes, Carter talking to Libby was weird, but I probably would have brushed it off as none of my business. My newfound power was making me curious and that curiosity just helped someone.
Maybe blocking everyone out wasn’t the answer.
“Help those around you, one person at a time, and you will have a full and happy life.”
The stranger’s voice was clear in my head. As Libby and I sat quietly on that beach, I couldn’t help admitting that maybe the homeless guy was right.
13
Stella was pretty steamed that I left her at the party. I dropp
ed Libby home before going back to collect her. I toyed with the idea of reading my best friend on the way home, but I didn’t have to, she was so drunk she told me everything. She didn’t like that I was changing and so ready to ditch her all the time. She felt abandoned by me and wanted her friend back.
I felt bad and decided to make up for it the next day, but she was either too annoyed to talk to me, or sleeping it off. When the afternoon rolled around and I still hadn’t heard from her, I was forced to put it to rest and deal with it the next day. My house was being overrun with little people and lucky me had been ordered to babysit. I didn’t mind too much. My nephews, Jake and Brody, were gorgeous. They were so full of fun and we always had a blast together.
Isla, my two-year-old niece, was staying with her dad’s parents so it was just me and the boys for the night. My parents were being taken out by their two eldest children for the evening. Seth and Layla did it every year...and I was never invited.
Why would I be? I was the babysitter!
Thankfully, Seth’s girls were somewhere else. I loved them as much as the boys, but put all four together and it was an explosive concoction. I had done it once and my exhausted self had kicked up such a big fuss when everyone got home that I was never asked to do it again.
I checked my watch as I headed down the back steps. Everyone was leaving in half an hour. It would soon be game on and I wanted a second to collect myself.
“Hey, Caity.” Eric’s sweet voice made my insides flutter.
He was standing on his lawn, leaning his surfboard against the fence. He finished drying off his hair and spread the towel out to dry.
I tried not to stumble as I descended the stairs toward him. He propped his arms on the fence as he waited for me. His bare skin smelt fresh and salty. I wondered if he knew how much his shirtless form undid a girl. I was sure he’d wear more clothes if he knew how much it undid me anyway.
Trying not to gaze longingly at his chiseled frame was hard work. I licked my bottom lip and forced myself to look into his eyes. They were glimmering with a small smile.
“So you never called me.”
I ran my hand down my ponytail, wondering how to respond. Was he annoyed or sad that I hadn’t? I was tempted to read him, but forced his mask back in place when it started to fall away.
“I guess the rest of your week was okay.” He touched my elbow as I leaned against the fence.
“Pretty much.” I nodded. “I’ve been practicing a lot.”
“Is it working?”
“Yeah.” I grinned. “I can block out most emotions now. It’s good.”
“But...”
I glanced away with a snicker. “I thought I was the people reader, not you.”
“I don’t need a super power to know there’s something more.” He leaned his chin on his hands and looked up at me. The green flecks in his eyes seemed to shimmer. “You don’t have to hide anything from me, Caity. I like that you’re letting me in.”
My lips twitched with a smile as I looked at him. I could have stayed that way for the rest of the night, locked in the silent connection, but then the back door swung open.
“Caitlyn and Eric sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”
Jake.
I closed my eyes and wanted to die. I could feel my cheeks flaming.
Throwing a molten glare at my seven-year-old nephew, I was happy to see him yelp before running off with a giggle.
“Sorry about that.” I winced, rubbing my forehead to hide my eyes. “I’m gonna go strangle him in a minute.”
“Have fun with that.” Eric laughed, a bright smile taking over his face.
I took a second to admire it.
“Caity is in lo-ve. Caity is in lo-ve.”
Brody. No doubt spurred on by Jake.
Their giggles filtered down from the top window. I glanced up and saw it slam.
“Okay, now I’m gonna go kill both of them.”
“Are you sure your sister won’t mind?” Eric fought a smile.
“She’s leaving in like ten minutes, it’ll just be me and the boys. I’ll hide their bodies before she gets home. No one will ever know.”
“You’ll have to come up with a good cover story.”
“Or drive to Wyoming.” I chuckled.
He laughed with me. “I’m sure you’ll come up with something believable.”
“Well, I’ve got all evening to do it.” I winked, probably way too suggestively, and walked up the stairs before he could spot my fierce blush.
Ugh!
Could I have made it any more obvious that I would welcome him coming over to keep me company after the boys were in bed? Was that the only thing on my mind?
I slammed the back door shut and closed me eyes. The quiet patter of feet creeping down the hallway made me grin. I stayed still and kept my eyes shut until the door creaked open, then…
“BOO!!”
They both squealed and took off. I chased them with a growl, happy to run from my humiliation. I caught Brody halfway down the hallway and swung him into the air. He was laughing so hard his giggles were silent. His red face and wide-open mouth were too funny. I lowered his quaking body to the floor and tickled his tummy. A squeal burst free, giving him a chance to breathe properly.
“Don’t hype them up too much before dinner. They’ll never eat.”
I kept my eyes down, so Layla couldn’t see my eye roll.
Poking out my tongue at Brody, I let him scramble free and rush down the hallway. His father caught him as he tried to dash past and do a swan dive onto the couch. From the boys’ perspective, the best part about Grandma’s sunken in lounge was the opportunity to sky dive from the wooden floors to the couches below.
“Jake, don’t you dare!” Layla raised her finger. He paused, his eyes dancing with the thrill of breaking the rules and the dread of getting in trouble. He stayed where he was, trying to weigh up if it was worth it.
I winked behind Layla’s back, letting him know he could do it later, once the adults had gone. He grinned at me and stepped back.
Layla spun back to look at me as Brody wriggled free of his father’s grasp and barreled into my dad, who hoisted him up with a laugh.
Layla gave me a stern frown. “Don’t let them do anything naughty.”
I snickered. “Layla, they’ll be little angels.”
“Yeah right.” She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms to launch into a lengthly list of instructions. I’d heard them all before, and I knew what I was doing, but I let her run through them. It made her feel better. As she raised a finger for each new instruction, I pulled her mask away, more out of curiosity than anything. I wasn’t overly surprised by what I saw, although found it intriguing that the idea of leaving her boys made her feel a mixture of guilt and worry. I never realized she felt so obligated by her role as a mother.
“And don’t feed them any candy.” She was up to ten fingers now. Surely it was the last instruction. “I’ve left out the dinner I want them to have. It’s in the fridge. There’s enough for you too.”
“Thanks.” I forced a grin, knowing it would be some gross, overly healthy crap.
Inspired by my mother, Layla followed the nutritionist path as well.
“Okay, I think that’s everything.” She tucked a lock of her straight brown hair behind her ear. Man, she looked like Mom when she did that. Her mask was still off and I decided to try something.
“You’re such a great mom.” I squeezed her upper arm. “You work so hard for your kids and take such good care of them. You deserve a night off. Go relax, have some fun. Don’t even think about your kids tonight. I promise I’ll call if there’s a problem, okay?”
Her reaction nearly made me laugh. First it was utter confusion that her kid sister was saying something so sweet and mature, but next came the look of relief I’d been hoping for. Her guilt and worry eased a little as she gathered me into her arms with a warm embrace.
“Thanks, sis.” She kissed my curls and held me at arms
length to give me one more smile. I popped her mask back on and saw it was the same expression she was wearing. I was glad I’d made her feel better.
With that she turned to gather up her babies for goodnight kisses while I was dragged into my daddy’s arms.
“Have a good night, honey.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I could barely talk past his bear hug.
“Be a good peanut.” He flicked my nose, something I hated, but didn’t have the heart to tell him. “The restaurant is on the other side of town so we’ll be home late. Don’t wait up. The boys are sleeping over anyway.”
“I won’t.”
Brody and Jake came to stand beside me as we waved our goodbyes and blew kisses. The door clicked shut and I squeezed the boys’ shoulders, waiting until we heard the sound of a car pulling out of the drive. As soon as we got the all clear, I pulled the boys in front of me.
“Okay, Jake, you start pulling all the squabs off the couch and Brody you start gathering up any pillow in the house you can find. Don’t go into Grandma’s room though, okay? But any other pillow in the house is ours.” I winked, making him giggle as he dashed away.
Jake stood there with a beaming smile, just nodding at me. Yeah, at that moment in time, I was the coolest aunt ever.
14
It was eight o’clock and I was attempting to put the living room back exactly how it had been before the grown ups left. Thankfully I’d made the boys help me return some of the pillows earlier. What a mission!
True Colors (Masks #1) Page 9
