Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut

by Brooks, Harley

  The woman used a stylus to wand my bracelet's data chip and left. Principal Anderson apologized, explaining she had no choice, which I understood. Her burgundy-tinted lips curved in a relaxed smile. "I knew the rumors couldn't be true."

  When we reached the platform for those speaking on the commencement program, I halted briefly on the top step. Next to my empty chair where Coach Smith should be, sat Sam. Having no choice and already noticeably late, I cautiously perched on the edge of my seat. Sam's arm casually slipped behind me and his fingers caressed my neck under my hair. My skin tried to crawl away from my bones.

  "Stop. Touching. Me."

  "Make me."

  My elbow found Sam's ribcage and he swore loud enough, judging by the snickering crowd, to pass over the microphone through our vice-principal's opening remarks. Principal Anderson glowered. Sam and I smiled sheepishly like guilty children.

  "Where's Coach?"

  Sam cautiously leaned closer, guarding his side with his hand. "Had a family emergency."

  "That still doesn't explain why you're here."

  Sam's eyes darted to those nearby. "Second in command. Hansen's in jail—a downside to being eighteen." He leaned over, tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and quietly explained how a fight broke out after the dance, ending with a couple team members arrested.

  "For once, my jealousy saved me. I followed you home and parked down the street, but fell asleep in my jeep. I guess I can thank 'Ferrari Boy' for showing up after all.

  We stood for the presentation of the flag and sang the national anthem.

  Sam angled closer. "By the way, I noticed he spent the night. Tell me, Marli, does your Porsche Prince know you're swapping spit with his brother?" My eyes bunched in a pained stare and a smug grin curled Sam's mouth. "Didn't think so."

  Principal Anderson announced my name. Numbly, I walked to the microphone. My fist closed over my notes. It never dawned on me Sam could rat me out.

  Clearing my throat a bit too loudly, I smoothed the crinkled paper. Two, maybe three paragraphs I recited reflecting on our high school experience, before a sudden gust of wind ripped through the stadium. Without thinking, I reached up to secure my flimsy graduation cap, letting go of my speech. The wind cradled the crumpled paper over my head and I watched in horror as my "words of wisdom" disappeared over the wall!

  The stadium suddenly swayed, spots formed in front of my eyes, and my lips tingled. My mind became a blank page, unable to recall the words scrawled mindlessly on the paper floating away. I rambled something about making choices for our future, but ran out of thoughts halfway through a sentence, realizing I was the last person to counsel anyone about making correct choices.

  Rick, poised below me with a camera, uttered the word "relax." I turned to Jordan, leaning against the railing not ten feet away. His handsome face rippled behind sudden tears. I was dying inside and coming apart on the outside.

  Principal Anderson tugged the hem of my robe. "Are you all right, dear?"

  I never answered, just dropped to the makeshift floor and knocked the microphone off the podium. A deafening screech echoed somewhere distant in my mind.

  Escaping through a side door from the boy's locker room, we raced for Jordan's car, avoiding the crowd. After my enormous blunder of a farewell speech, nothing short of warp speed would be fast enough to remove me from the school grounds. The windows were tinted dark enough that nobody, under normal conditions, would know who sat inside. But alas, the only other time this glossy pallid of chrome and steel had rolled onto campus, I'd been one of its occupants.

  Jordan slid into the driver's seat, about to close his door when Alex thrust her leg in between.

  "Just a second Dr. Dreamy. We want a word with your illustrious passenger." Brittany wrenched the door open further, tucking her head sideways into the car.

  Jordan turned to me for direction.

  "These are my best friends, Brittany and Alex."

  "I've heard a lot about you ladies." Alex crouched, micro-millimeters from his butt and he hugged the console with his other hip. "She scares me," he whispered.

  "She should," I whispered back before shooting a pointed glare at my ogling girlfriend. "Did you want something, Alex?"

  "Besides your sexy boyfriend?" she teased. "Yeah, what the hell happened? Talk about a memorable exit. You'll be the headliner for tomorrow's morning news." Her hands framed pretend headlines. "VALEDICTORIAN COLLAPSES INTO WAITING ARMS OF HANDSOME STRANGER AT GRADUATION CEREMONY—A TRUE ROMEO AND JULIET FINALE."

  "I hit the stupid floor."

  Alex and Brittany shared a glance. My eyes widened when a feeble grin eased over Jordan's mouth.

  "Jordan? You didn't—"

  "Catch you? I watched the color drain from your face and jumped onto the stage, right as you went limp."

  Brittany laughed. "He almost fell in Principal Anderson's lap."

  Jordan rescued me? The fleeting image of his chivalry in front of my classmates, not to mention Rick, created an overwhelming wave of horror. The grad party at the beach was officially out of the question. I couldn't handle a night's worth of humiliation, not to mention Sam would gladly tell Jordan about my public make-out session with Jesse, just for spite.

  Jordan's arm slipped around my shoulders and his eyes twinkled. "She's right. Definitely one for the memory books."

  "Is Jordan coming to the beach party?" Brittany asked.

  His and my eyes remained locked. "I don't know."

  "You wearing a bikini?"

  "Guess you'll have to come to find out."

  Ignoring Alex and Brittany completely, Jordan leaned in, his mouth close enough I could smell a recent breath mint. "Let's party."

  11

  BEACH PARTY BREAKUP

  We stopped at the department store for Jordan to buy some clothes for the beach. He walked out of the dressing room modeling swim shorts, the sight sending a drizzle of heat through my body. He hooked a finger for me to follow him into the dressing room.

  "Are you crazy?"

  Jordan yanked me inside. Something about possibly being caught in the act amped the sensual excitement between us and immediately, our bodies mashed against the mirror and our mouths engaged in deep, dizzying kisses. His hands locked at the small of my back, fusing me to his body, and my hands pressed against his bare stomach, his muscles ripped so tight my fingers couldn't make an indentation.

  I released a ragged breath. "Being with you all night may not be a good idea. My willpower has apparently vanished."

  "Sounds promising, " he replied in a raspy whisper. "But I'll behave. I need to stay on your dad's good side if I want him to let you come to the island for the summer."

  I checked for a heartbeat. "The island?" I squealed, immediately covering my mouth. "Are you serious? For the whole summer?"

  Jordan drew me back into his arms and my hands wandered over his exposed chest

  "Yes, if you want."

  "I-I don't know what to say," I replied softly watching his eyes drift over my face as he leaned closer. He tightened his grip around my waist.

  "Yes, I'd love to go, Jordan, would be a good start."

  "Of course I want to go, but getting Dad to agree might be too much to expect."

  Jordan's tongue drew a line up my neck, his breath hot on my ear. "We'll see. I can be pretty persuasive when I want something."

  I locked my fingers behind his neck. "How well, I know." I slid my lips along his, but before I could seal the kiss, the sales clerk hammered on the dressing room door.

  Hours passed and still no sign of Sam. The muscles in my core knotted so tight in anticipation of the worst they ached, and I skittered whenever a car pulled into the parking lot. Jordan's attentive touches irritated more than soothed and I snipped one-word replies when he asked why I was so jumpy. The lustful heat we shared in the dressing room fizzled the second we arrived and memories of the disastrous day washed through me.

  Alex sucked the last of her water so hard, the plastic
container popped and the muscles under my skin jittered. "Davis, relax. It's past midnight. Sam's not coming."

  "I don't trust him. He wants revenge too badly to let this slide."

  "Maybe he wised up to the fact you're with Jordan and is purposely avoiding the party," Brittany offered. Alex and I rolled our eyes at the incredulous statement. "Or not."

  Alex tipped her head toward the beach where Jordan walked in the inky waves lapping at his ankles. "I think you need to stop obsessing over Sam and pay attention to what really matters."

  "I've been a horrible date."

  "You've been a bitch, but he's so knocked-on-his-ass whipped on you, he's put up with it. Go give him some serious lip sugar to make up for being so moody."

  Brit leaned forward. "For once I agree with Alex. Forget Sam and concentrate on Jordan. One's your past, the other is your future and from what I see, a future worth keeping."

  When I stared at Jordan's silhouette against the white ribbon rippling on the water from the full moon, I couldn't argue and my ribs squeezed tight. I rose, leaving them mid sentence and walked toward the shadowy heartthrob causing a nervous wiggle in my belly.

  Quietly I approached from behind and flicked a spray of water over his back with my foot. He froze mid-step and I watched the muscles rope from his shoulders to his narrow waist. Before I could escape, he had me tucked under his arm like one of his surfboards and dangling head first over the water.

  "I should dunk you for sneaking up on me."

  I grabbed his thigh, my fingers accidently slipping inside a pant leg. A surprised squeal escaped Jordan's mouth and his leg muscle bucked. Quickly, he turned me right side up and put me on my feet.

  "S-Sorry," I stuttered, embarrassed. "And not just about groping your leg. About everything tonight. I've been awful."

  He smoothed my hair behind my ears, his palms settling at the nape of neck. A knowing grin curled his mouth and I watched his eyes slide shut before his lips tentatively touched mine.

  "I'd say more like 'distracted,'" he whispered on my mouth before staking claim with a breathtaking kiss. "And you can grope my leg anytime."

  The heated cravings in my body returned. I molded my body around his and the world disappeared in a rush of lust-filled adrenaline. Our lips barely parted to allow a breath.

  "Think I could talk you into taking a walk farther down the beach with a handsome older man?"

  "My dad's here?"

  Jordan growled and nuzzled my neck. His stubbly chin tickled and I giggled with each nibble until his mouth settled on mine. His lips were warm with a hint of salt clinging to the edges and each time they pressed they remained longer, warming my insides. I tugged him to where our stuff lay spread out on the beach. We'd need the blanket for our impromptu "walk" someplace more secluded.

  Suddenly, the beach washed with bright white light. I knew the sound of the motor, the way it raced between gears, the rusty squeal of worn brake pads, and the groan of the axles when the wheels were forced to stop moving. Clouds of dust swirled in the beams of light piercing the darkness. Car doors slammed and voices grew louder as they approached the party.

  Time stopped moving and the pulse pounding in my ears drowned out Jordan's voice. When he touched my arm I flinched.

  "What?"

  "Sam's here."

  "Is this why you've been on edge?" I tucked my chin to my chest and tipped against him. His arm came around my shoulders. "Let's ditch out on the other side of the bonfire and take the trail to the parking lot."

  Sam's voice echoed loudly on the night air. "Marli! Where the hell are you? I know you're here because I saw lover boy's Porsche!" The party quieted and someone turned the music off. Sam's shadow stretched across the sand, moving closer to the gathering crowd.

  "No escaping now. I better talk to him before things get ugly." Memories of the dance flashed behind my eyes, followed by ones of Jesse. I had to keep Jordan away from Sam. "Take our stuff and meet me at the car."

  "Marli—"

  "Jordan, I've got this, okay? Right now, I'm worried about one his dumbass friends damaging the Porsche," I lied, desperately needing Jordan gone before Sam found me. "I'll take Alex. Sam hates her."

  Jordan bundled the beach blanket under his arm and grabbed our cooler of drinks. "Then I adore her." He kissed my cheek. "If you're not at the car in ten minutes, I'm coming back for you."

  I watched him jog off into the shadows, puffs of sand blowing off each footstep. Sam yelled again and Alex stepped beside me.

  "What a prick. Come on girl, let's do some ass-kicking."

  I linked my arm through hers. "I always knew you had a soft spot for Sam."

  "Oh there's a spot on Sam I'm sure is soft."

  We tripped over each other laughing at our private joke until the crowd parted like the Red Sea and we stood illuminated in the headlights, facing Sam.

  "Hello sweetheart," he sneered, his calling card of late. "Where's one of your 'knights in shining armor?' Should I worry about being ambushed?"

  "Shut up, Sam. I'm the one ambushed here. Why can't you leave me alone?"

  Alex stepped between us and snapped her spiky blonde head at Sam. "Jenkins, get the hell out of here. It's over and everybody's tired of the drama. Move on."

  "Snarky little bitch. Still fighting Marli's battles, I see. She's going to dump your ass too, Nichols, now that she's got her fairytale life."

  A low murmur rippled through the crowd.

  I touched Alex's arm, tensed and ready to inflict pain. "Don't. This is my problem." My eyes drifted to Sam's face. A faint smell of beer surrounded him when I moved closer. "You've been drinking."

  "Why do you give a shit?"

  I tapped my foot on the gravel. "Because I care, okay? Is that what you need to hear?"

  Sam spread his arms out. "Big whoop. You care. But not enough to want to be with me anymore." He stepped closer. "And your secret?"

  I didn't have to turn my head to acknowledge Jordan owned the shadow reaching us from the embankment above. I sensed his presence at the edge before the dribble of pebbles started rolling.

  "Look, Sam, I'm sorry I hurt you. It was never my intention, but I'm begging you, if you really love me, please don't say anything. Don't hurt me back."

  His thumb brushed my cheek and I felt Jordan's dangerous glare cut through the darkness. "For you, not him." He turned to his sidekicks. "Fuck this. Let's go."

  Jordan hummed some song playing on the media center in the kitchen and a spatula scraped against metal in time with the music. So both Mason boys cooked.

  Before he figured out I'd awakened, I scrambled upstairs to my bathroom. My mouth felt like cotton and my breath could drop a fly in mid flight. I nearly screamed when I caught my reflection in the mirror. A red indentation matched the button on the sofa pillow my cheek pressed all night. We fell asleep sometime around dawn, me on the sofa and Jordan on the floor, holding my hand.

  I scrubbed my face, ran the ultrasonic wand over my teeth, and brushed the windswept tangles from my hair before bounding down the stairs. Jordan's back faced me and my gaze wandered over his broad shoulders, the muscles flexing against the fabric of his shirt with each whisk of the spatula; down long legs covered with a dusting of hair, to his manicured bare feet planted firmly in front of the stove. "Morning handsome" came out sounding too husky.

  A smile reaching his eyes flashed."Hey gorgeous. You're finally awake."

  "Omelets? I may keep you after all." I pressed a quick smack on his cheek before gathering plates to set the table. When I folded back the tablecloth, a certain lavender envelope slipped to the floor. Jordan tucked it under his arm and moved away before I could grab it unnoticed.

  The importance of Jesse's mystery card vanished however, when I moved a couple files Rick had brought home and uncovered a red envelope. Jordan's eyes followed mine when he moved behind me. He placed Jesse's lavender envelope to the side of his plate and reached for the red package.

  I slapped the top. "I'll deal wi
th it later." He opened his mouth and closed it. A thread of apprehension connected us. The red envelope meant another interview request—one that could result in a choice.

  What if someone else wanted me? Jordan and I hadn't made anything official. As far as The Program knew, I remained available. Someone equal to Jordan had the right to choose me. The idea of dating suddenly wasn't so appealing. Unless Jordan exercised his right to choose me while he had priority, whoever came attached to this red envelope could. Jordan would be lost to me forever.

  I moved my food around the plate, no longer hungry.

  "Send it back," he suggested around a mouthful of eggs.

  Not the reply I'd hoped for. Why didn't he declare his undying love and tell me we should make things permanent? Maybe trapped with high school kids for twenty-four hours, reminded him how young I really was.

  Jordan pulled the lavender envelope from under his napkin. "I say we open something we know contains good news."

  Good news? I didn't know whether to scream or laugh hysterically at the irony. Given a choice, the red envelope proved the safer option.

  I jumped to my feet. "No!" Jordan froze, puzzled. I held out my hand. "Please, give me the envelope."

  He pushed his chair back. "Why? What's inside?"

  "I don't know what's in the envelope, but I know who it's from and we should probably talk."

  "I'm listening."

  My eyes fell to my pink painted toes. "It's from Jesse."

  Jordan's lips disappeared and he ripped the envelope open. Three tickets drifted to the floor when he unfolded the enclosed letter.

  "Hey! That's private!" I reached for the note, but he held it away. "Please, Jordan, at least hear me out first before passing judgment."

  "Go ahead."

  My chest tightened. "Jesse came to see me last week—the day of Senior Ball. I didn't know he was coming, I swear."

  "When I called, Jesse was here, but you didn't tell me?"

  "I was afraid."

  "Thanks for the trust, Marli."

  "Jordan, be honest. How do you think you'd have taken the news that Jesse was here?"