I climb into his truck and fool with the broken seat belt. Travis clicks the door locks in place, throws his keys into the cup holder and waits for me to get settled.
“Becca.” My name is a whisper. “Is this too much?”
I shake my head, but keep my eyes fixed on the seat belt. “No.”
Travis scares me, but not because he’s a scary person. What I feel for him is so different from what I’ve felt for any other guy. It’s what I wanted to feel for Will, but never could.
“You’re sure?” Travis runs his fingers over the back of my hand.
“Yes,” I say, lifting my eyes to his. “It’s just … unexpected.”
He breathes my name before shifting closer and touching his mouth to mine. By the time we break apart, a curtain of steam fogs up the windows. Travis fishes his keys out of the cup holder. “We need to go. You’ll miss curfew.”
“Gran won’t care. She knows you. This isn’t like a real first date.”
“This is the first time I asked you out, just the two of us. We went to a movie and I paid for the tickets. I’m going with the first date classification. So,” he says, as he plugs his key into the ignition, “I’m taking you home before your grandmother starts to worry about what we’re doing and why we’re late.” He throws the truck into reverse.
I poke his arm. “Late or not, you’re now a popular topic of conversation in the Elise Davis/Avery and Becca Thornton household. And since we’re talking about families, does your father know we’re together tonight?”
“Yeah, is it okay I told him? I said we were, you know, hanging out.”
“Ha. I tried that too. No one believes me.”
“My dad didn’t buy it either. But that’s my story and I’m sticking to it for now.” He veers off at the next fork in the road, deciding on the scenic route.
“How long?”
His eyes dart toward me. “How long what?”
“How long are you sticking to your story?”
He takes a minute to consider my question. “I don’t know. I don’t want to make a mistake.”
My lips puff into a pout. “Do you think I’m a mistake? Like being with me is bad for your health?”
“No, you’re not making me sick,” he says, the corner of his mouth tilting into a half-smile. “But I want to be fair. We won’t see each other much when I’m away at school. You should have the option to see other people.”
“If I wanted to go out with someone else, I wouldn’t be with you tonight.”
Travis nods. “Truth is, Becca, it’s hard for me to think about you with other guys. I don’t want you to kiss Will Gamen or anyone else.”
“I feel the same way. Is there …” Wow, this whole conversation has been so incredibly awkward. “Um, another girl?”
“No one. You?”
“Absolutely not.”
“How about we make a deal, then? Until winter break and then we can renegotiate. We only kiss each other.” He parks the truck next to the carriage house and sticks out his hand to shake.
“Deal,” I said, pumping his arm up and down.
“But you can let me know if you want to change your mind,” he adds.
I scoff. “It’s not a deal if you give me the option to back out.”
“Fine. There will be no backing out.” He drops his hand to my waist. Moonlight sparkles through the windshield and cold air creeps in the truck, sending a shiver down my spine as Travis seals our deal with one last kiss before we say goodnight.
Chapter Seven
Avery smacks open my door and crawls in the bed next to me.
“Are you awake?” she asks, kicking me with a cold foot.
I yelp. “Now I am.”
“How was your date? Did Travis kiss you again?”
I push her away with my elbow. “Why would I tell you if he did?”
“Because we’re sisters. No secrets. Got it?”
“That works for you because I’m the only one with secrets. When you start dating, you’re going to have to spill too, you know.”
She places her hands on my cheeks and gazes into my eyes, like she’s telepathically searching for information. “He kissed you. A lot. It was good, wasn’t it? Are you in love?”
“Love is not a word to be spoken on a first date. And, yes, he’s a decent kisser.” Like I would ever admit the soul-shattering power of kissing Travis to my little sister.
Avery sighs. “Travis is dreamy. If I was older, maybe he would have asked me out instead of you.”
I yank the blanket away from her and over my head. “Don’t count on it.”
Missing my hint to leave, she rips the blanket away from my face.
I howl. “Why are you still here?”
Her untamed curls take on a life of their own, flowing over my face and the pillows. “It’s just that … can you believe Mom and Dad didn’t even call?”
“Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday in Africa. They’re probably wandering around the jungle with a handheld camera, following gorilla tracks.”
After a brief smile, her expression turns serious. “Promise you’ll never leave like Mom and Dad do.”
“I promise. But, someday, you may not want me around.”
“Like you don’t want me? Now that Travis is your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my …”
“Travis,” Avery finishes. “He’s your Travis. He’s always belonged to us, hasn’t he?”
“Exactly what does that mean?” Gran appears in the open doorway, wearing a long robe and white slippers.
“I mean, he’s like part of our family,” Avery explains.
“No, he’s not. Don’t be confused about that, Becca,” Gran says, the corners of her mouth turning down. “You shouldn’t feel obligated to him because of your … history.”
For some reason, Gran’s words send warmth into my cheeks.
“Or living next door to the love of your life may turn out to be the most awesome thing ever,” Avery says.
“Yeah, so far it’s been a blast.” I stretch my arms over my head and yawn.
Gran lowers herself onto the edge of the bed. “I’ve lived in Harmony most of my life and one thing I’ve learned is that everyone here is connected. If not as neighbors, then through school, politics, or business. You may not even realize some of the long-standing relationships, but —” A flying stone pings my window, interrupting her speech. Avery scrambles off the bed, giggling so hard she needs a few seconds to catch her breath before pulling back the curtain.
“Loverboy is here,” she announces, waving.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Gran decides to make an exit. “Becca, tell Travis if he breaks the glass, he’s climbing a ladder to replace it. Breakfast, Avery?”
Avery follows Gran. “I need to write out my shopping list.” She glances back at me on her way out. “Don’t forget, it’s Black Friday, Becca. You’re not going to ditch me, are you?”
“I can’t break tradition. Let’s get to the mall early, though.”
“It’s already too late. The stores opened hours ago,” Gran calls as she disappears down the stairs.
I roll out of bed and lift the window, bracing against the blast of wind rushing through the screen. Travis stands below me, shin-deep in snow, at the end of a trail of footprints tracking from the carriage house through our shared backyard. A shot of wind ruffles his light brown hair.
He raises his hand, shielding his eyes from the morning sun’s glare. “Did I wake you?”
I lean on the sill, resting my head in my hands. “Avery took care of that before your rock hit the window. Burning off calories from yesterday?”
“More like I was up early and bored.”
“What, no football this morning?”
“Not with all this snow on the ground. So, that was Avery waving?”
“She was in the middle of pumping me about our date. She stopped to say hello to you. Gran was here, too.”
“Then
I guess this was another one of my not-great ideas.”
“No, I liked your idea. Very Romeo and Juliet, with you down there and me up here. And it gives Gran and Avery something to talk about over breakfast.”
“Okay, Juliet, but I’m not here for your breakfast entertainment. I wanted to ask what you’re doing today.”
“Braving the crowds at the mall. It’s the busiest shopping day of the year, remember? Want to come?”
“To be honest, I’d rather sit in front of my big fat TV and watch sports.” He kicks his boot into the powdery snow. “Do you have plans for tonight? We could go in town, grab a pizza.”
“Gran’s going to some holiday party at the club. I’m watching Avery.”
“Bring your sister with us. Or we can call for delivery.”
“Either works. Around seven?”
“See you then.” With a wave, he starts his trek back to the carriage house.
“Travis!” I call after him. “I have this thing called a cell phone. I’ll give you the number and save you a trip next time.” He turns and gives me a thumbs up before shoving his bare hands in his pockets.
And now I need to find a way to cool Avery’s Travis-related enthusiasm by about fifty-thousand degrees before she goes out with us tonight.
***
By the time my sister and I inhale a quick breakfast of eggs and toast, drive to the mall, circle the parking lot six times, and snag a spot far, far away in previously uncharted territory, Avery has satisfied her nearly unquenchable thirst for details about Travis.
She poses a final question or two as we roam in and out of the crowded stores, searching for bargains, buying gifts when the lines are less than a mile long, picking up clothes and makeup for ourselves until our wallets empty out.
Val texts me at noon, claiming she slept through her alarm, but still wants to participate in our shopping frenzy. Half an hour later, she and Corinne meet us at the food court for lunch. By this point, the idea of fighting crowds for ugly sweaters and cheap shoes has lost most of its appeal. My arms ache from lugging two hours’ worth of purchases from one end of the mall to the other.
Strangely enough, during our morning expedition, Avery found lots of monkeys—on towels, shirts, bags, and even socks. Val and Corinne laugh as my sister pulls the primate items from our bags and displays them on the food court table.
“Christmas gifts for my mom and dad,” she says.
“Your parents will love a big box of monkey junk. How much does it cost to ship to overseas?” Val asks.
“Too much. We’ll save some big stuff for their next trip home,” I decide.
Avery holds up a pair of wool knee socks decorated with smiling monkey faces. “I don’t think they’ll need these. Our winter is summer in Africa.”
“You should still send them, though. They’re small and it’s the thought that counts,” Corinne says.
“We don’t need the useless gifts they send us every year, so it’s a fair trade,” I say.
“Do Mom and Dad really think I still play with dolls?” Avery swishes the ice in her cup with a straw.
“They probably think I play with dolls, too. I wonder if the clothes they send me will fit you this year.”
Pitching their tent in a land where time stands still, my parents forget that Avery and I are back in Harmony, growing up more every day.
Avery smiles. “Yeah, I got twice the amount of gifts last Christmas and you got stiffed.”
I grab the monkey socks from the table and shove them back into a shopping bag. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from Mom and Dad. I bet they modeled everything on their primates first.”
“Like they say, ‘Here, Marlowe, this chimpanzee looks about Becca’s size, try this dress on her.’” Avery imitates my father’s deep timbre.
“’Yes, Richard, and this color is so flattering on lemurs, I’m sure it would look exquisite on Avery,’” I squeak out my mother’s sing-song voice before digging into my hot fudge sundae, an after-shopping reward to cool me off from the stifling mall air.
“Are you seeing Travis again tonight, Becca? Or do you want to hang out with the poor dateless souls at my house?” Val asks, pushing back from the table, ready to go. “My mom’s making lumpia. Your favorite.”
“Argh, so tempting,” I say, relishing the thought of a night spent snacking on the Filipino version of egg rolls. “But Travis invited Avery and me out for pizza. Do you want to go?” I glance at my sister, striving to keep my voice casual. Given the chance to tag along, Avery will watch my every move, and I know how easily Gran coaxes information out of my little sister. They’re true gossip partners, and Gran isn’t above bribery.
Avery jumps from her seat, bouncing on her toes. “Are you serious? I get to see you in action?”
“And you have to call me tomorrow. Tell me everything,” Corinne gushes.
“If you go with us, we’ll just be hanging out as friends. No action.”
“Hmm. I’m surprised Travis is even up for the challenge of taking out both Thornton girls,” Val says.
“Travis is different from a real date. He already knows how much fun I am.” Avery shoots me a knowing look. “You two can be alone later, after I go to bed. Maybe Gran will stay out late.”
“Promise me you won’t spy on us again.” I hold up my hand to pinky swear, but Avery ducks away, laughing.
***
An hour before Travis’s arrival, Avery barges in to the bathroom, her long curls clipped back with sparkly barrettes. She holds up two shirts. “Which one do you like? Blue brings out my eyes, but pink looks better with my hair.” I consider both choices, each one bedazzled enough to gain Lady Gaga’s approval.
“Pink. It’s more you.” I make a mental note to wear anything but pink. “Ouch!” My flat iron snarls and catches a knot in my thick hair. Avery grabs a round brush from the vanity and helps me smooth my long, loopy curls. After my hair has been tamed, I rummage through my makeup bag for blush and juicy flavored lip gloss, the shimmery kind Avery steals from me and hides in her backpack.
Trying to act as if she’s not studying my every move, Avery picks up a framed picture of Mom resting on the counter. “She was about your age here, right?”
“I think that was high school graduation, so a year or so older, I’d guess.”
“Do you think Mom had a lot of boyfriends besides Dad?”
I shrug. “She was very pretty, wasn’t she?” I picture Mom applying make-up, worrying about her hair, which always looks perfect now and was probably effortlessly beautiful back then, as well.
“Gorgeous,” Avery agrees, setting the frame back on the vanity. “Do you think if she was here she’d give us advice on boys and dating?”
Between careful strokes of mascara, I glance at my sister in the mirror. “I think that her not being here means she wants us to find out the truth ourselves. But, I bet she would have an opinion on which primate would make the best house pet.”
Avery smiles, not a truly happy smile but more of a silent agreement, before slipping away and leaving me a few minutes of peace to prepare for my second official outing with Travis. I have a hard time categorizing tonight as a date because babysitting my little sister doesn’t leave much of an opportunity for date-like activity. I mentally run down my clothing options and decide on non-fancy attire. With Avery close by, I feel the need to keep things casual. I pull on dark skinny jeans, step into ballet flats, and shrug on a black sweater.
Avery reappears, dressed in jeggings and her flashy pink shirt. She’s topped off her outfit with a fringed purple vest. If she’s going for cowgirl trapped in a kaleidoscope, she nailed it. She even painted sparkly pink polish on her fingernails.
We meet Gran in the foyer, where she’s waiting for her car service.
“You’re rocking it, Gran. Purple is your color,” Avery says.
“Rockin’ it in my rocking chair?” Gran kisses Avery’s cheek as she recites one of their favorite lines. In her lavender cocktail dress
, Gran looks positively royal. The doorbell rings, signaling her driver has arrived. She slips a floor length velvet wrap over her gown, a gift from my grandfather the year before he died.
“Travis is lucky to be going out with two beautiful girls. Avery, watch your sister. Make sure she behaves,” Gran warns, on her way out. As soon as her limo turns left at the end of the drive, I hear a knock on the back door.
Chapter Eight
“He’s heeeeeere!” Avery plows by me in her rush to get to Travis. When she throws open the door, he hands her a bunch of pink flowers. She screeches louder than a baby baboon.
Travis smiles. “Simmer down, or I’m taking them back.” He strides over to me, holding out a second bouquet. I take the flowers from him, my hands shaking. I’m thrown off, but not enough that I can’t contain my excitement. Unlike my sister, who’s skipping in circles.
“Becca’s speechless,” Avery observes. “You embarrassed her.”
I pinch her bicep, holding her overactive body in place. “Stop. You’re the one who’s embarrassing.”
She wriggles away. “You’ll survive. Thanks, Travis. You’re the best.” She throws her arms around him.
“No problem. I’m only going to kiss one of you, though.” He smiles at me over her head.
“I’m fine with that. You’re way too old for me, anyway. Here, Becca, give me yours and I’ll put them in a vase while you two are all lovey-dovey. Wait until Gran sees this. She’s gonna be totally jealous.”
The instant Avery disappears in the pantry; Travis pulls me closer. His hands fall to my waist as I wrap my arms around his neck. When his lips meet mine, I forget about my sister, the flowers, and how hungry I am. I’m ready to forget the whole dating thing and stand here, kissing Travis all night, until my sister’s fake cough interrupts us.
Travis eases away, keeping his eyes fixed on me. “Ready, Avery?”
“You bet I am. Anything’s better than watching you two go at it.”
My Clueless Broken Heart (School Dayz Book 3) Page 4
