Dare to Kiss (The Maxwell Series Book 1) (31 page)

“If you haven’t, I’ll tell you: the outcome is never good. You end up either getting angrier, or saying things you shouldn’t have. So until I’m ready, I’m not talking to Kade.” He probably didn’t want to have anything to do with me after he saw Tyler at my house. “And while I appreciate your love for your brother, the tension between us is our business.” I stormed away, leaving the triplets with their mouths hanging open.

The rest of the morning was quiet. I sat through my classes daydreaming about Kade or baseball. I’d wanted to tell Becca about what happened with Kade last night, but I couldn’t risk crying again. For the past few days that was all I’d been doing.

At around lunchtime, the halls started to thin out. I’d seen Grace in English. I overheard her telling one of her friends the cheerleaders were leaving after lunch for an away football game tonight. Speaking of cheerleaders, Tammy was back from her three-day suspension. I’d seen her in the hall earlier. As usual, we both just snarled at one another.

Becca and I walked into the cafeteria. The room buzzed with chatter, kids setting plates and silverware on trays, the ding of the cash register, and the scrape of chairs along the floor. We scanned the room, searching for an empty spot. I guessed the halls were fairly empty since everyone was in here.

“Over there.” Becca pointed a purple nail to an empty table halfway down along the window.

“I don’t think so. Let’s find another one.” Kade and his brothers sat directly behind the table she chose. As though he knew I had walked in, he lifted his gaze. With no emotion on his face, he sized me up, head to toe, slow and leisurely. My pulse quickened.

“You’re going to have to make nice. I don’t see another place right at the moment,” she said. “Just sit with your back to them.”

Easier said than done. With my luck, Kelton would turn around and pester me. Then I would do something I would regret, like punch him and end up in the principal’s office.

“Come on,” Becca said as she hooked her fingers around my arm as though we were going for a stroll in the park.

I didn’t have much of choice if I wanted to eat. Reluctantly, I trudged down the open aisle with Becca tethered to me. As we did, I spotted Renee, sitting with a girl at a table on our right. I froze.

Becca faltered. “What’s wrong, Lacey? Hey, Renee. Hi, Glory.” Becca let go of my arm. “Oh, can we sit with you?” she asked Renee.

“Sure, these two chairs aren’t taken,” Renee said.

I’d avoided Renee every chance I had this past week. Even in psych class. Lifting her amber gaze, she looked directly at me. All the blood in my veins thickened. Images of Julie surfaced. I squeezed my eyes shut.
She’s not Julie. She’s not my sister.

My system came alive when I slowly opened my eyes and found a body, tall and muscular, shielding my view.

“Baby?” Kade’s voice massaged my ears.

Blinking, I craned my neck upward. Worry lines etched his forehead.

“I’m not sure I can pitch to her today,” I whispered.

“Maybe you should talk to her. It might help.”

I swallowed. Would it?
Push forward. Face your demons.
Words of doctors scampered through my brain. Even Coach said something similar.

“Just try, Lace. I’m here if you need me.” He crossed the floor to rejoin his brothers. As he turned to sit he inclined his head, urging me.

I centered on Kade like he was my lifeline. He knew some of my demons, and even though I was mad at him, he was the only one in this room I trusted to save me if I freaked. He dipped his head again. I steeled my shoulders, and swung my gaze to Renee, Becca, and a girl I hadn’t met.

“Lacey, sit,” Becca said.

I slid into a chair next to Renee and opposite Becca. I could do this.
Relax. Breathe.

“What did he say?” Becca shot a quick glance over her shoulder at Kade.

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Lacey, this is Glory,” Renee introduced us.

“Hey,” Glory said. She had blond hair, big blue eyes, and the longest lashes I’d ever seen.

“Are you ready for today, Lacey?” Renee asked.

“I guess.” Before Kade showed up at my house last night, I would’ve said yes. But when I left the house this morning, I had my doubts if I was ready for anything today. Now, sitting here with Renee, I wasn’t anywhere near ready for tryouts.

“So, what happened to you on the mound last week, if you don’t mind me asking?” Renee’s voice was gentle.

Honesty is the best policy. Face your demons.
“I got upset because you remind me of someone I once knew who passed away.” I’d told Becca Mom died, but not Julie. I owed Becca the story before Renee. I’d hoped Becca didn’t question why I thought Renee reminded me of my mom—at least, not here.

Becca’s tiny warm hand covered mine.

“I’m so sorry,” Renee said softly.

I had to get away before the emotion clogging my throat exploded, or worse—I’d flashback, then black out.

“Thank you. I better go.” I jumped out of my seat, not looking at Renee or anyone at the table. I needed one person right now.

“Lacey.” Becca trailed behind.

“I’m fine,” I said as I practically ran to Kade.

He slipped into the empty chair between him and Kross before I reached the table. I needed his warmth, and for him to tell me I would be okay.

Leaning in, he draped an arm over the back of my chair. “She’s not your sister,” he whispered. “I’m right here.” His voice, soft and silky, caressed my frazzled nerves.

Becca plopped down in the chair on the opposite side of the table, between Kelton and Kody.

“So, Lacey. You’re not mad at Kade anymore?” Kelton’s eyebrows rose.

“Shut it, Kel,” Kade said. “Actually, Kross, Kody, and Kelton: leave. Becca, would you mind if I talk with Lacey?”

Grinning like a cat who just caught a mouse, Kelton pushed back his chair, picked up his tray, and blended into the crowd of students who were depositing their dirty trays at the opposite end of the lunch line. With no expression on his face, Kody followed Kelton.

Kross unfolded his bulk. “Becca, can I talk to you?” He lifted his tray.

She rose. “Lacey, are you going to be okay?” She eyed Kade then me.

“I’ll be fine,” I said. In that moment, I felt protected. Not that I was in any danger with Kade, but I hadn’t had a girl friend who’d worried about me. Most of my friends were guys back at Crestview. The last girl I had as a best friend was in the eighth grade, and she moved away just before high school started.

Kross and Becca’s voices waned, leaving Kade and me alone.

“Are you going to be okay at tryouts this afternoon?” he asked.

“Yeah.”
I don’t know.
At least no one was going to steal my sports bag unless they broke into my car. As soon as school ended I had to rush to my car, get my gear and change. “Thank you for helping me with Renee.”

“I’d do anything for you, Lace.”

“I know,” I mumbled.

“Can we talk later?” he asked.

Someone in the cafeteria shouted Aaron’s name. I looked up. Aaron strutted into the room, tall and slim, like he owned the school, with Tammy Reese on his arm. She wore her cheerleader uniform and had a blue and black painted bulldog on her left cheek.

They wandered toward us and stopped at our table. “Lacey? Kade?” Aaron said, smiling.

He oozed sleaze. I had a strong desire to run into the girls’ bathroom and scrub my hands several times, even though I hadn’t shaken his hand. Tammy glowered at me. At least she didn’t come off as fake. I could handle honesty.

“So, Lacey. Did you bring your gear today? Or—”

Kade’s chair flew backwards as he stood. “Get the fuck out of here,” Kade barked as he got in Aaron’s face.

Every conversation ceased in the room. All eyes focused on us.

“Or what, Maxwell? Go ahead. Touch me. I dare you.” Aaron puffed out his chest.

I leapt to my feet and grabbed hold of Kade’s fist. “He’s not worth it,” I said to Kade.

“Listen to your crazy girlfriend,” Aaron said in a cloying, slimy tone.

“You know, Aaron, you should be afraid of a crazy girl like me.” My tone was calm. Then I shifted my attention to Tammy. “Welcome back. Hopefully, you learned a lesson.”

“Oh, I’ve learned quite a bit.” She sneered.

“I hope you make the team, Lacey.” Again, his words didn’t match his tone or the threat in his eyes. “Good luck today. I’ll see you on the field.” Aaron brushed Kade’s shoulder as he and Tammy strode to a table somewhere behind us.

After lunch I couldn’t think straight. Not only because of Aaron and Tammy’s little display of bravado, but because of how natural it was for me to seek out Kade in a state of near panic. I was shocked how his voice tamed my inner crisis. I mentally slapped myself a few times to stop thinking of him. I had to think about baseball and tryouts. Not the guy I wanted to curl up with and snuggle. Not the guy I wanted to feel against me. And certainly not the guy I wanted to do all kinds of R-rated things with. Thankfully, when the bell rang at the end of the day, my concentration on Kade diminished. Well, almost—I’d been about to run out of psychology class when out of my peripheral vision I caught Kade looking at me. I stared back, trying to read through his clinical expression when a body passed in front of me. I blinked and found Renee walking by.

“See you on the field, Lacey,” she said with her lips curved on one side.

Just like that, my world of Kade died and fear crawled through me. My pulse beat erratically as though I was riding shotgun in a NASCAR race.
She’s not your sister.

I’d bolted out of class, sidestepping the mass of students who wanted to get the heck out of school and start their weekend. I just wanted air.
Outside air
. Thankfully, on my way to my car, a hard wind blew, helping to cool the burn in my lungs. After I retrieved my gear, I changed in one of the girls’ bathrooms in the sports complex. I wasn’t going anywhere near the locker room for two reasons. One: I didn’t know if Renee would be in there changing. I had to keep my nerves under control. The less I saw of her, the better. That way if I had to pitch to her again, I might not freak. The second reason was that I didn’t trust Tammy. I didn’t want anything to go wrong. My self-defense instructor had taught me to never take the same route home. Always spice up a routine with variety. It keeps the potential attackers off kilter.

Once I suited up, I headed down to the field. My route today wasn’t through the tunnel. Instead I exited the sports complex and followed a path down to a small opening leading to the stairs. The field was designed somewhat like a fishbowl. On the left field side, a small grassy hill curved down from the parking lot to the bleachers. As I climbed down, a few kids were lounging on the hill, their voices a whisper on the steady wind. I tuned them out, going through my breathing exercises as I gave myself a pep talk. Then I visualized my pitches in my head.
Fastball. Curveball. Slider
.

Leaves kicked up around me, and so did the fragrance of freshly cut grass. Small, puffy clouds floated by, blocking out the sun every few seconds. I’d just planted a cleated foot on the field when I spotted Aaron walking out of the dugout, messing with his glove. I steeled my shoulders and tucked my glove under my arm. I glanced out into right field. I needed to get to the bullpen. I could breeze past him or I could walk out over the pitching mound then out to the bullpen. The problem was that Kelton was throwing to a boy at first base, so I had to walk by Aaron. Surely he wouldn’t give me attitude with Coach Dean standing outside the right field dugout. I started to jog, but didn’t get far. Aaron held up his gloved hand. I slowed my pace, but kept walking. He tagged alongside me.

“So, are you going to pass out today, Lacey?” he asked, his blond hair curling over the back of his ball cap.

Don’t let him get to you.
“You know, I’m sure at one point in your life you were a sweet boy. But I think one too many baseballs hit you in the head,” I said calmly.

We approached Coach, who had a concerned look on his face. I smiled. The tightness around Coach’s eyes relaxed.

“I see you didn’t have any problems with losing your sports bag.” He looked down at me with a cocksure smile on his face as we walked past Coach, his green eyes alight with pleasure. Then he glanced over his shoulder and back at me. “I was sad to hear that my plan got Tammy in trouble.”

Keep it together. “Should we walk back to Coach and tell him your confession?”

“You can tell him. But it will be my word against yours.”

I had to get through tryouts
. “Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to pitch to you today. Maybe then I can knock some respect into your thick skull.”

He smirked. “I look forward to it. And if you do make the team, I’ll make it so you never pitch again.” He lost his smile as his eyes hardened. “Oh, and again, you can tattle all you want. Remember—my word against yours.” Then he trotted off.

I stilled for a minute as the words
sleaze
and
asswipe
flittered through my mind.
Was he serious?
Stay focused. He’s only trying to scare you so you’ll pass out again.
He’s messing with your mind.
The Maxwells had said Aaron would get into my head. That was it. Besides, I’d come too far to let a creep like him scare me out of my dream.
Never give up.
My mom’s advice rang in my head. I took a breath then jogged out to the bullpen, repeating,
Fastball. Curveball. Slider.

When I entered the bullpen a boy named Todd was warming up.

“Glad you could join us, Robinson,” Coach Lee said. “You’re two minutes late. Is this how you want to start?” He glanced at the watch on his right wrist.

Holy crap
! I hadn’t even made the team, and I was already getting my butt handed to me.

“No sir,” I said as I glanced at Todd, who had fear stamped on his baby-face. Todd and three other boys cowered at the snap in Coach’s voice.

“Todd, take a seat. Lacey, warm up,” Coach Lee ordered.

I went through my normal routine. My pitches were all over the place.
What the heck was going on
? I’d practiced yesterday. My arm was loose.
Stop thinking about Aaron and pitch the damn ball, and find your flippin’ zone.
I laughed.

“Something funny, Robinson? Because I don’t think you should be laughing at the way you’re pitching,” Coach Lee said as he caught my last ball.

“No sir.” I glanced at the boys sitting on the bench—their eyes downcast at their cleats or the ground.

“Mmmm,” he said as he threw the ball back.