Dragonfly (8 page)

She giggled, “I think it’s great. I just want it on the record that it was my idea. I was ready to put you two together from Day One.”

“I know—but why? I mean. I’m having trouble figuring this one out.”

“Oh, you’re just what he needs. Quiet, thoughtful, smart.”

“Am I quiet and thoughtful?”

“Please.” Lucy rolled her eyes at me.

“Hey, so you’re going to Tulane this weekend?”

“Jesus. Don’t remind me.” Her expression changed completely. “Yay. We get to spend the whole weekend with my asshat older brother so Dad can decide if he should ship me to live with him.” Then her eyes took on an expression much like her dad’s. “So he can keep his eye on me nonstop. At least Jack will be there.”

I thought about what Rachel had said about Lucy’s past. I’d never expected to see that cold Bill-Kyser glare in her eyes. Of course, I hadn’t known her that long. Then I thought of Jack saying their brother was ruthless.

More strangeness. More mystery. I wondered if I’d ever know what really happened to make their family this way.

* * *

Julian caught up to me that afternoon while I dragged my Calculus book out of my locker. “There you are,” he said. “Heartbreaker.”

“I got your message. You were just kidding with all that, right? You didn’t care that I left—”

“That you ditched me for the clichéd alternative?” He leaned against the locker next to me, grinning. “No worries. Things turned around.”

“I filed your story today with those pictures you sent me. It’ll go to all the local news outlets. Prepare to be a superstar.”

“That’s my girl,” he caught one of my curls and gave it a little tug.

I glanced and spotted new ink, a tiny dragonfly tattoo just above his right thumb. “Hey, let me see.” I caught his hand and studied the detailed drawing. “What’s the story of this little guy?”

“More logo hunting,” he said, running his finger over it. “Like it?”

“You’re getting really good at this.” My eyes drifted to his blue ones, and I smiled. “Just like all your art. So what does it mean?”

“Change, deeper understanding, happiness.” His fingers lightly curled around my hand. “It actually symbolizes different things in different cultures. In China it’s good luck.”

“I think it’s my favorite.” With a squeeze, I let him go.

His lips pressed together briefly. “So what do you think about Lucy Kyser?”

“I think she’s gorgeous. And unexpectedly sweet.”

“I think you’re right, and after you left, she introduced herself. We talked about art and welding and—”

My eyebrows rose. “You hooked up with Lucy?”

“Sadly, there was no hook-up. But her skin is so soft, and she smells so good…”

“Julian. Please.”

He laughed. “Okay. It was all very innocent, but I’m thinking of taking it up a notch. Have you heard about this birthday party they’re having?”

UGH! Yes I’d heard, and no I hadn’t been invited. Yet.

“Seems like Rachel said something about it.” I pretended not to care.

“Well, I met this lady, this artist, in Newhope who makes jewelry. Helen Freed?”

I shook my head no, and he continued.

“I was thinking about trying her technique and maybe putting something together for Lucy. Like a gift.” As always his blue eyes sparkled when he talked about his art. “It’s smaller work, more delicate and using a soldering iron. But I figure I need to be versatile. So would you help me?”

“Julian!” I exhaled loudly, resting my head on my locker. “My mom was totally right about you.”

“Your mom’s hot. What did she say?”

“Just that artists are so romantic, and look at you. That is very romantic.”

He frowned. “I was aiming for thoughtful. And ‘expanding my range.’”

“Well, I think it’s romantic, and Lucy will flip if you make her a piece of jewelry. I know I would.”

“You would?” His tone changed slightly.

“Besides,” I continued, “she has everything. What other kind of present could you give her?”

“And then you kick me in the nards. Thanks, Banana-face.”

I pretended to frown. “I prefer Sunshine. And I’m just saying. I’m completely in the same boat over here.”

“Yeah, so you’re really going out with that guy? I expected more from you. It’s disappointing.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. We haven’t DTR’d.”

“Translation?”

“Defined the relationship.”

“Well, the party’s at their house, so if you need a ride, let me know. I don’t really want to drive over there alone.”

“That would be great!” I perked up at the thought. “I will.”

* * *

Jack was waiting for me at the Jeep, ticking my heart up as always with his perfect face. Only this time the face didn’t look happy.

“I saw you chatting with your friend Julian.” He nodded in the direction from which I’d just come.

“Oh,” I looked back, but Julian was gone. “No. I mean, nothing to fear there. It seems Lucy has worked her magic on him.”

“Really?” His expression didn’t change.

“Disapprove? I can vouch for him. Julian’s a great guy.”

“I’m not worried about her, but Lucy tends to be careless in relationships.”

“She’s a player?”

“Not really. More looking for a hero or something.” He took my bag and placed it in the back seat.

“Well, Julian’s very artistic. I don’t know if that counts as heroic.”

“And he’s one of your shop guys. Aren’t they all heroes in your book?” He was teasing me now, but I was glad he wasn’t frowning. I started to climb in the Jeep, but his hand went to my waist.

“Hey, slow down,” he said.

Then he leaned in and gave me a long, soft kiss on the lips. Everything around us faded away, and my fingers fumbled to hold his starched oxford. He lifted his head and smiled.

“Thanks.” I said, breathless.

Then he laughed. “Thanks?”

I felt myself blush. “I don’t know. That was nice? I wasn’t expecting a kiss.”

“C’mon. I’ve got to get you home.”

* * *

The whole weekend I didn’t get a single call or even a text from Jack. I tried not to be miserable, but I hated it. Nothing interested me, and I just wanted to hear his voice and stir up the butterflies again.

I tried to console myself. He was touring the college, and it was rude to be on the phone all the time when you visited someone, right? Finally, Sunday night, a text appeared saying I’d have to drive myself to school. I was a little concerned, but I figured I could wait a bit longer and see him in class. I wanted another kiss, but we had time for that.

Jack never made it to class, and Lucy wasn’t in civics. I was worried when I bumped into Julian, and he told me Lucy had come back from New Orleans with a virus and was staying home. Still, why was Julian hearing from Lucy, but I wasn’t hearing from Jack?

I tried to call him and got voicemail, so I left a message and waited. It was hard to concentrate on class work, but I made it through the day, back home, and through supper. He still hadn’t called by bedtime, so I tried one more time to call him and got his voicemail again. This was getting weird. If Lucy had a virus, it was possible Jack could have it too… I wished I’d asked Julian if it was a stomach bug or just fever and went on to bed.

I slept poorly, and the next morning I waited until 7:40 to decide I must be taking myself to school again. I was almost tardy to Mrs. Bowman’s class and dashed in just in time to see Jack’s empty seat. Now I was really worried. After school, I tried his cell again, and when his voicemail answered, I decided not to leave a message this time. I decided to drive to his house.

* * *

The sun was setting, but it was still 80 degrees when I parked in front of the house on Peninsula Avenue and got out. Suddenly I felt silly and impulsive. What was I doing? We weren’t officially dating yet. Did one mini make-out session, a drive to school, and sailing with my mom and Nana count as a relationship? I wasn’t sure.

Now what? Did I barge in and demand to see him? His dad didn’t even like me, and I knew Lucy was sick. What if Jack were puking his guts up? I’m sure he really wanted me to see him like that. I was about to ditch the whole idea and drive home again when I heard the clink of ice on crystal.

“Hello?” A man’s voice called. “Can I help you?”

The figure that emerged from the side patio this time was not Mr. Kyser. He was tall like Mr. Kyser and had the same light brown hair and cold blue eyes, but this guy was about twenty years younger.

“Oh!” I said. “You must be William!”

“I’m sorry,” he smile-frowned. “It seems you know who I am, but I don’t know you. Are you one of Lucy’s friends? Do you live here on the island?”

“Um, yes and no,” I was trying to be friendly, but it didn’t seem to cut the tension. “Lucy and I have class together, but I live in Fairview.”

His expression morphed to one of disapproval, and he seemed finished with me at once. “Lucy’s not seeing anyone right now. She has a cold.”

“I heard it was a virus. Is Jack sick, too?”

“What’s your interest in Jack?” His voice was irritated, and my hands felt clammy. So much for being friends.

“I, uh. Well, he’s in my English class, and he wasn’t at school. I didn’t know if he might be sick or need my notes or something.”

“Are you Anna?”

“What?”

“You are. Dammit, Dad! This is worse than I thought.” He wasn’t talking to me, and I decided that was my cue to leave.

“I’m sorry, maybe I should go.”

“Maybe you should, and don’t come back.” His voice was stern. Mean, even. “Your little fling with my brother is over.”

My eyes blurred, and my chest hurt. I was having trouble finding the handle of my car. This scene was all too familiar—me being humiliated at Jack’s house. I barely heard the sound of footfalls coming up the road when I recognized his familiar voice and jumped.

“Anna? Hey! William?”

“Your friend was just leaving,” William said.

“Shut up, Will. Anna? Are you OK? What are you doing here?” Jack was at my side, and he at least sounded concerned. He didn’t look sick at all.

“You weren’t at school, and I tried to call…” My voice trailed off. I was desperately trying not to cry. I wanted to throw my arms around him, but he was wet from running or swimming or both. Who knew?

He squeezed my arm. “Hang on, let me put on some dry clothes. You want to come inside?”

He seemed glad to see me, but William took a sip from his tumbler and glared at me.

“I’ll wait here,” I said. “Will you be long?”

“Two seconds. Please wait,” he pleaded. “Will, come inside.”

“Gladly.” His brother sounded disgusted.

I stayed by my car while the two went into the house. The door didn’t completely close, and I could hear part of their conversation.

“Don’t talk to my friends.” Jack’s voice was sharp.

“What are you going to do?” William scoffed. “Fight me?”

“I’d love to. Let’s go.”

“Will you ever be more than my punk-assed little brother?” William sighed. “Dad made a stupid decision sending you to public school. Bryant Brennan might not care what his son does, but you certainly aren’t getting mixed up with some girl who’ll just get you in trouble.”

I felt my face grow hot.
Not this again.

“You don’t know anything about Anna,” Jack’s voice sounded like he was pulling a shirt over his head.

“And you’re thinking with your dick.”

“You’re the dick,” Jack growled. “Don’t talk to my friends.”

“These are not your friends, and soon enough you’ll be where you belong.”

Jack returned looking incredibly handsome in a white t-shirt and loose khakis. I had missed him, and now I felt like I was about to lose him. My throat tightened.

“Hey, come on. Let’s walk down to the Bay,” he said.

“What’s going on?” I said, trying not to sound desperate. “Why is he here? Why haven’t you been at school?”

He took my hand and pulled it to his lips for a kiss. “I thought about you the whole time we were gone,” he said smiling. “What did you do all weekend?”

“Who cares what I did! What’s happening? What did William mean about being where you belong?”

“You heard that,” he frowned.

“You didn’t answer my texts, and I tried to call—”

“Come on.” He put an arm across my shoulders, and we walked down Peninsula Avenue in silence. I was starting to get worried when we reached the shore of Lost Bay and he still hadn’t said a word.

He sat down on the sand and gently pulled me down beside him and into his side. We listened to the gentle ripples of the water. It was more like a lake on this side of the island, but I couldn’t relax. I looked up at the sky just getting dark.

Finally he spoke. “Lucy’s got a big mouth.”

“What happened this weekend?” I felt like I was going to die if he didn’t tell me something.