Falling Behind (Falling Series) (8 page)
Read Falling Behind (Falling Series) Online
Authors: Dee Avila
Chapter Thirteen
Reese
The morning of the Winter Formal, I talked to Titus and wished him luck keeping Candice at the dance. Mr. Warner had agreed to let her go, but only because she was going with Titus, and, because she promised to apologize to me. Apparently, she told her dad that she would forgive me at the dance and make the event that much more special for us both. Neither Titus nor I believed her. She had started hanging out with one of the pot-heads Brandi, and a few of her friends. I never saw her and don’t really know the pot-heads that well.
I showered, blow-dried and straightened my hair. I
pulled one side up with the blingy clip we’d bought and let the rest cascade down. It was finally in the middle of my back and once Mom touched up any slight curls, it would be perfect. I was terrified to do my make-up. Candice always did it for big events. I could do foundation, mascara and eyeliner, but that was about all.
Sitting down on the toilet in my underwear, I put my head between my knees. I could feel a panic attack coming
on and felt that I was going to hyperventilate. Mom found me a little bit later, gasping and talking to myself.
“Honey, is everything okay?” She asked
, as she slowly opened the bathroom door.
Mumbling through my hands I answer, “No, I can’t do my make-up.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I can help you.”
“Candice always does it. Always has. I never needed to learn. But now…”
“I know, Sweetie. Come on, Josh just got here.”
“Oh no, am I late?”
She shook her head and went to work on my eyes, and finished by painting my lips. “Here, make sure you keep this gloss in your clutch.” She kissed me on the cheek. “You look gorgeous. Go look in my full-length mirror once you have your dress on. I’ll let Josh know you’re about ready.”
Josh was stunned for a second
, his mouth dropped open and he didn’t say anything for a few moments. Finally, he got off the couch and adjusted his blazer and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He walked toward me, his breath caught in his chest. He smiled his cocky grin and mouthed ‘damn’ but said, “Babe, you look breathtaking.” He reached for the clear box on the coffee table. “Here, I got you this corsage.” Opening the container, he pulled out a beautiful blue orchid, which matched his boutonniere.
Candice and Titus
found us at the dance, but pretty much ignored me. Actually, when Candice turned away Titus slipped me a waggle of his eyebrows and a heart stopping smile. My best guy friend was unbelievably hot and knew it. After the dinner and half way through the dancing, Candice disappeared. When Josh and I were headed out to the dance floor I noticed Titus searching the crowd.
Candice came sauntering back to the dance floor from the bathroom. She walked up to Titus
, grabbed his hand and headed off to the center of the dance floor, where she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her long silver dress clung to her curves. Her hair flowed down her back in thick curls. She looked beautiful. I wished I could go tell her; instead, I was wrapped up in Josh’s arms, swaying slowly to the song.
His hands rested on my hips
, at first. As the song continued, he slid his hands down lower, to the top of my bottom. He looked at me questionably, “Is this okay?” I nodded and nestled into his chest, caressing his neck with my fingertips.
“You are so beautiful. Can we get out of here
, soon?”
“One more song?”
I looked over his shoulder to see Titus looking at me. The look on his face was pure hatred. I knew he didn’t like Josh, but I didn’t understand how he could look at me like that.
Titus
The anger that had been building and rolling in my gut skyrocketed and literally took my breath away when I saw Josh leading a gorgeous Reese into the Formal. Maybe it was the way Reese looked that took my breath away—she was so beautiful in the blue, fitted dress that matched her eyes. I waggled my eyebrows in approval and tossed a huge grin her way. I wanted so bad to walk over to her and take her away from that jerk.
With Candice in my arms and Reese on my mind
, we swayed to the beat of another slow song. I wanted more than anything to take Reese in my arms, nuzzle my nose in her hair and inhale her sweet, berry aroma. Instead, I twirl around the dance floor with Candice. Neither of us were where we wanted to be.
T
he song ended and we walked side-by-side to our table, the furthest away from Reese and Josh. Still, I watched them talk and dance. He kept a hand on her at all times, her arm, back, shoulders, or waist. Never letting her out of his sight, he didn’t let her go anywhere without him. I just wanted to tell her how beautiful she was.
“I’m going to the restroom. Don’t stare too hard, she may actually find out.” Candice cackled, a high-pitched laugh that grated my nerves.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hurry back,
Dear
.” Leaning back in my chair, I stuck my legs out and crossed my ankles as well as my arms, over my chest. My eyes travelled again to Reese, she looked miserable. She watched him talking and having a great time with his friends. Rarely did he include her in their conversations.
People were leaving as I watched her actually sway her hips and smile as she approached. The soft light made her hair glisten and added a sparkle to her dress and matching eyes, bringing out her natural beauty. I followed her eyes as they traveled up and down my body, a slow smile stretching her full lips. I smiled, raising my eyebrows at her, again. “You look beautiful, tonight.” I meant it.
She made
some compliment back, but I couldn’t stop watching her body move under the thin fabric, her curves accented by her dress. As I looked, admiringly, I saw the tell-tale goose-bumps cover her arms and chest. I followed the rise of them to find a blush creeping up her neck, and finally filling her cheeks with a rosy color.
Reese swallowed and smoothed down her dress. My guess was her hands were sweating, just like mine. I knew I needed to tell her about Candice.
I was sure that was why she had come over here, to find out where she was. I just didn’t want this moment to end. A guy could hope that his dream girl was into him, just as much as he was into her.
“Candice went to the bathroom. I’m sure she’ll be right back.”
“If you’re sure. Text me if you need my help.” She smiled at me before spinning around and heading outside to Josh.
M
y eyes stayed on her backside as she sashayed away from me. Leaving me, and my insides, twisted and confused. Reese never threw her hips and ass into it when she walked, never. Why would she be doing it now, not only when she approached me but when she left also? This girl was driving me crazy.
I waited ten more minutes
, but Candice never showed. I thought about texting her, but I knew she didn’t have her phone. Her dad took it away over a month ago. I guess it was time for me to leave. No sense in waiting around for someone that wasn’t going to show.
I was sure Candice would eventually show up at the party and then I could take her home
, after inspecting her for new bruises or marks, of course. I didn’t need George getting mad at me. I was all she had, right now.
I drove out to
The Orchard where, once again, a huge fire was raging and music was blaring. I parked in my usual spot and headed into the cluster of people. Cliques were gathered, everywhere. To my surprise, every girl still had on their formal dresses, filling them with dirt and the smell of smoke. It wasn’t hard to spot Josh. The idiot was standing on an ice chest, slamming beers, as a group cheered him on. Reese sat on another ice chest, at the other side of the fire. She was searching the crowd, possibly for me or for Candice, but I wasn’t sure.
Finally our eyes connected and I could see irritation in the way her forehead pinched together and her lips were pursed. Josh drinking and Candice not here, I thought. I knew
she was passed irritation. She was pissed. Her hands sat in her lap, fingers laced and knuckles white. I lifted two fingers in a wave and tilted up the corner of my mouth. With tight lips she smiled back.
I cruise
the cliques searching for Candice or Alex. No sign of either of them and when I asked around, no one had seen either of them. It was still a couple hours before I had to have her back. I decided to relax and enjoy myself, at least for a little while.
One of the freshman girls
who had been flirting with me all year waltzed up, swaying a little, but nothing like Reese. No, I recognized it as an I’m-drunk-and-can’t-stand-still sway. She was cute enough, though. Her green eyes and red hair accented her petite body. She had no curves, though, nothing like Reese, I thought as I let my eyes glance over her body. I really wish I didn’t compare everyone to Reese.
“
Hiya Titus-s-s, having fun-n-n?” She slurred as she licked her bottom lip and kept her eyes on my lips.
“Not yet,
wanna help me out?” What the hell, my best friends are with their boyfriends, why not hook-up with this chick?
“Hell
, yeah,” she shouted, as she stepped into me and crushed her lips on mine.
I left my eyes open, I wouldn’t get caught up in this kiss. It’s what she wants right now. But come tomorrow, when I want nothing to do with her, I’ll be no better than Alex or Josh. I pulled away
. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” That’s when I saw Graham, leaning against Jonathon’s truck. He would know where Alex and Candice were. Even though he graduated, he and Alex were still really tight.
I pushed
through the groups of dancing and drinking kids to get across to Graham. He noticed me with a chin lift as I approached. “Hey, have you seen Alex or Candice?”
“Yep, they are together right now. If you know what I mean.” He leaned against the truck arms crossed guarded, always guarded.
I knew exactly what he meant. “Any idea where or if they are coming here?”
“Black Bridge and I don’t think they have any intentions of leaving where they are.” He shrugged, pushed off the truck and walked away.
I knew I needed to go get her. I still had over an hour. I paced the back side of Jonathon’s truck trying to figure out what to do. Reese, she will know what to do.
I walked through looking for her. Not seeing her near the fire, where
I’d last seen her, I headed toward the field where most of the cars were parked. “Reese?” I called her name a few times, not hearing anything.
I circled the cars calling her name. No answer. I circled back around by the railroad tracks and headed toward the
peach trees still yelling her name. That’s when I heard her.
“No. Stop it, I said”. I could feel the pain and panic in her voice. I had to stop him. How? I ran my hands through my hair and called her name again and again. Still, no one said anything. He continued as I walked closer.
“Reese!” I waited
, ready to head over there.
“Fuck you
, asshole. We’re busy.” Josh called back sounding strangely sober.
I heard scuffling and I saw
Josh walking toward me. “You wanna get out of here. Leave us alone.” It wasn’t a question.
My fists clenched to my side
as I looked him square in the eye. I stepped up to him. “Not without her.” His pupils were huge; even in the dark I could see the difference in his eyes. This guy was on something more than beer. “Reese?”
“I said to leave us alone.” He pushed me.
My fist collided with his jaw and he stumbled backwards. I followed him ready to deliver another punch. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Reese lying on the ground, and it looked like her shoulders were shaking with sobs.
I reached out and picked him up before delivering another blow to his nose. Blood poured down his face as he slid back to the ground. I ran to Reese, knowing we needed to get out of there before any of his buddies showed up.
“Reese, are you okay enough to walk?”
She lifted her tear and dirt streaked face, nodding her head. I offered her my hand and she stood
, straightening her dress. I closed my eyes as she reached down to pull up her underwear. The bastard, he deserved way more than a broken nose.
“Come on
, we have to get out of here. I broke his nose and his friends might not like that. Where’s your stuff?” I looked at her waiting for her to meet my gaze.
Her eyes stayed glued to the floor. “His truck, it’s on the way to the road by the third pole.”
I shifted my eyes to our surroundings. We were still in the trees, but way past the fire. If we kept walking straight we could make it to the truck without running into anyone. Reese shivered under my arm and I pulled her tighter to me. I stopped to take my coat off and drape it over her shoulders.
I left her a few rows back in the orchard
and ran to his truck, grabbing her stuff and making sure to get everything. She certainly didn’t need to be having to have to ask for any of her things back. I rushed back and practically carried her the rest of the way back to my Camry. Our breath came out as little puffs in the winter air, and she was shivering. I couldn’t tell if it was shock or if she was freezing. My own blood was running hot.
“I’m going to take you home.
Then I need to go find Candice and make sure she gets home.”
I felt her nod. We reached my truck after what seemed like an hour. I checked the time, still forty-five minutes to get Candice home. I opened
the passenger door and helped her get in, kissing the top of her head before she leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
