Find You in the Dark (6 page)

 
Clay gave Tilly a final wave and ushered me through the door of the shop.  Once we were outside, I took off my fleece and tied it around my waist.  The sun had come out and it had warmed up since I had been inside.  We stood on the sidewalk looking at each other.  “So, coffee?”  Clay asked.  I nodded.  “Yeah, let's do that.  There's a great place down the street.  They have the best biscotti.”  I suggested.  Clay rubbed his stomach.  “Mmmm.  Biscotti.  My favorite.”  He licked his lips and I suppressed a groan.  This guy was going to kill me.

 
As we walked down the sidewalk, not saying much, my heart beat a mile a minute and my palms were sweaty. I discretely wiped them on my blue jeans.  Clayton made me feel nervous and giddy all at once.  I liked it.

 
When we got to the coffee shop we both headed for the back.  It was dimly lit with an overstuffed couch, and it felt cozy and intimate.  “What would you like?” I asked him.  Clay shook his head.  “No way, I'll get this.  You just grab us a seat.”  I thrilled at his words.  He was buying me coffee!  It almost felt like a date. 

 
I was proud of how steady my voice was when I gave him my usual order of a grande mocha latte with extra whipped cream and a slice of vanilla biscotti.  I watched Clay walk to the counter and couldn't take my eyes away from his massive shoulders.  He really was a big guy.  He could easily have been mistaken for a football player or something.  I also noticed the way others watched him, as though they were just as aware of how special he was.  His shoulders were less slouched today and he was carrying himself with a bit more confidence than I saw at school. 

 
He returned a short time later with my order.  “I see you took my word on the biscotti.”  I said, indicating his plate with three pieces.  Clay smiled shyly.  “Yeah, I'm a little hungry.”  He sat beside me on the couch and carefully sipped his own drink.  I picked up my mocha and took a drink, careful to make sure my lips were free of whipped cream when I was done.

 
Our silence was becoming more companionable than before.  There was still that little bit of awkwardness laced through it, but it was less noticeable.  “So what do you think of Jackson so far?  Does it live up to all of your high school fantasies?”  I asked as I swirled my biscotti into my coffee. 

 
Clay gave an adorable snort and put down his mug, reaching for his own biscotti.  “I'm still waiting for the flash mobs, but other than that it has been just fine.”  He replied.  I sipped my coffee again, taking time to watch him hold his food with long, careful fingers.

  “
Fine?  That's it?  No stronger adjectives to use?”  I asked.  Clay met my eyes and I was once again taken aback by how dark they were.  So brown they were almost black.  He shrugged.  “All schools are really the same.  This one is no better or worse than the others I've been to.”

 
His answers always gave just enough information to tantalize, yet never actually revealed anything.  I was a little hesitant to broach any subject that he deemed too personal after being abruptly shut down before.  But I had told him I wanted to be his friend.  He came here with me, right?  So that showed he wanted to be my friend too, I thought.  And friends got to know each other.  That was the whole point of friendship.  So, without giving myself time to ruminate more, I plunged right in.

  “
So you live with your Aunt Ruby.  Do you um...like living with her?  What's she like?”  I waited for his anger and was relieved when none came.  “You just don't give up do you?  We can't just sit here and talk about the weather?”  He asked lightly.  I shook my head.  “Nope, I want to know about you.  That's what friends do.”  “And we're friends?”  He asked me.  His eyes seemed to be asking something else, but I didn't know what.  So I nodded.  “I'd like to be anyway.”  I said.  Clay smiled.  “Friends then.”  I smiled back.  “So your aunt?”  I prompted.

  “
Yes, my aunt.  Well Ruby is pretty awesome.  She's my mom's older sister and they don't exactly get along.  Life style differences and all that.  Mom doesn't approve of Ruby's partner, Lisa.”  “Ahh.”  I said knowingly.  Clay dunked his biscotti in the hot drink and nibbled.  “But Ruby has always been there for me.  She's always helped out when I needed her.  So I'm thankful she let me come stay with  her and Lisa.  It was a life saver really.”  The way he spoke about his aunt made it clear how much he loved her.  My heart clenched at the raw vulnerability I heard. 

  “
She sounds like an amazing person.”  I told him quietly, not wanting to mess with the mood of intimacy that had wound around us.  Clay shook himself slightly, as if realizing how much he was actually revealing.  “Yeah, she's pretty fantastic.”  He said wistfully.  “And Lisa is a hoot.  She's this hardcore biker chick and she could definitely kick my ass if I got out of line.”  He laughed.  I laughed with him, picturing his aunt's girlfriend, the biker lady. 

 
We finished our coffees and took the empty mugs up to the counter.  We left the shop and stood on the sidewalk, neither wanting to go our separate ways.  “So.” I remarked at the same moment that he said, “Well.”  We laughed awkwardly.  “Thanks for the coffee.”  I said, putting my hands in my jeans pockets.  “Sure, anytime.  I enjoyed myself. I'd like to do this again sometime.”  He admitted, looking at me through his thick lashes. 

 
I relished his words, feeling happy that he liked spending time with me.  “Yeah, me too.” I told him.  We walked back to Ruby's Bookshelf and I noticed his car was parked next to mine.  How did I not notice it there when I pulled in?  “So, I'll see you on Monday?”  His words came out as a question.  “Definitely.” I answered as I got in my car.  He rested his hands on the door and leaned into my open window and for a moment I imagined his beautiful lips on mine.  “Bye, Maggie.”  He said softly before backing away.  I put my car in reverse and backed out of the parking lot. 

 
This time it was me looking in my rear view mirror.   And I delighted in seeing him standing there watching me leave.

                                                
Chapter Four

  “
Damn it!”  I grumbled as I realized I had left my gym bag in my locker.  It was after school and I was on my way to cross country practice.  This was my third year on the team and I was proud of the fact that I was in a prime position to lead us to state this year.  Coach Kline was convinced that I would break some records during the season. 

 
Yeah, I was pretty good.  And modest too.

 
And running really, really late.  Coach Kline would make me run extra time if I didn't pull my finger out.  I jogged back down the hallway toward my locker and collided with someone coming in the opposite direction.

 
I reached out to grab a hold of the other person's arms to steady myself.

  “
I'm so sorry.”  I breathed out, feeling embarrassed.

 
My head shot up at the throaty laugh.  Clay's eyes twinkled at me as he held onto my wrist.  “We've got to stop meeting like this.”  He said with amusement.  I swallowed hard and felt my heart thud against my chest. 

 
I had looked for him at school today.  It had only been two days since our impromptu coffee date on Saturday but I strangely missed him.  I mean, I didn't even know the guy, but I wanted to be around him way more than was normal.

 
But he had been elusive.  He didn't come into the cafeteria and I never saw him in the hallway.  I even made a point to wait outside of the creative writing class I knew he had with Rachel, but he somehow snuck out without me seeing him.  Okay, I admit, I was becoming a bit obsessed.

 
So seeing him here after searching for him for the last eight hours was a bit of a shock. 

  “
I think we need to start wearing neon safety vests or something.”  I joked, righting myself on my feet.  I realized we still held each others' arms.  I felt all tingly when I realized how close we were.  I unceremoniously dropped my hands to my sides, feeling awkward. 

 
Clay released me from his hold and hefted his book bag up on his shoulder.  “Probably not a bad idea, you're kind of lethal.  It would give me a bit of warning the next time you come careening at me.”  His smile made me tremble.  It was crazy, this effect he had on me. 

 
We stood in silence for a moment. I was suddenly tongue tied, which was definitely not my norm.  “You heading home?” I asked him lamely.  It was 3:30, of course he was leaving.  What a dumb question.  If I could have smacked my forehead, I would have. 

  “
Uh, well, I was thinking of taking a drive, do a bit of exploring.  I still don't know my way around very well.”  He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.  “Wanna come with me?  I could use a local's expertise.” 

 
Oh shit.   Clay and me in a car together.  Alone.  That sounded like heaven.  Or the source of some very serious anxiety.  I opened my mouth, not sure what to say.  I looked at the clock.  I was already late for cross country. 

 
I looked at Clay again as he waited expectantly for an answer.  “Come on, Maggie.  Please.  Take pity on the new kid.”  He teased.  Without waiting for me to say anything, he took my book bag from my shoulder.  “Come on.”  He cocked his head in the direction of the door.

 
Glancing at the clock again, I shrugged.  Screw it.  Missing one practice wouldn't kill me. 

  “
Sure, why not.  Can't have you wandering around lost in the middle of nowhere.  The natives could eat you.”  Clay laughed.  I followed him out of the school, trying not to feel guilty for blowing off practice.  But as I watched his fantastic ass in his dark jeans, I forgot about guilt and was overcome by unbridled hormones. 

 
Clay put his hand on the small of my back and steered me toward his car.  I tried not to sigh at his touch.  His fingers felt warm through my shirt and my mind drifted to some very dirty thoughts of his fingers touching me in other places.  Wow, I was turning into a tart. 

 
He clicked open the locks and opened my door for me.  I looked up at him and beamed a simpering smile.  “Such a gentleman.”  I batted my eyelashes.  Clay laughed again and shook his head after I got inside.  “Well, I try.  No sense in revealing my evil intentions right way.”  His eyes smoldered as he looked at me and I tried not to gulp.

 
Clay closed the door behind me and quickly got into the driver's seat.  He started up the BMW and I delighted in the smooth purr of the engine.  “This is some car.  I'll try not to hate you the next time I try to get my junk pile to start.” 

 
Clay smiled tightly but didn't respond.  For some reason, his car was a touchy subject.  He pulled out of the car lot and onto the main road.  “Do you mind?” I asked, indicating the radio.  “Go ahead.  There are some CDs in the glove compartment there.” 

 
I pulled out a handful of CDs and was surprised to see several of my favorites.  “You like Placebo?”  I ask, holding up “Sleeping With Ghosts.”  “Hell yeah.  I saw them live in Miami a few years ago.  They're amazing.”  “Lucky.”  I grumbled with good- natured jealousy.  I popped open the CD cover and put the disc into the player. 

 
We sat in silence for a few minutes as the alternative rock music filled the interior of the car.  I was mesmerized as I watched Clay's long fingers drum along to the beat on the steering wheel.  Why was it that he could make such mundane actions so interesting?  It was official, I was pathetic.

  “
So where to, oh wonderful tour guide?”  Clay asked.  I thought for a moment but finally, the growling of my stomach made my decision for me.  I pointed to a street sign a few feet ahead.  “Turn right onto Crane Avenue and take the first left.”  I instructed. 

 
Clay followed my directions.  “Now, pull into the parking lot.” I told him, indicated the car lot to the left.  “Bubble's ice cream?”  Clay stated with a question in his voice.  He looked incredulously at the huge pink giraffe that graced the front of the bright yellow building.  “Seriously?  This place looks like it was built by a five year old.”  He said as we got out of the car.

 
I playfully punched his arm.  “Don't be so judgy.  Just wait until you have Bubble's banana splits.  You will die a happy man for having had one.”  I assured him, tugging on his hand.  To my absolute delight, Clay laced his fingers through mine and squeezed.  My heart fluttered painfully in my chest. 

  “
I'll take your word for it, Mags.”  I looked at him in surprise as he so naturally used the nickname reserved for my closest friends and family.  The sound of my name on his lips was down right sensual.  Like a promise. 

 
We walked into the ice cream parlor, the bell dinging as we went through the door.  Clay never dropped my hand as we walked to the only empty booth in the place.  Sliding onto the cracked vinyl seats, Clay looked around.  “This place is packed.”  He remarked. 

 
I grabbed two menus from behind the plastic bottles of ketchup and mustard.  “Bubbles is an institution.  They have the best ice cream and hamburgers in the county.  You have to look past the cheesy decor.”  I assured him.