Inferno Anthology (279 page)

“Don’t forget. You have my number. Call me anytime.” I felt like a lovesick teenager begging for a second date.

“I will.” She smiled at me. “Thanks for tonight. It was nice.”

Nice. That had to be the kiss of death. She started the engine, so I shut the door, stepping around the car and onto the sidewalk so she could pull away. Lifting her hand she gave a quick wave. I returned in kind, unable to take my eyes off the vehicle until it was gone from sight. Turning, I went to open the door to the shop.

Damn it. I didn’t even get her number. The ball was totally in her court, now. Hopefully I’d hear from her again. If I didn’t…well, I guess that was my answer.

Bailey ran out as soon as I pulled up, her eyes flashing in the dim lighting from the driveway lights. “Oh my gosh!” she said in a loud whisper, brushing her blonde hair behind her shoulder as she reached into the trunk to help with my bags. “You’re lucky my parents are letting us sleep in the pool house again, tonight, or they would’ve noticed how long you’ve been gone. My mom came to check on us and I told her you ran to the store for some snacks while I was finishing my homework. Where have you been?”

“I’m sorry I took so long,” I apologized, shutting the trunk and following her on the path around the side of the main house and over to the pool house. “I told you I needed to do something special; but I didn’t want to tell you because if I got caught, you could claim you didn’t have any prior knowledge.”

Glancing back, she stared at me briefly, “No. You told me you had to do something personal—not special. Now I’m totally curious. What did you do?”

“Get inside and I’ll tell you.”

The pool house was lit with the soft glow of candles, which were spread out across different surfaces of the room. The walls and furniture in earthy toned creams and browns, with accents of red and yellow artfully placed around the space, made it feel more a posh hotel than a pool house.

The living area and kitchen were all one big open area, with the kitchen running along the back wall, separated from the living room only by a large island. To the left were two doors that led to a beautiful bedroom and equally nice bathroom. The wall on the right had a stone fireplace complete with a big screen television hanging above it. The wall closest to the pool was completely made up of French doors that could be opened and pushed back, so the wall completely disappeared. It made a great space for pool parties.

Bailey and I spent a lot of our weekends here. We’d dubbed it as “our” place. I was pretty sure I spent more Saturday nights here than I did at home.

Setting the bags down on the granite island counter, we emptied the contents: romantic comedy DVD’s, popcorn, chips, and soda. “I’m going to need to work out extra this week just to make up for tonight.” Bailey complained.

“Whatever. You always say things like that, but I’ve never seen you gain an ounce. I rarely see you working out, either, for that matter, unless it’s at cheer practice.”

“There are other ways to work out.” Bailey grinned. “Did you know that sex can burn like—,”

“Like a billion calories. Yeah, yeah, I know. You keep reminding me.” I cut her off, hoping to save myself from the details of whomever was her most recent sexcapade. I couldn’t look half the guys at school in the eye anymore, after hearing about things she’d done with them. “I went and got a tattoo, tonight.”

The bowl of chips she was holding clattered back to the counter and her eyes widened. “Come again?”

A smile twitched at the corner of my mouth. I was the predictable one in this friendship. I never did things that surprised people. “I got a tattoo.”

“Are you serious?” she said, her gaze traveling over me. “Where?”

I reached for the button on my jeans and her hand went over her mouth.

“No way! You did it in your pants?”

Sliding them down over my hips, I pulled the strap on the one side of my underwear revealing my new ink. “I don’t know if it still looks as clear, but it will once the film comes off.”

Bailey bent to inspect it. “Oh my gosh! You got this to remember Tommy, didn’t you?” Straightening, she hugged me. “I think it’s beautiful!” She stepped away to look at it, again. “I’m still in shock. I can’t believe you got a tattoo. Where’d you go?”

“A place across town, over in Tommy’s old neighborhood. It’s called Inked Edges. Ever heard of it?”

She shook her head. “Not that I can think of right off the top of my head. Of course, the only time I get over that way is when I’m with you, and now that Tommy is gone….”

My heart hurt. “I know. I hope to still stay in touch with his mom, though. She’s been having a rough time.”

“Is that why you got this over there?” she asked. “Had you been visiting her?”

“Actually, a friend of Tommy’s works over at Inked Edges. Tommy told me if I ever wanted a tattoo, I should go see him, so I did.” For some reason, I felt reluctant to tell her about Six. I’d never breathed a word about my attraction to him to anyone—especially Bailey. She would’ve insisted on drive by’s and scoping him out, or pinching me and nodding in an overtly obvious manner whenever he might’ve been nearby. Plus, I knew there was pretty much no chance of anything ever coming out of it, anyway. I didn’t want to come off as the friend’s annoying kid sister that he’d need to run and hide from. I was content to keep him all to myself and admire him from afar.

“They didn’t make you have a parent present?” she asked.

“I, um. “ Staring at her I confessed. “He did it off the books because he was Tommy’s friend. He didn’t even charge me for it. In return, I had to promise I wouldn’t tell anyone who did it.”

“Mmm.” She studied me before picking up the bowl of chips and linking arms with mine. “Grab that movie on the top,” she ordered and I did. The two of us walked to the sitting area. “I’m not sure how I feel knowing you’re keeping some mystery guy from me. Was he hot? Would I like him?”

Jealousy flared within me instantly. “He’s not your type,” I replied, trying to deflect her.

She snorted. “All guys are my type…especially if they’re packing big—,”

“OKAY!” I jumped in loudly, cutting her off. Let’s watch this movie shall we?” I glanced down at the title. “Sorority Love. This better be good.”

“What’s not fun about sorority life? I can’t wait to rush houses and go to frat parties. College will be so much fun!”

“Do you plan to actually attend classes?” I teased. “I thought your main college goal was to get drunk and get laid—which doesn’t seem to be any different than the life you’re leading now.”

“Older guys.” She set the chips on the coffee table and flopped back against the couch. “That’s the difference. College age guys are just more manly—more experienced, more muscular.”

My mind instantly drummed up an image of Six. He may not be a college guy—at least not that I was aware of—but he was definitely college age. And in my mind, he blew every guy I knew, no matter the age, clean out of the water.

I put the movie in the player and sat down beside her, absently eating popcorn as I stared at the screen. I wasn’t watching the movie, though. I was reliving the time I’d spent with Six. I definitely wanted to see him again, and I did have his number; but I couldn’t think of any reason to call him. Maybe one would present itself later on. It wasn’t like he’d asked for my number, so it was more like he was keeping an eye out for Tommy’s little sister.

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

***

Melancholy…that’s what I was; and I didn’t know what to do about it. Mr. Duluth’s voice droned on and on as his chalk scratched and squeaked across the old chalkboard, grating on my nerves even further. Was it really that difficult to upgrade to a white board like the rest of the faculty had?

I quickly copied the calculus assignment for tonight, glancing at the clock every ten seconds as I waited for the minute hand to strike the hour so the bell would ring to release us from school for the day.

If I didn’t know it was impossible, I’d swear we were stuck in some sort of magical time warp that had slowed everything down to a snail’s pace.

Jumping from my seat as soon as the first tone sounded, I headed through the door and into the hallway. I walked quickly, until I felt something hit me in the back of my head.

A small eraser dropped to the floor beside me, rolling off into the stampede of feet hurrying past. Turning, I saw Kane Lawson, smirking at me.

“What up, Hall?” he asked, giving me what I assumed was supposed to be a sexy nod as his eyes ran over me slowly before returning to my face. “You’re running out of here like the school is on fire.”

Annoyance coursed through me. “Did you need something?” I asked, turning and walking away from him without waiting for an answer.

“Hey,” he shouted from behind me, but I didn’t stop. “Beat it,” he said, shoving the person next to me to the side as he fell into step next to me. “What’s got your panties in a wad, today?”

Glancing over at him, I gave him a scathing look. “You have no idea what my panties look like, let alone if they’re in a wad. What do you want, Kane?”

“A bunch of us were going to go out and party, tonight. I was wondering if you’d like to come with me?”

“Tonight?” I asked, surprised. “You realize it’s Tuesday, don’t you?”

He laughed. “A little mid-week alcohol never hurt anyone. So, you in?”

“No.” I continued on my way, hoping he’d get lost. Pretty much any girl in school would die to get asked out by Kane, but I wasn’t one of them. I didn’t care about his perfect blond hair, amazing body, or what kind of truck he drove. Everything about him screamed “fake” to me. I knew he asked girls out strictly so he could sleep with them. I wasn’t about to be added to his list. Besides, Bailey had filled me in on all I could possible want, or in this case,
not
want to know about him.

“Come on, Brooklyn. I’ve been inviting you to do stuff for ages and you keep turning me down.”

“You think that’d be a clue, huh?”

“Fuck it. I don’t need this.” He disappeared and I didn’t even pause to see where he’d gone.

“Are you okay?” Bailey asked, coming up on my other side.

“Fine. Why?” I glanced over at her.

“You seemed especially harsh to Kane just now. That’s not like you.” Concern was evident in her eyes.

Grabbing her by the arm, I pulled her around the corner, sticking my head into the classroom we were by and finding it empty. Motioning her inside, I closed the door behind her.

“I’ve never said anything to you about this before, but I like someone else. I have for a long time. That’s the reason I’m never excited about going out with all the people you keep trying to set me up with.”

“Oh. Em. Gee!” she said, her eyes twinkling excitedly. “Who is it? I’ll totally help you get him!”

Sighing, I opened the door and stepped back into the hall, continuing toward the main doors. “This is precisely why I haven’t said anything to you in the past. I don’t want you to help me “get” him. It’ll either happen on its own or not at all. Which, at this moment, is looking like not at all.”

“Who is it?” she asked. “I can ask around and see what I can find out.”

I halted abruptly. “Bailey! Stop. I mean it. Do not get involved.”

Sticking her bottom lip out in a pout she stared at me with hurt in her eyes. “I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy. I don’t need a guy to have a good time.” I moved toward the exit, pushing through the doors into the bright Nevada sun.

“You don’t look very happy to me.”

“Well, that’s because I’m about to go spend the afternoon working with my dad at his campaign headquarters. You’re welcome to come if you’d like.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, yeah. I’ll pass on that. Then I’d be unhappy, too.”

I laughed. “I’m not trying to be a bitch, Bailey. Really. But I totally detest working for my dad. It always puts me in a bad mood. And I’m sorry if it bursts your bubble, but I don’t want to date any of the guys in this school.”

Her face brightened. “Ah ha! There’s a clue! He goes to a different school. I am going to figure out who it is, you know that right?”

I shook my head as I dug my keys from my pocket and unlocked the door. “Good luck,” I replied as I slid inside. “I’ll text you later when I’m home, okay?”

“Does he work for your dad’s campaign?” she asked, eyes narrowing as she studied me, obviously serious about finding out who this mystery person was.

“Would I hate working for my dad if he was?”

Her face fell. “Oh, yeah. That’s true.”

“Goodbye,” I said with a laugh, shutting the door and starting my car. Even as I pulled out of the space, she still stood there and I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.

I was in trouble now. Once Bailey got a sniff of a secret, she was like a dog on the hunt for a bone. She wouldn’t let go until she found what she wanted.

Releasing an exasperated breath I shook my head. I shouldn’t have said anything.

“Dude, let’s go rent some movies and get some more beer. You drank all we had.” My roommate, Brandon, spoke from where he lounged beside me on the couch.

“I’m too drunk to drive,” I protested, glancing at the bottle in my hands. I’d lost count of how many I’d tossed back.

“I’ll drive. What’s up with you, today?” Brandon asked. “You didn’t even wait for me to get home.”

“Nothing. Just drowning my sorrows.”

“Sorrows?” Brandon raised his eyebrow. “Something I don’t know about?”

I chuckled. “No. Not really.” I took the last swig of my beer and set the bottle down on the coffee table. “And you’d probably laugh if you did.” I stood, carefully concentrating as I made my way toward the front door of our sparsely furnished two-bedroom apartment.

Brandon laughed. “That makes me think it has something to do with a girl.” He followed me outside. “Hang on to the railing, bro,” he added as we approached the stairs. “You’re looking a bit wobbly there.”

“I’m fine,” I argued, but did as he suggested, anyway. Things were swaying.

“Tell me what’s going on,” he said as we slid into his pickup together, I was grateful for the dark tinted windows that helped to shield me from the brutal late afternoon sun. “Is it a girl that has you all worked up?”