My Lucky Charm (13 page)

Brandon

Leah and I follow Paul to the end of the drive in what I found out is her BMW. She’s been driving her housekeeper’s car. This whole situation keeps getting more bizarre by the hour.

I hate that she’s going to speak to the media to spare her friends the chaos
, but it makes sense. Leah’s sweet and considerate. I know she’s worried about this publicity hurting each one of us.

She insists I stay in the passenger seat, so as Paul starts to pull out of the driveway, Leah steps
one foot out of the driver side and stands with the door of the car open.

As soon as
the paparazzi see her, their cameras turn to Leah. The two security guys keep them away, but they’re close enough to ask questions.

Leah tells them
she moved here to start a new life. They ask her about her mom and her relationship with her father, but she refuses to comment. Then they ask her about her change in appearance, and she tells them this is how she wants to look and dress.

Lastly, they ask who I am, and she reluctant
ly says I’m her boyfriend but won’t give my name. We’d argued over this for ten minutes. She didn’t want to tell them anything, but I told her we’re in this together, so I finally got my way. She says they’ll know my name by tomorrow, and I’ll regret it, but I disagree.

We make it b
ack to the house, and I’m relieved to finally have her to myself. It’s been a long, stressful day. As soon as her bedroom door shuts, I take her into my arms and hug her tight.

“We’ve been together for hours, but it doesn’t feel like it. I’m glad we’re finally alone.
Will your mom mind that I’m in your room?”

“No, she doesn’t care. At times I think I’m more of the parent in our relationship.
”

“I totally get it
. I feel that way when my mom drinks, which is every day.”

“We need something to take our mi
nd off of the stress from today,” Leah says, getting a twinkle in her eyes.

“I hope it involves us getting into more tr
ouble than we already have.” I chuckle and kiss her forehead.

“I want to show you something.”

“Even better.”

She
walks across her massive bedroom and opens two white doors. I’m figuring it’s a closet, but instead, it opens into another room that is easily as large as her bedroom.

The
entire wall on the left has custom-made shelving from the ceiling to the floor, completely full of music CD’s and old albums. The opposite wall has a theater/audio system, along with a flat screen mounted, and right in the middle of the room is the largest, black beanbag chair I’ve ever seen. It easily holds two people, and it’s calling for us to make out on it.

“
How did you get all these albums?” I ask, stunned by the number of them. There’s even a rolling ladder to reach the ones at the top.

“It was my one request for th
e new house since I had a similar room at my home in LA. We had the shelving put in right before moving. I pretty much have every album from every band I’ve ever liked.”

“It’s unreal.” I can’t help but stare at the wall.

“I know it makes me look really spoiled, but it’s one of the only things I spend money on. I mean, I do like clothes, shoes, and having my nails and hair done, but I honestly spend much less than most girls with this much wealth.”

I tu
rn and lace our fingers together.

“You don’t act spoiled. I’m j
ust appreciating your set-up here. This room alone is a lot to take in.”

“I meant it when I said music’s my escape.”

I point to the beanbag. “I think we need to put music on and get into trouble right there.” I nibble on her ear before my mouth moves to her neck.

S
he pulls away and goes to the wall.

“
Let me find something first. Hmm …” She moves the ladder to roughly the middle and climbs up it. I hold it still and get the best view of her ass in her skinny jeans. “Do you like Journey?”

“
I love Journey,” I reply.

“I’ll play
Frontiers
. You can look at the sleeve. It’s signed by the band.”

“How
did you get this?” I ask, stunned once again.

“Maxwell
has always searched for albums and CD’s that are signed by the bands.”

“I’m scared to touch it.” I barely handle the album sl
eeve while admiring it. She plays the music, turns on a lamp, and shuts off the main lights. Oh man. This might create more trouble than she had in mind.

We climb onto the beanbag, and she immediately curls up against my chest. Her legs entwine with mine, and I breathe in her flowery scented hair.
I could get used to this.

She pushes herself against me as much as possible, and I wonder if she doesn’t feel close enough, which is how I feel every second I’m near her.

My fingers skim down her arm, and I close my eyes, trying to relax instead of becoming aroused, but it isn’t working. After sensing the absence of her head on my chest, I feel her lips on mine, and they’re soft, sweet, and make me warm all over.

My hand move
s to her hip, and I clench it hard as our kiss deepens. She whimpers into my mouth, and I try to pull her closer, needing to feel her skin like I need air.

Leah i
s electricity. She’s like the light socket you shouldn’t touch, but you can’t resist because the unknown seems too interesting … too exciting.

My lucky charm is
on top of me in a flash, her fingers delving straight into my hair. What can I say? I’m a dude, so my hands can’t help but migrate to her backside, squeezing her flesh once I’m there.

This room, this chair, this music, and most importantly, this girl is the refuge I’ve been seeking.

Leah

I’ve decided t
hat kissing Bran is better than anything money could buy. I’m on top of him, our tongues doing their own dance to “Faithfully.” We’re old souls with young, hormonal bodies, and my body wants Brandon to touch it … every single inch of it.

I’m losing my control from the strokes of his tongue and warmth of his mouth, to the way his hands feel now that they’re glidi
ng up under the back of my top.

The way his excitement presses up against my jeans, showing me that he wants me as much as I want him is leading to a whole lot of trouble in this room.

Reluctantly, I pull away and lie next to him, gasping for air and the will to stay put. When I was fifteen, the boy that all my friends wanted to date chose me.

Joseph Hartford, whose father’s
a judge, is an arrogant La Crosse player, destined for Ivy League, and timid Leeza was his conquest for the month.

I
thought I was special until he dumped me after the second time we had sex … the second time I’d ever had sex. I sit up and look down at Brandon, uncomfortable about the conversation I need to have with him.

“Have you had sex a lot
?” I ask.

He takes hold of some of my hair hanging down by my chest and twirls it around his finger, staring a
t it for several seconds.

“I’ve had sex with two
girls, and I guess combined it was many times. Are you a virgin, Leah?” The sound of his voice when he asks is sweet, as if he’s concerned for me.

“No, but I wish I was. I
was fifteen and did it twice with one guy who dumped me right after I gave it up. It was a bad experience, so I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t do it again until I was in love and felt with all my heart that the guy loved me back.”

“I’m so
rry he hurt you. It makes me furious, actually. If you told me I couldn’t touch you anywhere at all, I’d have a hard time obeying since I feel this overwhelming need to touch some part of you, whether it’s your hair or your hand.

“B
ut I’d never pressure you to do something you weren’t ready for, and I’m sorry if I’ve given you that impression. It’s easy to get carried away with you.”

“I feel the same about you, and that’s why I had to slow us down. I
find myself not wanting to stop, and it’s too soon.”

He p
ulls me back down on top of him but only to hug me and stroke my hair. I think I already love him.

Brandon

“I don’t want you to go, but we should get you home,” Leah says.

“I don’t want to go, either, but my parents are probably wanting some answers.”

We climb off my new favorite piece of furniture, and I hug her hard one last time before I follow her along the maze to get downstairs. It’s silent, and I don’t see a soul.

“Where is everyone?”

“Martha and Mom are probably in their rooms and Paul in the guest quarters. Everyone else that works here goes home. Let me message Paul, and I’ll ride with you.”

W
ill Leah and I ever be able to go out in public alone? There are still a lot of questions I don’t have answers to. We get to the end of her gate, and the media is still here.

“Leah, we didn’t talk about what happened at lunch today,” I say as I take hold of her hand in the back of
the Mercedes.

“We’ve had a great night, and it’s been a long day. Can we discuss it tomorrow?”

I lean over and kiss her temple. “Sure, but will you please tell Jarred to keep his hands to himself?” I ask.

She gives me a sweet
grin.

“You’re cute when you’re jealous. I’ll tell him if he touches me inappropriately. We’ll talk about it tomorrow, OK?”

I sigh. “OK.” I can tell Leah really likes me, but I still fear losing her to someone who doesn’t associate with my friends. I’m certain she was crying at lunch because of Amber. I can’t believe I ever dated her.

We get to my hous
e, and there are paparazzi waiting. “Oh no, Bran. Maybe we should pick you and Tyler up in the morning. They’re going to swarm you.”

“
We can handle it, and I need my jeep. I can’t miss practice again, but I’d really like to walk you into school in the morning.”

Leah looks up toward Paul. “He’ll insist on walking me
in.”

“Yeah, we need to discuss that tomorrow, too. I don’t understand how all this works.”

Leah looks away from me, and I don’t like it. She hasn’t done that for a while.

“I would
understand if this is too much trouble.”

I turn her chin. “Leah, please don’t say that. I’m not going anywhere. Text me in the morning, OK?”

She nods but doesn’t seem very assured. I give her a short kiss before I get out and face the mob.

Leah

As ready as I can be for what I’m sure will be a crazy day, I head downstairs and grab a quick breakfast. Paul walks into the sunroom as I’m finishing my juice and bagel. There is a tall, and I mean
tall
man with him. He’s dark skinned, no hair and is wearing a suit. This is one scary looking dude.

“Leeza, this is Sal. He’s going to be added security while the paparazzi are in town.”

“Hi, Sal, nice to meet you.” I turn my attention back to Paul. “Why do I need this, and what is he going to do?”

“
Sal’s going to drive us today. He’ll stay with the car, so I can be at school with you.”

“What? You’re staying at school?”

“I am today. Then we can reevaluate. I need to see how the paparazzi and students are going to react. Don’t worry. I won’t be in your classes, but I will be around between them and at lunch.

“
Kendra spoke to the school yesterday, and they have a place for me to wait while you’re in each class. Sal will come back this afternoon. The rest of the time, he’ll be protection for your mother when she’s in public.”

“I really hate this.”

“Sorry, Leeza. You chose to attend a public school with minimal security, so this is how it has to be.”

“Fine, but we’re getting their before Brandon, and he’s walking in with us.”

“No problem. We’re ready when you are.”

I text Brandon on the way, telling him to park next to us.
He and Tyler arrive and get in the backseat with me before Sal drives us as close as we can get to the door.

“I better get a lot of chicks out of this, Leah,” Tyler says with a smirk as we get out of the car.
He leads the way while Paul’s on one side of me and Brandon’s on the other.

Luckily, school security keeps the paparazzi in the parking lot, so once we’re on the sidewalk, we’re good, other than the long camera shots I’m certain they’re getting.

Once inside, everyone stares at us. I thought Brandon and I stood out yesterday when we walked in together, but there’s no comparison to the looks we’re getting today.

“This isn’t awkward at all,” Brandon says with a chuckle when we get to my locker.

“Sure you don’t want to bail?”

He cups my face and gives me one gentle kiss.

“Please don’t say it again.” I watch Brandon turn around and look for Paul who’s across from us and leaning against the wall.”

“Is he going to be around all the time?”

“Mostly, but only until the publicity dies down.”

“Um, I thought I could spend the first half of lunch with my friends and the second half at your table. What do you think?”

“That sounds good,” I reply.

We say goodbye, and I stroll to my first class. Everyone clears a path for Paul and me, and it is more than uncomfortable. Parker spots us right before we make it to first period.

“My man, Paul. High five me,” he says, holding his hand up to Paul, but Paul shakes his head no. I guess he’s trying to be all serious while working.

Parker then throws his arm around my shoulder.

“You’ll show me some love this morning, right, sister?” He lays the wettest kiss on my cheek.

“What is it with you and the sloppy kisses?”

“So, what’s the plan today?”

“There isn’t one really. Paul will be hanging around until the paparazzi find their way back to more interesting territory.”

“You have to let me come back over again soon. I need time to check out all of your awesome possessions.”

I gig
gle. “Wow, you’re honest, Parker.”

“Hey, I need to see all your designer stuff. Don’t you hold out
on me. I know you have a killer closet in that bedroom of yours.”

“I’ll be here when you get out. Don’t leave this room without me,” Paul orders when we get to the doorway of my first class.

“Sure thing. Peace out, Boy Scout.” I wave the peace sign at him with a cheesy grin. He tries to hide a smile but fails miserably.

“See you, Paul. Looking forward to hanging out again,” Parker says
loudly with a wave. Everyone shuts up when we walk into the room. He sits next to me like always. Of course, now he’s extra proud.

His red hair is in perfect place, and I’m certain he’s wearing his best khakis in case he gets his fifteen minutes of fame.
I always knew this news would thrill him, but it’s OK since he liked me before he knew I was wealthy.

The rest of the morning is uneventful. The mean girl
s look like dogs with their tails between their legs. I don’t hear a peep out of them, and I have a hunch they’re wishing they had befriended me when I came to this school.

I walk into the cafeter
ia and silence falls. Can I die right now? I seriously want to run back out the door. Luckily, Parker’s talking to me loudly, so after a long minute, students begin talking again.

Parker’s motor is in f
ifth gear today. He’s excited about what lies ahead for us. I don’t know what he’s expecting. My life is not that thrilling.

We take a seat at our normal spot, but there’s nothing normal about the day. Gabe, Troy and Jarred sit quietly, studying me. Jarrod didn’t speak to me in class today, so I’m not
sure if he’s upset about this or not.

Paul’s a shadow against the wall closest t
o us, and I hate it. I also dislike how my friends are acting. Sierra’s even quiet.

“Alright, listen. I’m the same girl you became friends with. My family is wealthy
, and the media finds it interesting that I’m living in Boulder. That’s it. Nothing else is different.”

“That’s what Sierra tells us, but it’s har
d to believe. I Googled you, and you look nothing like you did before,” Gabe says.

I point to my chest as I plead my case.

“That was never who I wanted to be.”

“
Are we even the type of people you want to be friends with, or were you only hanging out with us so you wouldn’t blow your cover?” Jarred asks bitterly.

“
That person you saw in the pictures is the girl my family expected me to be when the world thought my father was this upstanding citizen.

“I finally freed myself from t
hat nightmare, and I’m not gonna be that girl again. I hope you’ll trust me and understand why I hadn’t said anything.”

Silence.

“E
ach of you were accepting and made me feel like I belonged. I genuinely like you and think of you as my friends.”

They
look at me, but no one says a word. I’m not sticking around while they decide if they want me as their friend. I’ve already felt like the outcast my entire life. I abruptly get up and head toward the exit, feeling Paul’s presence behind me.

I hear my name being called as I near the doors, and I know it’s Brandon. I glance back and see him sitting with his friends, and Amber and N
icole are sitting across from him. As long as I see him at that table, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel secure about our relationship.