nowhere (13 page)

We continued to get to know each other on the way home, covering all sorts of topics.  We talked about school, classes, teachers, and friends. We joked and laughed. We flirted. Her sweet lavender sent filled the small confines of the cab. Her gorgeous body pressed against mine, testing my limits. Several times I almost pulled over to the side of the road to make love to her, but of course I didn’t. I kept my promise to be patient. She was completely unaware of the effect she had on me.

We arrived back at the farm and I quickly jumped out. I needed the fresh air to calm my raging hormones. I ran around to the back of the truck and untied the horse. “When can I see you again?” I asked, setting it down on the front porch.

“Tomorrow?” she said hopefully. “I’ll be here all day, hanging out with Pops.”  She tucked a curl behind her ear. “You’re the one with the busy schedule.”

“Shit,” I said, frowning. I forgot all about two-a-days. Hell, who was I kidding? I forgot everything when I was with Mikayla. When I was with her, it was like nothing else existed. “How about after dinner? I can stop over then.”

“That sounds great. I’ll be here.” She smiled brightly. Her smile was intoxicating. I’ve never been drunk, but it must be similar to what I was experiencing right now.

“I’ll come by around seven.” I leaned down and gave her a light peck on the cheek. I didn’t trust myself to give her anything more. My blood was still boiling. I opened the front door for her and all but pushed her and the stuffed horse inside. 

It had been hours since lunch and I was starving. I hurried home, hoping to find a pot of soup on the stove or a roast in the oven. When I walked into the kitchen, I knew instantly that something was wrong. My mom wasn’t in the kitchen, like always. It was dinnertime, yet it didn’t smell like it. There could only be one reason why.

I stormed into the living room. My dad was sitting in his battered chair, watching TV.  Only I doubted he even knew what show was on. His eyes were too glazed over. He had a drink in his hand and a half empty bottle of whisky on the table next to him.

“What’s going on?” I confronted him. “Where’s Mom?”

“She’s in her room,” he said, slurring his words. I looked toward the stairs. He saw me and explained, “Leave her alone. She doesn’t want to see you.” My dad wasn’t making sense. He got out of his chair to face me, swaying so much that he almost fell over. He was the drunkest I’d seen him in years. His breath was so bad that I felt drunk just from sharing the same air. “We heard that you’ve been benched for the opening game.”

Shit. He wasn’t supposed to find out. I figured Coach would change his mind by game time and my dad would never have been the wiser. I should have known better. People in this town love to gossip, especially about their football team and star players. My dad must have heard about it and taken it out on my mom because I wasn’t here. My eyes hardened as I imagined the scene that took place. My fists clenched at my sides. I felt sick with guilt. “Why’d you have to take it out on Mom? Your beef is clearly with me.” I pointed a finger at my chest.

“Your mom’s fine. Like I said, she doesn’t want to see you.”

I knew he was lying. The sad truth was it didn’t matter. She would defend his actions just like she’d been doing for as long as I could remember. Yet I couldn’t stop myself from saying, “Next time, leave her out of it.”

“Don’t you tell me what to do.” His anger piqued, he shouted, “What were you thinking, you dumb ass?” Seeing the ashtray, he picked it up and threw it at me. I ducked and watched as it hit the wall, spilling ashes and cigarette butts everywhere. 

I knew my dad was trying to pick a fight with me, but it wasn’t going to work. I refused to be like him. “What were
you
thinking?” I snarled through clenched teeth.

Ignoring me, he said, “You better get your act together and fast. There’ll be hell to pay if you don’t play in that game. You hear me, boy?”

“Don’t worry, I got a plan.” Under my breath I muttered, “I want that scholarship more than you know.” 

Mike

It was Friday evening. Pops was already sitting in his chair in the family room, working on another crossword puzzle while watching a baseball game on TV. I thought about joining him until James got here, but I couldn’t stand the heat in the house. I could barely breathe, it was so hot. I didn’t understand how he survived without central air. I raised my hand in a friendly wave before walking out onto the porch. I sighed in relief. Thankfully it was several degrees cooler out here.

I sat down on the porch swing, marveling at how quickly evenings had become my favorite part of the day. The locusts buzzed in the trees. Occasionally loud trucks rumbled by. I gently rocked back and forth. These country sounds were almost as comforting to me as the city sounds had been.

Not two feet away, I watched a robin fly in and out of a nearby shrub. The mama bird kept returning with a delicious treat for her hungry babies, who couldn’t fly yet. Protecting them, providing for them, she put their needs even before her own. I couldn’t help but think of my own mother. I was sure those were the very same reasons why she’d moved us here to Nowhere. I couldn’t deny that I’d been angry at her. Smiling, I realized I no longer felt that way.

James. He was the reason for my change of heart. I continued to smile. It was Fate, meeting him on my very first night here at a party I didn’t even want to go to. As I thought back to that night I laughed out loud, causing the bird to fly away again. We’d come far since our initial encounter.

My heart quickened as I thought about how he’d be here soon. I couldn’t wait to see his handsome face, deep dimples, and green eyes. I wanted to run into his strong arms and have him hold me tight. Heat spread across my body as I dreamed about the kiss we’d share.

Slam!

I jumped.
What the—
? I looked up and saw Emma. “Did you have to slam the door so hard?” I complained. I was just getting to the good part.

She shrugged.

“This is an old house, you know.” Wow, I sounded just like Pops. I guess we did spend a lot of time together. 

“What’s your problem?” she hissed.

I narrowed my eyes as I zoned in on the fact that she was wearing my favorite jean skirt, without my permission. “Where do you think you’re going wearing my skirt?” I snapped. I hated it when Emma borrowed my clothes. She rarely returned anything. When she did, it was only because it was ruined.

“I have a date tonight with Casey.” She stuck her chin in the air. “We’re going to the movies with Tyler and Liz.”

“You’re going out with Casey?” I asked in disbelief. “He’s a jerk.”

“You don’t even know him,” she said defensively.

“I know him, all right.” I only talked to him the night of the party, but it had only taken a few seconds to realize he was full of himself. I didn’t hold back. “Casey is a conceited asshole who only cares about one person. Himself. I’m also willing to bet he’s only interested in one thing.”

“You’re wrong. You’re just jealous because Casey asked me out and not you,” she yelled.

I rolled my eyes. I could tell her about Casey hitting on me at the party and asking me if I wanted him to show me around, but I didn’t. She wouldn’t listen anyway. Instead, I gave her a warning. “Just be careful. Casey may not be the guy you think he is.”

“Whatever.” She shrugged. “What makes you think James is so wonderful?”  She emphasized his name, mocking me.

“Lots of reasons,” I stated matter-of-factly. I wasn’t going to discuss what was happening between James and I with Emma.

“Really?” she laughed. “Haven’t you heard? He sleeps around.” I kept my face blank, giving nothing away. I knew Emma was just trying to get back at me for talking trash about her date, even though everything I said had been the truth. What came out of her mouth was nothing but lies. “He uses girls. He has sex with them, and then the next day he acts like he doesn’t know them.”

“Says who? One of your cheerleader friends who feeds off of gossip and spreads rumors to make herself feel better?” My voice rose.

“It was from a very reliable source.”

“I’m sure. Too bad it doesn’t make any sense.” I knew Dooner, and he would never do that.

“Believe what you want. Just remember I did try to warn you.”
What? I was the one trying to warn her.
She turned to leave; only I caught her by her arm.

“Take my skirt off,” I demanded. I knew I was being childish, but I didn’t care. Emma had gone too far, and now I was pissed.

“No way. I look good in this.” She put her hands on her hips.

“Too bad. Take it off. I don’t want you wearing my skirt while that idiot you’re going out with tries to get his hand under it.”

“Be serious, Mike.” I remained unwavering, glaring at her sternly. Emma shifted uneasily and tried a different tactic. “Please let me wear it. I don’t have time to change,” she pleaded.

No way was I backing down. “Last chance. Now take it off before I take it off for you.” I heard the engine of Tyler’s truck coming down the road. I nodded my head. “I’d hurry if I were you.”

Emma huffed. She knew me well enough that if I said something I meant it. “You’re such a bitch,” she shouted, running inside to change before I could follow through with my threat and humiliate her.

Just as the door slammed, Tyler pulled in. It did look like it was a double date. Liz was sitting shotgun while Casey sat alone in the back. I slowly approached as Tyler rolled down his window.

“Hiya Mike. Where’s Emma?” Tyler asked, leaning out the window.

“She’s coming. She had a last minute wardrobe change.” I smiled.

“Tell her to hurry, would ya. ”

“I’m sure she’ll be right out. You guys are going to the movies, huh?”

“Yeah. What are your plans? There’s room for one more, if you want to go,” Tyler offered. It was clear by the look on Liz’s face that she hoped I didn’t take him up on it. If James weren’t coming over, then I’d tag along just to piss her off. I wasn’t sure what I had ever done to her, I had only met her once, but it was obvious she didn’t like me.

Casey rolled down his window and shouted enthusiastically, “Yeah, you should come. Then I’d have one beautiful sister on each arm. A hot threesome’s one of my fantasies.”

“Gross.”
This guy’s even worse than I thought.

He laughed. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. But it’s probably for the best anyway. It doesn’t look as if your sister’s in the mood to share.”

Emma came up behind me, scowling. “What’s going on, Mike?”

“Nothing. Just letting them know you’d be out in a minute.”

“Well, I’m here now,” she said, all but pushing me out of the way to climb into the back next to Casey. She’d changed into a whole new outfit. She had on the shortest pair of shorts she owned and a super tight v-neck T-shirt that flaunted her chest. I rolled my eyes. I didn’t understand why Emma thought Casey needed encouragement. 

“Sure you don’t want to come?” asked Tyler one last time, chuckling.

“No thanks.” I waved as they pulled away.

I was too restless to sit on the swing. I paced back and forth on the driveway, replaying the fight with Emma. I didn’t believe a word she said about James. She was just jealous because he picked me over her. I bet her new cheerleading friends had filled her ears with untrue rumors. I hated to stereotype, but wasn’t that what cheerleaders did? I knew James had a past. Didn’t everybody? What mattered was that we were together now.

By the time James arrived, I’d carved a noticeable path in the stone driveway. “Is everything okay?” He sounded concerned.

“I had a big fight with Emma.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No, not really. It’ll blow over in a couple of days.” I shrugged, not letting Emma’s comments cause friction between me and James. I trusted him and what we had together.

“Okay. Is there anything I can do?” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

“No.” Smirking, I added, “A kiss would make me feel better.” I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He leaned down and softly kissed me. Instantly, I relaxed. The kiss deepened and quickly became urgent. Our tongues intertwined. The rest of the world ceased to exist. Eventually we pulled apart to catch our breaths.

While standing in the middle of the driveway, waiting for our breathing to return to normal, he asked, “What do you want to do tonight?”

There really wasn’t anything in a town this small for teens to do, and partying on a dirt road once was more than enough for me. Happily I suggested, “I’m hot. Let’s go for a swim.”

James’ bright green eyes twinkled. He liked my idea. “I thought you’d never ask.”

This time we didn’t wade in the creek. Anxious to cool off, we headed directly to the pond. “Last one in is a rotten egg!” I challenged playfully.

“You’re on.” he declared.

Without pause we stripped down to our undergarments, racing to be the first one to jump in.

I laughed as James fell over trying to pull off one of his cowboy boots. “Mike, help me. I need a hand,” he pleaded.

“Why? So you can pull me down too? I’m not falling for that trick,” I smirked, leaving him on the ground. I quickly spun around and jumped in. The cold water felt refreshing against my hot skin. I came up laughing just as James jumped in, joining me.

James and I swam around for at least an hour, showing off for each other. We even attempted to reenact the lift scene from the movie “Dirty Dancing,” laughing and sputtering water the whole time. “That wasn’t how they did it in the movie.” I laughed after our fourth failed attempt.

“Are you saying I shouldn’t give up my football dream to become a dancer,” he teased, feigning hurt.

“Definitely not.” I splashed him full in the face.

I closed my mouth, preparing to be splashed back. Only he surprised me by catching me in his arms. “Now, if you promise not to splash again, I’ll let you go.” He laughed.

“What if I don’t want you to let me go?” I said, seriously. His smile lit up his whole face.

“Then I won’t.” He pulled me even closer and kissed me. I trembled in his arms. Pulling away, he said, “You’re freezing. Let’s get out.” I wasn’t trembling because I was cold, but I didn’t correct him. I followed him out onto the rocks where he wrapped his strong arms around me.