Because of You (15 page)

She steps forward forcing me to take a step back. I put my arm up to stop her from coming closer. “No! I’m okay.” Why do they all want to me to talk about everything? And if she thinks I’m going to say anything in front of this man she’s crazy. “Dad just wants to include me. It’s okay.” I will not let this man think I have a bad relationship with my father.

“Okay.” My mother puts on her satisfied smile. “Well, Tony has invited us out to dinner. So go change so we could go out.”

“I’m actually going to Farrah’s for dinner. I was about to ask you,” I lie.

“I’m sorry, but Tony is taking us out so you’ll have to tell Farrah you’ll go another time.”

“But Mom...”

“It’s okay Amanda, she can come with us some other time. It can be just you and me tonight.” He gives her what I’m sure he thinks is a sexy smile making my stomach turn. I can’t believe my mother likes this man. By the way she blushes and giggles I’m guessing she’s falling for his yucky-ness.

“Okay. Do you need us to give you a ride?” My mother asks sweetly now that she’s in gaga land.

“Can I use your car?” I ask trying to take advantage of her blissful stage.

“No.”

“That’s what I thought you’d say. It’s cool, Farrah’s coming to pick me up.”

“Good. Well I’ll be home in a couple of hours. Remember you need to be home by nine.”

“No problem. Bye.” I give her a quick hug and begin to head upstairs.

“Jade?” My mom calls out.

“Yeah?”

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Tony?”

I wasn’t planning to. I know if I don’t she might change her mind and make me go with them. “Bye.” I turn back around and run up the stairs before she makes me say anything else.

I can’t believe she’s moving on so fast. I mean I know my father is about to start a family with another woman, but that’s different. He left us for her. My mother should be trying all she can to try to get my father back. What am I saying? If a guy cheated on me I would not want him back either. I guess she has all the right to move on with her life, but I don’t have to like him.

I try calling Farrah, but then quickly remember she’s grounded and doesn’t have a phone. I guess it’s just me by myself tonight. I could try calling Logan, but I know he’ll want me to go over and I’m not really in the mood to walk down to his house.

Instead I change into my pajamas and head back down to get something to eat. I open the fridge and only see tons of bottles of waters, a bottle of wine, orange juice, some fancy cheese, a bottle of ketchup, and some lemons. Really? I swear ever since my mother stopped cooking she never shops for groceries anymore.

Why is it the moment I realize I have nothing to eat I get hungry. Ugh! My mom didn’t even leave me any money. I could have ordered a pizza.

Diiiinggg Dooonggg! I jump in the air as if someone had just thrown a bucket of cold water on me. Who could that be? Maybe my mother forgot her keys I try telling myself. I slowly walk towards the door hoping whoever it is they’re not here to kill me. I swear if this were a horror movie this would be the part where the really spooky music would play.

“Who is it?” I ask. Why don’t we have a peephole like everyone else who has a solid wood door does?

“Me,” a deep voice answers making my heart pound uncontrollably. He’s here. I open the door and see Austin standing on my front steps.

“What are you doing here?” I’ve waited all afternoon to see his car pull up, but never in my mind did I think he would be standing at my door.

“I saw your mom leave with that man and I guess I just wanted to check you on you.” He smiles making his dimples appear. I no longer have the power to resist them.

“It sucks, but I’m fine.” He looks back at his house like he has something else he rather be doing. I don’t understand why he even came over. “Umm...well I better go back in. Now that you know I’m fine you can go back home.” I try to close the door put Austin places his hand on it and prevents it from moving.

“You’re not gonna invite me in?”

“I didn’t think you wanted to come in.”

He takes a step closer to me making me suck in my breath. “Nice pajamas.” Oh God, Why didn’t I wear my sexier pair? Damn my love for comfy PJs. “Are you going to bed?”

“No. Look, what do you want?”

“There’s the attitude I love.”

“Whatever! Aren’t your parents wondering where you are or something?”

“I know you’re dressed for bed and everything but I was wondering if you wanna go for swim?”

“Where?”

“My pool.”

“I didn’t know you had a pool. What about your parents?”

“They’re not home. My mom is at some book club meeting and my dad is working late.”

“So you wanna come over for a swim?”

Every inch of me thinks this might be a bad idea but somehow I still nod my head yes. “Let me go change. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

“Okay.”

I run up the stairs and quickly look through every bikini I own. I don’t want to wear the stripe one again. Why don’t I own better suits? I finally settle on a pink and grey one. I put on a pair of shorts and a purple tank top over it. Hopefully I’m not making a mistake.

I walk around to the side of his house and enter straight into his backyard. It’s weird I haven’t been back here in so long. I lied about not knowing he had a pool. I remember watching the workmen going in and out of his backyard while they were putting it in. I was so jealous. It was around that time my mother also started suggesting we should get a pool. My dad always said no. I know she would die if she knew he now has one in his new house.

This warm September air is perfect to just jump right in, but instead I remove my shorts and sit at the edge of the pool. I dip my toes in the warm water and stare at the pink stokes across the sky reflecting in the pool. It’s so beautiful.

Austin walks out of his house carrying two water bottles. “Here, in case you want a drink.” He places the bottles on a small metal table by the lawn seats, takes off his faded UT T-shirt, which I’m starting to believe is his favorite shirt, and jumps right in destroying the pink streaks. The water splashes me waking up my skin.

Austin pops up and swims towards me. The water glistens on his face. My heart races as his dark eyes take me in. A smile flashes on his face right before he dives underwater again and disappears.

He loves to do this, and if my memory services me correctly he’s up to no good. He resurfaces again right between my legs. “Don’t you wanna come in?”

His two cold wet arms wrap around my legs. “Don’t you dare!” Before I can stop him he pulls me in. I scream a loud ear-piercing yell and swallow a gallon of chlorine water as I sink down to the bottom touching the rough concrete floor.

I shoot back up to see Austin standing outside of the pool laughing. I try to act mad but I can’t help laughing too. “I’m gonna kill you!” I yell splashing water at him.

“First you’ll have to catch me!” Austin jumps in and swims away from me.

We swim around the pool splashing each other and having races, which he wins each and every time. So many times I want to dive into his arms and find his lips, but I fight this urge. Right now we are acting like friends, and this might be all he wants from me.

We stay in the pool while the sun disappears and the full moon appears. I wish I could stay in here forever but I know I better get back home before my mom or his parents come back.

I swim away from him and jump out. My hands now resemble prunes.

“Where are you going?” He asks.

“I better get home.”

“Wait, I’ll walk you.” He jumps out of the pool dripping wet. “Let me run in and change. I’ll be right back.”

He rushes into his house as I put on my shorts and tank top back on. Now that the sun is no longer out the air has become cooler. I can’t stop my body from shivering.

Austin comes back out seconds later with the same T-shirt and black sweatpants on. Of course he even looks good dressed in sweats.

“You ready?” He asks.

I nod. We begin to walk back to my house.

“I had fun. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed in the pool that long.”

“Me too. Thanks for inviting me over.”

“Anytime.”

I open my door but I don’t want to go inside and have this night end. “Do you wanna come in?”

“Yeah.”

I lead him into the living room. “Wait for me in here. I’m just gonna go and change. I’ll be right back.”

“Are you gonna put on those pajamas on again?” he asks.

“You’ll just have to wait and see.”

I run upstairs with my heart pounding in my ear. I take off all of my wet stuff throw it on the floor and slip back into my pajamas. I quickly shake my wet hair out and spray some perfume on before I run back down.

“I’m glad you put them back on.”

I sit right next to him. “I’m shocked none of your friends have tried to contact you tonight to party or hook up.”

He laughs. “Who do you think I am? Trust me I stay home more than I’d like.” He cocks his head to the side. “Have you been keeping tabs on me?”

“You wish. To be honest up until three weeks ago I didn’t even realize you still existed.”

“Ouch!” Austin falls back pretending to be in pain.

“Oh please, you didn’t realize I existed either.”

He sits back up, looks deep into my eyes and says, “I always knew you existed.”

“Yeah right.”

“I did. Every time I saw you a part of my heart would hurt.”

“Whatever.”

“It did. I missed you. I never stopped thinking about you. Our friendship was amazing. I always felt like an idiot for running away that day and saying those horrible things to you. I’m really sorry. I don’t know how I’ll ever make it up to you.”

I take a deep breath taking in everything he’s saying. “Don’t worry about it. It’s the past lets keep it there,” I say finally forgiving him.

His brown eyes widen as his smile does too. “You know you left me thinking about that kiss you almost gave me in the hallway earlier. I guess that was the real reason I came by today.”

“So you came over for a kiss?”

“Maybe.” He starts laughing. “No. I mean I’m just happy we’re getting closer. I’m glad we’re...”

“Friends?” I ask looking down at the hardwood floor.

“Yeah. I mean is that all you want?”

“What do you want?”

“I want whatever is happening between us to continue to happen.”

My heart begins to pound loud in my ear. “What’s happening?” I whisper.

“This.” He places his warm hand on my check and then leans in pressing his chlorine tasting lips on mine. I hold my breath as we begin to kiss.

He pulls away for a second and look into my eyes. He moves his hand from my cheek to the back of head and presses me in closer. I part my lips and allow his tongue to enter my mouth. He licks my lips sending sparks through every inch of me.

He continues to lean forward causing me to lie back on the couch. Right before my body is all the way back I hear keys fussing with the lock. We quickly sit up and pretend that we are in the middle of a conversation.

I expect to see my mother walk through the door, but instead it’s Carrie who walks in. Her eyes open wide when they land on Austin and me sitting on the couch.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her.

“Hello to you too,” she says putting her bag down on the floor. “Hello Austin.”

“Hi. How are you Carrie?”

“I’m awesome,” Carrie says with a surprised smile. “Where’s mom?”

“She went out to dinner with some man.”

“Tony?” How does she know about Tony? Then again why am I shocked? My mother and Carrie have always been more like best friends rather then mother and daughter.

“Yeah. Do you know him?”

“No. But Mom told me all about him. I’m so happy she’s dating.”

“What?” I ask mortified. How can she be happy about our mother dating?

“I’m happy she’s dating. What did you think she was going to be single for the rest of her life? Dad moved on, why shouldn’t she?”

I know she’s right, but deep inside I still wish for them to get back together.

“So Austin, what are you doing here?” Carrie asks lifting one brow higher than the other one.

“Finding happiness,” Austin replies looking at me with a sweet smile. “Well, I better get going. Carrie, it was nice seeing you again. Jade it’s not a problem, I can give you a ride to school tomorrow.”

“Huh? Oh yeah, thanks. I’ll walk you out.” We both hurry past Carrie who still is looking at us questionably.

The butterflies in my stomach begin to go wild knowing we are going to be alone again. He takes my hand in his as soon as we step outside.

“I had a great time,” I say.

“Me too.”

He leans on my sister’s car and pulls me into him. I wish I could stay in his arms all night long. “By the way, I really love those pajamas?”

I laugh. “I look like a dork.”

“No, you look just right.” He leans in and covers my mouth with his. Once again I get swept away in his kisses. This feels so perfect. I look inside of me for the fear I’ve felt all those other times, but it’s no longer there. All there’s inside me is happiness.

“Well I better get back inside,” I say pulling away.

“Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.” He steps away from me and walks back across the street. I already know I’m going to be sitting at my bedroom window a lot.

18

People Are Talking

“What was Austin doing here?” Carrie asks when I come back inside.

“Nothing. We were just hanging out.” I take my hair tie off my wrist and bring my cold wet hair up into a messy ponytail. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“I came to talk to mom about my wedding. I was supposed to come tomorrow morning, but I thought I come tonight and surprise Mom.”

“Well you surprised me,” I laugh.

“I bet I did. Now tell me what was Austin really doing here?”

“I already told you nothing.”

“Yeah right.” She strolls into the kitchen as I follow behind.

“Carrie, can I ask you a question?”

“What?” She tosses me a bottle of water.