Behind Her Smile (10 page)

“There,” he said. Then he rested his hand on her bare skin. “Let me know if you get cold. We can go back to the car for your coat if you want it.” He massaged the top of her shoulder slightly.

Madison could feel herself melting. Her body was responding to his touch in ways that thrilled her. She didn’t care if she got cold. There was no way she was going to put that coat back on now. Leaning into him, she replied, “I’ll be fine.” Wrapping her arm around his waist, they walked past a group of girls he’d been talking to after class.

Several of them glanced over, and Madison could see the envy in a couple of their faces. She lifted her head a little higher and hugged Miles close. He looked down at her with a puzzled smile. “I think this night is going to be a good one,” he said.

“Me, too,” she replied, looking back over her shoulder to the group of girls, who were now elbowing each other and gesturing toward her and Miles.

Throughout the first half of the game, Madison sat close to Miles. They both had their feet up on the bleacher bench in front of them, and Miles was resting his hand on her knee. Sometimes as he leaned to watch a play, it would slip up her thigh, and she had to catch her breath to maintain her composure.

At half time, he suggested they go to the snack stand, taking her hand, as they climbed down the stairs and through the crowd in the tunnel. While they waited in line, he stood behind her, hugging her to his body. She relaxed back and tipped her head up, looking at him.

He smiled down, and then glanced away. But a moment later, she felt his hands slip under her sweater at her waist. “Mind if I warm up my hands while we wait?” he whispered in her ear, but his hands didn’t feel cold to her.

“No problem,” she replied as she once again melted under his touch.

After they got some popcorn and a large drink to share, he asked, “So how badly do you want to see the end of the game?” 

She turned and looked at him. “I don’t really care. Why?”

“I was thinking maybe we could go down by the beach and talk. Have our popcorn there. What do you think?” His voice seemed nonchalant.

Madison paused. Her parents would be livid if they found out. But how would they know? As long as she got home in time, it should be fine.

“Hey, we can stay here if you want,” he said in response to her pause.

“No. The beach sounds good,” she replied. “I’m not that into football anyway.”

He laughed. “Yeah. Most girls aren’t.” He handed her the popcorn and held onto the drink. Then he draped his arm over her shoulder, and they headed out to the parking lot. As they walked, Madison noticed his limp hand occasionally tapping against her chest. At one point, he fingered her neckline, making some comment about how soft the sweater was.

The parking lot was full of cars but void of people. They navigated their way to Miles car, and he opened the passenger door for her. “Thanks,” she said, grinning up at him as she sat down, placing the tub of popcorn on the floor by her feet. It was cold in the car, especially with Miles’ body no longer up against hers. She wanted to pull her sweater up onto her shoulders, but that would ruin the look. Instead, she folded her arms across her chest, hugging herself for warmth.

“Cold?” he asked, as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

“A little.”

“We can fix that,” he replied, starting the car and turning on the heater. Then he reached over and rubbed the top of her thigh with his hand. “Better?”

She nodded. “Thanks.”

He smiled and turned on the radio. They drove in silence for a few minutes, and then pulled onto a street that led to the shore. It was a dead end, and Miles parked right near the sand, ignoring the no parking sign. Through the windshield, they could see the surf pounding in the moonlight.

“Wanna sit in here where it’s warm?” he asked.

“Sure. That sounds good,” she replied, leaning down and picking up the popcorn bucket.

Miles unlatched his seatbelt, and she followed suit, turning to face him as she held out the popcorn. He took a handful and ate it, as she picked out a couple of popped kernels at a time. While they enjoyed the salty treat and shared their drink, Miles asked her more questions about her family.

Madison soon found herself explaining about the five-year gap in age between her and Caleb.

“So your brother is adopted?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Cool.”

She nodded. “I think I’d like to adopt a kid when I grow up.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she silently began chastising herself.
When I grow up? Really? You sound like a little kid,
she thought.

But Miles didn’t seem to think anything of it. “That’s cool,” was his only reply.

When they were halfway through the popcorn, there was a lull in their conversation, and Miles picked up a kernel and tossed it toward her mouth, saying “Catch!” She didn’t have time to react before it fell down inside of her sweater.

“Oops, sorry about that,” he said with a grin. “Now where did that little bugger go?” he asked innocently, searching in her lap and the seat around her. “Uh oh,” he said innocently. “I think I know where it is.”

“Oh you do, do you?”

“Yeah.” He leaned over and lifted the bottom of her sweater. Out fell the kernel. He snatched it up. “Got it!” he said.

She laughed and threw a piece at him. Amazingly, he caught it with his mouth. “Wanna know where it is?” he asked. Before she could answer, he leaned toward her. “Here, I’ll give it to you.” He kissed her, parting her lips with his tongue and slipping the popcorn kernel from his mouth to hers.

“Whoa,” she replied, so impressed by the trick that she didn’t even mind his forwardness.

“Toss me another one,” he said, repeating the same trick again. But this time, he didn’t pull away from her after the kiss. Instead, he leaned into it, and so did she. One kiss led to another, and soon Madison felt her heart starting to race a little.

“Got any more popcorn up here?” he asked in a throaty whisper as he worked his hand up her sweater, fingering her bra.

Madison didn’t know what to do. Her mind said stop but her body yearned for more. A knock on the window startled them both. Miles pulled away, and they both looked out the driver’s window. An older man was standing there.

Miles lowered the window.

“Would you guys mind taking it somewhere else?” the guy asked. “You’re blocking my driveway, and I need to pull out.”

“Uh, sure. Sorry about that,” Miles said. He started the motor and pulled his seatbelt back on. Madison adjusted her clothes and belted herself in, too. As they drove off, she pulled out her cell phone and checked the time. 10:45.

“I’d better get home,” she said. “My parents are expecting me by eleven.”

He pulled over to the curb. “Are you sure? Maybe you could call them and say the game is running late.”

She didn’t want to sound like she was still under her parents’ thumb at sixteen, but she also didn’t want to raise any questions that might lead to them discovering her deception. “I’m kind of tired, anyway,” she lied. “It’s been fun, though,” she added with a smile.

“Yeah,” he replied, pulling her close for one last lingering kiss. “We’ll have to do this again soon.”

As they drove up to the front of her house Madison said, “You can just drop me here. My parents are probably getting ready for bed.”

“Okay,” he replied.

She unlatched her seatbelt and reached over to retrieve her coat from the backseat. “So you have my number,” she said.

“Yeah.” He didn’t say whether or not he’d call her over the weekend, and she wanted to get into the house as quickly as she could, just in case her dad peered out the window and saw an unfamiliar car.

“Well, I’d better get inside.”

He nodded. “See you Monday.”

Her heart sank a little, but she tried to sound casual. “Sure. Monday.” She started to open the door.

“No goodbye kiss?” he asked.

“Oops. Yeah. Of course,” she replied, leaning over and giving him a quick kiss then pulling away before it could lead to another.

Miles looked disappointed. “Bye,” he said.

She got out of the car and leaned back in. “Bye. Thanks for tonight. I had fun.”

He nodded and gave her a half-hearted smile. “Me, too.”

Then she closed the door and hurried inside. Her father was sitting in the front room. “Have a good time, honey?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s Lucy? Did you girls meet up with her friends from school?”

Madison walked past him toward the stairs. “Yeah.”

“You’re not very talkative tonight,” he observed.

She turned and forced a casual smile. “Sorry, Dad. I’m just a little tired.”

“Okay. Goodnight, princess.”

She cringed inwardly. “Goodnight, Dad.”

Miles didn’t call all weekend, although Madison kept her phone nearby at all times, checking it numerous times a day, even during her long runs. She could hardly wait for Monday’s history class, replaying over and over in her mind how the other girls had looked at her so enviously at the game. This was going to be her year. The year she finally became someone.

She got to history class early on Monday, but Miles’ desk was empty. He slipped into the room at the very last minute, talking and laughing with one of the girls they’d seen at the game. As he slid into his seat, he turned and smiled at her.

Her heart leapt in her chest, and she smiled back. He’d probably put his arm around her as they walked out, right? Just like at the game. Not wanting to embarrass herself again if the teacher called on her, she flipped open her notes and tried to focus. Having Miles in her peripheral vision didn’t help. But if he sat behind her, that would probably be just as bad. Then she’d be tempted to turn around all the time.

Mr. Barnes launched into his discussion of the Constitutional Congress, and Madison decided to volunteer an answer before he could call on her. He seemed impressed with her response, and Miles turned and gave her a thumbs up.

“Did you have something to contribute to what Madison just said?” their teacher asked him.

“Nope. She hit it on the head,” he replied.

After class, the same girl he’d been talking to on the way in started walking beside him and asking him something. Madison moved to his other side but had to back off when they got to the door, which would only allow two people through at a time. She was a little disappointed that he didn’t wait and walk through with her. Once they were out in the crowded hall, he looked over his shoulder and tipped his head to the side to indicate she should come alongside him.

Moving next to him, she felt a rush go through her body again.

He looked down at her and said, “How was your weekend?”

“Good. How about yours?”

“Fine,” he replied without putting his arm around her or taking her hand.

When they got to his locker, he turned to her and said, “Have a good one. See you tomorrow.”

She felt confused and rejected, even though he’d at least wanted her to walk with him. Her face must have shown it, because he asked, “Are you okay?”

Nodding, she turned to head for her locker. “See ya,” she said over her shoulder.

As she walked away, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning she found herself looking into his face. “Hey, are you upset that I didn’t call you this weekend?”

She shrugged.

He leaned down and kissed her. “Sorry about that. I’ll call you tonight.”

Her heart raced and her spirit soared. She couldn’t believe he just kissed her right there in the hall where everyone could see it. He must like her after all. “Okay,” she replied with a smile. “Talk to you then.”

He studied her for a moment. “You should get more sweaters like the one you wore to the game,” he said with a wink.

She just grinned.
I think I will,
she promised herself silently, planning on how she could always change her top once she got to school.

After dinner, Madison went up to her room to wait for his call. She worked on homework, answered some emails, got ready for bed, and spent a half hour on Facebook before he finally called at ten.

He sounded down, apologizing for calling so late.

“No big deal,” she replied. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just a little worried about my Mom.”

Madison’s heart swelled. What a sweet guy to be worrying about his mother like that. “Why?” she asked.

“She’s been going through pictures of my dad again. She does this every year around their anniversary.”

Madison didn’t know what to say. “She must miss him.”

“Yeah.”

The phone was silent for a moment then he said, “I’m not much in the mood for talking.”

“Okay,” she replied. “I understand. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Bye.”

As she put the phone on the nightstand, she found herself praying for Miles and his mother. A thought came to her —maybe she should invite them to church. But first, she should probably figure out a way to talk to her parents about him again.

Her mind flashed to their date and the popcorn game, and she felt conflicted. Time alone with Miles was her first priority, but then once they were established as a couple, she’d figure out how to introduce him to her mom and dad.

“Want a ride home from school today?” Miles asked her after class on Tuesday.

“Uh, yeah! Sure,” she replied. Since her mother and brother didn’t get home for at least an hour after she did, it would give them a little time alone together.
Remember what Amber told you,
a voice within said. She flashed to a warning Caleb’s birthmother had given her when she’d been out to visit a couple of years ago. She’d told Madison about how she and her boyfriend, Caleb’s father, had spent a lot of time alone together at the beach after school. That was where Caleb had been conceived.

I’m not Amber, Madison thought to herself. I’m not going to do something stupid like that.

“I’ll meet you in the parking lot,” Miles said. “Right after sixth period.”

She nodded and smiled. “See you then.”

He didn’t kiss her this time before walking away, but he did look over his shoulder and give her a big smile.

The next period seemed to drag on forever. Finally the last bell rang, and the halls filled with students eager to vacate the premises. Madison made a quick stop at her locker and then headed out to the parking lot. Searching for his car, she spotted Miles in the far corner of the lot, talking to some guy. As she approached them, the guy took off.

“There you are,” Miles said.

“Sorry. I had to stop at my locker,” she replied.

“No problem.” He clicked the key fob to unlock all the doors but didn’t come around to her side to open hers. “Wanna stop for something to eat?” he asked.

“Whatever you want to do is fine with me.” She noticed she was starting to feel more at ease with him, more confident of their new relationship. After all, hadn’t he confided in her about his mom? He must feel pretty safe with her. And she felt safe with him, too.

“Let’s go get some ice cream,” he suggested.

Madison remembered a new place beside Jessie’s that had lots of flavors. She could look at some clothes while they were there. But she’d have to keep track of her time. She gave Miles the directions, and they headed over.

“Rum and coke, now that sounds good,” he said with a grin as they perused the various ice cream flavors.

They each sampled several, and then Madison asked if she could just have a couple of bites of whatever flavor he chose. “I’m not that hungry,” she explained, thinking again about how she’d normally be running right now, not eating something fattening like ice cream.

“Sure,” he replied, ordering a double scoop cone of the rum and coke.

It was funny to think that just a couple of weeks ago, she would have felt really awkward licking off of someone else’s cone, especially a guy’s. But after Friday night, it seemed like just one more way to solidify their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. She only took a few licks as they walked toward Jessie’s. Then she boldly took his hand and led him over to the window of mannequins.

“This is one of my favorite stores,” she said.

Miles studied the frozen models. “I like that black top,” he said, pointing to a low cut clingy tank. “And those shorts,” he added.

Madison’s eyes followed his to a mannequin wearing black short shorts. She nodded. “Cute. I like those, too.”

“You should get them,” he replied. “They’d look good on you.”

She felt herself flush. Looking away, she said, “Thanks.”

Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her purse. There was a text from her mother. I’ll be home a little late today. Meeting with my department. Dad’s picking up Caleb at Kelly and Ben’s on his way home.

Madison texted her mom back and then dropped the phone into her purse.
Perfect. Now she wouldn’t have to hurry home.

“Everything okay?” Miles asked.

“Yeah. My mom’s just running late today.”

He nodded. “Want to go to your house? Or we could go to the beach if you want.”

She thought about it for a minute. “Let’s go to my place so I can change. Then we can go to the beach.”

“Sounds good,” he replied, draping one arm over her shoulder as they walked out to the car.

Madison was a little nervous about him being at her house, but she really wanted to change into one of her other new tops and some shorter shorts her mother wouldn’t let her wear to school.

She unlocked the front door and called out, “Anyone home?” just to make sure they were alone.

Silence.

They walked into the living room and Madison said, “I’ll be right down.”

“Need any help changing?” he asked her with a grin.

She looked at him with a smile and shook her head. “I think I can manage.”

“Just asking,” he replied, holding his hands up in surrender.

She hurried up the stairs, went into her room, and changed. Checking her image in the mirror, she hoped her legs didn’t look too fat. The shorts rode up pretty high in the back, so she adjusted her underwear to make sure it wouldn’t show. She’d bought a low cut tank similar to the one they saw at the mall, so she pulled that out and put it on. Then she grabbed an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt she could layer over it if she got cold down at the beach. Pulling her cell phone out of her purse, she headed downstairs.

I should take my running shoes, she thought. That way if Mom or Dad are home when we get back, I can tell them I was out running. She retrieved the shoes from the bottom step where her mother had put them the day before.

“Okay, I’m ready,” she told Miles, who was still standing where she’d left him.

“Planning on going running?” he asked.

She hesitated before answering. “I’d rather not answer a bunch of questions if we get back after my parents do. I’ll just tell them I’ve been out running. You know how parents can be,” she added. “They’re pretty old-fashioned about knowing where I am all the time.”

“Got it,” he replied, adding, “Nice outfit.”

“Thanks.” She grinned. It felt so good to be appreciated. And he didn’t seem to notice her fat legs.