Breathe (8 page)

“Jessie, this is Jasmine.” Easton narrowed his eyes at them and continued. “Jasmine, this is Jessie and the whole offensive line. Please forgive them their poor manners. Apparently winning has gone to their heads.” More catcalling and shoving.

“Ohhh, Jasmine. Like the flower. Nice to meet you, flower girl.”

Chase spoke up. “Obviously you losers were unable to get dates for the evening. No one is shocked, by the way. We would appreciate you not ruining ours. You also forget that Easton and I are captains of the team and therefore in charge of deciding exactly what conditioning y’all will be doing next week at practice. I’m sure you won’t be interrupting again?”

There was grumbling and mumbling and lots of pushing and shoving up the aisle. Easton and Chase executed a casual fist bump and carried on the conversation as if the interruption had never happened. I looked at Whitney, and she just rolled her eyes as if this kind of thing came with the territory.

We finished our desserts. Then Whitney reminded Chase that her curfew was not too far off. Chase leaned in and looked at me.

“We need to head out. Can’t get on Whitney’s dad’s bad side. He’s the principal.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I giggled. “Oh my gosh!”

Chase had a long-suffering look. “Tell me about it. I must love her.”

Whitney shook her head and shoved him to get out of the booth. “Come on, Trouble. Let’s go.” They walked out and I looked at the time. It was getting late. Julia needed to be in soon too.

“What time do you have to be home?” he asked.

“I’m not going home. I am spending the night at Julia’s.” I pointed to the girls’ booth. He nodded. “But Julia needs to be home in half an hour. I don’t want to get her in trouble, so…”

Easton smiled easily. “Of course, Jasmine. I will have you to Julia’s in plenty of time.” We got up from the table after he left enough for the check and a nice tip. I just loved that. If someone was a generous tipper, it seemed to me they had a generous heart. Did this guy have a flaw anywhere?

As we left the diner, I saw that the boys who had come to our table had stopped to squish themselves into the booth with the girls. Mandy and Raquel were laughing and talking, but Julia looked uncomfortable. One of the boys in the booth was sitting next to her, but they didn’t seem to be talking.

We got in the car and headed out. Apparently Easton knew where Julia lived, which was a good thing because I realized I didn’t. Her older brother, who graduated last year, had played football, so I didn’t have to ask Julia for directions. We drove, listening to the radio. I was thankful that Easton didn’t seem to expect me to fill the silence. I guess, being a girl, everyone always expects me to chatter nonstop, but I would rather say nothing than something stupid. It was nice to just enjoy his company.

When we pulled up in front of Julia’s house, the girls weren’t there yet. Rather than make me wait outside by myself, Easton insisted on waiting for them to get there. He turned in his seat to face me.

“So are you ever gonna tell me why those flowers scared you?”

Honestly, I had kind of been waiting for this one all night. I can’t say I was surprised, but I still wasn’t really ready to answer. “Well, the answer to that is actually not as simple as you might think, and we really don’t have time for me to answer it right now.” Well, that was true enough. The minute I explained what really scared me about those flowers, there were going to be a lot of questions. And unfortunately, he would probably never feel the same way about me again.

When I was working with his aunt in the snack bar, I realized I needed to come clean—with him, at least. His aunt was one of those people who would figure out who I was, and it probably wouldn’t take long. During Daisy’s murder investigation and all the TV press conferences when we were trying to find her killer, I was prominently displayed. My mother was basically catatonic directly after my sister’s body was found, so I spoke for her a few times. I was pretty direct in speaking to the killer on camera about what I thought of him. The major networks picked it up and ran with it because I was fourteen and well spoken. I guess it moved people, or whatever.

If I knew then that it wouldn’t have helped and would lead to my situation being what it is, I wouldn’t have done it. Well, I guess that’s not true. At the time I would have done anything to catch him. I have never been so angry or scared in my life. I thought catching him would make the pain and fear go away. The reality is, though, nothing would have fixed it. You can’t undo death. It wouldn’t bring her back. And honestly, once something that bad happens, the certainty that nothing bad will ever happen to you is a thing of the past.

I looked out the window and sighed.

“I know I just made it much more mysterious and shady sounding, but it’s true.” I turned in my seat to face him.

He shook his head. “Well, that is not at all what I was expecting. You’re a fascinating girl, Jasmine Rourke.” He smiled. “Give me your phone.”

Uh. “Sure.” I handed it over. He pushed a bunch of buttons quickly, and I heard a ringing in his pocket. When he took his phone out to look at it, he quickly turned to me.

“Why does your number come up blocked?”

Oh boy. “Um, my mom is a little paranoid. I’ll put it in for you.” I grabbed his phone and put it in.

Just then, Julia’s car flew into the driveway with the windows down and the radio blaring.

“I guess I better go. Thanks for taking me; it was really great.”

He nodded and looked serious. “Can I call you later?”

What was he? Nuts?

“Yeah, sure.”

He gave me the death glare before he got out, which I interpreted as: open the car door and you will suffer my wrath. He opened my door and started to walk me to the front door, but the girls were all standing in the driveway laughing and talking really loud. So we walked over that way.

“Good evening, ladies.” Easton smiled at them. Hi’s and heys could be heard all around. “Julia, I will leave Jasmine in your hands. Please take good care of her for me.” He winked and walked away.

Good grief, was it possible to die from an overdose of charming hotness?

The girls were giggling as we walked into the house. I texted my mom to tell her I was back at Julia’s. We all tromped upstairs like a herd of elephants. We got into our jammies and settled into sleeping bags to rehash the night’s events. I realized I was happy. A cute boy liked me, I had friends I really bonded with, and I felt like a regular teenager again. Would that end the minute I told him who I was? I really hoped not. It had been a perfect night so far. Well, almost perfect if I ignored that text—and I intended to. There was nothing I could do about it now. I was more worried about Easton’s reaction to my story. I hoped he wouldn’t think I was more baggage than I was worth when I told him. I had a knot in my stomach from thinking about it. Would he even want to know me? I guess I would find out soon. I knew he wasn’t going to be put off much longer.

I did force the girls to tell me some of their most embarrassing moments while we were settling in for the night. We laughed so loud at one of Mandy’s stories that Julia’s mom had to come in and hush us. At least we were on even ground now.

An hour and a half later, Julia and I were the only ones still awake, watching the girly movie we had picked out, when my phone pinged. It was a text from Easton.

Are you awake?

I looked at Julia. She was still watching the movie, but she was smiling. I answered.

Yes. Watching a chick flick. U?

I put my phone down. It was just too pathetic to stare at the phone until he answered. I tried to concentrate on the movie. It pinged again in just a matter of seconds.

Thinking about u. Can u talk?

Hmm. Could I talk? I didn’t want to take the phone in the bathroom and have him think that I was peeing or something. Besides, if you think people can’t hear what you are saying when you’re in the bathroom, I’m here to tell you it’s probably the easiest room in the house to eavesdrop. Daisy used to talk to boys in the bathroom, and I knew everything she was up to. Well, obviously not everything. So, not the bathroom. Outside?

“Julia?”

She grabbed the remote and paused the movie. “What’s up?” She was looking at me expectantly.

“That was Easton texting me. He asked if I could talk, but I don’t want to bother you or your family. Do you mind if I go outside? Would your parents mind if I sat by the pool for a few, if I’m quiet?”

“You know he really likes you, right?” she said with a smile.

“I don’t know,” I told her.

“Jasmine, I know him. He’s friends with my brother. He’s crazy about you. Go sit on one of the lounge chairs out there. My parents won’t care.” I thanked her and texted him back that I needed to go outside.

I made sure all the lights were on by the pool, so I could sit out there without hyperventilating. I hoped they didn’t disturb anyone, but even with the moon out, it was still pretty dark. Once I got settled on the lounge chair on the far side of the pool, I took a deep breath and pushed Send.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he said, answering the phone.

I laughed. “All right, Mr. Charming, you can tone it down now. Your Aunt Bellie was right. I better watch out.”

He chuckled and his voice sounded gravelly.

I shivered and told myself it was chilly out here. Right.

“Now don’t go putting too much stake in what Aunt Bellie says. She just likes to make trouble for me.”

I’m sure she did. “Sounded to me more like a warning for my own good.” I probably needed a warning if I was going to keep my head with him and all his hotness.

“Well, I can’t see that you would be needin’ that. I think it’s the other way around. I can’t stop thinking about you. Are you ever gonna tell me something about yourself, or are you gonna make me go crazy guessing what makes you tick?”

I sighed. “What do you want to know?” There was a pause. I knew what was coming.

“I know you’re going to think I’m a jerk to keep asking, but you have me worryin’ about what could have freaked you out that bad. I saw your face before you ran into me, and you were terrified. My imagination is good, but I can’t figure it out. But I don’t want you to think that’s all I’m interested in. You’re great, and I really love spending time with you. It worries me to think there is something so wrong in your life.”

Well, this would be interesting. I’d never had to tell anyone before. Everyone back home already just knew. No more half truths. Time to come clean.

“Two years ago my sister was murdered by a serial killer. He was never caught. Her name was Daisy Rourke.”

I heard him suck in his breath. “You’re
that
Jasmine?”

The light comes on and…

“Yup.” Cue the pity.
Please God, don’t let him feel sorry for me.

“And the flowers?”

Huh. “Daisies and jasmine wrapped up in a yellow ribbon. I got freaked out because I didn’t think anyone here knew who I was. Obviously someone does and thinks they’re funny.” Why was he not doing the sympathy thing?

“Shouldn’t you call the police about the flowers?”

Interesting.

“No. It’s nothing to worry about. After it happened, people did weird stuff like that. They think they’re just playing a prank or whatever.” I tried to sound casual.

There was a pause. I decided to give him a way out. Obviously, it was more than he signed up for.

“You can gracefully bow out now if you want. I totally get it. Knowing me comes with some unwanted baggage. I wouldn’t want to get tangled up with me.” I held my breath. Why was it that when everything seemed to be going so well I felt like the bottom was going to drop out? I didn’t want this life. I hadn’t asked for it, and all this baggage doesn’t even belong to me. Was this the last time I would talk to him on the phone?

There was a sigh on the other end of the line. “Jasmine, I do believe you’ve just insulted me. Do you really think I wouldn’t want to be around you because of that psycho? You’re amazing. I remember seeing you on TV. You were so brave for fourteen. I would have been curled up in a corner if something like that happened to Trenton. I can’t believe that was you. I’m proud to know you.”

Wow, not the reaction I was expecting. He really didn’t want to run away now? I was shocked and grateful. Why did this amazing guy want to be around me? I wished he was here in person.

As I looked out over the pool, I thought back to standing in front of all those microphones. It seemed like yesterday and a long time ago—all at the same time.

“Well, don’t believe everything you see on TV. I was really scared. But I guess I was more angry than anything. It was stupid. It didn’t do any good. They didn’t catch him, and all people think of when they see me is ‘That poor girl’s sister was murdered.’” Too much information. I should just shut up now.

“Jasmine? That may have been what they were thinking back home when you were fourteen, but that is
not
what they’re thinking now.”

I laughed. “Yeah, now they are just wondering
why
I’m such a freak.” I could hear him roll over in his bed.

“Well, not if they’re like me. If they’re like me, they’re thinking ‘How do I get the nerve to talk to that gorgeous girl?’ I was just lucky and you fell at my feet before I could decide.”