Burning Down the House (18 page)

“
Doug and his cowboy stripper getup.” Too bad it wasn’t Rob who lost the bet. I’d have paid money to see him in an outfit like that. Talk about yummy…

“
I have to say, I’m with your dad on this one.” He spooned some of the casserole onto his plate and reached for a couple of crescent rolls.

I couldn’t resist picking at them. “Hey, it might not be so bad. You never know
. Maybe he’ll go to the salon and have his butt waxed.”

My poor father just happened to have a mouthful of iced tea at that point and came close to spitting it
all over the place. His eyes watered while he managed to gulp it down, then he began coughing and laughing at the same time. “Sara! Have some mercy!”

“Okay, okay...no more talk about hairy butts, I promise.”

“Thank you!”

I waited until things got quiet before innocently asking, “Hey
Rob…did he happen to mention whether or not his junk would be covered up?”

“
Sara Louise Marsh!
” Shaking his head, my dad dissolved into laughter again. Even Rob couldn’t keep a straight face.

“What? I didn’t say anything about his
butt!”

“It’s going to be
your
butt if you don’t cease and desist the commentary on Doug Price’s anatomy!”

“
All right. Would you like to hear about Dana’s little brother instead?”

“I’m afraid to ask. What about him?”

“She says he has this really gross rash…”

“That’s it. I’m eating in the living room.”
He made a show of pushing away from the table and I patted his hand with a giggle.

“I love you, Daddy…”

“Rotten little booger,” he chuckled affectionately.

“Your middle name is
Louise?” Rob smirked at me.

“I suppose yours is any better! What is it
…Eugene? Poindexter?”

“
Isaac.”

“Oh. Well…okay, that’s not so bad.”

“Louise was her mother’s idea,” my dad explained. “It was Elizabeth’s great-grandmother’s name.” His eyes twinkled at me. “Just be glad she didn’t decide to name you after her great-
great
-grandmother.”

“Why? What was her name?”

“Fannie!”

After dinner we migrated to the living room to watch a movie but my lack of sleep finally caught up with me
, and ten minutes into it I conked out on the couch. Sometime later I was jerked awake by a sudden stillness. Groggily I opened my eyes, lifting my head to look around. The room had grown strangely dark and quiet, and I realized that my father had fallen asleep in his recliner and Rob had just turned off the TV.

Standing, he leaned over me and whispered,
“Come on, let’s go to bed. You’re exhausted.”

My toes curled at the way he said
let’s go to bed
. Of course he didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but
oh
, coming from him it sounded delightfully sexy. Yawning, I pulled myself up and plodded over to cover my dad with a throw blanket. I didn’t bother trying to wake him - he’s an impossibly heavy sleeper. Besides, he dozes off in his recliner all the time. If he’s tired enough he just stays there all night.

Rob
followed me to the hallway, but just before I went into my room he stopped me with a hand on my arm. “Sara. I want you to do something for me.”

I blinked at him sleepily. “What?”

“I want you to break your date with Riley.”

“My…what date?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Tell him tomorrow you’re not going with him to that party. If you want to go so damn bad, I’ll take you. But I don’t want you going anywhere with him. Okay?”

It took
me a minute to make sense of his words, but when I finally realized what he was talking about I felt a surge of irritation at his demand. Maybe it was just because I was tired and crabby, but I really wanted to know what his deal was. He didn’t think we should be romantically involved, yet apparently everyone else was off limits to me as well? Instead of informing him that his facts couldn’t
be
more skewed, I asked, “Why should I?”

“Because I asked you to. As a friend.”

“Friends don’t normally tell one another what they can and can’t do,” I clued him in.

“Friends do try to protect one another.”
One of his hands reached up to grasp the back of my neck, his thumb stroking my cheek softly while I tried not to let his touch break my resolve. “There’s no way I’m letting you go running off to some kegger with the last guy in the world I’d trust. It’s just not a good situation to put yourself in.”

“I don’t need a
bodyguard, Rob. I know how to handle myself.”

“Break the date.”

My eyes narrowed. “Let me get this straight. You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me either. Does that about sum it up?”

“I never said I didn’t want yo
u.”

“And I never said I was going out with
Riley. He’s full of shit.”

I watched in triumph as he shook his head,
those luscious lips twitching as if he was tempted to laugh at his own blunder. “Son of a bitch. I shoulda known.”

“
That’s right. You should have.” I raised my chin and looked him dead in the eye. “Even so…I don’t know what you think gives you the right to tell me where I can go or who I can go there with. First you tell me we should be nothing more than friends and then you turn around and decide it’s your responsibility to make my decisions for me - I don’t think so, Rob. It doesn’t work that way. A couple of kisses doesn’t mean you get to run my life.”

He seemed taken aback by my indignation. “I’m not trying to
run your life. That’s not - if I came off that way, I apologize…it wasn’t my intention.” His finger continued to caress my cheek and I wanted nothing more than to fall into his embrace. But I resisted the temptation. Because as much as I wanted him, he couldn’t have it both ways. If it was truly his intention to keep this platonic, then I wasn’t going to be the one to throw myself at him. From now on, the ball was in his court and any moves made would have to come from his end.

I si
ghed. “It’s okay…forget it. No harm, no foul.”

“
I was just trying to look out for you. Kind of like a brother, you know…”

A brother. Great.
It’s every girl’s dream to be perceived as a little sister by the guy she’s crazy for. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m perfectly capable of looking out for myself.”

“
All right. Message received.” His hand left my neck to drop to his side. “Then you won’t be going?”

“To
Colin’s party? I haven’t decided yet. If I do, it sure as hell won’t be with Riley.”

“
Well, I know one thing. You won’t be going there alone.” He raised one eyebrow and gave me an infuriatingly smug look.

I didn’t know whether to
stomp on his foot or laugh at him. “Oh, really?”

“Someone has to protect you from all the
predators.”

“Didn’t we just have this
discussion?”

“
Maybe. I have a short-term memory.”

“I think you got tackled on the
football field one too many times.”

“I think you’re probably right.
” With a cocky grin, he turned and headed down the hallway to his own room. “Good night, Sara Louise.”

14

The days leading up to Halloween
and my birthday flew by fairly quickly. Dad and I went to the game on Friday night as usual, watching in mutual disappointment as the Hornets lost their first game of the season by just three points. At least Rob didn’t seem to take it personally. From the reaction of some of the other players, you’d have thought their left nuts were riding on the outcome.

O
n Saturday, Dana and I hit up every party supply store in town looking for a costume perfect enough to suit her. It took forever because she couldn’t make up her mind. I finally convinced her to go as Alice in Wonderland. With her straight blonde hair, it seemed like the most fitting choice. Of course, after that we had to cover all the shoe stores in search of a pair of black Mary Janes.

She tried to get me to pick out a costume as well, but I put her off by telling her I had last year’s
renaissance maiden dress in my closet. Secretly I’d already made up my mind that if Rob wasn’t going to that party, then neither was I. Maybe it sounds pathetic, but I just wasn’t interested in being there if he wasn’t around. And I wasn’t about to ask him to take me. I fully intended to stick by my resolution to keep things on a platonic level while leaving the choice in his hands.

S
o far he was keeping those hands to himself. He remained sweet and became more openly friendly, even falling into the habit of calling me Saralou because of my middle name. But he was very careful to maintain his distance. So I stayed at arm’s length as well. It was a lot harder than it sounds. Trust me.

I cut school on Wednesday afternoon for my appointment with Planned Parenthood. It wasn’t nearly as humiliating as
I expected. Since I’d never been sexually active before, I wasn’t even required to endure the dreaded pelvic exam. Basically my options were explained to me, and after that I was given a supply of birth control pills with detailed instructions on how to use them. After I got home I stuck them in my bathroom drawer, trying to decide whether or not I should even start taking them. There didn’t seem to be much point right now. In the end I figured I might as well though, since they were supposed to help alleviate cramps and regulate my period. Yeah, that was why.

I kept this new development to myself, not even confiding in
Dana. Not that she would have thought twice about it - she’s been taking them herself for over a year now. I just didn’t want all the questions about
why
I’d suddenly decided it was time to do this. What was I supposed to say? I didn’t even know how to explain it to myself.

Dad’s schedule had him leaving for work again on Friday
morning so we celebrated my birthday early with an upscale dinner on Thursday night. Trent and Dana met us at our house and the five of us drove to Cristiano’s together. Rob, Dana and Trent all pitched in and got me a gift certificate to a day spa. And later that night, back at home, my father surprised me with an amazing present - a new top-of-the-line laptop to replace my old outdated one.

On Friday
during drama class, Riley approached me once again about Colin’s party. “So you riding with me tomorrow?”

I gave him a blank look. “Riding with you?”

“Yeah…you want me to swing by your house and pick you up?”

W
hat a dumbass. “Oh. No, that’s okay. I don’t need a ride.”

“
I will see you there, right?”

“I doubt it.”

“What, you mean you’re not going?” He was gaping at me as if I just told him I was bailing on a benefit for starving children.

“
I wasn’t planning on it, no.”

Overhearing
our conversation, Dana piped up, “You’re really not gonna come?”

“I
don’t know, Dana…I’m just not really into this whole thing.”

She looked disappointed enough to make me feel guilty. “Oh, come on
! Pleeeeease…it’ll be fun! Just come for a little while. You don’t have to stay long if you don’t want to.”

“I offered to take her,”
Riley announced with a shrug.

“Get
Rob to bring you,” Dana made a point of saying, earning a disapproving frown from Golden Boy.

“I’ll think about it, okay?” I relented.
Maybe she was right - maybe I should go. What was the point of hanging around the house pining for someone who couldn’t make up his mind what he wanted?

When I got home from school, I found a UPS package from my mom. She’d sent me some new clothes, a gift card to
Bath and Body Works and a birthday card with a check inside. I called her immediately even though I knew she’d still be at work.

“Hi there sweetie…I was going to call you tomorrow
to wish you a happy birthday.”

“I
just got your package, Mom. Thank you so much…”

“
You’re very welcome. It’s from Stanley, too. Do you like the clothes? Do they fit?”

“Yes, I
love them…they’re perfect…tell Stanley thank you for me too, okay?”

“
I will. Doing anything special tomorrow?”

“Not really. Dad’ll be working so we went out to dinner last night.”

“Just you and your father?”

“No,
Dana and her boyfriend were there, and Rob…”
Oops.
The instant I mentioned his name I knew I’d goofed.

“
Rob? Who is this, some boy you’re dating?” I could hear a phone ringing in the background. “Hold on for just a second.” To someone else she said, “Good afternoon, Davis Family Law Group, how may I help you? No, I’m afraid he’s at the courthouse right now…is there something one of the other attorneys can help you with? Probably not, but he’ll be in the office all day tomorrow. Would you like me to have him return your call then? Certainly, that’ll be fine…I’ll let him know.” Returning to her cell phone, she repeated, “Now then. Who’s Rob?”

“Just a friend, kind of.”

“Kind of, huh?” she teased.

“It’s complicated, Mom…”

“It always is. Especially at your age. I tell you, I wouldn’t go back and relive those years for anything.”

I was surprised to hear her say that. “Really?”

“No way. I’ve earned every one of these gray hairs and I don’t intend to give up a single one of them.”

“You don’t have any gray hair,” I reminded her.

“Well, of course not. That’s what beauty salons are for. I said I wouldn’t give them up - I never said I wouldn’t
cover
them up.” The office phone rang again, and she sighed. “That blasted phone has been ringing off the hook all day. Let me call you back later, okay sweetie?”

“Sure, Mom.
Bye.”

Dana
wasn’t going to the football game that night - her brother had some piano recital or something - so I’d already decided to skip it as well. I was actually looking forward to spending a quiet evening at home alone. The busy week was finally catching up with me, and being unusually tired I turned in early. I was curled up in bed sound asleep long before Rob made it home from the out-of-town game.

The next thing I knew
, bright sunlight was filtering in through the filmy yellow curtains and someone was sitting on the edge of my bed.

“
Mmm…” Stretching my arms above my head, I rolled over to see Rob beside me, holding an orange-frosted cupcake with a small black candle stuck in it. He grinned playfully as he lit the wick with his antique lighter and I burst out laughing.

“Make a wish,
Saralou.”

Scooting up
against the pillows, I pushed the disheveled tresses away from my face and hesitated for only a moment before blowing out the candle. I already knew what to wish for. That was a no-brainer. Giving the icing a swipe, I popped an orange-coated fingertip in my mouth before nodding my approval. “Not bad.”

“Now you have to tell me what you wished for.”

“Says who? If I tell you, it won’t come true.” I scooped up another blob of icing and brought it to my lips, but his quick hand caught my wrist and my finger wound up in his mouth instead of mine. It was the first physical contact we’d had in over a week and I felt it all the way down to my pink cotton boyshorts.

“Mm…that
is
good.” Licking his lips, he gave me a naughty wink. “Icing’s not bad either. Now. Tell me what you wished for.”

“Why do you want me to tell you?”

“So I can make it come true for you. I gave you the wish so technically it’s my responsibility to follow through.”

“Suppose I
asked for world peace?”

“Then I’d
feel obligated to leave right away and go join up with the Peace Corps. So I’m really hoping you were more selfish than that.”

“Well
, it’s your lucky day, pal.” I took a bite out of the cupcake he was still holding, indifferent to the crumbs falling all over my comforter. I could always change the bedding later. “I wished for more wishes.” That wasn’t the truth, but I sure as heck wasn’t telling him what I
really
wanted.

“Oh…very efficient.”

“You can start by helping me out with some stuff today.”

“I think that can be arranged. What kind of stuff did you have in mind?”

“First off, I’ve got two pumpkins that need carving. How artistic are you?”

“
I think I’m capable of hacking a few triangles into a piece of produce. What else?”

“
Um…we also have to go to the store for more candy, seeing how you and Dad ate up all the stuff I already bought.” How they’d managed to go through five bags of candy in one week was anyone’s guess. You’d think they’d both be in a sugar coma by now. I wouldn’t have been a bit surprised to turn on the news and see that one of the planes out of JST was doing barrel rolls.

“
Well, you should have known better than to come home with Snickers and Reese’s cups. Let this be a lesson to you. Next time buy those little boxes of raisins.
Nobody
wants those.”

“Yeah…so I can spend
the day after Halloween cleaning eggs off the front door? I don’t think so!”

“You know what’s
even messier than eggs?”

“What?”

“This.” Before I could stop him, he was smushing the rest of the cupcake against my mouth, covering my face with sticky icing and my bed with chocolate cake crumbs while I squealed indignantly through his fingers.

“Oh…my…
God
, I cannot believe you
did
that!” I shrieked, trying to wipe the orange goop off my face with my hands while he doubled over like it was the most hilarious thing he’d ever seen. Yuck - the stuff was even in my hair! All over my pajamas, in my sheets - it was
everywhere
. How could something so small make such a huge mess?

“Damn, girl…you need a shower,” he laughed
, standing up and backing away toward the door in the event of retaliation. I couldn’t prevent myself from laughing too.

“You are
so
dead,” I warned him, shaking my head.

“Happy birthday,” he called
over his shoulder as he made good his escape.