October Breezes (13 page)

“Of course.”

Our lips touched. Al thought vanished. A car turning into the driveway brought me back to reality as Warren puled up. He headed up the walk carrying a bouquet of red roses.

“I should go,” I said.

He smiled. “I’l see you tomorrow.” Then he kissed me again, and I walked to the door where Warren waited.

“Would you mind unlocking the door so I can put these inside?”

I shoved my key into the lock and turned it. “She’s already agreed to marry you. Why are you stil acting like Mr. Wonderful?

You afraid she'l come to her senses?”

Warren stiffened, but the smile never left his face. “I know you’re angry, Skye. You think this is a bad deal and that I’m just going to make your life worse, but you’re wrong. One day I’l prove it.”

Shrugging, I opened the door. “I’l believe it when I see it.”

Warren slipped into the dining room and set the vase on the table. I watched him, trying to interpret his smile as something evil, but couldn’t. He caught me staring and said, “I’m not the enemy.”

Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, he kept wiling me to meet his gaze, and I ignored him.

I headed to my room as Warren slipped out the front door and drove away. Intent on focusing on anything besides him, I sorted through my clothes, searching for tomorrow evening's outfit.

During the initial run-through, nothing caught my eye, frustrating me.

After briefly knocking, Mom stroled into the room.

“Did you see the flowers?” she asked, her face glowing with joy.

“Yeah.” I jerked the hangers to one side.

“How was school?” Mom, stil in her tan slacks and blue sweater, sat on the bed and crossed her legs.

“Educational,” I replied, puling out a black lace shirt and a spaghetti-strapped camisole.

“Nice," Mom said. "What’s the occasion?”

My entire body tensed. My heart thundered in my chest.

Sweat glossed my palms. “Kelin asked me to the footbal game tomorrow. Afterwards, we are going to eat at Denny’s.” Clutching the hanger as tightly as I could, I prayed Mom wouldn't notice me shaking.

“Won’t that shirt be too chily?”

“No. I’l have a coat.” I reached deeper and puled out black jeans and leather boots.

“You’re realy over the moon with this guy.”

“Kelin is a guy, Mom.” I hung the outfit on my door.

“Maybe he thinks he’s special, but I think he’s just a guy.” I listened to myself speak, but those words weren’t mine. Where they came from I had no idea. “Unlike some people, I haven’t lost my mind.”

Mom folded her arms across her chest. “Faling in love isn’t the same thing as losing your mind, Skye.”

I glared. “You’re not in love!” I snapped. “You just want to feel secure. He’s an accountant. He’s used to making people feel secure! That doesn’t mean he’s going to stick around.” I picked up my jewelry box, searching for earrings and a necklace to complete the outfit.

Mom, grabbing my hand, shook her head. “Don’t hate me, Skye. I know we’ve been alone together for years. I know you don’t think there is anyone who is going to be better than your father. You don’t want to give Warren a chance to hurt you. You think if you keep a shield up between you and the rest of the world, you won’t be hurt. But you’l never be happy, either. Never.”

Slowly she stood and walked out, quietly closing my door.

The anger at my father and Warren finaly boiled over as I threw the box down and watched the jewelry scatter across the carpet.

Before, I'd thought putting my parents back together would fix the broken places in my heart. Now I knew better.

The next morning I'd just finished eating breakfast when Mom slipped into the kitchen. One hand adjusted her pearl earring, and the other smoothed her skirt. “So tonight's the big night?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said, rinsing my glass and putting it in the sink.

She sat at the table. “How about we adjust your curfew?

Normaly I would say 11, but tonight the game wil probably run late. I’l let you stay out until midnight. Sound fair?”

I smiled and threw my arms around her neck. “More than fair.” Stil, I had that sinking sensation in my stomach; I hated lying to her. I’d made it a point never to lie to her because my father had done enough of that. He'd promised Mom he'd never love another woman. He told me he wouldn't leave.

I looked at my watch and grabbed my books. “I’d best get to school.”

“Where’s Devin been?” She unfolded the newspaper and pretended to read.

I shrugged. “He’s got a new girlfriend.”

She looked over the paper. “Don’t be too hard on him for not seeing things your way, Skye. He’s got his own troubles.”

I snorted, wanting to ask, “Like what? His parents are stil together? He fits in in any situation, and even if he didn’t he couldn’t care less?” Instead, I slipped on my coat and shoved my books into my bag.

Had I thrown away that friendship? I shivered as I strode down the walk and the sharp breeze cut through my coat and jeans.

“Hey, Skye!” Kelin caled as he drove beside me.

“What are you doing here?” I stopped walking, and he puled to the curb. He wore his footbal jersey and jeans.

“I thought I'd see if my girl needs a ride. Looks like I was right.”

I slid into the passenger seat. Kelin smiled. “You're beautiful.” He leaned close and kissed my lips. For a moment, we lingered where there was only the two of us. Then Kelin puled away. Opening my eyes, I found him studying my face as though memorizing my features.

“Wow,” I whispered. “What a way to start the morning.”

He stroked m y bangs behind my ears. “Like that, do you?”

“Yes.” I laid my head on his shoulder.

“Warm enough?” he asked, his hand reaching for the heater knob, anticipating my response.

“Perfect.”

His palm settled on the gear stick. As he shifted out of park, I started to sit up, but he said, “It’s okay. You can stay there.

It won’t bother me.” He kissed my forehead. "I like it."

Once at school, Kelin slid his arm around me and walked me to my locker. I saw Devin to my left, without Bethany. He wore a grey and blue checked shirt over a white t-shirt, and he watched me, trying to get my attention. Instead, Kelin peered at him.

Scowling, Devin finaly strode down the hal.

Forcing myself not to think, I opened my locker and exchanged the books I carried for those I needed.

“The game starts at 6:30. How 'bout I pick you up by 5:45?”

I double-checked my reflection and nodded. “Sure. That would be wonderful.”

He stood behind me, slipped his arms around me, and kissed my neck. “I’ve got to run and get my books. I’l see you soon.”

I closed my eyes and savored his caress, imagining I stil felt his face next to mine. Then he disappeared, leaving me holding my books, dreaming about the next time I'd see him. Turning, I ran into Devin.

“Tel me you aren’t going to Tyler’s party tonight.” He gripped my forearm, and desperation burned in his eyes. He waited, but I said nothing. He clenched his jaw and stepped back, releasing his grip one finger at a time. “You’re going, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I said softly.

He closed his eyes as a painful frown consumed his features. When he reopened them, I thought I saw a glimmer of tears that he quickly blinked away. “God, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, do you?”

“It’s a party, Devin. Nothing's going to happen.”

“For God’s sake, don’t do this,” he warned. “You don’t hear guys talking, Skye.”

I clutched my books against my chest. “Why does it matter? You're too preoccupied with Bethany to worry about me.”

I nodded over my shoulder. “She’s waiting for you.”

Swalowing hard, he said, “We’re friends, Skye. Just friends.”

I held up my hand and shook my head as I took a step back. “You don’t owe me any explanations. You were the one who said you couldn’t watch the train-wreck my life had become.

Yet you’re stil watching, aren’t you?”

He nodded to Bethany and then turned back to me. He reached for my hand, and I wanted to take it but didn’t. He slowly withdrew. “Please, Skye, just make up some excuse—any excuse—

and don’t go. If you want, I’l come over and spend the evening with you. We can watch movies like we used to. Just don’t do this. Please.”

“Is there a problem?” Tyler Rutherford, also wearing his footbal jersey, patted Devin’s shoulder. Devin stood inches taler than Tyler and didn't need the footbal uniform's padding to match Tyler's prowess.

“Yeah,” Devin snapped without taking his eyes off me. He clenched his jaw and probably without realizing it, curled his fingers into fists. “You’re butting in on a private conversation. Take your damned hand off.”

“Oooh. I’m scared.” Tyler made a big show of lifting his hand. “I don’t think Kelin likes you hitting on his girlfriend.”

“He’s not hitting on me,” I growled. “I'm sure you know what that is. You tried it earlier this year." I watched a scarlet color his cheeks. "We’re just talking. Now go away.”

“Yeah--before we take this conversation to the next level,”

Devin snapped.

“We’l go to the next level Monday, Abbott. After al, I have big plans this weekend. Skye knows al about it.” He patted Devin's shoulder once more and walked away. Devin folded his arms across his chest, glowering.

“One of these days I’m going to take him apart.” His eyes narrowed to slits as he peered down the hal. “Maybe I should go after him today and ruin both his shot at playing tonight and his party.”

I brushed the hair from my eyes. “When did you resort to using your fists instead of your brain?”

“When you stopped using yours.”

A hot flush crept into my cheeks. “Starting a fight won’t stop anything. He’s probably got at least two buddies around him who'l say you started it and he didn’t do anything. Then you’l be suspended, and he’l stil have his game and his party.”

Devin smacked the locker. As he withdrew it, I saw gouged skin. Blood ebbed to the broken surface. “These people are your friends?” He shook his head. “Damn it, Skye. Stay home tonight.”

“You’re not my mother,” I insisted, finaly walking away, but the image of him lashing out at the locker remained.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, and don’t expect me to pick up the pieces.” His quiet voice warned of anger simmering just below the surface. Unlike most guys, the more Devin felt, the quieter he got. And he was about as quiet as he was going to get and stil speak. Stil, I knew those blue eyes. I had seen them shine with happiness, fil with tears, and every emotion in between.

It was as if time itself had stopped. Several students gazed at us intently, including Becca and Bethany. Becca whispered to a friend, and they both laughed loudly.

I turned to face him and stared at the hard frown lines etched into his forehead. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask.” Although I walked away from him, something deep inside warned me me that I should listen. But another part thought of him being jealous of Kelin. Which was right? How would I know?

I strode down the hal, trying to forget his stony expression, wishing I’d never glimpsed that mask of anger. I’d never forget it.

I’d almost made it to my class when Kelin caught up and puled me aside.

“What was that about?”

“What?” I asked, knowing Tyler had given his own spin on that conversation with Devin.

“Is Devin making moves on you?” His mouth formed a hard frown.

I jerked from him. “He came to talk to me. He's my friend. Is there some law against that? Besides, I wouldn’t believe everything Tyler tels you.”

“Oh? Are you saying my best friend lies?” He shoved his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes to slits.

“Look, Devin didn’t come to cause trouble, okay. He wasn’t hitting on me. He wouldn’t do that.” I almost dropped one of my books but caught it at the last moment.

“Why wouldn’t he? He’s got the hots for you. He has for years.” The tardy bel rang. “I know you're not thriled with the party tonight. I’ve known that al week. Tyler warned me you'd cause problems, but I didn’t believe him. Do you want to go or not? Just tel me, and then we’l figure out where to go from there.”

This was my chance to tel him the truth.

And then we’d break up.

“Of course I want to go,” I said, hoping my face registered what he wanted as I gripped my books tightly. “Do you stil want me to?”

“Yes.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Tel Devin to tread carefuly.”

I shook my head. “You don't have to worry. Devin won't bother us again.”

He nodded. “Coach wants me to stop by during lunch. I’l see you at the pep raly.”

“Sure.” I slipped into the classroom, a sea of faces staring back. Perhaps once I’d thought having either Devin or Kelin was a trade-off, but now I wondered if I'd have either.

The morning blurred past, and I fumbled through the day. I spent lunch in the library and tried reading a book while twirling hair around my fingers as I glanced at the door, expecting either Devin or Kelin to slip through it, but neither did.

Before I knew it, the teachers dismissed us to the auditorium where the cheerleaders flounced and yeled, greeting the students filing the bleachers while the footbal players waited in the locker room.

Surrounded by my classmates, I clasped my hands together in my lap and toyed with the locket Devin had given me long ago. I tried not to remember the last assembly, when Devin and I had sat together whispering jokes despite our teachers’ directives to remain with our classes. Now, sitting amid al these people, I tried not to shiver. Truth be told, I'd never fit in, even if Kelin and I dated until I graduated. Scanning the crowd, I spotted Devin sitting with Bethany.

Their heads were bent low as they spoke to one another.

Once everyone had sat down, the cheerleading sponsor cued a rock song. The girls gyrated to the beat. I yawned, hardly impressed at how wel they regulated the shared usage of a single brain cel among them—although I must admit, Becca gave her best 1,000 watt smile atop the pyramid and looked nonplussed even when the male cheerleader caught her by the butt.

After the dance number, the head cheerleader, Becca, announced the football team members a nd t he coach. Having waited patiently, the guys ran through a paper banner the cheerleaders held up. Squinting, I found Kelin. Not surprisingly, Tyler ran beside him. As the two passed Becca, Tyler brushed her back. She smiled and waved at Kelin. He scanned the bleachers, looking for me. Our gazes locked, and he smiled so briliantly.