Pepped Up (21 page)

“Ok. I can come to you, if you’d rather.”

“Nah, I feel like driving anyway. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

I pull up to his house ten minutes later, and he heads out the front door wearing sweatpants and a parka like me.

He looks hot with his disheveled hair and concerned expression. I want to kiss him. Good thing I decided to do this now, when I was sure of it. I know it’s the right thing to do.

We drive to a park near his house. It’s a cold night, but I don’t want to sit in the car. “Swing set?” I ask him.

We sit on the swings next to each other. I’ve never had a boyfriend so I’ve never broken up with anyone. I figure, in this instance at least, honesty is a good way to go.

“Ryan, I think we should end things between us.” I look at his face for a reaction, and he doesn’t seem hugely surprised. Phew.

“After the race, Jace was hugging me, and Katie was hugging you, and the moment made me realize this might not be our time. Things are good between us but, well, I guess I haven’t let my feelings for Jace go, like I thought. And I’m sorry for that.”

He’s watching me with those ocean blue eyes. He doesn’t look angry, or sad. Maybe a little hurt, but mostly just thoughtful. I wish he wasn’t so good looking. It’s distracting. Moments pass. “Say something,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “I know I should probably just accept what you’re saying, but I need to try to talk you out of it.”

That definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. He was happy to be patient and wait it out before.

“If this is about Katie, I want you to know that I never felt about her the way I feel about you. It was easy to be with her at first, and then it never made sense to break up. I can’t even compare you two, really.” He rocks back and forth on the swing and looks up at the sky. “She took me by surprise this weekend. I thought she’d be over me, and move on at college. I haven’t spoken with her much since I moved here.” He turns in the swing to look at me. His explanation doesn’t change anything, but I let him continue, sensing he needs to get this off his chest. “I would have told her to back off if I knew how much it was bothering you. I just didn’t want to be an asshole to her.”

“It’s okay, Ryan. I get it.” And I do. “But I still think this isn’t our time to be together. I think you might feel that too.”

He looks up at the stars. “Maybe. But you’re not an easy girl to let go.”

Chapter 19

              “Gran, I think the newspaper clippings posted all over the house are getting a little excessive,” I tell her Tuesday at dinner.

              “Shush. Let a grandmother be proud of her little hot shot granddaughter.” She waves her fork in my direction in disapproval.

              I roll my eyes. “It’s just weird seeing pictures of myself everywhere in here. I can’t look anywhere without seeing an article.” She’s posted clippings on the cupboards, the fridge, and the walls throughout the hallways.

              “I didn’t put any in your room,” she points out.

              The front door opens and Jace walks in. “How’s the Brockton High Phenomenon doin’?” He gives me a hug from behind.

              “I thought you weren’t getting in until later tonight?” I ask

              “Came straight here. I missed my favorite girls.”

              “Lemme grab ya a plate.” Gran heads to the kitchen before Jace can protest.

              “So you saw that article in the Post yesterday already?” I ask. It was on the front page, with photos of Ryan and me breaking through the finish tapes, and titled “Brockton High Phenomena.” I suppose it’s pretty cool that two people from the same high school won Nationals, but the press coverage is starting to get embarrassing.

              “Yup. I haven’t missed any of the news this weekend.” He sits down across from me with a giant grin and winks. Oh. So he knows about Ryan and me. I spoke to Jace on the phone last night and hadn’t mentioned it. But I’m not surprised someone told him. Apparently all of my business is Jace’s business.

              Gran returns with a plate and silverware. I’m thankful she’s here, because I don’t know what’s going to happen with Jace and me. I’ve thought of a million scenarios, but for all I know, nothing will change. Maybe Jace already has plans to hook up with some other girl tonight. It really wouldn’t surprise me.

              After dinner, Jace asks, “Wanna come over to start that Hendrix puzzle we got ages ago?” He asks.

              I glance at Gran. “Did you finish your homework?” She asks.

              “Yeah.” I didn’t, but I really want to hang out with Jace.

              When we get to Jace’s house, I settle in on den sofa by the puzzle table. Before I can get too comfortable, Jace takes my arm and brings me into his bedroom.

              Pulling me flush against him, he crushes his lips to mine. I push my hands through his hair, letting the sensations of tongue and lips heat my body. The ferocity and determination of his kiss tells me he’s been waiting to do this for a while. Maybe as long as I have.

              The moment breaks when we hear the sound of pounding feet coming down the stairs.

              “Who’s that?” I ask. Jace said that Jim was at his girlfriend’s house.

              Jace frowns. “I don’t know. Stay here.” He heads to the den, and I stay standing in the middle of his room, unsure what to do.

              “Wolfe, Rex, what’s goin’ on?” Jace asks. “Since when did you come over here unannounced?”

              “We called man, but you’re phone was off,” Wolfe says.

              “You’ve been out of town all weekend, and Wes said you’d be back today,” Rex says.

              “So? You know I’m out, man. I don’t have anything for you. You can’t come by here like this anymore, got it?” Jace is angry, no doubt about it. I can just imagine his jaw clenching and his fists flexing.

              “Nah, we know man, but we gotta talk to you. Wes is out now too, and now what are we supposed to do? You guys won’t tell us your supplier. How are we gonna get what we need to distribute? We got clients countin’ on us man,” Wolfe pleads.

              “Your supplier’s gonna need to unload to someone else, Jace. Why don’t you give him our names?” Rex asks.

              “Look guys, when I said I was out, I meant it. My supplier knows about you guys, but he didn’t sound like he was planning on reaching out to you. It’s not my business. Got it?”

              Rex and Wolfe grumble in response. A few minutes later, I hear footsteps going up the stairs.

              Jace returns to the room and shuts the door. He rubs his face. “Those two are fucking idiots.”

              “I’m glad you’re done with that, Jace.”

              “Hope it’s really done. What Rex and Wolfe haven’t figured out is that my supplier was a gang member. Gangs are real choosey about who they deal with. I think they’re gonna use their own gang members to distribute at CU now,” Jace explains.

              “Why didn’t they do that before?” I ask.

              “Good question. They’re based in Denver. Don’t really have a lot of guys in Brockton I guess.” Jace looks lost in thought. “But it doesn’t matter anymore. Where were we?”

              “I believe you were standing there.” I point to a spot in front of me and tug him closer to me. “And I was standing here.” I take a step forward so we’re only inches apart.

              “And what were we doing?” Jace asks with a smirk.

              “Let me show you.”

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