Solo (18 page)

"You're going to ride back with me. I don't want you on a horse by yourself."

"I'm sorry. I haven't eaten all day. I guess it caught up with me."

"No, I'm sorry. I should have thought about that earlier."

He helped me onto his horse and handed me the rope for Old Winnie. He mounted the horse and sat behind me. I told him that I could ride in the back, but he said he wanted his arms safely around me. He adjusted the ropes to make it easier to lead Old Winnie and then we were off. Being on a horse at dusk was a little nerve wracking. But then I leaned back against Lucas and his presence calmed me. We reached the stables shortly after eight.

"I've got a bottle of water in my truck that I want you to drink," he said as he helped me off the horse.

"Don't worry about it, I've got one in my car and I'm sure I have an energy bar in the glove compartment." I looked at my cell phone clock. "Besides, I've got to get back to my grandparents before my mom sends out the search party. I really should be going."

"I don't think so," he insisted. "You're crazy if you think I'm letting you drive over the mountain without eating something."

"Lucas, I really need to get going. It takes almost an hour to get to my grandparents' house from here."

"Fine, but I'm driving you home."

"What about my car? I need to get to school tomorrow."

"Get what you need for school from your car. I'll pick you up in the morning. After practice tomorrow, I'll bring you back here to get it."

I sighed. "Well, let me help you get the horses put away."

"No, just go get that energy bar. I'll take care of the horses."

I got my bar and watched Lucas put the horses in their stalls. When he was done, I retrieved a few things from my car and locked it up. "Are you sure your parents won't mind?"

"Don't worry; I'll explain it to them."

I hopped in the passenger side of Lucas' truck and he closed my door. I had an instant flashback of the last time I was in his truck. If he was this bothered by me being a little dizzy, I could only imagine how bad he must have felt when he'd accidently run me off the road.

He opened the driver's door and hopped in. "Did you get what you needed?"

"Yep, I'm set. It's probably a good thing you're taking me to my grandparents. I doubt that I could find my way out of your driveway."

Lucas laughed. He reached over and grabbed my hand and I took it upon myself to scoot closer to him. His grin widened.

"Are you sure you want to pick me up in the morning? My mom can take me."

"I'm positive. Besides, I want to show off my smokin' hot girlfriend."

"Oh, so you plan on going public?"

"Yeah, does that bother you?"

"No. Not at all. It's just that you've never had a girlfriend. I'm surprised you want to go public so fast."

"I've been interested in you from day one. I'm ecstatic to say you're my girlfriend. But I have to warn you, some of the other guys on the baseball team will be heartbroken. You have a little fan club."

I looked at him, surprised.

"Don't look so shocked. You amaze me—I can't believe you don't know how gorgeous you are."

"Thanks, I guess."

"So, will it be a problem for you to wait until after baseball practice?"

"I don't think so. I planned to run after school, but I guess I can go to the track and run while you practice. What time is practice over?"

"Around five. Then I'll take you to your car."

"That should be fine."

We pulled into the driveway and I quickly gathered my belongings. "Okay, so I will..."

Lucas pulled me close embracing my face with his palms, and planted a kiss on my lips. I dropped my things and grabbed his sweatshirt, pulling him closer to reciprocate. The electricity flowed—tingles, tingles, and more tingles. I had to pull away before things got out of hand in front of my grandparents' house. I knew my mom had to be hiding behind a curtain peeking out a window.

Lucas stared at me. "I've been thinking about doing that the entire drive here."

I shyly smiled, gathering my belongings again. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay, I'll be here around seven."

My eyes got wide. "Seven?"

"Seven," he laughed

"Okay then, seven it is." I hopped out of the truck and he waited until I was in the door before backing out of the driveway.

"What a gentleman," Mom said, as I walked into the house.

"Yes…yes, he is." I couldn't stop smiling.

Mom followed me to the kitchen and sat at the table. "So, spill it," she urged.

I looked around to see if my grandparents were up.

"Don't worry; they've been in bed for an hour."

"Well, let's just say I have a very respectful
boyfriend."
I turned to see her reaction.

She sat there wide-eyed with her hands over her mouth trying not to scream.

I made a bowl of cereal and sat at the table. "We went for a horseback ride, walked on some trails, and watched the sunset. It was amazing." I pulled out my phone to show her the picture I'd taken of the sunset.

"That's so romantic." She took a sip of tea. "I have one question, though. Where's your car?"

I finished chewing a mouthful of cereal. "About my car—I was a little dizzy from not eating all day and Lucas didn't feel comfortable letting me drive. He's picking me up for school in the morning and after baseball practice, he'll take me to get it."

"I like him already. He gets points for taking care of you."

"Mom, you can be so cheesy sometimes."

I finished my cereal, gave Mom a kiss, and headed to my room to e-mail Shelby and Kelly. I wanted to tell them all about my boyfriend. I sent them the sunset picture and told them this was the setting for our first kiss. I only relayed the pertinent details. I laughed when I imagined their expressions. I also sent my dad an e-mail. I didn't think he'd enjoy the details of my new boyfriend and our first kiss. I kept it "PG" for his sake. I told him I went horseback riding with a friend.

I set my alarm to go off early. I wanted extra time to style my hair. I had a feeling Lucas liked my hair since he hadn't been able to keep his hands off it the day before.

The excitement of going to school with Lucas overpowered any fear I might have about seeing anyone from Casey's party. I knew Casey wasn't upset, but I had no idea what Sasha had told Emily and Jack. I could care less about Evan's feelings. I hoped he was home sick with an icepack.

I was relieved when I came downstairs and Mom wasn't dressed in her nightgown. I kept checking the window for Lucas. "Remember, I have to pick up my car after school. It might be closer to six or six-thirty before I get here." I ran back upstairs to pack my running clothes.

The doorbell rang while I was digging through my drawer for yoga pants. I almost died when I heard Gramps say, "Who are you?" I bolted down the stairs. My heart stopped when I saw Gramps standing at the door dressed in his white tank top and boxers.

Mom tried to introduce him to Lucas. "Dad, this is Eliana's boyfriend." The words sounded embarrassing coming from her. I was mortified.

"Nice to meet you, sir," Lucas said as he stuck out his hand for a handshake.

"Yeah, Yeah. Are you trying to sell us something? We don't like solicitors around here."

"I'll remember that, sir." Lucas awkwardly lowered his hand.

My mom had to raise her voice so Gramps could hear her. "No Dad, he goes to school with Eliana. He's her boyfriend!"

Kill.  Me.  Now.
I felt my heart stop beating.

"Hey there, I see you met Gramps," I tried to ignore Gramps standing there in his underpants.

Lucas looked at me, forcing a straight face. "Good morning."

"Well, you two better get going before you're late." Mom looked at me with apologetic eyes.

"Okay, I've just got to grab my bag out of the kitchen. Lucas we can go through the side door." I motioned for him to follow. "Remember, Mom, I'll be late."

"I'll remember."

I grabbed my bag off the chair and opened the door. "Sorry about that."

"That's okay. I have a grandpa, too." He grinned. "Not exactly like that, but I've got one too."

"Seven is a little early for this house," I said, trying to defend my gramps' appearance.

We reached the truck and Lucas opened the passenger door to help me in.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

"This wasn't how I expected the morning to start."

He laughed. "Well, if I wasn't awake before, I am now."

"Funny—don't forget, you're talking about my gramps."

"Sorry, I was trying to make light of the situation." He reached for my hand.

"That's okay. Remember, someday it could be you who's embarrassed. And it might not be your grandfather I see in boxers. It might be you." Quickly, I realized what I'd said. "I mean…"

"You don't have to explain. I know what you were trying to say." He changed the subject. "Are you coming to the game tomorrow afternoon?"

I reached to play with his stereo. "I didn't realize there was one."

"I'm sure Casey will be there supporting Jack. She doesn't miss any of the games. You two can sit together."

"Sure, I'll be there. It might be fun. I've never been to a baseball game."

"You've
never
been to a baseball game—
ever?"
He sounded a little offended.

"Well, usually during baseball season I'm working on my recital piece." I turned and stared out the window.

He put his arm on the headrest and started playing with my hair. "Sorry, I didn't think about that."

I turned to face him. "Don't be sorry, you couldn't have known."

"You really miss dancing, don't you?"

"Everyday," I sighed. "That's why I'm glad I have my secret meadow."

We pulled into the parking lot and I instinctively looked at the spot where he usually parked. It took a second for me to remember I was in his truck. He hopped out and ran to my door while I gathered my bag. He helped me out and closed the door. The truck blocked the view of the building. He leaned in for a long, passionate kiss and I forgot where we were for a second. He pulled away and pressed his forehead against mine.

"That should hold me over for the day," he whispered.

"I don't think that will work for me," I leaned in for another enchanting kiss. I ran my hand through his hair. The backfire of a passing truck made us both jump.

"I think that's our queue." Lucas grinned.

We grabbed our bags and headed into the building. We were getting some disgusted looks when we entered. I looked at Lucas. His hair looked fine and I had rubbed my lip gloss off his lips.

"Is my hair messed up?" I whispered.

He shook his head. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

"No, you look fine."

"I figured we'd get some looks, but I didn't expect this response." He reached over and grabbed my hand.

Emily stalked over in a huff and looked right at me. "You deserved what you got." She rolled her eyes, flipped her hair, and stomped off.

I looked at Lucas. "Did I miss something?"

He shrugged and shook his head. We walked to my locker with everyone gawking and snickering.

"I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone," Lucas said, waiting for me to put my stuff away.

"I was thinking the same thing." I closed my locker and we walked toward the junior hall.

When we rounded a corner, a girl from Chemistry class stopped me. "I heard Sasha kicked your ass this weekend; serves you right for making a move on her man. You're a bitch."

My eyes widened and I looked at Lucas and then back at the girl. "Do I look like I got beat up this weekend?" She snubbed her nose in the air and walked past me before I could set her straight. "You've got to be kidding!" I felt my eyes glaze with tears.

Lucas instantly pulled me close and I laid my head on his chest. "Don't be upset; she's not worth it."

"These aren't tears of sadness; these are tears of anger."

"Eliana, you need to relax. I don't want you to do something you'll regret." He squeezed me tight and wouldn't let go.

Derogatory comments drifted throughout the hallway and all the snickering suddenly made sense.

Lucas looked down at me. "Do you want to leave?"

"No, that makes me look guilty. We know the truth, that's all that matters."

He squeezed my hand and we continued to his locker. As soon as he opened it, he pulled me between the locker and his body, like he was shielding me from the comments and glares.

"I don't want to leave you alone today."

"Lucas, I'll be fine. I promise I won't beat Sasha up or give her the satisfaction of seeing me upset."