Solo (33 page)

"Is this one of those memory jars you were telling me about?"

"Yeah. I know it doesn't really fit your bedroom décor, but I wanted you to have one that matches mine."

"You have one, too?" He opened the tag tied to the top. Inside was the picture of our sunset with the words 'Our First' written below.

"Mine is identical to this one."

"The inscription is perfect. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"You're wrong about one thing, though."

"What?"

"This gift is something major," he said as he placed the jar back in the gift bag.

"I'm glad you like it."

"We should get back before someone notices we've disappeared and comes looking for us." He held my hand and we slowly walked back to the party.

"So, why are you back so early? I figured your mom would have to pry you off the beach."

"We were brutally attacked by sand in a windstorm yesterday and we both lost interest. Plus, my mom has a sunburn."

"Yeah, the winds can be treacherous over there."

"Thanks for the warning—too bad it's a day late. I'm still finding sand in places that were never exposed."

"How much was exposed?" He leaned back, looking me up and down.

"Well, let's put it this way, I don't have many tan lines."

"You were wearing
that
bikini?" He started laughing hysterically.

"Seriously, you think it's funny—I barely slept last night."

"Sorry, I just pictured you running for cover in that bikini." He squeezed my hand.

When we reached the house, I figured we'd walk around the same way we came, but Lucas walked inside. The detour surprised me. He pulled me up the stairs.

"Where are we going?"

"I want to put my jar away."

"Oh."

He walked into his room and I waited just outside the door.

"Now where should…" Lucas turned toward me. "What are you doing?"

"I'm waiting for you."

"No, why are you in the hall?" he clarified.

"I don't think it would look good if someone saw us coming out of your room together."

He walked over and pulled me into his room. "They're all outside. Besides, we'll only be in here a minute."

"Fine, just hurry up."

He heaved a sigh. "Now, where should I put this?"

"How about your desk?" I said, gnawing on my bottom lip.

"No, I don't pay attention to my desk."

"Lucas, can you do this later?"

"Are you that uncomfortable being alone with me?"

"No. It's just that I didn't make a good first impression with your dad, and I don't want the second to be worse."

"Okay, we'll go outside, but you can't leave until you help me find a place for this."

"That could take forever in this room," I exaggerated.

"That's what I'm hoping," he smirked, and set the jar on his desk.

We stopped in the kitchen to get some lemonade before going back outside. Carrie smiled as I opened the sliding glass door. "Are you two hungry? The hamburgers and hotdogs are done. If you want chicken or steak, you'll have to wait a few more minutes."

"I'm famished," I joked and rubbed my stomach. I heard a chuckle from Lucas who was standing behind me. I thought I heard Carrie chuckle, too.

"What would you like?" Lucas asked.

"I can get it myself, it's not like my arms are broke."

"Eliana, come sit next to me." Carrie patted the chair beside her. "Lucas will be happy to make you a plate."

I couldn't say no to his mom. I wanted one of his parents to like me. I had no intention of offending her. I turned to Lucas and forced a smile. "I'll have a hotdog with ketchup, hold the mustard."

He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "You got it."

I walked to Carrie's table and sat down. She was sitting with two other women about her age.

"Helen. Sandy. I'd like you to meet Lucas' girlfriend, Eliana Davis."

"Eliana—oh, you're Chris and Sophie's daughter," Helen said. "You look so much like your mother."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"Eliana, these are your mother's friends from school," Carrie explained.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Your mother couldn't make it?" asked Sandy.

"Well, we went to the beach yesterday, and she got sunburned. So, she's taking it easy today."

"That's a shame. I would have loved to see her. I hope she feels better soon," said Helen.

"Well, Myrtle Creek isn't that big, and we'll be here for a year. I'm sure you'll run into her."

"That's true," Carrie said.

"How are your grandparents doing?" Sandy asked.

I shrugged. "They're alive and kicking." I really didn't know what to say. I didn't think I should tell them I never paid attention to my grandmother and that Gramps was always watching television.

They stared at me like I'd said something appalling. I noticed Carrie forcing a smile. Where the heck was Lucas? He needed to save me.

"This is a very nice barbeque," I said, scanning the crowd for Lucas.

Carrie smiled, "Thank you. We host two annual parties; Memorial Day and New Years."

"Wow, if you do all of this for Memorial Day, I can only imagine what New Year's is like."

"Don't worry; you'll see," Lucas said, standing behind me.

I turned to see him holding two plates. I was saved.

He sat a plate in front of me. "One hotdog with ketchup, hold the mustard."

"Grab a chair." Carrie motioned to Lucas.

"Lucas, please take mine. I need to check on my chicken," Helen offered.

"I'll go with you," Sandy blurted. "It was nice meeting you, Eliana. Tell your mother hello."

Lucas took Helen's seat and scooted closer to me.

Helen and Sandy took off for the deck where all the adults had gathered. I knew I should have been insulted, but it was easy to clump them into the same category as my grandmother. Their opinions really didn't matter. Carrie still sat next to me. It was her acceptance that mattered.

"Sorry Carrie, I hope I didn't offend them." I took a bite of my hotdog.

Carrie smiled. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"What did I miss?" Lucas didn't seem to like the fact that I'd said 'sorry'.

"Oh, Helen and Sandy aren't used to being around people who are blunt. On the other hand, I live with three of them." She winked at me. "Personally, I think you're a breath of fresh air."

I recalled Lucas saying the same thing about me weeks earlier. "Thanks, Carrie."

"I hope you come around more. I'd love to get to know you better." She looked at Lucas. "My son obviously adores you. I'm starting to see why."

"Mom, please," Lucas muttered.

"Honey, I'm just stating a fact." Carrie stood. "Thanks for sitting with me, Eliana."

"Thank you for inviting me," I smiled.

She turned to walk away. I really liked her. I could see why she'd been my mom's best friend. I was excited because she wanted to get to know me. "Carrie."

She turned back around. "Yes."

"I want to invite you to the talent show at school on Tuesday night."

"That shouldn't be a problem. I'd love to come," she turned and walked toward the house.

"Your mom really wants to get to know me?" I took another bite of my hotdog.

"She likes you, silly." Lucas placed his hand on my leg under the table and quickly pulled it away when he touched bare skin. I think he'd forgotten I was wearing a skirt.

I laughed, "Who's flinching now?"

"Your skin is so hot," he said, ignoring my comment.

"Um, sunburn and sandblast—remember."

"Well, there you two are." Casey walked up with Jack. "Thanks for leaving us at that table, Lucas."

"There are two chairs free; take a seat," I offered.

"Actually, we're heading to a movie," Jack replied.

"Yeah, we'll see you at school on Tuesday," Casey added.

"Have a good night," Lucas said.

I finished my hotdog and watched Lucas chow down two cheeseburgers. My power nap was winding down and I started getting sleeping.

"If you want me to help you find a place for your jar, we'd better do it soon. My lack of sleep is starting to catch up with me." I yawned.

"Let's go." He grabbed my hand. I was a little nervous walking past the adults on the deck where his dad manned the grill. I couldn't get inside the house fast enough. I felt the stares of Helen and Sandy.

Carrie was in the kitchen refilling a tray with appetizers. "Eliana, are you leaving?"

"Soon. Lucas needs my help first."

"We'll be in my room if you need anything." Lucas pulled me through the kitchen.

"Carrie, if I don't see you before I leave, thanks for the invite. I had a great time."

"You're welcome."

Lucas was in a hurry to get to his room. I almost tripped on the stairs.

"Slow down before I fall and break something for real. The jar's not going anywhere."

He slowed his pace. "Sorry, I know you're tired and want to leave."

He pulled me into his room and closed the door. I knew he had more than the memory jar on his mind. He smiled shyly. I tried not to notice as I scanned the room for a good place to put the jar. "I think it might look nice on the nightstand."

"That's actually a good spot."

"Okay, we have the crisis under control." I turned to see him staring at the ground while rubbing the back of his head. "What are you thinking about?"

He looked up surprised. "Do you want the truth?"

"Of course."

"Well, I haven't stopped thinking about you since prom night. Now, I'm trying to figure out how to approach you and still be a gentleman."

"Oh. That's easy. It's called willpower."

"Easy for you to say."

"Actually, I've never had to work so hard in my life." I stared at his baseball caps.

"Either you're lying, or you hide it really well."

"It's all in the presentation. Here, let me show you."

I walked slowed toward him. He didn’t move. He actually looked nervous. Had I accomplish the impossible? I pursed my lips trying to hide a smile. Softly, I ran my good hand through his hair. I leaned in and faintly brushed my lips against his. I could feel him trembling. The same trembles from prom night. He gently wrapped one arm around me and leaned down to kiss me. The electric surge caused a break in my control. The kiss became passionate. If I hadn't been wearing the sling, Lucas wouldn't have his shirt on.
Control. Control.
I eased away. "Lucas, will you please walk me to my car. I've got to get some sleep."

"Wow, you do have willpower," he leaned his chin on the top of my forehead.

"Yeah, and it's killing me. Can we
please
get out of your bedroom? I think fresh air will do us good."

There was still a lot of noise coming from the back yard when we started down the driveway. The party was full on. Lucas wrapped his arm around me. He seemed to be in his own little world.

"So how long does this party last?" I asked.

"Oh, it will go on until eleven or so."

"Well, my car isn't that far. I'll be fine if you want to head back to the party."

"Don't be silly. I'm not going back. I'll be in my room waiting for you to call and let me know you're home." He slid between me and my car. "Let's practice this willpower thing again."

He laced his fingers through my hair and leaned in for a kiss. His hands in my hair always affected me. Did he know that was one of my weaknesses?

"Good night, Eliana," he said low.

Oh, yeah—he knew. That had to be payback for the bedroom kiss. "I'll call you when I'm safely in bed." Thanks to Lucas, I wasn't tired when I got to my grandparents' house.

I didn't have to peek in Mom's room to know she was sleeping. The bear growl I heard through her door said it all. At least she slept deep enough to snore.

I put on my pajamas and crawled into bed just as my phone rang. "Hello Lucas."

"Hey, you didn't call," he sounded stressed.

I chuckled. "I told you I'd call when I was safe in bed. Now, I'm safe in bed."

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

"It's my last day to practice. I'll be at my meadow all day. You're more than welcome to watch."

"All right. I'll see you sometime in the afternoon."

"Okay, good night."

"Night."

Anxiety swept over me as I sat in the front row of the auditorium. I glanced around at my mom and my grandparents, still in shock that my grandmother actually came. It put more pressure on me. For some weird reason, I wanted to impress her.