The Romeo Club (14 page)

“Um—not really.” C.C. chewed his bottom lip. “I’ve got to get the hang of this or I’ll look like a dill-hole in front of Liza and the audience.”

“You’ll be fine. How about I’ll lead and you can follow until you get the hang of it. Ready?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll count it out. One. Two. Three.” I stepped back, pulling him with me, then went to my right, and forward, then left. He tripped along after me. “Relax. See what direction we went in?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Okay, so let’s do it again.” I went through the same movements again. “How’s that?”

“I think I get what you’re saying now. Can we try a few more times?”

“Of course.” So we continued this pattern for several more tries until C.C. was able to take over and lead me. After we mastered that one, I glanced at his instruction sheet and taught him a few more. Each time, he stumbled along, but eventually got the hang of it.

Two hours later, C.C. turned off the music. “All right, I think I might be able to blunder through this tomorrow without making a total ass out of myself. Oh, and before I forget, here’s an extra twenty-five for helping me today. I appreciate it.”

He slid the money into my hand. “C.C. you don’t have to give me this. You already paid fifty this week.”

He held up his hands. “No. Take it. You deserve it for all you do for us. I know we annoy the hell out of you sometimes and that you give up all your free time to help us.”

“C.C.”

“Nope. I won’t take it back.” He grabbed his stuff and headed upstairs. When he pulled the front door open, we found Trey ready to knock.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were stopping by,” I said.

Trey waved to C.C. and quirked an eyebrow at me. “Do I want to know why he’s wearing spandex?”

“Um—no. And I’m not gonna tell you the conversation we had about his groin either.”

Trey chuckled. “Glad I decided to wait to come by. I—is anyone else here?’

“Just my parents, but today is their ‘couple’s day’ so they’re hanging out watching movies and whatever else it is they do.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you think you might have time to give me a hand with some Romeo Club stuff?”

“Sure, come on in. We can go downstairs, but you’ll have to help me put the furniture back.”

He shook his head laughing. “Let me guess, C.C.?”

“Yeah. Apparently he has to waltz in his play and doesn’t know how to dance.”

“Ah, glad that’s all it was.”

Trey and I moved everything back in its place then sat down on the sofa. “So, what do you need?”

“Well, first of all I have to tell you that I held Portia’s hand last night. Even though we weren’t at the movies, I looked for the signs to see if she wanted me to.”

“That’s great. See. I told you, you’re a natural.” I punched him in the arm, but was glad he didn’t go into details.

He wiped his palms on his jeans then turned to face me. “The thing is, I, well—I still haven’t kissed Portia.”

I glanced at him. “You’ve got to take control. Don’t be scared. If she let you hold her hand, then chances are she’s not gonna punch you in the face if you try to kiss her. Trust me, if she isn’t into you, you’ll know it or she’ll tell you, she’s not ready.”

“This is gonna sound weird. But I don’t know who else to ask.” His gaze met mine. “Can you teach me how to kiss? I-I can give you extra money.” Red spots painted Trey’s cheeks.

My breath caught in my throat. Oh God. “I don’t want to get paid for it, that’d make me feel like a whore.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just, I want to know what I’m doing and you’re the only girl I feel comfortable asking.”

That wasn’t what I expected him to say. But was I really gonna agree to this?
I have a boyfriend. But Trey needs help. This is cheating. I’m not a cheater. Who else is gonna show him? You’ve known Trey way longer than Rex. And he needs you.

“Okay, I’ll do it. But you better not tell the other guys about this. I mean it. No way in hell am I gonna make this a real Romeo Club.”

“I swear. My lips are sealed. So, what do I do?”

“First thing you want to do is scoot closer.” I gestured at the space between us.

He closed the distance so that his hip touched mine. “Like this?”

Oh boy. My palms grew sweaty. I licked my dry lips.
Please don’t let my breath smell like salad dressing. Maybe I should see if he’ll let me brush my teeth first.

“Yes. Now, you can cup a girl’s face. Either her cheek or maybe her chin. At least for your first kiss, that way it’ll help with the ‘who’s gonna turn their head which way’ thing.”

Trey raised his palm until his hand cupped the side of my face. His thumb stroked my cheek. My heart jumped against my ribs like a spring loaded weapon. “How’s this?”

“Per-perfect.” My voice cracked. The scent of his cologne wafted in the air between us. He smelled so good. My eyes met his. We sat, staring at one another for long moments. The only sound I heard was the roar of my pulse in my ears. “Next, you’ll want to tilt your head, then move in for the kiss. Start with brushing your lips against hers. Then if she seems okay with that, you can go further.”

Trey bent forward, his breath fanned against my face. His warm lips brushed lightly against mine. When I didn’t back up, he took my bottom lip between his, deepening the kiss. Heat erupted inside; my pulse soared into the clouds. I clutched him tight, my fingers trailing up his neck and into his hair.

He drew me closer, pressing me to his chest. His mouth captured mine, more urgent this time. My lips parted and his tongue darted in, tracing my teeth, then brushing against my own tongue. His hands moved down my hips, and back up to my waist. Everywhere he touched, my skin smoldered. Any moment now, I expected my clothing to ignite and burn off. I couldn’t get enough of him. My mouth moved against his as I returned the kiss. No matter how closely we pressed against one another, it didn’t seem close enough.

“Trey,” I murmured against his lips.

“Do you want me to stop,” he whispered.

“No.”

You need to get it together, girl. You have to stop. But I’ve never felt like this. Not with Rex. Not with anyone. Oh God. Rex. Shit.

“Hey, Delyla?” Drake hollered downstairs.

Trey and I leapt apart. My heart thudded so hard, it felt like I might burst. My breath came in gasps.

“I-I’m downstairs,” I said.

Trey’s eyes were dark with emotion. Did he feel the same things I had? “Did I do okay?” he said at last. “Is there something I need to work on?”

“I don’t think you need to worry about anything,” I said. “It was perfect.”

“So, I’m ready for Portia?” His gaze kept mine.

“Yeah.” The problem was I didn’t want him to be ready for her. In fact, I wished it was me he was ready for.

“Thanks, Del. I think I learned a lot today. See you at school.” He gave me a quick smile then dashed out of the room.

I’d learned a lot today too. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I sat on the couch. I brought my knees to my chest. For starters, I was in love with Trey Garrett. Second, I was gonna have to break up with Rex because regardless of whether or not Trey ever wanted me, I knew Rex and I weren’t going to work out. Third. Well, I was kind of screwed, because the guy I loved was in love with someone else.

Chapter 20

I tossed and turned all night. Thoughts of the kiss consumed me. I could still feel where Trey’s lips had touched mine. Did he feel anything? Better yet, did I want him to? But the biggest question I had was how the heck was I supposed to act around him now? Gah, I was so confused.

On top of that, I needed to figure out what to do on the Rex front. A part of me felt as if I should invite him over and just get it done with. But another part of me, the coward part, wanted to wait. With a sigh, I kicked my blankets off and paced my room. Drizzle splattered down my window like tiny teardrops. I pressed my head against the glass and peered outside, where I saw Trey climbing into his truck.

He’s probably going to see Portia.
I glanced at my phone on my desk. It was time to call in reinforcements. Kenadi would kill me for not calling last night. But it took me so much time to come to terms with what happened.

At last, I grabbed my cell, plopped on my bed, and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring.

“Hey, girl,” she said.

I swallowed hard, not wanting to have a meltdown on the phone. “I have a mondo emergency. And I really need to get out of here for a while. Can you come pick me up?”

“What’s going on?”

“I-I’d rather not say until you get here.”

“Okay, why don’t you get dressed and we can drive out to the mall. That way we have the car ride over to talk without being interrupted,” Kenadi said.

“Sounds good. I’ll see you in a few.”

I hung up and rummaged through my closet for a clean pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Once I had them on, I pulled my hair up in a ponytail, then tugged on a pair of flip-flops. I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs.

“Mom, Kenadi’s picking me up in a few. We’re gonna go to the mall.”

She poked her head out from the kitchen. “That’s fine. Don’t be too late though, I wanted us to have a nice sit down dinner.”

On second thought, maybe Ken and I should take our time. I could only guess what type of concoction Mom had in store for us tonight. Maybe roast, with beets in it. Or her infamous chili-meatball-green bean surprise. I wrinkled my nose at the thought and went out to wait for Ken to show up.

A few minutes later, she pulled into the drive in her mom’s sedan. She climbed out to greet me.

“You ready?”

“Yeah.”

As I walked to her car, I noticed Mrs. Foster, Jimbo’s owner, standing on her porch, wearing only a housecoat. Her face looked paler than normal. Dark circles made her face more gaunt.

“Hi, Delyla.” She gave a small wave, as if it was too much effort to raise her fingers. “You haven’t seen Jimbo, have you?” her voice sounded raspy, like she’d swallowed sandpaper.

“Not today.” I glanced down the road, wondering whose lawn ornaments he was breaking in.

She sighed. “He’s been so naughty lately—with me being si … gone so much, he’s not getting as much attention.” She swiped an absent hand at her dirty hair, which stuck to her forehead. Frail arms moved to tighten the belt on her house coat. She’d lost a lot of weight.

“Do you want me to look for him real quick?” My gaze met hers.

“If you could, that’d be great.” She broke out into a fit of coughing.

“Why don’t you wait inside? I’ll bring him back if I find him,” I said.

“She looks rough,” Kenadi said. “I wonder what’s wrong with her.”

“I’m not sure. My mom hasn’t said anything. But she’s normally smiling and perky. Not like this.” I racked my brain for the last time I’d even seen her. It’d been a few months.

Kenadi and I walked down the sidewalk, hollering Jimbo’s name. We went up our side of the street for two blocks, then circled back, taking the other side of the road.

Then I saw him in some rosebushes, with a baby doll. Good grief. “Jimbo, come here boy,” I said.

He glanced up, then grabbed the toy in his mouth and trotted over. I ripped the doll from him, when I heard a little girl yelling from her stoop.

“That’s my doll. Give it back. Daddy, she took my doll.” The kid cried.

A moment later, a man rushed outside. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Wait, no, I didn’t take it. Our neighbor’s dog got loose and got a hold of it. We were trying to get it back.”

“You’re nothing but a bunch of bullies.” He shook his fist at us.

I handed the dirty toy to the girl and she ran back inside, crying.

“Stay away from our house, you hear?”

“Damn, you’re really getting a reputation around here,” Kenadi said.

I snorted. “Great.”

Jimbo glanced up at me and whimpered. He looked so sad as he put his tail between his legs. Nice. Now he was making me feel bad, too.

“C’mon boy. Let’s get you home.” When I arrived at the house, Mr. Foster was just pulling in.

“Thanks, Delyla. Sorry for the trouble. He’s been getting into lots of trouble as of late.”

I pretended not to notice Mr. Foster’s red-rimmed eyes, or the defeated slouch in his shoulders. Had he been crying?

“No problem,” I said.

Jimbo followed Mr. Foster inside, leaving me and Ken standing on the lawn.

***

At last, Kenadi and I headed out of town toward the mall. “So, what’s going on?” she said.

I sucked in a deep breath. “Trey and I kissed last night.”

The car swerved as she turned to face me. “What? Oh. My. God.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I know. I never meant for this to happen.” I went on to explain the kiss practicing session. “Now, I’m so confused. I mean, I’ve never felt like this before. Not with Rex. Not with any of the guys I’ve dated. I don’t know, it’s like when I’m with him, I can be myself. And I have so much fun.”

“What are you gonna do?”

My gaze shifted to my hands. “I have to break up with Rex. It’s the right thing to do. I mean, I just don’t feel that way about him.”

“And what about Trey?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know that either. He’s supposed to have another date with Portia. And we haven’t really talked since it happened. Besides, maybe it didn’t mean anything to him.”

“But he kissed you back. Not some brush of the lips kiss, we’re talking full on tongue, clutching you tight romance crap.”

“Well, how am I supposed to bring it up?”

“Can you talk to Drake, see if he’d do some intel gathering for you?”

“Hell to the no. If he found out we kissed, he’d flip.” I shook my head. “Besides, my brother is too wrapped up in Chloe right now. I barely see him.”

Kenadi turned into the mall parking lot. “All right. Why don’t we play it by ear and see how school goes tomorrow? Perhaps he’ll let something slip. Something to let you know what your next step should be.”

“Okay,” I said. A few minutes later, we headed into the mall. Kenadi led me straight to “my” prom dress, which still hung in the window display. My vision blurred as tears threatened to spill over again.
Will I even need this now? Once I break up with Rex, I might not have anyone to go with.