Текст книги "Thief"

Автор книги: Chantal Fernando

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Chapter Four

“He’s just putting his arm around her,” I whisper to Max, grabbing his arm and pulling him back into his seat. “You can’t do anything to him over that! Imagine if this was you out on this date. You’d be doing way worse than that.”

“We’re not talking about me, though,” Max grumbles, sitting back down. He pulls out a pair of binoculars from his pocket and I scrub my hand down my face.

“You’re freaking kidding me right now,” I mutter to myself, watching my best friend as he peers through the binoculars. I’m pretty sure he can’t see shit through them; he’s just trying to be dramatic.

“I take this shit very seriously,” he says, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

“I can see that,” I say dryly then look back at the screen. “I think Tom must really like Sierra to put up with all of this shit, to be honest.”

“Time will show his true intentions.”

I roll my eyes and block him out as he grumbles about not having a close enough view of where Sierra’s hands are. When the movie comes to an end, we wait for the two of them outside. Max pulls Tom aside for a chat, leaving Sierra and me alone.

“This is ridiculous,” she says, pursing her red lips. “But Tom has been so sweet! He asked me out again. Don’t you think he’s so good looking?”

I don’t, but anyway…

“You two look cute together,” is all I tell her.

“I know!” she beams, letting me know it was indeed the right thing to say. “I want him to kiss me. It will have to be in the car before he walks me to my door, because Dash will come out with that death stare of his, trying to intimidate Tom.”

I wonder if Dash will come out of his house bare-chested.

“Vi, let’s go,” Max says, walking in front of a very red-faced Tom. I can only imagine what happened there.

“Bye,” I say to Sierra and Tom then follow Max to his car. “What did you say to him?”

“Just told him to take her straight home, and Dash will be messaging me when they get home, so we’ll know exactly how long they took to get there,” he explains.

“Jesus,” I whisper, sliding into his black Honda. “That’s pretty rough.”

“I know,” Max says, grinning.

“I think the power is getting to your head, Max,” I say, my forehead furrowing. “Can we get something to eat on the way home?”

“Yeah, I’m starving,” he says, reversing the car. “What do you feel like?”

“Fries,” I say, squinting. “Lots and lots of fries.”

We’re ordering our food, when Max checks his phone. “Sierra is home. Mission complete.”

“You’re such a goofball, Max,” I tell him, smiling widely. “And I thought you were bringing alcohol?” I tease.

“I have a game tomorrow,” he says, rubbing his palm on his chest. “The best player can’t rock up hung over, now can he?”

“Dash isn’t going to be hung over though,” I say, smirking.

Max throws me over his shoulder, right in the middle of the diner, my arms flailing in the air.

“What did you say, Vi?”

“Nothing,” I say. “Oh, my God, put me down, Max! Everyone is staring!”

“First, tell me what I want to hear,” he says cheerfully then starts to tickle my ribs.

“You’re the best basketball player ever,” I say quickly, rushing out all the words.

He puts me down and I fix my hair, which is all over my face. “Jerk face.”

He steps toward me again, so I quickly retreat.

“You two are a very cute couple,” the lady in front of us in line says.

My cheeks heat, but Max just brushes it off like he always does and wraps his arm around me. “Thank you, ma’am. She’s a pain in the ass, but she’s mine.”

The lady giggles and then faces forward.

I glance up at Max.

He looks down.

We both smile.

*****

When Dash doesn’t come to school Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, my teacher asks me if Dash and I are good enough friends that I could drop his work off for him, so he doesn’t fall behind. I’ve never been to his house, but Max showed me where it was one day, so I know how to get there. Papers in hand, I park in his empty driveway and walk to the front door, knocking three times. The door opens a few seconds later, and Dash stands there, bare-chested, just like he always opened the front door in my imagination. He had a lean, toned, athletic body, one that is definitely better in person than what my mind had come up with, and his skin is smooth and tanned.

“Viola, what are you doing here?” he asks, scowling down at me.

I raise my eyes to his. “Oh. Right. I was asked to drop this off for you. Is everything okay? Are you sick or something?”

I hear someone coughing loudly from inside the house.

“I’m fine,” he says, taking the papers from my hand. “My youngest sisters are sick and my mum has to work, so…” He shrugs it off, but he also avoids eye contact.

His sisters are sick, so he has to miss school to look after them? What kind of bullshit is that? What about his education? Or the fact they aren’t his children? I school my expression, not wanting to show the anger I feel on his behalf.

“I can get something from the pharmacy or get some soup for them if you want me to,” I offer, thinking I could at least do something to help his situation out. A cute dark-haired girl walks to the door and stands next to her brother. She looks to be about nine years old. Her nose is red and her face is pale; she definitely isn’t feeling too well.

“I love chicken soup.” She looks at Dash with baby blue puppy dog eyes. It looks like Dash is the only one with the violet eyes, although there is still one sister I haven’t seen.

“This is Marigold,” Dash says, smiling down at her. “Or Mari, as we call her. Savannah is asleep.”

“Nice to meet you, Mari,” I say to her, grinning. “I can definitely get you some chicken soup. Is there anything else you’d like to make you feel better?”

“You don’t have to—” Dash starts, but is cut off.

“Some candy might make me feel better,” Marigold says with a serious face.

I laugh and stand up straight, looking back to Dash. “I’ll be back with soup and candy, and then I’ll keep the girls occupied while you finish your schoolwork.”

Without waiting for his answer, I turn around and walk back to my car. I can feel his gaze on me, but I ignore it. I get chicken soup, food for Dash, medicine, and candy, spending my weekly allowance from my parents, and then head back to his house with all the goods. Mari opens the door for me, and I walk inside their house and into the living room, where Dash is sitting with who has to be Savannah.

“Hey,” I say, putting all the bags down on the coffee table in front of him, and I notice he’s put on a blue t-shirt. “Go and take a break. I’ve got this.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, looking uncertain. “Jasmine and Sierra will be home soon, after their dance class. They can—”

“Dash,” I say, grabbing his burger and fries and giving them to him. “Eat and study. Go.”

He looks in the bag then back at me, an odd expression on his face. I ignore him and pull out the two bowls of soup with two plastic spoons then set the candy and medicine out on the table. Dash takes the hint and leaves the room, while I get the girls to finish their soup, take the medicine, and then, last of all, eat their candy as a reward.

“I like the name Viola,” Savannah tells me. “It’s pretty.”

“Thank you,” I tell her. “You all have beautiful names too. Are you feeling any better now?”

“A little,” Mari yawns. “I feel sleepy.”

They both end up falling asleep on the couch. I tidy up the living room, knowing I’m surely crossing boundaries but being unable to help myself, and then I go and find Dash, who is doing his work in the kitchen.

“Hey,” I say, approaching him. “The girls are fast asleep, so I’m going to head home.”

He looks tired. I have to wonder where their father is, and why it seems like Dash is the father figure of the house.

“Wait, I want to give you some money for all the stuff you got.”

He stands up, but I wave him off. “Don’t bother. If you need anything else, give me a call. Do you have my number?”

He shakes his head. I hold out my hand, and he places his phone in my palm, our fingers briefly touching. I save my number is his phone under ‘Vi’, flash him a small smile, and then leave his house.

And when I go home, I thank my mum and dad for all they do for me.

*****

Friday morning, I open my locker to find a note and a red rose. I open the note, and two words are scribbled in the middle.

Thank you.

I smile and lift the rose to my nose, smelling the sweet scent. I then put it back in my locker, close it, and walk to my first class, an extra spring in my step.

Chapter Five

I sit down on Max’s couch, eating a popsicle, when I hear him mutter a curse. “What’s wrong?”

“Dash has to bring his sisters to the game today again, which means he’ll be distracted. He has to check on them, of course, so he’s always looking at them instead of focusing.”

I suck on the popsicle then say, “I can look after them. I’m not doing anything.”

Max’s head snaps to me. “Really? You’d do that?”

I nod. “Sure, why not? I can hang out with them at the game, or I can go to his house, or whatever is easiest.”

“I’ll message him and see what he says,” Max tells me, texting furiously. “You’re a lifesaver, Vi.”

“Well I can’t have my best friend lose his game, now can I?”

Max grins and lies back on me, resting his head on my stomach. “Yeah, you’re the one who would have to hear me complain about it for the next month.”

“Don’t I know it,” I grumble. “Also, Dash should be able to enjoy a little without always having to worry about his sisters.”

“Agree completely,” Max says, lifting his phone when it beeps. “Dash said he would owe you one if you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on them while he plays.”

“Tell him it’s no problem. You’ve been trying to get me at a game for ages now anyway.”

Max chuckles as he texts Dash back. “Yeah, because you’re good luck. I’ve never lost a game when you’re there.”

“Well, if you lose tomorrow, don’t try and bring me into it,” I say, gently tugging on his hair. “Blame your team.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles, putting his phone down. “We won’t lose. Not with Dash being focused and you there as my good luck charm.”

“If Dash ever needs me to look after the twins, tell him to just message me, all right?” I tell Max. “I don’t mind amusing them for every game you guys have to play. Just remember me when you’re playing for the NBA.”

“Remember you? You’ll be right by my side, Vi,” Max says softly, closing his eyes. “I’ll buy you a house right next to mine. A huge one. You won’t have to work or anything.”

“I want to work,” I tell him, smiling at his kindness. “But I won’t say no to living next to you, growing old together. My kids playing with yours.”

“Your son better keep his hands off my daughter,” he jokes, making me laugh.

“Your son is going to be a player, just like his dad.”

Max scoffs and lifts his head back to look at me, eyes opening. “I’m not a player. In fact, I’ve been extremely good this year.”

“It’s the start of the year, Max,” I point out, smirking. “Like, the very start.”

“And this is why you’re single, Vi. All you do is nag.”

I pinch his arm and he laughs.

We watch TV like that, him lying on me, until it’s time for us to go to basketball. Dash and his sisters are waiting for us when we get there, and Dash comes up to me straight away and pulls me into his arms. “I seriously don’t know how I can thank you enough.”

“I’m just sitting here with your sisters,” I say against his chest. “You’re not asking for much.”

I enjoy the feeling of being pressed up against him a little more than I should. He moves back first, but stares down at me with a look of gratefulness. “Where the hell did you come from, Viola?”

Max calls Dash’s name, and he hesitantly leaves my side. I sit down next to the twins, who already look bored, but luckily, I came prepared. I pull out my arsenal, a CD Walkman, some colouring books and markers, and a book of crossword puzzles.

“Hopefully, this will keep us amused,” I say to them, grinning as they seem to appear interested. The girls keep busy while I watch Dash play. In fact, I can’t keep my eyes off him.

He’s magnetic.

And so talented.

“Why do you keep staring at my brother?” Mari asks, making me turn to her and cringe. Yeah, I hope she never repeats that.

“Because she likes him, duh,” Savannah adds, not lifting her head from the colouring book. “She wants him to be her boyfriend.”

“Well, I like you, Viola, so I guess it’s okay,” Mari decides with a serious look on her cute little face.

“Dash and I are friends,” I tell the two of them, looking between them. “I like him as a friend.”

When Savannah starts making kissy noises, I decide to take a different approach. “This is going to be our secret, right?”

They both nod.

“Girl code,” Mari says, grinning. “We won’t tell our brother how much you love him.”

Girl code? Where did they learn that from?

I scrub my hand down my face, but decide there is no point in arguing with them.

*****

Six Months Later

“I didn’t even date Jackie.” Dash groans, rubbing the back of his neck. “We kissed, once. I didn’t even take her on an official date.”

I laugh and take a bite of my carrot stick. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”

Max chuckles and puts his phone down, giving us his attention. “You know what this school is like. Everyone likes to gossip, so just ignore it.”

“We’re going to shoot some hoops after school. Do you want to come with us, Vi?” Dash asks, making Max raise his eyebrows.

“Sure,” I say, shrugging nonchalantly. “I can read while you guys play.”

“Sweet,” he says, standing up. “I have to go find my sister. I’ll see you in home ec, though.”

He leaves, and I watch him do so.

“You like him,” Max says, studying me a little too closely for my liking. “Don’t you?”

I shrug and look down at the grass, plucking some out of the ground. “I don’t know.”

“Vi,” he says, lifting my chin with his fingers. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“We’re just friends, Max,” I tell him, moving my face away. “And don’t you dare act weird or say anything to him.”

“As if I’m going to do that,” he says, looking away.

I stand up and offer him my hand. “Let’s get to class.”

*****

Dash

I walk past Savannah’s room, when I overhear her saying something to Mari. “Do you think we should tell Dash to ask Vi out? I feel like he needs help, because he’s not making a move.”

“We can’t say anything to Dash; it would violate girl code. We told Vi we wouldn’t tell Dash that she likes him, even though it’s obvious to everyone,” Mari says, sighing dramatically. “Except Dash.”

Girl code?

Does that trump them telling their big brother important information like this? They think I need dating advice from a bunch of preteen girls?

Jesus.

I open my bedroom door and consider their words. If I was to be honest with myself, the close relationship Vi has with Max is one of the reasons I haven’t asked her out or made a move yet. Max will always be her number one, and I don’t know how well I can handle that. I had no idea she’d mentioned to the girls that she likes me. What if she’s been waiting for me to make a move this entire time? I don’t want to blow my chance with her. I’m just going to have to try to learn to accept hers and Max’s relationship, and let them do them, while still finding a way to fit us into her life.

I could do that.

I smile at my sisters’ antics, shaking my head in amusement.

Viola is a one-of-a-kind girl, and it’s about time I put myself out there and make her mine.

*****

Viola

The next weekend, one of the girls from our class, Kylie, is having a party at her house. Max insisted that we go, even though I tried to get out of it, so here I am, wearing my new black skinny jeans, a black tank top, and a cute leather jacket with my Converse sneakers, in the car with Max and Dash on the way there. Dash is driving, and Max is drinking a beer in the front seat, loud music pumping from the stereo.

“Are you going to drink tonight?” Dash asks me, lowering the music and looking at me in the rear-view mirror.

“Nope, so you can if you like,” I tell him. “I’ll drive us home.”

Max jokingly offers him some of his beer.

“How long are we staying at this thing?” I ask, looking between the two of them. “And I better not be ditched the second we get into the house.”

“As if,” Max says, turning to look at me. “Bros over hoes, Vi. I’m not leaving you alone.”

Bros over hoes?

I don’t know if I should take offence to that or be happy he considers me one of the guys.

“She won’t be alone,” Dash says. “If you want to hook up with someone, I can stay with Vi.”

A weird tension I don’t understand fills the car. “I’m not going to leave Vi. I never do.”

“Okay,” Dash says, looking straight ahead. He turns the music back up, for which I’m thankful. I look out the window until we arrive at the huge, modern-looking two-story house. There are people standing out front, congregating in circles, all with drinks in their hands. Music is blasting from inside. Max opens my door for me when I don’t get out.

“Come on,” he says, nodding his head toward the house. “You like this song.”

I do like this song. I get out and cross my arms over my chest, scanning the scene in front of me. Dash stands next to me as Max grabs his beers.

“Do you go to parties like this a lot?” I ask him.

“Not a lot, but I’ve been to a few over the years, yes,” he says, scanning my features. “We’ll make an appearance, maybe dance, socialise, and then go get some food. What do you think?”

“I think that sounds perfect.”

We walk inside and the guys say hi to everyone they pass, while I keep to myself and smile at a few girls I know from some of my classes.

“Do you want something to drink?” Dash asks, standing so close to me I can smell him. I want to bury my face in his chest and just breathe in, but luckily I’m able to refrain myself.

“Yeah, maybe some juice or soda or something,” I say. Max wraps his arm around me as he glances around the place.

“How awesome is this house?”

“I’ll be back,” Dash says, heading toward the table of drinks.

“It’s massive,” I say, following Max’s line of sight. “Perfect house for a party, that’s for sure.”

“You’re going to have a good time, I promise,” he says, taking a sip of his beer.

Dash returns with two red cups in his hands, passing one over to me. “Orange juice okay?”

“Perfect, thank you,” I say, accepting the cup from him and taking a small sip. Max leads us to the outside area, where we all sit down and watch a couple of the guys from math class play beer pong.

When I see Sierra, I glance at Dash.

He just grins. “Yeah, I know she’s here, but don’t worry. I’m not going to flip out and drag her home.”

“Phew,” I say, playfully wiping my forehead. “Because that would have scarred the poor girl for life.”

“Max!” Liam, one of the guys from school, calls out.

“Be right back,” Max says to me then glances at Dash. “You won’t leave her, right?”

Dash shakes his head.

“I’ll just be over there.” He points to the group of his friends. “Unless you want me to stay?”

“I’m fine, Max,” I say honestly. “I can still see you from here anyway.”

“True,” he chuckles, then walks in that direction.

“I still don’t get the two of you,” Dash says, moving closer to me on the chair. “I’ve never seen friends so close.”

I shrug my shoulder and lean closer to him. “We grew up together. He’s my best friend and family mixed in one.”

Dash brushes my hair off my face, and I stop breathing. This is the first time he’s touched me like that.

“So I was wondering if maybe…” he starts then pauses, his violet gaze on my lips. “I could take you out next weekend. On a proper date.”

My eyes widen. “I think I’d like that.”

Is this happening? Did Dash ask me out on a date? Dash? The boy I’ve been secretly crushing on since the moment I laid eyes on him?

Is he going to kiss me on this date?

I’ve never been properly kissed before.

“Okay, good,” he says softly, cupping my cheek with his palm. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

“Socially awkward and opinionated?” I joke, making him chuckle.

“Socially awkward, kind-hearted, and just fucking wonderful,” he replies, grinning. “Real is what you are. Just real.”

I stare at his lips. “Dash?”

“Yeah?” he whispers.

“I’ve never been kissed before,” I blurt out, feeling a mixture of nervous and excited.

“You haven’t?” he asks, looking surprised.

I shake my head.

“Shit, Vi,” he says softly, lowering his face to mine. I move a little closer myself until our lips barely touch. Then, it happens. His mouth comes down on mine—gently, softly, perfectly. His tongue lightly explores my mouth, and I just hope the kiss is as good for him as it is for me. He pulls back way too soon, taking away his kisses just as I’d gotten them.

“Don’t stop,” I tell him. “I kind of want to do that for the rest of the night.”

He flashes me a slow-spreading smile, dimples on show. “We can’t sit here kissing all night, Vi.”

“Can we do it on our date?”

He chuckles deeply and kisses my cheek, whispering in my ear, “Yes, and I can’t wait.”

Max walks over to us and raises his eyebrows at me. “I leave you alone for five minutes, Vi, five minutes.”

I hide my smile behind my hand, while Max narrows his eyes on Dash. “We’ll be having a chat soon, dude.”

Dash’s mouth tightens, but he nods, probably accepting that he’s going to have to put up with Max if he wants to go on a date with me. Suddenly feeling in an extremely good mood, I stand up and say, “I’m pretty sure dancing was promised tonight.”

We dance.

We laugh.

It’s two am when I’ve finally had enough.

“Max, can we go now?” I ask him, pulling on his t-shirt. “Dash says he’s ready whenever you are.”

A very drunk Max wraps his arm around me and grins. “The night is still young though, Vi.”

I roll my eyes. “Come on. We’ll get some food on the way home.”

“I can get him home,” Liam says, hearing our exchange. “Matt is our designated driver and is dropping us all off. We’ve got room for Max too.”

I look at Max. “Do you want to do that? I’d rather you came home with us, though.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll stay. We’re going to play some soccer in the backyard.”

“Drunk soccer doesn’t sound like a good idea,” I decide to point out, pursing my lips. “Message me as soon as you get home, all right?”

“Promise,” he says then looks to Dash. “Get her home safely, yeah?”

Dash nods and takes my wrist, pulling me out of Max’s arms and next to him. I wave bye to Max again and then walk with Dash to his car, hand-in-hand.

“He really doesn’t need to tell me to look after you,” he says softly. “You know I’ll do it anyway—one, because I want to, and two, because any good man would.”

He opens the passenger car door for me, and I boldly stop him from moving with my hand on his chest. Going up on my tip-toes, I kiss his lips one more time then pull away and smile. “I know, Dash. You don’t need to tell me. Max is just being Max.”

AKA overprotective.

He tips my chin up, and then kisses me again.

Best night ever.