Текст книги "In Pieces"

Автор книги: Gia Riley

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

INSTEAD OF EXPLAINING where the money came from, I ran into the kitchen to hide. It probably only makes me look even guiltier than I already do, but how was I supposed to explain to Rhett that I accepted money after turning his away? I looked like a hypocrite—and I knew it.

Rhett didn’t bother to chase me, either, not that he was allowed in the kitchen. Though after the long speech he made not even a half hour ago, I’m disappointed he didn’t. For a guy who wants a chance so badly, who had to bide his time, waiting for the perfect moment to come for me, he gave up pretty easily.

Betty drops a stack of dirty plates onto the sink counter next to me, groaning from the strain on her arms. “Did the boy leave?”

“I don’t know. He thought I ripped you off. He’s probably home by now.”

With her hands on her hips, she narrows her eyes. “I have half a mind to go set him straight. You are my best employee,” she says, shaking her head in disbelief. “You go on home. You’re done here for the night.”

“You’re sure you don’t want me to stay and finish these dishes for you?”

“Positive.”

I dry my hands on my apron and lean down to give Betty a hug. I’ll never forget what she did for me tonight. How she’s made my life a little bit easier without even thinking twice about it. I’ve been let down so many times, it makes moments like these that much more meaningful.

Punching my time card in the machine that dates back to the stone age, I stare at my reflection in the mirror that’s been hanging in the hallway just as long. The florescent lighting gives my normally dark hair an auburn glow. A few strands escaped my ponytail, and I have a noticeable stain on the front of my polo from some ketchup. Who knows what Rhett ever saw in me in the first place—I’m a mess.

Even I know it’s too late and way too dark to be walking the entire way home all alone, so I do the only thing I can think of—I find Carson’s name in my list of contacts. The pang of disappointment that hits me, is surprising. I didn’t realize how much I was looking forward to spending a little extra time with Rhett.

“What are you doing?”

My body jerks from the unexpected voice, and my phone falls to the dirty floor of the vestibule, spinning in a circle until it stops next to Rhett’s foot. He leans down to pick it up and hand it back to me, but not before taking a look at the screen. “Why are you calling Carson?”

“I thought you left.”

His cocks his head to the side, appearing genuinely confused. “Why would I leave? I’m taking you home.”

“I figured after you accused me of being a thief, you took off.”

“Kinsley, I’m sorry. It was a dick thing to say. If I could take it back, I would.”

“You can’t, but thank you for apologizing.”

He moves closer to where I’m standing, bending to look me in the eye. “Fair warning, there’s a chance I’m going to do a lot of other stupid shit—even if I don’t intend to.”

“I can’t wait,” I joke. But this time my smile peers though my earlier anger. He may have jumped to conclusions that weren’t fair, but I can see he’s sorry and that he knows he messed up.

“Now that we got that out of the way, can I take you home?”

“Yes, I’m tired. This day’s had more drama than I’m used to.”

“Come on.” We walk side by side down the stairs and into the almost deserted parking lot. His hand brushes mine, but instead of adding some distance between us, he clasps my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. I stare at our joined hands because even something as simple as holding hands is a first for me.

“Is this okay?” he questions, obviously worried he overstepped a boundary.

I nod my head, afraid of what I’ll see when I look at him—so I don’t. “Yes,” I whisper.

He points to his truck with his free hand. “I’m over there.”

Rumor has it, the brand new Ford F-150 was a gift from his grandparents. Some kids get graduation gifts, while Rhett gets one for simply starting a new school year.

“You can ask. Everyone else has.”

I scrunch my nose up, confused about what I’m supposed to be asking. “About?”

“The truck. It’s been the topic of conversation at practice the entire week.”

“It’s really nice.”

“I know, but I didn’t ask for it,” he insists. I’m not sure why it’s so important for me to know that, but clearly he wants to discuss it before we get inside.

“Rhett, it doesn’t matter to me what you drive. Things don’t matter to me—probably because I don’t have many. So, I don’t care if your truck came from Peyton Manning or your family. It’s yours and it’s awesome. That’s all that matters.”

A smile breaks out over his previously worried face. “You know who Peyton Manning is?”

I chuckle, “That’s all you heard me say?”

“No, I heard every word you said, but it’s hot when you start tossing quarterbacks into the conversation.”

“Then you’ll be happy to know, I like sports. I know who Peyton is—you’d have to live in oblivion not to. He’s a fourteen time pro-bowler. That’s huge.”

Rhett’s eyes widen when I break out the statistics. He forgets I have an older brother who is also obsessed with football. With only one TV in the apartment, I had no choice but to watch a lot of football games. “Shit, Kinsley. I’m think I’m in love. I mean, I already knew I liked you, but damn. You just rocked my world.”

“You’re crazy.”

“What’s crazy about that?”

“All of it.” I take the key fob out of his hands to unlock the doors. When I reach for the handle, he finally snaps out of the daze I put him in.

“I got it. Let me help you get in, shorty.”

Before I can climb in without his help, his hands are around my waist, lifting me effortlessly into the passenger seat. “I could have handled it.”

“You could have.”

“But?”

“But, I’m not about to pass up a reason to touch you,” he says, as he shuts my door, and walks around the front of the truck with a satisfied smirk on his face.

It’s adorable—he’s adorable. No, who am I kidding? He’s hot, and for reasons I’ll never understand, he’s interested in me.

“You can put whatever you want on the radio.”

“I’m okay with this. I like country music.” Plus, I have no idea how to work all the buttons on the radio. I drive an older car that doesn’t have satellite radio or a built in navigation system.

“Country music and sports. You’re two for two.”

“Does that mean I’m a keeper?”

“Definitely,” he says, in complete seriousness—all the playfulness from before now gone from his voice.

I pull my hair out of the ponytail I wear it in for work, and Rhett glances at me out of the corner of his eye, as I’m massaging my scalp.

“Headache?”

“A little. I think I’m mostly tired. I worked a double last night.”

“I give you credit. I worked over the summer, before football started. I don’t know how you go to school all day and then work all night.”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“And that’s why driving this truck sucks.”

“What do you mean?”

“My parents want me to have it, and my grandparents have this insane desire to spoil me.” He shrugs his shoulders. “I sound so ungrateful, but I don’t need this thing. I’d rather someone have it that needs it, but they don’t see it that way. They want me to have everything, which I appreciate, but it makes it harder to blend in when they’re waving their money around.”

“I get what you’re saying, but they’re your family.”

“I’m sorry. Here I am pissed off at my family.”

I cut him off before he can say anything else. “And I don’t have one.”

He nods his head. “Yeah, dick move number two. I told you there’d be many.”

“It’s fine, really. I’ve had a lot of time to try to make sense of it. I hate to tell you though, you couldn’t blend in if you tried. Three quarters of this town comes out to see you play every Friday night. You’re even on the news.”

“That I can’t help.”

“Just like I can’t help my situation, either. We are who we are whether we like it or not.”

“You’re saying I’m supposed to look the part? Be who everyone else expects me to be, or thinks I already am?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. Can I ask why it even matters to you? Any other guy on the team would kill to be in your position—to have all that attention. All those girls begging to be his.”

“First off, only one girl matters to me.” He glances at me. “Secondly, it matters because I want a real shot with you, and I don’t want rumors or expectations to screw up your opinion of me before you have a chance to get to know me. I guess I want you to see me, and not a position on the football field like everyone else.”

He’s right, I’ve had an opinion of him for years. Now that I think about it, I could be totally wrong about the guy I always assumed he was. I don’t think I am though. I see beyond the bullshit.

“Rhett, people judge me every single day of my life because of decisions my father made. I know the rumors floating around, I’ve heard them all. Yet here you are, talking to me despite that. If anyone gets it, I do.”

I remember the first day back to school after dad left. Word around town traveled quickly, and I lashed out at Kate because I was equally ashamed and angry. All that did was secure me a trip to a counselor before she lost me entirely. At the time, I hated her for it, especially when everyone in school called me crazy for seeing a shrink, but looking back on it, it was a blessing in disguise. Had my sister not read the warning signs as well as she did, I could very well be a high school dropout doing god knows what with god knows who.

“I don’t care what other people think about us, Kinsley. I only care what you think of me—and how you make me feel.”

My voice wavers the slightest bit when I ask, “How do I make you feel?”

“Alive,” he says, simply.

“Well that’s better than dead.”

His shoulders shake and he reaches over to squeeze my leg just above the knee. “I like when you’re a smartass, too. What I mean is, you don’t have expectations. You don’t assume anything—it’s refreshing.”

“Well, I do have one expectation.”

He smiles, “I knew it was too good to be true. Lay it on me.”

“I can’t yet.”

“When can you?” he asks, curiously.

“Soon—maybe.”

“Adding a little mystery to the mix, I like it. I actually have one for you, too.”

I fidget in my seat, not sure if I’m ready to hear what Rhett expects of me or from me. This is another area where we’re worlds apart.

“Don’t look so nervous.”

“I am,” I whisper.

“Kinsley, it’s not like that. Look at me.”

I turn my head, expecting to be laughed at, but he’s not even smiling. “What?”

“For starters, that’s not what we’re about. I’m not looking for a random hook up. Secondly, I was trying to ask you to Fall Fest.”

“The music festival? That’s your expectation?”

“The one and only.”

The eighteen-year-old inside of me wants to jump up and down, but I’ve had to grow up a lot faster than most kids my age. Automatically, my mind focuses on the cost. With having to pay Betty back, I don’t know when I’ll be able to save enough money to go to Fall Fest. I do know it won’t be in time for this year’s festival. That’s for sure.

At the next red light, Rhett looks puzzled when I don’t immediately respond one way or the other. “You said you like country music, right?”

“I do, but I don’t think I’ll be able to go.”

“Why not?”

I feel like such a loser. Moments like these make the anger I’ve tried so hard to get rid of bubble to the surface. I shouldn’t have to worry about money or making it on my own. I should be living it up this last year of high school. “I just can’t. I’m sorry, Rhett.”

“Kinsley, please tell me why. If it’s me, if you’re not interested, I can handle it.”

As soon as he says something as ridiculous as that, I realize I have to tell him the truth. I can’t let him think I don’t like him, or that I don’t want to spend time with him—because I want that more than anything. So, I swallow my pride before I hurt his feelings any more than I already have.

“I can’t afford the ticket.” There, I said it. Now that I have, I’m ashamed. If I could, I’d open my truck door, and walk the rest of the way home, just to spare myself the humiliation.

Sensing my discomfort, Rhett reaches over and grabs my hand. His thumb rubs tiny circles back and forth over my skin. I can hardly breathe with him touching me, but I don’t want him to stop, either.

“I’m taking you this year, Kinsley. We stay in tents on the festival grounds, so other than the ticket and food, there’s really no other costs. It’s a little on the hick side if you aren’t into camping, and it’s a little miserable if it rains, but still crazy fun.”

“Rhett.”

“I’m not above begging, Kinsley. The guys always take their girls. I’ll be the odd man out without you.”

His hand leaves mine as he turns to pull into my driveway, but he grabs it again as soon as the truck is in park. “Which one’s yours?”

“Top right,” I tell him. “Number 422.”

“It’s nice.”

“Pfft, no it’s not.”

“Don’t make it less than it is. You think people talk about you, and maybe they do, but not everyone disrespects you. I respect how hard you work. I’d never survive all you’ve been though. You’re brave.”

“You think I’m brave? Rhett, I’m scared shitless every morning I wake up. I worry how I’m going to keep my car running. How I’m going to manage school and work again—if it’s all for nothing because I won’t be able to afford New York once I get there anyway. That’s if they even accept me. But then I remember, it could always be worse. Some kids at school have it so much worse than I do, and that’s what keeps me going.”

“Like I said, you’re brave, Kinsley.”

“I get jealous.” I look down at our joined hands, wishing I felt as strong as he thinks I am. “Sometimes, I just want to live in our old house, and I want my life to be the way it used to be—when my mom was alive.”

“I want that for you, too. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to go home and be on my own. Do you get along with your sister at least?”

I nod my head. Kate’s been my one constant. “We fight like sisters do, but we get along for the most part. It’s been different though, since she started working nights to make some extra money.”

“You’re alone? I had no idea.”

“No, I’m not alone. Carson’s home most nights. He was Kate’s doing, mostly. She has her sights set on a house after I graduate—one closer to Philadelphia. She’s been taking as many shifts at night as she can so she has more time to do school stuff during the day. I can’t fault her for going after her own dreams. Not when I plan on doing the same.”

“What’s in Philly?”

“Opportunity, basically. Plus, that’s where her boyfriend is originally from. They were in the process of moving in together when Dad left. She stayed for me and Wyatt, but I know she’s itching to get out of here. She sacrificed a lot for me which is why I tolerate her boyfriend.”

“Tolerate? He’s a dick?”

“Not usually, but he’s pissed she’s stuck with me. I can tell.”

“Kate’s your guardian?”

I nod my head. “Wyatt’s too—well before he turned eighteen.”

Rhett runs his hands through his hair, processing my reality. I dumped a lot on him tonight—more than he probably thought he’d ever have to hear. Even if it makes him uncomfortable, I’ll never lie about my situation. It’s not ideal, it’s even pretty terrible, but it’s mine.

“Please come with me to the festival, Kinsley. At least for those two nights, you’ll be with me—and I’ll know you’re safe. It’ll make me feel better about having to leave you here tonight.”

I open Rhett’s palm and without even realizing I’m doing it, I trace the pattern of a heart, over and over. “I’ll go,” I whisper. Finally, I get the courage to look him in the eye. “Thank you. It’s hard for me to accept handouts.”

“It’s not a handout. It’s a guy asking a girl on a date. That’s all.”

“A date, huh? An overnight date.”

“Yes, but if you’re not comfortable staying with me, I can bring a separate tent for you to sleep in. There’s no pressure. All I want is for you to have fun.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need my own tent.” If I’m going, I’m staying with Rhett.

“You’ll really go with me? You’re saying, yes?”

“We’re jumping right in, aren’t we? They don’t even do overnight dates on The Bachelor until the end of the season.”

“Don’t worry, by the time we go to the festival, my status will be changed in your contact list.”

I laugh, remembering how he’s listed right now. “To what?”

“Boyfriend,” he says with confidence. “We can change it right now if you want. I don’t intend on backing off.”

I sit starring at Rhett, slightly in shock. Okay, a whole lot in shock. This entire day has been unreal. When I woke up this morning, I was just Kinsley. Now, I’m sitting in Rhett’s truck, and he just asked me on a date. I’m pretty sure he asked me to be his girlfriend, too.

“Rhett, I don’t know what to say.”

He shifts in his seat, picking up on my uneasiness. “I’m not trying to scare you, Kinsley, but I can’t tell if you’re taking me seriously or not. This isn’t a joke to me.”

I hear what he’s asking of me—what he wants, but I’ve never had a boyfriend before. Rhett could end up breaking my heart. On the flip side, he could be worth the risk. There’s only one way to find out. Considering I never do anything halfway, now’s as good a time as any to go for it. For once, I decide to live in the moment, to take his word for face value—I hand him my phone without second guessing it. I want this. I want Rhett.

“Yeah? Seriously?” he asks, as he takes my phone. “You keep surprising me tonight.”

“I believe you. It’s really fast, and I had no idea my day would turn out like this, but if you want me.”

“You’ll be my girl?”

I nod my head. “Yes, I’ll be your girl.” There’s no use drawing it out. Before long, we’ll both be going our separate ways. I want to make the most of the time we have left. Whether we last a week or a couple months, at least we can say we tried. We’ll always have our memories.

“Hold that thought.” He types frantically at my phone, screwing up a few times before he gets it right. Once his contact information is the way he wants it, he hands my phone back to me.

I glance at the screen. “Your boyfriend.” Has replaced “Not just a Friend”.

“Clever,” I tell him, as my stomach does summersaults. Those are two words I never thought I’d see. He brings our joined hands to his mouth, and gives the back of my hand a kiss.

Holy shit, Rhett Taylor is my boyfriend.

“This is my favorite day of school.”

I smile. “It’s the first day of school, Rhett. It rarely sucks.”

“I got a flat tire last year. I also broke up with Mandi that morning.”

“Coincidence?”

“Pfft. Not a chance. She flattened it at lunch time.”

We laugh for a few more minutes, talking about nothing and everything at the same time. “It’s getting late. I don’t want you to get in trouble.” I may not have anyone keeping tabs on me when I come and go, but surely Rhett’s parents won’t like him staying out late with a girl. I reach down to grab my bag off the floor of the car, and Rhett shifts, suddenly looking nervous that I have to go.

“You said you had Becca picking you up in the morning, but can I come get you? I’ll call her if you want me to.”

“You can pick me up, but I’ll tell her. She’ll kill me if I don’t tell her you showed up at the diner. Then, she’s going to freak out when I tell her the rest. You don’t care if she knows, do you?”

He shakes his head. “We’re not a secret. Everyone will know tomorrow.”

I hadn’t even considered the reactions I’ll get at school. “They’re going to think you lost your mind.” It almost makes me want to reconsider—almost being the key word. I couldn’t take it back if I tried.

“If anyone gives you a hard time, you send them to me, okay? It’s me and you now.”

“Okay.”

“By the way, where do I stand with Becca? Is she still pissed about the dirt?”

“Yes, she is,” I tell him, as I laugh at the thought of her licking dirt off the ground. She’s such a germaphobe and now I know how it all started. “She also talks really highly of you. You left quite the impression on her.”

He stares through the windshield with a smile on his face. “I’ll be sure to thank her in the morning. I was such a little punk back then. I’m surprised she didn’t kick me in the balls—I deserved it.”

“Don’t tempt her. She would still cash in if she could.”

He cringes. “Good to know.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a few more seconds before I call it a night for a second time. “See you in the morning.” With my bag in hand, I reach for the door handle.

“Kinsley, wait.” Rhett leans over, and before I realize what’s happening, his lips are pressed against mine.

I’m having my first kiss, in a truck, with Rhett Taylor. His lips melt into mine, and he pulls away before kissing me a second time. It’s an innocent kiss, that doesn’t last more than a few seconds, but as wonderful as it was, I’m sure I did it all wrong. I might even smell like an onion.

I do the only logical thing I can think of, I slip out of his arms, open my door the rest of the way, and stumble out of his truck. I’m already halfway up the wooden staircase to my apartment by the time Rhett’s out of the truck, calling after me.

I have to be the biggest fool on the planet for running, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop. Not until I’m safely inside the apartment. I hit the light switch and yelp when I find Carson sitting in the living room, in the dark. “What are you doing? You scared me.”

“I was waiting for you to get home before I went to bed.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to wait up. I’m always home late on work nights.” I hurry by him, in desperate need of a shower, and a chill pill.

“What did you do,” I whisper to myself, over and over.

“I’m wondering the same thing.”

I spin around with my shirt in my hands, startled. “Jesus, Carson. Stop doing that.” I’m not used to him being here. There was a two week period after Wyatt left for school where I was all alone. I’m not used to having company after so many nights by myself.

Carson’s eyes travel the length of me, and when he does nothing, other than take me in, I realize I’m standing in front of him in my bra and work pants. Once my mind catches up with my hormones, I reach for the door, shutting it in his face.

Within the span of ten minutes, I had my first kiss with my first boyfriend before running like a bat out of hell away from him. Shortly after, a guy saw me in my bra for the first time—who wasn’t my boyfriend. This day needs to be over before it gets any crazier.

I let the warm water cascade over my tired body, praying at any point I’ll stop feeling like the biggest fool on the planet. But the water runs cold before that happens, so I get out, and dry off. After pulling on a pair of boxers and a tank top, I slide under my covers. I reach for the plug to charge my phone, and see I have a waiting text—from Rhett.

Rhett: Why did you run?

How do I explain to him that I’ve never kissed a guy before, and that I’m pretty sure I was terrible at it? Before I start typing an answer to his first question, a second follows. There’s no time to read it, when Carson knocks on my door. “Come in.”

The knob turns, and he stands in the doorway doing his best to look me in the eye instead of at my chest. “I’m sorry about before. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

I wave my hand in the air, dismissively, like it was no big deal. Right now, compared to my Rhett drama, it’s not so bad. “I have to be more careful. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Carson walks closer, stopping next to my bed.

“Can I sit for a second?”

I scoot over, giving him a little space on the edge of my bed. “What is it?”

He exhales, running his hand over his face. “I saw you with that kid in the truck.”

“What did you see, exactly?”

“I saw him with his tongue down your throat.”

I sit up, pulling my blankets up to cover my chest. “You were spying on me?”

He shakes his head. “I was waiting for you to get home. I saw the head lights pull in, and when they didn’t turn off right away, I got up and looked. I saw him kiss you.”

“You were spying.”

“Who is he?”

“My boyfriend.”

Carson recoils like I smacked him. “You were busy today.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. I’m just surprised.”

“Why? Please don’t tell Wyatt. You have to promise me, Carson. He’ll start shit. Do you know he told all the guys not to touch me? I’m the one that should get to yell at him.”

The way Carson stares at me, he almost looks disappointed. It was two tiny kisses. It’s not a big deal.

“Just be careful, Kinsley.”

“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I know what I’m doing.”

Carson stands up. “I won’t tell Wyatt if you promise to tell him yourself the next time you talk to him. I don’t want to be put in the middle.”

“Thank you. I’ll tell Wyatt soon. Things with Rhett are brand new. I don’t want to mess them up before we even get started.”

“I understand. Goodnight, Kinsley.” He turns and walks out of my room, but I can’t shake the strange feeling that comes over me. Like something isn’t right. Like I made a mistake even when I don’t think I did. In fact, I know I didn’t.

I swipe the lock button on my screen and read my next text.

Rhett: Am I still picking you up in the morning?

I answer that question easily. Even if I am an idiot, I still want him to take me to school.

Kinsley: Yes, please.

He responds right away, just like I thought he would.

Rhett: Was it that bad?

Kinsley: ???

Rhett: The kiss. Was it that awful for you?

Kinsley: No!

Rhett: Are you sure?

Kinsley: Positive. I was nervous.

Rhett: I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.

I never would have thought a guy like him would get nervous. He’s the one who knows what he’s doing.

Kinsley: I’m not good at this stuff. I’m sorry.

Rhett: Stop worrying. It’s not like you’ve never kissed a dude before.

I’m too embarrassed to admit that I haven’t, so I don’t. I’ll keep my secret to myself.

Kinsley: G’nite.

Rhett: Nite babe.