Текст книги "The Diary of Lexi Ashford"

Автор книги: Jessica Sorensen

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 6 страниц)

Chapter 5

Four hours later, I’m parked on the side of the road, staring at a “Come Join Us On Saturday for Our Famous 80s-Themed Custard Pie Making Contest” banner on the side of the road. In fine print at the bottom, it reads, “Don’t miss the party of the year! With live entertainment by Fairville’s very own the Skip and Flips.” And at the very, very bottom of the banner is a series of drawings: a smiley face, a slice of pie, a dog, a party hat, a polka-dot dress, and what looks like a large, hairy man eating a fork and giving a thumbs up.

I grip the steering wheel, trying to mentally talk my foot into pushing the gas pedal so I can get this over with. A half a mile and I’ll officially be back in my hometown. Only a half a mile and I’ll be back to the place where every memory—good and bad—ever happened … and where every single person remembers each one.

Five more minutes drift by before someone drives past me, honking their horn.

“If you get to the fairgrounds soon, you’ll be able to catch the last part of the contest, Lexi!” a woman hollers out her window at me. “Welcome home!”

Great. My car’s already been recognized.

Blowing out a stressed breath, I send my mom a message that I’m just pulling into town then drive down the road. I have no plans of going to the pie-baking contest. I’m heading straight to my parents’ house so I can unpack and start looking for jobs.

The plan is to find one, preferably one that doesn’t involve socializing with the public, and begin saving up. I’ll continue applying for jobs in the city, commuting for interviews when I have to. Hopefully, within a month or two, I’ll have a stash of cash saved, a job lined up, and be on my way back to Denver.

Ten minutes later, I’m parked in the driveway of the two-story home I grew up in. It still looks exactly the same: blue shutters match the door, a wraparound porch, and flowers line the walkway. But my mom’s gnome collection is gone.

“That’s weird.” I hop out of the car.

My mom loves those gnomes as much as she loves me. I’m not kidding. She used to spend at least an hour every day out in the garden, rearranging them to keep them out of the sunlight and sprinklers as much as possible. A few times, I even caught her talking to them, although to this day she denies it.

“Mom, did Dad finally make you get rid of the gnomes?” I call out as I enter the house through the back door. I instantly notice confetti and yarn all over the floor, and I hear a loud bang from the kitchen. “Or did you just finally decide they were creepy, little things—oh, my God!” I shriek at the sight of a man and a woman going at it on a counter covered in confetti.

The man has on a party hat along with an apron, and the woman is naked and holding a large, wooden spoon. When they spot me, they both scramble away from each other in a panic.

“Who the hell are you?” the man shouts as he frantically ducks behind the counter.

“Lexi!” I slap my hand over my eyes, spin around, and run for the door, but I end up crashing into the wall and bashing my forehead hard. “Dammit! That’s going to leave a mark!”

“Lexi Ashford, is that you?” the woman says, and I recognize the voice as Mrs. Timpler, one of my mom’s unicorn cult friends.

I nod, keeping my hand over my eyes. “Hey, Mrs. Timpler … Um, where are my parents?”

“Probably at the fairgrounds for the contest,” she says. “Your mom’s competing this year.”

“That’s cool.” I feel awkward as hell. “But why are you … Well … um … having sex in her kitchen?”

“Her kitchen?” Puzzlement rings in her voice. “Oh, she must not have told you.”

I keep my hand firmly over my eyes. “Told me what?”

“They sold the house to us a couple of months ago,” she explains.

What! “Why didn’t they tell me?”

She hesitates. “They must have been worried it’d upset you.”

I’m not sure what to say. While I’m not a fan of Fairville, it makes me sad that the house that holds most of my memories from when I was younger isn’t part of my family anymore.

“Why’d they sell it?” I ask quietly.

“Oh, I don’t know.” She touches my shoulders. I think she’s going to give me a hug. My heart just about shits a brick, because, hello, she’s butt-ass naked. But instead, she pushes me in the direction of the back door. “You should probably go to the fairgrounds and ask them yourself. I’m sure they can explain it better than I can.” Then she opens the door and shoves me outside. “It was so nice seeing you again, Lexi. Make sure to stop by so we can talk more. Just make sure to knock next time. Doug and I like to spend our afternoons trying out new role-playing if you get what I mean. And right now is birthday fantasy week.”

Unsure how to respond, I just stand there with my eyes covered.

“It’s so great you’re home.” Her voice is upbeat, friendly, like I didn’t just walk in on her and her husband going at it.

Only when she shuts the door do I dare remove my hand from my eyes. Feeling a little dazed and in desperate need of a shower, I text my mom again. When she doesn’t respond, I give my dad ring, but he doesn’t answer, either.

Since I have no idea where they’re living, I have only one option.

I sigh. “Looks like I’m going straight into the fire pit of hell.”

Chapter 6

I didn’t prepare myself enough for this. Being a city girl and all, I thought I’d be able to stick up my nose and hold my head high. But, as I stand in the middle of the crowd, which is decked out in leg warmers, neon colors, fluffed hair, bright makeup, and not to mention spandex—spandex everywhere—all I want to do is go old school, Lexi-style, and tug the hood of my jacket over my head and hunker down.

I keep my head low as I search around for my dad. The Doo-Wop’s version of “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran hits my ears as the lovely scent of pie engulfs my nostrils.

“Lexi Ashford? Oh, my word, is that you?” Carrie Lynn, an extremely peppy girl I went to school with, blindsides me. “My word. Little Lexi T-rexi grew up.” She pinches the bottom of my hoodie as she eyes my holey jeans and unlaced boots. “Is the grunge look a city thing? I always remembered you being more … well, clueless in the fashion department.” She laughs at herself. “Remember those big glasses you used to wear that made your eyes look three times their size? And that ratty shirt you had with the horse on it that you wouldn’t get rid of, even when we purposely ripped it? Oh, my God, that thing was so hideous.”

This, coming from the girl standing in front of me, rocking poufy, blonde hair; baby blue eyes shadow; and alarmingly pink blush.

“Thank God we finally stole it from your gym locker and cut it up so no one had to look at it anymore.” She says it like she did me a favor.

“Yeah, I remember. I had to wear my sweaty gym clothes for the rest of the day.” My lip twitches. “And it wasn’t a horse. It was a kangaroo. And it wasn’t that bad of a shirt. It was just different.”

She makes a pft sound, waving me off. “Kangaroo, horse. What’s the difference?”

“Oh, I don’t know. How about the fact that one has four legs, a mane, and hooves, while the other has a pouch?” Before she can reply, I wave at her and start to walk away. “It was great talking to you, Carrie Lynn. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Wait. How long are you going to be here?” she shouts after me. “Lexi? Did you hear me? Did you move back? I’m having a bachelorette party tomorrow! You should come!”

Ignoring her, I push my way deeper into the crowd, getting stopped every other second by someone who knew Lexi T-rexi. By the time I get to the stage area where the contest is taking place, I’m socially exhausted and ready to get as far away from this tent as I possibly can.

Once I make it to the front of the mob, I spot my dad on stage, wearing a leather vest and ridiculously tight pants, cheering on my mom.

When he sees me, he gives me two thumbs up. “Lexi, you made it!”

And just like that, the entire crowd is staring at me.

“Lexi Ashford?”

“Lexi T-rexi, is that you?”

“Lexi, you’re back!”

“Lexi Ashford, I can’t believe it.”

“Man, you’ve changed. Hasn’t she changed?”

“You look weird.”

“What happened to you?”

“Oh, my God, it’s the kangaroo shirt girl.”

Oh, my God, just kill me now.

“I’ll be down when this is over, honey!” my dad calls out from the stage.

“I’ll wait in my car,” I shout back then head out.

I want to add a “peace out, bitches,” but instead, I just bolt for the exit, freaking out.

When I make it outside, I run around to the side of the tent and slump against the side.

Letting my head fall forward, I take a few measured breaths. “Just chill out,” I tell myself. “You’re not Lexi T-rexi anymore. You’re just Lexi who graduated college and lived in the city for eight years.”

A pair of dark boots suddenly appears in my line of vision. “I thought I heard a rumor you were back.”

“God, I forgot how fast gossip spreads around here …” As I lift my head, I trail off.

Anders Mackay, the guy I was secretly in love with all during high school, is standing in front of me. He’s a couple of years older than me, and back in the day, he was the star athlete of almost every team. He was also popular and way out of my league. And not just because I was unpopular. Back then, I sucked at talking to guys. Every time I came close to striking up a conversation with him, I ended up sounding like Yoda.

He’s still completely hot, even if he is rocking acid-washed, parachute pants. His shoulders are broad, his arms muscular, and his blond hair is styled in an intentionally messy way.

“You can’t blame them for getting this excited,” he says to me with a hint of playfulness in his tone. “It’s not every day we get a visit from city folk.” He does the crappiest impression of a hillbilly voice at the end, but it makes me laugh.

“I’m not visiting,” I admit and mentally fist bump myself for not scrambling up my sentences. “I moved back.”

He seems surprised. “Really?”

I nod, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “For a month or two, anyway.”

“That’s cool. I’m sure your parents are happy about it.” He pauses, studying me closely. “You don’t seem that happy about it, though.”

“I’m not. I loved living in the city. There was always so much to do. Even at two o’clock in the morning, there’s all sorts of wild stuff going on. Here … Well, the only thing you really can do at two o’clock in the morning is streak down Main Street.” I flash him a smirk.

“Hey, I only did that one time on a dare.” He grins. “And you’re wrong.”

“About what?”

“About nothing to do at two o’clock in the morning.”

“What? Did Fairville finally upgrade and get a club or something?” I say, joking.

“We actually did.” He winks at me. “It’s all the rage right now.”

“I bet it is,” I say, giving him a come-on-and-be-serious look. “The only way a club would ever open here is if the no-loud-music-after-nine-o’clock ban was lifted. And that’ll never happen.”

“It did happen, about a year ago, after Benny left the town committee. Things kind of lightened up after that. They’ve even toned down on all the contests and fairs.”

I scrunch up my nose at the tent behind me. “Clearly, not enough of them.”

“We wouldn’t be Fairville if we didn’t have some contests.” His smile is contagious.

I find myself grinning in spite of the fact that I have a clear view of Carrie Lynn, standing just a ways away, waving at me like a lunatic. She gives me a thumbs up and mouths, I’ll wait until you’re done.

“I know you’re probably too cool for all of this stuff now,” Anders continues, “but deep down, I remember the old Lexi who used to run around, dressed up as a piece of cherry pie, handing out flyers for this very event.”

“Hey, I did that for the cash, not to show town spirit or anything like that,” I tell him lightly. “I was saving up so I could get the hell out of here right after graduation.”

“Yeah, I remember.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets. “You didn’t even stick around for any of the parties.”

“I really wasn’t a party girl back then.”

“But you are now?”

I decide to go bold on this one, take a risk. It’s not like I have anything left to lose. “I don’t know. I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself, won’t you?”

When he remains silent, I worry I might have crossed a line. Maybe he has a girlfriend. Fuck, maybe he’s married.

I subtly glance down at his finger. Please don’t have a ring on. His ring finger is bare, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t seeing someone.

“I guess I will,” he finally says in a flirtatious tone.

Thank the heavens and fate!

Hmmm … Maybe being back here won’t be all bad. Of course, going out with Anders would be breaking my rule of no dating hot guys, only average-Joe weirdoes.

“I’m glad you’re back,” he says. “I wanted to know you more in high school, but you always seemed to run in the other direction whenever I tried to talk to you.”

“Really?” I’m not about to believe he wanted to get to know the dorky girl in the kangaroo shirt, the girl who used to rock a lot of mismatched sneakers, side ponytails, and over-sized plaid shirts.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he teases. “I wasn’t as shallow as everyone thought.”

“You barely said two words to me in high school.”

“So did you to me.”

“Yeah, but I was shy.”

“So was I.”

I bite on my lip, fighting back a smile. “Okay, you went a little too far with the shy part. I maybe would’ve bought that you just didn’t know what to say to me, but you weren’t shy. You were Mr. High School Fairville Star, for God’s sake.”

I can’t help laughing at the memory of that silly high school pageant where dudes dressed up and paraded around on stage, performing their talents in hopes of winning a trophy like beauty queen pageants.

He points a finger at me. “Hey, my girlfriend made me enter that.”

“Sure she did.” I playfully bump my shoulder against his so he knows I’m kidding.

He shakes his head, but he’s grinning. “Hey, maybe we could—”

“I’m supposed to tell you that you need to be up onstage to pick a winner in ten,” a guy suddenly appears out of nowhere.

When I glance at him, my eyes pop wide. “Sexy Stranger?” Shit. I didn’t mean to say that out loud!

His lips pull to a cocky half-smile, but before he can open his mouth, I cut him off.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, crossing my arms.

His gaze briefly flicks to Anders then lands back on me. “Maybe I should be asking you the same thing.” Amusement dances in his eyes.

“I live here,” I tell him. “Or, well, I used to. But I just moved back … only for a little while. Then I’m going back to the city… hopefully sooner rather than later. That is, unless my soul gets sucked dry by a unicorn cult.”

Insert birds and crickets chirping with blank stares.

“Sorry, inside joke.” I mentally roll my eyes at myself. “Okay, now you go.”

“You want to know why I’m here?” Sexy Stranger seems even more amused.

I nod. Why is this question so hard for him to answer?

Instead of answering, he stares at me, as if waiting for me to figure it out all on my own.

“Lexi, this is my brother Evan.” Anders gives his brother a pat on the shoulder while aiming a pressing catch-the-fuck-on look at me. “You went to school with him. You guys were even in the same grade.”

This should be where I get an ah-ha! moment, but nope, nothing. No recognition click. No, oh-yeah-I-remember-you-from-that-one-class. I have no idea how that’s possible and not just because this Evan dude is hot as hell. I thought I knew everyone who lived here, but apparently not.

Rather than admitting that and looking like a douchebag, I fake it. “Oh, yeah, duh. Evan. Your brother.” I slam the heel of my hand to my forehead. “I can’t believe I forgot you two were brothers. Sorry. Ditz move.”

Anders totally buys my bullshit, grinning as he gives his brother’s shoulder a little shake. Evan, on the other hand, reads right through my shit and stares me down hard. I swear to God, he doesn’t even blink. It’s freakin’ unnatural and makes me so uncomfortable I actually contemplate rolling under the tent to hide.

The tension shatters when Anders claps his hands together. “All right, I have to go eat some pie.” He glances at me. “You’re not taking off yet, are you?”

I want to, but since my dad hasn’t come out yet, I can’t. “Not yet.”

“Good.” He backs toward the entrance of the tent. “I want to get your number before you take off. My phone isn’t on me, but I can get it out of my car afterward.”

Smiling, I watch him walk back into the tent, shamelessly checking out his ass. Normally, this is when I’d do my heck-to-the-yeah dance, but I decide to refrain and spare Evan the pain of having to witness it.

“So, Anders is your brother, huh?” I say to Evan after a beat or two of silence goes by. “No wonder I thought I recognized you when I bumped into you in the city. You took off so fast I didn’t get a chance to put two and two together.”

Evan relaxes a bit. “Yeah, sorry about that. Trevor’s kind of a handful. He’s a cool kid and everything, but he can be intense.”

“Yeah, I bet.” I glance at Carrie Lynn who is still gawking at me with a big smile on her face, then force myself to keep the conversation going, knowing the moment I stop talking, she’ll bombard me. “Where is the Spawn of Satan, anyway?”

Evan shrugs. “Probably with his mom.”

“Is she here? Should I be worried I’m about to be attacked by a public artist again?” I half joke, but I am a bit worried. I really like the pants I’m wearing.

He chuckles, and I decide I like his laugh. It’s deep and husky and lights up his eyes. “No, Kat lives in the city. And the Spawn of Satan lives with her, so your pants aren’t in danger.” I must look confused because he adds, “I saw you glance down at them when you thought he was here.”

“They’re my favorite,” I admit. “They make my butt look fantastic.”

He smashes his lips together, his gaze wandering downward. I consider turning around and busting out my best Beyoncé move, but decide that might be too much for a guy I just met.

“Do you live in the city, too?” I assume he does, since his kid lives there. It makes sense, too, since he’s the only other person here, besides me, who isn’t rockin’ bitchin’ 80s attire. “I’m so jealous. I’ve only been away for four hours, and I already miss it.”

His brows knit. “No … I live here.”

He must be divorced then. Or he never married the mom of his child.

“Oh, so you were just out there to see Trevor. Got it.”

Confusion laces his expression, but then something clicks. “Trevor’s my nephew, Lex. His mom is my older sister. I drive into the city sometimes to do stuff for my business, and she always ropes me in to babysitting. You’d think I’d learn my lesson and tell her no, but”—he shrugs—“I’ve always been a pushover.”

The fact that he called me Lex throws me off. Only people I’m close to call me that. Maybe it was just a coincidence, or maybe I really do know him and I am just too ditzy to place him.

I rack my brain for someone I went to high school with who was known as a pushover, like Evan said he is. All that comes to mind, though, is Toby, Beg Like a Dog, Shoby. He got the nickname when he got down on his hands and knees and begged like a dog in front of the entire school, all so a girl would go out with him. A little strange, especially when they were dating and the girl would randomly command him to do strange things. Toby bark. Toby sit. Toby lick my feet and tell me I’m pretty. The two of them dated all through high school, and I heard they got married a couple of years ago and now own a pet store downtown.

“You still have no clue who I am.” Evan’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

“I …” I feel like an asshole. “I’m so sorry. I wish I did, but I can’t figure it out. I didn’t really hang out with the popular kids, so I’m guessing you did, and maybe that’s why. Please, don’t hate me.”

He assesses me until a speaker to our right buzzes, and a voice comes on to announce that the pie contest results are in.

“Gather around, everyone,” the man says. “It’s time to get this shindig started and get high on some pie.”

“I wasn’t popular, not even close.” Evan heads for the entrance of the tent. “And I don’t hate you, not at all.”

The way he says it, as if we shared some sort of connection, drives me absolutely mad, I tell you! Come on, Lexi; figure it out!

“I’ll figure this out, Sexy Stranger,” I say. “I’m starting an investigation as soon as I get home, and let me tell you; I’m like freakin’ Veronica Mars, dude.”

He chuckles, shaking his head before ducking into the tent.

I stroll away, smiling and vowing to myself that I’ll figure this mystery out.