"…and his rule was: After you fuck the guy's girl, if he has the balls to come after you – you are obligated to kick his ass," Reid continued after a brief nod acknowledging that he'd seen his friends standing there. "So when this guy gets in Wayne's face screaming like a pussy…"
For a moment Kate zoned out Reid Garwin as all her attention went to Pogue. While redundant for her to swoon over how hot he was, tonight he'd taken hotness to a whole new level. Despite the scowl on his face he was simply gorgeous. His hair was slightly damp as though he was fresh out of the shower, a mental image Kate blushed for even having at this moment. He'd put in some gel and finger combed it back so it was masculine-messy as it fell around his face. The trademark fitted black tee was there, revealing a teaser of what was underneath. His faded jeans were held in place by a black belt with a shiny silver buckle calling Kate's gaze to somewhere it shouldn't be going.
"…and his girl is screaming for them to stop…"
Kate smiled wide still looking at Pogue hoping he'd look at her. Then it hit her… she looked like crap! She was wearing Tyler's clothes and hadn't brushed her hair. She'd been carelessly eating pizza – and not checked her teeth – the smile vanished from her face as she hastily tried to tongue-clean her teeth. Oh no! What about her breath? She hoped there wasn't too much garlic in that pizza sauce.
"Do we really need to hear this story again?" Caleb asked taking slow deliberate steps in Reid's direction.
"Madeline wanted to hear it," Reid replied smugly, leaning back in his chair.
"Yeah, Fast n Furious," Madeline grinned. "Heard you got busted doing 150mph street racing."
Caleb ran a hand down his face. "I was only going eighty-two and there was no racing involved."
Tyler leaned over Kate adding, "But he did have eleven people in the car."
Madeline sipped her beer. "Nice."
"How'd you hear about that anyway?" Caleb asked her.
"Small town," Madeline reminded him.
Reid grabbed Madeline's other bottle of beer and poured it into Tyler's empty soda can. There was a small side conversation between the two boys with Madeline's commentary about how you can't even blink in Ipswich without the entire town knowing about it. Kate was half listening to them but she was primarily focused on Pogue. His scowl had eased up but now he was poker faced. She couldn't quite tell what mood he was in, which considering he'd gotten a three day suspension from school, made her suspect that he wasn't in the best of spirits. Despite her attire, she decided to attempt to get him to smile.
She moved forward to get out of her chair, not realizing how much of Tyler's weight was on the arm. With nothing to counterbalance it once she stood up, the chair tipped and an off balanced Tyler fell into the table knocking over an entire soda all over Reid. The blonde scrambled to his feet, cursed and proceeded to undress – right there in front of everyone.
His hoodie, shirts and shoes came off simultaneously, followed by his sweats, leaving him standing beside his chair wearing only his boxers.
"Looks like someone hasn't been doing their sit ups," Madeline snickered. Not that Kate was judging Reid - but his abs were a little chubby compared to Pogue's.
"THIS is the only muscle you need to worry about," Reid reached down into his underwear. Kate turned her head away. She hoped Reid wouldn't expose himself – considering there was a small child sitting right there. But this was Reid and well, you never knew what to expect.
"REID," Mr. Garwin's voice wasn't loud or angry but it carried a certain commanding tone that made them all stop and look. He stood a few feet away, holding a paper plate with a slice of pizza in one hand and a can of Dr. Pepper in the other. "Put your clothes back on. We're leaving."
"But," Reid pulled his hand out of his underwear, "Tyler spilled soda…"
"We can talk about it in the car. Get dressed, Reid." Joe Garwin said to his son.
"My clothes are wet," Reid whined as he held up his sweatpants.
"Reid. Put your clothes on, please."
"Fine," Reid threw a small fit, cursing under his breath as he got dressed. As he walked over toward his father, he snatched his phone away from Maddox who shrieked in protest.
"Reid!" Mr. Garwin was clearly exasperated. "Give that back to him!"
"But it's mine."
"Actually, it's mine." Mr. Garwin held out his hand waiting for Reid to hand the phone over.
"You're taking my phone?" Reid was clearly shocked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
As Reid argued with his father, who politely, yet firmly disciplined the back talk from his son, Madeline was trying to console a heartbroken Maddox. The scene ended with Maddox getting Reid's phone back and Reid angrily stomping out of the patio. His father followed behind, pausing to say goodnight to a few of the neighbors.
Kate wasn't sure how to process the whole interaction between the Reid and his father. Especially when Reid's tantrum reminded her of Maddox's kicking episode earlier. Come to think of it, Reid did act rather juvenile most of the time. He must have issues.
Once the Garwins were gone Tyler went into the kitchen to get paper towels to clean up the soda he'd spilled. Feeling partially responsible, Kate followed him making sure to give Pogue a flirty smile as she passed.
"Hi," she made sure she looked into his eyes.
"Hey," he replied, meeting her gaze.
Kate looked away but kept smiling. Soooo hot!
The kitchen was a disaster. There was wrapping paper, peanut shells, bits of pizza and red solo cups all over the floor. The center island was filled with pizza making remnants, more red cups, beer bottles, soda bottles and discarded half-eaten pizza crusts. It reminded Kate of the morning after the party scene you typically see in every movie. Tyler closed his eyes and Kate could hear him mouthing numbers. "Four, five, six," as he took deep breaths.
"It's okay," Kate rubbed his back.
"I should've stayed at school," Tyler sighed as he gestured over to the table where he and Caleb had been doing homework. His back pack was open and it looked like someone had ripped several sheets of paper out of his notebook and used them to make paper airplanes. Kate's backpack was open too and she went over to make sure everything was there. Which, thankfully it was.
Armed with a roll of paper towels, Tyler went back out to the patio. Kate was about to follow him when Pogue came through the doorway. He walked up beside her and placed a rather large plastic take-out dish on the table next to her bag. The clear lid was hazy with condensation.
"They ate without us," Pogue explained, setting a rectangular shaped foil square on top of the lid.
"Is this for me?" Kate asked. He brought me lasagna! OMG!
"For us," he grinned, removing a pair of forks from his pocket.
"Oh my God," Kate swooned. He was so perfect!
Pogue smiled again, dimples bursting through. "Come on," he picked up the dish, and walked to the other side of the kitchen grabbing two cans of soda. He led her back to the front of the house and up the stairs. Kate followed behind him reveling in her perfect view of his ass. Dear God, those jeans hugged him in all the right places.
They walked down the upstairs hallway, past the rooms that Kate had already seen. As the neared the other end of the hall, Pogue opened a door revealing another set of stairs.
"There's a third floor?"
Pogue just smiled at her as he turned on the light. "Ladies first."
Kate put her foot on the steps and went ahead. Was he checking her out the same way she'd been staring at him? Not that Tyler's sweatpants did her booty any justice. She was going to wear something much better when they went out this weekend.
At the top of the steps was an enormous room. There was a big fluffy chair, a highboy dresser and a desk against one wall. Against the other was a king-sized bed. For a second Kate's heart pounded, she was alone in a bedroom with Pogue Parry.
"This way," he tilted his head (away from the bed – phew) and Kate followed him around the railing to other side of the steps. This side of the room was smaller with a tile-topped table, pair of chairs and a plush loveseat. Pogue put their dinner down on the table and opened the blinds of the large picture window.
Outside the sun's rays hovered just above the horizon.
Kate stood beside Pogue. They both stared out the window as the clouds floated behind the setting sun. Taking Pogue's hand she slid her fingers between his and rested her head against his shoulder. Crossing her free arm over her midsection, she ran her fingers along his forearm. His skin was warm and soft under her finger tips.
Together they watched the final moments of sunset until the last of the red-orange rays disappeared.
Kate's heart was about to melt this moment was so beautiful.
Pogue held her hand, squeezing it gently. Kate wondered if he felt what she was feeling. Then she smiled and accused herself of watching The Notebook one too many times. But it was definitely time for that long over-due first kiss.
The sun had moved below the horizon, and Kate slid her hand further up his arm and then across his chest. She moved in front of him, her eyes on his as she moistened her lips. "I think now is a good time," she told him, as she waited for him to lean in and kiss her.
"Yeah," he lowered his head, bringing his mouth a little closer to hers.
"Yeah," she replied, tucking a piece of stray hair behind his ear.
"Good," his lips spread into a grin. "I'm starving."
Nooooo! That wasn't what she meant!
But he was already at the table, tearing the lid off the container. "It's cool if we share, right?" he asked as he pulled out a chair for her.
"Sure," Kate nodded. She chastised herself for insisting (in her own mind) that they have a real date before kissing.
They sat next to each other, armed with forks and pieces of garlic bread. The lasagna was still warm enough to appreciate the tangy sauce and thick layers of ricotta cheese.
Pogue took the first forkful. A giant heaping pile of lasagna that was so big he could barely fit it all into his mouth. "Ooops," he mumbled as he swallowed. He shoveled another overly ample serving into his mouth.
"It's okay," Kate forgave him, knowing that she hadn't been able to make it this long without eating. She broke off a normal sized chunk and lifted it to her mouth. Something green poked out of the white cheese. It was too big to be oregano. Kate picked at it with her fingers.
"What's wrong?" Pogue asked through yet another giant mouthful.
Kate removed the piece of vegetable and laughed. "Nothing, it's just a piece of broccoli."
"Broccoli?" Pogue repeated, pulling the container closer and poking at the lasagna with his fork. "Awwww, Mom," he moaned setting his fist down on the table. "You know I hate broccoli."
"You can't even taste it," Kate assured him after eating her first bite.
"I don't eat broccoli." Pogue clenched his jaw stubbornly.
Kate chuckled. "You just did."
"That's because I didn't know it was in there," he explained.
"Don't be a baby," Kate teased him. "Eat your broccoli." She took his fork and scooped out a large piece of lasagna.
"I'm not being a baby," Pogue was starting to smile.
"Then eat it," Kate slowly moved the fork through the air and closer to his mouth.
"uh-uh," Pogue turned his head and reached for the garlic bread.
"Ba-by," Kate sang dangling his food in front of him. Pogue shoved the entire piece of garlic bread into his mouth. Kate laughed and set his fork down in the container. She picked up her own fork, breaking off another piece for herself. "I can't believe you won't eat this because it has broccoli in it." Kate wondered what would have happened if she hadn't said anything.
"Nope." Pogue shoved another piece of garlic bread into his mouth. Then he chased it with the entire can of soda.
Kate laughed and continued to eat. Mrs. Parry's lasagna was good. Even with the broccoli.
Pogue took his fork and poked the lasagna inside the container. Kate watched as he spent too much time picking out the green chunks and sliding them to her side. She began to laugh as he took a small forkful and examined it critically before taking the tiniest bite. Then he made a face and set the fork down again.
"Here," Kate slid her piece of garlic bread over his way.
"You sure?" he asked.
Kate nodded and smiled.
"Thank you." He broke the piece in two and ate half. Kate took another bite of her lasagna. That's when Pogue's phone rang. As he answered it, he shoved the other half of bread in his mouth. She caught a glimpse of the display, Caleb.
"Seizures?" Pogue's brow wrinkled with concern. Kate stopped eating and looked over at Pogue. Who was having seizures? Hopefully not Caleb's father.
She waited patiently until Pogue was finished talking to Caleb. "Is everything okay?" she asked as he put his phone away.
"I don't know," he replied. "Andie's still at the hospital. She had a seizure in the ambulance and she's had two more since and uh, they're not sure why so they're going to admit her and run some tests."
Kate felt her stomach drop. "That's awful," she reached out for Pogue's hand. "I hope she's okay."
"Yeah. Me too." He paused for a moment to entwine their fingers together once more. Sliding his thumb along hers, Kate saw the disappointment in his eyes. "Ashley is really upset so Caleb's heading over to the hospital now," he told her. "I should probably go with him." He leaned his head in toward hers, his green eyes pleading for forgiveness. "Rain check?"
"Definitely," Kate agreed squeezing his hand. "Saturday."
"Yeah, Saturday," he smiled. "So I should get your number." He took out his phone and began programming it. Kate gave him her cell number feeling very good that he added her as "Kate". No last name. No initials. No 'from Spenser.' Just plain "Kate". That was definitely a good sign.
He immediately called the number, the same way Matt Hodges had. He looked up at her suspiciously as it began ringing in his ear but the room was silent.
"It's downstairs in my backpack."
"Well, I'm your missed call at," he checked the time. "Eight-forty five."
"It's eight-forty five?" Kate echoed. She had no idea it was so late. Curfew was nine o'clock and she couldn't be late again. "I need to get back to school before curfew."
"We'll give you a lift," Pogue offered. "And Caleb's driving so you won't be late."
"If I survive."
"You will." The dimples returned.
Kate smiled back. "We'll see."
Quickly, they packed up their uneaten dinner and headed downstairs. Caleb was waiting at the front door.
"Ready?" he asked Pogue.
"Kate's gotta grab her bag," Pogue replied. "It's cool if we swing by the dorms first, right?"
"Yeah," Caleb agreed checking the time on his phone.
"Thank you," Kate hurried back to the kitchen to grab her backpack and then met up with the boys again at the door. They let her go first and she stepped out onto the covered porch. The driveway was now a sea of cars.
"This way," Caleb said, cutting in between a mini-van and a pick-up truck. Kate felt Pogue's hand brush against hers. She glanced over at him as their hands came together once more. There was a chirp as Caleb hit the button on his keychain, disarming the Mustang and unlocking the doors.
Pogue let go of Kate's hand to open the door. He flipped the lever and the front seat folded forward. Passing the food to Kate, he began to climb inside. Kate Tunney was graced with another marvelous view of his ass.
He reached his hand out and Kate passed the food back to him. Then Pogue pulled the seat back into place so she could sit in the front. Putting her backpack on the floor, she slid into the seat. Caleb had already started the car and music pumped through the sound system. Pogue leaned through the center space and turned the volume knob.
The moment her seatbelt clicked, Caleb hit the gas and the car shot forward. Tires squealed as he made a sharp turn at the end of the Simms driveway getting them back on the main road. Kate watched the needle of the speedometer pass sixty miles per hour as they drove through the town of Ipswich. Caleb didn't seem to care as he and Pogue sang along with the radio.
Nine minutes.
Nine minutes was all it took for Caleb to drive from the Simms house to the school parking lot.
Roller coasters were slower.
Kate glanced at the clock. It was eight-fifty-eight. She had two minutes to get inside before curfew. "Thanks for the ride," she said to Caleb as she got out of the car. "And thank you for dinner," she told Pogue.
"You can thank me Saturday," Pogue grinned as he popped the lever again. Caleb chuckled softly.
Kate felt her cheeks flush a little. She didn't know what kind of Thank You he was expecting. But if it was sex, he was going to be very disappointed.
Pogue got out of the backseat and came up to her. "I'll call you tomorrow after school."
"You better." Kate mustered up her courage and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. When she pulled away he was smiling broadly. She felt a little flip flop in her heart as she turned away and dashed up the steps. Saturday seemed like an eternity away.
Kate checked in with the House Master at nine-o-one and was given a stern look but nothing more. Sighing with relief at narrowly escaping detention, she headed to her room. She knew she needed to call Jessica and give her an update on the Pogue situation. She also knew she should call home too at the very least to check in with her mom.
There was no note on the door so she unlocked it and went inside. Setting her keys on her dresser she looked over to Kira who was sitting on her bed, texting on her phone.
"We need to talk," the red head informed her.
"About what?" Kate replied, setting her backpack down on her bed. She opened one of the pockets and removed her phone. Five missed calls.
"Privacy."
"Really, Kira?" She looked over at her roommate with contempt. Like she was ever going to walk in on Kira and Aaron again. "Do we have to do this right now?"
As Kira pulled out a notepad filled with writing, Kate didn't even know why she bothered to ask such a stupid question.
Sorry that this was such a short chapter - but don't worry there's more to come.
Have a great St. Patrick's Day -Gemma