Warning:The wait is over! We're back to breaking hearts.
Reminder: This story takes place in 2011.
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We Fall Between
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All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. – Ellen Glasgow … Where u at, L? Kinda feels like ur ignoring me…
Lauren reads that text from Razor over and over. It kills her. Razor is too hot and too sweet to be ignored. It isn't that Lauren is ignoring him or wants to ignore him. She's just afraid she might accidentally tell him that his sister is on her couch, indulging in satellite television.
Last night, Emily was close to silent once Lauren picked them up. The one time Emily said more than "yes" or "no" was to throw in her two cents about keeping this from Razor. It isn't your place to tell him, Emily said, and Lauren is perceptive enough to take in her fragile state and not argue. Driving out of Laguna, the girls agreed that Henley should be the one to tell everyone about her little detour. Lauren keeps quiet more out of respect for Emily, not so much the condescending California girl who regularly refers to her as "Colorado Barbie."
Instead of entertaining Razor like she normally does, Lauren tells him to stop being paranoid and to have a good day. Luckily, Lauren has other things to keep her occupied, specifically the other guy in her life, the one she can actually go and see, reach out and touch—AJ.
On Saturday morning, Lauren leaves her room and hears the shower running. She stretches her arms up over her head as she goes to the bathroom downstairs. Lauren takes a minute to stare at her reflection, hair piled atop her head in a messy bun, barefaced. The only people in the house are Emily and Henley so Lauren doesn't mind looking the way she does.
Her next stop is the kitchen for her routine morning coffee (the automatic brewing setting is a Godsend) and then to the living room where Henley sits by herself, her long, grasshopper-like legs crossed at the ankles. Her eyes are glued to Jeopardy on TV. Alex Trebek looks sharp, tie perfectly color coordinated with his baby blues and accented by his silver hair.
"Henley," Lauren greets her. "Spending time with your boyfriend?"
"Alex Trebek? He divorced his first wife before either of us were born."
"Hmm, only someone secretly in love with him would know that," Lauren sings. "No judgment from me. You like what you like. Don't try to fight nature."
"Shh." Henley shushes the blonde, her forehead pinched with annoyance.
As Lauren sips her coffee, she can't help, but notice the dark bags beneath Henley's eyes, so deep they appear drawn in like a stick through sand. Henley had been watching TV when Lauren went to bed last night. She immediately jumps to the conclusion: Henley is weird.
One of the Jeopardy contestants requests The World at War for $200. Lauren tilts her head thoughtfully, eyes on the action. The contestant is sort of hot for a total geek.
"The Chinese Communist First Front Army staged the 6,000-mile retreat known as the Long March Under this leader."
"Who is Mao Tse-Tung," Henley says, in perfect synchronization with the geek on screen.
"Correct!"
Lauren couldn't even pay attention long enough to understand. It's all gibberish to her.
"The World at War for $600."
"In 1619, Rene Descartes went to join the army of the Duke of Bavaria during this decades-long war."
"What is the war of the roses?" the contestant guesses. Incorrect.
"What is the 30 Years war," Henley says. A moment later, the only female contestant, wearing a sickeningly ugly lime green dress, mimics Henley and Alex deems it correct.
"The World at War for $1000."
"Unprepared for this man leading an army force over the Andes in 1817, the Spanish Empire lost Chile and Argentina."
"Who is Jose de San Martin," Henley answers. Not surprising—she's correct.
"Fruit of the Klum for $200."
"Hal-oh!" Alex says, trying to imitate the blonde goddess. "Heidi Klum was born on June 1, 1873 in this country."
"Germany!" Lauren shouts. Her enthusiasm and volume, a near scream, drowns out Henley. Lauren nearly spills her coffee and she doesn't even wait for Mr. Trebek to say it's correct before she does a happy dance in her seat. Henley isn't impressed, but Lauren doesn't care. She knew an answer and it felt awesome. "You must have seen this episode before, right?"
"No," Henley replies. She's clearly annoyed and Lauren finds joy in that.
"Then how do you know all the answers?"
"I read books. And I actually go to History class. And I like the History Channel."
Lauren laughs, thinking it's a joke, but Henley doesn't find the humor in it. The girl is an alien and not a sexy Katy Perry alien, but the creepy Fourth Kind species that experiment on humans to see how they tick. Lauren vaguely remembers Henley from the summer, but she mostly stayed in her room and used silence as a form of rebellion. Getting her alone, Lauren starts to see that behind the porcelain skin and high cheekbones is an extraterrestrial geek.
"I hope you two are getting along or at least pretending to." Emily walks into the room with her dark hair twisted up in a towel. She goes straight to Lauren's side before the blonde can even reach out to draw her under her arm. Though Emily didn't get much sleep either, tossing and turning on the other side of Lauren's bed, she does look somewhat refreshed.
"Hey, Em, I am convinced your stepsister's from plant weird," Lauren says. Emily attempts a smile at the 90's Disney reference, but it's weak at best. "Feeling better? Seriously, I cannot believe your mom let things get that bad at home."
Emily sighs. "I can't believe I let things get that bad at home."
"Colorado, it isn't your fault. You're the kid in the situation. Parents are supposed to protect their kids. End of story." Henley talks like everything is black and white and maybe to Henley it is. "Abusive men believe violence between intimates is acceptable. It's a way of preserving status and power, male privilege and means of control. If that's the type of man your mother wants to be involved with then that's on her, but you weren't comfortable with the situation and chose to leave the environment. Good for you."
Lauren turns to Emily, whose expression is tense and off in the distance. "E.T. has a point."
"But my brother—"
"I bet he's fine. Just being a boy gives him a better chance of survival. Plus, he's a blood relative and you implied he's submissive like your mother," Henley says. To which, Emily nods. "There. Now keep it down. It's almost time for Double Jeopardy."
"See," Lauren whispers to Emily. "I told you. She's an alien."
Emily blinks a few times, probably going over everything in her head for the hundredth time. "I'm sorry things got crazy last night, Lo," Emily says. "I just needed someone to turn to, somewhere to go, and I didn't know who else to call. Thanks for coming to get us."
"Like I'd leave you stranded in the middle of the ghetto at night," Lauren says. "It's cool. Daddy is in Chicago. Even if he were home I don't think he'd mind. Stay as long as you like."
Lauren curls her arms around Emily and they stay like that throughout Double Jeopardy, watching Henley spit out one correct answer after the other. When she gets one wrong, Henley curses, but easily moves past it. She runs into trouble with "Reality of TV" and Lauren answers every one just to irritate her. Final Jeopardy rolls around and the category is "20th Century authors." As the trademark tune plays, Henley talks them through how much money she'd wager. The episode ends and when Wheel of Fortune comes on, Henley changes it.
"So, Henley," Lauren says. "How's your brother doing?"
"Considering you talk to him more than me when I live in the same house as him, I should ask you." Henley has some sort of superiority complex that makes Lauren want to slap the pretentious bitch across the face, but she remembers the world Henley was raised in and she could be worse.
"Spunky." Lauren hums softly. "It almost makes up for your geek factor."
"Be nice," Emily says. "Lo, are you really asking about Ray when you have a date with AJ?"
Lauren rolls her eyes. "I told you it isn't a date! I don't even know what it is. He just randomly asked if I wanted to hang out before all of this happened and I said yes. I could cancel if you need me. We can hang out all day and watch movies or something."
"No, I know you're dying to spend time with him, especially with Shauna Donovan gone," Emily says. Lauren hasn't ever said that. Emily just assumes and it might be a little accurate. "And for your information, I talked to Razor last night before Bruce and my mom came home."
"Did he mention me?" Lauren and Henley ask in unison.
"Lo, he said your texts make his day," Emily reports. Lauren can't fight the feeling she gets. Searching for an outlet, she squeezes Emily's arm, wishing someone could feel as light and elated as she does. "He also mentioned a certain striptease…"
Lauren isn't one bit embarrassed, just laughs. Henley, on the other hand, makes a face like she just bit into a sour apple.
"Words no sister should hear involving her brother."
As an afterthought, Emily says, "Razor also talked about Jody and the drummer hooking up at some Christmas thing. He seemed really upset about it so I let him vent."
Lauren's mood quickly deflates and she stares at the TV, frustrated with the way Henley can't stay on one channel for more than three seconds.
Reading the change in Lauren's demeanor, Emily frowns. "Razor and Jody have been together since they were in the seventh grade and by that I mean the type of together where they were in a mostly functioning relationship. They aren't going to get over each other over night."
Henley laughs, which means she's showing emotion, which is weird. "I like you and everything. You're Colorado Barbie. You made last summer entertaining, but Jody is always going to be in Ray's life. They went through their awkward years together and came out on the other side mostly intact. If you ask me, they aren't going to get over each other ever."
"Well, it's good no one asked for your opinion." Lauren combs blonde strands behind her ear when a thought strikes her. She knows she'll regret it once she says it, but she has to say it aloud just to get it out of her head. "Oh, God. Jody is Razor's Kelly Parker."
"Close," Emily says, "but less fucked up, I'd say."
Emily doesn't know about Nicky and Kelly yet and doesn't need any more mental strain at the moment. Lauren clenches her jaw to keep her mouth shut.
"Meh," Henley mutters. "Fucked up is subjective."
"I don't even know what you talk about," Lauren says. Half-full coffee mug in hand, she stands. "Okay, I need to get ready for my non-date. Do either of you have plans today?"
"By the time you get ready it'll be time for my shift at the Shack," Emily says. Lauren fails to suppress a look of disapproval. After a traumatic night in the ghetto, Emily wants to sling dough and deal with customers? Something isn't right there. "Lo, can you give me a lift?"
"You're going to work after last night?"
"Well, you'll be out with AJ all day so I can't just sit around here with nothing to do. I'm hoping work will keep my mind off of everything at least for a couple hours. And technically I'm on my own. Extra cash wouldn't hurt."
Lauren grinds her teeth, wanting to tell Emily that money isn't an issue. The Tanners have so much that they don't know what to do with it most of the time, but she already knows it'll come out wrong. The last thing she wants is Emily thinking she's a charity case.
"Okay," Lauren agrees. "I can trust Jeopardy alone in my house, right?"
"Excellent! There's a Modern Marvels marathon on!" Henley shouts.
While Emily dries her hair, Lauren stares into her closet. She doesn't know what AJ has planned so she doesn't know what to wear. According to the weather app on her iPhone, it'll be sunny and upper fifties, which is a nice change from the February Freeze. Before they leave, Emily reminds Henley to eat and Lauren warns her not to touch her closet.
Lauren may be a little apprehensive about spending quality time with AJ, especially since the last time she saw him Shauna Donovan had her hand in his back pocket. There's a nagging fear in the back of her head, afraid she won't know what to talk to him about or how to act. Her anxiety goes up a notch when Lauren meets AJ and sees Amelia Cruz in her stroller, asleep. Her lips are pouty as ever, eyes closed, wearing a cute little pink parka. Kids freak her out a bit, but Lauren doesn't mind much when they're asleep.
"Hey, Lo." AJ greets her with a one-armed hug. The scruff on his cheek rubs against her and there's something so undeniably sexy about the look of him and even more so the feel of him. She finds it baffling how he can seem so different, but then, when he smirks at her, not at all.
Lauren likes to think she's seen the many faces of AJ Cruz, but every time they meet she feels like she's seeing a new, different side of him. This AJ is so paternal and comfortable with his little human. AJ knows exactly what to do and that isn't the AJ she knows, the one that flees at the first sign of trouble and puts his needs above everyone else.
"I know that look." His eyes are on her the entire time. "You weren't expecting Amelia. Me neither. Ronnie is MIA and Kaylie is in one of her moods so I couldn't ask her to babysit."
"What's going on with Kaylie this time?" Lauren asks. She takes the seat across from AJ, hanging her purse on the back. She doesn't mean to sound so blasé about it even if she's so over the constant Kaylicky melodrama.
"The usual. That boy of hers makes her crazy," AJ says matter-of-factly. "She's upset when he's at his typical level of dull, she's upset when he's upset an the newest one: she's upset even when he's happy."
Happy? Nicky Russo? Lies.
"Did he hear from colleges yet?" Lauren guesses.
"Nah. It had something to do with his friends. Apparently, they made up. I try to listen when Kaylie confides in me, but what can I say? Details aren't exactly my thing. It has her pretty on edge, though. I thought you'd know more than me, being her best friend and all."
Oh, Lauren knows more and wishes she didn't.
"If a translation for Kaylie Problems is what you were fishing for you're better off asking Maeve Benson to lunch."
It grinds her gears, but that's the truth.
"Ouch. Someone's salty," AJ teases. "Maeve Benson. Tall, skinny, thinks she owns everything she steps on? Yeah, she's been around the house a lot." With a chuckle, AJ leans forward, closer to Lauren from across the table. "Get this. She hits on me, right, and her favorite line, she tells me I got robbed, that I would've made a better werewolf guy in Twilight."
Lauren nearly gags. What the hell is with Kaylie and Maeve Benson and that stupid movie?
"Ew. Can we not talk about Maeve Benson hitting on you when I'm right about to eat?" Lauren pulls the menu out from under AJ's laced fingers. "Back to what you were saying, Nicky made up with Kelly Parker and Kaylie was freaking out about it?"
"I don't remember her mentioning any names. She was pretty vague about it. I definitely remember her straight up saying she's paranoid and, I don't know, something about his dad?"
Lauren lowers the menu enough to narrow her eyes at AJ. "Okay, you suck as a spy."
"Is that what I'm doing? Spying on my sister for you? Since when are you having trouble getting Kaylie to talk about her feelings?"
Lauren lifts the menu back up, acting as a dividing line.
"If you ask me, the guy isn't worth the effort," AJ says. "Kaylie does so much for their relationship and he doesn't do anything. Carter was a douche, but at least he worshipped her unlike Mute Boy, who always has something better to do."
"Ha, Mute Boy." Lauren laughs, low and raspy. "Do I need to remind you that Carter also cheated on Kaylie?"
"Obviously, them getting back together would be the worst thing ever, but this new guy is so lame. If people were colors, Kaylie would be pink and he'd be wet newspaper. At least Carter would smoke with me…not that I do that anymore because I don't." His attention goes back to his daughter and there's something about the way he looks at Amelia. He's telling the truth.
A waitress comes by to take their order and Lauren doesn't appreciate the way the blonde—Miriam—keeps looking between AJ, Lauren and Amelia like they've just come from a taping of the Sixteen and Pregnant reunion special. Assumptions are annoying.
"Do you not like this place?" AJ asks after once the lady in the green apron leaves. "I see you tryin' to slap a bitch with your glare." AJ smirks like she's glass, not fragile or breakable, but transparent. "What's with that? You have a problem with the waitress or something?"
"Forget it."
"Whatever you say." AJ doesn't press or pry, just leans back in his chair and glances over at his daughter again. He does it every other minute. If it weren't so adorable, Lauren would be upset she doesn't have his undivided attention. "So what's new with you?"
"Nothing too exciting. Daddy's away and I have houseguests."
His lips pull into that familiar smirk and his devilish charm pours out. Lauren twists the giant ring around her finger, growing anxious because she can feel the old AJ starting to surface.
"But none of your current houseguests are as good as me, iight?"
She hears the flirtatious pull of his vocal chords and backs away. "Okay, this is weird."
"What is?"
"This. You flirting with me while your kid's taking a nap."
Lauren's eyes skirt around the edge of the table to where Amelia is. She looks so much like a Cruz with the tan tint to her skin and the dark hair. If she inherited Cruz looks, she must have inherited Donovan internal traits, particularly Shauna's dislike for Lauren Tanner.
AJ laughs. "Just doin' my thang, ma."
Right there. That's full, uninhibited Old AJ. Lauren shakes her head, but a part of her definitely finds it comforting. So much has changed and keeps changing. It's nice to know things don't get lost in transformation, just subtle alterations that lead to evolution.
"Damn, Lo, I missed your laugh." It's probably the most honest she'll ever see him. Lauren stares at his hands, watching how they slowly inch towards hers. Trying to be discrete, Lauren stares out across the café and slides her hands off the table, leaving them in her lap.
"So when are you headed back to Palm Springs?"
"Amelia's birthday is next week and Baby Girl's gotta spend it with her mom." AJ smoothes down the blanket over Amelia. "But we'll be back some time next month and probably stick around till mid-June. I'm trying to convince Shauna to come with, but she hates it here."
"What's with the back and forth?"
"You've heard of purity balls, right? Dads get their daughters to pledge abstinence with promise rings, a slut-shaming circle and other fun stuff like that. I'm not saying it doesn't work, but more often than not parents bribe their daughters into it. Less conversation about sex, more telling them it's bad and not to do it. Denver puts on a big one."
"Isn't Amelia a little young for you to be bringing her to one of these?"
AJ scowls. "Not for Amelia. The Amelia Grace Foundation has partnered with the Boulder Junior League to host the annual debutante ball, trying to take the focus off of purity and more on celebrating girls making it this far and going into the future. At least, that's how I sold it to the country club ladies. Half the proceeds go to AGF. Slam dunk."
"Oh. My. God." Lauren's mouth falls open. "That is the most ridiculous thing you've ever said."
"I wouldn't be laughing," he warns her. "You're in it."
Lauren is firm in her refusing headshake. "Um, I don't think that's your choice to make."
"Come on, it'll be fun. Kaylie's in," AJ says. "Put daddy's money towards a good cause for once. You'll get to buy a fancy dress and get dolled up. Ballroom dancing. Isn't your dad a thriving member of the country club? You might as well be the one organizing this."
"He's a member, but he isn't around enough to make use of it."
"Then do it for me," AJ says. It's always most amusing (and most unattractive) when he tries to be pleasant. He has no shame, staring at her in the same way he would a few summers back, when they'd joke about it being too hot to fuck.
"I'll consider it, but that isn't a yes, AJ."
"Good. I'll put your name down."
They slip into comfortable territory, exchanging words—flirting—but mostly with their eyes since the words and especially the touches are too far in the gray, too confusing. Slowly, they start to discover the strange balance between the people they once were and who they're trying to be. Though they don't address it directly, they carefully explore the change in each other and themselves, but not at the expense of forgetting what they used to have.
AJ even asks about Razor ("that kid I caught you molesting in Cali last summer") and it's nice and light/ Lauren doesn't mention Shauna mostly for her own sake. AJ picks up the tab and from there, they walk through a nearby park. Though it's still crisp out, borderline chilly, the sun is high up in the cloudless sky, signs of spring.
When Amelia finally wakes, AJ hoists her up into his arms as she rubs the sleep out of her eyes. AJ goes to buy her an ice cream cone, two scoops of strawberry, with such ease like he does it all the time. Lauren doesn't think she's seen a tiny person attack a tower of ice cream quite like Amelia Grace. She's messy, gets ice cream all over her face, and it's adorable.
Lauren clicks her tongue. "Something tells me this is clearly a sign of bad parenting."
"No," AJ disagrees. "There's no such thing as bad parenting. Foreal, nothing I could have read in any book would've prepared me for this. You learn as you go. I was obsessed with videotaping everything she did for a while, watched 'em back. It's a learning experience. We call it AJ and Shawnee's Adventures in Babyraising."
"Don't you mean Alexander?"
"Don't even start." AJ scoffs, bringing his lips to the ice cream cone, catching streaks of pink spilling over. Amelia puts her little hands on the cone, getting ice cream all over her fingers, matching her mouth. Lauren brushes hair away from her face and glances around the park, pausing when she sees a blonde woman near the jungle gym with a little blonde girl. "You know, Lo, I'm really glad we did this."
"As surprising as it is, I am too."
"Surprising?"
Lauren stretches her arms and legs out in front of her, trying to think of an easy way of explaining. "I didn't know what to expect. Things are so different now. You. Me." Out of the corner of her eye, Lauren spots one of those damn creepy graffiti eyes spray painted on the side of a corner store. "Everything around here."
"Not everything," AJ argues. "You're still hardcore feelin' me."
"Ew. As if. There's no still if it never started."
AJ smiles, pulling a paper napkin out of his pocket and cleaning off daughter's cheeks, stained pink. After hanging out for a little while longer, Lauren says goodbye. The empty feeling she has when they're apart lights up the neon sign in her head, pointing out that she may still has feelings for him. They're both growing, not together but not apart either. Lauren didn't think it was possible. Maybe Henley isn't the only one from an alien universe because the feeling Lauren gets in the pit of her stomach is equally as strange.
…
"Awesome, oh, wow, like totally freak me out I mean right on! 'Cause Toros sure are #1!"
Nicky groans like he's being put in excruciating pain and Kaylie smacks his arm, giving him a taste of real, physical pain to remind him of the difference. She doesn't understand his tantrum. Bring It On is one of her favorite movies. It's up there with the Twilight saga.
"Is it almost over?" Nicky asks.
"Are you joking? Missy hasn't even joined the squad yet!"
Lying on her stomach on her bed, Kaylie glances over at her boyfriend, on his back, unlocking his iPhone with the swipe of his finger, holding it up over his face. Kaylie watches TV for a couple minutes, but the sound of Nicky's laughter steals her away. The space between his eyebrows pinch with tension, such concentration in his stare. Scooting closer, Kaylie glances at the screen that makes a bubbling sound, the bottom lined with yellow tiles.
Words with Friends.
FAITH PALM: 413
Fishnix: 308
3 letters remain
"She is creaming you," Kaylie says.
"She's cheating. I bet Kelly's helping her just to spite me. The point spread isn't usually that wide when it's Faith. She doesn't take it as seriously as Kelly." Nicky treats Words with Friends like it's an Olympic sport or as if he's being graded on it. "Is this really how we're spending the rest of our Friday? I drove all the way to Boulder for Bring it On?"
"And to spend time with your amazing, worth it girlfriend," Kaylie says. "I'm trying to find inspiration and distract myself from Maeve-Lo drama."
"And Bring It On is the one stone that kills two birds?"
"Yes." Kaylie turns onto her stomach and doesn't want to complain any more about why Maeve and Lauren just can't get over themselves and coexist for Kaylie's sanity if nothing else. "So, what do Faith and you do when you hang out?"
Nicky shrugs even with how he's lying down. "I don't know." Kaylie rests her head on her shoulder, curiously staring over at him. "We eat a lot since Faith bakes like she's paid to do it. We spend a lot of time looking around those neat little used bookstores north of Alameda on Broadway. You know how some people write little messages in the front of the books when they give them as gifts? We spend hours seeing who can find the best ones. We're supposed to do something tomorrow. Maybe a hike since the weather's been nice."
"That sounds fun…" Kaylie's voice trails off, waiting for him to invite her, but Nicky just looks back at his phone. "So is it just a thing with you and her or…?"
"Yeah, to balance out how much we stuff ourselves."
"Can I come too?"
Nicky looks at her quizzically. "But you don't even like Faith?"
"I never said I didn't like her."
Kaylie just doesn't like how he always brings her up in conversation like she's the next Jesus. Nicky looks away, obviously isn't buying what Kaylie's saying.
"Nicky, of course, I like her. She's your best friend. And since I make you hang out with my friends all the time I just figured it'd be fair…"
"You don't need to."
"But what if I want to?"
Nicky's lips twist to show his confliction. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? Are you trying to hide her from me?" Kaylie asks with a forced laugh. Because it's a lot easier than asking, are you trying to hide me from her?
"No, it's not that. It's just that Faith is really loyal to Kelly. They're best friends. They live together." Nicky does that thing he always does, pauses and hesitates. He's about to be honest with her. "When we first started dating, Faith made me promise that we wouldn't do that. She doesn't want it to seem like…like we're trying to replace Kelly with you."
Nicky doesn't mean for it to sound harsh and Kaylie gets that, but it doesn't make it any easier to swallow. "Oh."
Turning onto his stomach, parallel to her, Nicky tosses his phone aside and looks back at the TV. As much as she wants to do the same, Kaylie's thoughts are elsewhere. She can see how desperate he is to change the subject, how there are still wounds that haven't quite healed and he isn't willing to tend to. Kelly Parker clearly dug her claws deep. Kaylie is still lost to how he cares so much about someone who doesn't deserve it.
"Tell me you're only watching this because you're freaking out over your cheerleading thing," Nicky nearly begs. "Please tell me you don't actually like this movie."
"Actually, I love this movie. It's ten times better than the weird sci-fi movies you're obsessed with. Some of the movies you made me watch, the vampires didn't even sparkle."
Nicky's face folds on itself, an expression of distaste, and Kaylie smiles because he's being cute and he doesn't even realize it. "God, Twilight. I still can't believe our first official date, you made me watch that in theaters."
Kaylie gasps, extra dramatic, just so Nicky makes that expression again. "Eclipse was so great! That's the one where Edward asks Bella to marry him! And there were all those action scenes. Prepare yourself, boyfriend, because when Breaking Dawn comes out, we're seeing it."
Nicky groans, being just as overdramatic, even if they both know Kaylie is going to pout and he'll end up going, driving and paying for everything. "Hey, our anniversary is coming up."
"How could I forget? Eight months."
Kaylie loves the sound of it. Eight months. Neither of them knew they were capable of staying in a relationship this long and now they've proven it. It feels good.
"All I ask is you show up to my mom's stupid label party, wearing the cute tie I bought you."
"Deal. Does that mean I don't have to wear the awful shoes?"
"What makes you think you're getting out of wearing the classy shoes?" Kaylie asks. "The shoes and the approved shirt and slacks. No jeans or sneakers or hoodies. And we'll probably have to put up with small talk with strangers, but I promise I'll make it worth your while."
"You can guarantee this?"
Kaylie kisses him, moving her hand up his arm and drawing him closer as she lies back. Nicky follows, carefully moving over to her, sliding his hand to the small of her back and pressing her against him. Kaylie doesn't even realize how hard she's smiling. It goes to show how much she loves where their relationship is. This is how she always knew it could be.
Between the long, deep kisses, their breathing grows louder, creating a symphony of sharp gasps and soft moans, building and building. Hands begin to wander and without protests. Nicky responds, even initiates, like he's telling her he's finally ready.
At the sound of his phone, Nicky pulls away, making Kaylie moan, unhappy. She shuts her eyes, frustrated and bad at hiding it. "Tell me you aren't stopping for Words with Friends."
"No, that was a text." Nicky reaches for his phone, but doesn't forget she exists entirely. He isn't completely clueless, at least not anymore.
"And that's supposed to be better?"
"It's probably Faith. The expert unintentional cockblock." With him atop her, Kaylie literally feels his muscles tense, but doesn't ask. Right now, she doesn't want to know what he meant by that. "And, uh, when I don't answer her texts, she calls and if I ignore her again she fills my voicemail inbox. You know that drives me insane. Let me just get rid of her."
"Fine, but hurry up."
Nicky presses a soft kiss to her cheek and checks his phone. Apparently, the distraction wasn't worth it because Nicky scoffs. "She wants me to check Words with Friends. Probably to finish that game so she can gloat. Two seconds and I'm all yours, Princess."
Kaylie groans again, watching her boyfriend enter nerd mode. Kaylie closes her eyes, but when more than two seconds pass, she opens one eye to see Nicky with his back to her.
"Nicky? What is it?"
He doesn't answer and so Kaylie sits up, moving over to him and draping her arms over his shoulders, looking at what he's fixated on—an empty game board, waiting for his move.
HBIC KP 0
Fishnix 0
90 letters remain
"Kelly?"
"Yeah." Nicky continues to sit there, stunned. "Last summer, when we were both back, I started a game with her, just to kind of test the waters and she refused. Kelly Parker doesn't turn down a challenge, especially when she thinks she can win. We haven't played since and now she's inviting me to play a game? Has hell frozen over?"
Nicky fumbles like a schoolboy who just got his first "do you like me? Check yes, no, maybe" note in his locker. The mood from earlier is definitely dead, buried and forgotten. Kaylie moves to sit beside him, letting her legs hang over the edge of her bed. Nicky just keeps staring at his phone. His social anxiety comes to light and might be his least attractive quality.
"So this is a good thing?"
"This is amazing!" Nicky smiles and it's more to himself than at Kaylie. "Crap, of course when Kelly starts a game with me, I get the worst tiles. Four Es? That's just depressing."
Nicky puts thought into potential words to play like a girl planning her outfit for the day. Before Nicky can figure out a word that won't completely embarrass him, his phone rings. Nicky answers the call before it can ring more than twice.
"Faye?" The volume on his phone isn't very loud, but when Nicky pauses, Kaylie can hear Faith's enthusiastic chatter from the other end. "I know! Did she say anything to you? After months of pretending I'm invisible she does this? Not that I'm complaining…"
"This is…nice," Kaylie says, for the lack of a better word. She doesn't know why she even bothers because Nicky isn't listening. "I'm going to grab a drink. Nicky, you want anything?"
"—Kelly's dad leaves for India and all of a sudden, she pours out the liquor, wants a new tattoo and now she's acknowledging I exist?" Nicky continues to talk into his phone. "Are you sure she didn't hit her head during practice? These could be signs of neurological damage."
When she doesn't get anything that resembles a response, Kaylie slips out of the room and mutters, "Two seconds and I'm all yours, Princess—my ass."
Kaylie knows she should be happy to see Nicky so happy, but all she feels is dread. It doesn't feel good, the way he completely pushed her aside the second Kelly came up and Faith called. She doesn't just drop him the second her friends snap their fingers, does she? Right when it felt like they were making progress and he was trying to be the boyfriend she knows he can be. One step forward and two steps back. This dance got old months ago.
When she reaches the kitchen, Kaylie looks over the reminders stuck to the refrigerator. They used to be a family who hung up A+ math tests (mostly Leo's) and reminds for parent teacher meetings (all for AJ) and the crayon drawings Kaylie used to do as a little girl. Now, each note has something to do with the corporate party Ronnie is hosting.
"Hey." AJ always looks so busy and important in his fancy clothes, designer Kobalt sunglasses, and iPhone always on hand. Kaylie is convinced he's just playing Angry Birds. "Kick your boyfriend out. We have somewhere to be."
"Okay?" Kaylie waits for AJ to explain, but he just goes to the refrigerator. "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"No."
"That's wonderful, Aje," Kaylie says sarcastically. "Where's Lia?"
"Ronnie took her party dress shopping."
"You won't let me drive your old car yet you let mom watch your only daughter?" Kaylie asks. "There's something wrong with that logic."
"I hate to admit it, but I trust Amelia with Ronnie more than her with us, going where we're gone." Either he's being vague on purpose or that's just AJ. "Five minutes, Kales. Tell your boy to get lost. We need to go. And if his shitty car is ever in my parking spot again he's dead."
Kaylie wholeheartedly disregards her brother's threat. If anything, he finds more enjoyment in torturing Nicky than protecting his sister. AJ grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator and twists the cap off with the flick of his wrist. Before he can take a sip, Kaylie snags it away and goes upstairs. It's Voss brand bottled water. Kaylie can't help, but think of Lauren.
Once Kaylie steps back into her room, Nicky rounds his arms around her and spins her in a small circle that makes her laugh. She can't remember the last time she's seen him like this, with such a wide smile and his eyes filled with hope. As much as she enjoys this reenergized Nicky Russo, it sucks the change had to result from contact with Kelly Parker.
Putting on a cheery smile, Kaylie asks, "Is she kicking your ass too?"
"No way, I'm up eighty-three to fifty-five, but it's her turn. Rules for when you play games with Kelly Parker: you don't let her win and you don't cheat. That isn't the way to win her respect. She can sense it through the Wi-Fi."
"So this is actually happening? You two are finally making up?"
"That's the desired outcome, yeah, but you never know. Can you imagine? We're going on eight months. Faith is home. Now Kelly and I can maybe go back to being friends. This is exactly how things are supposed to be."
Kaylie thought the exact same thing before HBIC KP wanted to play a game.
"Something wrong?" Nicky asks.
"No, nothing, but AJ is home and we have plans I wasn't aware of and I have to go."
"Darn," Nicky says, with mock disappointment. "That means no Bring It On marathon?"
"You are so lucky you're off the hook," Kaylie says. Nicky's smile softens and he wraps his arms around her in a hug, pressing his lips to the side of her face. Sometimes it's just nice to be held even if it does little for her paranoia. "I'll call you tonight. You better answer."
"I will." Nicky kisses her lips and pulls back just to kiss her a second time, just a quick peck. Nicky grabs his car keys off the dresser and heads for the door. Kaylie grabs her favorite magenta cardigan and her leather purse before following after him.
She takes his hand while they walk down the stairs and Nicky holds on tight until he sees AJ. Nicky kisses her quick and leaves even quicker. Right when Kaylie's about to ask AJ to stop bullshitting and tell her where they're going, he drops his keys into her palm and tells her to drive. To Kaylie, this feels like her road test all over again.
"Can we at least listen to music?" Kaylie asks.
"No. Just drive."
"Can you tell me where we're going at least?"
"No. Follow the GPS."
Kaylie huffs, annoyed with the way her brother treats her sometimes. He keeps looking from her to the road as if he's afraid they're going to suddenly veer off and plummet into the abyss. Kaylie is a great driver. She took Driver's Ed and everything. AJ is just weird about needing everything to be a certain way—his way. They get closer and closer to their destination, but all Kaylie sees is a string of car dealerships on the outskirts of town.
"I know a guy who owns a car lot. He also happens to be a fan of dad's," AJ explains. "He agreed to give us full access to test out whatever you want. I know how desperate you are for your own set of wheels. Dad wanted to be here for this, but you know his schedule. Since your birthday is coming up and Melia and me are going back to Palm Springs…"
Kaylie's face lights up. "Seriously? My own car?"
"Kaylie, if there's one thing I'm serious about it's car shopping. Can you just promise to be less crazy all the time? You're sixteen. How much can you possibly be going through?"
"I'm sorry. Are you asking me to vent about boys and friends and cheerleading to you?"
"Say no more." AJ points off to the side and tells her to turn into a lot that doesn't look as sketchy as Kaylie imagined. It actually looks like a respectable business, not a junkyard owned by one of the creeps AJ used to hang out with when he was still going to Taft.
Kaylie plasters on a smile as AJ talks to an older man in a tacky suit, clearly a car salesman. They shake hands and talk baseball for longer than Kaylie cares to listen. Finally, AJ asks to see the cars Alex hand chose and thought Kaylie would like. Despite their strained and distant relationship, knowing that he thinks about her, it isn't enough, but it is nice sometimes.
The Cruz siblings spend the evening test-driving cars like two kids in a candy store. AJ still doesn't let her turn on the radio and braces himself every time Kaylie so much as hits the breaks a little too hard, but he has this smile on his face like he's proud. Fatherhood has definitely done something to him and Kaylie doesn't hate it at all.
"This one." Kaylie sits behind the wheel of a sweet Mercedes E series convertible. She tilts her head out the window for a look at the exterior. "I am not into the color, though."
Forest green. Not Kaylie's cup of tea.
"Yeah, but it's not like we're buying this one off the lot," AJ assures her. "If you find something you like today we can get the paperwork filled out and send the bill to dad."
"Thanks, AJ. This was actually pretty great."
"You seem like you needed it. We live in the same house. I'm not blind or deaf. I see you stressing over school and cheerleading and family stuff. Add your weird boyfriend to all that?"
Kaylie quickly looks away when he mentions Nicky. Knowing Nicky, he's probably obsessing over his phone, thinking Kelly is sending him cryptic messages through the stupid Scrabble knockoff.
"What's up with that guy?" AJ asks. "You wanna talk about it? Foreal."
"If he hangs out with other girls, as his girlfriend, I have a right to be a little paranoid, right?"
"Define hang out."
Kaylie pauses. For one, she's shocked AJ is actually taking her seriously. Two, she doesn't know how to definite it. Nicky's tattoo is dedicated to Kelly. Faith lives with him, comfortable to the point where she marches around his house in a towel. Whenever Nicky mentions Faith or Kelly, it's as if their names alone trigger some sort of special FKN endorphins.
"They all grew up together and his dad loves them." Kaylie pouts without even realizing. "Not that I care if his dad likes me or not." AJ gives her a look that says he knows better than to believe that. "Okay, so maybe I care a little. Nicky's been fighting with his friends and really depressed about it and now things might be getting better. I just… I'm terrified that if he had to choose, he'd choose them over me, that he chose me the first time and he regrets it."
"I don't know what to tell you." AJ stares past the windshield and out at the dimming sky. "I'm not exactly his #1 fan to begin with, but I will say that if he regrets choosing you, he didn't deserve you in the first place."
AJ looks so genuine about it even if Kaylie doesn't want to explore that possibility just yet.
"Thanks, Aje."
"Anytime, Kiwi," AJ teases. He has a knack for making the sweetest words sound so smarmy. "Would now be the appropriate time to ask you for a favor?"
Kaylie knew there had to be a catch to all this. "What now?"
"Other than talking baseball and getting you your car, I'm here to talk to Marshall about maybe pitching in to sponsor the Deb ball." Kaylie turns up her eyes whenever her brother mentions his newest project and how she has no choice, but to participate. "Kales, don't give me that look. C'mon. I'm going to need you to come out to society and lead by example."
"AJ, like you said, I have a lot going on—"
"It isn't till June. You'll be out of school by then. It's for a good cause and you know you not-so-secretly enjoy all that girly shit. And, hey, while you're at it, could you get the word out to your friends and whoever? The Boulder Junior League could use a few more members."
Kaylie shakes her head in disbelief. "This is not real life. You are not my brother."
"You best believe it." AJ winks at her and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt, throwing off the seatbelt across his chest. "Now, watch a master bullshitter in action. I guarantee I can talk down the price for your car and get Marshall to drop a pretty penny in the name of sex and helping out the lost causes like me."
AJ gets out of the car and Kaylie does the same, following him into the dealership. Though she has always found AJ's constant bullshit both old and annoying, in moments like this, she can recognize that it just makes his genuine moments mean even more.
…
Emily still sees last night over and over in flashes behind her eyelids, grainy and lagging like film playing on an old movie projector, cranking and struggling, but there. It plays on loop. The yelling. The shoving. The slap. It haunts her, barely lets her close her eyes for longer than a few minutes before she's jolted awake at the realization that it all happened in real time.
It's such a relief to take shelter in the Tanner house. When Emily finally gives up on sleeping, she curls up onto her side with Lauren snoring away beside her. She can't clear her head long enough to sleep. There's too much on her mind. For months now, Emily has been pushing Chloe to take a stand and last night she did. She stood against her own daughter. Emily has been let down by her mother in the past, but last night was a whole other level.
When she can't take the stillness and the quiet anymore, Emily slowly gets out of bed and decides to get something to drink. The clock tells her it's a little past 5 a.m. and the sun is yet to kiss the sky good morning. The house is mostly dark, except for flashing lights coming from the living room, accompanies by mumbles and murmurs.
"Henley, are you awake already?"
"I don't have a baby and I don't intend to have one ever, but there's something oddly appealing about the Baby Bullet," Henley says. Not once does her eyes stray from the infomercial onscreen. "If I call in the next ten minutes they'll double my order, which is both unnecessary and impractical, but I want one. I have a debit card, but I'm not eighteen yet…"
"Are you okay?" Emily spies the cordless phone on the edge of the coffee table and discretely takes it, hiding it behind her back as she sits next to her stepsister. "Can't sleep?"
"No. Not ever."
"Henley, your timing couldn't possibly be any worse, but it's nice to see you. I probably forgot to mention that when I was, well, hugging you and crying earlier…" Emily crosses her legs beneath her, watching Henley watch TV. "Why are you here and not in Montana? Razor said—"
"I couldn't do it," Henley says. "I was on a plane to Billings and there was a layover in Denver and I…I got off the plane. My mom thinks all my quote/unquote 'issues' are because of my dad and since I'm on break I should visit him and hash things out, but I couldn't so I came here."
"What's so bad about Montana?"
"I still have nightmares sometimes," Henley says. "Of him. And I know he isn't a bad person. He's my dad. He loves me. But the nightmares…"
"It's okay." Emily lays her hand on the back of Henley's arm. "I have nightmares too."
Henley finally lifts her eyes to Emily, who is yet to admit it even to herself. The sleepless nights aren't anything new, especially not when a monster is passed out in the next room. The rapidly changing images on the television cast colors across Henley's face, highlighting the search for solace in her eyes.
"I know it's insane," Henley whispers. "Not to mention fiscally irresponsible, leaving the plane like that, taking a cab and showing up unannounced, but I figured I could lay low with you for a while and deal with my mom later. I can still do that, right?"
"You're already here. I can't exactly turn you away, but there's one thing and I know this is going to sound bad, but I need to know… Have you stopped taking your medication?"
It's usually a playful question, but Emily really means it when she asks. Henley has a history of taking things she doesn't need and refusing the ones actually prescribed in her name. Leaning over the side of the couch to where her purse is, Henley pulls out an orange bottle. It's dark so Emily can't make out much more than Henley's name on the label. Not that she'd be able to pronounce, let alone understand it if she could.
"I can't, Emily." Henley curls her long fingers around the bottle. "They make me lethargic and…weak. You know me. I thrive on productivity. This turns me into a zombie and I am not a zombie! My mom's pill pusher kook therapist prescribed them to me. He'd probably okay a pregnant woman to take them with a glass of vino while operating heavy machinery."
"I'm sure that's all true, but it also keeps you stable," Emily says. "And I'm about to fall apart right now so I need you as stable as you can be. Please. Just take them. Otherwise, maybe it'd be best if we call Ray right now and tell him where you are and what happened."
With the glass of water in one hand and the cordless phone in the other, Emily holds them both out for Henley. She knows it's probably best to get her to take the pills and then call Razor and the Sheppards, but Emily also knows what it's like to have limited options and other people making choices for her. She isn't about to do the same to Henley. After a long moment of anxiously drumming her fingers against her knees, Henley heaves a heavy sigh.
"I'm supposed to take them before bed."
"And you haven't slept for how long now?" Emily asks.
"I'll take one tonight," Henley says. "I promise."
"Don't screw me over."
Give trust to get trust. Without it, life would be as bad as the dystopian novels Emily's been reading for English class.
"You know you have to tell Razor eventually, but I won't force you to before you're ready," Emily says. Henley nods and turns her attention back to the TV. "How are things at home?"
"Horrible," Henley says, straightforward and without hesitation. "Mom and Dave fight every day. They don't even sleep in the same room. He works crazy hours and she's just crazy. Razor hides in his room and I try to focus on school. Mom brought up family therapy and everyone lost it, like the bad kind of reality television."
"If it makes you feel any better, as you can see, my family isn't perfect either. Not even Lo's. I don't think anyone's is."
The Keelers might come pretty damn close, but Emily knows Mr. Keeler being away takes a toll on the family even if Payson refuses to see it that way.
"It doesn't make me feel better, but I appreciate it."
Emily nods and Henley continues channel surfing, complete with her own personal commentary on different infomercials, going from ridiculing one's stupidity to desperately wanting another despite its stupidity. Even when the sun starts to lighten the sky, Emily isn't one bit sleepy. She goes to take a shower, hoping the warm water will help calm her nerves.
Though work is the last thing she wants to do on a Saturday, Emily needs the money. Lauren tries to talk her into calling in sick, but Emily refuses to be the reason Lauren backs out of seeing AJ. Emily doesn't understand what's between them, but she knows it's one of those things that will always be there no matter what.
It being midmorning, the Pizza Shack is empty, which isn't unusual. At least Carter isn't working the early shift. Though she's slowly coming to the realization that he isn't horrible to be around strictly as people who work together, Carter does have questionable taste in music and she isn't in the mood for someone to ask why she's so down.
After prepping the kitchen for the day, Emily sits at the register with a paperback as a couple of her coworkers hang back in the kitchen, amusing themselves and cooking up weird combinations of toppings, daring each other to eat it. A few customers come in, but business doesn't really pick up at all. With money barely trickling in and the irresponsibility of the staff, it's amazing how the Shack is yet to go bankrupt.
Right when Emily contemplates taking her break, the bell above the front door jingles and in walks Ike. He has a happy-go-lucky smile and Emily already wants to tell him to get out. His good mood does not sit well with her. He even whistles as he walks. Emily almost expects him to suddenly break out in a song and dance musical number.
"Yo, Kmetko!" Ike slaps his hand against the counter. "Look, you made me sign a contract when you first started tutoring me, saying our sensei-grasshopper partnership is based on honesty so I'll be honest with you. You look awful."
"Thanks, Ike, you really know how to make a girl feel special."
"Well, I know what'll make you feel even specialer. Is it specialer or more special?" Ike takes a glance around the Shack, paying special attention to the family of four in the back and the lonely guy near the arcade. "I know business is booming and all, but do you have a sec?"
"You have perfect timing. I was right about to take my break." Emily saves her place in her book with a packet of Parisian cheese and tosses it under the counter. She pops into the kitchen and one of the guys—Brad—offers her a piece of pizza topped with bacon, anchovies, asparagus and chocolate. She passes on the offer and lets them know she's going on break. Emily grabs a diet coke and meets Ike in an isolated camera. "So, what's up?"
"Pay day! Cha-ching!" Ike pulls back the lapel of his jacket and shows her the pocket hand-stitched inside. From it, Ike slides out a wad of money held together by a rubber band. Emily's eyes widen. She doesn't think she's seen cash like that in her entire life.
"Pleasure doing business with you and your beautiful handwriting." Ike counts out bill after bill beneath the table and holding it out to Emily, palm down.
"Th—that's all for me?"
"Unless you don't want it…?"
"No, I'll take it," Emily says, hoping she doesn't sound too eager.
She brings her hand beneath the table and grabs the money. Emily unravels her fingers and stares at the crisp paper in her lap. She's holding more money than she makes in a month at the Shack, including extra shifts and tips. All she did was organize text messages into an encoded ledger and occasionally assure antsy Royal boys that they'll get what they paid for.
"We need to lay low for a bit with the whole Valentine's Day fiasco," Ike says. "Kids were getting caught left and right. I heard Matsui looked like his brain was going to explode when he walked into the boy's bathroom. Nothing to worry about. They always come back. Still in?"
Emily shoves the cash into the pocket of her apron. "Just text me when."
"Sweet. So what does it take for a guy to get a cup of coffee around here?"
"You can walk up to the counter and order it yourself because I'm on break." Emily bites on the straw stuck in her diet coke, staring at the bubbles that dance on the surface.
"Fair enough." Ike gets halfway out of his seat, but then sits back down. Emily knows she looks tired and definitely feels tired, but not enough to be oblivious to the concern in Ike's expression. "Is everything okay, Emily?"
Crap. Ike Benzinger can tell. It doesn't get any more see-through than that.
"Fine." Emily rubs at her sore eyes, buying her some time to think of a vague enough response. As much as she considers Ike her friend (admitting it still sort of shocks her), Emily isn't about to go weighing him down with her problems. She's sure he has enough of his own. "Just too much going on at once."
Ike synchronizes the way he nods his head with his knuckles knocking against the wooden table. "You know, Rodge is worried about you. He told me not to say anything, but he is."
"What did Rodge say exactly?"
"He might have overheard some kind of commotion over at your place last night and when he went to go see if everything was cool, your mom started crying when he asked for you. So other than giving you your cut, I came to this lovely establishment today because I need to give my partner in criminal things a status update on you before he has a panic attack."
"You can tell him I'm fine." For some reason it strikes her that Rodge would physically go over to see if she was okay. "Things got a little tense around the house so I'm staying with Lauren. I just got into a little fight with my mom and her boyfriend. You know how that is."
"Yep. It's no coincidink Laguna rhymes with drama. Wait, that's wrong, isn't it?"
"Does it rhyme? No, but actually, that's exactly right. You still want that coffee?"
"To go?"
"I'll throw in a couple calzones for the kids," Emily volunteers, starting to stand up. "Don't worry. It's on the house."
"You sure? I could actually pay for it this time."
"Just help out the tip jar," Emily hints.
"Will do."
Emily goes to the kitchen to heat up a couple calzones for Ike's little brother and sister. She trusts Ike will use at least a portion of his cut to buy groceries, but they're probably starving right now. While waiting, Emily fishes for her phone and finds three text messages from Kaylie, jam-packed with words. Obviously, something must have happened if she needed three whole, separate texts to convey whatever Kaylie is feeling.
In the minute she has to spare, Emily skims the first. Something about Nicky (no brainer) and Faith's name pops up and so does Kelly Parker's. There are certain words and even strings of words in all capital letters and an abundance of exclamation points. Emily just doesn't have the energy at the moment. She doesn't read the second or third one. She doesn't feel bad either; confident Kaylie will be fine.
Emily packs the calzones into a paper bag and hands it over to Ike who in turn drops a few bills in the tip jar. Emily has the urge to fish it out and keep it, but she actually likes this batch of coworkers. Brad is basically in love with his reflection (but who wouldn't be when you're that pretty?) and Rigo is a total clown, who started wearing a slouchy beanie, fed up with being mistaken for Carter from behind. (Curly haired Colorado boys, God bless them.)
Right as Ike walks out and Emily goes to refill her diet coke from the fountain, Chloe walks in. Instead of her loudly thumping heels, Chloe takes uncharacteristically soft steps. When Emily sees her, the steel curtain comes down.
"Emily."
"I'm working." With her back to her mom, Emily pushes her cup against the lever and watches soda pour into her cup and fizz at the top.
"You can spare a minute, can't you?"
"No."
"Emily."
"Mom, you chose Bruce over me," Emily says, turning to face her. Emily's voice cracks as she says it, struggling between her rage and pain. Chloe flinches, takes a step back and almost makes Emily feel bad. "I can't. I don't want to talk about it. I can't. Not right now."
"Where are you staying? At least tell me that much."
"Lauren's," Emily answers.
"And Steve is okay with this?"
"Probably." Emily brings her soda in front of her, choosing to stare at the pool of cola rather than her mother's sad eyes. "I don't know. It was late. It isn't like they'd throw me out."
"Emily, I know things got out of control and I know it's all my fault," Chloe say. Emily already hears Henley's voice in her head, calling her mom submissive. "Just come home so we can talk about it. Bruce and Brian, they understand that people say things and things happen…"
"He's still there?" Emily doesn't know why she sounds surprised. It isn't really surprising at all.
"Where else is he supposed to go?"
"I'm not going anywhere near the Meadows if Bruce is still in the picture," Emily says firmly. "I can't put myself back into that situation and I still can't believe you'd put me and Brian in that situation in the first place! I can't. I'll be at Lauren's. You obviously couldn't take care of me so I'll take care of myself. For as long as I can remember, that's all I ever did."
Emily reminds herself to breathe once she gets all that off her chest. She feels good, lighter, and surprised that she was able to say all she wanted to say without screaming or leaving the room. But then, just as the relief set in, Emily catches Chloe's expression and it weights her heart down to the floor, lower than it was this morning or even last night.
"Okay," Chloe says. "When you're ready to come home I'll be ready to talk."
Eyes tearing and mascara starting to run, Chloe leaves the Pizza Shack without saying anything else. Emily thought that maybe if she got all of that out, if she told her mom exactly where she was coming from and where she stood, that it'd feel empowering, however, as she watches her mom run out of the room, Emily just feels like crap.
Why does taking care of herself and standing up for herself have to mean hurting someone she loves? With every decision she makes, Emily finds this same question reoccurring.
"Hey, Kmetko!" Brad's deep voice calls out to her. When his handsome face comes into her view, Emily turns to him, welcoming the distraction. "Everything okay out here?"
"Fine."
"Um, alright, cool," he says. "So, you're a girl."
"Thanks for noticing," Emily says sarcastically. Brad gives her a pearly white smile, which accentuates his strong jaw, so perfect it looks as if a world-class artist carved it out of marble.
"I just meant, you're a girl so you're an expert on girl things and not a loser like Rigs so I've still got a fighting chance here," Brad elaborates. Really, his smile screams ladykiller. Seeing him smile at her like that is almost enough to make Emily forget about her crappy mood. "Anyways, we're bored and arguing and you need to settle something for us."
"I'm not surprised. You two are the old married couple of the Shack," Emily says. Laughter comes from the kitchen and Brad joins in. They both know it's true. "What's it about this time? Hmm, who's the best BMX rider ever or who's the hottest Victoria's Secret model?"
"DAK! His flow is bombs!" Rigo shouts from the kitchen. "And any blonde on any beach!"
"No way. Wrong on both counts." Brad scoffs. "Matt Hoffman. Hands down. The guy has two BMX video games named after him and no one can even touch what he did for the sport. And Adriana Lima is a goddess."
Emily shakes her head. Oh, boys. "So what's the argument today?"
"Damon Young."
Emily's face drops. Her mood plummets. Even Brad's attractiveness can't distract her.
Oblivious, the pizza boy continues, "I happen to think his music is whiny and, well, sorta gay. I have no idea why chicks—and Rigo—are into that."
"Don't hate on taste! Damon Young's music, especially his early stuff, is awesome!" Rigo argues. He moves into view, wearing a hairnet (what a dork, no one enforces that rule here) and his flour-covered apron. "I'm sorry we don't all indulge is noise like you do, Brad. What's on your iPod? Wiz Khalifa and Drake, senseless chatter, man. Damon Young is an artist."
"More like a stoner," Brad says. "Have you seen pictures of that guy?"
"I wouldn't bet against you on that one," Rigo says. "What do you say, Em? Emily Tiebreaker Kmetko stepping into the ring. Can you please enlighten my musically uneducated friend?"
As tempted as she is to just storm out, Emily embraces the way her throat closes up like an allergic reaction to the sound of his name. She embraces the urge to break down (again) no matter who is or isn't there to witness it. Once she comes to terms with it, she fights it. Emily has wallowed over him long enough.
"Three words," Emily says. "One. Hit. Wonder."
Rigo winces dramatically, but it's swallowed whole by Brad's laughter. He holds his hand up for a high-five and Emily slaps his palm with hers, smiling despite the sick feeling she has inside. Emily heads back to the register and Brad proudly struts back into the kitchen, but Rigo remains, eyeing Emily suspiciously.
"Why'd you leave me hanging there, Em?" Rigo calls her out. "I distinctly remember past conversations in the break room where you'd gush over Damon Young and not just his smile or his eyes, but his actual music ability? I was kind of expecting that girl to have my back."
"I changed my mind. "Things change, Rigo. And when they do, all we can do is embrace it."
…
The Rock is destroyed. Defaced. Trashed.
Literally, there's trash everywhere. Garbage bags have been torn open and trash is scattered all on the floor. Apparatuses are disassembled, coated with raw eggs, broken shells crushed into the mats. Every room smells like paint fumes and no wall is left untagged. Unlike the precise, uniform eyes around Boulder, this graffiti is nonsensical, a mess just to be a mess.
When Sasha walks in and sees the inside of the Rock, his rage is clear. Everyone feels it radiating off of him despite the cool blue of his eyes. Feeling his mounting anger, Austin is revved up, downright antsy, and so Payson touches his arm and tells him to settle down.
"Well, we should start cleaning up if anyone expects to do any training today," Sasha says. Austin is surprised by his reaction, how he just lets it go, but Payson isn't. "I expect everyone to pitch in and help. The more we work together, the sooner things will get back to normal."
"But nothing is going to go back to normal!" Austin steps up. Payson has the urge to grab him by his leather jacket and tug him back in line. "Sasha, we just got our as—"
"Language." Sasha cuts him off. His eyes dart around the room, where many of the gymnasts are only in their early teens. He then turns to Austin, who should know better.
"We were majorly, majorly disrespected," Austin argues. "We can't just let whoever did this get away and think they won."
"I wasn't aware this was something to be won." Sasha crosses his arms and anyone that knows him at all knows isn't a good sign. "And how do you suggest we deal with this, Austin? Please. Tell me."
Austin doesn't have an answer, doesn't even move his mouth to try to come up with something. Austin is all action, never planning, very little thought before he does something. He only starts thinking it through when he gets into trouble and needs an out.
"As I expected." Sasha isn't trying to rub it in, just stating fact. "The important thing right now is gymnastics, the reason we gather here every day. To do that, we need to get this mess cleared out. Think of it as an exercise in teamwork. It shouldn't be a surprise that everyone, titleholders or not, elite or juniors, could use help in that department. Meanwhile, we'll look into the budget at the next staff meeting and possibly investing in better security."
Security? There goes the Four's traditional sleepover at the Rock.
"Let's get started, shall we?" Sasha starts to walk away, but then stops, addressing the crowd once again. "And one more thing, anyone who even thinks about seeking revenge should pack their things and find a new gym. Retaliation will not be tolerated. To be a Rock gymnast, to proudly wear your Rock jackets, means we're all held to a certain standard, of a high caliber. We're better than that and it will do all of you good to remember it."
Sasha directs the trainers and staff to get all the necessary supplies from the utility closet so they can start cleaning. Meanwhile, the gymnasts stand at the center of the gym, still in their street clothes, some in their cover-ups, no one knowing where to start.
"This is like, lame," Violet complains. A little rich girl who doesn't live too far from Lauren and Kaylie, she hasn't had to clean a thing in her life.
"You're one to talk. It was probably your stupid Denver Elite boyfriend who did this!" Scarlet growls. She's impulsive and shameless, opposite to Violet, critical and moralized, leaving Payson constantly stuck between the two, organized and realistic.
Violet narrows her cat-like eyes and steps up to Scarlett, getting in her face. "Keep your mouth shut. You know about the no dating rule and my boyfriend has nothing to do with any of this. If he did, he'd tell me about it. We don't keep secrets from each other."
Scarlet laughs right in the other girl's face. "Oh, if only you knew."
"Stop! Both of you!" Payson shouts. "I'm sick of you bickering all the time. I'm the one who has to be in Jacksonville days from now, competing at the World Cup. I don't have time to listen to this or stand around, not training. Now, you heard Sasha. Let's get going."
Violet storms off without comment and Scarlet sets her hands on her hips, wanting to say something, but instead turns up her nose and walks away. They may not like Payson, but they respect her. The designated leader of the elites desperately misses having the Four or Faith and Kelly in the gym, training at her side.
"Nicely done, Cap'n." Conrad comes up beside Payson and holds out a closed fist. In turn, the blonde bumps her knuckles against his—a Conrad Cooper sign of respect. With a nod, he directs her attention to Austin, who's staring off, silently fuming. "Give him some time. His ego's just a little busted. Now, let's show our Rock a little love."
It throws off their daily schedules, but eventually, they get the Rock cleaned up and safe enough to start training again. Although they try to make the best of it, the vandalism is all anyone can talk about and out of Sasha's earshot, of course.
"I don't know why there's such a big debate over who's responsible. It can only be Denver Elite," Becca says. While everyone is ready to put it past them, Becca can't leave it alone.
"See!" Austin looks accusingly at Payson, who doesn't want any part of this conversation. "Payson, even Keeler the Third thinks so. It has to be them. We all know what DE is short for."
"DouchE," Conrad says. Perfectly timed too.
Payson is ready to rain on their parade and she isn't sorry about it. "All I'm saying is I don't think we should be jumping to conclusions."
"Agreed," Austin says. He yanks on the zipper of his leather jacket and takes a quick look around at the remaining people in the gym, few and far between. In a quieter voice, Austin adds, "And once we're sure, we're getting even."
"No," Payson says, "Austin, you heard what Sasha said this morning. No retaliation. Do I really need to tell you how idiotic it is to call Sasha's bluff?"
"I'm with Payson on this one," Conrad says. At least someone sees how the consequences outweigh the benefits. "Aus, you aren't gonna do anything. Getting kicked out of the best gym in the country when you're gunnin' for the Olympics is downright dumb. I, on the other hand, am no longer a gymnast here, therefore can do as I damn please."
Payson frowns. "Connie, not what I meant."
"Atta boy!" Austin cheers, clasping Conrad's shoulder. "Pay, call KP. You know she'll sell out her gym for you and not even care. Call her and ask if Denver trashed our gym."
"I still think this is idiotic."
Austin gives her his begging puppy eyes and despite her better judgment, Payson goes through her list of contacts in search of Kelly's name. If not for Austin or gym pride then out of curiosity and as an excuse to call Kelly and see how she is. They've barely spoken since Valentine's Day, but according to Faith, Kelly is finally pulling it together.
When the phone finally stops ringing, Payson's bombarded with noise, so much so that she has to pull her cell a safe distance away from her ear. It must be loud because it distracts everyone from watching Austin and Conrad play the hand-slap game like two children at recess.
"Hello?" Payson says. "Kelly?"
"Naw, Kelly can't come to the phone right now. She's a lil' busy. Yo, who dis? You sound fine. What can Flex Jordan—best believe the baddest motherfucker in Denver—do for you, baby?"
Flex Jordan. And intoxicated, Payson would guess.
She frowns, not wanting to believe what she's hearing. What is Kelly doing with Flex?
"Flex Jordan, as in the best gymnast in the whole, wide universe, right?" Payson plays dumb, pulling upon Austin's Kobalt arm candy girls as inspiration.
Flex chuckles. "You heard right."
"I also heard that the Rocky Mountain Something gym got trashed last night," Payson says, with forced enthusiasm that makes her a little disgusted with herself. Her little act draws Austin and Conrad's full attention and the two wait for an explanation. "When I heard that, I thought to myself, the DE boys had to be behind it. Who else would be that badass?"
"Depends. Who wants to know?"
"A friend of Kelly's."
"Shit. Parker's got friends? Well, Friend of Kelly's, you're right. It was the easiest thing in the world, gettin' in there, having a little fun with Belov sleepin' right outside in his sardine can. Shit was cray. Now we're here at KP's for the victory party. You should head here and I'll show you how brave I can be…"
"Can't wait. Be there soon." Payson's voice goes monotone as she says those last few words and ends the call. Flex Jordan makes her skin crawl. She turns to her friends who're anxiously waiting for answers. "Flex told me himself. The elitists are responsible for the vandalism."
"I knew it!" Austin and Becca shout together.
"Pay, what's Flex doin' answering Kelly's phone?" Conrad asks. He tries to be casual about his question, but from the urgency in his voice, it's obvious his concern runs deep.
"Apparently, there's a party at Kelly's. This doesn't feel right. We need to go there now." Payson grabs her coat, turns to her younger sister and says, "Becca, tell mom we're going to Kelly's. I don't know what time I'll be home, but I'll call. And don't mention the party."
"I don't know, Pay…"
"Becks, it's Kelly," Payson says. Her sister nods. Kelly is practically apart of the family and Keelers take good care of their family.
As they get ready to leave, Payson calls Faith to see if she knows what's going on. When she answers, Payson can tell just by the sound of Faith's voice that she's upset. Payson brings up the party at Kelly's and Faith says she's with Nicky and they'll meet her at the Parkers House. Payson and the boys quickly get into Austin's sports car and head to Denver.
Last summer, Kelly's house served as the stage for the Livestream performance. Unlike the giant, isolated mansion Payson remembers, now there are cars packed bumper to bumper all along the long driveway and down the street. People everywhere, an older crowd, less teenage wannabes and more straight-up groupies. The boys are immediately drawn to Flex's car out front (with his vanity plate "FLEXXX1") and circle it like sharks drawn to blood.
Before Payson reaches the door, she hears Faith shout her name and the auburn-haired girl runs up behind her in an almost manic state, caught between worrying and wanting to kick ass. Nicky is with her, never too far behind. While Faith can't shut up, listing her grievances for Payson, Nicky is silent per usual. The three go inside and find an absolute madhouse.
"Are my eyes fucking with me? Faith Giancana!" A guy shouts, making his way over. He's short and muscular in the way elite gymnasts are. His head is completely shaved and his eyes are as red as his cheeks and ears. "Faith! Couldn't stay away from me, huh?"
"Oh, Joey, hey. Long time no see? Well, I'm a little busy, so…look who else is here!" Faith grabs Nicky by the arm and literally shoves him into Joey..
"Nicky Russo, you freak! What mad lab have you been hiding in, yo? Still training for the Special Olympics?" Joey hooks his arm around Nicky's neck and ruffles his hair.
With Joey distracted, Faith tugs Payson by the wrist and leans in close to her ear. "Joey O'Doherty, DE's court jester. We made out once like, two years ago on a dare from Kelly and no one will let me live it down!" Faith rests her hand on Payson's shoulder and uses it as leverage, rising to her tiptoes, attempting to see over the crowd. "Where is Kelly?"
"FLEX, GET YOUR STUPID PEOPLE OUT OF MY HOUSE! NOW!"
"I have an idea," Payson says.
The two follow the sound of Kelly's high-pitch scream and find her in the next room, making fists and bearing her teeth. All her aggression is aimed at Flex, who isn't the slightest bit threatened, relaxing on the couch with a scantily clad girl under each arm. He's wearing sunglasses indoors and Payson strongly doubts they're Kobalt brand.
"Joey's so drunk he almost kissed me," Nicky complains, walking up beside them in the doorway to the sitting room. "You're welcome, Faith."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we have bigger fish to nix, Nix."
"Kelly!" Payson calls out. "What is going on?"
At the sight of familiar faces, Kelly's rage drops to a slightly above normal level of annoyance. She walks over, her coffee-colored hair carelessly framing her face in teased waves since her signature buns have been taken down after a day of practice. When Payson gets a closer look at her gymnast friend, she notices how Kelly seems changed and a lot healthier.
"My house is a zoo!" Kelly shouts. "What are you even doing here? Tell me word about this stupid party hasn't spread to Boulder. This entire thing is a mess!"
"No. At least, I hope not. Flex answered your phone. I got a little worried so we came over," Payson explains. "Austin and Conrad are here too."
"We planned this a while ago," Kelly explains, "a sort of Fuck You Too, Dad, once he eventually left again, but that was before." Payson raises her eyebrows and Kelly scowls. "Oh, like you two weren't in the next room, listening to me and Mrs. K. Whatever. All I know is I am way too sober to see my house destroyed! I want them gone!"
"It'll be okay. Just breathe, Parks. I'm on it." Nicky reaches out and touches Kelly's elbow, moving his fingers in a comforting line up her arm. It shocks them all when Kelly doesn't violently pull away or start beating him, but instead, noticeably relaxes. Faith, on the other hand, digs her fingers into the back of Payson's hand, apparently not a fan of what she sees.
Before Nicky can walk past her, Kelly catches his arm. "I don't need you to save me."
"Friends help friends," Nicky says. "Let me help."
With her hand still on his arm, Kelly meets his gaze, eye contact in its truest, most intimate form. After a long moment of them communicating through looks alone, Kelly gives him a nod. Nicky nods back and goes over to the DJ.
"I swear, Kelly Parker, if he cheats on Kaylie Cruz with you I will kick both of your NK asses!" Faith shouts. She really isn't improving on the subtlety thing. Not that Faith is trying either.
Kelly laughs, amused. "Leave the ass kicking to me, Faye. You suck at it."
"I'm serious." Faith goes to stand right in front of Kelly, blocking the gymnast's view of her newly reinstated bestie. "Like I told Nicky on the drive here, I'm not friends with cheaters."
"So dramatic," Kelly says. "Honestly, Faith, I am not about to jump him so stop looking at me like you're expecting me to."
"It wouldn't sound so crazy if you could see the way you look at him!" Faith turns to Payson for validation, but she just washes her hands of it. "Kelly, that, seconds ago, eye spooning! Eye fucking's more adorable cousin. It was practically foreplay!"
Kelly smacks Faith's upper arm, not pleased with the observation.
"I have a question," Payson says. She's surprised when they turn to her and wait for her to go on instead of chasing each other around in Tom and Jerry circles. "What? When? How? Why?"
"Not important, Keeler."
"They're friends again," Faith says. "This morning officially when they went hiking alone, but she sorta initiated it yesterday. According to Kelly, she's giving him another chance because she can. And it freaks me out a little every time they so much as look at each other!"
"Okay, Faith, stop." Kelly playfully shoves her, pretending Faith's wide smile isn't contagious. "Now that Payson's all caught up, how do we get these freaks out of my house?"
A moment of quiet takes over and that's when the three realize that it's literally quiet. The music stopped. The girls all turn to the DJ, a lanky man with orange dreadlocks and oversized clothes, packing up his equipment as Nicky oversees. It takes only seconds for Flex to notice, get up off his ass and charge over like a wild animal going in for the kill.
"Yo, Ginger Dreads, what up, man?" Flex yells at the DJ. "I don't pay you to pull shit on me, white boy. Did I say you could stop?"
"Party's over." Nicky raises his voice while maintaining his usual callous air. "That goes for everyone!" Nicky shouts, glancing around the room. "I said the party's over! Go home!"
Flex takes a step forward in his custom Nikes and sizes up Nicky, who isn't about to back down. Kelly pushes her way through the crowd, trying to get to the center of the action.
"Who you think you are, son?" Flex almost laughs. "I sure as fuck didn't invite you."
"Fuck off, Flex," Kelly sneers. Despite being tiny in comparison to both the guys, she boldly moves between them, backing up against Nicky and trying to get him to step away. "He's with me. If you forgot, this is my house. You need to get your shit and your groupies and get out."
Flex falls back so he can frame both Kelly and Nicky in his line of vision. Trying to play it cool, Flex pulls his sunglasses to sit atop his head and smirks. "This your new boy, Parker? This guy does it for ya? He's got balls, fasho. I'll give 'im that much. Ha, can I watch when you tell Cooper about your new pasty boy? It never gets old, watching you reject the poor bastard."
Kelly is ready to attack Flex, but then Joey runs in, stealing the attention of the room. "Flex! Yo, dude, someone totally fucked up your Lambo! You gotta see this!"
Flex doesn't spare a second before dashing for the door, not hesitating to knock people down.
"Why the hell are the rest of you just standing around? Show's over!" Kelly yells. "You heard Nick! Everyone, out!" People begin to file out, unhappy about their fun being interrupted. Kelly sweeps her fingers through her hair and notices Nicky grinning at her. "What?"
"You called me Nick."
Kelly rolls her eyes. "Shut up and go check all the rooms." Nicky follows orders and Kelly's eyes linger on him until he completely disappears. Payson clears her throat and Faith anxiously twists from side to side. "What? I already know what you're thinking. Don't. I'm way more interested in seeing what idiot is stupid enough to mess with Flex's car."
Then it dawns on Payson. "Austin."
Without even addressing her friends' confusion, Payson makes a beeline for the front door, smoothly maneuvering around the bummed strangers. She walks down the driveway until she sees the aerodynamic sports car with a huge rear wing and stripes running down the length. Upon closer inspection, Payson notices the long, deep scratches in the door that spell out: revenge is a bitch.
It's no surprise when Flex picks Austin and Conrad out of the crowd. "You punk ass Rock bitches! The fuck!"
"Damn, I dunno, Flex." Austin smirks. "Well, there is this little thing they called karma."
"You're dead, Tucker!" Unlike when he approached Nicky, Flex has lost his cool completely. "We'll see how well you do in Jacksonville with broken ribs and a smashed in face!"
"Try me."
Flex lunges and Austin is prepared for it, but Conrad intervenes just as Payson runs up.
"Stop!" Payson shouts. "We're all supposed to be competing in a couple days, representing our gyms and our country. Look around! If the neighbors haven't called the cops to break up the party then someone surely will when you two start beating each other on the front lawn! Just, stop! The last thing any of us needs is bad press."
Taking a look around, many have their phones out, waiting to get the punches on tape.
"Keeler's right." Austin fixes the lapels of his leather jacket, still eyeing Flex and still ready if anything were to escalade. "DE douche, you aren't worth the effort anyways."
"Big talk. Too bad your gymnastics ain't as badass as your mouth is big, Tucker." Flex spits. He literally spits at Austin. "I've been meaning to change up the Lambo's look anyways. C'mon, guys, this shit's lame. We out."
"Quickest way to a man's heart is through his exhaust pipe," Austin says, watching Flex get in his car while the rest of his entourage scatters like ants. Austin is so full of pride, and when he turns to Payson, her expression is the exact opposite. "Pay, don't look at me like that."
"Sasha said no retaliation, Austin."
"He said that because he has to, but if he had legit evidence it was Denver Elite like we did, he'd approve. We don't call him the former bad boy of gymnastics for nothing."
Payson remains resilient in her refusal to agree with him and Austin frowns.
"Keeler…"
"Don't be mad at him, Pay," Conrad says. "I'm the one who keyed it."
"But you weren't the one egging him on, about to get into a fistfight!" she argues. "What if you did get into a fight, Austin? One click and it would have ended up on YouTube. The two top male gymnasts in the U.S. in a physical altercation days before the World Cup!"
"But it didn't, Payson."
"But it could have," she says. "Why would you even think to risk it?"
"Some things are worth fighting for," Austin says.
Payson shakes her head hard. "Pride is never worth it."
"Hey, it's okay!" Faith does what she does best—buts in. She goes to stand between her friends, going into counselor mode. "I'm the last person who should be lecturing on doing stupid things, but, Aus, Payson has a point. That was stupid. But, Pay, he's right too. Nothing happened. There's no use getting upset over nothing, right?"
Payson doesn't respond and neither does Austin. Their eyes lock, ignoring all else, engaging in an entirely different kind of eye contact, far from foreplay.
"Okay, Parks, I checked every room in the house. Everyone cleared out. We've got some cleaning to do, but no major damage." Nicky joins the gymnastics camp crew plus Conrad.
"Who're you?" Austin growls. He's still worked up from the almost-fight with Flex and the halfway-argument with Payson, in need of an outlet. Nicky Russo literally walked into this one.
"Jerk-Off," Faith murmurs.
The high school senior narrows his eyes, but mostly in confusion. "I usually go by Nicky. Hi?"
Conrad's eyes go to Kelly, who's oddly quiet. Everything about the way she carries herself says she'd rather be anywhere, but here right now.
"He's the one?" Conrad asks. "The infamous Jerk-Off? Kinda short, ain't he?"
"I'm 5'11 actually, which isn't that short," Nicky says. He's still confused as to why he even has to defend himself. "And how did I get this nickname?"
"Oh, sorry. No one told you? Well, would you rather we call you the Little Shit Who Ruined KP? Kinda long for a nickname, but, hey, it suits you." Austin stares Nicky down, succeeding in making him uncomfortable. Payson moves closer, feeling like she's been babysitting all day.
"Yeah," Nicky says. "I guess I deserve that…"
"You do," Kelly assures him. "But not from him. Back off, Austin."
"KP, don't tell me you're letting this guy back in after everything he put you through."
"Don't," Kelly hisses. "It's none of your business who I'm friends with or not."
"Actually, it is. It's all of our business," Austin argues, motioning around. "You made it our business with every time you turned into a drunk sloppy mess and we had to clean up after you. All because this Jerk-Off fucked you over! Why would you do this to yourself? Why would you want to run back to the thing that hurt you? I don't get it."
"Tuck, cool it, man." Conrad grabs him by the shoulder, pulling him away. "You're going into big bro mode and it ain't pretty. We should just…go home. Don't you think?"
"Con's right. Home stat, Handsome. We've got everything under control here." Faith gives Conrad a look and the boy with the crew cut gets the message, starting to drag Austin away.
Austin loudly exhales, rising and dropping his shoulders. He has all this emotion swelling up inside and doesn't know how else to expel it. "Yeah, okay. Pay, let's get you home."
"Actually, I think I'll stay here tonight." Payson looks to Kelly. "If that's okay."
"Anytime," Kelly says.
Instead of their usual hugs and teasing, Austin and Conrad say a quiet goodbye before heading home. That leaves Payson with the trio affectionately named "FKN" and a giant, trashed house. While they start cleaning, Payson calls home to tell her mom the plan.
"Can you believe the nerve of that guy?" Kelly complains as she dumps a plastic cup of beer into the sink. "I get that he was pissed thanks to Flex, but taking it out on me? And Austin doesn't even know Nick, but attacked him anyways. That is Shit List behavior."
"He was heated. It happens." Faith chimes in as the voice of reason. "Austin has a little sister so being protective is instinct. I see it in him all the time, especially last summer."
"He did have a point about me," Nicky says. "If I were him I'd hate me too."
Kelly stops what she's doing and gives Nicky a look so tender she doesn't seem like Kelly Parker at all or at least, not the one Payson is used to. Nicky brings out this side of her. Payson quietly wonders if either of them even realizes it.
"Hey, Nick, shut up," Kelly snaps. "What did we say this morning? Over it. Moving on. Out on the lawn, that wasn't even about you or me. Austin was just looking for excuses to be an ass. Payson, you should really tell your boyfriend to look into anger management."
"I've never seem him that upset before," Payson says. "I mean, I've noticed him more agitated and stressed lately, but tonight and even this morning with Sasha…Austin's like a ticking time bomb and it's getting worse."
"So, I'm guessing we should scratch Project Kelly's Intervention and consider having one for Austin instead?" Faith asks. She's mostly joking, trying to lighten the mood, but for a second, Payson finds herself seriously considering the idea.
Nicky tries to joke that Austin probably wouldn't enjoy the male strippers they planned to hire for Kelly's intervention and Kelly scoffs, annoyed that they thought she needed an intervention in the first place. As the pieces of FKN slowly start to form something whole, something new, Payson can't stop thinking about Austin. One of these days he really is going to explode and Payson's afraid she won't be enough to diffuse it.
...
Authors' Note: Hey, everyone! Miss us? Even better question: is anyone still reading this?
1) New chapters! Yay!
2) Girl in the Striped Scarf made us a Tumblr (creativedummyfanfix . tumblr . com) #bigleaguesyo
3) At our new, shiny Tumblr, you can find We Are Young vol. 2 a fanmix by Sparklespaz716, songs that go incredibly well with WeFaB and downloadable too.
Well, what'd you think? Hopefully, you're as excited as we are! If not, on the next Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? you get to see the Nickelly reunion! Nickelly & FKN fans, we're aware we put your hearts in a great big blender and hit purée for like, twenty chapters + LLD. Well, it's finally time for some mending…
Review.
#WeFaB #LLD2 #LLDforever
