Chapter Seven
Thomas
I’m not sure what prompted me to drop a present off for Lainey. Even now it feels highly inappropriate. But when Luke mentioned it was her birthday, an idea popped into my head and I couldn’t shake it.
I haven’t been able to get her broken expression out of my mind since I walked away from her, and I kind of hate that I can’t do anything about it. That I can’t just knock on the door and ask if she’s okay. I can’t even ask Luke. While he’s pretty laid-back about almost all aspects of his life, he takes two things seriously—football and the bro code. And the most important rule—stay away from your friend’s sisters…or brothers for that matter.
He’s always had my back when it comes to that rule, calling out a few of our friends just because they’ve looked at Summer the wrong way. I can’t imagine what he’d do if it was Lainey. He’s never had to worry because she didn’t attend our school.
Not that I’m thinking about Lainey that way. She’s only just turned sixteen, and I barely know her. But if I asked about her, Luke would jump to that conclusion, and I’m not sure how to explain it. I don’t really understand it myself. I just know that I can’t stop thinking about her.
Summer’s sitting at the kitchen counter eating breakfast when I head downstairs the next morning, and as I sit down beside her, she glances my way with a sassy grin.
“What’s that look for?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Okay, it’s a little something,” she teases, holding her finger and thumb an inch apart.
“Spit it out.”
“Mom put one of my hoodies into your pile yesterday and I wanted it back. You know the oversized one that I stole from Logan.”
Yes, I know it. It always ends up in my room. No big deal other than the fact it’s annoying. I don’t know why that makes her look at me like the cat that got the cream. “I took the ‘no girls allowed’ sign down years ago, Sum. I don’t care that you were in my room.”
“Not even if I saw your new book?”
Goddammit. I internally grimace. “It wasn’t for me.”
“I gathered that.” She grins from ear to ear. “Who is she?”
“She’s no one.”
“I call bullshit. You’ve never bought a present for a girl. Ever. Like ever, ever. Not once. I can’t even remember the last time you got me anything.”
“Fuck off. I gave you new headphones last Christmas.”
Summer’s brow furrows as she pauses. “Okay, no need to curse. And you’re right. I love those. Back to mystery girl.”
“There is no mystery girl.” I try to protest, but she’s not buying it. Instead she stares at me, waiting me out. “Fine. Her name is L… Len-o-ra.”
“Len-o-ra?” she repeats, saying the name slowly like I did. “Nice name. Did you meet her at college?”
“Yyyes.” God, why am I acting like I’ve done something wrong?
Summer’s eyes narrow. “You’re being weird, and I will get to the bottom of it.”
“Have fun with that,” I say with confidence, snapping out of my ”weirdness” before jumping up to make myself something to eat.
Summer giggles and the sound of it makes me smile. She doesn’t laugh nearly enough. Not these days anyway. “I’m happy to have made you happy,” I say honestly, giving her a smile in return.
“Oh, Thomas. You made my year.”
She doesn’t ask any more questions, and I thank my lucky stars. I’m not a bad liar, and I’ve been known to come up with great excuses on the fly. But I hate lying to Summer. Always have. Even though I’m certain she’s lying to me. Or at least, keeping secrets.
“I have no plans today. Want to hang out?” I ask when we’re almost finished eating, before she’s had a chance to run off.
“You mean you don’t have plans with Len-o-ra?”
“I do not.” I smirk.
“What about your college or high school friends?” she asks, pushing the last of her eggs around the plate.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
Summer’s eyes flash to mine. “No, I’m…” she trails off and I get it.
“Shit. I’m sorry.” I really have been an ass to her lately. When I first started at Heartwood U, she’d stop by my room often to ask if I was free. But I’ve made so many excuses, she doesn’t bother asking anymore.
“It’s fine. I’m your little sister. I get it.” She smiles, but it’s not fine.
“That’s right. You are my sister. I’m going to make an effort. I promise. Starting today.”
“I’m busy.” She shrugs, and… what the hell? She guilt-tripped me for nothing.
“You’re busy?”
“I’m kidding. I’d love to hang out. Ice cream?”
“It’s cold out.”
“Your point?” She rolls her eyes and jumps up, grabbing Logan’s hoodie from the back of the stool.
“How about the movies instead?”
“Deal,” she says with a grin. “But you’re paying.”
Yeah, right. I laugh. Sisters.
“Want to grab some food while I get the tickets?” I ask when we arrive at the cinema and see the line.
Summer nods before holding her hand out for some cash, making me realize she wasn’t joking.
“Where’s your cash?” I ask as I hesitate. I’ve never had a part-time job, so any money I have still comes from Mom and Dad, and they don’t hand it out freely. “Let me guess, you’re storing it away so you can ditch this place when you turn eighteen.”
Summer frowns. “What money? I quit my casual job, remember?”
I do remember, but it was another thing she kept coy about. “What about Mom and Dad?”
“What about Mom and Dad?”
“Don’t they give you an allowance?”
“What?” Summer’s eyes widen and she bursts out laughing. But it’s one of those laughs that’s tinged with sadness. “I don’t get an allowance. Dad’s not happy I quit because my boss was one of his college buddies.”
“Then why did you quit?”
“It doesn’t matter. I had my reasons and Dad’s not happy.”
I want to push her a little, but I hold back. “They won’t give you money because you pissed off his friend?”
“That’s the excuse they’re using now.” Jesus.
“So they’ve never…”
“Nope.”
God, what do I even say to that?“I’m sorry, Summer.” I know Dad’s always treated us differently, but I thought Mom would have ensured things were more even.
“Don’t be sorry. I get by.” She shrugs again like she doesn’t care.
“Cory?” I assume.
“Her parents.”
“God, I love them.” I smile. Cory and her parents really are amazing, and I’m happy Summer has them when she needs to escape.
“Me too,” she says wistfully. “So…the cash?”
“Here.” I reach for my wallet to find my back pocket empty. “Goddammit. I left my wallet in the truck. Hang on. I’ll be back.”
Summer playfully rolls her eyes like it’s just an excuse. “I’ll wait in the line,” she says, “but you better be quick.”
I huff out a laugh as I make a run for it, knowing we only have ten minutes until the movie starts, and I’ve just made it outside when I crash straight into someone walking on the sidewalk. “Jesus. I’m sorry,” I rush out as I grab her arm, stopping her from falling.
“It’s not your fault, dear. I wasn’t paying attention,” the old lady says, a small smile lighting up her face. “You don’t happen to know where the pharmacy is, do you?”
After a nervous chuckle, I can’t stop my responding grin. “Yes, I sure do. You’re almost there. It’s just…” I trail off when my eyes lock on Lainey’s, a mischievous smile on her face. “Sorry. It’s just down…down the next street, on your left.”
“Thank you. We need more kind souls in this world.” She pats my shoulder and heads off, her eyes glued to the cinema door as she walks past.
“I happen to agree with her,” Lainey says as she approaches. “We need more kind souls in this world.”
“That we do.” I laugh, grabbing her arm to guide her out of the path of a kid pushing a stroller. “I see you caught me almost running over an innocent grandma.”
Lainey giggles as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes flashing to the kid as he rushes by, a frantic parent carrying a crying baby behind him. “How do you know she’s a grandma?” she asks with raised eyebrows.
“That’s easy. Her necklace was one of those hologram photo things. I could see three kids.”
Her eyes widen but she shakes her head to hide it. “Very observant of you.”
“What can I say? I pay attention.” At least I did before noticing you.
“I can’t argue with you there. Are you seeing a movie?”
“I am. With my sister.” I smile. “What about you?”
“No, I’m just grabbing some lunch in between reading.”
“School work?”
“A Walk To Remember.”
“Interesting choice.” I bite back a grin, intently watching her expression for any clues on her feelings.
“It is an interesting choice. Not one I would have chosen for myself, but I’m enjoying it. I only stopped because I can feel the heartbreak coming and I’m not ready.”
“Yeah, it hurts—I’m not going to lie.” I laugh until Lainey’s expression turns serious, her piercing gaze locking with mine.
“Thank you for the present,” she says softly, her eyes full of warmth. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know. But everyone should experience that pain once in their life.” I play it off as a joke, but seeing her smile makes my chest tight. Luke or no Luke, I’m glad I gave it to her because somewhere along the way, seeing her happy became important to me.
The door to the cinema opens again, giving me a clear view of Summer pacing in the foyer. “Shit.” I laugh, breaking our moment. “I have to go.” I don’t want to but I have to. “My sister will kill me if we miss the trailers.”
“Of course.” Lainey laughs. “Go. I’d be the same with Luke.”
“Thanks. It was good seeing you again.”
“You too, Thomas. And thank you.”
I smile as I grab my wallet from my truck before making it inside with only a minute to spare.
“What happened? Did you run into Len-o-ra?” Summer teases when we sit down, and I almost spit out the sip of water I’d taken.
“No.” I laugh as I choke. “I ran into an old lady. Literally. I had to wait with her for a minute.”
“Jesus. I’m surprised she’s still walking. Someone bulked up a little since going to college.”
I laugh even louder, drawing the attention of those sitting around us. “You’ve noticed?” I say skeptically.
“Nope. Logan did. He thinks one day you’re going to deck him.”
“Why would I want to deck him?” I mean, I do…but I’m curious as to why he thinks I would.
“Just the looks you give him. But don’t worry. I keep telling him you’re just jealous of our friendship.”
“Yeah. Okay. That’s it.” I give Summer a gentle nudge, and when she starts to sass me again, I cut her off. “Shhh. The movie’s starting.”
She bites back her smile before turning to face the screen, and I can’t help but smile to myself.
I miss this. I miss Summer. I miss our relationship.
I’m going to be better. I have to be.
The following Friday night, Luke throws another party, but this time I don’t make an excuse to stay away. In fact, I seek him out for information, wanting a chance to chat with Lainey again.
Luke stays by my side for most of the night, and I almost call him out on it, needing to know if he’s babysitting me. Trying to catch me sneaking away. But by eleven p.m., I have my answer.
“Come on. Just one shot,” he says, handing me said shot, not taking no for an answer. “I’m starting to stress, man. I haven’t heard from Heartwood U about next year, and I don’t want to go anywhere else. I need that scholarship. It’s my life.”
I pause with my fingers wrapped around my glass. Luke is one of the most optimistic people I know. If he’s telling me he’s worried then we’re beyond minor freak-out mode. He never lets the small things get to him.
“You’ve still got time. The offers have only just started going out and—”
“I know, I just… What the fuck will I do if I don’t get it?”
“If I got in, you will.” I push his drink closer to his hands and stare at him pointedly. It’s not a lie. He’s a great football player, but he’s also really smart. He’s that guy that finishes a test in record time without even having to try, and because of that, everyone assumes he’s failing. But I know the truth—he’s helped me multiple times. It seems we’re all a little messed up about our futures—Luke, me…Lainey.
Lainey.
I can’t sneak away from him now. Not after that confession. Not when I know what he’s going through. The unknown. The worry. I have to be there for him. No matter how badly I want to be somewhere else. So I stay, knocking back shot after shot, keeping Luke company. At least, I watch as Luke knocks back the shots. I only participate about every fourth glass.
We talk about a lot of things, but Luke doesn’t bring up college again, and by the time the party ends and his parents come home, he’s ready to pass out. Not wanting to leave him alone, I somehow manage some pleasantries with his mom, hiding Luke’s drunkenness, before walking us both into the living room and dumping him on the couch, almost falling myself. My eyes threaten to close, but I hold strong, and when the house finally falls quiet, I’m on a mission.
After heading into the yard, I stand below Lainey’s window, wondering how to get her attention. I’m about to call out when I kick a rock and an idea comes to mind.
It’s not until I miss my target twice that I have to admit I might be more drunk than I first thought. But the next few tries make that perfect little ping sound against the glass, and all’s right in the world again.
I launch another rock just as Lainey peers through her curtains, making me freeze in place. She quickly closes them again as if startled, before slowly opening them wider, followed by the window. All while I just stare at her like a statue waiting for her to notice.
“What are you doing?” she whisper-yells the second she sees me, snapping me out of my weirdness as a smile lights up my face.
“I’m saying hi,” I yell back, louder than I should before covering my mouth. “Sorry,” I yell again, my eyes flashing to the stairs.
Her room sits above a flat part of the roof, next to a deck with stairs that lead to the yard. It’s how I got up there when I dropped off the present. It’s really an oversight by her parents. Although, maybe that’s why it’s Lainey’s room instead of Luke’s. He’d be sneaking girls in every night.
“Stay there.” She shakes her head as she flips her leg over the windowsill. “I’m coming down.”
“Don’t be silly,” I finally whisper, trying not to laugh. “I’m coming up.”