25. Car Trouble
twenty-five
Car Trouble
“ Y ou have the best view from here.” Jasmine is sitting on my bed looking out the window.
“What are you talking about?” I lean over and follow her gaze. Across the driveway, Jacob, Gage, and Nathan are tearing shingles off the roof of the old house. It's been an unusually dry December. They’re trying to get it done before the roofing company gets here or it starts raining.
“Too bad it’s not hot enough for them to take their shirts off,” Jasmine says.
“Yeah," I like the mental picture.
Jasmine rolls over on my bed dramatically. “And too bad they only have eyes for you.”
“You mean they only have eyes for you.” I go back to straightening my hair. Since the bowling date, it seems like Gage and Jaz are each other’s latest fling. Since both of them have the attention span of a gnat when it comes to romance, I’m not too worried about it.
“What about Nathan? He would probably be good for Taryn, but he doesn’t seem to have any interest in girls at all.”
“He spends all of his time at his computer when he’s not working on the house. He’s shy, not like Jake or Gage.” I unplug my straightening iron and pick up my purse.
“If there were a polar opposite of shy, it would be Gage,” Jasmine says.
“We’d better get going. I have to be back by six to teach my class.” We’re taking advantage of my morning off to go Christmas shopping.
“Maybe we should just stay here and window shop.” Jasmine leans her arms on the windowsill.
“C’mon, Jaz. Can you say new clothes ? Can you say sale ? That’s better than guys any day.”
“Speak for yourself.” Jasmine reluctantly turns from the “view” and follows me out of my room.
Gage waves at us when we come out of the house. “Hey, where are you guys going?”
“To the mall,” Jasmine yells back.
“Can I come?” Gage asks.
“Yes!” Jasmine squeals.
“No.” Nathan clamps him on the shoulder. “Today you’re going to work.” Gage has a habit of skipping work to hang out with me and my friends. I think it drives Nathan crazy.
“Where’s Matt?” Jasmine asks as we climb in the car.
“Off with Kendra. Dad’s going to kill him when he finds out that he ditched working on the roof.
” I turn the key to my car. It sputters for a minute and then roars to life.
I wonder if Jacob notices the noise. My car sounds rough again, especially when I first start it. I don’t want to bother him with it.
“Do you think those two will get married?” Jasmine adjusts the car’s heater. Clear skies mean the weather is colder.
“Probably, but not for a while. Matt officially joined the Army.”
Jasmine makes a face. “Why did he do that?”
“He has to do something to pay for college. Jake talked him into it. I’m not sure how keen Kendra was on the idea. Mom was definitely against it, but it’s done. He leaves for basic training next month.”
At the stop light the Nag sputters. I put it in park and rev the engine. The guy in the car next to us looks over at us, either checking us out or trying to figure out why the engine is making so much noise.
Jasmine checks him out, but I guess she doesn’t like what she sees because she looks back at me.
“That’s crazy. There’s this whole war going on.
” Jasmine brushes her fingers through her hair and checks her face in the visor mirror.
“My cousin, Ray, just got home from Iraq. Aunt Carmen was stressed out the whole time he was gone. She lit candles in church every week until he came home.”
I concentrate on the road and don’t answer. I keep hearing news reports about more troop deployments. I don’t like to think about the possibility of Jacob or Matt going to war.
“Ugh. Why is it so packed?" Jasmine says when we pull into the parking lot.
“Um. Christmas?” I pull out my list. “Which stores were you thinking? Who do you need to shop for?”
“Oh yeah. Mostly me. My winter wardrobe is seriously impoverished. Dad gave me some early Christmas money.” Jasmine heads for the nearest clothing store. One I can’t afford. She has no idea what the word ‘impoverished’ means.
“I have people I need to shop for. This is my only day,” I protest, but she isn’t listening.
Jasmine easily spends twice as much as me and as far as I can tell, she only get things for herself.
I spend half the time agonizing over whether I should get something for Jacob.
I finally settled on the same box of chocolates for him and his brothers.
Not very personal, but at least it’s something.
“I’m beat,” Jasmine says as we’re picking up smoothies at the food court. “I can’t believe you’re going to teach kickboxing after this.”
“Thanks for reminding me. We need to get going,” I look at my phone. It’s getting late.
Jasmine takes a sip of her smoothie. “One more stop and then we’ll head home. I saw a to-die-for skirt on the way over here, something perfect for New Years.”
The to-die-for skirt is followed with a pair of silver heels and a sequined blouse. “It’s all on sale. Almost half price,” Jasmine says admiring herself in the mirror. “You should be proud of me.”
“It’d better be half price,” I answer, “there’s only about half the fabric.”
“Yeah, but it makes my butt look fabulous.”
I roll my eyes, but she’s right.
“You should try the green one,” Jasmine says.
“No,” I glance at the time. “We need to go.”
She steps out of the dressing room, still wearing the blouse and skirt and starts searching through another rack. “You need to play up your assets more, Jess. You worked hard for that body. It’s okay to show it off.”
“I just went Christmas shopping. I don’t have money for new clothes and I don't need anything.”
She eyes my clothes, the usual jeans and t-shirt.
“Yes, you do. The sporty tomboy thing makes you look about twelve.” She holds up a pair of stretchy blue shorts, about four inches shorter than what I usually wear.
“To work out in.” She pulls out a black skirt and holds it up to me.
“And this for New Years. I bet Jacob would notice if you wore this.”
I turn red and start to protest. “We’re just friends...he’s way too old--”
“Yeah, right. You don’t believe that, and neither do I.” She shoves the clothes into my hand. “I’m not leaving until you try both of these.”
I walk out in the skirt. It’s simple, not as short as the one she’s wearing, but tight. Jasmine whistles as I turn around in it, so does a guy standing next to the counter.
I turn to give him a look and realize who the whistle belongs to.
“Jess, you look insanely hot in that. You should get it.” Brad moves closer. “And wear it to the party.”
“Party?” Jasmine says.
The skirt suddenly feels very bare. Brad and I have settled into a mutual understanding of avoiding each other at school, but it still makes me nervous every time I’m around him, and right now he’s standing way too close for comfort. “New Year’s, Grant’s parents are going on a cruise.”
Jasmine stands in front of him, her arms crossed. “It’s an open invitation, right? We can bring whoever we want?”
Brad thinks for a second he says slowly, “Sure. Grant’s house is huge, a few extras won’t make a difference.”
“Maybe we’ll see you there,” Jasmine says.
Not a chance in hell, I think, but I say, “We need to get going, I’m going to be late for work.”
“Throw me the skirt,” Jasmine says as I hurry to change. “I’ll take care of it.”
I hand it over the top of the dressing room. “What’s the deal with you telling Brad we’re going to the party?”
“It’s a party, right? Something to do on New Years. Maybe you could get Jacob to come.”
“High school party? No way. I was thinking of a quiet game night at home for New Years.”
“Yeah, Gage isn't going to go for that.” Jasmine steps away before I can answer. I finish getting dressed and find her at the checkout counter.
She hands me a bag with the skirt inside. “Merry Christmas, and I bought you the shorts too. You need something cute to wear to your class.”
I take the bag. It’s too late to argue with her.
“You have plenty of time,” Jasmine says as she trots to keep up with me on the way to the car. “It only takes about a half hour to get home.”
“As long as there isn’t traffic.” We throw the bags in the trunk and climb in. "And there's always traffic." As soon as I turn the key, I know we’re in trouble. The engine whirs, but refuses to turn over.
I slam my hand against the steering wheel. I’m adding up the time, trying to figure out if there’s time for Mom to come pick us up, and then get me back in time for my class. I don’t even think she’s home. She said something about going shopping with Trina. “I’d better call work.”
“Can someone else take your class?” Jasmine asks.
“I don’t know.” I hate the thought of them scrambling to find someone to cover my class, plus it makes me look irresponsible. I try the car again. When I turn the key, I hear a familiar click.
Frustrated, I shove the door open so hard that the person standing next to my car has to jump sideways to avoid being hit. “Sorry,” I mutter. I’m not looking at the guy I almost whacked.
“No worries,” he says. I look up, startled, and find myself staring up at Brad for the second time today. “What are you...Are you following me?” I stammer.
“I promise, my intentions were good.” He opens his hand to reveal my silver locket. I don’t wear it anymore, but I still keep it in my pocket. “You dropped this in the dressing room. The clerk asked me if I could get it back to you. I knew it was important, so I ran to catch up.”
I take the necklace from him, feeling ashamed of my reaction. “Thanks.”
He leans into the open door. “Is there something going on with your car?”
I look away from his gaze. “No, it’s fine I just–”
“Jess is going to be late for a class. Could you give us a ride?” Jasmine breaks in.
“Oh, no, that’s okay,” I shake my head.
“I don’t mind. I was just heading home.”
I glance at my phone. Brad is my only hope of making it to work on time. “I guess... sure, thanks.” I let Jasmine climb in first so she sits next to Brad on the bench seat. I sit by the window.
Brad drops Jasmine off first and offers to wait while I change into my workout clothes, so he can take me to my class. I have to say yes, I don’t know who’s at the house and Brad might be my only ride.
Jacob is putting an armload of old shingles in the dumpster when we pull up. I jump out of the truck and sprint for my house hopelessly hoping he didn't see me.
My room is a disaster and I haven’t had time to do laundry.
I dig through the piles of clothes but I can’t find anything to wear to the gym that doesn’t stink.
I grab the shorts Jasmine bought for me, rip the tags off, and pull them on.
My only clean work-out shirt is a white tank shoved in the back of the drawer.
I put it on and twist my hair into a ponytail while I run back to Brad’s truck.
Brad is standing outside, leaning against his truck when I come out. “Ready?”
“I guess so.” I glance at Jacob. He watches me climb into the truck. I can’t read his expression, something like disbelief, concern, maybe annoyance? I avoid his eyes.
Brad guns the engine and peels out in the gravel driveway.
I lean over to buckle my seatbelt. “Nice shorts.” Brad says.
I look down. The shorts are riding up my hips. I tug at them, but there isn’t enough fabric to cover what I want to cover. I feel exposed. I pull down the vanity mirror to check my ponytail.
“Relax, you look great.” He reaches over and puts his hand on my thigh. I jump and he moves it. “Sorry. Old habit.” But he grins like he’s not sorry.
I scoot closer to the door. I’m torn between feeling grateful to Brad for being willing to help, and not trusting him.
“Nervous?” he asks.
“I’m just worried about making it to my class.”
He puts his foot down harder on the accelerator. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you there on time.”
I fumble through kickboxing more than usual. Brad is watching from the balcony above the gym. He said he wanted to stay and take me home.
He’s waiting at the door when I walk out of the gym. “Ready to go?”
“I guess so.” But he doesn’t move. Brad is standing between me and the exit. There’s a wall behind me. I’m trapped.
He reaches for the strap to my tank top and rolls it between his fingers. “You don’t have to go straight home, do you?”
“Actually I—” I step back into the wall. I'm trying to think of a reason I have to get home.
“I’m free tonight. We could go out.”
I slide sideways along the wall until I’m on the other side of him. “I’m not sure that’s—”
“Jess, wait.” He lowers his eyes like he’s trying to work up the courage to say something. When he looks up, his face looks unsure. “I’m really glad I ran into you at the mall. I’ve actually been hoping you might be willing to give me another chance.”
I’m already shaking my head. “Brad, I–”
He puts his hand on my arm. “Please, Jess.”
I look for a way to escape. As if on cue, Jacob walks through the door with Gage behind him. A flood of relief hits me.
Brad sees them too and drops his hand. “What are they doing here?”
Jacob answers. “I came to pick up Jess. I didn’t think she had a ride home.” He moves closer to me, effectively blocking out Brad. "You didn't answer your phone."
“I had it in my bag during class,” I answer. Gage moves to the other side of me.
“She has a ride,” Brad says, but he doesn’t sound sure of himself.
“Her dad asked me to take her to the mall to pick up her car,” Jacob replies. “He wants me to get it started.” I’m not sure why he’s lying. He knows my dad is out of town.
“You can do that without her,” Brad says. “She parked on the east side, by the main entrance. It will be easy to find her car.”
I look from Brad to Jacob. I can feel the tension between them. “I need to go home and take a shower.”
“Right. I’ll take you home.” Brad smiles. “You can change and then we’ll go.”
“I could go for a night out,” Gage breaks in.
Brad narrows his eyes at Gage. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
I’m grateful for the distraction. “This is Jacob’s brother, Gage.”
Brad laughs. “Sure Gage. We’ll pick up Jaz and the four of us can go out." Brad turns his back on Jacob and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I promise it will be more fun than hanging out in the rain waiting for him to fix your car.”
Jacob is behind Brad. I can’t read his expression. “I’d better go with Jacob.”
“Your loss,” Brad shrugs.
I look up at him. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime, Jess.” He smiles down at me, the way he used to, the way that used to melt me. He curls a piece of hair that’s escaped from my ponytail around his finger. “Don’t forget about New Years, kay? I can’t wait to see you in that skirt again.”
Before I can answer, he brushes past Jacob and out the door.