Chapter 10 Tabitha #2
Camila snorts, flicking her hair on and off her shoulder. “Watch who you’re talking to.”
Kai broadens his frame, inching off his chair. “Oh, I’m aware.”
Yvie grabs Cammy’s arm. “Stop, Cammy. You know he hates women.”
At that, Kai sighs and sits firmly in his seat. “Yet, a guy kicks you and he likes you?”
Yvie scoffs, hugging her waist. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Kai’s brow lifts. “Clearly.”
“It’s okay, girls,” I cut in. “I got this. Go order your drinks. It’s cool.”
The girls lean into each other, whispering behind cupped hands and glancing back at us as they walk to the coffee shop’s front counter.
Good. They’re ordering to-go.
Kai wads up a napkin and hurls in the direction the girls have walked away. He then huffs and slouches. “I don’t use my brother.”
My mouth curves upwards with brightness. The sentiment has me feeling lighter, remembering my own brothers, who dragged us down here out of their love and concern for me. Then it hits me. Kai heard Drew admit to doing my last homework assignment.
“I don’t use mine either.” I cross my arms stiffly. “Drew was just looking out for me.”
Kai tilts his head, and there’s a softness in his eye contact. “You don’t need to explain yourself. I get it. I mean, Milo doesn’t do my homework. But I’ll admit I ask him for a starting point for most of my assignments.”
For the first time, my muscles loosen. “What else are brothers for, huh?”
“I guess.” Kai shifts, glancing at the girls waiting for their coffee orders. “What was Camila saying about Logan’s Point?”
“Oh, her father bought a few rundown buildings over there and is planning to redevelop them.”
“So, is he just focusing on the town?”
“What do you mean?”
He shifts in his seat. “They’re not doing anything outside of the town?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
His shoulders lower in relief. “Good.”
“Why do you care?”
“Because Logan’s Point is the best.”
I recoil, grimacing. “What?”
“Not the town, obviously. It’s a dump. But outside the town is da bomb.”
I snort. “Da bomb? Did you really just say that?”
He smirks. “Well, it is. There’s canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, and wicked roads to drive along.”
“How much time do you spend out there?”
“As much as I can get. If I could, I’d live out there in the summer.”
“I’ve heard my brothers talk about parties at Dead Left Cliff.”
“I hung off the edge there last month.”
A gasp shoots out of me. “No way. That’s so dangerous.”
“Yeah, but the danger doesn’t beat the adrenaline rush.”
A nervous laugh wavers out of me. “You’re crazy.”
“Have fun with your grungy boyfriend, Tabby,” Cammy calls out as she and Yvie giggle their way past our table. “Doesn’t he look like the type to call in a bomb threat?”
Kai’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why would you say something like that?”
Cammy doesn’t respond to him, and she and Yvie leave Village Coffee.
Kai has pulled out his phone and is hurriedly typing.
Unable to help myself, I lean over and glimpse his screen. His Google search reads: Garcia Family Home Made Bomb.
“What are you doing?” I screech.
“Don’t you think the way she said it sounded suspicious?”
“No, there’s no conspiracy here.”
Kai gives me an incredulous look. “Mm-hmm.”
I fold my arms in disgust. “There isn’t.”
He smirks. “Another story you girls made up.”
I don’t give him the pleasure of eye contact. “Whatever. At least we’re not the ones who dress in grungy clothes and carry around a stupid skateboard all the time.”
“Stop judging how I dress and what I do for a hobby. Do I stereotype you for having a manicure and texting all the time?”
“You’re always calling me a ditz or a witch.”
“That’s because of your personality.”
“Well, your personality isn’t exactly sunshine and roses.”
“But I’m never fake.”
My chin drops as my hand plants on my chest. “And you think I am?”
“I don’t think there’s a shred of a unique personality in your empty skull.”
I launch off my seat with such force that the chair topples backward. “How dare you!”
In a flash, he’s standing as well. “Then prove me wrong.”
“I don’t have to do a damn thing.”
“If you can stop shooting out venom when you speak, I’ll take it back.”
My eyes roll. “You’re just making me feel bad, so I’ll be nicer to your girlfriend.”
He lifts his index finger. “One, you should already feel bad.” He lifts another finger. “Two, she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Whatever.” I gather my notebook and pen case. “I’m done being around you. You’re a horrible excuse for a human being.”
“Right back at you.”
I groan, stomping away from the table and out of Village Coffee. I hate how many eyes followed me out. Ugh. Kai will pay for making me create such a scene.
I pull my phone from my pocket and hit Freddy’s number. “Pick up, pick up, pick up.”
“Hey. Done already?”
“I need to go home now.”
“Whoa. Cool your jets. I’m just near the bookstore. Walk down here. The car’s parked close by.”
“Okay.” I end the call and pocket my phone.
I march along the sidewalk as if the bookstore is my salvation. As I approach, Freddy leaves the store, sliding his Ray-Bans on and hitting the beeper for his car.
I jog the last few feet. “I've gotta get inside.”
“Or, you say, thank you, Freddy, for driving me home.”
“I’m not in a thankful mood.”
“Did you get any work done?”
I frown at him. “You shouldn’t have left me with him.”
We get into the car, and Freddy places a canvas tote bag with the bookstore’s logo on the backseat and then turns on the car’s ignition.
“What are you trying to do?” I ask, eyeing the bag over my shoulder. “Impress a girl?”
Freddy smirks, reversing the car onto the street. “She’d have to be some girl, huh?”
“I didn’t know Amber knew how to read.”
Freddy’s head tilts back with a laugh. “I am not trying to impress Amber.”
“Sure, sure,” I snigger. “Where’s Drew?”
He shakes his head. “I try not to ask those questions. If you don’t know, they can’t implicate you as an accessory to the crime.”
I tense up. “What crime do you think he’s committing?”
He waves me off. “Figure of speech. I dropped him off at home before coming back here. I just doubt he stayed there.” He then points over the top of the steering wheel. “Isn’t that your study buddy?”
“Huh?” I follow where Freddy’s pointing, and my hopeful mood obliterates. “Ugh.”
Freddy flicks his indicator on. “We should give him a ride home.”
I latch onto his arm. “What, are you crazy? No way. Keep driving.”
“Good lord, Tab, relax,” Freddy says, slowing the car at the curb. He lowers his window and leans his head out. “Hey, you! Want a ride?”
I squeak in mortification, slamming my hands over my face and lifting my knees to my chin.
Freddy whacks my leg. “Shoes off the seat.”
I huff, sliding my feet off his precious leather seat.
“I’m good!” I hear Kai’s voice call back.
“See,“ I complain. “Told ya not to pull over.”
Ignoring me, Freddy calls out the window, “Where ya headed?”
“Home.”
“Duh. Where’s home?”
“I don’t need those she-devils knowing where I live.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not worth your time, Fred. Let’s just go.”
Freddy turns to me with a skeptical look in his eyes. “He’s still calling you a she-devil. So, you two didn’t get any work done?”
I shrug. “We got enough done.”
He doubles down on the look. “Is that a big, fat no?”
“Freddy, I’m not working with him. Mrs. Field either has to reassign me, or let me do my assignment solo.”
“It doesn’t work like that. You need a partner for the assignment.” Freddy glances back at the sidewalk where Kai has walked well away from the car. “Is he really worse than Cammy? I can’t imagine she’d be much help.”
“Workwise, I’m sure he’s better. But at least I can handle Cammy’s mood swings. Kai is a very different beast.”
“Can’t you do your schoolwork without making crass comments?
” Freddy asks like he’s not asking the hardest thing ever.
“Cammy obviously can’t breathe without gossiping, but guys aren’t like that.
If you just do the work as fast as possible, you’ll be away from him in no time. I promise, Tab, it won’t kill you.”
“You’ll be answering to Dad if it does.”
He laughs, pulling the car back onto the street. “That’ll test Drew’s theory that I can do no wrong in Dad’s eyes.”
“How the heck did Drew get through an entire day of school without the correct uniform?”
Freddy shakes his head, letting out a low whistle. “I dunno, but I doubt Mom and Dad haven’t heard about it from the school.”
“Another screaming match in the house.” I give a sarcastic cheer. “Yay.”
“And that’s why I doubt he’s still home.”