Chapter 45 Tabitha #2
“Believe me, I’ve tried to reason with her,” my voice trembles, “but it turns me into the target. Gosh, I’m so grateful for Kai. He knows what’s really going on, and he protects me. Like at school, when he lets me sit at your lunch table.”
Skepticism is written all over her face. “That was protection for you? All you did was say snooty comments to me.”
My bottom lip quivers. “You thought I was snooty?”
“Yes. All those digs about me letting my grades slip and not putting in any effort.”
“I didn’t mean to sound harsh.” My hands clasp over the space above my heart. “Sometimes things come out of my mouth in a tone. I don’t even register it anymore.”
Jamie stands taller, her arms crossed. “You should listen to yourself more often.”
“I will. And I want you to know Camila doesn’t have your mom’s picture anymore.”
Jamie’s confidence shatters, expecting worse news to follow.
“I mean, she has the crummy picture on her phone,” I say, wishing I’d found a way to delete it. “But it didn’t spread because she didn’t have the original.”
“Where is it?”
“I took it.” My sigh hurts on the way out. “I was meeting up with Kai on his birthday, and he always raves about you. I just couldn’t let Camila taunt you with the image. So, I took it before I left for the skatepark.”
Her mouth hangs open, and she blinks, letting the words set in. “You did that?”
“I knew the photo on her phone wouldn’t blow up because it was low quality. She expected to take another photo with better lighting. I’m sure she suspects I took it, but I’ve played dumb.”
“She must be completely hating on you.”
“She’s not exactly happy I keep ditching them.
” I shrug it off, sinking into the relief Camila might be out of my life for good.
“Trust me, you don’t have to worry about her anymore.
Gosh, I just hope I can stop talking like her.
It’s automatic, and my parents always complain about it.
They’ll tell me I’m acting like a brat, and half the time, I don’t even remember what I've said.”
Jamie smirks. “My aunt calls me a brat, too.”
I glance at the computer screen. “It was too bad we lost the video link with her. Do you think you can get her back?”
“Hopefully. The storm is messing with the internet. But maybe I’ll ask Milo to take a look. Just in case it’s something else.”
“Or I could ask Kai,” I suggest with pride. “He’s handy with computers.”
Jamie grins slyly. “He is, but if it’s too slow or doesn’t do what he wants, there’s a good chance his fist will hit the keys or the screen.”
Jamie marches over to the twins’ booth, where they’ve demolished most of their burgers. I’m barely away from the counter, but I can hear them talk.
“Milo, I keep losing the signal with Maddy. Can you take a look?”
Milo slides out of the booth, dusting burger crumbs from his mouth. “Sure.”
Kai drops his burger, insulted. “Why didn’t you ask me?”
Jamie sniggers. “Because Milo won’t take it as a personal attack when it doesn’t work.”
“You have so much more faith in my brother than me,” Kai complains.
Milo moves over to the counter, but Jamie hangs back. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re with Tabitha to protect her?”
He flinches. “What are you talking about?”
I stop dead. Did Jamie not expect me to follow? I certainly didn’t expect her to talk about me.
“Tabitha said she sits at our lunch table for protection from her friends.”
“Oh, yeah, that. Well, it’s kinda true. Mostly, I just want her around.”
“Is she with you because she’s running away from her friends?”
Kai looks around as if searching for me. I swiftly turn and move away, overhearing, “What did she tell you?”
I make my way back to the meeting table and sit between Mom and Penelope, subtly watching my boyfriend whisper harshly at his friend.
No doubt defending me. I just hope it doesn’t blow up in his face.
Heck, Jamie and I were actually getting somewhere.
I want to go over there and tell him everything’s okay.
But something tells me I don’t want to overhear more than I already did.
“Did Jamie get the computer working?” Mom asks.
“Kai’s brother is taking a look at it.”
My attention goes to Milo at the counter. Christie Klein is talking to him, trying to convince him of something. My gaze flicks back to Jamie, who has also clocked the encounter. She’s intense as she watches them, as if she wants to shoo Christie away from him.
I knew it!
I knew there was something behind her eyes when I asked her about having a crush.
It’s Milo!
Kai’s twin brother.
The guy she’s been spending so much time with.
I gasp and turn to Penelope.
“What?” Penelope asks with concern.
The enthusiasm buzzing inside me dwindles.
What am I doing? Am I really about to blurt that something is going on between Jamie and Milo?
Have I learned nothing? I literally just told Jamie, I hope I stop acting like Camila.
I mean, just the other night, I was called out for spreading a false rumor about my own brother.
Gosh, I’ve gotta stop. I’ve gotta stop saying things just because it might make a good story. Might make someone like me for a couple of minutes. Might make me seem interesting.
“Nothing,” I say to Penelope. “Thought I saw something, but it was my imagination.”
I find Kai at his booth and smile at him. I’m no longer going to hurt people with stories I make up. Yeah, it could be true, but it’s not my story to tell.
I look back at Jamie and Milo and find them talking in hushed tones.
Dang, he looks just as into her.
But, if it’s true, they’ll let us know.
Kai’s important to both of them, and he should hear the truth from them.
Jamie comes over to the table and lets everyone know the video link is officially a bust. Mrs. Fisher thanks her for her time, and wants a quiet word with the rest of the ladies. When my mom is engrossed, yet again, in every word Mrs. Fisher says, I sneak away.
Kai is standing from the booth and is next to Jamie, who is shaking out her hands as if air-drying the sweat.
Kai beckons me over. “Hey, gorgeous.”
I clutch Kai’s hand. “How was your burger?”
“Awesome, as per usual.” He nudges Jamie. “Though I couldn’t help looking over there.”
“To watch me crash and burn?” Jamie grumbles.
“Don’t be so harsh on yourself,” I tell her. “You actually did really well. And the food and milkshakes speak for themselves. I already told Mom we have to come next Sunday for the pancake stacks. My brothers are like bottomless pits, so you might want to make extra batter.”
Jamie smiles at me. “Thanks, Tabby.”
A thrill ripples through me at the sound of my nickname. I look at Kai, and he’s wearing a joyous grin.
“Umm.” Jamie clears her throat, shifting her feet awkwardly.
“Look, umm, like… I never actually congratulated you two.” She takes a beat, nodding to herself.
“You two look like a nice couple and seem to want to spend time together. It tripped me out at first, but I wanted you to know, I’m happy for you. ”
Kai cheers and rapidly pulls an arm around Jamie. “Thanks, James. And sorry for the hostility earlier. Some people say I’m defensive.”
Jamie slides Kai’s arm away from her. “Ah, I just learned this makes Tabitha uncomfortable.”
Kai gives me a questioning look, but I’m quick to blurt out, “No, no, it’s fine.”
Jamie laughs, pointing between herself and Kai. “She thought something was going on between us.”
I wave my hands in front of me. “It’s nothing. Besides, Jamie told me the thought of being with you makes her sick.”
Kai pokes his tongue out at Jamie. “Ditto.”
I send Jamie a wink. “It put my mind at ease.”
Kai’s arms scoop snuggly around my waist, and he nuzzles against the side of my face. “Told you I don’t have eyes for any other girl.”
“It’s just taken a while to understand the history between you and Jamie. I’ve never seen a girl and guy be so close when they’re not a couple.”
“Why don’t we get out of here?” Kai whispers. “You can ditch the rest of this meeting, right?”
I look over and immediately frown. “No. Mom’s already giving me the stink eye.”
I make my way back to the meeting table, and Mrs. Fisher is standing and gesturing for Jamie to join us.
“Darling, you have the job,” Mrs. Fisher tells her. “We’d all be delighted to sign on Morton’s Café as caterers for our upcoming garden party.”
Jamie is jittering with excitement. “We got it? Oh, thank you, thank you for the opportunity. Aunt Maddy will be thrilled.”
Glee-filled Jamie goes into the kitchen, celebrating with the other workers.
“Wow, she’s psyched,” Penelope says beside me. “Good for her. She seemed so nervous during her presentation.”
“Yeah, she definitely has some social anxiety,” I reply. “But that was a heck of a breakthrough.”
Breakthrough indeed.
Jamie is happy for me and Kai.
She said, we look like a nice couple.
For someone who has spent weeks scowling at me, I call that huge.
“So, I’ll see you at dance class tomorrow?” Penelope asks with hope.
“Absolutely. I’m so happy to be back.”
“I’m glad you’re back, too. Maybe we can go out afterwards? Hot chocolates, or dare I say, ice-cream?”
I grin at her, my heart steeped in happiness. “I’d love that. I can eat ice-cream any day of the year.”
Penelope chuckles. “Magnificent. We’re going to get along great.”
“I hope so. And I hope you’re feeling better about transferring schools.”
Penelope exhales slowly. “I am. It’ll be tough to adjust, but it’ll be nice to have at least one friend.”
“We could all use one friend,” I agree.
When I’m finally released from the meeting, Kai and I go for a drive. The rain is settling, and Kai takes us out of Victoria Falls. The car winds through the mountains, and over the crest, a rainbow illuminates in the sky.
“Wow,” I gasp. “So freaking pretty.”
Kai pulls the car off to the side and parks. “Yeah, that’s wicked.”
I reach for his hand, and he envelops mine like it’s his natural reaction.
“I saw you talking with Camila’s step-sister,” Kai comments.
“Yep. We’re planning on getting ice-cream after dance practice tomorrow.”
The swirl of green and brown in his eyes light up. “Oh, cool. So, dance class is still a thing?”
I tug on his hand for emphasis. “Thank you for encouraging me to go back. I was so sure I was done with it. That I wasn’t the best at it, so what was the point of even trying?”
“But now you’re trying?”
I bite into my bottom lip and feel the butterflies in my stomach. “I’m having fun trying. I’m not worrying about what everyone else is gonna say, because I have you backing me up.”
Kai lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “I’ll always be in your corner.”
“My life is so much better with you in it.”
He smirks and his eyebrows bounce. “What about a little more adventure in your life? Imagine the sick drifts and burnouts we could do with the roads being so slippery.”
“Malakai Nelson,” I scold teasingly. “Please don’t do anything stupid while my dad is finally warming up to you.”
He throws his head back in laughter. “Tabby, you’re the only person who makes not chasing an adrenaline high worth it.”
I lean in, tracing my finger under his chin. “Well, I don’t know about that. We could get a little adrenaline by making out until the car fogs up.”
He sneaks a kiss, whispering, “You naughty girl.”
As our kisses increase in speed, I’m panting for breath and whisper against his lips. “I think I love you.”
He kisses me back, hard. “Girl, I know I love you.”
My heart hammers in my chest, feeling the protection and bound between us as I wear his hoodie. “Oh, I’m so in love with you.”