Chapter 2 #3
I stand up straight as my jaw drops. My sympathy mode is activated, and I lay a hand on his wrist. I am not a physically demonstrative person, but I can’t seem to stop touching him.
“Drew! Was juvie awful? Why didn’t they give you community service or something?
But juvie! I’m sure it wasn’t done with malicious intent. ”
He bursts out laughing. “I’m kidding! I’m kidding!”
I pull my hand away before bringing it back in a light slap along his upper arm. “Andrew Yarrow, that is not funny.”
He’s still laughing. “That joke moves me to full name territory?”
“One hundred percent.”
“Are you sure?” He points to my mouth. “Because there is a little baby smile there.”
Dang it, he’s right. I squash it down. “It’s still not funny.”
“Sorry, but with all the bike stealing I knew you’d buy it.”
I study him, once again captivated by those green eyes. “So it really is a joke? You weren’t in juvie?”
He lifts his right arm, as if swearing an oath. “A joke, I promise. This is why I liked you when I was a kid, Stella. You always see the best in people.”
I blush from the compliment. “Will you tell me the truth now?”
“My mom moved us to Blissful the summer before I started middle school. It’s the best thing that happened to me. To all three of us, honestly.”
“I know that place,” I say. “I’ve driven through it before.”
His smile grows. “Nice. A lot of people have no idea Blissful exists.”
I nod. “Yeah, Mallory and I passed through on the way to hike Rincon Peak a few years ago.”
His eyes widen. “You hiked Rincon Peak? I did once and thought I would die.”
“The hike is brutal, but the views are breathtaking. Worth every step.”
“I do not endorse that statement.” He’s shaking his head and looking at me like I’m crazy.
Andy Jr. growing up to become such a charming man did not seem feasible fifteen years ago. Him ending up in jail did appear to be the likely outcome, not that I will admit that to him for a million dollars.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Blissful’s Apple Jamboree,” I say. “I’ve never made it.”
He drops his chin and raises both eyebrows. “I can’t believe you know about Apple Jamboree and you haven’t come. It’s the pride of Blissful. When someone visits once, they usually come back. It’s that kind of place.”
His love for Blissful is obvious. I look at the busy street and the strip mall, trying to block out all the noise. I love Tucson because this is where my family lives and where I grew up. It’s comfortable and familiar. But a small town life has always sounded appealing to me.
“I need to come visit.”
His face brightens. “You should come to Apple Jamboree this year. It starts the second week of September.” He does a mental calculation. “Wow, that’s only a month away. I’ll be your tour guide through town and show you the best places to eat.”
Mallory is cutting me out of her life, but Drew wants me to be a part of his. It’s surprising.
“I should,” I say, only sort of meaning it.
It’s easy talking to him on my porch, but spending a whole day with him?
I’ll run out of things to say in under an hour, and he’ll discover I’m an awkward mess.
I do better when I have a friend with me before venturing into unknown social waters.
Which is why Mallory and I have always gotten along so well: everyone focuses on her, and I get to speak only when I want to.
“I know Lauren would love to see you,” Drew says.
My heart melts a little at the reminder of his younger sister. “I would love to see her. What’s she up to?”
“She works at the bakery, though right now she’s on maternity leave. She had a baby boy two months ago. Her first.”
That blows my mind. “No way! I still think of her as a little girl. How old is she now?”
“Twenty-five.”
I cover my eyes with a hand. “I forgot she’s Roe’s age. That makes me feel so old.” Everything lately makes me feel old. I shake my head and pull my attention back to Drew. “Okay, so you moved to Blissful and you love it. What else?”
“I didn’t love it at first. It took a few years. My mom remarried and that helped. My step-dad’s great.”
“Oh! That’s so wonderful.”
I love a good love story, and it sounds like his mom’s is a good one.
“It was,” he says. “It is. They’re disgustingly happy. He helped me grow out of my rebellious stage, and I started working at his hardware store. I manage it now. I’m also a part-time handyman.”
“Why part-time?” I ask.
“Because running a hardware store is my first priority.” He leans back against the railing and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “What do you do for a job?”
The question brings me back to my life. For a while, talking to Drew, I was able to forget about Mallory and Caleb and my temporary work responsibilities. It all comes rushing back and for a few seconds I get lost in the pain.
“I work for the public library. I’m a librarian.”
His permanent smile grows. “That is the exact job I would predict for you. I bet you’re everyone’s favorite book lady.”
Drew hands out compliments like I pass out stickers to kids after story time. Like he just wants to make people happy. It’s impossible to be sad when his grin is so big.
“I don’t know about that,” I say.
He must pick up on my gloom.
“You don’t like it?” he asks.
“No, I love it. I do. It’s just …” I pause. Am I really about to admit my dissatisfaction with my life to Drew? The way to give people a good impression is to be upbeat and never complain. I want him to think well of me, even if I never see him again after today.
“It’s just?” he prods.
“I feel the need to shake things up a bit. I’m feeling … bored.”
“I’d suggest working for the library in Blissful, but we don’t actually have one.”
“No library?” I say. “The travesty. Have you ever thought about moving back to the city where you have any number of libraries to choose from?”
He shakes his head. “Small town life suits me. I know everyone, if not personally then by reputation. The streets are quiet at night. I can lay out in my truck bed and see a billion stars while I listen to crickets chirp and owls hoot.”
All I can hear now are the cars passing on the street and the muffled music from inside. Both of us look up at the darkening sky. There are only a few stars visible. When the sun completely sets, more will show up, but not a billion.
“That sounds wonderful,” I say.
“It is.”
The lull in our conversation isn’t awkward. It’s … nice. Companionable. Unfortunately, it gives me a chance to wonder if I should ask about Caleb and Mallory. The answer will hurt, but I need to know and Mallory isn’t forthcoming. I take a deep breath and go for it.
“What do you know about Caleb and Mallory’s relationship?”
He shrugs. “Probably not as much as you.”
“Try me.”
“Um … their first date was April Fools Day.”
April first. Only a few weeks after that first karaoke night he attended. April first. Four and a half months ago. I don’t remember what I was doing that day, but somehow she went on a date and didn’t mention it. I still can’t believe it.
“He fell in love within a few weeks,” Drew continues. “He won’t stop talking about her. It’s annoying. Everyone in the family knew today was coming. We’re all fans of her, so that’s good. Caleb’s brother Jonas dated a girl last year who his parents hated. He eventually ended the relationship.”
What’s so special about today?! I want to ask. I don’t. Too many secrets. Too many revelations. Jonas’ situation is a great distraction from how much Mallory’s actions hurt me.
“How sad for Jonas,” I say. “I can’t imagine my family doing that if I loved a man. Unless, was she horrible?”
“I liked her, but she was on the quieter side which didn’t endear her to his parents. Also, she didn’t have what they called ‘ambition.’ She worked as a cashier in a clothing store. That isn’t good enough for the Caldwells.”
“Why not?”
He scratches his cheek and purses his lips as if he regrets having to tell the truth. “They’re kind of … well, snobs.”
Before I can comment, the door opens and Jonas himself sticks his head outside. Beyonce’s “All the Single Ladies,” surrounds us.
“Caleb’s ready after this song,” Jonas says.
“Be right there,” Drew answers.
Jonas goes back inside, and Drew turns to me. “Stella, I’m not letting you forget about your promise to visit Blissful.”
“I wouldn’t call that a promise.”
His green eyes spark as he smiles. “I do.”
He opens the door then follows me in and grabs the guitar from the case. When the song ends, Caleb takes the mic and stands in front of the television. It takes a minute for everyone to quiet.
“I have something a little different tonight,” he says. “My cousin Drew is teaching me to play the guitar. Would it be okay if I showed off my new skill?”
A cheer goes up. With a backward glance at me, Drew makes his way up to the front and hands over the guitar. He takes the microphone while Caleb puts the strap over his head. Caleb strums the opening chords of “More Than Words.” A collective sigh goes up from all the females in the room.
Caleb is singing a love song to Mallory. His gaze never leaves her face. She has her hands clasped in front of her chest, her face glowing with love. Which is good, because Caleb does not have a strong singing voice. He sounds much better during the chorus when Jonas and Drew join in.
Once the song finishes, Caleb hands the guitar to Drew.
“As you know,” Caleb says, “Mallory and I have only been dating for a little over four months. What you might not know is that within weeks of meeting her, I knew that she was the one for me.”
Caleb goes down on one knee.
Gasps fill the room, followed by surprised whispers. Tears run down Mallory’s face as he pulls a ring box from his pocket.
I lean against the counter to stay upright.
Somehow, over the space of a few hours, Caleb and Mallory went from going on a date, to being in the middle of a relationship, to a wedding proposal.
It’s a lot to wrap my head around. Instead of being happy for them, I’m fighting anger. How could she hide so much from me?
“I love you,” Caleb says. “You’re funny, smart, and kind. My parents love you. I bet everyone you meet loves you. How can they resist? You’re irresistible.” He flips open the box lid. “Mallory Spacey, will you marry me?”
Mallory launches herself out of her seat and into his arms. “Yes. Yes. Yes! I love you.”
After a long kiss, he slips the ring on her finger.
When they stand and hug, she faces me over his shoulder.
Our eyes connect for two seconds. Everyone is clapping and talking excitedly.
She doesn’t see the same enthusiasm from me and quickly glances away.
When Caleb breaks the embrace, she is swamped by friends. I’m stuck where I am.
Mixed in with the anger is an overwhelming sense of loss.
I didn’t get to share in Mallory’s excitement over him asking for her phone number.
There were no late night conversations before their first date.
Or hours spent eating ice cream while dissecting every word he said.
I missed out on so much of her dating experience and I can’t understand why. Now she’s engaged.
Caleb’s talking to everyone again, but it’s all gobbledygook to me. The words don’t translate inside my head.
I have a choice. I can explain to Mallory how upset I am at her lies, and possibly push her to continue to avoid me.
Or I can bury my pain and be the supportive, ecstatic best friend.
We’ve talked about our weddings since we were eighteen.
I’m supposed to be her maid of honor, if she still wants me.
It’s an easy choice to make.
Before I can weave my way through the crowd to congratulate her, another song starts with Mallory in the middle of it. Then another. I bake a few more bowls of nachos and share excitement about tonight’s surprise engagement, but I don’t get a chance to congratulate Mallory.
At ten o’clock, the time we promise our neighbors the music will end, the party breaks up.
Friends file out of the apartment, many saying goodnight to me as they pass.
It’s all such a rush that I don’t realize Drew’s left until he’s gone.
That brief time talking to him outside got me through tonight, and I wanted to say goodbye.
Finally it’s just me and Mallory. I pull her into a tight embrace.
“Congratulations!” I say with heartfelt warmth. “I am so excited for you.”
She pulls back to look at me. “I didn’t know he was going to propose. It was a complete surprise.”
Not as surprising as it was to me, I’d wager.
“I want to hear everything.” I squeal and squeeze her shoulders.
She sags, as if relieved I’m not yelling. “You will. You’ll be my maid of honor, right?”
I didn’t realize how worried I was that she would change her mind until now. She might have hidden her relationship with Caleb from me, but this is evidence we’re still best friends.
“Of course!” I say. “I will be the best maid of honor and throw you the biggest, most fun bachelorette party ever.”
“I know you will. Tonight, we’re going to the club. Do you want to come?”
It’s normal for a group to leave here and go to the club for dancing. I go sometimes, but I haven’t for the last few months. Tonight is a definite no.
“Not tonight,” I say.
Her smile droops, and I almost change my answer. But tears are pressing on the back of my eyes, and I can’t pretend this weekend hasn’t battered me.
“Are you free tomorrow for lunch?” I ask.
“Yes. Let’s meet then. I have so much to tell you.”
With one last hug, she’s out the door, leaving me alone. I walk straight to my room, leaving all the food on the counter, shut my door and collapse on my bed. I don’t just cry, I weep.