Chapter 4
“I Got a Feeling” by The Black-Eyed Peas comes on the radio. Maybe this is a sign of a good night? I sure as hell could use some more positivity in my life right now.
Danielle and I sing every single word flawlessly. We do this with at least five more songs during our ride. She knows how to bring me out of my funky “moods.” I can’t help but smile at her presence; I’m so lucky to have her in my life. I’ve had many letdowns, but she has always been there for me.
My phone dings twice, and I glance down to see a new message.
Mom: Happy birthday, baby.
Mom: Have any plans for this evening?
Me: Thanks, Mom. Danielle and I are going to a small get-together.
Mom: Please be careful and don’t stay out too late.
Me: Sure thing. Love you.
Mom: Love you, Olive girl.
I haven’t visited Mom much, but she appears to be better. I’ve noticed a pattern with her. She goes a month or two without using drugs or alcohol but then relapses. I decided a while back to love her from a distance; being around her too much brings out a side of me I try to keep locked away.
It’s not necessarily her; it’s that house, too. Some memories painfully seep into my pores every time I step foot into that house. Nora’s treehouse and mine are the only things that haven’t been tainted.
I check in on her occasionally. I don’t have it in me to leave her without. Nora and I take turns keeping the power on at the trailer and food in the cabinets. Lately, it’s just been me here. With everything Nora has endured in recent years, I expect little from her.
Sometime later, Danielle pulls off into a gas station parking lot. “We are officially in Marshville. I’m going to get us some basic bitch White-Claws,” she says, full of excitement.
I nod my head at her. While she runs inside, I take a gander at my surroundings. I see nothing out of the ordinary; it seems to be a regular town with small shopping centers like it is back home. Not sure how Taylor came across this place or a boyfriend from here.
But it feels nice being in a different city where no one knows me. I can be anyone I want to be. I wish I could say the same for this house party, but I’m sure I’ll be running into many familiar faces. Yay me!
After leaving the gas station, we pull up to a two-story white vinyl house with brown shutters.
It has a massive front porch, and it looks like her few neighbors are far away.
Large trimmed bushes and dainty flowers are wrapped around the foundation.
She must have a lawn care service; everything is shaped to perfection.
I spot one tree over to the right side, which looks to be an apple tree with fruit dangling from thin limbs.
Overall, it is a nice house. We park along the side of the street. It already looks like a slew of people have scattered their cars throughout her yard.
“How many are supposed to be coming?” I anxiously ask Danielle.
She quickly responds, “Girl, I don’t know. Quit worrying; it’s a damn party, so let’s have some fun!”
As we head for the front door, empty booze cans are already on the lawn. Loud early 2000s music is playing from what sounds like the backyard. We make our way to the front porch and knock on the door. Within seconds, the door flies open, and Taylor stands by it.
“Oh, my gosh! You guys came!” she shouts dramatically.
We exchange hugs and forced smiles and congratulate her on her newly purchased home. Taylor doesn’t acknowledge that it’s my birthday, which she probably doesn’t even know it’s today. Thank fucking God.
She introduces us to her new boyfriend, Ryan, sharing how they met at a random coffee shop months ago.
Ryan was visiting family in the Concord area.
And now, here they are in their cupcake phase of a relationship.
Taylor gives us a quick tour and tells us to make ourselves at home before clasping hands with Ryan and heading for the backdoor.
I am already uneasy with the amount of faces I see. I notice multiple people from school and many new faces. Taylor must have made friends since moving to this town.
Danielle notices my grimace and hands over a White Claw with a nudge of her shoulder. “Get out of your head, Olive, and just enjoy yourself for once.” She then gives me a wink before heading to the kitchen area.
I let out a slow sigh and give a nod. Anxiety will be the death of me.
I try to replace my worrisome thoughts with positive ones. Okay, it’s my stupid birthday, and I didn’t have to work today. I guess things aren’t so bad. I pop open my White Claw and scan my surroundings.
Once I go to take a sip of my drink, I lock eyes with someone standing directly across from me.
No fucking way. What are the odds of this?
I am currently being eye fucked by the Bennett Weaver.
We have not seen each other since the end of eighth grade.
His parents put him into a private Christian school.
I never thought in a million years I’d see the guy who ruined my self-confidence as a kid.
I look so different now, and damn, so does he. He’s sporting a classic Busch-Lite-inspired gut and looks to be balding at age twenty. I guess money can’t fix everything after all. Or karma finally slapped his mean ass one good time.
He slowly trudges towards me. I can’t help but scan his unimpressive features.
“Uh, Olive Landers?” he nervously asks. If there weren’t so many people in my way, I’d make a mad dash for the front door.
I glance over his shoulder, finding the front door easily accessible.
Escape scenarios run through my anxious mind.
I let out a defeated sigh and finally respond, “Yep, it’s me, ole crackhead girl.” Wow, Olive. He stares at me with concerned, beady eyes.
I could punch myself for saying that dumb shit.
I take a generous chug of my bitch beer, waiting for him to degrade me and tell me what a waste of life I am.
But instead, I see disappointment in his expression.
“You have changed, Olive. I hoped that I’d run into you here.
” He picks at the invisible lint on his shirt.
I can’t say the same, bud.
He takes a deep breath. “I wanted to apologize for being a dick all those years when we were kids.” I watch him lightly kick his shoe at imaginary dirt on the floor.
Distasteful words stain my tongue, but I refrain. “No problem, Bennett, it’s in the past,” I say with a forced smile. His shoulders relax a little. We then give each other a weak grin and clank our beers before guzzling the cold liquid. He gives a quick nod and makes his way into another room.
I take another gulp of my drink, almost emptying the can. Thank God that’s over. I would have been just peachy never seeing his face again. He’s lucky I didn’t crush his hopes and dreams with vicious words. The younger me would have handled that conversation differently, period.
I stroll into the kitchen and spot liquor options on the counter. I might as well start on something a little more stout. I have a full weekend off from work. And after that encounter, I need something stronger.
Why not live it up for once? I have a DD tonight; Danielle ensured I knew she would drink responsibly.
So I make myself cranberry vodka and immediately take three big gulps. I can feel the alcohol pleasantly creeping into my bloodstream. I decide to check out the backyard commotion. After walking through multiple groups and nodding at familiar faces, I locate the back door.
Danielle intercepts me, and we make our way out the door together.
To the left, there are people laughing while playing beer pong on two long tables.
To my right, there is a stone patio with a small lit fire pit.
Chatty Kathys sit around the fire, probably talking about their exes or the Kardashians.
And no one seems to notice or care about the not-shy girl straddling who I presume is her boyfriend.
It wouldn’t be a party without that one careless couple creating soft porn in someone’s backyard.
Good for them; at least someone’s getting laid tonight. Danielle gives me a pouty lip. “I hope to straddle someone like that by the night’s end.”
I scowl at her and roll my eyes. Honestly, she wouldn’t have trouble finding her a good-looking guy to straddle.
Danielle and I walk towards the back of the yard, where there is a decently sized bonfire. People are standing close by, talking while drinking their beverages. I’ve always enjoyed the scent of burning logs and the bright, sizzling embers.
As I inch closer to the fire, the weakened breeze changes course.
Standing maybe seven feet in front of me is a mysterious man.
The fire’s smoke must have concealed him prior.
My eyes start at his feet and scan every inch of him until they reach his demanding eyes.
The fire’s natural gleam beats against his sculpted jaw, and even though it is dark, I can see his eyes’ vivid coloring.
They are as blue as the purest oceans, and around his pupils, they’re gently caressed by an emerald green with a hue of sunshine.
I’ve never seen eyes so full of life. I don’t even realize that I’m standing as still as a statue, mesmerized by a stranger.
His plush lips curl up into a wicked grin.
He hasn’t taken his eyes from mine, and I damn sure can’t pull mine from his.
My heart feels like it’s about to pound its way out of my chest at any moment. I can no longer hear the loud music or the chattering of all the people surrounding us. We’re frozen in time; and right now, it’s just me and this attractive man.
I just stare in awe as he strides towards me slowly; his movements are smooth like rich velvet.
Within seconds, he is standing inches from me.
Up close, he is even more breathtakingly attractive.
A lingering oak scent invades my senses.
It reminds me of a forbidden forest with hints of earthy undertones and wood.
His thick, dirty blond hair lays neatly upon his blessed head.
I clasp my drink with both hands to avoid reaching up and running my hands through this guy’s gorgeous wavy locks. His strong stature is a good six inches taller than me. If Chris Hemsworth and Paul Walker had a younger brother, he’s the one. This man is exceptionally gifted from head to toe.
I completely forget that my best friend is right beside me; at this point we look like conjoined twins with how close we’re standing together. I pull my eyes away for a split second to examine Danielle; she is big-time gawking, just as I am. Looks like she’s getting laid after all.
“I haven’t seen you around here before,” mystery man says curiously. God, his deep voice sends warm shivers down my fragile spine.
I don’t even realize that he’s speaking directly to me until Danielle aggressively elbows me in my side. She then mumbles through closed teeth, “Earth to Olive.”
I gather my thoughts and go to speak. “Um, well, that’s because I don’t live around here.”
His perfectly symmetrical eyebrows pull together. “Olive, such a delicate name for a pretty face like yours.”
I nervously clear my throat and rattle out, “Why thank you, sir.” Wow, if I could teleport myself anywhere but here, damn it, I would. I can’t even look at Danielle. I know she’s burning a hole in the side of my head.
He chuckles softly before running his large hand through his hair.
“What’s your name, anyway?” I blurt out. I’ll say anything at this point to hear this man speak.
He gazes at me. “Theodore Ace Rivers, but you can call me Theo.” He just gave me his full government name. I’ll be doing my detective work when I get home.
This man is too sexy, even down to his name. I’m going to assume he’s probably a criminal or some shit. No way he looks this good and has a clean record.
“What are you thinking about in that cute little head of yours?” he croons with a grin.
I have got to do better about zoning out around people.
I could drool at this point and wouldn’t have the slightest clue.
I chew on my bottom lip before locking eyes with him again.
“I was just thinking about how it’s getting late, and we have a long drive home. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Rivers.”
Yep, I’m buzzed out of my ass. I immediately turn around and rush for the back door.
Once I get inside, I try to focus on where Taylor’s downstairs bathroom is.
After bumping into multiple people, I spot it across from the living room.
Right before I reach to grab the door handle, two girls jump in front of me and slam the door in my face.
Stupid bitches. It takes everything in me not to knock that damn door off the hinges and hope it lands on those snobs. Instead, I take a few deep breaths and grab my phone from my clutch purse.
Me: Danielle, let’s head home, please…
Bestie: Girl, I was just texting you. Why the hell did you run off like that? This beautiful man has the hots for you. WTF Olive?
Me: Yeah, well, imagine I give him the time of day, and then he sees the shitshow that I am. He will be the one running next.
Bestie: Okay, Ms. Dramatic. You are freaking gorgeous and deserve a good time with a hot guy. It’s literally 9 p.m. But it’s your birthday, so if you’re ready to head back, then I guess let’s go.
Me: This is why I love you. I’m heading to your car right now. If you run into Taylor on your way out, tell her I said thanks for the invite and nice crib.