Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) (17 page)

"Isn't she kinda fat to be a race horse?" Sheila asked.

Jason snorted. "Isn't she kinda fat to be fast as lightning?"

"She's not fat. She's pregnant." He rubbed the horse's sides and belly. Her muscles quivered.

Julie felt a strange tingling in her body.
I know just how you feel, girl.

"Time to go riding." Robert hopped back over the fence.

Julie shook her head, but he just smiled and led them to the barn. Robert took each of them into the stable and helped them select the horse they wanted to ride. He saddled all the horses and brought out riding helmets for Sheila and Ashley.

A young boy walked a large, black stallion out of the stable. Its coat gleamed in the fall sunshine. Robert grabbed the horse's lead, walked it over to a hitching rail and loosely draped the reins around the post. He helped each Anderson onto their horse and gave them a brief riding lesson. He mounted his horse and led them on a slow walk around the property.

Julie wished that her brother and sisters would fade into the scenery so she could be alone with Robert in this noiseless paradise. She watched the way his back swayed as he rode close to Ashley and the way he playfully challenged Sheila to a race and kept the pace slow. When Jason's horse bolted, she held her breath as he caught and reined in the animal. She noticed the wave of pain that crossed his face as he repositioned himself in his saddle after handing Jason back the reins. She wondered how much pain this day was causing him.

Before the younger girls were ready, he led them back to the stable.

"That was great fun." Sheila patted her horse's nose one last time.

"You'll just have to get Julie to come out here more often."

"I don't know." Julie rubbed her numb bottom. "I still think I do better moving on my feet than on my seat."

***

As Robert drove Julie's family home, she wished it were she who was snuggled up against him instead of her younger sister. She felt a hand shake her shoulder and opened her eyes. The pickup was parked in her parent's driveway. Robert whispered, "Sorry, I can't carry you and Ashley."

Julie yawned and hopped out of the truck. She held the door for Sheila and Jason. They looked as sleepy as she felt. After depositing Ashley on the living room sofa, he stood up and grimaced.

"You okay?"

Robert nodded and headed for the door.

"Aren't you staying?" Julie asked. "What about supper?"

"I've got chores. I'll grab somethin' when I get back." Although he'd rather spend the evening alone with Julie, he knew he couldn't. There were just too many responsibilities for him to find the time.

***

Julie put the last dirty glass into the dishwasher and pressed start when Robert entered the house. "Sit." She pointed to the kitchen table. "I'll make you something. You must be tired."

"Actually, I need a shower then somethin' to eat, and then I'll decide if I'm tired. I took it fairly easy today."

"Go shower. I'll have something ready for you. Fifteen minutes?"

He exited the kitchen. Poking his head back into the room, he asked, "How's the butt?"

"My delicate behind." She grinned. "Is sore, if you really must know."

"Does it need a massage, or do I go take a shower?"

"Shower."

"Damn." The door shut between them.

Just as the microwave buzzer sounded, Robert entered the kitchen, smelling like soap and looking much more refreshed. He plopped down onto a chair. "I think I've about had it for today. Sorry, I'm not such great company." He picked up his fork and attacked his food.

"That's okay. Ready to face school again, tomorrow?"

"Hey, I did the family thin'. I can do anythin'."

Meal finished, Robert trudged up the stairs. He was tired and his ribs hurt, but he felt good. He liked living here. It was peaceful.

Still dressed, he lay stretched out on the bed. Tomorrow he'd have to start looking for an apartment, but he wasn't sure when he'd find the time. He could try after evening chores and before he got back here to do homework. Somewhere in that time, there was still gang business, and he'd like to spend some time with Julie. Twenty-four hours just wasn't enough for one day. He'd have to give something up. The gang? Julie?

Julie tried to study, but her brain had absorbed enough biology for one morning. Her thoughts drifted away from her textbook. It wasn't a good week for Robert or their relationship. She doubted she'd said ten words to him.

She listed off the days.

Monday he wasn't at school.

Tuesday? She scratched her cheek
. Oh, wait. He caught up with me just after lunch.

***

"Juls, look I gotta skip English last period. Could ya cover for me and get the notes?" His eyes appeared heavy with lack of sleep. He didn't flash that sexy grin of his.

Francine stepped out from behind Jennifer. "Why should she?"

Julie flinched. Francine didn't say the word
scum
, but Julie knew she insinuated it.

"I wasn't talkin' to ya, so butt out Paulin. Oh, excuse me, butt out, Miss Paulin." He bowed his head in a mock gesture of respect.

With the anger of the Red Queen, Francine snapped, "You can't talk to me like that."

"Can I get—" Julie glanced between her two friends.

"I can talk to ya anyway I like. You're no fuckin' queen! Just a snobby, Westland, rich bitch." Robert stepped past Julie. His chest thrown out and eyes darkening.

Francine's voice was low. "I warned you to stay away from her."

"Go ahead and tell her, bitch. There ain't a god damn thing—" Feeling a tap on his shoulder, Robert spun around.

The vice-principal, Mr. Cross, stood with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

"Great. Now I won't have to skip English. I'll be missin' it anyway." Robert followed the vice-principal without saying good-bye to Julie.

Julie faced her friend. "Francine, stay out of my affairs. Robert told me you threatened to squeal on him. Please don't make me choose between the two of you." Without giving Francine a chance for a rebuttal, Julie walked away. True to his word, Robert wasn't in English. Julie slid the notes under his door.

***

Wednesday, Julie sighed.
That would be the fight in the library.

During their free period, Robert and she were working on calculus when Christopher and Derek wandered past.

"Good morning, Julie. Good morning, trash." Christopher chuckled and buddy-punched Derek, who snorted.

Robert ignored them.
If I throw a ball out into traffic, will ya go chase it?

Chris knocked Robert's books on the floor. "Hey, we're talking to you, tough guy."

Derek glanced to see if the librarian was within hearing distance, then he punched Robert on the shoulder. "We heard you were swearing at Francine, calling her bitch and stuff. We don't like that."

"Whoop-de-do." Robert didn't look up from his work.

Chris dragged Robert out of his chair. "I owe you one."

Here we go again. Some idiots never learn.
"Like I'm scared."

Chris stood tall. "Let's settle it here and now."

Robert looked around. "Here? In the library? What are we gonna do? Give each other paper cuts?"

Chris raised his fists, boxer style.

Robert didn't move. His expression may have been stupid boredom, but he was sizing up his opponent. He was playing the cat – contentedly washing itself in the sun but could lethally strike at any second. He pressed his thumbs against each finger cracking his knuckles.

Chris threw a couple of punches, which Robert dodged.

The librarian stepped from between the shelves. "Christopher, you stop that right now. I'll have none of this silliness in my library."

Chris still held up his hands.

The librarian pointed his finger. "Christopher, your seat or the office?"

He lowered his fists. "Later."

"My heart's all aflutter." Robert scratched his chin as the librarian returned to his desk.

As Derek turned to leave, Robert stepped in front of him. "You, I'm willing to have it out with. I owe ya a week's worth of headaches. Don't ever get caught in Shore, 'cause your ass'll be mine."

Derek took a step to leave, spun and threw a punch at Robert.

"Over here, stupid." Robert had shifted one step to the left.

When Derek turned his head, Robert drilled his fist into Derek's jaw. His head snapped back and he crumpled to the floor.

The librarian came running back. "What happened?"

"Poor Derek." Robert grabbed him by the arm and pulled him upright. "He was leavin' and he slipped on the books Christopher knocked on the floor."

"Office. Let's go." The librarian motioned to Robert.

"Me?" Robert threw his hands up in the air. "What about them?"

A stern look and crossed arms was the response he got. Robert grabbed his books, shoved Derek aside and stormed out of the library.

***

Thursday, Robert wasn't at school. Julie wondered if he'd been suspended for fighting. Friday he was back, but not for long. She watched Mr. Cross lead a sullen Robert to the office. That evening when she questioned him he was sulky and uncommunicative and when she pressed for information, his temper flared.

Running his fingers through his hair, he said, "Look, I've had a lousy week. I've pissed off everyone but you. So before I say or do somethin' I shouldn't, just leave me alone." Without saying another word, he walked out the door.

***

Julie shook her head.
No, definitely not a good week.

***

A tap on Julie's door was followed by an announcement of tea break. Mrs. Anderson had been preparing the nursery and she needed a rest. She warmed a pot of tea and the two Anderson women were enjoying the aroma of orange and spice when Robert dragged himself into the house. He dropped onto a kitchen chair and let out a tired sigh.

"Have you eaten?" asked Julie's mother.

"No. I'll get somethin' in a minute."
Although I'd rather sleep than eat.

"Stay. I'll make you something. Scrambled eggs?"

"I said I'll do it and I will." His voice was tinted with anger.

"Robert." Julie frowned at him.

"What?"

"Don't growl at my mother."

Robert rubbed his face. "Shit. Sorry. I just…." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small bottle, flipped off the lid, poured several pills into his hand, popped them into his mouth, chewed and swallowed them.

Mrs. Anderson lifted his chin. His eyes were tired and dark. His skin was pale. "What've you been doing lately?"

He looked away. "Nothin'."

"You look pretty bad for someone who's done nothing." She held out her hand.

Robert tucked the bottle into his pocket. His eyes narrowed. "I don't answer to ya."

Julie glared at him. "Don't talk to my mother like that."

"She's your mom, not mine. I don't need or want one."
Is everyone as grumpy as me?

Mrs. Anderson inhaled and let out a long breath. "While you're in this house, you will treat me as your mother."

The chair fell back as he stood. "Then I'm fuckin' outta here."

"Sit down." Anger rang from her voice.

Robert's eyes changed from dull and tired to intense and venomous.

Forcing her voice to sound soothing, Julie said, "Mom, please stay calm. Robert, Mom's only asking because she's concerned."

"She's askin' 'cause she don't trust me. Knew I shoulda slept at the clubhouse." He gripped the table.

"Julie says you've been late to school almost every day and—"

He snapped his head in Julie's direction.

"You've been in and out of the vice principal's office all week." Mrs. Anderson caught his attention and turned it from her daughter. "You come home late. When you come home at all. You've been moody, irritable and—"

"Go ahead, say it." Robert stepped over the fallen chair. "I've been workin', goin' to school and dealin' with some major problems. Add to that, tryin' to find a place to live and stay caught up in fu — in school."

Mrs. Anderson stepped back until she bumped into the counter. "You look like…well, excuse me, but you look like shit. You say you aren't like the others, and then you come home looking like this."

Robert looked at the floor and sighed. He lifted his head and stared out the window. "I guess all those great platitudes about my bein' here 'cause I'm Julie's friend were bullshit. You've judged and condemned me the same as everyone else. He's North Shore, so he's trash." He locked his gaze onto hers. "Well, you're wrong."

"Why should I believe you?" Mrs. Anderson steeled her nerves. "I've got young children. I need to know they're safe." She rested her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Should I ask you to empty your pockets? Or maybe ask for a drug test? To see what's floating around in your system."