Keep You From Harm (21 page)

He mutters a curse before his arms come around me. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not. You’re a good person. You’re better than I’d ever be. And that’s kind of unfortunate for me right now.”

I understand his frustration. “You can leave early and we can do something after,” I suggest.

“You’re not going to go then?”

He’s nuzzling the side of my head, and I can feel his warm breath in my hair. I lean into him. “No. I don’t care about the prom.” I notice the cars on the street starting to disperse. “What time is it?” I ask.

Lucas pulls out his phone. “Shit. It’s nearly ten.” With that, he ushers me into the truck, and then walks around to his side to get us on the road.

“We’ll start the call before you go inside,” he says as we easily navigate the quiet streets. “If Jarvis talked to Kyle, we should know that pretty quickly.”

I release a sigh. I was hoping he’d forgotten about this. “Just so you know, I’m not bringing the phone into the bathroom with me.” I watch Lucas, expecting a grin, but he’s in serious mode.

“Yes, you are. Just mute it if you’re embarrassed. But don’t forget to un-mute it. If you do, you’ll find me knocking on your window in the middle of the night.”

I try not to smile at how seriously he’s taking this. I know I should be, too, but I can’t seem to muster up any fear of Kyle. I hope I’m not being naïve about him.

When we arrive at the house, the outside lights have been left on for me as usual. While we’re still inside the truck, Lucas calls my phone, and I leave it on as he walks me to the door. It’s been another whirlwind of an evening with him. All the time we spend together seems to be extreme in some way. I wonder if we can be so volatile and still work. I know one thing…we won’t ever be boring.

“Goodnight, beautiful,” he says before leaning down to kiss me. I expect a chaste kiss, like last time, in case we have an audience. But I get a hungry, demanding Lucas, coaxing my mouth open and plunging his tongue inside. It takes me a second to catch up, but when I do, I eagerly meet his needs with my own. When he abruptly pulls away, he leaves me both stunned and trembling.

After a moment, he raises his eyebrows and gives me an amused smile. I realize I’m just standing there staring at him rather than going inside. “Talk to you later,” I mumble, feeling my cheeks grow warm as I turn to go in. Then I can’t help but look back over my shoulder and watch him walk away, admiring his long-legged confident stride and the way his jeans hug his narrow hips. He can almost make me forget the turmoil that brought me here and still surrounds me.

The house is quiet, and it appears that everyone is asleep. I turn off the lights and I’m about to head downstairs when I hear Chloe. “You smell like cigarettes.” She’s standing on the landing above me, dressed in her bathrobe.

“I wasn’t smoking.”

She squints at me. She doesn’t believe me. “I wanted to tell you that Alec and Linda are coming over for a barbecue on Sunday. We’d like you to join us. You don’t have other plans, do you?”

I shake my head.

“Good. This is just for family. No other guests.” She watches me, waiting for my agreement.

“Okay,” I reply, knowing she’s telling me not to invite Lucas.

Chloe says goodnight, and I disappear downstairs realizing Lucas heard our conversation. I know Chloe isn’t exactly thrilled that I’m here. I’ve always felt that. I suppose sometimes it’s hard for her to pretend otherwise.

“Not a real warm and fuzzy lady, is she?” Lucas’s detached voice startles me.

“She’s okay,” I reply softly. “Are you home yet?”

“Just walking in now.”

I hear shuffling and some static from his end. “I’m putting you on mute now; I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” I use the bathroom. Then I get changed and brush my teeth. I have a pile of homework waiting for me but I’m too tired to tackle it tonight. I lay the phone on the nightstand beside me and plug it into the charger so the battery won’t run down. Once I turn out the light and lay down in bed, I un-mute the phone. “You there?” I ask.

“Right here. Everything okay?” his deep voice asks in the darkness.

“So far. So good. Can I ask you a question?”

“You just did.”

I smile in the dark. “You’re a wiseass.”

“Was that your question? Because it sounded more like a statement.”

I giggle. “Yes, that was me stating the obvious.” His quiet laugh carries through the phone. “Now, here’s the question. You said you didn’t know I found my mother. So, what do you know? What did Chloe say when she came over to Myles’s house that day?”

“Let’s see,” he begins. “She said the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen is going to move here and she’s going to knock me on my ass.”

I chuckle softly. I like this playful side of him. “Right. Why don’t you try that again? This time don’t forget to use your bullshit filter.”

“Hey, that was me stating the obvious.”

A pleasant warmth flows through me. I’m about to tell him that it goes both ways. But then I realize something. “Are you avoiding the question?” I ask. “What on earth did she say? Was it that bad?”

I hear rustling. “This was before she met you. I’m sure she,” he pauses, “you know, sees things differently now.”

I sit up. “After that disclaimer, you have to tell me what she said.”

There’s silence on his end.

“Lucas, please.”

“Okay. But she only knew the facts at that point, that you’d been in and out of foster care, that your mother was an alcoholic and a drug addict, and that your life had been pretty unstable. She was afraid you were going to be some messed up kid who would be a bad influence on Penelope. But obviously you’re none of those things. She had nothing to worry about.”

I bite my lip, but it’s not surprising she would assume that about me.

“I think it’s pretty fucking impressive,” he says.

“What is?”

“That you’re not the person Chloe expected. That you’re so well-adjusted despite how you grew up.”

I laugh. “I wouldn’t exactly say I’m well-adjusted.”

“Well, you’re not the delinquent you could have been. You know, aside from joy riding in stolen cars,” he teases.

I laugh softly. With Lucas’s teasing and flirting voice flowing over me, my annoyance at Chloe doesn’t take root too deeply.

“Are you going to sleep now?” he asks after a time.

“I guess I’m going to try. You?”

“Trying, too. Goodnight, Ray.”

“Goodnight, Lucas.” The moment those words leave my lips, I start to wonder what he sleeps in. I’m picturing form-fitting boxer briefs. Since I’ve never seen him shirtless, but I’ve felt the hard ridges and planes of his chest and stomach, I’m filling in the blanks quite nicely. I roll over and stifle a groan. How am I ever going to get to sleep when it feels like he’s right here in my bedroom with me?

Nearly an hour later, I’m still turning restlessly under my covers.

“Ray?” Lucas whispers.

“Yeah?”

“Can’t you sleep?”

“No.”

There’s silence on his end. Then he says. “I have an idea.” I hear a rustling noise, and I assume it’s him getting out of bed. Then I hear soft music begin to play. I recognize the mellow sounds coming through the phone.

“Did I just make things better or worse?” he asks.

“Is that M83?”

“Yeah. Is that okay?”

I smile in the darkness. “It’s nice.”

“Let’s try to get some sleep.”

“Okay.” I close my eyes and let the music nudge away the tension. The soft melody flows over me like a gentle breeze. It seems that Lucas is having trouble sleeping, too, and maybe it’s because of his awareness of me. I can hardly process the way I’m feeling as I lay there, listening to the same music as him, knowing that he’s with me even if he’s not actually
with
me. Soon, I can feel myself slipping into slumber.

A
t
breakfast, Kyle asks if I want another driving lesson after work tonight. Chloe woke up early and made pancakes for everyone, which is unusual for a weekday when we’re all in such a rush to leave. Kyle even delayed his departure to have some. Everything feels fine, better than fine this morning, and I decide that Lucas’s fears have not come to pass.

I offer to do the breakfast dishes. Once I’m done, I head outside and find Myles waiting for me. Since his falling out with April, Myles has been getting rides to school, and I’ve been walking on my own. My suspicions are immediately raised when I spot him on the sidewalk.

“Good morning, California girl,” he greets me.

I arch a cranky brow at him. Even though I finally did fall asleep last night, four hours of slumber do not make for a happy morning disposition. “You’re cheery today,” I comment.

He shrugs, a smile still lingering on his lips, and he starts heading toward school.

“Why are you walking this morning?” I ask.

“I always walk.”

“Not for the last few days.” I point out. “Did someone ask you to walk with me today?”

Myles glances at me and flashes his dimples. “I’m glad you two worked things out.”

I roll my eyes. This is Lucas’s doing. I know Lucas would not reveal my secret to Myles or tell him about our encounter with Jarvis, which makes me wonder what exactly he said to him. “Why does he think I need to be escorted to school?” I ask.

Myles shrugs. “He told me you guys were good now but that he’s still stuck going to the prom with Sophie. He said he told you last night, and he wanted me to make sure you’re okay with it. You know, feel you out. But don’t tell him I told you that.”

I decide it’s a plausible story. “Tell him I’m fine with it.”

He eyes me curiously. “Are you really?”

“Yes. I understand the position he’s in. Tell him it’s fine. Are you going to the prom?”

Myles scoffs at that. “It doesn’t look that way. I offered to take April, but she already asked some guy from her church.”

“You could bring your new guy.”

His eyes widen. “Yeah, right.”

“How are things going with that?” I ask.

Slowly, his lips curl upward.

I laugh. “Wow. That good, huh?”

He nods, looking embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s good.”

I stop right there and look him in the eye. “I’m happy for you,” I tell him.

“Yeah, me, too. For you and Lucas.” He shifts uncomfortably. “About what I said to you, you know, about stringing him along. I’m sorry. I was out of line.”

“Yes, you were.” But not necessarily completely off base, I think. “And it’s okay.”

I’m shocked when he gives me a quick hug and then trots up the main lawn to the school.

After parting ways with Myles, I walk inside and go straight to my locker. I’m transferring books and notebooks for my morning classes, when I hear a familiar voice say, “Hey.”

My senses are immediately heightened, and the butterflies swarm inside my belly. I still can’t believe what his nearness does to me. “Good morning,” I grin, straightening and hoping he listened to me yesterday when I told him no PDA in school. I decide he did because he doesn’t physically touch me when I close my locker and turn toward him. Although, the way his eyes are drinking me in, he might as well be caressing me.

“Raielle,” a hesitant voice calls my name from behind me, breaking the spell Lucas’s eyes have cast on me.

I turn to find myself eye-level with a narrow male chest. When I look up, I see a vaguely familiar face peering down at me anxiously. He’s on the basketball team here, I think. I recall seeing him in uniform once. A dark cowlick falls over his forehead, and he absently flips it back with a quick neck jerk. I know he’s in one of my classes but I can’t place him. “Hi,” I say.

He’s watching me closely when he realizes that I don’t know who he is. “I’m Aaron. We have Latin together.”

“Oh, right. Hey.” Beside me, I hear Lucas snicker.

“Well, um,” he glances down at the floor and then raises his eyes to me again. “I was wondering, since you broke up with Chad, if you don’t have another date yet, maybe you’d like to go to the prom with me?”

I stare up at him, and I’m too shocked to form a response.

Beside me, Lucas stiffens and takes a step forward. “You see me standing here. Right, Aaron?”

Lucas’s reaction has me wishing the floor would open up and swallow me.

Aaron appears confused by the question. “Yeah,” he says.

“Now see this.” Before I realize what he’s up to, Lucas leans into me, takes my face in his hands and kisses me fully on the lips. Then he releases me and turns back to Aaron with a smug grin.

Aaron’s shocked eyes travel from Lucas to me and then back to Lucas again. “Sorry, dude. I heard you were back with Sophie.”

“You heard wrong,
dude
.”

He shrugs at us. “I guess I got my wires crossed.”

I finally find my voice. “Thanks for asking me, Aaron. That was really sweet of you.” He nods and seems embarrassed. I watch him lumber away, and I feel badly. I turn to Lucas. “You didn’t have to show him up like that. I wasn’t going to say yes.”

Lucas spreads his arms out beside him with an incredulous look on his face. “I was standing right here and he asked you to the prom.” His arms drop, and he shakes his head. “That won’t fly, Ray. God knows how many other guys are planning to ask you. People need to know we’re together.”

“Other guys aren’t planning to ask me,” I scoff.

“Like hell they aren’t. But after today, they’ll know you’re not available.” He reaches his hand out for mine. “Let’s get to class.”

I hesitate, and he watches me patiently. Finally, I relent and place my hand in his. I’m worried that pretending not to be together will cause more trouble than our simply being open about it. Lucas heads down the hallway, bringing me with him. After a few steps, I think about what Aaron said. “What did he mean Chad and I broke up? Where did that come from? When were Chad and I dating? How did I miss that?”

Lucas grins at me. “I guess your lesbian story didn’t catch on.”

“I guess not. Lesbian rumor fail.”

B
efore
lunch, Lucas tells me he needs to stop by the office. When I ask him why, he’s evasive, only saying, “I gotta take care of some stuff.” So, I walk to the cafeteria with Gwen, as usual.

“Now you’re back on again but he’s still taking Sophie to the prom?” she asks, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“He wanted to back out on her, but I told him not to.” We find our usual seats. Lisa and Tyler are already there.

“Why?”

I shrug and open my lunch bag. “It’s the right thing to do.”

“It’s the lame thing to do. He shouldn’t listen to you. He should dump her ass and take you.” Gwen pops open her soda and takes a sip.

“What’s this about?” Tyler asks.

“Lucas and Raielle are an item now. But Sophie asked Lucas to the prom before that monumental event occurred. So he’s going with his ex instead of her. It’s a total disaster.”

“That sucks,” Lisa says, glancing in the direction of Lucas’s usual table. I look over, too, and see that he’s not there, but Sophie is glaring at me. I quickly return my attention to my lunch.

“Speak of the devil,” Gwen whispers.

Lucas is heading for us with his lunch tray and Myles by his side. “Hey,” he says, putting his food down and sitting beside me. Myles sits in the empty seat across from him.

Gwen raises her eyebrows at their appearance at our table. “Trouble in paradise, boys?”

Lisa and Tyler look less shocked to be sitting with Lucas than they were the first time it occurred, but they’re still overly interested in their lunch items.

“Did you get your stuff taken care of?” I ask Lucas.

He ignores my question. “I got you a prom date,” he states.

“What?” Gwen and I both ask at the same time.

“It’s me,” Myles announces.

I swivel my head in his direction. “You?”

He nods and grins at me.

“That’s perfect,” Gwen cheers.

Lucas can see I’m about to protest. “You can’t miss the prom, Ray,” he says. “It’s not right. This way, we’ll both be there, and I’ll get to dance with you.”

“I don’t dance,” I say weakly, but I can’t help the thrill I feel knowing that Lucas has arranged this for me. Of course, he benefits, too. Once this gets around, he doesn’t have to worry about other guys asking me to go with them.

He shrugs a shoulder. “I don’t dance either, but I’m sure we can figure it out.” He winks.

Then I point out another problem. “I don’t have a dress.” That is a real problem. I get my first paycheck this week, but I wanted to save it, not blow it on a dress I’ll never wear again.

“We’ll go shopping this weekend,” Gwen says with way too much excitement.

Lucas is scrutinizing me, trying to figure out what I’m thinking. I suddenly get the feeling he wants to offer to pay for my dress. I turn away before he can say anything. “Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask Myles.

“I wouldn’t do it otherwise. I was actually kind of bummed about not going. Then Lucas came up with this idea, and I told him I was in. It’s a good solution.”

“Any girl you asked would have gone with you,” I say. I’ve noticed that he’s got plenty of female admirers even though he’s oblivious to it.

He shrugs. “But I wasn’t going to ask anyone.”

I can feel myself caving. Now that it’s a real option, I want to go. I’m actually a little bit excited. Bye-bye first paycheck, hello prom night. “Okay,” I say and Gwen squeals as she pulls me into a hug. Lucas grins at me, and I melt at the adorable way his eyes crinkle at the corners when his smile is genuine rather than sarcastic. “When is it again?” I ask.

Gwen rolls her eyes. “It’s next weekend, dork.”

My own eyes bulge at that. “What? So soon? But they just put the flyers up.”

“The date has been planned all year and I’m pretty sure the flyers have been up for a while,” she replies. Then she and Lisa start discussing getting a larger limo so that Myles and I can ride with them, but Myles prefers to drive, and I agree with him. I don’t want any further expenses for the evening.

The rest of the day proceeds uneventfully for me, but not so much for Lucas. In chemistry, I hear from Gwen that Sophie approached him in the hall and said something that made him go ballistic on her. She doesn’t know what that something was.

At the end of school, Lucas appears at my locker and drops his keys into my hand. “A driving lesson and a ride to work. It’s a two-fer,” he states, looking proud of his idea. Since I really like driving his truck, and it includes being with him, it’s an offer I can’t refuse.

I adore the interior of Lucas’s truck. It’s just so him with its soft bucket seats that seem to hug you when you sit in them. The clean spicy scent of him lingers inside making me think of the other night when he had me pinned to this very truck, and all I could feel and smell was Lucas. “Is Kyle picking you up after your shift?” he asks, making me blink back to the present and sharpen my concentration so I can back my favorite vehicle out of its parking space.

I nod.

He waits until I’m out of the lot and on the road before bringing up the next topic. “I think we should keep a call open again tonight.”

I shake my head in response. I’ve been turning the events of last night over in my head throughout the day, and I disagree. “I really don’t think I’m in any danger. Everything at home seems pretty normal. I’ve been wondering if we’re overreacting about Jarvis. For all we know he has a combative personality. I think we were jumping to conclusions last night. It’s possible he was there to find my mother and me and that’s all he did. My mom was no angel. It’s more likely what the police thought in the first place. She had a sordid past and it caught up with her.”

Lucas doesn’t respond. He keeps his eyes on the windshield.

“Besides,” I continue, taking the turn that will bring me downtown, “I’m only here for another couple of months. I just need to graduate, and then I’m moving back to California. Nothing is going to happen between now and then.”

“You heard from UCLA?” he asks.

“No. But every school I applied to is there. Either way, I’m going back. I turn eighteen in June and then I’ll be on my own.” I knew I only had a short time with Lucas before we would both be leaving, but saying it aloud causes a lump to form in my throat. I’ve spent my whole life leaving, but this time will be different. I know I should be protecting myself. I should be holding something back and not allowing Lucas to get to me the way he does, but the effort would be in vain. I can’t fight the unexplainable connection that exists between us. Even if I tried, Lucas wouldn’t stand for it. He’d be at my door calling bullshit in two seconds flat.

“June what?” he asks.

It’s takes a moment for the question to register. “June twentieth. When’s your birthday?” I ask as I pull up to the Scoops entrance.

“January twenty-second, which means I’m older and wiser than you.” Then he releases his seatbelt and steps out. A few seconds later, he’s at my door, pulling it open. When I get out, rather than walking toward Scoops, I turn to Lucas, wrap my arms around him, and hug him close to me. He stands motionless at first, surprised at my gesture. But he quickly adapts as his arms encircle me, and he holds me tightly to him. I’m thinking about how he arranged for me to attend my first prom, and how he took a punch from Jarvis for me. Then he stayed up with me on the phone all night because he was worried about me. He did all this despite what my grandmother did to his mother and all the issues he has going on at home with her. I don’t know what I did to deserve having him in my life. I do know that I don’t want to leave him. But that’s probably what will happen. We’ll leave each other because that’s how life is. I feel my eyes begin to water, and I take a deep breath, trying to control the tears before they fall.

“Hey, what’s this for?” he asks softly near my ear.

“Nothing,” I say. “Everything,” I whisper a moment later. Then I release him and take a step back hoping my bright eyes don’t give me away.

His blue gaze searches mine, trying to figure out what I’m thinking.

“I heard you blew up at Sophie today,” I toss out at him, hoping the comment will divert him from the flood of emotion still washing over me.

It works. The warmth in his eyes cools considerably.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Nothing.” He runs a hand through his hair.

“You won’t tell me?”

“It’s not worth repeating.” His hands go into his pockets now.

“She said something about me,” I state. When he schools his face into the neutral mask that I find so frustrating, I know I’m right, but I decide not to push it. If it was that bad, I don’t think I want to know. I might rethink my uncompromising policy for honoring commitments.