My Lucky Charm (15 page)

Leah

I should’ve went to school. The internet is already full of rumors as to why I’m missing; my boyfriend dumped me, school kicked me out due to the publicity … you name it, and they’ll run with it. I’m not that exciting, people.

Also, word has
leaked that Mr. Lane is on his way to Boulder. He should be at my house shortly. I put on my usual attire of jeans and a baby doll t-shirt. This one has a Pink Floyd logo on it. I’m through with trying to impress him.

Maxwell
and I have always shared a passion for the same music, but it means nothing if he still won’t accept the rest of me. I hear cars, so I look out my bedroom window and see Maxwell and his entourage coming down the drive.

My mom is looking
better than I’ve ever seen her as she reads the paper in the sunroom, and I’m sure it’s to get back at him. What’s sad is there’s a part of her who loves him still.

Things will be extremely chaotic i
n my home very soon. Mr. Lane’s entourage is made of many people. He has his own security, a personal assistant, and many employees who are right by his side handling business. The man is rarely off work to its entirety.

I hear the noise about the time Pau
l finds us. He encourages Mom and me to go to the great room. He’s nervous and is dressed extremely well in a suit and tie.

I groan
but follow him. Standing in the room, I wait as if I’m about to greet the president. Although, Maxwell can say he changed the world more than the current president.

“Leeza, how’s my girl?” he asks,
walking over to hug me as his employees file in behind him. “And where’s the study?” He’s looking around the room.

“Down the hall
on the left,” I say, pointing. Three men and two women head that way. They’re dressed nice and are carrying laptop bags. One lady stays near my father.

“Leeza, this is Darcy
. She’s my new assistant.”

This lady is like twelve, but I reach
out and shake her hand to be polite. This reminds me of Brandon saying that his dad bangs his secretary. I bet that applies here, too. She’s too young and attractive for Maxwell not to take advantage of.

“Where’s your mother?” he asks.

“I’m right here,” my mom says, making her dramatic entrance. I’m surprised when she approaches him and gives a quick peck on the cheek. He puts his hands on his hips and looks around. “The place is nice, Kendra. More suitable than I expected.”

“Really, Maxwell? Do you want to start this way? Who do you have with you?” she asks.

“This is Darcy. She’s my personal assistant.”

“What happen to that other hot little number you had? Oh yes, she became an adult. I guess she probably got on with her life.”

I snicker and look away. It was pretty funny.

“OK, Kendra. I hope now that you got your childish remark out of the way, we can have a talk about what matters, our daughter.”

“I’m right here. You can speak to me directly,” I say, holding up my hand.

“W
ell, how is school?”

“It’s good. Not as challenging as I’m used to, but I’m still learning.”

“Friends?” he asks.

“Not sure at the moment. I did have some, but I’m
sure Paul already told you that,” I say snippily.

“I told her, Max. It was t
ime,” my mother says. He ignores her comment, and I imagine it’s because he doesn’t want to talk about his deceit. He flips my hair with his hand.

“Interesting colors, Leeza. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this whole look is to spite me.”

I plop down on the sofa. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Leeza, do not disrespect me.”

I roll my eyes. Do we really need to talk about respect here?

“Mr. Lane, the Japan headquarters is on the line for you,” one of the males from the study says.

“I have to take this. Don’t go anywhere,” Maxwell says to me before leaving the room to take a call. Darcy follows him. It will take a few hours to get through a conversation that should only take ten minutes.

He finally returns and asks Mom if he can speak to me alone.
We walk around the backyard, and I admire the fall leaves.

“I’m going to get right to it, Leeza. I’
d like you to come back to LA with me and finish your senior year. Now that the world knows your whereabouts, I’m more concerned about your safety.”

“Are you sure that’s your biggest worry?” I ask.

“Although you don’t believe it, I love you very much and worry about you every day. We used to be close. You were my little girl.”

“You shattered what I thought of y
ou when you cheated.”

“Everyone makes mistakes, Leeza. I know I’ve made them, and I’m sorry I hurt you and your mother. I’ve apologized many times, but I can’t change the past. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“I don’t know.”

“Hiding here in Colorado is no way to deal with it.”

“It’s been working fine for me.”

“Oh, really? Is that why you’ve still felt like the outcast here?”

“I was finally fitting in somewhere, but then they found out who I am. I don’t know where things stand now, but what I do know is that I don’t fit into the mold you made for me. I won’t go back to that, and Mom said you wouldn’t force me.”

“I won’t force you, but it doesn’t mean I won’t try to convince you. This boy you like, this Brandon, he’s not good enough for you, Leeza.”

“How do you know?”

“
I know everything about him. He makes poor grades, and he’ll never play more than college football. Although his parents are successful, they don’t come from a well-known family.”

“You didn’t, either.
Brandon is kind and smart, and there’s a reason his grades aren’t great, but it shouldn’t matter, anyway. What matters is that he’s good to me and makes me happy.”

“He’s not accustomed to this lifestyle. He’ll feel inferior
, and the media will eat him alive. Then you’ll be left brokenhearted. You should end up with someone like Judge Hartford’s son.”

I spin around on my father. Of all people, I can’t believe
he’s bringing up Joseph Hartford.

“Your good friend the judge
, who’s weaseled you out of every crime you’ve committed, has a narcissist for a son. When I was only fifteen, Joseph took my virginity and dumped me, but not before telling all of the lacrosse players about it first. Is that the kind of guy you want me with?”

“Joseph would do no such thing. I’ve watched that boy grow up.”

I point my finger at Maxwell’s chest.

“Are you saying you don’t believe me?” I ask, stu
nned by what my father has said.

“Leeza, I’m only
saying it’s hard to believe—”

“Don’t.
Don’t say another word. We’re finished!”

I storm back to the
house and go to my room. I throw on a hooded sweatshirt and grab sunglasses and my keys before I slip out a side door.

I get into Martha’s car and drive as quickly as possible to the gate. I have to get through them
before someone realizes I’m gone.

The guard waves me through, and the paparazzi start surrounding the car. I hurry away as they try to get into their vehicles. They follow me, but Paul had shown me a road I could take nearby to lose them. It works, and I’m on my way, fee
ling oddly free but alone at the same time.

I’d like to think Maxwell would be
more concerned by the fact I lost my virginity at fifteen rather than whether his precious Joseph did anything wrong. I’ll never be good enough for my father since I refuse to be like him and the phony people he associates with.

Brandon

I’m extremely relieved when I leave the doctor’s office. She too believes I’m dyslexic and is making an appointment for me to meet with a specialist. They also gave me paperwork to give to my school.

It’s a little emba
rrassing, but if I’m dyslexic and the help will allow me to make better grades and continue to play football, then I’m taking advantage of it. Tests are where I struggle the most, so the teachers will be giving me exams verbally.

It’ll be strange but
worth it if it works. I owe so much to Leah, and like I thought, she really is my lucky charm. Now, I have to convince her of that. I text her several times but never hear back.

When all of this chaos went down a couple of days ago, Paul insisted on exchanging cell phone numbers with me
in case of an emergency.

I almost called him last n
ight when I couldn’t reach Leah but I didn’t, and she finally texted back, but I have a feeling I need to call. I really don’t want to speak to him, but she won’t answer me. I’m terrified her father has the power to convince her to leave Boulder.

“Paul, this is Brandon Jennings.”

“Is Leah with you?” he asks anxiously.

“No, I was hoping you could put me in touch with her.”

“She was upset and took off in the Camry about a half hour ago. Do you have any idea where she might be?”

“No, and she would’ve been here by now. I’ll check wit
h her friends to see if they’ve heard from her and call you back.” I immediately dial Parker.

“
It’s Brandon. Have you spoken to Leah?”

“No, but I’ve been texting her all day. I’m worried about her, and Sierra and the guys want to speak to her, too.”

“She’s missing. She left her house upset, and no one knows where she is. Do you have any ideas? And your friends need to leave her alone. They’ve hurt her enough,” I add angrily.

“Chill, bro. They want to apologize.”

It hits me all at once. “I think I know where she is. I bet she went back to Flagstaff Mountain. I took her there, and it’s somewhere she knows the paparazzi wouldn’t look for her. I’ve gotta go.”

I han
g up on Parker and jump in the jeep but not before telling Tyler to call me if she shows up at our house.

“Paul, I have an idea where she might be, but please let me go alone.
If you come, the reporters will follow you, and they’ll definitely be able to corner her there. I promise I’ll get her back safely. I think she’s at Flagstaff Mountain.”

He sighs
. “OK, but let me know right away.”

It’s already dark as I make my way up the winding hill. I’m worried about her being out here alone. After wha
t feels like forever, I arrive at where we’d parked before and find her car. Thank God.

I don’t see any other vehicles or people in the area. I jump
out and begin searching. She’s on a boulder, staring out toward the city lights below. It’s freezing, and she’s only wearing a sweatshirt. Her knees her pulled up to her chest, and her arms are wrapped tightly around her legs.

“L
eah!” She jumps and turns her head. Once she sees me coming toward her, she climbs off the rock. I grab her by the arms and pull her into a hug.

“
I’ve been worried sick. How could you risk your life coming out here alone at night?”

“I’m sorry.” Her arms circle my
waist, and she buries her head against my chest. I stroke her hair like always as she cries softly. It breaks my heart to know hers is hurting.

“Come on. Let’s sit in the C
amry. It’ll be warmer than the jeep.” I walk her over to it and we get in.

“What happened?” I ask after taking her hands into mine. I’m sideways, trying to get as close to her as possible.

“I had a fight with Maxwell. He’ll only ever love me on his terms. Everything is wrong, and I had to get away.”

“Why, Leah? Why do you have to get away from me? It hurts.”

She looks over, wiping tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid we have too many obstacles between us. I’m scared of getting hurt, and I’m scared that who I am will somehow hurt you. I mean, you were almost kicked
off the team because of me.”

“
I told you that we’ll get through things together. Don’t you see that we handled that together? I helped you out when the paparazzi were at school acting crazy, and you helped out by getting me back on the team.” I cup her face and turn it until our mouths are only inches apart.

“We’re a team, baby
. Please don’t shut me out.” My lips are on hers, desperate to feel and taste her. Her mouth opens, letting me in, and like every other time, it’s not enough. I pull on her until she catches on and climbs over, straddling my lap.

I have hold of her face, probing her mouth with my greedy tongue while she tugs on my hair. Every stroke
to her sultry mouth is a flick to the match that sets a fire between us. It spreads every time my skin touches hers.

I can’t take it and move my hands up under the front of her shirt to her waist, my thumbs rubbing circles on her stomach.
Dammit
. I have to stop, so I pull my lips away and rest my head against hers.

“Leah, I’ve never wanted to put my hand in the fire like I want to now. You’re like a dangerous flame that I can’t stop staring at and getting lost in.”

“You’re too perfect to be real, Bran.” She rubs the back of my neck with her fingers, and I want to kiss her again.

“
I’m not perfect, Leah, but I’m real. I won’t ever lie to you, and I’ll do whatever you need so you don’t get hurt. I’m sorry, but I forgot to text Paul. I told him I’d let him know if I found you. He sounded really worried.”

She climbs back over the seat, and I pull my phone out to text. I tell Paul that I found her, that she’s safe, and to please let me get her
home. I sense his apprehension but he agrees.

I see lights coming up
behind us and watch as people get out of a car. At first I’m a little panicked when I notice several males, but then I see Parker.

“Looks like all your friends came to see that you’re OK.” We both get out of the car, and Leah can hardly get her door shut before Sierra is yanking her into a hug. The headlights from their car is giving off the only light.

“Leah, I was so scared when I heard you were missing. I’m sorry I ever doubted you. You’ve been nothing but kind and generous to me. Please forgive me,” Sierra says, releasing her tight hold on Leah.

“Of course I forgive you.”

“Hey, man,” Gabe says to me while his hands are shoved in the pockets of his jeans.

I nod. “Hey.”

Troy and Jarred give me a nod, and I can see that they’re uncomfortable. Parker grabs Leah next.

“Fancy pants
, don’t you ever do this to us again. I’ve been trying to get hold of you all day.” He gives her a loud kiss on the cheek, and I really wish he’d cut that shit out. Gay or not, I want to be the only guy kissing her.

“I’m sorry, Parker. It’s been a rough few
days, but I’ll let you come raid my closet soon, OK?”

“OK, I guess that’
s fair for putting me through all this cray cray.”

Gabe runs his hand through his hair.

“We’re sorry, Leah, for everything.”

“So, you’
ll still be friends with me?” she asks.

“Yeah, as long as you don’t start wearing cashmere and shit,” Jarred says, chuckling. “Nah, we’ll still be friends with you then, too.”

Leah runs over and gives each of them hugs. I guess if I want a girlfriend this sweet, I’m going to have share her affection a little.

“It’s f
lippin’ cold up here,” Sierra says. “Why don’t we go grab something to eat?”

“I’d love to, but
Mr. Lane
is in town. Can we go tomorrow evening? But I need to warn you. You will likely have your picture in a Hollywood magazine if you choose to go out in public with me.”

“Well, that’ll be a first and a last,” Troy says.

Leah shrugs. “Hey, you might get a fan club.”

“Yeah, Tyler’s already made about a thousand more Facebook f
riends, all of which are female. He’s pretty thrilled to be on the news and internet,” I say.

Everyone chuckles before we say our goodbyes. I tell Leah tha
t I’m following her home. She doesn’t even have a phone, so there’s no way I’m letting her out of my sight. We get to her house, and the paparazzi are there waiting.