The Impossible Art of Falling (Impossible Art #1) (25 page)

“You don’t have to go, you know. You’re eighteen. You can choose to live wherever you want,” Luke said, taking a seat on the bed.

“I know, but she came for me. For so long, she has pushed me aside, and now she wants me with her. That has to mean something. And with my dad gone… she’s all I have.” Luke thought about this for a moment. If his own parents came looking for him, would he want to be with them? Would he want to play the role of dutiful son again? He wanted, so much, to beg her to stay, but he knew that this was her decision to make. And part of him did wish his parents would come back to take him in, if not in their home, at least in their hearts.

“I understand. This is a decision you need to make for you,” he said, trying to be supportive, “but know that I don’t want you to leave. I need you. I need you here with me.” He knew it was a selfish thing to say, but he had come to depend on her in the last few weeks. Going back to the way things were didn’t seem like an option to him.

Jena turned back toward him and studied his face, which she saw was twisted in fear. Fear that she would leave. And at that moment, she knew that her home was here. Her home was wherever Luke was. She would not go back with her mother. She would not let her mother take her away like this. She had been raised under her father and mother’s control for her whole life. They controlled every aspect of her life, in order to make her an Olympic competitor. Her mother no longer held any say over her, and she was finally starting to understand that.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Jena said and pulled Luke into her. She kissed him tenderly, and she could feel him melt into her.

“I’ll support you, no matter your decision, Jena. I hope you know that.”

She nodded.

“I know. You don’t know how much that means to me,” she replied

He held on to her and she rested her head on his heart until finally, she was ready to go face her mother.

chapter 23

OTHER.” JENA NODDED CURTLY TOWARD the older version of herself, now sitting stiffly in a chintz chair. Jena noticed how uncomfortable Karen looked in the simple living room that felt so much like home to her now. She supposed that Karen was used to a more luxurious life, and had always assumed that was one of the reasons her mother left to begin with. With Ted Grayson gone and the farm failing, the fancy gala’s and important invitations stopped. She was no longer somebody and instead, became just a widow. Someone who used to be part of something bigger. Karen must have hated her falling social status and left. And, children complicated that sort of thing, unless that child was a future Olympian. This new revelation made Jena’s resolve even stronger. Her mother didn’t really want her; she wanted the status that her daughter could bring her. If Jena qualified for the Olympics next year, she would become the youngest member of the United States Equestrian Team. She would become a novelty. At least for a few years. And that would bring Karen the status she so desperately craved.

“Jena,” Karen began. “You look good.” Karen couldn’t help but notice the slight change in her daughter. The shadows on her face were gone, and there was a spark back in her eye. Her skin glowed with a healthy tan and no longer hung on her small frame.  Instead, her body was fit and toned, having gained both muscle and weight. Karen took this as a good sign. She had expected that she would have to come back here and convince her shell of a daughter to come back and compete. Perhaps this would be easier than she thought. Jena took a seat on the couch, followed by Luke, who sat next to her and placed his hand on her knee. Karen arched her eyebrow in concern, watching the two of them with unease, not sure what to think about the boy. The room ached of silence.

“I suppose you will need a few days to pack up and say your goodbyes. We can make a plan to send for Gatsby. My new place in Florida is less than an hour from the Danielson’s place, so you can continue your training with them.”

“I’m not going,” Jena said, with resolve. Did her mother really think that she could just come in here and demand that she return with her? Did she forget that she was old enough to take care of herself? Besides, it was
she
who had abandoned Jena, not the other way around.

“What do you mean you are not going? I have everything worked out. You can continue your training and things can go back to the way they were for you.”

“I mean, I am not going.” Jena slid her fingers into Luke’s. He looked over to her in support, a look that did not go unnoticed to Karen. “I’d rather stay here. And things are never going to go back to the way they were. Dad’s dead, remember?”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Karen looked at Meg, who had gone over to sit by her husband. “You really expect my daughter to stay here and live with this
murderer
around?” Karen practically screamed, as she gestured in Luke’s direction. So much for easily getting her daughter to come with her.

“Murderer?” Jena asked and released Luke’s hand and jumped to her feet.

“Surely, he didn’t tell you what he did. Your father and I knew all about him when Meg and Rob took him in. He killed his sister, for Christ’s sake!”

“That’s not— ”

“Yeah, it was all over the papers,” Karen interrupted, never giving Jena a chance to explain what she knew. “He killed his sister but was never charged because he was a minor, or something like that. His own parent’s didn’t even want him anymore. And for some reason, Meg and Rob took him in.

Now, her mother had gone too far. She stood still, her mouth open in shock, as the air around her felt as if it had all been sucked out.

“Now Karen, that’s not what happened. You have no idea what happened. Luke has been through a lot,” Rob explained.

Jena felt the air grow cold around her, marking Luke’s absence. The screen door suddenly slammed shut, and she could hear his retreating footsteps out on the gravel, heading in the direction in the barn. She took a deep breath to steady herself and tried to find the words she needed to explain things to her mother. Meg stood up and walked toward Karen.

“Jena,” Meg said calmly, “Why don’t you go check on Luke. And as for you,” she continued, her voice getting louder, turning to Karen. “If you have come here to cause trouble in my house, you can leave. These two have found happiness here, and you have no right coming in here and… “

Jena didn’t hear any more, as she was already gone, heading toward the barn, where she assumed Luke was. If her mother had hoped to get her to come to Florida with her, this was not the way to convince her. She had to admit though, the thought of returning and competing again, tickled in the back of her mind. But her mother’s way of presenting it was disgusting. And to try to pit her against Luke was not fair.

The barn door was already cracked open and she easily slid in. Luke stood at the opposite end, staring out into the darkness. His legs were spread slightly apart, as if he were preparing for battle, and his hands rested on his hips. It was a defensive stance. A territorial stance. She could feel the angst rolling off of him.

“Luke,” Jena whispered.

“Yeah,” he answered, his voice full of anguish. She immediately noticed that he never turned around.

“Luke,” she continued, as she walked slowly toward him, “You know I don’t believe my mother.” She saw his posture relax slightly, so she walked closer to him. “She doesn’t know the truth. She doesn’t know what happened, but I do.” She was standing behind him now, and her arms ached to reach for him. Instead, she kept her fists clenched at her sides, feeling further from him than ever before. They were silhouettes in the darkness, their figures felt a constant pull, yet a heaviness was there, threatening to pull them apart. After a moment, Jena waded through it and touched his arm. Luke softened, and his defenses began to drop. Slowly, Jena wrapped her arms around him and pulled him toward her. He turned in her arms, until they were gripping each other tightly.

“I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run out like that,” Luke apologized. “I’ve just forgotten that there are still people who think that about me. You, Meg and Rob, and even Kyle, know the truth. Living here is like living in hole, away from the rest of the world.”

“What do you mean, people think that about you?” Jena questioned.

“When the police came, I was still at the scene. I was so upset, I couldn’t speak. My hands were bloody from trying to get her out. At first, they thought I had something to do with it. It always amazes me how people can believe the media so easily.” Luke rested his chin on the top of Jena’s head and sighed.

“It doesn’t matter what my mom thinks, you know. She can believe whatever she wants. She lost my support when she left me,” Jena said, pulling away slightly from him. She reached a hand up to his cheek and turned his face to look at her. “I’m not going anywhere with her.” She stood up to kiss him, a soft caress, and it breathed new life into him. He pulled her close and kissed her back. They kissed until it felt as if nothing had been lost between them. When they parted, Jena stayed curled in the crook of his arm, and they both stared off into the darkness for several minutes, just listening to the sounds of the horses around them.

“Let’s just turn in for the night,” Jena eventually said. “I will figure out how to deal with my mother in the morning.”

chapter 24

T
HEY SPENT THE NIGHT TOGETHER, wrapped up in each other in Luke’s room. At one point, Jena heard footsteps outside of the barn door. She had sat up, expecting a knock, but then the steps retreated. She thought her mother knew better than to come find her, and if she didn’t, her aunt and uncle would surely keep the woman away.

Luke stirred next to her, and she turned to press her face into him. His chest rose with a contented sigh, and he wrapped his arms around her, sending tingles down her bare skin.

“Good morning,” he whispered.

“Hi,” she said back.

“How did you sleep?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

“Fine,” she said, pushing back from him to look into his eyes. “And you?”

“I always sleep well when you are in my arms.” Jena could feel the blush creeping through her cheeks. “Don’t be embarrassed. It’s the truth.” Jena shook her head and poked him in the side.

“Are you feeling better about everything that happened last night,” Jena asked.

“You mean, about your mother calling me a murderer? Sure, I guess.” He pulled away and placed his arms under his head.

“Come on, Luke, don’t be like that. I told you, she doesn’t know what she is talking about.” She rolled over to look at him. Luke shrugged, then stared at the wooden beams above, unable to meet her eyes.

“It’s just that, maybe she has a point, that’s all. I have a lot of baggage, Jena, and maybe you deserve someone better.” And now it was out. The thought that had been festering in his mind for the past few days had found its way out. He cringed, knowing that he could never take it back.

Jena sat up with a start, a shocked look on her face.

“Are you kidding me,” she said, her voice incredulous. “And you think that I don’t have baggage? Come on, Luke. After everything I’ve told you? That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” Jena felt her own anger begin to rise to the surface. Was this how it was going to be? One mistaken comment from someone who didn’t matter, and Luke would call it quits? It felt as if things were falling apart around her again, just when things had started to come back together. She stood up and grabbed her sweatshirt, stuffing her feet into her shoes at the same time. Before he could reach for her, she stormed out and slammed the door.

“Jena, come back and talk to me!” His frantic voice faded away as she walked back toward the house. Hopefully, it was early enough that no one would be up yet, and she could creep up into her room, unnoticed. She couldn’t believe Luke would say something like that. She couldn’t believe how quickly her life was coming crashing around her. Again.

Hope of an empty house soon faded when she saw her mother, aunt, and uncle were already sitting at the long oak table in the dining room. All three looked up at the sound of the screen door. Meg had put out blueberry muffins and fresh coffee. Jena could feel the tension beneath her mother’s glare. Meg noticed the frazzled look on Jena’s face and began to ask if she was okay, until Karen spoke, preventing Meg from saying anything.