"Dude, that's sick. You went to jail because of her."
"I'm well aware of that."
"You're telling me you have the hots for the Maggie Armstrong? Your next-door neighbor? The girl who walks weird because you ran over her leg with your car?"
"Brian, you're starting to act like Drew."
Brian looks confused as he's trying to comprehend what I just admitted to him. Then he bursts out laughing. He can't stop and falls to the ground in hysterics, holding his stomach. "That's ... hilarious!" he yells when he can catch his breath. "Oh my God, it can't be true ..." he says, then goes back to laughing hysterically again.
I'm seriously considering kicking his ass right now. But this isn't Vic or Drew, this is Brian. I take the ball and head back home, but not before telling Brian to go to hell.
Nobody is home; I have the house all to myself. I want to yell at the top of my lungs, but just as I'm about to do it the doorbell rings. Brian is an idiot if he's stupid enough to come here to laugh in my face again. Maybe, after all, I will use his head as my punching bag.
But I open the door and my ex-best friend isn't standing in front of me. It's Kendra, my ex-girlfriend. Shiny lips and all. "Hi," she says.
"Hi."
"Are your parents home?"
"Nope." She already knew they weren't.
"Can I come in?"
I open the door wider. She heads straight upstairs to my room. I watch her back and my eyes focus on her thong underwear sticking out of the top of her shorts before I follow.
Closing my door like I always do when we're about to fool around, I lean back against the door and watch her. But this time we're not going to fool around. I know it. She doesn't, obviously, I can tell by what she's wearing. A ridiculously low-cut shirt, I swear her ni**les are millimeters below the ruffled collar. And her shorts reveal way more than I'd ever want any girlfriend of mine to reveal. But she's not my girlfriend, she's Brian's.
Kendra wanders around my bedroom, fingering my desk, my dresser, and my bookshelves. When she picks up my lightsaber and turns it on, I'm tempted to tell her not to touch it.
"When are you going to get rid of these toys?" she asks, waving it in the air. I don't answer.
Sighing, she says, "I know Brian told you about him and me. But I still love you, you know." She closes the distance between us, close enough that I can smell her cherry lips. She licks them and leans in for a kiss.
I turn my head away. "What? One boyfriend isn't enough for you?"
"I want you both."
"It's over, Kend. Way over."
"It's not and you know it. Because--and I know this sounds selfish, but it's true--I don't want anyone else to have you."
"Break up with Brian. The guy wants to marry you."
She chuckles. "My parents think he's good for me, so I'm playing along. Besides, I need a boyfriend I can hang with in public. But you can be my private boyfriend, CB."
"Never gonna happen."
"Wanna bet?" She steps back, points the tip of the saber at me, and pushes the blunt tip against my throat. A wicked grin crosses her mouth. "You can be my little secret. You like keeping secrets, don't you Caleb?"
My pulse quickens, and the mood in the room changes instantly. One thought burns in my brain ... she knows.
"What do you want?" I say evenly.
"CB, don't look so sad. I just want you," she says, then lowers the saber and goes in for another kiss.
This time I don't turn away.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Maggie
It took a week for Mom to invite Mr. Reynolds over for dinner. She asked me about twenty more times if it was okay with me. I didn't have the heart to say no.
Mr. Reynolds comes in the house wearing a grey three-piece suit and red tie, as if he's going to court for a traffic violation. In his hands are a dozen purple tulips for my mom and a box of Frango chocolates for me.
"Thanks," I say awkwardly as he hands me the box. Do I open it now, or wait until later ... or tomorrow?
"Why don't you have a seat and make yourself comfortable, Lou," Mom says nervously, her hands fidgeting with the black, sophisticated dress she decided to wear. "Would you like a drink? Wine ... brandy ... soft drink?"
Mr. Reynolds smiles, a warm smile that I can tell is sincere. "Surprise me."
Mom laughs, a sweet, soft laugh I haven't heard in years.
When Mom is in the kitchen, Mr. Reynolds turns to me. "How is it back at school after being away for a year?"
I shrug. "It's okay, I guess."
He stares out the window. Where's my mom? The clock on the fireplace mantle is ticking, each second a reminder of how time is passing so slowly.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Mr. Reynolds rubs his hands together. I can tell he's as eager as I am for my mom to come back. Tick. Tick. Tick.
I want to excuse myself and hide in my room. I don't think I can handle watching my mom on a date with someone other than my dad.
Just as I'm about to stand up and excuse myself, she comes in with three drinks and a big smile. "Martinis for us, Sprite for Maggie."
Mr. Reynolds takes the glass from my mom. Their hands touch slightly when she hands it to him. I know I encouraged her to invite Mr. Reynolds over, but he's too big, too blonde, and ... and he's not my dad.
I stand up.
Mom looks at me, her expression wary. "Where are you going, sweetheart?"