Like dragonflies, p.8
Like Dragonflies, page 8
“We’ll talk later, Sage,” Dad says. He’s still eyeing my neck when he tugs Mom toward my open bedroom door. When they finally leave, I collapse on the bed and push out a frustrated growl.
Like he can sense my irritation, Mars texts me. Seeing his name flash across my phone makes me smile. It makes me smile hard.
Mars: Sorry I got you in trouble. I would have taken you home sooner but…I wanted to keep you close to me as long as possible.
Me: It’s fine. Being with you made the shitstorm I walked into worth it.
Mars: Did your mom and dad see the hickeys?
I smile at his question and relive the hot as hell make-out session we had beneath the stars. My core burns lava hot at the memory.
Me: Yeah…my mom saw them first. She freaked out.
Mars: Shit. I’m sorry. I got carried away.
Me: I like when you get carried away.
My cheeks turn warm and I press my cool palms to them.
Mars: Do you?
I picture his raised eyebrow in my mind. I bounce my knuckle on my lip and then grab my phone again.
Me: Promise me you’ll get carried away on our next date.
Mars: I definitely promise.
Me: By the way, I can still feel your mouth on me.
I make my way to the full-length mirror in my closet and snap a picture of myself. The tender marks of passion on my neck are bared as I tip my head to the side. I send the picture to Mars and await his response. My belly flops while I watch the three dots jump then vanish. Jump then vanish again.
Finally, my phone chimes.
Mars: Fuck. I’m lucky.
Me: Lucky?
Mars: I only put my mouth on what belongs to me. So yeah…I’m lucky.
I don’t press any further into what he said. Instead, I grin my ass off quietly and we continue texting until I fall asleep.
The smell of coffee hits my nose and my stomach grumbles. I wish Mom and Dad would leave. I want to grab something for breakfast before I go to the library and study. I also want to avoid the clunky moment I know will happen once we’re all in the same room.
I hear the front door close and I sigh. I’m not sure if it’s Mom or Dad but at least one parent is out of the house. I grab my bag and stand in the hallway, waiting to hear the front door close a second time.
Instead, I hear Dad call upstairs, “Mom is gone.” I wanted to avoid him too, but I can’t deny the relief that floods me knowing Mom is out of the house. I press a foot on the top step and hesitate.
I know Dad will ask me a ton of questions and I cringe at the thought of answering them. Why can’t they just let me date in peace until I bring Mars around on my own?
“I won’t bite,” Dad says from the kitchen as if he’s in my head. My shoulders slump and I take one step after another until I’m standing in the doorway of the kitchen, studying the tiles on the floor. “Hey, kiddo. Can you at least bring him to dinner? I think I deserve to meet the guy who’s making my daughter lose track of time.”
I smile at his words. Mars does make me lose track of time. He makes me lose the sense of anxiety and pressure too.
“Soon,” I promise him.
“I’ll hold you to it.” Dad finishes his coffee and studies me. “You’re up early for a Sunday, kiddo. I was going to head to the greens, but if you need a ride, I can drop you off somewhere.”
I nod my head then grab a bagel and a bottle of water. “Yeah, thanks. I’m going to the library to study for a while.” At least Dad didn’t chew me out like Mom will the moment she gets a chance.
We walk out to his car and once the seat belt is clicked in place, I ask, “How much did she interrogate you last night?” Dad’s eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs. The sound is warm and amused.
“She asked me questions until she fell asleep, no matter how many times I told her I only knew he was a barista at The Grind House.” We drive for a while and I fidget with the sleeves of my hoodie.
“You think she’ll judge him if he isn’t like they guys in Ashton Hills?” I stare out of the window, my muscles already tensing from the thought.
“Your mother can be…”
A bitch.
Dad opens and closes his mouth but no words come out. Even he can’t find the words to describe her. “She’s particular but she’s not a bad person, Sage.”
“I didn’t say she was, Dad, but she’s sure not a friendly one.” Sure as hell not a friendly one. My true words burn as I swallow them down.
We stop in front of the Newman Building where the library is and I get ready to hop out. “I’ll get her to come around, Sage.” Dad offers a sympathetic smile and I want to believe him. I don’t know if anyone will get her to come around though.
I trudge through my notes and assignments like I’m wading through mud. My mind becomes a swamp of random knowledge swimming around. The only thing I can concentrate on is Mars.
I’m dying to feel him on me again. I miss his touch like it’s my first time away from it.
I find myself in The Grind House after my assignments are done, even though I know I won’t see Mars there until tomorrow. “Sage, how are you?” Martina greets me. Her warm smile is in sharp contrast to the cold air outside.
“Hey, Martina.” I curl my finger inward and tap my bottom lip with my knuckle as I stare at the menu. I don’t need to look at it though, I’m going to order what I always do.
“Your usual?” Martina’s already making my cookies ‘n cream latte.
“Yes, please.” I smile at her. She hums a happy song as she pours half-and-half into the steamer pot.
“I hear you’ve taken a liking to Mars.” Martina isn’t much taller than the counter she’s peeping at me over. I can see the full apples of her cheeks as her eyes probe me for answers.
“We’re friends,” I say. There’s that word again. Friends. It turns my mouth sour after it’s in the air. “I like him though,” I add.
“Ah, I can see it all over your face. It looks good on you, Sage.” The bell on the front door jingles and I glance over my shoulder to see Sophia. She looks pretentious in a camel-colored Michael Kors coat and her thick hair falling around her face.
I tug at my ponytail and stiffen my posture. Her proximity restricts my breathing and I hate it. I want to leave as quickly as I can, but Martina isn’t done making my drink yet. I watch with anxious eyes as she steams the milk.
“Sage, hi.” Sophia’s voice slithers over and I shut my eyes for a brief moment to ready myself for this interaction. When I open my eyes, I turn with a phony smile plastered to my face.
“Sophia, hi.” I mirror her in hopes it’ll shorten the time I have to spend pretending to like her. Thankfully, Martina is done with my drink and calls my name. “Thanks, Martina,” I sigh, gripping the hot cup.
“No problem and tell Mars no dates for you two on the nights he works,” she jokes. I cringed inwardly because now Sophia is circling me like a shark. Her eyes are wide with wonder, but I see the catty streak lurking in the background.
“Wait, wait, wait.” She laughs softly but it grates on my nerves. “You’re dating Mars? The new hot guy in town?” She sneers at me as she folds her arms across her chest. “Well, he’s barely said two words to me. He must be trying to fuck you because no guy that hot would ever be really into you.”
My chest is crushed by the stone wall. I want to call her a jealous bitch, but the words lodge in my throat instead of coming out of my mouth.
I shoot Sophia a glare and shake my head before walking out of the door. One comeback after another reveals itself in my mind as I walk home.
I’m barely able to breathe by the time I get in the house. I move straight to my room and look at my easel. There’s a blank canvas waiting to be filled. Some of the weight lifts from me as I take purposeful steps toward the corner of my room.
I drop my bag and take a slow sip of the latte before putting it on a nearby stool. Tension drains from my body when I wrap my fingers around a slim paintbrush. I shut my eyes and breathe.
With my eyes closed, I see Mars. I see the sky above us as we lay on the ground beside each other. It’s full of stars and it makes me dizzy. I open my eyes and begin mixing navy blues and purples. The first few strokes of paint relax my spine and suddenly I don’t feel the need to strangle Sophia anymore.
After an hour of painting a night sky, I text Mars and ask if we can go somewhere later.
Mars: Where?
Me: Anywhere as long as I get to sit beside you while we’re in The Beast.
Mars: The Beast?
Me: Your truck. It’s officially been renamed Big Metal Beast. The Beast for short.
Mars: You’re the only one who likes this rust bucket.
Me: You will refer to him as The Beast from now on.
Mars: Okay. You’re the only one who likes The Beast.
Me: I usually like things other people can’t see the beauty in.
I smile for the first time since walking in the house. Without even being in front of me, Mars has knocked down the stone wall again like magic.
Mars—the magician.
Mars
“Jimmy is going to tan your hide if you keep screwing up orders,” Collette says, flashing me a knowing grin.
I quickly yank the ticket out of the window and change my customer’s order from cheeseburger to hamburger like he asked. Jimmy gives me the stink eye when I hand him back the ticket, but I blow it off. Collette waddles back over to me and smiles.
“Spill. You’re usually talking my ear off, and I can practically see all your words just clawing to get out. Tell me more about the girl.”
Leaning my hip against the counter, I can’t help but chuckle. “That obvious I’m thinking about her?”
She rolls her eyes. “Pretty obvious, Mars.”
I like Collette. We never dated in high school. She always had a thing for Ricky Beauchamp’s little brother, Bradley. This past year he knocked her up and it pisses me off he hasn’t put a ring on her finger. She’s one of the few nice girls in this town, and she doesn’t deserve Bradley’s shit.
“Sage is just perfect,” I say as though it’s the only answer.
“Swooning,” she deadpans. “I need more than that. You’re like a brother to me and I need to know the scoop. Don’t leave out any details.”
I rub the back of my neck and shrug. “Big green eyes and the prettiest smile. She’s into art like me. We just have a lot in common.” I give her a small grin. “I took her out last night. She’s a cool girl, Coll. Not at all like the other Ashton Hills girls. Sonic and a ride in The Beast were enough for her. More than enough. She was happy. I made her happy.”
“The Beast?”
“She named my truck.”
Collette chuckles. “I like her already.”
“We went out to a field and watched the stars. I kissed her. A lot.”
Her eyes flash with wickedness. “Oooh, we’re getting to the good part.”
“With Sage, it’s all the good part.”
She lets out an annoyed sigh. “Okay, for real, I’m really swooning now. Sheesh, who knew you had it in ya, Mars? A little poet and I didn’t know it.”
“Hardy har har har.”
She swats me with a rag. “Hush. I’m being serious. That’s really sweet. What’s even sweeter is the way your face lights up when you talk about her. If only we could get Bradley’s face to light up like that for me.”
Irritation bubbles up inside me.
“Want me to kick his ass?” I offer.
She taps the bottom of her chin with her fingertip. “Hmmm, let me think about it.”
As if on cue, Bradley pushes into Jimmy’s and searches out Collette. She points to her section and then makes a sign to me of cutting her neck. I wave my fist in the air and give her a questioning look. She shakes her head sharply at me before bouncing her big, pregnant self over to him.
“Hey, Coll,” I call out to her. “If you’re not busy tonight, let me take you to dinner.” I flash her my flirtiest smile, earning a glare from Bradley.
“Actually,” he bites out at me, pulling her to his chest and hugging her protectively. “Collette’s my lady. Don’t you see her carrying my son?”
“My bad,” I tell him. “I didn’t see a ring on her finger so I thought she was available. Just because she’s carrying your kid doesn’t mean she’s your girl.”
He practically growls at me. Collette shoots me a death glare that I ignore. “She’s. My. Girl.”
Good.
Fucker needs to step up.
I give him a two-fingered mock salute and grab the hamburger for my only customer from the window. Jimmy just shakes his head at me.
“Someone’s going to steal your cousin away from him if he keeps fucking around,” I tell Jimmy in defense.
“Let’s hope they do,” Jimmy grumbles. “Dumbass doesn’t see he has a good thing and she’s right in front of him.”
I drop off my burger to my customer and turn to meet the newest person walking in. “Jimmy’s. Glad to serve ya,” I call out. My words die out when my father walks in.
Turning on my heel, I rush back behind the counter and pretend I didn’t see him. When he sits in my section, I suppress a groan. All playful banter and thoughts about Sage take a back seat as anxiety creeps up my spine.
Why is he here?
I fill up a cup of Coke and grab a menu before heading over to Dad’s booth. He nods at the seat in front of me. With a stifled sigh, I hand him his Coke and menu before plopping down. He studies the menu for a moment while I look at him. When he’s not wasted, I see a slightly older version of myself. His coveralls hide the majority of his bulk and his hair is messy. A coat of dust covers his face, eyebrows, and hair. When he’s being semi-normal, I don’t mind seeing myself in him.
His green eyes lift from the menu and he pierces me with them. Only Dad can make me squirm under his stares. Something about them penetrates me. I hate I feel as though he can see the weakest parts of me.
“What’ll you be having?” I ask, my voice husky and raw.
“Chicken and fries combo.” He sets his menu down. “You stayin’ out of trouble?”
“Yes, sir,” I say quickly.
“Haven’t seen you crackin’ any books open.”
“They let me study here and at The Grind House when we’re slow. I’m caught up on all my assignments.”
He blinks at me, unimpressed. “I want to see those grades at the end of the term. If you think I’ll pay for another semester of shitty grades, you have another thing comin,’ Son.”
I swallow down angry words I’d love to spew back at him. “My grades are good, Dad.”
His gaze drifts over to Collette and Bradley before snapping back to mine. “Talked to Ricky Beauchamp today. He came by the mill. They’re investigating some homes getting broken into nearby.” He sneers. “That you, boy?”
Insulted, I let out a huff. “No, sir. I work and I go to school. Not much time for anything else.”
“If Beauchamp nabs you again, I don’t think you’ll do two months in county jail. You’re probably looking at a stint in the state pen.”
Running my fingers through my messy hair, I stare at him in disbelief. “I told you, Dad, I’m not getting into trouble. How many more ways do I have to tell you that?”
His jaw clenches and his green eyes flare with fury. A muscle ticks in the side of my neck. I can’t help but cower under his hateful glare.
“I’m just saying I’m staying out of trouble,” I amend, my tone placating.
“See to it that it remains that way,” he growls, pushing his menu back across the table at me.
Slipping from the booth, I rush over to the window and write up a ticket for his order. Collette sidles up next to me and leans her head on my shoulder.
“Jimmy’s is full of assholes today, huh?” she mutters.
“What else is new around here?” I grumble.
She laughs. “Ain’t that the truth. Ain’t that the damn truth.”
I check my hair in the mirror for the twentieth time on the way to Sage’s. She texted a while ago and after a long, stressful shift at Jimmy’s, I was ready to escape Duncan to come see my girl.
My girl.
She so fucking is.
A smile tugs at my lips. Dad tried to ruin my day and I’d almost let him. I’d gone home and showered, stewing over how he’d treated me. But then Sage asked to see me. It was like she reached above me and tugged on a string, making a light glow above me. All the darkness shrank away in that simple moment.
She’s light in my dark world.
I’m becoming addicted to it. To her.
I pull up to her giant house and before I can fully park the car, she’s bursting from her house. Her black Nine Inch Nails hoodie swallows her. She’s wearing dark skinny jeans tucked into some black furry boots, and her raven-colored hair is messily pulled up into a bun.
She’s so damn cute.
I lean across the seat and unlatch the door before pushing it open. She hops inside and closes the door. Then, she scoots over to the middle, where she belongs, and buckles herself in.
“Hey, beautiful,” I say, my eyes already fixated on the obvious purple marks on her neck.
“Hey, handsome.” She grins happily at me, kick starting my heart. “Let’s get the hell out of here before my mom comes home and gives me the third degree.”
My rust bucket—er, The Beast—rumbles as I haul ass out of her neighborhood. Once we’re on the main road, I nudge her with my shoulder.
“I missed you. Today was a shit day at work, but now it’s better because you’re here,” I tell her, shooting her a smile.
She squeezes my thigh through my jeans. “My day was crappy too. I’m happy now, though. Where are we off to?”
“I thought we could go see a movie. That new Chris Pine movie is out.”
She nods and leans her head on my shoulder. “Sounds perfect.”
