Anywhere But Here (24 page)

“Sure,” I said as I trailed down the stairs to my bedroom.  I dug a pen out of my desk drawer, yanked a piece of paper out of my notebook, and sat down.  “Tell me how to get there.”

He gave me explicit directions and I jotted them down quickly, reading them back when he finished.  Once he was satisfied that I wouldn’t get lost, he chattered excitedly about the upcoming game.  Apparently, it was a big one against a rivaling team and he wanted to do well.

“So, um, should I meet you somewhere or something?” I asked, too afraid to mention meeting his parents.  Maybe he’d forgotten.

“I won’t get to see you before the game, most likely, so I’ll just call your cell after I shower and everything and we’ll figure out a place to meet.”

“Okay,” I said.

“I don’t have to ride the team bus home so my parents thought we could all go for ice cream or something afterwards.  Then, I can ride back home with you, if you don’t mind, and we could hang out for a bit.”

My heart sank to my stomach at the thought of meeting his parents.  For some reason, it made it all the more – official.  I was still up in the air about the whole thing: On the one hand, when I was with Fin, I delighted in being his, well, girlfriend or whatever.  But, on the other hand, when I was away from him and had time to think, I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted any sort of relationship.  And the whole mess was giving me one massive headache.

“Still with me, Rena?” he asked.

“Huh? Oh, yeah.  And sure, I’ll give you a ride back.  That’s no problem,” I said, a little embarrassed to be caught woolgathering.  “So what time does the game start?”

“Four but we have warm-ups at three so if you get there a little early, I might be able to say hey or something,” he said, his voice a bit uncertain.  I was just beginning to wonder where the overconfident, arrogant Fin was – the one I’d met the first day of school- when he opened his mouth again.  “I wouldn’t want you to miss seeing any of my many awesome moves.”

“Oh, brother,” I mumbled as I rolled my eyes and smiled.  “Just when you think it’s safe to assume Fin has gone all humble…”

“You know you think it’s cute.  In fact, you find it downright adorable.”

“Sure, whatever.  I’ll see you in a couple hours.  Bye,” I said, softly flipping the phone shut.

***

I usually found long, solitary drives somewhat enjoyable as it gave me a chance to ponder my life.  But that afternoon, as I steered my car through the sparse traffic, my thoughts returned to the party the night before.

The anger-demon that I’d thought I’d banished when things started heating up with Fin, returned with a vengeance
. It strained on its leash, desperate to break free and wreak havoc on my already topsy-turvy life.

I wondered if Sabrina would keep her word and not say anything to Damon about Camille.  At the time, I’d believed her but the more I thought about it, the greater the panic forming in my stomach became.  I remembered how I’d been before Camille disappeared, back when life had been totally different.  I remembered hearing a secret and promising to not tell a soul but as soon as I spoke with Tiara, I’d tell her after securing a promise from her not to tell anyone else.

Is that what Sabrina had done?  Was she doing it at that moment?  I was fairly certain she was pretty close to Damon and probably kept little from him.  Would she feel the need to tell him out of some sense of duty?  Would she feel as if she was betraying his trust if she didn’t tell him?  After all, she and I had just met but she’d known Damon a lot longer – I had yet to earn any sort of her loyalty.

I gripped the wheel tighter as the anger-demon ran eager circles on my shoulders, practically frothing at the mouth in excitement. I would have to dispel it quickly as I didn’t want its company when I met Fin’s parents.  It was bad enough the whole school thought I was some kind of freak – I didn’t need Fin’s parents to think so, too.

As I approached Morrisson, I was sort of relieved for the heavier traffic as it required my concentration.  Besides, I had to consult with Fin’s directions constantly as the town was larger than Dunewood and I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going.

But Fin’s directions were remarkably accurate and I easily found the large, rotund building that obviously housed the skating rink or arena – whatever they called it.  I parked in the expansive parking lot, frowning at the lack of vehicles.  Only a handful of cars along with a couple of yellow buse
s were in the lot.  I tugged the collar of my jacket up and headed for the door.  It was still early and I was certain if the inhabitants of this town were anything like Dunewood, they’d arrive in throngs and invade the place like pirates pillaging foreign shores.

My uneasiness returned tenfold, driving the anger-demon insane, as I entered the building and followed the signs to the rink.  What if Fin’s parents were there already and he introduced us?  Would I be bound somehow to sit with them throughout the entire game and forced to make strained small talk?

A sudden wave of nausea rocked my body and nearly sent me reeling but I steadied myself with a quick hand to the wall of the narrow hall. I drew in a few breaths before moving on without attracting attention.

The hall opened to a grandstand that surrounded a vast rink.  Several people dressed in red were doing laps on the ice, their voices loud and rowdy as they called out encouragement to each other, pepping themselves for the match.  A few people sat in the stands, not really paying attention – except for the girls that were lined up behind the players’ benches.

I climbed up the stands to the very top, isolating myself from the others.  Feeling a bit safer, I started to relax as the red-clad skaters exited the ice, most likely to prepare for the game.  I didn’t have to wait long until the guys in blue took to the rink, warming up and working into their own pre-game rituals. I spotted Fin easily as his blue Dunewood Coyotes warm-up gear identified him as “FIN” in large letters on the back.  My heart kicked up a notch as I watched him glide elegantly over the ice, batting a puck around recklessly with his team mates.

A stupid smile slipped across my face as my eyes remained trained on him and his smooth, simple movements.  I couldn’t wait for the game – I was eager to see him in action.  I couldn’t wait to see him skate furiously across the expansive ice and shoot the puck into the net.  I was actually starting to regret that I didn’t know a whole lot about hockey and vowed to do a little more research first chance I got.

I watched, mesmerized for a while, until they started congregating around what I supposed was going to be their bench.  That was when Fin’s searching eyes finally located me and waved me closer.  With a big smile, I climbed down to the wall where he stood waiting, his curls damp.

“Hey, you made it,” he said, grinning.  I f
ought the urge to kiss him.

“Yep.  Great directions.”

His grin widened as he took my hand.  “Mom and Dad aren’t here yet but they’re excited to meet you.”

I struggled to keep the cool mask on my face as I forced words through my falsely smiling lips.  “That’s cool.  I can’t wait either.”

He squeezed my hand as he laughed, yanking me close enough to press a kiss to my lips.  “You are such a sucky liar.  It’s okay if you’re a little keyed up about meeting them.”

My lips fell into a frown.  “Huh?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said as he eased me closer to kiss me again.  “I’d be terrified if I was about to meet your parents.”

Horror hit me and it took all my strength to keep it from showing on my face.  I swallowed, still managing to keep a neutral expression in place.  I couldn’t imagine introducing Fin to my parents – what a joke that would be.  Would my mother even acknowledge him or would she lose interest as soon as she realized he held no answers to the Camille mystery?  And my father – how would he react?

I pushed all those questions out of my mind and slipped a smile on my face.  “I wouldn’t subject you to that sort of hell.”

He chuckled but a flicker of confusion flashed in his eyes.  “Aw, come on.  I bet your parents aren’t that bad.”

I shrugged, my eyes darting all over the arena, searching frantically for some source of conversation change – something to rip the topic away from my family.  “Don’t you have to go get all padded up and listen to a pep talk from your coach?” I asked as his team mates skated to an opening on the rink.

“Yeah,” he sighed, running a hand through his sweaty curls.  “I do. Meet me by the front doors after the game, okay?”

“Yep,” I agreed, bending to place a short kiss on his lips.  “Good luck, go team, and all that sporty stuff.”

He barked out a quick laugh, shot me a wink, and skated away to prepare for his game.  I sighed like the lovesick teenager I was turning into and climbed through the growing crowd to my seat near the top.

The place filled up rather quickly once game time approached. I watched in amazement at the love and dedication the people had for this game and the players.  As a cheerleader, I’d known that people – and not just students – were into supporting their team, some to the point of obsession, but in this little corner of the world – this region of tiny, insignificant towns – their fervor was nearly at a religious level.

I sat alone in a c
orner furthest from the ice where I easily recognized several classmates and people from town.  I cringed, hoping none of them would tear their eyes from the activities on the ice to find me perched alone above them all and start their whispering – especially with Fin’s parents around somewhere.

When the game began,
I forgot about those around me as I tried to concentrate on the little puck zigzagging all over the ice.  It was easy to become engrossed and even easier to cheer and applaud for Fin’s team – so easy that I forgot all about meeting his parents.  By the time the third period began, all the stress had streamed from my body and puddled at my feet as I stood and screamed wildly.  Fin had possession of the puck and was darting between opposing players, dead set on scoring. Standing and nearly clawing my own face in excitement, my eyes remained on Fin as he smacked the puck, sending it soaring into the net.  I jumped up and down, ignoring those around me, as Fin’s team mates celebrated with him on the ice.

When the game ended a few minutes later, my heart was still thumping loudly and the roar of the crowd still thundered in my ears.  A happy smile remained on my face
as I clomped down the bleachers, joining the others being herded towards the exits.

I gently shoved my way out of the queue to lean against a pillar so I could easily spot Fin.  The nervousness returned as I nibbled on my lip, studying the parents who lingered nearby
, wondering which set belonged to Fin.  I recalled him telling me that they were a bit older – that his dad was retired – but I was either too nervous or not very imaginative for I couldn’t for the life of me figure out who belonged to him.

Finally, Fin found me and draped an arm over my shoulder.  A heavy bag rested on his other shoulder and a wide grin rested on his lips.
“Did you enjoy the game?”

“Actually I did,” I admitted.  My body automatic
ally migrated closer to his. I desperately wanted to snuggle into his side and allow him to guide me out of here.  “You did well.”

He lifted a brow as a smirk worked its way across his face.  “Did I now?”  I nodded, my head foggy. 
Chuckling, he squeezed my upper arm.  “Let’s go find my folks.”

The warm, fuzzy feeling disappeared in a flash as he dropped my shoulder and took my hand, leading me through the reuniting families.  Many people greeted him with a pat on the back or a playful punch in the arm.  I stayed as close as I could, hoping no one would notice me and we could exit without any sort of fanfare on my part.

“There they are,” he announced. My stomach took another tumble as he maneuvered through the throng and stopped in front of a tall, thin, graying man and his plump, smiling wife.

Mr. Finley smiled warmly, his eyes so like Fin’s it was uncanny.  His wrinkled
, friendly face put me immediately at ease.  I relaxed a bit and turned my attention on his wife.

Mrs. Finley’s short cropped hair was lined with gray and her face revealed her age, but her eyes, like her husband’s, were welcoming and pleasant.

“Great game, son,” Mr. Finley said as he drew Fin into a one-armed hug.

“Yes it was,” his mother agreed, rolling to her toes to kiss his cheek, causing him to blush.  An uncontrollable smile graced my face as my heart swelled.  The swelling lasted only so long as an ache took its place – an ache to have the same sort of affection bestowed upon me by my own parents.  I had to look away to prevent the tears from forming in my eyes.  I pulled air through my nostrils quietly, not wanting to attract attention to my sudden bout of despair, then turned my attention back
to the family.

“This is Rena Hamilton,” Fin introduced, disengaging my hand to wrap an arm around my shoulders.  “My parents, Sean and Katherine Finley.”

“Very nice to meet you,” I said with mild enthusiasm.  I was managing to keep my emotions at bay and able to put some warmth in my voice.

“You, too, dear,” Katherine Finley smiled, patting my cheek.  “Ian has told us all about you.  Did you enjoy the game?”

“Yes, very much,” I said, my heart beating a rapid rhythm inside my chest.  I was almost frightened that it would break a rib.  “Though, I don’t know a whole lot about hockey.”