Because of You (22 page)

“You look so beautiful,” Austin says, stepping away from Tony and his mother. He takes my hand to help me step down.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” He leans in and gives me a soft kiss on my cheek.

My dad and Trisha pull up just in time. Trisha jumps out of the car with her belly sticking out a little more. I still can’t believe there’s something growing in there.

“You look so beautiful!” She takes me in her arms and gives me a tight hug. I pull away quickly before my mother walks outside and gets even more upset with me.

“You really do look beautiful,” Austin’s mother says.

“Thank you.”

“I can’t believe my baby girl is all grown up,” my father adds taking his turn to give me a hug. I swear if it continues like this my dress is going to be all wrinkled by the time I get to the dance.

“Oh, hello Stewart,” my mother says, acting surprised to see him. She doesn’t acknowledge Trisha’s presences at all. I don’t think the air around us can get any thicker. “Tony, honey can you bring me my camera.” I know this is her way of letting my father know she’s moved on too.

Both of parents and Austin’s mother begin to snap pictures as Austin stands behind me allowing me to breath him in. I love his choice of cologne. I have to fight every muscle in my body not to turn around and start kissing him.

“If they’re taking these many pictures for the homecoming dance can you imagine how many they’ll take for prom?” he whispers in my ear.

“Is this your way of asking me to prom?”

Austin chuckles, “Maybe.”

“What makes you think I’ll still be with you by then?” I tease while I try to hold on to my picture ready smile.

“I just know.”

“Who would have thought our kids would end up going out,” Mr. Evens says stepping out of his house offering my dad a beer.

“I know. Right?” My dad takes the beer and takes a long sip.

“I sure didn’t!” My mother calls out ending her photo shoot. “I never thought my daughter would end up dating a boy who used to torment her. Or a boy whose parents helped my lousy husband hide his affair.”

Everyone stops taking pictures and turns to face my mother now. She laughs it off taking a sip of her wine. My mother, her anger, and wine do not mix well.

“Well, this crazy couple has to get to the dance and celebrate our win. See you guys later,” Austin says, pulling me by the hand and leading me to his car.

I jump in as fast as I can. Austin starts his car and zooms off. I’m so happy we got out of there before the air could get any thicker.

We pick up Farrah and Josh and head straight to the dance. Our plan is stay there for a little while and then head to the after party at Derek’s house.

We walk into the gym and see everyone out on the dance floor dancing to the latest radio hit. We walk around saying hi to everyone we know.

“Austade!” Someone yells as we walk past the refreshment table. Austin looks at me and smiles. He likes our nickname just as much as I do.

I lean in and whisper in Farrah’s ear, “Do you know if Logan was coming?” I haven’t spoken to him in so long. I’ve tried texting him, but he never responds back. I was hoping I’d see him here and maybe find out what girl he’s supposedly dating.

“I have no idea. Logan’s not talking to me either.”

Sooner or later Logan and I are going to have a talk and determine if this friendship is worth saving or not. I’m hoping it is, but I can’t force him to be my friend. I have to push Logan out of my head for tonight and have a good time. This might be the only homecoming I get to go with Austin.

It doesn’t take us long for us to join everyone on the dance floor. I get lost in the music. We dance one song after the other. Most of the time I find myself enveloped in Austin’s arms.

The DJ slows things down and plays
Run
by Snow Patrol. It’s one of my favorite songs. I played it a lot during my parent’s separation. I glance over at Farrah, who is holding on tightly to Josh. She looks up and gives me a shinning smile. I know it’s her who requested for me. I nod and smile right back at her.

I wrap my arms around Austin’s neck as he firmly holds my waist and we begin to sway to the rhythm of the music. We stare into each other’s eyes forgetting there’s anyone else in the room. Right when the tempo begins to pick up he brings me in tighter and begins to kiss me. Every inch of me tingles, and I realize I am no longer falling for Austin, I’ve already fallen.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t contain myself,” Austin says pulling away with his eyes still closed when the song ends.

“No need to apologize. I felt the same way.”

He strokes my bare arms with his warm hands. Even his callous feel soft tonight. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself.”

“Me too.”

We continue to dance and finally the time comes to announce the Homecoming King and Queen. Josh and his ex girlfriend Julie win, which doesn’t surprise anybody. I can feel Farrah’s body stiffen as we watch them dance together. I hate to admit that he is holding her extra tight. His hands keep stroking her back while Julie digs her face into his neck.

“I can’t watch this any longer,” Farrah says, and walks off to the bathroom. I follow right behind. I don’t blame her. I don’t think I could stand it if I had to watch Austin dance with any other girl, especially his ex-girlfriend

“Did I tell you how hot you look in your dress tonight?” I ask, trying to get her to smile. I’m not lying to her. She really does look beautiful in her short black and white dress with her dark blond long hair in loose curls.

“Thank you. You look hot too.” She’s smiling but her eyes are full of fear. I give her a quick hug hoping her heart doesn’t’ get broken.

I open the door and stop right as Garret walks by. He looks at me and smiles. I haven’t spoken to him since the night he tried to kiss me. I think we both been trying to keep our distance from each other.

“How are you?” he asks me.

“Good. And you?”

“Better. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” All I keep thinking is I have to get away from him before Austin walks out here.

“Hey, Garret do you know if Logan came to the dance?” Farrah asks. I never told her what happened the other night.

“Nah, he didn’t come. He went to visit Jesse after the game. Well I’ll see you guys later.” He walks away and joins Cara, who’s talking to some other girls. I guess they’re back together.

“Do you think Logan will ever start acting like our friend again?” Farrah asks.

“I don’t know. I hope so, because I really do miss him.” I pull out my phone from my silver clutch and text him,
Miss U.

Twenty minutes later I sit in Austin’s car heading to Derek’s house still checking my phone, but Logan hasn’t text me back. I guess it’s okay as long as he knows how I feel.

Farrah and Josh sit in the back seat making out. I’m happy she’s over his dance with Julia. I’m so happy for her. This night really is turning out perfect.

There are twice as many people at Derek’s house that were at the dance. Farrah and I squeeze through the crowd and run upstairs to change into more comfortable clothes.

Farrah is not smiling like she was just a couple of minutes ago. “Are you okay?” I ask her getting into my jeans.

“I don’t know.”

“Are you still thinking about Josh and Julia dancing together?”

“A little.” She falls back onto the bed with her eyes full of fear. “Oh Jade, I think Julia really wants him back.”

“Because they danced together?” I sit next to her on the bed.

“Yes. I mean I don’t know. She’s been around a lot lately. Every time I look he’s talking to her. What am I going to do if she does want him back?”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. He came with you tonight. Besides weren’t you just making out with him?”

“Yeah, but it felt different. Like he was doing it because he thought that’s what I wanted.”

“It didn’t look like he wasn’t having fun. Farrah, Josh is with you. Like I said before, you can’t worry about Julia. You just have to enjoy being with him. And if she does go after him we’ll kick her ass,” I say, trying to make her laugh.

It works. Farrah begins to laugh. “Thanks. I love you.” She leans in and gives me a hug. I really hope I’m right.

We walk back downstairs and join Austin and Josh who are in a heated discussion with some of the other football players over who has a better defense the New York Giants or New England Patriots.

Austin drapes his arm around my shoulder holding a red plastic cup in his hand. He says his point and then looks at me. “Do you wanna get out of here?”

I love when he asks me that. I nod.

He takes my hand and leads me toward the back of the house. I know exactly where he’s taking me.

Minutes later we are sitting on the same stairs we almost shared our first kiss on. The cold ocean air makes it hard to breathe. Austin tucks me into him trying his best to shield me from the cold salty wind.

“I would say lets go for a walk but it’s way too cold,” he says, planting a kiss on the top of my head.

“I know.”

“Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”

“No. It was a perfect idea. I’m glad we’re finally alone.”

He strokes a piece of my hair off my face. “You are so beautiful,” he whispers right before he places his soft lips upon mine. Thank God, I’m sitting because I don’t think my legs would be able to hold me up right now.

Austin scoops me up and sits me on his lap never allowing his lips to come off mine. He brings his lips down to my neck making me release a loud sigh from the back of my throat.

“You smell so good,” he says bringing his soft lips back to my mouth.

Our kissing becomes more intense with each minute that passes. I swear if we were not sitting on the steps we would be laying on the ground. His hand strokes my leg and every so often squeezes my thigh as our tongues wander in and out of each other’s mouth. My body no longer feels cold.

He pulls away with a bright smile. “You wanna go for that walk on the beach now?” I know this is his way of saying lets go lie down on the sand.

“How about we visit one of Derek’s bedroom?”

His grin widens, “Even better.”

I stand up and give him my hand to help him up.

“Jade!” Someone screams. I look up and see Farrah standing at the top of stairs crying uncontrollably.

I run up the stairs with Austin right behind me. “What happened?”

“Josh.” Sobs “Dumped.” Louder sobs. “Me!”

“What?! Why?”

“He’s getting back together with Julia. I told you this was going to happen.”

“Oh hon, I’m so sorry.” I take her in my arms and let her release the rest of her tears. Austin stands in front of me with an apologetic look in his eyes. I don’t want to blame him, but I at the same time it’s his friend who did this. Why do guys have to be such dicks?

“I just wanna go home. Please Jade, lets go home.”

“Okay.” I hold her tight in my arms.

“I’ll get the car,” Austin says, storming off looking furious. I hope he’s not mad that I want to leave. He has to understand right now I have to be there for Farrah.

I sit in the backseat with Farrah as she continues to cry. None of us say anything. When we arrive at her house I walk Farrah inside and then head back to the car to talk to Austin.

“Are you mad me?” I ask him getting into the front seat.

“What? No. I mean I’m mad but not at you.”

“Then who?”

“Josh. He’s such an ass. I warned him not to date Farrah if he was thinking of getting back together with Julia.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. She’s your friend and I don’t wanna see her get hurt.”

“I love you,” I blurt out without thinking. Austin’s eyes open wide. Why did I just say that? “I didn’t mean it like that I meant...”

“I know how you meant it,” Austin nervously laughs.

“Good.”

“You meant you
love
me. You wanna
kiss
me,” he teases me.

“Shut up! You’re an ass.” I hit him on his arm feeling like a complete fool.

“I’m only teasing you. Come over here.” He pulls me in closer and begins to kiss me. With his eyes closes he says, “I swear I can kiss you all night long.”

“Me too, but we have to stop.” I put my hand on his chest preventing him from getting any closer. “I better get inside. I’m sure Farrah wants to talk about everything that’s happened.” I need to get out of his car. I feel so stupid for telling him I loved him. I wish it was a mistake, but it really is how I feel.

I lean in and give him one last kiss before running inside.

I’ve spent almost all weekend keeping Farrah busy, so she won’t fall into another crying fit. One minute she would be okay saying things like she’s better off, and then the next she would be crying her eyes out. I hate seeing her this way. It reminds me so much of my mother when my father moved out. I would do anything to remove all the pain she’s feeling.

To my surprise Logan showed up at her house. I guess she texted him. He held her in his arms and acted like the old Logan I care for. He even actually made her laugh.

“Thanks for coming over. You really did make her feel better,” I say walking him to his car.