Heart Waves (2 page)

I plopped down on the back porch steps. I couldn’t believe what a fool I’d made out of myself. Grace called me “Ice Queen,” the stupid name Mike gave me, because I never let anyone get under my skin. I always controlled the situation. And
never, never lost my head
.

Except for now.
   

I sat with my face in my hands, trying calm the sudden tumult within me. I needed a moment of tranquility, to push him out of my mind. I wanted to forget about the mysterious guy who made my heart race and made me feel alive.

I didn’t notice the form standing next to the back door. I had no idea he stood in the shadows, until he cleared his throat.

I turned startled.

“Did I upset you?”

Upset me? Was he kidding? How could I tell him the sight of him, although unsettling, was uplifting, inspiring? Or that in seventeen years I’d never felt anything remotely close to this sudden, intense attraction, and had no clue how to handle this. And the mere fact he stood so close had me totally and completely befuddled, unable to think clearly or string together a coherent thought.

“No.” I ordered myself to calm down. “I didn’t know you were there.”

“I can go back inside if you’d like,” he motioned toward the door.

“It’s not necessary,” I tried to sound nonchalant, like he had no effect on me. Besides, if he went inside I would be tempted to follow and that would definitely leave me at a disadvantage.

He sat on the step next to me and any pretense of nonchalant went out the window. I kept my eyes focused on the water in front of us, feeling my pulse race beneath my skin (acutely aware of his proximity), and how easy it would be to reach out and touch him.

I looked for something to talk about, anything to shift my attention away from how much I wanted to press myself against his body and kiss him. I needed a safe topic with no hidden innuendos. A soft, familiar sound seemed to wake me from the dreamlike trance he held over me. The one thing I could always count on for peace and tranquility: the gentle waves lapping against the ramparts of the waterway. 

“The bay is beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked braving a glimpse of him.

“Incredible,” he answered with a sly smile. “The water’s deceiving though. It looks calm and peaceful, but it can sweep you away in a moment.”

Like his presence did with me.

“Speaking from experience?”

He shook his head, “Just making conversation.”

An awkward silence lingered.

He took a deep breath, “So what does it take to get you to smile?”

“Is that why you’re here?
To make me smile?”
A girl could hope.

“You’re the one with the answers, you tell me.”

“Answers?
Hardly,” I snickered. But I could think of nothing else to say and turned my attention back to the ocean.

“I’ve done it again,” I heard a hint of sadness in his voice, and wanted to make better whatever troubled him. 

“What exactly is that?”

“I’m not sure. Upset you? Frightened you?”

“Yeah.
Right.”
I answered as if the idea was ridiculous. 

“Then why’d you run and hide out here?” he asked sipping from a large red plastic cup.

“Why do you care?” 

“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” he winked, his eyes gleamed.

I looked away, a reaction to the jittery feeling I got looking in his eyes.

“It leaves me feeling bad when girls flee from me,” he teased.

“So this happens often?”

“Only when the moon is blue.”

“Then don’t sweat it,” I patted his knee with my hand, a warm tingly feeling running from my fingers up my arm. I wondered if he felt it too. Our eyes met again. I wanted to look away, but instead got lost in his stare. I reminded myself to exhale while searching for my voice, “Just a plain, old moon tonight.”

“Good,” he chuckled, “I don’t like to think only minutes of speaking to me is enough to send you running. It usually takes much longer than a few minutes.”

I laughed. “I thought we already settled this,” I took a deep breath. “You startled me. That’s all. Otherwise you don’t frighten me.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Then what does frighten you?”

“Life, death, everything in between.”

“A flair for the dramatic, huh?”
He leaned in to me and gently bumped my shoulder with his own, sending a heat wave through my body, through my heart.

“What happened to the easy questions, like what’s your name?” I asked.

“Reece Walton.”

He extended his hand, waiting for mine, I hesitated, afraid of his overpowering energy and how it unraveled me. I took a deep breath and then gave in.

“It’s nice to meet you, Reece.” He paralyzed me with his relentless grip. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t allow it.

“Not until I get yours,” he said, his brown eyes penetrating mine.

“Jenna,” I answered.

“Just Jenna?”

I nodded, “I’m an enigma.”

“Yes, you are.” He gave another heartwarming smile, before another awkward silence hung between us.

“That was pretty cool, what you did with the jewelry. How’d you start?” 
he
asked, releasing my hand.

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got plenty of time,” he smiled.

I rolled my eyes. “I took chemistry last year. When we should’ve been learning about moles and valence electrons, my teacher was doing handwriting analysis on the class.”

“So you went head to head with her?” he joked.

I shook my head. “A few of us formed a study group. We got off topic and I joked saying I could give better readings than she could. I picked up a pen and said what I felt about its owner.”

“And it worked?” he asked, sounding skeptical.

I nodded. “I’ve always had feelings. I sort of knew things as a kid. I could sense a good day from a bad one. I’ve been able to predict winning lottery numbers just before the balls came up.” I explained. “I just used whatever was available, a pen, a piece of jewelry, something with energy on it, closed my eyes and said what I felt about the owner. It’s just interpreting the energy on the object.”

“Want to give it another try?” He offered me his ring.

“Nah.”
I shook my head and tried to create space between us. “If I do it too much or too long, I get killer migraines.” 

He nodded, then elbowed me playfully, “You like me, don’t you?”

“What! Where did that come from?”

“Avoiding the question, that confirms it.”

“That’s ridiculous,” My face got hot. I felt like a fish out of water clinging to life, “If this is you putting on the charm, you’ve got a lot to learn.”

“You volunteering to teach me?” he asked.

Reece inched closer to me again, making it hard for me to think. Or breathe. His lips were closing in on me, getting closer every moment. I held my breath, until I couldn’t take anymore and turned away.

“I think your girlfriend is better suited for the job,” I answered remembering how this whole thing started.

“Ouch.” He pulled back.

“Speaking of the lucky girl, shouldn’t she be missing you?” I asked, annoyed he tried so hard to lead me on, when I knew his interests lie elsewhere.

“Nah,” he looked away as he swirled the contents of his cup. He took a long swig. “We broke up.”

I shook my head in disbelief, “So naturally, even though you’re pining away over her, you’re here looking to hook up.”

“Is that a crime?”

“A crime?
No.” I sighed deeply, “A stupid guy thing, yes.”

“How’s that?”

“You’re flirting with me, when I know full well you’re completely hung up on her.” I spoke indignantly. Being on the offensive with him
came
easier, more naturally for me. 

“Is that so?” he retorted.

“Deny it. I dare you!”

“First of all,” his voice had a harsh edge to it. “I didn’t know it was a crime for feelings to linger.”

“Of course it isn’t.”

“By the way, does it look like I’m having the time of my life?” he asked, spitting back the attitude I threw his way.

“No. But…” I hoped he wouldn’t see how much his last comment stung.

“And,” he interrupted, “It doesn’t seem like you’re against flirting with me.”

“Me?” I felt the heat of embarrassment flush over my face. My cheeks were going to start smoking from being so over heated.

“Yes you. You began the flirtatious behavior, I just continued it.”

“I started it?” He certainly did have a lot of nerve.

“You’re going to break my heart,” he said in falsetto.

My cheeks blistered with embarrassment. I was unaware I’d spoken those words aloud. “I was joking. I was
just .
  .  . 
joking
with you,” I tried to explain.

Silence fell between us as he stared at the water. Reece glanced at me again, and took on a softer tone, “For the record, she dumped me.”

“Sorry. I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

The back door burst open with urgency. A striking young man emerged with big blue eyes open wide, his cheeks round and ruddy.

“Hey man, we need you in here.”

“What’s up?” Reece asked.

“Brandon’s wasted. He’s completely out of control,” the mystery guy from the party called.

“Be right there,” Reece turned back to me, a sad smile on his face, “Got to go,” he said taking my hand in his and bringing it up to his lips for a gentle kiss. “It was nice meeting you, ‘Just Jenna’.”

I opened my mouth. I had to say something, to stop him, to keep him with me for another moment, but no sound could escape before Reece’s friend interrupted, “Come on!”

Reece rushed to the door, looked back at me one last time and then he was gone.

I didn’t move from my spot on the steps. I just sat and stared at Mike’s back door, waiting. I thought if I remained in the spot where he left me, Reece might come back. I hoped he would. But he didn’t.

After a flux of people moved in and out of the house with no sign of Reece, I went back inside. The house looked even more crammed with bodies shaking and gyrating to the music than it had earlier. I pushed and squeezed my way through the crowd, every moment focused on trying to find Reece. There was no sign of him anywhere. He disappeared into thin air.

Frustrated, I couldn’t take being there another minute. I turned my focus on finding Grace. I spotted her across the room and set out on a direct path. A pair of arms reached from behind me and encircled my waist. Before I could react my assailant held me tight and pressed himself against my back.

I froze for the moment, my heart slamming against my chest. I tried to turn and see who had me, but he was too close, his mouth on my ear, his hands on my breasts.

“You’re so hot, Jenna. Give me a chance. I’ll help you see the light.”

Once the shock value wore off and I regained my senses a bit, I lifted my foot off the ground and stomped on his toes. My unfriendly admirer hadn’t expected that and leaned forward, loosening his grip on me. I pulled my elbow back as hard as I could, and jabbed him in the gut.

I spun away and turned to face him, my hands up to defend myself.

“Bitch!”

“Touch me again, and the only
light
you’re going to see are the stars in your eyes when I cut off your happy part!” I warned before turning and walking away.

I found Grace, pried her away from Mike, and pulled her aside. “Let’s go!”

“Just a little longer.
Please.” she pleaded, her large brown eyes hopeful. It seemed Mike finally woke up and took notice of her. The night started with her following him and now she had him drooling over her like a puppy dog.  
             

This caused a slight problem: sleeping arrangements. I couldn’t go home without Grace since we planned for her to sleep over. Even though home was only two houses away, my parents would kill me for not being a “good friend.” If tonight ended the way Grace hoped, I had a feeling she’d be sleeping over most of the summer.

“Please Jenna,” Grace begged, “just a little longer.”

Annoyed, I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to the beach. I’ll be back in a little while, and then I’m going home - with or without you.”

“Thank you. You’re the best.” She gave me a quick hug.

While walking, I noticed the scent of fish coming off the water seemed stronger than it had earlier in the evening. Usually I didn’t even notice the smell unless I spent entire days or weeks away with my family on vacation. I took my time walking the two and half blocks to the private little beach in our shore community. Or as I liked to think of it: my sanctuary.