Here Comes the Light (Cambrooke #1) (9 page)

I am both relieved and nervous Friday night. Relieved because school is over for the week and nervous because the woman who is conning my dad into marriage is coming over.  My dad seems to be in love with Declan, maybe he should be the one to date him if he loves him so much.  He is convinced Declan and I are dating I tried to tell him he is just a friend but he doesn’t believe me. My dad’s smile beams as he cups Declan’s shoulder and laughs when Declan tells him a funny joke.

I can see why he likes him much better than Hudson considering I don’t think Hudson has said more than ten words to my dad in the two years we were together and here is Declan carrying on a ten minute long conversation.
Not just talking, but making my dad laugh as well.

Maybe that is why I am having such a hard time picturing him as more than a friend though.
Some kind of teenage rebellion issue. My dad loves him so I am not going to just to spite him. Well that and the fact I am sure Declan doesn’t want to be anything more than friends with me. He says God will tell him who he is meant to be with and I am sure it isn’t me. Besides I know that Hudson and I were supposed to be together. I know I’ll never get over him.

I just
sit on the couch my legs and arms crossed and roll my eyes. I didn’t make much effort to look nice tonight. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and threw on jeans and a plain white tee shirt.

My stomach drops when my dad opens the front door when we hear a car pull up. This is really happening. My mom will be replaced and forgotten, gone for good. It seems like forever before my dad walks back in with his arm around her waist. It feels weird seeing my dad give affection to a woman who is not my mom. I do remember him with my mom faintly. The way he looked at her like she was everything. Even as young as I was I still remember that I always wanted Hudson to look at me like that.

Now I am standing here watching him give this woman the exact same look he used to give my mom. I fight the tears back. Is he crazy can he not see what I see? She doesn’t look much older than me. She has to be a gold digger.
Her petite body almost disappears under my dad’s husky build. She walks with incredibly good posture making her seem a little snooty to me. Her bright blond locks hang in large loose curls over her shoulders.

“
Miley,” my dad says with way too much excitement in his voice, “this is Penelope.” What kind of name is Penelope?

“Nice to meet you Miley.” She extends her tiny hand out to me her nail
s are bright red and seem to be miles long. I don’t move I just glare at her hand continuing to keep my arms across my chest in protest. I know I am being a baby, but I have to keep my dad from making the biggest mistake of his life.

“Well,” my dad says trying to break up the awkwardn
ess. “Let’s eat. I made steaks on the grill.” He proudly proclaims like he is this mega chef or something.  “Thought we could eat out back since it is such a nice evening.” He says in his public, trying to impress voice. My dad proceeds to lead Penelope to the back deck.

I stay a few steps behind and glare like I am burning a hole in the back of her head as I watch his hand gently stroke
s her back.

“Miley, what was that about?” Declan whispers.

“I don’t trust her.” I speak soft and low as I continue to watch her and my dad. He opens the door for her as she steps outside.

“You should give her a chan
ce you don’t even know her.” I know he is right, but I don’t care. I don’t want to give her the chance to hurt my dad. So if it takes me acting like a baby to get my way I am certainly going to try.

We step o
ut onto the back deck. I sit at the glass patio table and look out at our still green pool from the winter. Dad will be hiring the pool boy soon to get it ready for summer. At least that is one thing I have to look forward to.

“Miley, your dad tells me you
are almost finished with your junior year, are you excited to be a senior?” Penelope voice is sickeningly polite.

“I don’t know sho
uld I be? I am sure you were one not long ago.” I deadpan. Dad sits a plate with steak and a baked potato in front of me.  “How old are you anyway?”

“Miley
!” my dad shouts as he sits down beside his stepford wife. “That is enough.”

“Yeah, it is enough.” I slide my chair out so fast it tips over then storm into the house. I make my way to the kitchen
I don’t want his stupid steak.

“You are not being fair.” I hear her annoying voice. Why would he send her in after me? I slowly turn as she is advancing towards me. “You don’t even know me.” She says smugly as she leans against the counter like she already owns the place.

“I know you are not my mom.” I reply. “I know I was blindsided by all of this.  Why didn’t I meet you before? Are you trying to hide something?” I scowl at her with my arms crossed across my chest.

“Your dad didn’t want us to meet until he was sure we were going to stay together. He didn’t want someone else in your life that might leave.”

“I am not calling you mom.” I snap.

“I don’t expect you to.” She
comes back quickly and I roll my eyes at her.  “Miley, you are acting like a child. I know you are spoiled and get whatever you want because your dad feels bad about you losing your mother. You’re going to learn to share your father with me whether you like it or not.”

I take a step back and raise my eyebrows.
“Share my father?” I say with a laugh as I hold my hand to my chest. She is a little deceived. “You think that is what this is about? Do you want to be married to someone who is never around?” I cross my arms across my chest. “Or wait, I am sure you don’t care as long as you get to spend his money, right?”

I hear a throat being cleared and I turn to see Declan. “You just want to call me later?” He asks as he looks from me then to Penelope.

“No, let’s go.” I say grabbing his arm as I stalk past him. I don’t stop or slow down until we get to his truck.

“She called me spoiled.” I rehash as I sit in the passenger seat of the truck. “She told me I have to share my dad.” I look out the window.

“Don’t you think
…” he speaks softly then pauses, “you might be overreacting?” He did not just say that. I flip my head back towards him.  Declan keeps his eyes on the road.

“You have no idea how she talked to me.” I point to myself as I speak all dramatic.

“Whoa…” he holds one hand up in the air. “Sorry, I just thought maybe she was being defensive.”

“What does she have to be def
ensive about?” I snap. “She is the one replacing my mom.”

He lets out a long breath, “Miley, I don’t think she is trying to replace your mom. Your dad is probably lonely.  He deserves to have someone right?” This boy is just digging himself a hole as
I scowl at the side of his face.

“You think he is lonely
?” my voice is loud and fills the cab of the truck. “What about me? I was just a little kid when my mom died.” I hate the fact that the tears are starting to burn my eyes. “All he does is work. I have had no one, Declan, no one!” I slam my hand against my chest. “I am the one who has been lonely.” My voice cracks at the end of my sentence and wish I was not confined to a vehicle right now because I don’t want to do this in front of him. I don’t like to cry in front of anyone. I bury my face in my hands not able to keep the tears at bay.

I feel the truck turn then stop. “Miley, I wasn’t trying to upset you.” He speaks softly, but I can’t hold back
, the tears I have been holding in all night finally break loose and I can’t seem to stop them. “Please don’t cry.” He whispers. “I don’t like seeing girls cry.”

“I can’t stop.” I say all blubbery and snotty. He reaches across my lap and opens his glove compartment
as few seconds later a tissue is in my hand. “Thank you.” I sniff as I dab my eyes with the tissue. “I’m sorry for being a baby.”

I feel his arm slide around my shoulders and he gently tugs on me
. I bury my face in his awesome smelling chest.  “I know you are going through a lot right now, and I am here for you.”  Goose bumps rise on my arm when his hand grazes over it. The comfort I get from him right now is something different than I have every felt before. His chin rests on the top of my head. “I think you should come to the youth hang out tomorrow night.” His chest rattles underneath my head as he talks.

I push away and shake my head, “Please don’t go
there.”

“Just think about it, you would?” he speaks softly then looks out in front of him. “But enough about tomorrow night
, let’s go have some fun now.” He nods I look out of the windshield and can’t even believe he brought me here. The Cambrooke May Day Carnival. It is puny for a carnival just a couple of small rides and a few games. I can smell the funnel cakes and the yellow and orange lights remind me of my mom. She loved coming to this. I smile and nod. I wipe the mess of mascara off my face before heading towards the carnival with him.

He of course get
s a funnel cake first thing. I am glad he eats most of it so I don’t sit here and eat it all. We ride the two little rides a couple of times and he wins me a stuffed monkey at the strong man game.

“Bet you can’t win a gold fish.” I tease as I pick at the pink cotton candy in my hand and we walk past the goldfish game.

“Ahhhh, I don’t know.” He says eyeing the game.

“Five dollars for three throw
s.” The greasy haired five toothed carnie says. “or five dollars for five throws for your girl.” He winks at me when he says this. I feel a little violated.

Declan smiles down at me, “You
wanna play?” he asks pulling a five out of his wallet.

“I don’t know.” I say slowly as I take a cautious step backwards.

“Come on.” He says with a chuckle. “I won you a monkey. You can win me a goldfish.” Declan nudges me with his elbow.

“He’s
kinda creepy.” I whisper through a fake smile.

“There a
re a ton of people around, you’re safe.” He whispers and laughs as he places a hand on my back, which warms at his touch.  With is free hand he gives the carnie a five dollar bill. “We’ll take five, the girl is gonna play.” He says with laughter in his voice.

I just look up at
Declan cradling the five white spheres. “This is ridiculous.” Tell him. “There is a reason I cheer and don’t play ball. I have no aim.”

He just lifts a shoulder wit
h a smirk, “show me.”

I shake my head not even believing that I am doing this. I take a ba
ll in one hand and pull back I toss it forward and let go almost hitting the carnie in the head.

“Good try.” I watch him as he holds back a laugh. I wish I did have aim because t
he next one I would throw at Declan’s head. I pull my hand back going for underhanded this time.  I throw the ball. “Hey, I’ll be right back.” He says touching my shoulder.

“What? You’re just going to leave me here?” I look around with a pout.

“I am going to be right back win me a goldfish.” He looks up at the sky with a goofy grin. “I have always wanted one.” He gushes with a little chuckle in his voice. This makes me giggle and roll my eyes.  I watch him walk away before I toss the next ball, again not even close. My fourth one hits a bowl, but doesn’t go in. I feel a little more relaxed when I see him lean against the post beside me out of the corner of my eye before I toss the last one missing by a mile. I laugh at myself.

“See I told you…”  I speak as I turn towards him. Only it isn’t Declan, its Ethan. “What are you doing?” I ask he stares at me with a sly smile and his arms across his chest.

“Miley,” he tilts his head, “Hudson is terribly crushed over you.”

Hope rises inside me. “He is?”

“Yeah.” He pushes off the pole and his tongue flickers over his lips. “He wants to know if you are with Declan now.”

“Well I am here at the carnival with him, but we are not together like together.” I search the crowd for Hudson as I say this. “
We are just friends. Does Hudson want me back?”

“Well, he does want to talk to you.” Ethan says slowly.

“Where is he, why didn’t he come to me himself?” I ask as I stand on my tip-toes and look over his shoulder.

“You see he is a little drunk and doesn’t want to end up making a scene and lose any chance there might be for you two to get back together.” He leans down so his face is closer to mine. “He wants to talk to you
in private.”

“When and where?” my day has been so horrible getting b
ack with Hudson would make it much better.

“Follow me.” Ethan nudges his brunette head
to the side. I get a little uneasy feeling about this, but Hudson wants to talk to me.  I need to go. As we draw further away from the crowd into almost complete darkness the sounds from the carnival fade and the night air is still. The uneasiness in me spreads.

“Ethan, where is Hudson?” I ask trying to keep my voice calm as I hug my middle.

“It is just a little further.” He replies as he continues on. I look back at the disappearing carnival.  It is too far away to turn back now. “Well he was here a minute ago.” He scratches the back of his head. We are now down by the lake and the carnival seems miles away with the faint noise and light coming from it. “Maybe he went in the woods to take a leak.” Ethan flops down onto the sand under us. He looks up at me and pats beside him. “Have a seat; sure he will be back soon.” I take a deep breath as I look at the distant carnival.