The Exception (8 page)

She finished with as much attitude as she could manage before returning to cry on my shoulder. Gabe and Ryan both apologized for almost jumping Evan and then thanked him for looking out for Maya. Evan, now relieved, told them not to worry about it and that he would have done the same thing for one of his friends.

Jake suggested we take Maya back to my house, and I gave him a grateful smile. I know this is not how either of us wanted the night to end, so I made a mental note to make it up to him later.

Once Ryan and Gabe knew we would be taking care of Maya, they both looked at each other and then said they had to go. I knew they were going to find Dylan and, quite frankly, Dylan deserved whatever they dished out.

Jake and I walked Maya out to his truck. Jake helped me set Maya up in the backseat with a bottle of water and a trash bag just in case she got sick. We rode pretty quietly back to my house. When we got out, Maya insisted that she could make it in without the trash bag, and in true Maya fashion suddenly looked as happy and sober as ever. I told Jake I was going to make sure she got in OK then would run back out.

When we walked inside, my dad looked up from the book he was reading in his favorite chair. “Should I be concerned that you two are home forty-five minutes before curfew?” he asked amused.

“Mr. C, is it really so strange that we value our sleep more than our social life?” Maya joked back like everything was totally normal.

My dad chuckled and said from that moving speech he was going to turn in early as well. The two of them high-fived and I just rolled my eyes. We all said goodnight, and my dad headed to my parents’ room while we went upstairs.

As soon as we walked into my room, Maya crumbled again. She really had gotten good at acting like everything was OK in front of people – scary good actually. How she could go from drunken tears to totally fine I will never know. Guess she has her jerk of a father to thank for that. If she ever shows she’s upset in front of him, it just makes it worse.

I got some pajamas out while Maya washed her face. When she walked out of my bathroom, I handed them over to her.

“Hey, will you be OK if I run back out and say goodnight to Jake?”

“You know me. I’ll be fine.”

“I do know you. That’s why I’m asking.”

“Whatever, biatch. Go say goodnight to your man.”

“Love ya, skank. I’ll be right back.”

“Hussy,” she called out as I walked out of my room.

I smiled to myself as I crept down my stairs. The day she looses that “Mayaness” is the day I’ll be really worried about her. Until that happens, I know she’ll always be alright.

I opened my front door as quietly as I could and made my way over to Jake’s truck.

“Maya OK?” He asked.

“She will be.”

“You didn’t run into your parents did you?”

“Yup. She even talked to my dad.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope,” I said popping the P. “It’s amazing how that girl can pull it together in a snap.”

“I would have liked to have seen that,” Jake looked amused.

“Hang around long enough and you’ll definitely get to see Maya’s famous pull it all together act.”

“I’m planning on it.” Jake pulled me closer to him and rested his hands on my waist.

“I was kinda hoping that you would say that.”

“Come to think of it, I’m starting to plan on a lot of things with you,” he said with a handsome smirk.

“Oh yeah? Like what?” I asked while absentmindedly brushing some of his tousled hair out of his eyes. His hands tensed at my touch, and I had to admit that I liked that I got to him too.

He cleared his throat, “Well. I would like to take you to the movies.”

“And?” I playfully demanded, while sweeping my hand through his hair, purposefully trying to get another reaction.

“And?” he questioned as a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. I bit my lower lip to fight back a smile as I nodded my head. “And I still need to teach you how to shoot.” His eyes were on my lips as he pulled me closer, gripping the back of my shirt.

“And?”

“And take you to get ice cream again because you’re adorable when you can’t decide what flavor to get,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“And?” I managed in a heavy breath as he connected his lips to mine.

“And this,” he replied against my mouth.

His hands gripped the small of my back. As he deepened the kiss, he ran one hand up and gripped the back of my neck causing a moan to escape my lips.

“Emma,” Jake growled. Just like earlier, he began to pull away. But something about being out here, with only him, under the stars, I wasn’t ready to stop. I leaned back into him and kissed him again. He briefly hesitated before scooting back in his truck and lifting me up with him. He secured one of my legs on either side of him and kissed me like he needed me to breathe.

Chapter Seven

The next morning Maya was already awake when I woke up. She was sitting up eating cereal and watching the weekend installment of the Today Show.

“Morning, Maya,” I said groggily, sitting up.

“Finally, Em! I have been waiting for your ass to wake up. I was about to have to do something drastic to wake you,” she teased.

I glanced over at my alarm clock. “Maya, you do realize it’s only nine thirty.”

“Yeah. Think about how much of the day has already been wasted.”

“Help! My best friend is a freak!” I said loudly.

Not long after my outburst, my sister came flying into my room.

“Glad you’re awake. I have a plan,” McKenzie beamed.

Maya and I just looked at each other.

“Great. You have a plan. Now what are we talking about?” I asked as Maya took another bite of her cereal.

“To get Ryan to realize I’m not just some little kid anymore,” she said like it was obvious.

“Right. And how are you going to do that?”

“This should be good,” Maya uttered as milk dripped down her chin.

“Please don’t get milk, especially after it has been in your mouth, in my bed.”

Maya looked at me and wiped her chin with the corner of her sleeve, then smiled at me with cereal in her teeth.

“You’re disgusting.”

“Hello? Anyone care to hear my plan?” my sister whined.

“Oh yeah. Plan. Ryan. Go.”

“OK, so you know how I’ve been trying like extra hard to get Ryan to notice me lately?”

“Um, yeah,” I said, making it sound more like a question.

“Great. Well my plan is to do exactly the opposite.”

“You’ve lost me, Kenz.”

“OK. So instead of going out of my way to try to get him to notice me, I’m just going to stop.” She carried on like it was the most obvious answer in the world. “I’m not going to look or talk to him anymore than I would anyone else. I’m even going to date someone in my grade. Genius, right?”

“So, how exactly is this going to work?”

“Reverse psychology, silly,” again saying it like it was the most obvious answer in the world.

“Great. Well, you can try your theory in a couple hours,” Maya chimed in, cueing both Kenzie and I to look at her. “What? I thought we could use some hang out time with our friends. And that will give you a chance to talk to Gabe sans Jake.”

“What about Dylan?” I asked in a knowing tone.

“What Dylan Andrews decides to do in his free time is his business. He made that perfectly clear last night.”

“Alright. Well, on that note I’m going to go back to my room,” Kenzie let out.

I continued to look at Maya. As soon as my sister had closed my door behind her I began. “Maya, are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Yes, it’s fine, I thought we had something. We clearly don’t. So we are friends.”

“Just like that? Are you sure? I mean, last night…”

“Yes, Em. It’s fine,” she said sharply. “I should have known better. This is Dylan. He is who he is.”

“And you are you. The two of you are like a match made in…”

“Don’t, Em. OK? Just don’t,” she pleaded.

I knew she wasn’t really OK with this, but this is what Maya does best: suppress, deny, and act like everything is fine.

“OK,” I said with a smile, squeezing her hand. “Lunch with the boys it is.”

***

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about how lunch was going to go down. Dylan was awkward at first but a few looks from Ryan and Gabe and everything seemed to be fine. It also helped that Maya acted totally fine, being her usual self and interacting with the guys like always. I had to hand it to her. If I would have caught the guy I was head over heals for sleeping with some random girl whenever I thought we were finally going to get together, there is no way I would be fine with hanging out, much less acting chummy, the next day.

My mom was none the wiser. She was just happy she had a reason to cook for everyone. When I told her the guys were coming over for lunch, I didn’t even have to ask her if she would make something. She quickly asked me if pulled pork sandwiches were OK. Mom had always loved to cook and jumped at any reason that allowed her to.

“Smells awesome, Mrs. C.,” Dylan practically cooed. He walked over and stood next to the pot of shredded pork that my mother was seasoning and took a big whiff.

“Well then, just wait until you taste it!” mom exclaimed, while swatting Dylan’s hand away as he was trying to sneak a bite.

“Can’t wait. You know I love your cooking, Mrs. C.” My mom turned to put the spices back in the cabinet as Dylan reached over and quickly snatched some pulled pork between his fingers and popped it in his mouth. “You were right. So good,” he muttered with his mouth full.

My mom looked at Dylan and shook her head with an amused grin on her face. “Don’t make me call your mother, mister. Or better yet, I’m going to let everyone else make a plate first,” she teased, while shooing him away from the stovetop.

Dylan faked a concerned expression. “Come on, Mrs. C. You wouldn’t punish a man for not being able to resist your cooking now would you?” he finished with big puppy dog eyes.

Yep. Dylan was clearly no longer bothered by last night’s events and was back to acting like his typical suck-up self. This is where I would normally jump in and make some wisecrack remark about him buttering up my mom, but last night had affected me more than I thought. I could not think of a single thing to say that was not laced with something that would let on how pissed I was at him. Plus, I really didn’t want my mom to pick up on something and me have to try to explain what happened last night. I don’t know how Maya does it.

“You’re awfully quiet over there, Em,” Dylan started with that typical smirk. I guess I wasn’t the only one that noticed my missing witty remark.

“I suppose I’m just hungry,” I said with a forced smile. “I didn’t eat breakfast because by the time I woke up, I knew I would be eating pulled pork sandwiches in just a few hours, and I love pulled pork sandwiches. And I knew they. Were worth. Waiting for.”

Sensing my frustration, Gabe walked over and put his hand on my shoulder. He must have shot Dylan a look because Dylan made a “what” face before walking over to sit at the table.

“I suppose,” Maya began, dragging out the end of her word, “that we should feed Emma then.” She was looking directly at me, and I knew for her sake I was going to have to try harder to get through this delightfully awkward lunch.

“Alrightie then. Everyone come make a plate.” Mom was holding up two plates. “I’m going to take this back to your father and keep him company while he works. Kenzie,” she yelled up the stairs as she walked by. “Better come make you a plate before these boys eat it all.”

My sister came bee bopping down the stairs. “Hey, Em, do you mind if I hop in front of the line? I was going to make a quick plate then go finish getting ready. Mom is going to take me to meet some. Friends. For ice cream here pretty quick,” she said in a singsong voice, emphasizing the word friends.

“Sounds like little Kenzie has a date,” Gabe teased.

“Oh hush, Gabe. There are going to be a few people there. It’s not like it’s going to be just me and Logan.” McKenzie broke out into a huge smile as Gabe gestured for her to go to the front of the line. Kenzie quickly made a plate then started to leave the kitchen. As she walked by me, she stopped. “Oh, hey, Em. Do you mind if I borrow that blue top you wore on your date with Jake last weekend?”

Maya leaned in and whispered, “Oh, she’s good,” causing me to let out a small laugh.

“Nope,” I said amused. “Go right ahead.”

“Eeek!” she squealed. “You’re the best!” Her eyes shot a quick glance over at Ryan that I would have missed if I hadn’t been watching her intently, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she met my gaze again. 

After that little performance, even I would have really believed Kenzie was into Logan if I wouldn’t have known about her plan. I just can’t believe she’s going through all this trouble to make a guy, whose not even interested, jealous.

“Nice choice, Kenz,” Maya chimed in. “That shirt really hugs in all the right places.” She said, winking at Kenzie. Then gave her a high-five.

“Wait? Logan Rivers? Isn’t that guy a freshman?” Ryan asked slightly annoyed, causing Maya and I to exchange glances.

“Yep. Just like me. And he is so hot. I can’t believe he is finally interested in me!”

“Whatever. Have fun with your boy crush,” Ryan scoffed. This time clearly annoyed, causing Maya and I to exchange glances again.

“Thanks!” was the last thing Kenzie said before running back upstairs with her plate of food.”

“You alright there, buddy?” I asked Ryan.

“Yeah. I just think she’s a little young to be dating.”

“Okie dokie. I’ll be sure to pass that on to my parents. Thanks for looking out for her. I think?” I was partly amused and partly confused about what just happened. After that little incident, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Jake was right – that Ryan might actually have a thing for Kenzie. Nah, it couldn’t be. He had to just be looking out for her. Right?

The rest of lunch went by like nothing had changed. Even Gabe and I were talking like we used to. It seemed like forever since just the five of us hung out like this, and I had to admit it was nice.

“Be right back. I have to pee,” I announced as I stood up.

“Thanks for letting us know,” Ryan joked.

“No prob.”

I went up to my room to use the bathroom, and on my way out I heard voices that caused me to stop before exiting my room. 

“Maya, will you please stop? We need to talk,” Dylan pleaded in a hushed voice.

“No, we don’t. And, Dylan, I really have to go to the bathroom,” She replied like nothing was wrong.

“Maya, will you please talk to me?” This time there was an urgency in his voice.

“Who you choose to do in your free time is up to you,” she let out like it was nothing.

“I screwed up big. I was drunk. She didn’t mean anything to me. You acting like nothing is wrong is killing me,” he said defeated.

“Is killing you?” Maya uttered in a tone that made it apparent that Dylan had finally gotten to her. “Oh I’m sorry, it must have been so hard on you for me to walk in and catch you having sex with some slut who dropped her panties for the first drunk guy she met.”

“Maya, how can I make you see how sorry I am? I mean look at me…you know me,” Dylan said, begging for her forgiveness.

“You’re right. I do know you. I know that it only takes one look from a girl to get you to take her into another room. And to think, I really thought you were capable of a relationship. Well Dylan, I guess the joke’s on me.”

With that, Maya walked into my room with tears in her eyes, stopping briefly when she saw me. I mouthed, “I’m sorry.” She shook her head and continued into my bathroom.

Before walking out of my room I heard Dylan’s voice again, which caused me to stop, again. “I screwed up man. I fucking screwed up.”

“I told you that last night,” Gabe replied. “What’s done is done. You have to let it play out however it’s going to play out.”

“Not if I can help it. It made me crazy to see her flirting with that Evan guy, especially after everything that Talen prick said. I thought. Well it doesn’t matter what I thought. I love her Gabe. It took me banging some chick, then seeing the hurt in her eyes when she saw me to realize it, but I love her. I never want to hurt her like that again, and I will make this right.” Dylan sounded so choked up it was hard not to feel a little sorry for him.

Gabe paused for a moment before he responded, “I know you do, man.”

Dylan sniffed, then said he had to go. Gabe told him he’d let everyone know he left. Dylan thanked him, and then I heard him head down the stairs. I was so glad Maya didn’t hear any of this. This was definitely something she would want to know later, but right now it would just make things worse. She also needed to hear it from him. I knew it would just make her more angry if I told her. She would say something like, “That dick head didn’t even have the balls to tell me himself.”

Once I no longer heard steps going downstairs, I gave it one more second and then finally left my room myself almost bumping into Gabe.

“Ope, sorry,” we both laughed.

“Did you hear any of that?” Gabe asked.

“The whole thing. Including when it was he and Maya. I was just trying to pee but ended up getting stuck in my room so I didn’t walk into the complete mess that is currently Maya and Dylan.”

“I know she’s your best friend, but don’t say anything to her, alright?”

“I won’t. That is all something he needs to tell her himself. And it is not something she needs to hear the day after he hooked up with someone else. It makes it feel tainted.” I gave a halfhearted smile before turning to head down stairs.

Gabe stopped me, “I wouldn’t go down there if I were you.”

“What? Why?”