The Year of Falling in Love

  Before we get out, Kai removes his hoodie and hands it to me. "Put this on and pull the hood over so your hair doesn't get wet."

  "Aw. Always watching out for me," I joke as I slip my arms through the sleeves of his jacket.

  The scent of his cologne and everything that is Kai engulfs my nostrils. I find myself deeply breathing it in.

  Kai gives me a strange look. "Did you just smell my jacket?"

  "Um..." My cheeks feel like they're on fire. "Maybe."

  He sucks his bottom lip in between his teeth, biting back a grin. "Did it smell good?"

  I think about shaking my head, but I find myself nodding.

  His smile breaks through. "Good." He reaches over and draws the hood over my head, his gaze fixed on me the entire time.

  I want to squirm and look away, because it's getting super complicated to breathe, but I can't find the strength to do so. So instead, I end up staring at him with my jaw hanging open like an idiotic.

  "Ready?" he asks, leaning away from me.

  I nod then fumble for the door handle and get out of the car. Thankfully, the fresh air and scent of rain clears my nerves. I meet Kai around the front of the car, and we walk side by side into the store.

  The door dings as we enter and I draw the hood off my head as I take a look around. The place is very disorganized, the shelves are a mess, and the posters on the walls are hung crookedly. But there's some pretty cool stuff around; record players, books, jewelry.

  Lily is sitting on the cluttered front counter, reading a book. Her hair is pulled in a sidebraid again and she's wearing sneakers, holey jeans, and a plaid shirt over a black T-shirt.

  She looks up when we walk in. "Yes. You made it." She bounds off the counter, her gaze going right to Kai. "And you brought a friend."

  "This is Kai." I motion at him. "He's Kyler's brother."

  "Oh." A curious look crosses her face then she lifts a brow, looking at me like explain.

  I'm sure the look is coming from the fact that only a week ago I met her while I was with Kyler. I don't want to attempt to explain it to her in front of Kai. And besides, I don't have a clue how to explain it.

  "Ready?" she asks me, letting the look drop.

  I nod, shuck off Kai's jacket, and square my shoulders.

  "Good luck," Kai says to me as I hand him the jacket.

  I smile, but I'm nervous as I was the first day I went to school with my new makeover.

  "You don't need to be nervous," Lily says as we wind around a few boxes and shelves, heading for a closed door at the back of the store. "Glen's chill. I'm sure he'll hire you on the spot."

  Her words seem crazy. Hire me on the spot. Yet they end up being true. Glen is chill. Like, way, way chill and hires me after asking me three questions.

  Do I like secondhand items?

  Do I know how to work a register?

  And when can I start?

  While I don't know how to work a register, I lie, figuring I'll have Lily give me a quick demonstration.

  "So?" Lily's practically bouncing on her toes when I exit Glen's office.

  I let out a breath of relief. "He told me I could start next week."

  She squeals and gives me a quick hug. "Yes. I'm so glad I don't have to work with the pothead. He kept staring at my tits like the entire time." She backs away from me. "I'm going to go get you some forms you need to fill out. I'll be right back." She disappears into the office before I can even get a word out.

  I head back to the store area to go tell Kai the news. I find him sifting through a box of old records with his head tucked down, the beanie still on. I pause, noting how adorable he looks reading the titles. And while I love Kai's hair and everything, he can pull off the beanie look really well.

  As if sensing me staring at him, his gaze suddenly lifts and finds me. "So?"

  I shrug, a faint smile lifting at my lips. "I got it."

  He heads toward me. "That's a good thing, right?"

  I nod, meeting him in the middle of the store. "Glen, the manager, seems really chillaxed." My gaze sweeps the disorderly store. "Maybe a little too relaxed, but whatever." I wander toward a display case and stare at the necklaces, bracelets, and rings inside it. "There's a lot of cool stuff in here, though. I think the place just needs cleaned up and then it'll rock awesome..." My breath hitches in my throat as I feel him move up behind me.

  "You're going to be okay, right?" He sweeps my hair to the side, his arms circle my waist, and he rests his chin on my shoulder.

  It's the second time he's done this today and again, my heart flutters like a cracked out hummingbird.

  "Why wouldn't I be all right?" Hell to the yeah, my voice came out even. Mental high-five for me!

  "Just with everything going on." He pauses and oh my God, his lips brush my neck. "I don't want you to stress yourself out."

  "You say that a lot." My voice cracks. Epic fail for me.

  "That's because I worry." His lips touch my neck again.

  My eyelashes flutter. I freakin' can't breathe.

  "Remember that night we licked each other?" he asks suddenly.

  I splay my palms to the top of the display case as I try to catch my breath. "I only did it to you because you did it to me first. It felt like we were acting like dogs or something."

  "Hmmm... dog's huh? Interesting..." His response confuses the crap out of me, especially when he just starts singing along with the Avril Lavigne song playing through the store stereo.

  "You and your music..." All the rest of my words are lost as his tongue slides up the side of my neck. I start to open my mouth, to tell him no more licking while we're in the store, when his lips find my earlobe.

  He bites, gently grazing his teeth against the sensitive spot of flesh. My palms press harder against the display case as I struggle to keep my legs underneath. My knees knock together and my eyelids involuntarily shut.

  "Does it feel like we're acting like dogs now?" he asks with a hint of amusement in his tone.

  I want to nod, fire a comeback, tell him that now's not the time to play, but my mind blanks out.

  A soft breath escapes his lips as he shifts his head down and sucks on the side of my neck. His teeth follow, softly nipping.

  My mind is spinning, and my heart is an erratic hot mess. I'm worried I'm going to pass out, which means I should tell him to stop, right?

  "Does that feel good?" he whispers, his breath caressing my neck.

  Shake your head, Isa!

  I dazedly nod and focus on my breathing as he dips his head in for another bite. It feels so amazingly good. Better than a freakin' roller coaster under a sky full of fireworks while eating a bagful of cotton candy. My heart beats wildly in my chest, and all I can think is erotic, erotic, erotic.

  I probably would've let him do it until my neck was covered with hickeys, but I push him away as I hear a door shut from somewhere inside the store.

  Kai's wild eyes are on me as I spin around with my hand pressed to my neck.

  "Here's those papers." Lily strolls out of the back area of the store and presents the papers to me like a present. "You can fill them out now. Or just bring them in on your first day."

  "I'll just bring them in on my first day." I cringe at how breathless I sound. "I really need to get home. I've got a bunch of homework.

  "Okay." Her gaze shifts from me to Kai.

  Kai scratches at the back of his neck and offers her a stiff smile.

  Lily stares him down for another moment before she looks back at me and smiles. "Let me know if you need any help with any of the questions."

  I thank her, then Kai and I walk out of the store and get into the car. For half the drive, neither of us say anything. I want to say something, ask him what was with the crazy, totally out-of-the-blue, completely mind blowing, most erotic moment I've had. But just thinking about saying it aloud makes me nervous.

  But finally, Kai looks at me. "So, we're okay, right?"

  I nod truthfully. Kai and I are more
than okay. At least I'm more than okay with what just happened. "Yeah. Of course."

  "Good." He seems like he wants to say more, but he turns and settles in his seat, leaving me confused.

  My confusion doubles when he reaches over and removes one of my hands from the wheel. I wonder what he's doing until he laces our fingers together then places our hands on top of the console.

  I have no idea what the move means. What I do know is that what I felt in the store when he kissed my neck was explosions and fireworks like an insanely whirly rollercoaster. It's how I've always pictured kissing would be like. It makes me realize the almost kiss with Kyler was definitely missing something. It makes me wonder what actually kissing Kai for real will feel like.

  It makes me really excited to find out.

  Chapter 18

  Isabella

  By the time we get back to the apartment, my Grandma Stephy has dinner ready. The three of us sit down and eat while she informs me that her police friend didn't find the car anywhere nearby. I'm not surprised. I have a feeling whoever is messing with me will only be found when they want to be.

  After I eat and clean off the table, I head down the hallway to go take a shower.

  Kai's already sitting on the sofa, pretending to do his homework when really he's trying to crack into the flash drive. He catches my eye as I pass by and the look he gives me makes the spot on my neck where he bit and kissed me tingle.

  "Are you sick?" my Grandma Stephy steps in front of me, blocking my view of Kai. "You look flushed."

  "I'm fine." I don't sound find. I sound like a girl who was just thinking about her neck getting bit by a hot guy.

  She presses her palm to my forehead. "You don't have a fever." She removes her hand. "I think you should take it easy for the rest of the night. And tomorrow too. Come home right after school. Do something easy like watch a movie. You've had a rough week."

  "I can do that," I say, running my hand over my neck. "I still need to do some homework, though. Midterms are coming up."

  Her gaze drops to my hand on my neck. "What is that?"

  My fingers tense. "What's what?"

  She leans in, examining my neck closer. "Those marks on your neck."

  I inch away from her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Isabella Anders," she warns. "You're a terrible liar. Who did it? Was it that Kyler boy you were always rambling about or was it..." She gives a suspicious look at Kai.

  Kai appears deeply engrossed with something on his computer screen, but I can tell he's on the verge of laughing.

  Glad he thinks this is funny because I sure don't.

  "Um, I'm going to go take a shower." I whirl around and run like a madwoman for my bedroom to get some clothes and escape whatever she's about to say next.

  "Just make sure if you're doing anything, you're doing it safely!" she shouts after me.

  I slam the door and lean against it.

  I love my grandma to death but man, she knows how to embarrass me.

  I give myself a couple of minutes to collect myself before tiptoeing out to the bathroom to take a shower. By the time I sneak back to my room, exhaustion is catching up with me.

  I climb into bed even though it's early. I haven't been sleeping very well. Every time I close my eyes, I either dream of the blue car, or of Lynn finding a way to get me arrested, or of my mom with blood on her hands.

  As I reach over to turn my lap off, I notice I have one missed call and text. I almost don't look at them, worried they'll be from whoever sent me the threatening message. But I force the fear aside and pick up my phone.

  Both are from Kyler.

  Sighing, I open the text.

  Kyler: Just wondering what's going on with you. I haven't heard from you since Monday. Been thinking about you a lot. Are we still on for Saturday?

  I read the message a second time, feeling clueless on how to respond.

  This thing with Kai... Kai and that kiss... Kai and the way he holds me... Kai and the way he calls me beautiful...

  I need to say something to Kyler because I don't think I want to hang out with him on Saturday, not after what happened with Kai. But I don't know exactly what to say.

  I text Indigo about it because she'll know what to do. After twenty minutes goes by without a response, I give up and put the phone down, figuring I'll text Kyler in the morning after I've talked to Indigo.

  Then I shut my eyes and sink into my nightmares.

  ***

  By the time I'm getting ready to head out the door for school the next morning, Indigo still hasn't responded to my message.

  "Grandma, have you heard from Indigo?" I ask, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

  She glances up from rinsing dishes in the sink. "I heard from her a couple of days ago. Why?"

  I hitch my thumb around the handle of my bag. "I texted her last night and she still hasn't answered."

  I catch something flash in her eyes. Fear? Worry?

  "I'm sure she's fine." She scrubs a plate with a sponge. "She's probably just busy taking care of her mom."

  I think she might be lying, but let it go for now because I have to get to school.

  I head out the door with Kai and the second we step outside, he reaches over and laces his fingers through mine. He does it so casual as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Me, I feel like the most unnatural, awkward girl that's ever walked the planet. My palms are probably sweaty, and I'm almost positive my hand is shaking. I want to pull away just so he won't notice, but there's no way I'm going to.

  "So, did your grandma say anything else about your neck?" he asks me after we've gotten into the car and I'm pulling onto the road.

  "Yeah, this morning she brought it up again." I feel embarrassed just thinking about it.

  He glances at his phone then starts typing in a message. "What'd she say?"

  I put on my sunglasses. "I don't want to tell you."

  He gives me a sidelong glance. "Why not? Was it bad?"

  "Of course it was bad. You heard her last night. Times that by ten and that's how much worse it was."

  He works really hard not to laugh. "Just tell me what she said."

  I shake my head. "No way."

  "Oh come on." He sulks. "I promise I won't laugh."

  "Yeah, right," I mutter. "You'll laugh and I'll get embarrassed." When he remains pouting, I sigh. "You have to cross your heart that you won't laugh."

  He draws an X over his heart with his finger and then quietly waits for me to tell him.

  Man, I can't believe I'm about to do this. He's never going to let me live this done.

  "She... gave me a... condom," I mumble the last part.

  He smashes his lips together and moves his fisted hand over his mouth, his shoulder shaking as he struggles to hold back a laugh.

  "You promised you wouldn't laugh," I remind him.

  It takes him a moment, but he manages to compose himself.

  "She's funny," he says. "Your grandma, I mean."

  I flip on the blinker to pull onto the main road. "In a good way, though."

  "Definitely in a good way." He sketches his finger over his bottom lip as he contemplates something. "But the real question is, did you keep the condom?"

  Shaking my head, I reach over and lightly swat him on the arm. "You just couldn't resist, could you?"

  He laughs wickedly. "Of course not. Embarrassing you is one of my favorite things." I narrow my eyes at him, but he keeps on talkin'. "Want to know my favorite thing?"

  "No," I say then admit, "Kind of."

  His eyes light up with mischievousness. "Sucking on your neck."

  My fingers instinctively float to my neck and the humor in his eyes fades as his gaze follows the movement.

  His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard. "Isa, I think--" His voice cuts him off. Grunting in frustration, he opens the message. "Dammit, I was hoping he would," he says to himself.

  "Who's it from?"

  "A friend of mine
. A couple of months ago he had a room for rent. I was hoping it still was available, but it isn't." He sets the phone on his lap and crosses his arms, the stress he's been carrying around for days returning.

  "Have you heard from your parents at all?" I dare ask.

  He shakes his head, staring out the window. "They won't call me, Isa. They're glad I'm not their problem anymore."

  I rack my mind for something else to talk about, something that will bring him out of his funk, but suddenly, he sighs and turns toward me.

  "I'm sorry," he says. "I shouldn't be complaining to you."

  "You're fine. With your parents kicking you out, you're allowed to complain."

  "Yeah, but... you're dealing with all this shit with your family and I'm sulking because I'm eighteen and have to start taking care of myself." He carelessly bangs his head against the headrest behind him. "And cracking into this flash drive.... I just really wish I could do it. It's getting so frustrating. I've even started dreaming about passcode boxes."

  I force myself to grow a pair of lady balls and I reach over and take his hand. "I know it's been stressful. That's why you need to stop worrying about it so much."

  "Not as stressful as it's been on you. I just want to do this for you so I can, I don't know, give you a silver lining in all of this madness. I want you to not have to worry so much and feel safe. I want you to," he shrugs, "be happy again. I miss your smile."

  "I still smile," I say, but on the inside all I can think is, wow, that's the most ridiculously sweet thing I've ever heard.

  "Not as much as you used to." He starts stroking my palm with his fingers. "I can tell it's wearing on you."

  I shudder from his touch. It feels deliciously good, like melted chocolate and whip cream and sprinkles. "And vice versa."

  His lips lift to a lopsided smile. "I think we should do something fun this weekend. We could both definitely use some fun."

  "Sure. I'm down." Wait? Like on a date? Or as friends.

  Gah!

  Before I can think too much into it, my phone vibrates from in the cupholder. I tap the read-aloud button.

  "Message from unknown," the automated voice says through the speaker. "It's game time."

  I grip onto the steering wheel. "What the heck does that mean?"

  "I have no idea." Anger burns in his eyes. "But I'm getting really sick of this shit. Whoever it is is going to get their ass beat when I find them."

  "What if it's Hannah?"

  "Then I'll let you beat her ass. I should've let you do it in the driveway last week. I just didn't want you to get into trouble."