“You don’t have to do that, sweetie,” she said, looking touched.
I instantly felt remorseful that I had almost forgotten to get her something. “Seriously, like I wasn’t going to get you anything,” I said, arching my eyebrow at her.
“Well, that’s sweet of you. Do you need cash?”
“Really? You’re going to offer me money for your gift?”
She laughed. “Just thought I would ask. You’re so self-sufficient, I feel like I’m doing a terrible job.”
“Are you kidding? You’re the best parental figure I’ve ever had.”
She sighed. “I should have stepped in years ago. I’m sorry I let you down.”
“It’s all good. Trust me. The old man would’ve pitched a fit if you had.”
“I promise I’m going to make it up to you.”
“Don’t sweat it,” I said, shooting her a grin. “I’ll catch you later.”
I barreled down the stairs to the first floor and sat on the low brick wall that separated the parking spaces from the small plots of grass in front of the first floor apartments. I dug my drumsticks out of my back pocket and used my knee as a mock drum, tapping out the new song Drake and I had hashed out the night before. It was a slower song than normal for us, but the lyrics Drake had put together were pure genius. The guy definitely had some mad lyrical skills.
“Need a ride?” Kassandra asked, pulling up alongside me.
“Why don’t you park and we’ll take my car,” I suggested, pointing to the empty spot next to mine.
“I can drive,” she said.
“That’s okay, I got it,” I said, helping her out of her car.
“Which mall?” I asked, starting up my Toyota.
“I was thinking Altamonte if that’s okay.”
“That’s cool,” I said, merging onto I4 East bound. “So, you’re feeling better?” I asked, maneuvering around a slow sedan that was under the impression the speed limit was only forty-five on the highway.
“Ugh, yes, damn those germy kids,” she said, resting her foot up on the dashboard.
The sexy red nail polish slicked on each of her toes grabbed my attention immediately.
She looked over, busting me. “Nice polish,” I said, grinning at her.
She laughed. “Thanks. That’s one great thing about living in Florida, wearing sandals all year long, so I can paint my toes for any occasion.”
“Hell yeah. I’d take this over a white Christmas any day.”
“You act like you know that from firsthand experience.”
“Oh, trust me, I do. I was brought up in the boonies of Wyoming and spent my first eleven years freezing my ass off seventy percent of the year.”
“You were lucky,” she said, sounding envious. “I wouldn’t mind living someplace where it snows. I’ve only ever been around snow for like a week at a time when we would take our annual ski trip after Christmas.”
Here was one of those differences between Kassandra and me that Drake was talking about. We never took any family vacations anywhere. Hell, we were lucky if my dad didn’t blow his check before the rent was due. Even when we had lived in Wyoming, we never had the money to go skiing. The only winter activity I had been able to persuade the old man to let me play was hockey, and that was only because all my gear had been donated.
“I haven’t done much skiing,” I said, hoping that eventually she wouldn’t come to her senses and realize the different worlds we came from.
“You’re not missing much. My favorite part was hanging out in the ski lodge by the fireplace fli…” her words trailed off and her cheeks reddened.
“Flirting with guys,” I finished for her, raising my eyebrows. “Give me an example,” I teased.
“No way,” she said, smiling now.
“Come on, lay your ski bunny charm on me,” I said. “Act like you don’t know me.”
“Ugh, no, it’s waaaay too embarrassing. I was shameless.”
“Come on, sweets, ask me to get a hot chocolate with you,” I said, wagging my eyebrows at her suggestively.
“Very funny, you’re a crack up,” she said, giving my arm a light swat.
“Oh, that looks so hot. Would you like me to blow it for you?” I asked, trying for my best sensually girlish voice.
She threw her head back and laughed. “That’s gross, you perv.” Her laughter was contagious and by the time we reached the mall, my side hurt from laughing with her.
I parked in front of Barnes and Noble and grabbed on to her hand as we headed toward the entrance. She looked happier right now than I could ever remember seeing her. I couldn’t resist pulling her into my arms and planting a kiss right on those sweet lips. She melted in my arms before abruptly pulling back.
“Wait, what if I’m still germy?” she asked, looking concerned.
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” I said, dipping my head down for one last kiss.
When we parted, she was intently studying me. “What?” I asked.
“You’re going to have to start showing some serious character flaws, because I’m beginning to think you’re too perfect,” she chided.
“Oh, sweet naïve Kass, you have no idea how far from the truth you are,” I said, tucking her into the crook of my arm and guiding her threw the doors. “You should flee now before I completely corrupt you. I said more seriously.
I found it ironic that he thought he would corrupt me. If anyone was doing the corrupting, it was me. I was just afraid that someday he would see the ugliness that lurked inside me. Pushing those fears to the side, I dragged him from one store to next searching for the perfect gifts for Megan, Mom and him.
“Break, please, I need a break,” Maddon cried after we’d been at the mall several hours. He dropped to his knees, making an overly exaggerated effort to sound desperate. “I demand food now, or I may have to start gnawing on your arm like a crazed zombie,” he added, making a grab for my arm.
“What a baby. We’ve only been here for what, three hours?” I said, tucking my arm behind me for safekeeping. I darted to the side, giggling as I tried to avoid his advance.
“You cannot run from a crazed monster,” he said, snatching me up in his arms. “On second thought, who needs bony arms when necks are so much more appetizing?” he said, dipping his head down to my neck.
My giggles died away as his warm breath brushed across the skin on my neck.
“Get a room,” a group of pre-teens catcalled, walking around us.
“Hit puberty,” Maddon retorted, pulling back. “Food,” he added, dragging me away.
“Pick your poison,” I said, standing on the outskirts of the packed food court. “I think I want a gyro from Greek Isle,” I said, pointing to one of my favorite fast food places. “How about you?”
“Wow, this place is a madhouse,” he stated. “We’re going to need a shoe-horn to get over there, but that sounds good. I think I’ll have the same, with a slice of pizza from Stavros, and a chicken burrito from Taco ‘Hell.'”
“So, you realize a gyro is quite filling?” I asked.
“Oh, I know. I get them all the time,” he said, dragging me toward Stavros for his slice of pizza.
“One slice of pepperoni,” he told the guy behind the counter. “You?” he asked, turning to me.
“I’m good,” I said, holding back a laugh. I reached into my bag to pull out my wallet.
“Seriously?” Maddon asked, looking insulted.
“Well, I did say it was my treat,” I pointed out.
“Not in my lifetime,” he said, pulling a scuffed wallet out of his back pocket.
“Hey, slow your role babe, I’m an equal rights kind of chick,” I teased, trying to stop his hand from pushing the money back into my wallet.
“That’s fine. I’m big on equal rights too, but not when I’m on a date.”
“How about going dutch then? That’s okay right?”
“Not in my book it isn’t,” he pretended to growl.
It felt a l
ittle uncomfortable having him pay. I was used to paying my own way since that’s the way my friends and I had been doing it for years. Even when Colton and I were dating, we still paid our own ways. It was obvious here though, by Maddon’s insistence, that this was an argument I wasn’t going to win.
After our world tour around the court, Maddon and I sat with our loaded up trays on the far side off the indoor courtyard, as far away from the screaming kids by the McDonald’s as we could get.
“So, you really think you can eat all that food,” I said, eyeing the gyro, slice of pizza, burrito, and the impulse order of fries he had bought from the burger place.
“I know I can, I’m legit,” he bragged. “Why you don’t believe me?”
“No, I think your eyes are way bigger than your stomach.”
“You interested in betting on it?”
“What’s the wager?” I asked. “Barf bags when you spew?” I teased.
He threw his head back and laughed. “No, I was thinking, if you lose, I get to pick our next date, tomorrow,” he said, emphasizing "tomorrow." “Which, by the way, will most definitely not include any of the crowds here,” he added.
“Okay, so what if I win?” I asked.
“You get to pick the location of our next date.”
“Deal, but just to warn you, I see pedicures in our near future. I think purple will look stunning on your toes,” I joked.
“Ouch, that’s seriously harsh,” he said. “Too bad I won’t be losing. I hope you’re not scared of heights,” he added, taking a big bite of the gyro.
“Uhh- uhh,” I stuttered. I was deathly afraid of heights, which was a challenge I had to overcome while I was a cheerleader.
“Kidding,” he said after a moment, when he noticed I wasn’t eating. “I have something else planned.”
Relieved, I picked up my gyro, minus the vegetables, and took an appreciative bite, thankful that my appetite had returned. After eating about three quarters of my meal, I was stuffed to the gills. I sat there in amazement, watching the Maddon show and feeling like I’d been hustled. He plowed through his slice of pizza, burrito, fries, gyro, and the pasta salad that came with it. He didn’t rush like a starving person, but ate methodically. Each bite seemed synchronized. Just when I thought he was done, he slid my plate over to his side of the table.
“Now you’re just showing off,” I said, raising the white flag.
“Told ya,” he said, finishing off my leftovers with a burst of laughter.
“Where does it all go?” I asked. “I’m used to the football players eating a ton, but a lot of them carry quite a bit of extra weight around they like to call ‘muscle,’” I added, admiring his flat stomach.
“Good metabolism, I guess. Plus, playing the drums can be quite a workout.”
“Alright then. So, where are we going tomorrow?” I asked as we gathered our trash and walked toward the receptacles.
“That’s for me to know, and you to find out,” he said, affectionately tugging on my ponytail.
“Ugh, I hate secrets,” I wailed.
“Too bad so sad,” he teased, linking his fingers with mine. “Where to now?” he asked.
“I need to go back to Bath and Body Works because I’ve decided I am going to get my mom that gift basket after all.”
“Is that the smelly girly shop?” he asked.
“Yep,” I said, laughing at his description.
“I think I’ll bow out of visiting that female-ramped store. One visit is enough to last me a lifetime. I have a few things I needed to get anyways,” he added, winking at me.
“Okay, do you want me to text you when I’m done in my ‘girly’ store?” I asked, nudging him with my hip.
“That works,” he said, dropping a quick kiss on my lips before sauntering off.
I watched his retreating backside for a moment, touching my lips where his had just vacated. It amazed me how natural it felt to kiss him, and to even expect it. In one week, my feelings for him had done a complete one-eighty. Shaking myself out of my trance, I pivoted around and headed toward Bath and Body Works to get my mom’s gift set. I detoured into the music store, two doors down, to pick up Maddon’s present, now that he wasn’t with me. I picked what I wanted and paid the clerk with multiple piercings and black nail polish. “Thanks,” I said as she looked at me disdainfully, handing me the bag.
Bath and Body Works was packed with harassed shoppers, so maneuvering around was a pain. I grabbed the set I wanted and headed for the register. I pulled out my phone and texted Maddon, telling him I was done while I was waiting in line.
“Kassandra?” A voice said from behind me.
“Hi, Mrs. Harris,” I said, holding back a groan, greeting Lacey’s mom.
“It’s been a long time sweetie,” she said, enveloping me in a perfume-filled hug. “How’s your mom? That poor dear, we all know how dependent she was on your father, bit of an unhealthy relationship, I always thought. Is she able to function? I swear I never saw her out without your father tied to her side. You know what? I know a great spa she can go to if she needs some 'her' time,” she said with clueless concern.
She did not just say that, I thought as my blood began to boil. “Actually, she’s doing much better. It’s been tough since they were so in love, and we all know how rare that is in most couples lives, don’t we?” I said, staring deadpan into her face.
She looked taken aback by my words. “Oh, I see,” she said, raising her perfectly waxed eyebrows at me. “I was just trying to be friendly and all.”
“Oh, me too, but I don’t need some four time divorcée telling me my parents, who loved each other more than life itself, had an unhealthy relationship. Maybe when you stay in a relationship longer than one of your cruises, you will understand.”
“How dare you speak to me like that,” she hissed.
“How dare you speak about my parents like that,” I snipped back, turning to leave.
She wrapped her hands around my arm, halting me in mid-step. “I’ll be telling your mother about this,” she snarled.
“Knock yourself out,” I said, trying to jerk my arm from her grasp.
“Now I see why my Lacey dropped you. You are poison,” she said, digging her fingers into my flesh.
“Let go of me,” I said, pulling on my arm.
“I’d do what she says,” Maddon said from behind me. Embarrassment flowed through me as I wondered how much he had heard. I yearned for the floor to open up and suck me in.
“And who would you be?” she asked, reluctantly letting go of me.
“Don’t worry about it, but I would appreciate it if you refrained from manhandling my girlfriend in the future,” Maddon said in a deadly serious voice.
“You look familiar. Do I know you?” She asked, looking at him like he was a specimen under a microscope.
“That’s Maddon. You know, Rick Johnson’s son. The guy that killed Kassandra’s dad,” Lacey said snidely, coming up to stand behind her mom.
My knees turned to putty as I looked at her smirking face.
“Well, well, isn’t that interesting,” Lacey’s mom said with shining eyes at the gift-wrapped-gossip bundle we had just dropped in her lap. “I’m surprised your mother has been so forgiving.”
“She was fine with it,” I lied brazenly. “She’s adult enough to know that Maddon had no control over his father’s actions,” I retorted, turning on heel.
Once we were out of sight, I made a bee-line for the exit, zigzagging and weaving through endless waves of shoppers. This wasn’t the best time to be at the mall when you wanted to get out in a hurry. By the time Maddon and I made it to Barnes and Noble, my frustration had gotten the best of me.
“Excuse me!” An unsuspecting woman bellowed after I pushed my way past without looking back. My breathing was labored from the fast pace, and at this point, I wasn’t even sure if Maddon was still with me, or what he must be thinking. I was horrified at the thought of what Lacey and her mom would do with the tasty
gossip-treat we had practically spoon-fed them. None of this would have happened if I would have kept my silent promise to my dad and walked away in the very beginning with a smile. I had risen to the bait, and now we would all pay the price.
“Man, talk about the apple not falling far from the tree,” Maddon said, snagging onto my hand to slow me down once we got outside. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, slowing me down to a stop.
“No, it won’t. Lacey’s been waiting for months for an opportunity like this! I guarantee she’s already got it plastered all over Facebook!”
“That’s insane, she was your friend.”
“Like that matters, you’ve seen what a bitch she is!” I stated, wondering if he was really that clueless on how malicious girls could be.
“With my friends it matters. We’d take a bullet for each other.”
“Not in my world,” I said, still fuming. “We wouldn’t take a slap on the wrist for each other, let alone a bullet.”
“You would,” he said quietly. “You’re different than them.”
“You think so? Did you miss the way I tore into Lacey’s mom in there? I can be a mega-bitch, too, believe me.”
“Kassandra, you’re too hard on yourself.”
“You just see me with rose-colored glasses,” I said, sick of the pretenses.
He joined me on my side of the car and rested his hand over mine. “Kassandra, we both have skeletons. Who doesn’t? So what if you weren’t perfect before? Neither was I. I let my father use me as a punching bag without ever standing up to him. I let him drink and drive, and your family paid the consequences. Do you think it’s easy to live with that?”
“That’s different. It’s harder to stand up to a parent. I knew my friends and I acted like assholes, but I still hung out with them.”
“Kass, I could have tried standing up to my father. Maybe I could have fought him off or maybe not. I just never wanted to sink to his level. I promised myself I would never turn into him. We all make our decisions. The important thing is that you’ve changed,” he said, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“Forever changed is my pact, you know, like your band name,” I whispered, resting my forehead on his chest. “I just slipped in there. I don’t want to slip again.”