I want to grab her ankles, wrap those endless legs around my hips tight enough I can grind intoher.
Late last night, she texted to say my lights were on and asked if I wanted to practice in the poolhouse.
I shut that down even though I wanted to sayyes.
If I was the talking type, I might ask her to be moreconsiderate.
To stop teasing me with those long looks, the knowing smiles, the smart-asscomments.
But none of it makes a difference because Annie and I are still worlds apart in every way thatmatters.
We might share a smile in the hallway at school, but I have my friends and she has hers. She goes to rehearsal. I hang with the popular kids, feign ambivalence when Carly spews her bullshit when all I want to do is find Annie and get the hell out of thisplace.
It’s necessary. The framework that keeps everything in place, that reminds me not to fall for Jax’s daughter when he isn’t there to remind mehimself.
“What is this?” Annie bends to pick up something that’s fallen on thefloor.
I take it from her. “Nothing. Yourdad’s.”
I’ve been staring at the business card all weekend, but I haven’t made thecall.
I shove the card in my jacket pocket and force my attention back to the task at hand. “If I’m going to start over, I’d rather go with mahogany. Something heavier weight with better sustain. Maybe a rosewood fret. V neck. I like how it fits in myhands.”
“Three days ago you didn’t want a new guitar. Now you’re Clapton. Anythingelse?”
I reach for her blazer collar, straighten it with both hands for an excuse to touch her hair, to graze her neck with my thumbs. “Twenty-fourfret.”
“All right, big boy.” She grins, and I swallow the laugh. “Stay here,” she says before heading back to let the guy downeasy.
I tune out the conversation, but my chest expands at the fact that she cared enough to set this up forme.
This girl makes me wonder what things are possible in thisworld.
My phone rings in my pocket, and like that, my good moodevaporates.
When the voicemail appears, my finger hovers over the delete button, but thinking of Annie’s comment about how you have to open yourself up sometimes, I hold the phone to my earinstead.
My father’s voice spills out, angry and pleading inturn.
You still owe me,Tyler.
I gave up everything for you, you ungratefulbastard.
You can’t abandon yourfamily.
A group of students approaches, laughing and oblivious, and I wait for them to pass before I duck into a recessedstairwell.
I lean my forehead against the cold painted brick, squeezing my eyes shut. If I’d thought maybe something had changed, like maybe he’d wake up and see what an asshole he’s been his entirelife…
I was wrong. It neverchanges.
“Okay, he was bummed but… Tyler?” Annie’s footsteps draw closer until I feel her at my side. “Whathappened?”
I shake my head. “Same bullshit as always. For some reason, I still fuckingcare.”
Annie ducks between my arms and takes my face in her hands. “Caring isn’t a weakness. Even if the person you care about doesn’t care back, that doesn’t mean you shouldstop.”
I heave out a breath, her cool hands grounding me. My hair’s falling over my face and part of hers. I wish it could hide us from theworld.