Veer (Clayton Falls) Read online

  “Aren’t you the one who has an alarm set on your phone to remind you to take them?” I used to make fun of Molly about it in college. Every time, she’d go off on a tirade about being responsible. I didn’t need an alarm. I took my pill at the same time every day just in case.

  “Not anymore. I turned off the alarm after Adam died, when it wasn’t such a big deal. I never worried as much with Ben, I guess.”

  “Maybe it was your subconscious way of getting what you really wanted—a baby.”

  “Please don’t go all psychology mumbo jumbo on me.”

  I laughed. This had nothing to do with my psychology major in college. “I’m just saying it’s possible.”

  “At least I haven’t really been drinking. I’ve had maybe one beer this month.”

  “That’s a good thing.” I touched her hand to get her attention. “This is a good thing.”

  “I hope you’re right. Do you really think Ben will be happy?”

  “I don’t know Ben that well, but my bet is he will be. He’s so in love with you. Why wouldn’t he love knowing you’re having his baby?”

  “I hope so. I just have to decide when to tell him.”

  “Tonight. Why wait? I’ll do my own thing, give you some time.”

  “No. That’s silly. We have plans.”

  “Yeah, but telling Ben this news is important.”

  “I know. But what are you going to do?”

  “I noticed a Redbox at the gas station. I’ll pick a movie up.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  I heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. “I’m going to let you talk to him. Tell me how it goes.”

  “I will.”

  I gave her a hug before walking back downstairs. I ran into Ben on my way out.

  “Hey there, where are you going? Aren’t you girls hanging out tonight?”

  “Uh, I think you guys have plans now.” I smiled, and he gave me a perplexed look.

  “Have a good night!” I called as I headed to my car. It was so nice to have it back.

  ***

  The Redbox was practically empty when I got there, but that wasn’t surprising on a Friday night. After giving up on finding a new release, I started scanning the older movies. I eventually settled on a Denzel Washington action flick I hadn’t seen in a while. It wasn’t my favorite movie, but it would entertain me enough.

  I slid in my credit card and waited for the machine to process the rental. It was taking longer than usual and making a funny humming noise, so I started losing hope. Just then, I heard voices coming out of the convenience store, and I definitely recognized them both. I thought about ducking out of sight, but my movie was just about to pop out, and I couldn’t just leave it. First of all I wanted it, and besides, I’d end up having to pay for the darn thing if it wasn’t returned.

  “Becca?” I pulled out the movie and reluctantly turned.

  “Hey.” I waved to both Gavin and Ronny. They were each carrying a six pack of beer.

  “Did you get my message?” Ronny asked just as Gavin jumped in with his own question.

  “Weren’t you supposed to be hanging out with Molly tonight?”

  I decided to tackle Gavin’s question first. It was the less awkward one. “Yeah, she had some stuff to do.”

  “Stuff?” He gave me an amused smile.

  “Uh yeah, girl stuff.”

  “Okay…”

  “So, about this weekend, would you maybe want to catch a movie or something tomorrow?” Ronny asked hopefully. I’d totally forgotten about his message. He’d surprised me by calling at all. I’d hoped when I shut him down the other night that it would have been the end of the story.

  I glanced over at Gavin, wondering if there was any chance he could help.

  “Becca’s not going to a movie with you.”

  “Why not?” Ronny looked at him, ignoring me completely.

  “Because we’re seeing each other.”

  “Since when?”

  “It’s been a few weeks.” Gavin winked at me.

  “A few weeks? That couldn’t have been long after we went out…” Ronny finally turned to look at me.

  “I’m sorry. I should have called you back.” I tried to smile.

  “No, I get it. It’s cool.”

  Wow, this was awkward. “So nice seeing you both, but I’m going to get going.”

  “Not so fast.” Gavin took a step to the side, blocking my escape route.

  “What?”

  “What movie is that?” He pulled the disc from my hand, maneuvering it so he could see the title. “You’re into action movies? You really are one of a kind, huh?”

  “Not really. I just like Denzel.”

  Gavin shook his head. “Whatever you say. So you’re just going home to watch it?”

  I wasn’t sure what the fifty questions were about. Maybe he was still trying to put on a show for Ronny.

  “Uh huh, what are you guys up to?” I decided to at least try to play polite.

  “Poker at Matt’s.”

  “At Matt’s? His wife is nicer than I’d be.” Just hearing his name made me cringe a little.

  “He’s got a nice basement,” Ronny explained.

  “Cool, okay, have fun.”

  “You can join us if you want.”

  “Oh, uh, no thanks.”

  “So you’re not into poker?”

  “Not with a bunch of drunk guys. Nope.”

  They both laughed.

  “Matt’s around the block from you, so maybe I’ll stop by when I leave. I’ll call you.” Gavin squeezed my hand.

  “Okay…” I wondered once again whose benefit the display was for. “See ya.”

  Gavin pulled me back before I could step off the curb and kissed me lightly on the lips. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Good night,” I said, still affected by the kiss. I wondered if he actually planned to stop by, and I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about it.

  ***

  Jake didn’t even bother to knock this time, he just used his key. “It’s just me, so don’t get up.”

  I looked away from the TV and curled my blanket closer around me. I was wearing a fairly skimpy set of cami and shorts pajamas and definitely wasn’t expecting company without a call first.

  “You are not leaving until you give me your key. That is not cool.”

  “I thought you’d be glad to see me.” He smiled as he sauntered over and sat next to me on the couch. “What’s with the blanket? It’s hot out.”

  “I like snuggling.”

  He smiled. “I can help you with that if you want.”

  “As tempting as that offer is, I think I’m going to pass.”

  “All right, just saying…” He put his feet up on the ottoman and put an arm behind me.

  “Make yourself right at home, why don’t you?”

  “I used to live here, you know.”

  I rolled my eyes, but I’m sure he didn’t notice. “Used to, meaning past tense.”

  “But I like it here better than my place.”

  “Take it up with your parents and not me.”

  “Oh, but I’d rather take it up with you.” He grabbed my bag of popcorn and shoved a handful into his mouth.

  I shook my head. “You are so annoying.”

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “Ok, what do you want?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked as if he was actually insulted.

  “You obviously want something, what is it?”

  “You.”

  “Get serious.”

  He leaned in toward me, and if his behavior didn’t make it obvious, his breath did. He was drunk.

  “I hope you didn’t drive home.”

  “I’m not drunk. And I am being serious. I want you.”

  “Jake.”

  “Becca. Just hear me out. The way I see it, we’re being really dumb here. We’re totally perfect for each other. Why stay just friends?�
��

  “Because we’re not attracted to each other.”

  “You’re not even the slightest bit attracted to me?”

  I shook my head.

  “You really don’t find me attractive?”

  I tried not to laugh. He looked crestfallen. “I said I wasn’t attracted to you, not that you’re not attractive.”

  “How is that different?”

  “You want to sleep with every girl you think is pretty?”

  “Well, I happen to think you’re more than pretty.”

  “We already established that.” I tried scoot out from under his arm, but he just moved closer.

  “Let’s find out.”

  “Find out what?”

  “What we’re like together.” The heated look in his eyes let me know exactly what he was suggesting.

  “Okay, time to leave.” I used my left hand to remove his arm and got off the couch. In the process, I lost the blanket.

  His eyes widened. “Nice, very nice.”

  “Jake, I’m serious. Get out of here.”

  “You’re the one who said I was drunk. Do you really want me driving home?”

  “Your parents’ house is right out that door. Go sleep there.” He was seriously getting on my nerves.

  “I know what the problem is.”

  “What’s that?” I replaced the blanket.

  “You think I’m just saying these things because I’m drunk.”

  “I know that’s why you’re doing it.”

  “Don’t you know that alcohol makes people honest?”

  “Yeah, and it also makes people stupid. In what insane universe would I sleep with you?”

  “You slept with Gavin.”

  That was the last straw. I was angry. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Whoa, Becca. I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant, why him and not me?”

  “I was drunk and had a lapse of judgment.”

  “You really think that’s all it was?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know. I like him, Jake. Okay? I like him. I might even consider doing it again sometime. There, see you aren’t the only crazy one. I’m into Gavin.” Wow, saying it aloud actually felt good.

  I looked down at Jake and realized he’d fallen asleep. “Great.”

  I poked at him, trying to wake him up. It was a studio, and there was no way I was sleeping in the same room with him, even if he was passed out. Not after that display. Besides, what would that look like in the morning when Gavin came to pick me up?

  I couldn’t move him myself, and I figured telling his parents on him was a low blow. I couldn’t call Ben, not with the news Molly had delivered. The only one to call was Gavin—at least that’s how I rationalized it. I got up the nerve and dialed his number.

  “Becca, hey,” his deep voice answered. I heard talking in the background, and then it got quieter, so he was probably walking out of the room. “I’m glad you called.”

  I got right to the point. “I kind of need a favor.”

  “Sure. What kind of favor?”

  “It’s a removal.”

  “Removal of a person or a thing?”

  “Person.”

  “Is this a personal or professional removal?”

  I hadn’t even thought about Gavin being a cop. Oops. “Personal, definitely personal.”

  “Are you at home?” His voice was tense.

  “Yeah.”

  “Who’s at your place that you need removed?”

  “Jake.”

  “Do I even want to ask?”

  “He came over here really drunk and passed out…”

  Gavin laughed, but it sounded forced. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Not a problem. See you soon.”

  I hung up and went into the bathroom to change. I couldn’t deny a little bit of excitement at seeing Gavin again.

  Chapter Twenty

  Gavin

  I loved making Becca blush. I had a feeling I’d never get tired of it. For such a confident girl, she sure embarrassed easily. I was still having trouble wrapping my head around the idea that she’d given me her virginity. Sure, she was drunk, but she had to have been drunk with guys before. Whatever the reason, I liked it. I liked knowing I was the only one who’d ever had her. The more I got to know her, the more determined I was to keep it that way.

  Running into Becca at the convenience store had been a surprise, but the bigger surprise was my reaction. I probably would have done anything in that moment to keep talking to her. I had been right from the beginning: one taste was definitely not enough. I was still thinking about her hours later when I’d just folded my third hand in a row. For some reason, the cards were not happening for me.

  “So did the car do the trick?” Greg asked.

  “Yeah, it worked.”

  “Then what the hell are you doing here?”

  I laughed. “We’ve got plans tomorrow.”

  “Are you talking about Becca?” Ronny asked.

  “Yup.”

  “You’re such an ass.”

  “What? You had your chance.”

  That got everyone’s attention.

  “Yeah, I took her out for coffee. God knows what kind of date you got her to agree to.”

  I shrugged and decided to keep the details to myself.

  My phone rang, and I was pleasantly surprised to find Becca on the other end of the line. I didn’t like discovering that Jake was at her place, but I did like that she’d called for my help. I really liked that.

  “I’ve got to go,” I announced after we hung up.

  “You’re going to see Becca, aren’t you?” Ronny asked.

  “Yeah,” I said very aware that they’d all be drawing a different conclusion. I cared about her reputation, but I cared more about spreading the word that she was unavailable.

  “Don’t fuck up this time.” Tom took a swig of beer.

  “I won’t.”

  “This time?” Ronny asked. I shot Tom a look to keep him quiet. He nodded. I was good.

  I headed out and was over at Becca’s in two minutes.

  “Thanks for coming.” She smiled at me when she opened the door. Of course, that was only after I told her it was me. Life in a big city had seriously messed with her sense of safety. I wished I could change that.

  “Of course. So, have you tried to wake him up?”

  “I did, but he just fell back asleep.”

  “Do you want to try again, or should I?”

  “I’m guessing your method is less kind than mine, but then again, his behavior warrants it.”

  “His behavior?”

  My question was lost when she bent down to where he snored on the couch. “Jake, Jake, it’s time to wake up.” She shook him.

  He opened his eyes, mumbled “come here, Becca,” and proceeded to try to pull her onto his lap. I say try because he didn’t get far.

  “Okay, your method.” She took a few steps back to let me in.

  I shook him harder. “Jake, wake the hell up. I’m not carrying you home.”

  “Whatever.”

  Damn, this was hard. I assumed Becca wanted him out because she didn’t want to sleep in the same room with him, which I agreed with wholeheartedly, even if he was passed out.

  “I’m guessing you called me because you don’t feel comfortable with him here.” I was forming a plan, and I needed to know where she stood.

  “It’s really not a big deal. The biggest worry I had isn’t an issue anymore anyway…” She trailed off.

  “What issue was that?”

  “What you’d think when you came to pick me up and found him here.”

  She cared about my opinion of her. That was good. Very good.

  “I wouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” That was a complete lie, but there was no reason to admit what my real reaction would have been.

  “But you would have cared, right?” She bit her lip. This nervous habit of hers was dangerous. It just made m
e want to kiss her.

  “Yes, I would have cared. I don’t like that he’s here at all. I’m glad you called.”

  She seemed pleased with my response.

  I was ready to suggest she come home with me—that would’ve solved all of our problems— when she threw a wrench in that plan.

  “But I still don’t want his parents seeing him leave tomorrow. They’d probably throw me out if they thought I was sleeping with their son.”

  I had to laugh. “What would the Mathews care if you and Jake were involved? The problem is that they’d never let you leave.”

  “Well, I’d rather not deal with the issue at all. Do you think you can help?”

  “Yeah, can I get a glass of water?”

  She smiled, figuring out where I was going. “Hold on.”

  She returned with a large glass. I poured the water over his head, regretful that I had gotten her couch a little wet. “Wake up.”

  It did the trick. “What the hell?”

  “Get up. You’re going home.”

  “What the hell are you doing here? Oh, but at least you’re not in uniform this time. That means I’m not actually in trouble.”

  “This time?” Becca asked. “This has happened before?”

  “Long story, Becca.”

  “All right. So, Gavin is going to take you home. I hope you aren’t too hung over tomorrow.”

  “She meant we’re taking you home.”

  “I did?”

  “I said I’d help, not that I’d do it.” I smiled at her. Clearly, I was more than capable of getting Jake home, but I definitely wasn’t ready to say goodnight to Becca yet.

  “Fine. All right, let’s go, Jake.”

  Thankfully, he sobered up enough that he could walk on his own, but there was no way he could drive. I helped him into the back seat, and we headed over to his house.

  I unceremoniously dumped him out on his bed while Becca looked on with a slight smile. “You could have been a little gentler.”

  “And he could have drunk a little less.” I sounded more judgmental than I meant to. Really, I didn’t care, but I still didn’t know what had gone down before she called me.

  We walked out to the car, and this time I moved fast enough to get her door. I stayed there while she buckled and decided to get my question answered. “What did you mean when you mentioned Jake’s earlier behavior?”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it.” She looked away.