Double Time (30 page)

“
Want me to fix you a plate?” Alex asks. “Sit down and listen to the ceremony.”

“
Thanks.” I take a seat on a blanket. “Wow. We can hear the speeches better out here than inside the stadium.” Everyone quiets as we listen to someone talk about their pride in this year’s senior class. Alex passes me a sandwich and while I eat, my mind wanders again to Amy. She actually set the whole thing up, the meeting with Mrs. Flores. She wanted to let me know she was going to be okay. She said she was wrong to think she could do it on her own, and she was thankful I could see she needed help because she did. Apparently, she and Mrs. Flores have a whole schedule set up for them to talk over the summer and when we get back, if Amy needs to, she’s going to see a family therapist at school. All without breaking the law. Amy’s parents don’t have to be involved, but she also doesn’t have to go it alone. I still don’t know who the baby’s father was. Obviously, he’s someone who didn’t care enough to support Amy with her choice. I’m just happy she has the support she needs now. I know she’s in good hands with Mrs. Flores.

“
Dude, this was a cool idea, Dom,” Andi says. “Makes me wanna fast forward to next year when it will be us.”

“
Not so fast,” Steph says. “I wanna enjoy every minute of senior year. I know I’ll cry my eyes out when it’s over. I love this place.”

“
Me too,” I agree with her. “It’s surreal. When we were ninth graders, the seniors seemed so much older than us, and I wanted to be in their shoes so bad. Now that it’s almost here, I don’t feel like I’m ready. And I sure don’t feel old like them.”

“
Hey, watch it,” Ben says. “You’re making it sound like we can get a senior citizen discount. We’re not much older than you guys. And the older you get, the less the age gap seems anyway.”

I steal a glance up at Alex, who’s sitting in a chair next to me. The side of his mouth is raised in a grin. He’s waiting for me to tell him, “See, I told you so.” But I don’t say a word. He knows what I’m thinking.

“
I can’t wait until we’re all twenty-one and we can drink together,” Josh says.

“
We do that now, dumb ass,” Keesh says with a chuckle. We all nod, laughing too.

“
No, I mean, like hit the clubs, go out to dinner, and order a drink kind of thing. Next year, we’ll be old enough to buy a lottery ticket, some smokes, and join the Army, but not drink yet, and Ben and Alex will be able to do it all. It’ll be cool when we don’t have to worry about age.” Josh just killed the progress I made earlier with Ben’s comment.

Alex nudges me with his leg. I look up at him. He raises a brow. I know what he’s thinking. “See, I told you.” Yeah, the age gap won’t go away for another four years. Damn, that’s a long time to wait for someday.

Thirty Two

It’s my birthday weekend. Since we’re out of school, we can party as long as we want. My birthday isn’t until Tuesday, but who wants to celebrate during the week? It’s just not the same as heading out for the evening on a weekend.

Alex asked if he could take me out before we join the crew later for dinner and a movie. Like I’d say no.

“
We might not be home when you get here, so just text me to let me know you got back okay,” Mom tells me as I wait for my date to pick me up.

“
You already said that, Mom.” She’s acting weird. “Are you okay?”

“
Yeah, I’m fine.” She nibbles on her finger. “I just had one too many cups of coffee today.”

“
You need to start drinking more water, or some decaf tea.” She’s a crazy lady to begin with. Give her caffeine and she’s even more nuts.

She squints her eyes, trying to scare me. As if. “Where’re you going with Alex?”

“
We’re gonna go walk around Santa Monica at the Promenade. Neither one of us has been there and we thought it would be fun. We won’t be too long though since we’re going out with everyone else later. I might come back to change. Depends on how sandy I get.”

“
I doubt Alex is going to drag you to the beach. He knows you better than that.” Her dreamy smile makes my heart tighten.

“
Yeah, he does. But who knows, I might be willing to take a walk on the beach and hold hands. Looks sweet in the movies.”

Mom sighs. “Yes, it does. Oh, to be young again. Young love is the best.”

“
We’re not in love, Mom.” Like anyone would believe that. We don’t even try to fool each other anymore.

“
Whatever,” she says.

Dad pops his head in. “Alex is here, honey. You ready?” Alex follows my dad into the kitchen.

I stand. “Yup, let’s go.”

He shakes my dad’s hand, pecks my mom on the cheek, and we’re out.

“
I don’t know how we’re still going to go out to dinner,” I tell Alex. We ate just about everything from every street vendor at the Promenade. I’m stuffed. “I can’t wait to get home and change. I need to put on some bigger pants.”

Alex puts his hand on my thigh and squeezes. “I can’t eat a thing. Maybe we can talk them into going to a movie first.”

“
Or we can just eat dessert while they have dinner.” There’s always room for sweets.

“
You’ve got to be kidding me,” he says. I give him a look that says I’m not. “It’s your birthday. If you want dessert, you can have as much dessert as you want.”

“
And you’re gonna help me eat it?”

“
Yup, even if it kills me.”

He takes out his phone at a stop sign and taps on his phone before taking off again.

“
Texting and driving. How dare you put my life in danger,” I tease him.

“
Just letting Ben know when we’re going to meet them,” he says.

“
Good idea.”

We pull up to my house and Alex grabs hold of my hand when I reach for the door. I turn back to look at him.

“
I just wanted to let you know I had a great time with you today, Megan.” He smiles at me, and my belly isn’t the only thing that’s full. My soul is content. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of the summer with you. This time next year, things are going to be different. In a good way.”

“
In the best of ways,” I add.

He brushes the side of my face gently with his fingertips. He settles his hand on the back of my neck and brings me in for a kiss. “I missed you, Meggie,” he whispers. Our foreheads touch and I can still feel his breath on my lips.

“
I missed you too,” I whisper back. “I’m here with you now.”

“
We’re right where we should be.”

He presses his lips to mine once more before we get out of my car and make our way up the walk to my house.

I try to open the door, but it won’t budge. “Are they kidding me? What were they thinking?”

“
What’s wrong?” he asks.

“
My parents locked the security lock.”

“
What does that mean?”

I take the few steps down the porch and Alex follows. “It means we can’t get in. We have to go around to the back. I can’t believe they did that.”

Alex helps me unhitch the gate that’s too tall for me and we make our way up the driveway to my back door.

“
Surprise!”

What? What the heck? Keesh, Steph, Josh, my parents, and a crapload of other people are all under the patio wearing giant smiles. “Give Me Everything,” by Pitbull and Ne-Yo fills the air. Holy shit. There’s a DJ.

“
Go on, babe,” Alex nudges me toward the crowd. “Happy birthday, Megan.”

My eyes fill with tears. “This is for me?” I gaze up at him. “A surprise birthday party?”

He nods, again pushing me toward my family and friends.

All of this is so overwhelming.

“
Happy birthday, baby,” Dad says, gripping me in a bear hug. “Enjoy your party.”

“
Yay,” Mom yells, “we did it. I know you were surprised. I can’t wait to see the pics of the look on your face. It was classic. Happy birthday, honey. Have fun tonight.”

One by one, my guests all wish me a happy birthday. The whole crew is here, of course, along with Brody and some new girl attached to his hip. Other friends from some of our classes are here as well. Mrs. Fuller and Mr. Fuller. Keesh and Steph’s parents. Alex’s parents. Oh my gosh. The list keeps going.

By the time everyone has eaten, I’m ready to dance. The girls join me on the dance floor and we all just goof around. A DJ? I still can’t believe it, even though I’m seeing it with my own eyes and hearing it with my own ears. Every other song is by Pitbull. I have to thank whoever helped to create this playlist. The boys join us and we have a blast. Josh starts pumping his hips when the strobe light starts to flicker. He looks like a male stripper. Ben smacks him in the head and reminds him parents are around.

The music comes to a halt for the birthday song. Seventeen candles pierce the cake. Wow. I’m getting old. I can still remember when my candles were just a faint glow. Now they could keep a small house warm. When my guests finish singing, I close my eyes and make a wish. When I open them again, I suck in a gulp of air and then blow out my candles.

I’m enjoying my chocolate cake when Alex says, “Watch this.”

I start cracking up when I hear the song blaring from the speakers. New Kids on the Block. My mom goes wild. She runs out to the empty dance floor, and Steph and Keesh’s moms follow her. For three New Kids songs, our mothers belt out the lyrics and dance like they’ve been trained on the concert choreography. They don’t miss a beat. My mom has definitely spent too much time watching recorded performances on TV if she knows the moves that well. I guess I shouldn’t be too embarrassed because my friends’ moms are working it right along with her. At least they have rhythm.

The party comes to an end just before midnight. My mom lets me know the regulars can stay as late as they want, but we need to help clean up first.

“
Don’t worry, ladies,” Alex says. “We got this. Go chill by the pool and we’ll be over as soon as we’re done.” He bends down and presses his lips to my forehead.

“
You won’t get any arguments from me,” Keesh says as she walks away.

“
Me neither,” Steph says, and she and Andi follow her.

“
Sounds good to me.” I pucker my lips to him and he plants a quick peck on me before joining the guys to pick up trash and move patio furniture.

I sit on one of the lounges with the girls. “It feels good to stretch out and relax.”

“
You got that right,” Steph says. “My feet are killing me. We got here right after you left with Alex and helped your parents set up.”

“
Thank you so much, you guys. This was awesome. I can’t believe I had no clue.”

“
Your mom is a miracle worker. She had it all planned out. It was perfect,” Andi says.

“
She was so excited,” Keesh tells me. “It’s been a few years since she’s thrown a birthday party for you.”

“
It has, but she’s never done anything this big. It was amazing.” Usually, my mom just has friends over for a BBQ and swimming. This was more than anything I could’ve ever hoped for.

“
So, what did you wish for?” Keesh asks me.

Andi gasps. “Dude, you can’t tell your wish. It won’t come true.”

“
It’s not like we can’t guess,” Steph adds.

“
Yeah,” Keesh winks at me, “tell or not tell.
It’ll come true.”

I smile.
My girls know me so well.

“
I have an idea that’ll help,” Keesh says. “I have a plan.”

“
Oh goodness.” Steph leans back in her chair and folds her arms across her chest.

“
My plan is …” she pauses, “ to not make any plans. No more single ladies. No more pacts. Let’s just see what happens. Our someday will come. My someday is in Texas, and I may have to wait until after graduation, but it will come.
Your
someday will come, Meggie.”

I chuckle inside. “Have you been talking to Alex?”

She looks confused. “No, why?”

“
He’s said the same thing. Many times.”

“
Smart guy,” Steph says. “Look at me. I threw the plan out the window and it worked. My someday came.”

“
It sure did,” I tell her. “And yes, he’s a smart guy.”

“
Yup.” Keesh nods.

“
I guess you all have the right idea,” I say, willing to make a plan not to make plans. Whatever happens, happens. It is what it is. Our someday will come.

I just hope my someday comes sooner rather than later.