From Lies to Promises (6 page)

  “Actually, Dave and my
restoration shop is just on the other side of the park. I just came over here to grab us some lunch.” He places he elbows on the table and leans in. “I have never been more thrilled that I lost rock, paper, scissors to Dave in my life.”

  “Why?” What the hell is that supposed to mean?

   “Because, if I had won I would be ordering pizza. And I would have missed the chance to ask you in person to go out with me.” When he is done he gives me that mischievous grin. My heart is beating so fast at this point that I can feel it even in the tips of my fingers. I look into those god forsaken green eyes, as an internal war goes on inside me. Could I date him without him ever noticing that I am not 100% here? No. The answer was no. But, I want to take the chance so bad.
Try. Say yes. He isn’t like everyone else.
HA. My mind and heart are in a battle of epic proportions. “Thought you said you don’t do that often.”

  “Um, do what?” What’d I do now?

  “You spaced off. From what I could see, you were thinking really hard about something.” He inquires.

  “I don’t. At least I never have before. Sorry, school must be getting to me.” I say as I watch a squirrel climb up a tree.

  Suddenly there are fingers on the side of my face pulling my gaze back to Ryder. “It’s alright, it was kind of cute actually.”

  “How in the heck is me zoning out cute?”

  “The face you made. Eyebrows drawn, lips all pursed together,” He lets out a husky laugh, “It was just cute. Trust me on this, it was. Now, tell me when you’re free so I can plan our date.”

  “I never said I would go.” I am slowly loosing whatever composure I had. I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans
as I stand. My appetite has flown away with my traitorous heart. I put my book in my bag and grab the tray with my wasted food.

  “I didn’t
take you for someone that likes to torture. Please, put me out of my misery and say yes.” He is still seated, and punctuates his words with a pout lip while looking up at me, making those green eyes glitter as the sun hits gold flecks near his pupil.

  “I seriously doubt me refusing to go out with you is torture. I promise, you will live.” I let out an exasperated laugh as I throw my food away.

  “Just one date. If I blow it and you don’t have an amazing time, I’ll leave it alone. I promise.” He says as he stands and walks to me.

  “Ugh, has anyone told you that you’re pushy?” I take a deep breathe. “Fine. Fine, just one date. That’s it!” I caved. It was the pouty face that got me.
Damnit.

  “It was the face wasn’t it? Being the baby in the family you learn some neat tricks. My mom
was a sucker for it too.” Let’s hope that’s the last time I fall victim to it. “Ok, I got to get this food back to Dave before he starts going in to fits. I’ll text you later.” He walks up to the counter and grabs the to-go bag. I’ll admit as he walked away I was so checking out his ass. I’ll bet those jeans don’t do it any of the justice it deserves. I turn around feeling flushed and head back to campus, I still got two classes today.

  I don’t make it far before I hear Ryder calling for me. When I turn around
he is jogging up to me with a smile on his face. “So, I know this is something that most people do when they first meet, but what’s your last name?”

  “Brown, my last name is Brown.” A smile breaks across my face as I realize I don’t know his either. “What about you Ryder, what’s your last name?”

  “Hudson.” He stares at me for a minute before he says anything else. “Well, get back to school. I’ll talk to you soon Katrina Brown.” Then he turns and walks away without a backward glance.

  Then it hit me. He said my name, my full first name, and I didn’t freak. Alarm bells didn’t sound off in my head. Instead, I actually liked my n
ame coming from his lips. He makes it sound like a prayer, not something whispered in the darkness.

***

              Being a history major has its advantages. For me anyways, because even when I am not completely into whatever the professor is lecturing about that day, I can still follow along pretty easily. It comes naturally to me, always has. That is how the rest of my classes for the day went. I listened periodically, other times I was chastising myself for giving in so easily to Ryder. Lexi called on her way home from work about supper, and since I didn’t eat my lunch I was starving, literally. Lexi and I have an addiction to food, and a bigger addiction to cooking it.

  When I get home I put my bag in my room and head to the kitchen to help make the chicken alfredo with Lexi. When it’s done Skeigh meets us at the table.

  “So Ms. Bran stopped by the shop again today. She invited us to dinner with her and her assistant Friday.” Skeigh says excitedly.

  “Why does she want us to go?” Questions Lexi.

  “She is new to town, and other than the people she is working with here, she doesn’t have anyone to hang out with I guess. Do you guys want to? She told me to call her and let her know if we decide to go.” Skeigh says as she takes a sip of her wine.

  “
What time are we talking here? Because I got to pick Jamie up from school and help her get ready for a dance.” I sit my fork down waiting on her answer.

  “I figure we could meet her at that Mexican restaurant we like downtown around six thirty.” Skeigh suggest.

  “Ok, I can do that.” I say.

  “
I can too. Besides, I would like to see what women she has in sights for her article.” Lexi says. She stands up and grabs the wine bottle of the kitchen counter and tops our glasses off. I figured I might as well get it over with and tell them I have a date.

  “So, I ran into Ryder today. I agreed to go on a date with him.” I pick my fork back up and move some chicken around on my plate.

  “Heck yea! When?” Skeigh’s face is beaming like she is the one who got asked out.

 
“I don’t know when yet. He said he would text me.” I shrug my shoulders and twirl some noodles onto my fork. My phone picks that exact moment to ring. I look down to see that it’s Ryder. Great he calls me and I have a mouth full of food. Lexi grabs the phone with a shit eating grin on her face. Then she answers it.

  “Hello.” Pause. “This is Lexi
. Kat’s best friend. She is a little busy at the moment.” Pause. “We are eating dinner.” Pause. “What are,” Pause “YES I
am
asking you what your intentions are with her.” Pause. “Next? Next, is when I tell you that dating her means dating all three of us. Can’t get one piece of the triangle without the other two, and if you don’t like it…”

  Skeigh snatches the phone out of Lexi’s grasp, “Too bad, because we are here to stay, so kiss it.”

  They have never been so ‘in your face’ with guys that I have dated before. It makes me wonder if I should be worried. Do they know something I should? Skeigh hands me the phone with a satisfied smirk on her face. I take it from her and head to my room.

  “
Um, I’m sorry about that.” I apologize as I shut my door.

  “Wow, they are fiercely protective over you, huh? I think that is the most intense interview I have been put through when taking a girl
on a date. That includes a dad or two, one who was a cop.” He sounds kind of nervous.

  “I don’t know what that was about.” I sit on my bed and start pulling out my books from my bag.

  “Anyways, I was thinking I could come get you Friday. Is that good?” He ask.

  “Nope, I have dinner plans Friday with the girls.”

  He huffs into the phone. “Saturday? Do you have any plans for Saturday?”

  I laugh at his sad tone, I bet if I were looking at him right now, he would have that damn pout face on. “Saturday it is then. Where and when do you want me to meet you?”

  “You won’t meet me anywhere. A gentlemen always picks up his dates.”

  “Is that what you are Ryder, a gentleman?” I inquire.

  “If that’s what you want me to be, Katrina, then that is what I will be. If not...” He trails off. If not then…what? Why wouldn’t I want him to be anything other than a complete gentleman?
He is talking about in the bedroom, dumbass.
Ah!

  “I can assure you, being a gentleman will get you further.” I did not just say that.

  “Is that a promise?” What was it with him and promises.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Then I will be the
perfect
gentleman.” He rumbled. The ripple of those words come through the phone and all the way to my core. “Text me your address. I’ll pick you up around two in the afternoon.”

  “Ok.” It comes out shaky.

  “Goodnight, Katrina.”

             
The rest of the week went by rather smoothly. Got a few quiz results back from school that I have been waiting on, they weren’t perfect A’s but I was happy with them. Wednesday Jamie and I went shopping at the mall for her a dress for the dance. We ended up hitting some of the older shops in downtown, which is where we found the dress she is wearing. It is a beautiful flowing gown all the way to the floor. A glowing sage green with gold embroidery, which just made her blond hair stand out like a crown with it pinned up in ringlets. She is going to have all eyes on her when she walks into that dance.

  “He knows to meet you there, right?” I ask, while I clasp her necklace on her neck.

  “Yea, he said that was better anyways. He didn’t want his mom making us late taking a million pictures.” I can tell by her voice she is nervous, but also very excited. I grab the shawl and hand it to her.

  “Alright, you ready then?” I place my hand on her shoulder. “Relax, and just have fun.”

  “Ok!”

  Little did she know that Skeigh and Lexi were waiting in the living room, cameras poised and at the ready. We
all get shots with her, and even set on up on the counter to take some of us all together. Some of us being goofy others of us acting like the debutants that we know we aren’t. When we all but fill up the memory on the cameras, the girls walk us out and give Jamie hugs. Once we arrive at the school gym where the dance is being held I get out with her, because it’s my turn to give her a hug.

  “You got everything you need? Clutch purse, phone, and some money?” I hate dropping her off and her not have something.

  “Yes, yes, and yes. I’ll be fine. Most of the jitters have worn off now.” She says and beams a smile up at me.

  “Just checking.” I walk back to my open car door but before I get in I yell, “Have fun!”

***

              Skeigh, Lexi and I make it to the restaurant about ten minutes early. So we go ahead and get a table and order some drinks. Between the three of us we almost finished off the first batch of chip and salsa they bring to your table before Ms. Bran finally arrives. She was a sight to behold. You could definitely tell she was from a bigger city the way she carried herself, but she was nothing if not nice company. We all listened to some of her adventures in other cities trying to find amazing women to put in her magazine. It was all fascinating, and the stories of some of these woman were unbelievable. After we finish our meals, Lexi takes the pause in conversation as her queue.

  “So, Ms. Bran, have you found the source of your next article?” Lexi ask.

  “I came here with a specific story I wanted to cover. I think this one will be my legacy. You know, when someone says my name, they will relate that story to it.” Ms. Bran sits forward as her eyes travel to me. “I know she is here in Chattanooga, but it seems that she doesn’t exist. I have come to the conclusion she has changed her last name.”

  There is no way in
hell
this woman could be referring to me. How would she know my story anyways, no one believed me. It would only make since that after I left that I was forgot about. Thrown out like yesterday’s dirty laundry. So why would anyone have a reason to talk about it.

  “Hmm. Why would she do that? If she has such a great story why would she want to hide?” Lexi’s interest peaked.

  “Well, you see Lexi, her story isn’t a happy one. Or one that you would really want people to know. I want to tell it to show the world how strong a woman or girl can be even when the world turns their back to you. Even when your own family damns you to hell.” Again, she glances at me. “I know the details, but I can’t publish it without her permission. Unless I do it nameless.”

  “That kind of beats the purpose of the whole magazine though doesn’t it?” Skeigh chimes in.

  Ms. Bran puts her hands together on top of the table and replies, “It does. However, since I mentioned to the story to my editor she wants it regardless. So I will have to write it with what facts I do have. I would just like her side of the story, whether she remain nameless or not.”

  I nearly tumble backwards in my chair when my phone rings. I turn it over on the table to see Jamie’s picture gracing the screen. I owe that girl big time and she doesn’t even know it.

  “Jamie, I thought your mom was picking you up from the dance.”