Get Lost (11 page)

“Why wouldn’t I? I get to meet the parents of the girl of my dreams.” He extends his hand for me to take after opening my car door.

“That’s a line I bet you’ve said once or twice in your life.” The words are meant to be playful, but I can tell that they sting. Justin merely smiles and nods. Doing my best to quickly recover, I snuggle in closer. “But never meant like you do now.”

Justin proudly nods as we stroll along the sidewalk to the  restaurant. “When you’re  right, you’re right.”

Upon entering, we are quickly escorted to the table where my parents are waiting with half full glasses of wine and lemon ice water heavily frosted with condensation.

Immediately, my parents rise with nervous looks on their faces. With a soft smile, I lean over and kiss them each on the cheek. “Sorry, we’re late.”

“It’s okay,” my mother insists, her smile extending sweetly. “Is this him?”

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Justin. Justin, these are my parents Tim and Faith.” I glance at him as he extends his hand to shake theirs.

Once we’re all settled down in our seats with menus in our laps, my mother asks, “So, where exactly did you two meet again?”

“Art room.” I run my hand along the back of my menu. “It was a little unexpected. In fact, I think our entire relationship has been, in a word, unexpected.”

Justin grins at me before glancing at my parents: my mother, who is smiling back, and my father, who doesn’t seem to be interested. The conversation continues on a casual note, my mother full of questions and my father closed off in a way I’m unfamiliar with. After our orders have been taken, I lean forward and ask, “Dad, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he insists, taking another sip of his almost empty wine.

“Everything go all right today?” My voice rises in concern.

“Yes.” His shortness in response forces me back in my chair, slightly defeated.

Feeling my pain, Justin decides to speak up. “So, Tim—”

“Mr. Darling, please.” The correction even raises my mother’s eyebrows.

“Excuse me, Mr. Darling, I just wanted to say that I think you’re quite the artist,” he says in a complimentary way, something my father usually loves.

Straight faced, he says, “Why, thank you.”

“I’ve seen many of your pieces in other states and countries. Your name is pretty well known.” My mother sweetly pats the back of my father’s   hand.

“Have you now?” my father asks as he picks up his wine glass once  more.

“I have. I’ve traveled a lot.” Justin’s eyes glance in my direction, hopeful.

“Have you?” my mother asks curiously. “You’re a military brat?”

“Close. My parents work for the government.” The lie would explain why he lives in an apartment by himself. “So, we travel often.”

“What do they do?” my mother asks, picking up her fork for her side salad, which was just delivered.

With a slight shrug, Justin answers, “I honestly don’t know. They’ve got one of those don’t ask can’t tell kinds of jobs.”

“Not surprising,” my dad mutters, picking up his glass and looking off into the   distance.

“I have to use the ladies’ room. Peyton, will you join me?” My mother grabs her clutch.

“Sure.” I slide my chair back, place a gentle hand on Justin’s shoulder, and give it a good luck squeeze.

Once the two of us are in the bathroom, my mother enters a stall and says loudly, “I don’t know what’s eating your father. The entire ride here, he was raving about how excited he was that his baby girl was all grown up.”

“Yeah, I don’t know.” I glance over my shoulder at my own reflection. “I really want Dad to like him though.” After a flush, my mother exits and joins me at the sink. “I’m sure he will, dear. He’s probably just as nervous to meet Justin as Justin is him.”

“Was it safe to leave them alone?”

With a giggle, she shakes her head. “Probably not.” The two of us return to the table where Justin is leaning backward with a soft smile  on  his  face  and his arm on the back of my chair. Knowing the smug look a little too well, I lean over and whisper in his ear, “What happened?”

Quickly, he leans over and whispers, “We’re going to find out the truth about how your father feels about me and why.”

Nonplussed, I stare at him before glancing at my father, who is giving his glass a  strange look as he smacks his lips like there’s an odd taste in his mouth. Uncomfortable, he clears his throat and tilts his head at Justin. “So, where’d you get that?” He points to the tattoo that’s peeking from underneath Justin’s sleeve.

“Ireland.” Justin grabs his water glass.

“But, you’re only seventeen.” My father sighs as another glass of wine is poured for him.

“Different country, different rules,” my mother says defensively.

“Hmm.” He nods slowly. “I don’t really like that. You seem to me like you’re all about breaking rules.”

“Tim!” my mother shrieks. “Dad!” I squeak back in unison.

“How did you meet again? In the art room? What were you doing? Skipping class?”

“Wow,” my voice grumbles,  grabbing  my glass of water.

With a smile, Justin leans forward on his elbows. “Are you implying something, sir?”

“I’m implying that I know the kind of guy you are. You’re manipulative. Dastardly. Everyone is fooled by the bull you’re  feeding  them.”

“Tim!” my mother snips loudly again.

Ignoring her, he continues, like he can’t stop the truth from falling out of his mouth. “But I know the kind of guy you are. I know the kinds of things you’re looking for. And I know Peyton will never give them to you.”

“Enough!” my mother stomps her heel under the table. “Tim, that is enough!”

Suddenly, the cold look on my father’s face disappears as if he’s coming out of a trance, and he looks to my mother. “Why are you yelling at me?”

“Why are you attacking Justin?” she snaps, throwing her napkin on the table.

“I…I…I don’t know.” His head tilts back slowly. Caught off guard, he adjusts his tie and sighs. “I apologize.”

“It’s all right, sir.” Justin nods as his plate of food lands in front of him.

Our meal becomes very quiet as the tension rises. My mother does her best to ask questions about where he grew up and what life on the go is like, but the entire time, my father is taking small bites, staring at Justin, who doesn’t seemed fazed by him.

As soon as everyone is finished, I place my napkin on the table and ask my mother, “Do you mind if Justin drives me home?”

“Not at all,” she answers.

“I do,” my father pipes up. “I thought you would like to ride with us, sweetie.”

“No, thank you.” I stand and grab my purse. “Mom, I’ll see you at home.”

My father interjects, “But…”

“Drive safe,” my mother cuts him off. “It was nice to meet you, Justin. I hope we see you again soon.”

“Thank you for dinner. It was lovely.” He waves before taking my hand and strolling out of the restaurant.

The two of us climb back up the steep hill in silence to where he’s parked. Before I realize it, we’re back in the car with the keys in the ignition but not moving.

Staring at the wheel, I notice a disappointed look on his face, a look I can honestly say I’m not too familiar with.

“I’m sorry about my father tonight. I’ve never seen him act like that. Those things he said…I mean, I just…well, I never thought he’d say how he really felt out loud. I mean, I’ve never heard him get angry or defensive or…”

“I know why he did it,” Justin says slowly, his eyes lifting to meet mine.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I slipped him a little bit of Narcturnal in his wine.” The answer takes me bysurprise.

“What is that?”

“It’s a truth serum. Narcturnal is a small, purple plant that grows in Neverland. You know how people always joke that alcohol is a truth serum. Well, once upon a time, it was true because alcohol contained Narcturnal. Of course, now it doesn’t, but Narcturnal can still be slipped into any drink and possess the same effect. I wanted to know what was bothering your father, and now I do.”

“Why would you do that?” I toss my hands in the air. “Normal boyfriends just deal with the heat and discomfort of meeting their girlfriends’ parents. Normal boyfriends just man up the best they can and suffer. Normal boyfriends…”

“I’m not normal,” Justin raises his voice at me. Forcing me to back down, he shrugs his shoulders. “I’m never going to be normal, Peyton. For the sake of what’s going on, it’s important I know all the obstacles standing between us and Sous Clef. So yeah, I slipped it in his drink.”

With a deep swallow, I nod slowly. “Between us and the painting. Because that’s what this is all about, right? Getting  that painting?”

Justin presses his lips together and glances back out toward the road. “Yes.”

Holding back the tears that have crept into my throat, I lean back in his leather seat and nod. “Can you please  take  me home?”

The ride home is even worse than dinner as far as silence goes. I’ve got tears creeping through my mascara and a knot the size of a grapefruit in my throat. It never seems to fail that, as soon as we get close, we’re ripped apart again. With everything that keeps happening, I’m feeling more and more like I’m dating two people trapped in one body.

Chapter Eight

Moving my pencil back and forth across the sketchbook in my lap, I shake my head slowly at my mother and father, who are yelling outside my bedroom door.

“Tell her she can date whoever she wants!”

“But…”

“Do you realize how you embarrassed her?”

“I…”

“Do you realize that this was the first guy she not only decided to call her boyfriend but trusted enough to bring him to meet us?”

“Well…”

“That’s a big deal, Tim! You know how she feels with all the moving we do.”

“Faith—”

“No! You listen to me. For the first time in years, she’s being social, she has friends, and she’s happier than we’ve ever seen her. How could you try to take that away from her?”

“But—”

“No buts! March in there and apologize to your daughter before you don’t have one,” her voice squeaks.

Moments later, there’s a soft knock on my door. A heavy sigh leaves me. “Come in.”

Sheepishly, my father steps in and shuts the door behind him. “Can we speak for a moment?”

“Of course.” I grab the orange oil pencil.

“Look, I know dinner didn’t go well last night.”

“That’s an understatement.”

Clearing his throat, he continues, “But I want you to know that you’re my daughter, and I love you.” My attention pulls itself up as the next words look painful for him to say. “Peyton, you can date whoever you want. You’re a beautiful, mature young woman and reserve the right to make your own choices. I’m just worried about what type of guy he is. Just promise me you’ll be very careful, and if you ever have questions or need advice, you’ll ask me.”

“Promise.” I nod before returning to my drawing. “I love you, Peyton.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

With a look of relief on his face, he takes a deep breath and smiles. “Your mother and I are going to dinner with the mayor and his wife. Would you care to join us? He’s got a cute son.”

“I think I’ll pass.” My crooked smile warms his heart as he prepares to make an exit.

“You sure? He’s got great teeth.”

“Dad.”

“And, he’s tall.”

“Dad.”

“And he’s…”

“Good night,” I cut him off, giggling.

He exits, shutting the door tightly behind him, allowing me to return to the picture I’ve been working on basically the entire day. Between avoiding text messages, phone calls, and my parents until now, I haven’t felt like doing much else.

Hearing another knock, I quickly call, “Come in.”

I glance over at my door, perplexed as to why no one’s walking in. Nervous, I lean forward, checking out the door before hearing someone clear his throat from what sounds like beside me.

Slowly, I turn my head to see Peter taking a seat beside me, painting a cocky grin on his face. “Hey.”

“Hi,” I whisper. “What the…How the…”

“Was out flying around the neighborhood. Thought I would swing by and see what’s up.”

I peek around him to notice my balcony doors wide open. “Do my parents know you’re here?”

“Nah. I landed right after your father closed the door. I’m good at this, sweetheart. It’s not my first time.” The words slip out of his mouth in a fashion that makes me a tad uncomfortable.

Clearing my throat, I scoot to the very edge of the bed, slip my sketchbook closed, and ask, “So, what’s going on?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to see how your parents liked Justin.” He joins me on the edge of the bed, leaving one hand behind as if it might sneak itself around me.

“Why don’t you ask him?”

“Haven’t been that direction. Everything going according to plan?”

“Well, my mother loves him.” I nod. “And my father thinks he’s a creep. So, I guess I have the typical teenage problem.”

The two of us giggle lightly together, and Peter folds his hands in his lap. “Don’t worry too much, Peyton. Fathers are always protective of their children, especially their daughters. I wouldn’t have expected anything less from your father. He is, after all, a stand up guy.”

“I like to think so.” My voice lowers to a softer pitch. Peter’s eyes linger on mine before he sighs. “I know that, if I were Justin, I would do everything I could to make your father like me, not for his sake but for yours.”

Touched, my shoulders slouch, and my head tilts. “After all, that’s what a normal boyfriend would do.”

The word rings in my ear, and I feel a certain twinge inside of me. “Well, good thing he’s not a normal boyfriend.”

With a crooked grin, Peter stands up, adjusts his green polo, and sighs. “Hate to have to leave so soon, but I’ve got a few errands to run. See you around.”

Doing my best to hide my resurfaced anger, I nod. “See you around, Peter.”

I watch as he walks out of my balcony door and straight into the air, headed only God knows where. Staring at the balcony for a minute, I feel a tugging inside of my heart like Peter meant to stir up those feelings, like he had already talked to Justin and was just making sure we didn’t get close again. Feeling slightly nauseous and overwhelmed, I decide a trip to my sanctuary would probably do me some good.

After I change into a pair of jean shorts and a white tank top with a thin, light pink, long sleeve shirt on top, I walk over to For the Love of Art, finding the sound of traffic and honking horns relieving.

Bertha smiles sweetly at me as I walk through the door. “There’s my favorite girl. I was beginning to wonder why I haven’t you seen you so much.”

Strolling over to the counter, I pull on my sleeves while sighing. “Been busy. Homework got out of control, and I’ve been painting a little more.”

“Oh,” she hums, leaning back slowly. “I thought it might have something to do with your boyfriend.”

Uncomfortable, I scratch the back of my neck. “He’s barely a boyfriend. More like a good friend that I get to kiss every now and   again.”

“Is that so?” Bertha adjusts a crooked flower vase on her desk. “Because, to me, he looked like a boyfriend.”

“I…”

“Peyton baby, we all go through ups and downs in relationships. It’s how you know you still have one. Don’t focus on the words he misuses in anger or frustration. Focus on the actions he takes.” Bertha smiles sweetly before handing me a small envelope.

“Thanks.” I pat the counter and head off in the direction of Sous Clef.

On entering the room, I head over to the painting that’s been bringing so much trouble into my life. Lingering in front of it, I lean forward and stare. I run my fingers through the hair laying on my shoulders and get lost in the painting like I used to.

After a few more thoughts to myself, I open the envelope and stare at the familiar handwriting.

There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.

—Bryant H. McGill

“You’re implying something pretty big in this quote.” I lift my head slowly back to the painting.

“I know,” Justin’s voice softly croons.

After tapping my thumb on the note several times, I sigh. “Why the quotes?”

“I used to have a problem saying the wrong thing at the right time, so I studied others and learned how to say the right thing at the right time.” His body moves closer to mine. Leaning down, he whispers in my ear, “Except when it comes to my feelings for you.”

Slowly, I turn my body around so that my back leans against the railing but in between his arms. “Why’s that?”

A heavy sigh leaves Justin before he tilts his fedora down. “I don’t know. When I first met you, everything was clear and perfect. The world made sense.”

“And now?”

His hands make a motion in the air before he places his arms back on both sides of me. “I have something I want to show you.”

As usual, I’m swept away by Justin’s offer and allow him to lead the two of us out to his car, where there’s a teddy bear with a paintbrush attached to its paw. Smiling, I climb in, place him in my lap, and permit Justin to drive me away blindly like he always has. Curious, I look around while making small talk in hopes that I can figure out where we’re going before we get there. Noticing a box of paints, I relax, disappointed that this night probably has less to do with us and more to do with the mission.

The sight of the setting sun brings a warm flood over my body, causing me to let out a heavy sigh, which forces Justin to ask, “What?”

“I love the sunset. In fact, the only thing I love more than the sun setting is a view of all the stars on a clear night.” I give the teddy a squeeze.

His hand lands on top of mine, instantly folding them together. “Glad to hear that.”

The road is now curvy and far away from the highways as well as any other forms of civilization I recognize. Trying my best to hide my anxiety as the road gets windier, I give my seat belt an extra pull.

“Nervous?”

“Around you? Always.”

The chuckle between us calms my nerves momentarily as the cool breeze does the rest. Justin eventually stops the car on the side of the road by an enormous cliff. I glance in terror over the side at the lifeless abyss.

Quickly grabbing the backpack full of paint and a canvas, he insists, “Come on.”

“Come on where?” I squeak at the top of my lungs, dreading leaving the safety of the vehicle.

“This way,” he insists, pointing over the edge of the cliff.

“Are you joking?” I hear my voice say as I exit the car, still clutching the bear. “Please tell me you’re kidding! Why would I just jump off a cliff ? Into nothing? That’s not particularly the way I want to die, though I never imagined being shot to death either, but—”

“Peyton,” Justin interrupts, grabbing my hand, “you’ve been dating me this long and still don’t trust me?” After having to nod in agreement, but knowing I trust him more than I trust most others, I wrap my arms around his neck as he carries me over the edge. How is it I keep forgetting he has the ability to fly? Carefully, Justin lands the two of us on a very sturdy surface.

Knowing it’s too dark for me to see what it is, he informs me, “Just have a seat right where you are and hold on tight.”

Anxious to know what’s going on, I do as I’m told while clutching the bear to hide my concern.

Moments later, I feel my body jerked upward. My eyes dart back and forth as we slowly become level with the parked car at the top of the cliff. Totally baffled, my jaw lowers as we continue upward past it, straight for the clouds. Looking around, I notice we’re on a ship, similar to the one I saw that day at Jimmy’s.

“Oh my gosh, are we flying?” I whimper as the ship continues to increase in speed and height. Curious as to where Justin is, I peek around the central deck, which I can only assume leads to some sort of downstairs weapon setup like the other ship, to see him slowly turning the wheel at the   helm.

“Yes.” He glances over his shoulder at me with a suspicious smirk. “I told you that’s what these  things do, right?”

With a chuckle of disbelief, I lean back and begin viewing the skyline of our city in a completely different light. “Wow.”

“Beautiful, right?” his voice moves toward me as it seems we are suspended in the air.

“How is this possible?” I grip the edge and glance over the side at the busy cars.

“Magic.” He plops down next to me and wraps an arm around me sweetly. “But I didn’t bring you up here to see that.” My attention switches from down below to up above. “I brought you here to show you that.”

His finger points to a glowing area of interstellar clouds in the distance. It looks like it’s swirling of pinks, reds, and golds.

“What is that?”

“Neverland.” The answer floors me. Justin slides off his fedora and places it in his lap. “Now, believe me, if I could take you there, I would. But…”

“I know.” I place a hand on his thigh. For a moment, I allow our eyes to linger silently before asking, “Why did you bring me here?”

“To paint it.” He eyeballs the materials, causing me to giggle softly.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Sorry, I can’t be a normal boyfriend, but…”

“I’m starting to think normal is way overrated.” I slip his hat out of his hands and onto my head. “Scoot over there. I want you in it, too.”

Nodding, he slides his body across from mine against the door and props his legs up. “Peyton, you do know I didn’t mean for things to blow up the way they did last night, right?”

“Of course,” I answer as I gently sketch the lines.

“I used to be damn near perfect when it came to speaking, especially to girls. Yet lately, when I try to say certain things to you, they come out jumbled and…”

“Believe me, I’m glad at least it’s just me that it comes out that way to.” He smiles sympathetically at me before I ask, “So, how’d you convince the guys to let you take the ship out?”

“Convincing wasn’t necessary. Aiden has planted himself in front of the computer, messing around with that website where you upload pictures and videos of yourself, you know? The one where you chat with friends and post messages.”