The Sound of Shooting Stars (23 page)

“Good, how about some waffles today?”

“Um, just cereal would be good.”

“Sure, coming right up”

Once I’ve shoveled in my first bite Beckett enters the kitchen seemingly apprehensive. I frown at her shy expression. She scoots into the chair across from me and refuses to make eye contact. I look over at Sasha who is busy at the sink with her back to us and lean in asking, “Hey you, is everything alright?”

I grab her hand resting on the table to make sure I have her attention. She meets my stare and looks away as if she’s ashamed. Okay, this is a new Beckett.

Her hand slides from my grasp as she answers still not meeting my eyes, “Yes, everything is, fine.”

I’m definitely not convinced but if she won’t open up to me I can’t make her. Instead I ask, ”Can you give me a ride to school?”

She looks up surprised and realization hits her soothing her features. She nods as Sasha places cinnamon toast in front of her. A smile forms on my lips and I comment, “Cinnamon toast, really?”

She looks away and mutters under her breath, “Yes, it’s my favorite.”

At the mention of that I suddenly want to know all of her favorite things and what makes her happy. I’m at a loss though and she seems unfazed at my stare boring into her.

When I finish eating and stand, my hand lingers on her shoulder. She flinches at my touch. A frown creases my brow at her sudden mood change. Instead of saying anything I make my way upstairs to brush my teeth. This is the Beckett I was afraid of encountering yesterday after we kissed. I didn’t expect it today.

When I cross the threshold onto the front porch she is already in the car waiting. I open the door to music blasting from the speakers. I reach to turn it down but her hand halts mine. She doesn’t look at me but explains unconvincingly as she guides us out the drive, “Don’t, I like this song.”

I glance at the dash to the name of the song I don’t recognize,’ High Road’ by The Cults. Sinking back into the seat I close my eyes knowing that she isn’t going to talk to me and I have no idea why.
Great. I can’t speak to Sam at school and now Beckett has shunned me for whatever reason.

The lack of communication is killing me. If the drive would have been any longer, I would have demanded that she talk to me but as soon as I’ve about had it with the silent treatment we are pulling into the parking lot. I open the door and climb out as soon as she puts the car into park. My eyes betray me and look back to the car. She’s sitting still with her hands on the steering wheel as if gathering strength for something. I shake my head and head to class.
She fucking makes me crazy
.

I’m halfway across the lot when I hear my name called out in a frantic voice. I turn to find a panicked look on Beckett’s face. She is looking at me across the roof of her car. She mouths the words, “I’m sorry.”

I shake my head, push my hands in my pockets and walk toward the building. As soon as I enter the hall it’s as if all hell has broken loose. People are leaning against their lockers talking and looking in my direction. As I scan their faces, my eyes land on Sam on the other side of the hall. Her face is a mess with tears running down her cheeks. Most of the chatter as I force my feet forward contain the words Samantha, Jake, sleeping with, and Dani. It becomes clear to me in that moment that something has gone down involving Sam. Of course she couldn’t call me because of Elizabeth. Instead of walking straight to class I aim for Sam.

She looks up as I approach. She flings herself into my arms causing my backpack to fall from my shoulder. Her sobbing picks up and she starts mumbling incomprehensible words into my shoulder. I turn to look around at the stares in our direction and call out to no one in particular, “What the hell? The drama is over.”

This seems to make most of them look elsewhere or maybe it’s the fact that Beckett is walking down the hall on the arm of Brett. Their attention is diverted from us. My heart lurches in my chest. I didn’t think she would really go through with this shit, especially after what happened over the weekend. Sam is still whimpering in my arms but her breath catches as she spies Beckett when she and Brett pass us. The look on Beckett’s face as I meet her gaze is worried. I look away. I’m not up for this junk. She’s apparently made her choice and as I look down at Sam, so have I. Maybe leaving Beckett’s house will be the right thing for me.

Sam pulls away and grabs my hand leading me back out the doors of the school. Her swollen eyes glance back as she explains, “I can’t face this today. Are you up for a day at the beach?”

That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.

“Hell yeah.”

When we slide into her mini I ask, “What happened?”

“Let’s get to the beach and I’ll tell you. I think we have a lot to talk about.” There is no doubt in my mind that she is right. 

When she pulls into a space she reaches to the back seat and grabs a pair of baggies and throws them at me.

“These were Jake’s; he won’t be getting them back.”

I nod in acknowledgement and get out using the door to shield my strip down. She loads the meter as I turn to the beach. The sun is just peeking out of the clouds silhouetting the rays along the sparkling water. Sam comes around the car in a pair of shorts topped with her bikini and a tank top. She pulls me down to the sand and lays into me, “What the hell is going on Jamie? Is what Beckett came over to tell me yesterday, true?”

My heart falls. If she’s asking me this that means she didn’t talk to her mom. I nod and ask anyway, “Did you talk to your mom?”

She shakes her head absently, “I was going to but then I got online. I was distracted.”

Tears start falling again. I reach over and grab her hand.

“What happened?”

“Someone posted a video.” Her voice cracks, “It was Jake with Dani, they were having sex.”

My breath stops as realization hits me. I want to hit something or someone. My fists clench in anger and I’m at a loss for words. Then Beckett flashes through my head. I wonder if she knew.

“I’m so sorry Sam.”

She shakes her head and rests her chin on her knees.

“I’m glad we were already broken up when the video came out but it still hurts.”

I rub her back as she quietly weeps in her hands.

The warmth of the rising sun increases as does the incredible view. The waves are only two feet rolling in smoothly.

She looks up after a while and asks, “Jamie, I’m so sorry about my mom. I will talk to her but what if…what if she won’t change her mind? What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know Sam but I do know one thing, not even your mom can keep me from my best friend.”

This brings a smile to her lips. But concern etches itself across her face and she acts hurriedly, “What about Beckett? Why was she with Brett?”

I shrug and reply looking at her intently, “We all make our choices. I guess Beckett has made hers.”

“Jamie, do you remember your obsession over the stars? You and Dad used to come to the beach and gaze up at them for hours. I thought you were crazy searching for something so far away, out of your reach.”

I nod remembering the last time Steve brought me to gaze at the constellations. It was a new moon, perfect for star gazing. We must have found ten different constellations that night.

Her voice comes out strong, “You and Beckett, it’s one of those things you know ‘written in the stars’ things. It’s not out of your reach. Remember that when you make
your
choice.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Beckett Chase

Sagitta – The Arrow

Sagitta is the arrow Apollo used to kill the Cyclopes because they had made the thunderbolts of Zeus that killed Apollo’s son Asclepius, the famous healer.

~*~

Like a sure arrow to the heart when my eyes met Jamie’s in the hall I saw the pain I inflicted all over his face. Sam was safely in his arms and for once I was jealous of her. I wished it was me in those arms but it was never meant to be.

I accepted my fate yesterday knowing that it is impossible to stop time or the damage my planning was going to do. Cara is the only person in on my plan. I promised I’d bring her right along with me to the top, if she helped. So the emails to Dani and Jake came from an unknown sender but they both fell for it anyway. In hindsight now that Trina revealed Dani’s part in my virginity loss, I think Jake and Dani had a thing going long before this but it was never for all the public to see. That is where my brilliant mind came in. Well not so brilliant anymore. Now I just feel rotten for coming up with it. Cara filmed the event and posted it for all to see. When I saw them at Gabe’s it made it all too real and how they screwed with Sam. I felt sure at that moment that it was the right thing but then Jamie kissed me and changed everything. Now if I could take it back, I would. I’d go back to the bottom if I could be with him forever. But we can’t change our actions and the consequences often suck.

Brett guides me to my first class and kisses me before letting me go. His part in this has got to be short lived. Luckily he knows where I stand. I’m not so sure he will be so willing to end it though. I skirt into class up to the desk next to Cara’s. She looks over, a slow smile on her lips and glances forward. I look back to the rest of the class and notice Trina is missing. Imagine that. In my defense, payback is hell. I’m sorry I did it to everyone but Dani. Of course Trina skipped with her.

The day drones on. When English rolls around Sam and Jamie are missing making me feel even more miserable. After an uneventful hour I make my way to the cafeteria, redemption time. This is the moment of truth. Brett is waiting at the middle table and ushers me next to him when I enter. They all treat me as if I was never gone. Even Rachel, Jackson, and Brandon make normal conversation with me. I’ll give it to Brett. He did keep his word. As I glance across the room at the empty table in the corner my heart hurts. As much as I wanted this, it doesn’t feel right.

***

After school I notice a tall figure standing by my car when I push through the doors. Brett is following me out. I immediately turn and push him back into the building, “Hey, I forgot something in my locker.” He smirks and walks the length of the hall behind me. It’s nearly deserted. At my locker he gently pushes my back against the metal wall and leans in whispering, “So when do I get the goods?”

If I hadn’t already seen his anger he would have earned a slap. Instead I squirm out of his reach and tell him firmly, “Remember, we had a deal and it didn’t include sex.”

A sucked in breathless laugh sounds on the other end of the hall. I look over knowing that sound. Dani is standing at her locker with her backpack slung over her shoulder. She maneuvers up to us glancing first at Brett and back to me. She comes forward forcing my back against the lockers once again and sneers, “Beckett Chase you just declared war.”

I step forward squaring my shoulders ready to throw a punch if I need to even though I’ve never hit anyone before. She shuffles back and chuckles looking to Brett, “I wouldn’t waste my time if I were you. She’ll never give it up.”

Dani turns and walks out the doors.

Brett leans in with an incredulous look on his face and asks as if it just occurred to him which I think it did, “Are you responsible for the video?”

I turn away holding my books to my chest, “I have to go. See you tomorrow.”

He doesn’t follow which I am grateful for. I know who the figure is waiting for me out at my car and a fight will surly ensue if Jamie gets within five feet of Brett, I can guarantee it.

When I approach the car he looks up and pulls his ear buds out of his ears. A curious look crosses his face before a set stare. He states, “We need to talk.”

I nod. He must suspect about the video. I feel terrible for hurting Sam but now that I’ve seen Dani, I feel only anger. It’s done and I can’t take it back.

I shift my bag and climb into the BMW. Jamie slides in and looks over at me. His hand darts out and forces my chin towards him. My eyes meet his. I’m surprised by the sureness of his expression. There’s a hint of anger in his face as I had expected. He releases my chin and tells me, “Let’s not go home yet. Pull out and go over the bridge toward the mainland.”

I look over alarmed.

He reassures while he chuckles, “It’s okay, I promise. You never go off of the island, do you?”

I shake my head realizing how silly my concern was.

He tells me, “I’m not happy about this Brett thing. You have no idea how hard it was to see you with him this morning but I’ve decided that no matter what choices you have made, I’m making my own. And my choice is you. I’m hoping that at some point you’ll come to your senses and make a different choice.”

A small smile reaches my lips at his profession but I’m still ashamed for what choices he doesn’t know about. Brett is a ploy in a plan and he knows that, but there are other things, I’m not sure he is aware of.

The car is silent for a while. Jamie plugs his phone into my radio and thumbs through some songs. He proclaims, “This one is just for you.”