The Sound of Shooting Stars (26 page)

As her words sink in the simple yet complicated fact shines out just like the stars would if the clouds weren’t out in droves tonight. I slide closer and put my hand on her arm. She shifts her gaze to look over at me but doesn’t move her body.

“Beckett, your parents adopting me won’t change anything between you and me.”

She moves away taking a step back and her face is anguished, “Yes, Jamie it will. Everyone will know that you will technically be my brother. What will that look like, dating my brother? That is just, not right.”

Anger pulses through me. I step toward her and place my hands gently on her shoulders forcing her to look up into my eyes, “Beckett, we will not be related, no matter what a piece of paper says. I love you and to hell with what anyone else says. Why do you care so much about what everyone thinks? What about what
you
want?” I’m so frustrated with her.

Her blue eyes shine in the glow of the night. We stare at each other for a few minutes before she moves slowly her arms coming around my neck forcing my mouth to connect with hers. She mumbles against my lips, “What is it about you that I can’t resist?”

Our lips move together softly at first, but the rush of emotions make us more fervent. I wrap my hands around her hips pulling her closer. Her hands move up and down my bare chest causing tingles everywhere she touches. She pushes me back into the lone lounge chair in the corner. I lay back pulling her on top of me and in that moment I know that no matter what happens, she is mine and I am hers. Nothing will change that fact.

***

I wake with renewed energy. For the first time in my life I feel as if a weight has been lifted, as if I can finally breathe. As I climb from my bed I think about last night on the balcony with Beckett. She knows where I stand with all of this. The ball as they say is in her court. A tiny part of me is leery that she’ll turn away again but a larger part is sure that she won’t . She seemed different, as if she’s given up the fight. Like she’s been swimming upstream for so long and she’s finally decided to go with the current.

The hot water rolls down my skin further easing the tension I seem to always have. When I walk back into my room I see the screen on my phone light up. It pains me to look because of Sam. She is probably the only person who would text me. I have to keep my word though. I can’t talk to her today. It’s bitter sweet. Beckett is finally talking to me but now I can’t have anything to do with Sam.

When I stroll into the kitchen a bright faced Beckett greets me with a sweet smile. I can face this day as long as she’s with me. I sidle into the chair beside her and lean over landing a lingering kiss on her cheek. Her face turns crimson as Sasha turns around to our display.

She exclaims with humor in her voice, “I’m so glad to see you two have worked things out.”

Beckett looks away and gathers her hands in her lap just in time for Marla to wander into the kitchen. She looks over at us and over to Sasha, “Did I just hear you say that someone worked things out? What wasn’t working?”

“Ah, I was just telling the kids here that the stove was backfiring on me but I worked things out.”

Marla looks over toward the stainless box across the room, “Oh, I didn’t know anything wasn’t working. Should I call a repair man?”

“No, it seems fine now.”

My eyes meet Sasha’s in the briefest flash but she has my gratitude. The last thing Beckett and I need is her parents having second thoughts about everything.

Marla sits across from Beckett who has just finished a bowl of cereal.

She looks between us and states, “I wanted to catch you before school to remind you that Elizabeth Rivers will be waiting for you to mess up. She’ll know if you talk to Sam and it won’t help our case.”

Beckett looks up, “We know mom.”

“Well I thought you needed to be reminded in light of yesterday’s lack of attendance at school.”

Her stare lands on me. I squirm under her glare and turn away after nodding in acknowledgement.

The drive to school is quick. If I had my way I’d skip again with Beckett. Facing Sam without being able to talk to her puts me on edge but the minute we pull into the parking lot two thin figures start walking toward us and I know that Sam isn’t going to be the most troublesome part of the day.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Beckett Chase

Scorpius – The Scorpion

Orion tried to ravish the goddess Artemis, and she sent the scorpion to kill him.

~*~

I looked up after putting the car in park and saw Dani and Trina walking toward us. In that moment I wanted to turn the key and throw it into reverse but Jamie’s hand on mine gave me a little more strength than I could muster on my own. I told him last night about Dani wanting revenge for the video. He took my confession way better than I had expected. It probably helps that he and Sam aren’t talking. I’m sure she’d have a number of choice words for me if she knew it was me who orchestrated the whole thing.

As Jamie and I climb out of the car, Dani passes on my side and Trina rushes over to Jamie. I watch as she lands a hand in the center of his chest lingering for a moment while stating loud enough for me to hear with a show of batting of her eyelashes, “It’s such a shame. What a waste.” She clucks her tongue and leans closer as if smelling him, “You know where to find me if she won’t put out.”

It takes everything in me not to walk over there and pound on her but Dani calls my attention once Trina has cleared the area.

She shakes her head, “Oh, Beckett, Beckett, will you ever learn? If you insist on playing with the big dogs, you have to play the game correctly? Might I make a suggestion?” She looks over to Jamie, an amused expression on her face, “I’d walk away now while you can.” She diverts her attention to the school and spots Brett across the lot. She looks over her shoulder at me and winks. I watch frozen in place as she sidles up to Brett his arm encircling her shoulder. What the hell? He said he wanted nothing to do with her, just last night.

My shocked expression meets Jamie’s almost identical surprise. Last night he was very concerned about Brett so I eased his worry by explaining what happened at the beach. Neither one of us was expecting this. As I stare at the incredulity of what is taking place before my eyes I feel my hand ensconced in warmth. Jamie pulls me close gathering my body in his space. His lips meet my forehead as he asks, “Are you ready to go and face the wolves?”

I nod, knowing it’s not the truth but thankful he’s here with me. We walk hand in hand to the door. I take a deep breath not sure what to expect once we enter that hallway. I went from being on top to the very bottom and back to the top again all within the short span of a month. At this moment for the first time in a long while, I don’t care where I land on the social status ladder of high school. The only thing that matters is this boy next to me and what he thinks about me. Nothing else could actually bring me down.

The true reality of things is that we talk ourselves up and assure that things are as they should be but at the most unexpected turn of a corner something happens to upset the balance and we don’t know which way to go anymore. It reminds me of the missing star from my ceiling. Jamie came to my rescue so to speak in that moment. I didn’t know it at the time but it’s so real to me now.

“Beckett Chase.” Mr. Philips the principal walks up to us as we stroll into the hallway.

I’m a little unnerved. I expected Dani or Trina to give us hassle, not an adult.

“Yes, Mr. Philips.”

“Beckett, I need you to come with me to the office.”

I glance over at Jamie unsure what to do. I don’t want to leave his side. It will be hard enough for him to see Sam and not being able to talk to her. If I’m not with him, I doubt he’ll be able to resist talking to her. He squeezes my hand and encourages me to go. I turn to leave but call out instead, “Um, Mr. Philips, can Jamie come with me?”

Mr. Philips looks annoyed and preoccupied. He looks back and continues forward again. It’s not exactly a no so I pull Jamie in the direction of the office. The walk down the hall makes me think of the walk off of the plank into the unknown abyss below. I have the feeling this isn’t going to be a pleasant visit with Mr. Philips.

We walk the length of one hall and turn onto another. The moment we round the corner I spot Sam in front of her locker. She must feel my eyes on her because she looks up with pained, saddened eyes. I glance over at Jamie and see the same sorrow across his face. He looks away as we pass her. I continue looking over my shoulder at her. She attempts a small smile for my benefit. I know deep in my heart that I don’t deserve it though.

Once we enter the busy office Mr. Philips tells me to have a seat. He looks to Jamie as if this is the first time he has noticed that Jamie is with me and asks, “Jamie, what are you doing here? You need to go to class.”

I open my mouth to protest but he glares over at me with a disappointed look, “I would advise you not to go there, Beckett. You’re in enough trouble.”

My lips quickly close in shock. What am I in trouble for? Jamie leans into my ear and whispers, “Dani.”

Oh shit. Dani did this. What in the hell did she tell them? Jamie’s hand leaves mine making me miss the warmth. He kisses my cheek lingering for a moment longer than necessary and grasps my other cheek pulling my ear close to his whisper, “I’ll see you later. Don’t worry, it’ll all work out.”

The corner of my mouth turns up at the tickle of his warm breath on my skin and then he’s gone. As he walks out the door of the office shouldering his bag he holds the door open for Cara. She looks scared out of her mind and it all suddenly becomes very clear to me, why I’m sitting here waiting for fate to give me all that I deserve.

***

“Three days, Beckett, three days, I cannot believe you. I am so embarrassed.” Marla rants on the way to the parking lot. It’s actually better than I thought it would be. But things are still pending until further investigation. Mr. Phillips received a tip that I had posted an inappropriate video of a fellow student (Dani) on the internet. I didn’t exactly admit that I did it but I didn’t deny it. However, I did get Cara off the hook. She seemed so relieved to go back to class. The entire time all I could think about was Jamie and how he is dealing with this. I’m supposed to be with him but instead I get kicked out of school for my stupid actions again.

Marla finishes before I get into my car, “I will see you at home tonight. Go straight to the house because you are grounded, forever.”

I can handle grounded. It’s amazing how one thing can change your entire outlook on things. Once I’m home I land on the couch with mindless television unable to hold my attention. The look on Jamie’s face today continues to play over and over in my head. If he talks to Sam, he might have to leave. I don’t know that I will be able to bear it if he has to leave.

I have to give it to Dani, this and Brett were both low blows. She wants me to play the game. I wonder if I can avoid the game at this point.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jamie Grey

Canes Venatici – The Hunting Dogs

The two dogs held by Bootes.

~*~

I wasn’t expecting Mr. Philips to corner Beckett once we entered the school. Things became abundantly clear why he did though when he sent me away wanting to talk to only Beckett. I knew Dani did something after her display this morning. As much as I don’t want to be involved in any of this stuff, I don’t think I have a choice now. My life has suddenly become extremely complicated.

On my way to class my first instinct was to seek out Sam and tell her everything that is happening. She was always good at talking things through when I had a difficult time dealing with things. The bell saved me from making that mistake. She was gone from her locker when I passed it which was best.

Enduring my classes and not knowing what is going on with Beckett is driving me crazy. She doesn’t show up to our one class together but Sam does. I move to sit across the room from her. The pained expression in her eyes tells me all I need to know, she is suffering with all of this and she’s obviously been warned against talking to me as well. This is all bullshit. It makes me so angry that I want to forget about all of it if this is the price I have to pay.