Touching Melody (A Forever First Novel) (29 page)

I can’t help a surge of love for these two amazing people. I grab their hands and squeeze. “I’m so glad to be home.”

Kyle

“Kyle. Y
ou ready to go, man?” Evan bursts into my room as I’m throwing a pair of socks in my bag.

“Yeah, almost.” I zip the duffel
bag and throw it over my shoulder. “Ready.”

He laughs, and something about it sounds strange. “Cool. Let’s go.”

I shrug. Evan is weird, and he’s been extra jumpy lately. I figure it has to do with this being his final year of college. Probably a lot of stress. Or maybe it’s just him, and I never noticed until now. We walk out of my apartment and I lock the door.

“Let’s take my car,” Evan says.

“You sure, man?”

“Get in, asshole.”

His red SUV makes a double beep sound. I pull open the back door and toss my bag in the seat. Evan’s bag is back there as well. We live ten minutes away from his parents’ house, but it’s just easier to have our stuff there. Especially since they want us to stay with them. Evan revs the engine, and we take off.

“So, what’s up Maddie’s ass? I thought you and her were a thing? She can’t even talk to you.
Too good for you? What a bitch.” He pulls out of the parking lot and onto Decatur Street.

“Shut up, Evan. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
But he’s got a point. Why did she blow me off? I thought we were past that. I’m so mad and getting so sick of her whiny shit. I mean, I have problems too. My parents are dead, but I don’t act all hot and cold from one second to the next. “Damn.”

“Exactly, man. I mean
, what the hell?”

I turn on his radio. No longer interested in listening to Evan. Heavy Metal screams through the speakers. It rips right through me and pushes out all the shit brewing inside.

Evan misses the turn that’ll take us to the house, and I look over. “You stoned?”

“No. We need to make a stop first.” He seems nervous.
Too smiley.

I look away. “Fine. Whatever.” After several more minutes we pull up in front of an old worn
-down warehouse. There are buildings on either side of it and across the street. One looks like an airline hangar. “This isn’t creepy. What do you have to do here?”

Evan grinds his teeth together. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

He puts the SUV in park and climbs out. I follow. He’s walking toward a set of rickety stairs that leads up to an even ricketier old door. When I step on the bottom step it creaks. The wood banister shakes under my grip. Evan produces a set of keys from his pocket and unlocks the door.

He opens it. “Let’s go. I’m in a hurry.” I follow him up.

As soon as he closes the door, I feel a slight prick in the back of my arm. I turn, thinking he’s poked me with something, and realize he has. It’s a needle.

“Lights out, bro.”

I feel myself fall, unable to control my limbs or my mouth. If my fists worked I’d kick my cousin’s ass.

As it is, I’m suddenly beyond tired. 

34

Maddie

The Truth Is
Out

My pajama tank top smells like Kyle and I can’t help but inhale, enjoying his scent. I pull out my phone, wishing I could text him. It’s only been eight hours since I’ve seen him, but it feels like forever. He’s the last person I think about before I fall asleep and the first person I remember when I wake. If I had to choose to spend a lifetime with one person, it would be him. Without question. And it really hits me. I’m not in love with the boy Kyle was when we were eleven. I’m in love with the man he’s become. The man who could so easily have anyone, but chose me.

And I want to tell him. I want to call him up, ask him to meet me, and tell him face to face that I’m
irreversibly, undeniably in love with him.

Which is crazy, right? I mean we’ve kissed. Had some serious make out sessions. But I’m still a virgin. Am I being naive?

I need to talk to Gina.

Quickly I text,
I love Kyle.

Her
response comes back:
Bullshit. You can’t love someone you haven’t slept with. My recommendation: Lose your virginity. Kiss at least three more boys, and then get back to me.

I snort. Text:
I don’t want to lose my virginity to anyone but Kyle. He’s the only person I ever think about… when I think about those kinds of things.

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. You have those kinds of feelings? I thought your insides were all sunshine and rainbows.

Rude. And I’m not a prude. Occasionally there is a… storm. And it involves Kyle.

You’re weird. Whatever
. You love him. But is it enough to forget about the past? What his father did?

That’s a very good question. One I don’t have the answer to. I decide to change the subject.
How’s alone time with Collin?

Awesome. Getting ready to party.
Want to talk more tomorrow?

K. Be safe.

You too.:)

I
put in a CD and push play. My aunt and uncle are downstairs watching TV, but I still keep the music low. I sit on my bed, wrapping my arms around my waist. I’m already feeling antsy. Craving a party and the lovely, warm feelings that accompany a couple of drinks. Flopping back against my pillows, I try to get lost in the music. It’s Gina’s favorite band—Black Veil Brides. I’ve decided the lyrics aren’t horrible. In fact they’re kind of poetic. The lead singer’s voice is deep, low. I’m almost lulled to sleep when I feel my phone vibrate on my stomach.

Can I see you tonight?

I check the number. It’s from Kyle.

Um, probably not.
It’s late.
I would love to see him, but I don’t want to risk it. He told me he’s staying with Evan. If he were to leave that would mean Evan would know. I can’t take a chance.

I really miss you. And I didn’t get to give you a proper good-bye kiss. Please.

I sigh
.

Aren’t you tired
?
I text back, laughing. It’s really sweet that he’s talking to me though. I was worried he might be mad.

Nah. Plus,
I’m parked outside your house. Come down.

I
jump off my bed and pull back the curtains. A large oak tree sits in the center of my window, but because it’s winter I can see Kyle’s Jeep through the leafless branches. It’s parked across the street beside a large snowdrift.

My aunt and uncle are still awake. I can’t
. My heart is racing. I really do want to see him. The curtains fall back into place and I search the room, trying to think of an excuse to leave the house. Nothing is coming. My phone vibrates.

Are you five? Just tell them you’re going out with friends.

Holy crap. Duh. I should be afraid for Kyle. Because of what Evan said, threatened. But since he’s already here, there’s nothing I can do about it, right? And if he’s here then he’s safe. At least for now.
Fine. I’ll be right down.

I run a quick brush through my hair. Pull on his sweatshirt, the one he let me borrow
. Grab my black Uggs and slide them on. Then run downstairs.

“Hey, I’m going out with friends. I’ll be back later.” I open the front door.

“Hold up, darling.” Uncle John walks into the foyer. “Where ya heading?”

I shrug. “Just out.”

“With whom?” Aunt Eliza asks.

I can’t tell them
it’s Kyle. They wouldn’t understand. “With some people from school.”

“People?” Uncle John deadpans.

“Fine. It’s a boy.”

Aunt Eliza steps forward, but I run down the steps. “I’ll be back
in a while.”

“You have your phone?” Uncle John asks.

“Yep,” I say.

“Have fu
n. And remember the Titans,” Uncle John adds, tapping his nose.

“
Um, okay. I will.”

Uncle John shuts the door.

I dash across the street. Kyle is wearing a hoodie and I can’t see his face. I hurry to my side, and open the door.

“Hi,” I whisper as I jump in.

“Hi yourself, Pudgy
Mudgy.”

Before I have a chance to scream a cloth
covers my mouth and nose, and I feel my body get hazy.

Kyle

I open my eyes
and sit up immediately. “Oh, shit.” My head is pounding and my stomach feels queasy. Like I have a hangover. I check my arm to see if there’s something there to prove Evan stabbed me with a needle. “Evan!” I shout, scanning the room. It’s sterile. Overly so. It doesn’t look like it belongs in the old warehouse I walked into. Four white walls. The cot I’m sitting on. A bright light overhead, a door, and an aluminum toilet in the corner. “Evan!” I twist the handle on the door. Shake it. Try to kick it in. It won’t budge. The sounds reverberate. Echo. “Evan!” I shout again, hoping the son-of-a-bitch shows his face so I can pound it. Several minutes pass. No one comes.

I
sit back down on the cot. Put my head in my hands. All sorts of things run through my mind. Is this some sort of hazing prank? Did I do something—other than the normal shit—that’s made Evan mad? I’m clueless. This is so strange. I have no idea what’s going on.

Sure,
Evan’s been weird lately. I figured it had to do with stress from school. I reach in my pocket to pull out my phone, but it’s gone. Evan must’ve taken it. And I’m suddenly worried. About what his stealing my phone might mean.

He wouldn’t hurt
me.

There’s got to be an explanation.

We’re like brothers.

Thoughts run through my mind, but none of them make me feel any better. Because the fact is, Evan put me in here.

I lay back on the cot. Close my eyes. Try
not to think about anything.

The sweet smell of Maddie’s hair fills my nose. I see her eyes light up right before I kiss her. Feel her warm skin against my fingers.

A rustling at the door brings me out of my memories. I stand, preparing myself for a fight. Two huge guys the size of concrete walls, enter. They look familiar. Friends of my dad’s.

And I’m relieved.

“You guys here to let me out?”

The one on the left is wearing a dark suit, white-buttoned shirt, and pinstriped tie. His hair is blond, pulled back in a ponytail. The other guy is in jeans and a pink golf shirt. His head is shaved and his ears are pierced, like Mr. Clean on steroids.

“Mr. Hadley would like you to sit tight and
be cool. He says you’ll be out in no time.” They open the door. Baldy steps through.

“
Wait. What’s this all about?” My fingers find the spot where I felt the needle go in. It’s slightly raised and feels extra warm.

Baldy and Ponytail exchange a look. Ponytail shrugs. “If Mr. Hadley hasn’t told you, we probably shouldn’t say.”

I walk up to Ponytail, anger burning my vision. “Serious. You need to let me out.” I shove my fingers into his shoulder. Faster than I believed such a big guy could move, he grabs my arm and pushes me onto the ground. My head slams against the floor. Stars dance in front of my eyes.

Ponytail says, “Stay put.” He pushes some stray hair from his face
, walks out the door. I hear it being locked.

I shake the stars from my eyes and drag my sorry ass over to the cot. Blood drips fro
m my nose, and I wipe at it. Something silver is on the white floor next to a smeared drop of blood . I fall to my knees and grab it.

It’s a key. Ponytail dropped a key. I can’t believe my luck.

I count to a thousand, hoping whoever they are, they’ve left. Then go to the door. The lock clicks. The handle turns, and I’m free.

Maddie

When I come to it’s with the knowledge that I’m sitting up, but my hands are tied
behind my back and to a hard wooden chair. My shoulders scream in pain. I open my eyes and scan the room. Dead animal heads are mounted on the wood-paneled walls. There’s an antelope, an elk, a bear… at least a dozen animals. Their glassy eyes seem to be giving me an accusatory glare. Like I somehow killed them, stuffed them, and hung half their bodies on display.