Breathless (6 page)

“Yes. You weren’t ready to die.” 

“I don’t understand,” she whispered. 

“It’s not time for you to understand. Come on, we owe Rachel a movie afternoon.” Jon started to leave the kitchen.

“Are you some kind of angel?” Lainey asked, getting him to turn back around.

Jon laughed. “I’m far from an angel, Lainey. Trust me.”

“Will you tell me the truth?”

“Soon.”

*~*~*

Lainey sat on her bed, listening to the rain slamming against her window. Rachel was finishing the movie with Jon, but Lainey just wanted a few minutes alone. She’d seen the first Harry Potter movie too many times to count. Jon had never heard of it, and Rachel accused him of living under a rock. Lainey nibbled on the end of her pen cap, flipping the next page in her journal and sighing.

He’s not an angel, but I don’t know what he is. There’s something unreal about him. I don’t fear him, but I don’t wanna trust him yet.

She capped her pen and set it down, snapping the journal closed. There was a soft knock on the door frame.

“You doing okay?” Jon looked into her room.

“Yeah. I just wanted to write something down before I forgot it.” Lainey stood and adjusted her dress. “What did you think of the movie?”

“Well, the ending is disappointing.”

Lainey laughed, moving towards the door. “That’s just the first movie. There are seven more in the series.”

“Seven? Well, at least we’ll be kept busy if this rain continues.”

The two walked side-by-side down the stairs.

“Does it not rain this much where you live?” Lainey asked.

“Not usually.” Jon moved down the last step, but she stopped.

“Are you really not gonna tell me anything?”

He sighed, putting his hand on the railing. “Give me a little time. This is all really new for me.”

“I honestly don’t know what to think. You appeared out of nowhere when I was drowning, and then you showed up wounded on the beach just when I happened to be out there reading. And I’m still confused about why my parents let you, a complete stranger, stay in our house.” She sighed. “I guess they were desperate for a way to connect or something. Never mind. I can be patient.” Lainey had a hundred more questions for him, but she only nodded.

They both went into the kitchen to pick up more snacks before starting the next movie. Lainey glanced at the white board calendar next to the fridge. It was June eighth. Two more days and it would be a year. One year since Becca disappeared. Lainey forced herself to look away. She’d already cried too much for one day. Jon wrinkled his eyebrows before handing her the un-popped bag of popcorn. Lainey shook her head, trying not to stare as the muscles in his arms flexed.

“I can’t believe you don’t know how to microwave popcorn. What do you eat at home?”

Jon shrugged. “Fish.”

Somewhere during the middle of the second movie, laughter ensued and thrown popcorn began to gather around the TV. As the pile grew bigger, Peter arrived home. He took one look at them and sat down next to Rachel, making her move over.

“What did I miss?”

“Ah, you missed some chicken blood, a not-dead cat, and some cheesy acting,” Rachel took another bite of popcorn. “Wait, you missed the spiders! Why does it always have to be spiders?”

“Why couldn’t it be follow the butterflies,” Peter quoted, stealing a handful from Rachel’s bowl. “That is one of my favorite lines in this movie. I hate spiders. Especially when you, your mom, and your sister make me kill them. Just because I’m the dude doesn’t mean I want to kill them.”

Lainey rolled her eyes. “It’s a requirement to kill spiders when you’re the dude, and to open jar lids, and watch football.”

“You know I don’t care for football. I watch basketball.”

The three laughed. Jon didn’t seem to get it, but he smiled anyway.

“What did you kids do today? I’m sensing there’s another mess in the kitchen to clean up.”

No one said anything.

“Okay, when the movie is over you can clean. I’m ordering pizza. I saw way too many car accident victims today, and I don’t feel like cooking.” He kissed Rachel’s forehead. “I’m gonna shower. Don’t forget to clean up.”

“Yes, Dad.”

Cleaning the kitchen fell to Lainey and Rachel. Jon stayed on the couch, taking a short nap. He’d fallen asleep as soon as the movie was over. Lainey could see him from the kitchen and found herself watching his chest rise and fall.

“You like him.” Rachel dried a plate and put it on the stack.

Lainey pretended to be interested in a spot on the wall. “He’s just a friend.”

“Yeah, a super attractive friend who happened to save your life, and he can make sweatpants look sexy.”

“Rachel! Mom will wash
my
mouth out with soap if she hears you say that word.”

Lainey’s gaze drifted back to Jon’s chest. Even though she knew nothing about the boy from the sea, Lainey wanted to know everything, and keep him talking just to hear him speak. He made her heart skip and her hands sweat. It was the most alive she’d felt in a long time.

Rachel’s voice jarred her thoughts. “What? I’m just telling the truth.”

The two went back to washing dishes as Peter came into the kitchen. He glanced into the living room at Jon before greeting the girls.

“How are you three getting along?” Peter looked through the coupons on the bottom of the white board.

“He’s very nice.” Lainey didn’t look at Peter as she spoke.

“He’s hilarious. He’d never seen Harry Potter or had microwave popcorn.” Rachel’s answer was better. “I like having him around.”

The rain finally stopped after dinner. Jon said he wanted to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air before the sun went down completely. Rachel stayed inside to read with Peter as her mom worked on the blanket she was sewing. Lainey pulled on a sweater, not liking the bite of the evening breeze. Jon wasn’t on the deck. She frowned and looked around. She spotted him down on the beach, sticking his toes in the ocean with his hands in his jeans pockets.
Wow.
He was totally making her into a butt girl as she stared at his tight form.

Lainey slowly walked down the stairs and into the sand. The gritty feeling against her bare feet was familiar and comforting. Jon didn’t seem to hear her approach, keeping his eyes on the waves crashing onto the shore.

“What are you doing out here?” Lainey asked, standing beside him and wetting her toes in the ocean.

“I’m just enjoying the salt water.” Jon laughed before looking over at Lainey and grinning. “Everyone needs a little salt water in their life. I’ve spent most of my days in the water.”

“I know how you feel. We moved into this house when I was six, and I’ve probably spent more hours on this beach than in my own bedroom. Sometimes I even sleep out here under the stars. The smell of the salty air and the sound of the waves are so relaxing.”

“I can’t disagree with you there.”

The two stood in silence for a little while, simply enjoying the crash of each wave as it came in, and letting the water try to pull them out into the deep blue. Lainey stepped back and sat down, keeping her feet in the water, but attempting to keep her clothes dry. Jon followed her example.

“Becca and I used to come out here all summer long. She’d come over during the school year too. We met in kindergarten in the nurse’s office because we both had the stomach flu. I don’t know how, but puking somehow brought us together. Becca and I did everything together after that.” Lainey gave a small smile. “I remember once we saw a whale out in the distance while we were playing. Becca put her arm around me and we stared at the horizon until dusk and our parents got worried about us. We were inseparable.”

“She sounds like a great friend.” Jon put his arms behind his back and relaxed. His shoulder gently brushed Lainey’s.

Lainey resisted reaching to touch where he’d touched her. “She would have really liked to meet you. Becca wasn’t as shy as I am, but I’m more stubborn than she was. I’ve never met anyone as patient and kind as her. She did have an odd obsession with Star Trek, but I still loved her for it.” Lainey traced a small heart in the sand, letting the water wipe it away. “She wanted to be a teacher or a dolphin trainer, who occasionally went swimming with whales. I don’t know if she would have succeeded, but she deserved a chance.”

“What do you want to be?”

Lainey forced a laugh past her lips. “Does being a bum sitting on this beach count?”

“No.”

She thought long and hard, but she couldn't see past the haze and the memories of Becca. “I don’t know what I want. I wanted to go to college with Becca and we had such great plans. I didn’t have any plans without her by my side.”

“Lainey, you need to dream your own dreams. Don’t let the ocean take everything from you.”

The intoxicating aroma of the coffee house filled Lainey’s nose as she and Jon waited in line. He glanced around at the people, staring at two girls laughing. Lainey gently elbowed him. The old couple in front of them took their time ordering, squinting at the dusty chalkboard and mumbling at the barista.

“Have you ever had coffee?” Lainey took a step closer to Jon to avoid bumping a woman pushing a stroller.

“Nope. I don’t even know which coffee tastes good. There are so many choices.” He rubbed the hair on his chin, causing Lainey to sigh.

She blushed, averting her gaze.
Did I just sigh like a lovesick schoolgirl?
Jon didn’t make a comment, and she was incredibly grateful. The couple finally ordered and stepped away. Lainey skipped forward, grabbing Jon’s hand and pulling him along. Her eyes darted down at their clasped hands before she ripped her fingers back. What was wrong with her today? She ordered her usual drink, a medium iced caramel latte and the same for Jon since he had no clue. They sat down at an empty booth to wait.

“So, do you have a girlfriend?” Lainey watched as a little toddler ran away from her dad before looking at Jon and seeing his smile. “I mean, sorry. That was really personal, and I didn’t mean to –”

“Lainey.” The way he said her name made her heart skip a beat. “It’s okay, really.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t have a lot of contact with attractive guys – I mean to say –”

Jon interrupted her rambling as his leg accidentally brushed hers. “You are allowed to ask me questions. I haven’t really told you much about me.” He smiled as Lainey blushed. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“I didn’t mean to ask you any
embarrassing
questions.”

He laughed. “Lainey, you saw me naked. I think you can ask if I have a girlfriend or not.”

Lainey felt her face blossom with heat. The barista called out their drinks, and she slipped away to get them. She’d completely forgotten about seeing him naked, not that it was a great moment as the water dripped down his smooth stomach, but… whatever. Jon thanked her as she sat back down and took a sip of her drink. He hesitated as he put the mug to his lips. Oh, how she wished her lips were part of the coffee mug. She groaned internally.

“Do you like it?” she asked, trying to distract herself.

“It has a strong flavor, but it’s sweet at the same time. I like it.”

Lainey nodded. “So, where are you from?”

Jon swirled his cup around, sticking his finger into the whipped cream and sucking it off. “I don’t live far away. It’s just hard to get there.”

Not helpful. She attempted a different approach. “So, what’s your adopted dad like?”

“He’s great. He took me in when I had no one. We get along pretty well.”

“Isn’t he missing you?”

Jon shrugged. “I’m almost twenty. I like to go off on my own, and he understands.” He took another drink. “Peter and Courtney seem like pretty cool parents.”

“Yeah, they are. When I figure out why they let me keep a stray guy I found on a beach, I’ll let you know. They won’t even let me have a puppy.” Lainey fought to hide her smile as Jon spilled some of his drink on his shirt. “Do you have any pets?”

“I have a fish named Herman. He’s pretty boring though. We can’t have cats or dogs where we live.”

“That sucks.”

Lainey started to say something else, but her cell buzzed. Her mom wanted her to pick up a few things from the grocery store for dinner.

By the time they got there, Jon was bouncing on his toes and grinning. Lainey laughed as he stared wide-eyed at the amount of food in the store; it was like shopping with a toddler.

It didn’t take long to get the things from Mom’s list. Lainey made sure Jon was following her out of the store and not still staring at the chocolate section.

“Here, let me carry the milk.” Jon took the item from her hand before it slipped to the pavement. His pinky brushed against her hand, and Lainey drew in a quick breath.

“Thanks. If I’d known she wanted me to buy the whole store, I would’ve insisted she bring us a car.”

“I’m sure she appreciates this.” Jon shifted the weight in his hands. “So, why are you dreading tomorrow?”

She stopped walking and shifted the brown paper bag. “What are you talking about?”

“There’s a red circle on the date in the kitchen. Your family wouldn’t talk about it.”