Get Lucky: A YA Anthology Page 23

  I turned the corner, and ran smack into Colin. “Hey there, lass. How's the craic?”

  “I’m sorry did you say crack?” I asked, having no idea what he was talking about.

  “No, no, I’m sorry. Sometimes, I forget I’m not in Ireland. Just asking how you are.”

  “Oh! I’m good. Kind of on a mission to find bread crumbs, but not having any luck,” I explained.

  “That’s because it’s three aisles that way, next to the antacids and the toilet paper.”

  “Of course it is. I should have known,” I joked.

  “Honest mistake.” He scratched his dark red hair. “Where’s Hunter?”

  “Out on the boat with our dads and brothers.”

  “Any idea when he’s getting back?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “Okay, then, I better head out. It was good seeing you again.”

  “You too.” I went to turn and head three aisles over when Colin called out after me. I spun back to him.

  “There’s a concert later down at the band shell. Local bands, but should be a good time. Would you want to go?” he asked.

  Was he asking me out on a date? Maybe he planned on asking Hunter to go and, since he was out, he was just being polite and asking me. Either way, it sounded fun and since Hunter made me realize there was more to life than books and reading, I figured why not. “I would love to,” I responded, feeling proud of myself for not taking the easy way out by turning him down.

  “Awesome!” he exclaimed, and bounced a little on his feet. He snapped his fingers at me, as he backed away. “I’ll pick you up at five?”

  “Sounds perfect!”

  “Great! I’ll see you then.” He took off, and I went to find the bread crumbs.

  * * *

  I searched through my duffel bag, looking for the only dress I packed. I found it at the bottom. The only reason I put it in my luggage to begin with was because Mom insisted a girl always needed at least one dress on vacation just in case. I didn’t believe her, but now I was happy I listened.

  The dress was a pretty shade of salmon that sat just above my knee. I slipped into it, and admired myself in the mirror. My dirty blonde waves fell over my shoulders, and stopped just above the heart shaped cut of the dress.

  There was a knock on my door. “It’s open,” I called out.

  “Hey. I was wondering if…” Hunter’s words halted mid-sentence when I spun toward him. He stared at me for a long moment before swallowing hard.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “I was heading out, and wanted to see if you wanted to come. By the way, you look nice in a dress,” he commented, as his eyes roamed over me from top to bottom.

  I picked the lip gloss up off my bed, and swiped a little across my lips. “I’m actually going to the band shell. Colin asked me.” It was an innocent get together with Colin, and I never thought of it as a real date but, for some reason, telling Hunter I was going somewhere with his friend, made me instantly felt guilty.

  “Colin?!” he exclaimed, shoving his hands into his shorts pockets. His brow furrowed, and he gritted his teeth. “When did he ask you?”

  “I bumped into him at Chadwick’s earlier today. He asked about you. I said you were out, and then he asked me to go with him. I’m sure you could come. The more the merrier, right?”

  “Maybe I’ll meet you guys there. I have something I have to do.”

  I cocked my head. “I thought you were going out,” I questioned, more confused than ever.

  “I was. I am. I’ll catch you later,” he said, and disappeared into the hallway before I could say anything else.

  I didn’t think much of it, and turned back to the mirror to check myself one last time. I grabbed my jean jacket, and dashed down the stairs, just as there was a knock at the door. I hurried to get it, but Dad beat me to it.

  He opened the door. Colin stood there in plaid shorts and a white polo shirt. He smiled his big white-toothed smile and offered his hand to Dad. “Hi Mr. Wade. it’s nice to meet you.”

  “And you are?” Dad asked, as he hesitantly took Colin’s offered hand.

  “I’m Colin Fitzpatrick. I’m here to take Charlie to the concert at the band shell.”

  “Charlie?” Dad questioned, and I jumped in front of him.

  “Hi, Colin,” I said with a smile.

  His eyes scanned my dress before settling on my face. “Wow, you look great.”

  “Thanks.” I turned to Dad, and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll be home by ten. Don’t worry.”

  “Does your mother know about this?” he asked, running a hand through his hair and keeping his eyes on Colin.

  “Yes.” I told her at the grocery store and, once Janice assured her Colin was a good guy, she said okay. “Bye, Dad.” I hurried Colin out the door before Dad could play twenty questions or scan Colin’s license.

  A red Corvette sat at the edge of the driveway. “Wow, that’s fancy,” I said as we approached, noticing that the Jeep was missing. I wondered where Hunter went. Wondered where he would have taken me if I didn’t already make other plans. I hoped he would come by the band shell and find us.

  Colin ran in front of me, and opened the passenger door. “It’s my Dad’s. I think he feels bad that he only sees me on holiday, so he lets me take out his baby every now and again.” He patted the roof, and I slid into the car. He waited until I was situated before shutting the door and running around to the driver’s side.

  He got in and shut the door. “The band tonight is supposed to be really good. Then again, that’s according to Piper, so take it as you see fit.”

  “What’s her problem anyway?” I asked, thinking that, out of everyone, Colin would be the easiest to approach on the subject. “Is she always so…”

  “Mean?” he said with a laugh.

  “I guess that’s a way to put it.”

  “Her growl is worse than her bite. She’s actually a pretty good lass. She’d take a bullet for her friends.”

  “I feel like she’d shoot one at me if she could.”

  “Nah, you’ll be alright. I’ll protect you,” he said, with a wink, as we pulled onto a grassy patch on the side of the road. “It’s just a wee bit down that way. We go any farther, we’ll never find parking. You okay to walk? I can drop you off and come back if you’d like.”

  “I think I can handle the walk.”

  “A low-maintenance girl. I like it.” Colin killed the engine, and jumped out of the car. Before I could reach for the door handle, he already had it opened.

  “Thanks,” I said, as I got out and followed him. He reached into the backseat and grabbed a blanket before heading toward the crowd.

  The band shell was located in a park with the lake right behind it. Swings and a jungle gym were off to the right of the grassy field and to the left a basketball court. People spread out across the field on blankets and lawn chairs.

  Colin found a nice spot off to the side, with a perfect view of the stage, and shook the blanket out. I grabbed a corner and helped him place it down. He flopped back on the blanket and spread his arms and legs wide like he was making a snow angel.

  “You going to join me?” he asked, and I gingerly sat down, wishing I wore jeans instead. A dress wasn’t exactly the best attire for sitting on the ground. I got into a comfortable position, with my legs sticking out, and ran a hand down my dress to make sure everything was still covered. It was one thing to strip down to my underwear with Hunter. I didn’t need the entire park to see my pink boy shorts.

  Colin opened a bag of M&M’s, and held it out to me. “Want some?” he asked, and I cupped my hand out to him.

  “M&M”s are my favorite,” I said, as I popped one into my mouth. “Thanks.”

  My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Hunter, but I came up empty. I didn’t like how we left things back at the house, and I wished he’d show up so I could be sure that everything was okay between us.

  “Huh,” Colin said, and I turned to him with a
raised eyebrow. “I didn’t know they were back together.”

  “Who?” I asked, and followed his eyes across the field. My heart stopped in my chest when I spotted Hunter with his arm around Piper.

  “Hunter and Piper were a thing?” I asked, trying not to let the shock show in my voice. That would explain all the dirty looks, and her attitude toward me. Seeing the two of them so perfect together was a hot poker in my side, sending me back to reality. This whole time I thought there was something between Hunter and I, but he was just buying time in between getting back with Piper. I was just a rest stop on his way to his destination.

  Piper waved to someone they knew, and tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder. Of course he would like her. Despite her resting bitch face, the girl was gorgeous and they’d known each other for a long time. How was I supposed to compete with history?

  “For a summer, two years ago,” Colin said, and I managed to tear my eyes away from the happy couple. “You know that whole first love thing. They fought all the time, though. Drove Mason, Dylan and me mad.”

  First love. I never knew what it felt like, but I knew it meant there was an unbreakable bond between them. It was something only they shared, and it would be a part of them forever. Disappointment ate away at my good mood. I liked to believe that things happened for a reason, and, yesterday, I thought coming here on Spring Break was for me to reconnect with Hunter. Now, as I watched him and Piper across the way, I knew that wasn’t the case.

  Colin nudged me with his arm and I turned, catching his emerald eyes. “Did I tell you how nice you look tonight?” he asked, and a smile spread wide across my face.

  “You might have mentioned it.”

  “Just making sure.”

  The first band took the stage, and the late afternoon air was filled with the soulful sounds of jazz. I leaned back on my arms and closed my eyes, absorbing the music.

  Maybe things did happen for a reason. And maybe Spring Break wasn’t meant for me to reconnect with Hunter, but for me to meet Colin.

  Chapter 9

  After the concert, Colin dropped me off back at the house and gave me a very respectful hug before taking off. I headed inside and, as soon as I shut the door, I spotted Hunter leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he had a cocky look on his face. I didn’t expect him to be back so soon.

  “Hey,” I said, trying to break up the awkward silence in the foyer.

  “How was your date?” he asked, his voice completely void of emotion.

  “It was nice,” I responded, deliberately plastering a big grin on my face. “How was yours?”

  “Nice,” he responded, coolly.

  We stared at each other for a moment, neither one saying anything. His lips finally parted, but, before he could get a word out, Mom appeared in the doorway.

  “Great, Charlotte, you’re here. Can you come help set the table? It’s getting late.” She spun to Hunter. “Hunter, if you’re free, I’m sure Charlotte could use a hand.” I narrowed my eyes at Mom trying to telepathically tell her how awful of an idea that was, but she was completely clueless.

  “Sure,” Hunter stated. Mom disappeared back into the kitchen, and Hunter moved toward me. “Come on, Charlie. Unless you want to call Colin, and see if he’s available to help you.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I demanded, getting annoyed at his dismissive attitude. I wasn’t the only one who went out with someone else today.

  His eyes met mine, and he let out a sigh. “Nothing. Forget about it, okay?” He passed me, and I took a deep breath to regain my composure, before following him into the kitchen.

  “It’s a gorgeous night. I think we should eat outside,” Janice said, as she juggled both a bowl of mashed potatoes and a bowl of macaroni and cheese.

  “Great idea,” Mom said, and handed me a stack of plates as Janice handed Hunter the silverware. We headed outside to the far side of the deck where there was a table with an unobstructed view of the lake. The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with color. It was breathtaking, but I was too frustrated to enjoy it.

  I laid the plates out on the table one by one, deliberately keeping my eyes focused on the task at hand. I refused to give Hunter any satisfaction by looking at him. He stayed on the opposite side of the table from me as he put down the silverware. I didn’t like the weird tension between us. It was driving me crazy.

  “Hunter,” I finally said.

  He looked up, just as Joey and Parker came flying toward him like they were shot out of a cannon.

  “Where’s the fire?” Hunter asked, as he jumped in front of Parker.

  “We’re going to catch lightening bugs!” Parker exclaimed.

  “Didn’t Mom say after dinner?” Hunter asked, and Parker’s shoulders slumped forward. “That’s what I thought. Go sit down. Dinner should be any minute now.”

  “Fine,” Parker sulked, and flopped in a chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

  “Joey, go join him,” I said to my little brother, who responded with an eye roll before plopping in the chair beside Parker.

  “What were you saying?” Hunter asked, as he continued laying out the silverware, but, at this point, I wasn’t even sure what I was going to say. I just wanted to be able to talk like we did when we jumped in the lake together. Be comfortable with each other just as we were under that old rickety dock. Trust each other the way we did when we stripped down to our underwear.

  I shrugged. “Nothing. Forget about it.”

  Mom and Janice came out with bowls, and Dad and Mitch followed with platters. They placed the food on the table, and Joey and Parker didn’t waste any time digging in. I sat down in the chair closest to me, and Hunter chose the only seat left, directly across from me.

  The two of us didn’t say much as we chowed down on fried chicken, only chiming in when our parents directed conversation toward us.

  “How was the concert, Charlotte?” Mom asked, just as I took a bite of chicken. Her timing, as usual, was impeccable.

  I chewed as quickly as I could while everyone waited for me to respond. I swallowed the last bit, and took a sip of sweet tea. “It was good. The band was great.”

  “I see Colin took you,” Mitch added, giving a quick glance over to Hunter.

  Hunter dropped his fork, and leaned back in his chair. “I would have asked her, but Colin beat me to it.”

  “Colin asked her this morning at the grocery store while you boys were out on the boat,” Janice said, passing the plate of biscuits to Mitch.

  “How was the fishing?” I asked, desperately trying to get the topic off of me and onto someone, or something, else.

  “We’re eating chicken. I think that about sums it up.” Dad chuckled.

  “I hooked a big one, but it got away,” Mitch exclaimed.

  Janice patted his arm. “Likely story, dear.”

  The conversation continued, and I was grateful not to have the attention on me anymore. Hunter wiped his mouth, and then tossed his napkin on the plate. He pushed his chair back and got up.

  “Where you off to?” Janice asked him.

  “Thought I’d get a start on the dishes.”

  “Okay, then. Can you take these as well?” She held out a stack of plates to him and, with an annoyed sigh I don’t think anyone else heard, he took them from her. He headed to the house, and I couldn’t help but watch him walk away.

  We finished up eating while Dad and Mitch continued with their fishing stories from trips past. The sun had set, and there was a nice cool breeze rustling the tree tops. In the distance, I could see the quick flashes of a lightning bug.

  “Charlotte, do you want to come catch lightning bugs with us?” Parker asked.

  “I was going to help clean up.”

  “The mess will be here later. Go have fun with the boys,” Janice said.

  I got up and followed Parker and Joey to the row of trees on the other side of the property. I couldn’t even remember the last time I caugh
t a lightening bug.

  “There’s one!” Joey yelled, and his voice echoed through the night. He ran to where the sudden flash was, and cupped his hands. “I got it! I got it.”

  “Let me see,” I said, and he held his upturned hand out to me. The bug crawled along his palm before spreading its wings and taking off. It flashed us once, as if it was bidding us farewell, and flew off into the night.

  Parker ran past us. “There’s a whole bunch over here!”

  Joey followed suit and, just as I turned to go with them, a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me in the other direction. “Let’s go,” Hunter said, as he ducked under the low hanging trees and headed out to the street.

  I pulled on my arm, halting us in place. “I thought you were mad at me?”

  “Why would I be mad at you?” he asked, looking at me like I had three heads.

  “I don’t know, but you’ve been acting weird, I guess.”

  He ran a hand through his light brown hair, and looked at me with that adorable grin. “Are you coming or what?”

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” Curiosity got the best of me and I followed him, just like I did the other day when he brought me to the secluded part of the lake. We were heading in a different direction this time, down the driveway and past his Jeep. “You okay to walk? It’s about a half-mile down the road.”

  “Should I change out of my dress?” I asked.

  He stopped walking and turned toward me. He looked like he wanted to reach out and touch me, but his hands stayed at his side. “No. I like the dress,” he said, and then continued down the road.

  I wanted to ask him about Piper. I just didn’t know how to bring it up and, if I did, was I prepared to hear what he would tell me? I decided to let it go. I wasn’t exactly sure why I cared anyway. So, I pushed her out of my mind, and enjoyed the night for what it was: two friends hanging out.

  Hunter pointed off the road into a mass of trees. “It’s just up here.”

  “Is this where you kill me?” I joked.