I let myself get lost in his muscles. If I concentrated hard enough, I could feel each one, pressing into my shoulders, pressing into my face, my back. I was engulfed in them, and the slightest movement made them contract, made me heady with sexual want. His skin was smooth, smelling of his essence mixed with a hint of chlorine from the pool. Chlorine? No salt system? This gym was old school.
Ryan released me when his sister approached.
“I’m so grossed out right now,” she said. Such a drama queen. But sweet, so I didn’t mind.
“What do you want, Kaylen?” Ryan asked.
It was funny the way he said it, like he was already exasperated with her and she’d only just arrived. But it wasn’t mean-spirited. Instead, he seemed to secretly enjoy his sister’s interruption, and I thought in that moment that he loved her very much and wouldn’t mind if she kept interrupting him for the rest of his life.
“You promised you’d show me how to use the weight machines,” Kaylen said.
“I know.” Ryan didn’t move. He was teasing her.
“Well?” She put her hands on her hips.
“Well, what?” Ryan asked.
“Are you coming?”
“Coming where?”
“Ryan!” She stamped her foot in consternation.
He smirked. “Ohhh, you wanted me to show you now?”
Kaylen looked at him flatly. “Funny, Ryan.”
He chuckled. “I’ve gotta change first. Why don’t you two go in there and I’ll meet you in a minute?”
I wanted to follow Ryan into the changing room, but I think that would have gotten me in major trouble. I followed his instructions instead and walked with Kaylen to the weight room.
“Ryan really likes you,” Kaylen said as we hung around the door waiting for her brother.
“Does he?” I felt my heart flutter.
“Mmhmm. Did you guys paint a picture together?” she asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“Just curious. Ryan told me but I didn’t believe him because he can’t draw or paint or do any of those kinds of things,” Kaylen said. “And the picture’s pretty, so I didn’t think he helped you.”
I laughed. “Well, he did. Maybe he’ll take up painting with me,” I suggested.
“If he can find time in his video game schedule,” Kaylen replied.
I grinned and waved as Ryan approached thinking I didn’t mind if his gaming schedule left little room for painting as long as he included me when he played.
Sixteen
“Good afternoon, Ms. Manning,” I said, sliding into my usual seat. I was fifteen minutes early for class. I didn’t feel much like eating in the cafeteria. I knew this was Ms. Manning’s planning period and thought I’d like to chat with her instead.
“May I help you, Brooke?” she asked.
“Yes, you can, as a matter of fact,” I replied.
She drew in her breath and stared at me.
“I would like to know what you’ve done to my father,” I said. “Because all of a sudden he’s running and stocking the fridge with disgusting healthy food and singing in the shower. Yes, I heard him the other day singing in the shower. And it was terrible.”
Ms. Manning giggled. A grown woman giggled. I raised my eyebrows in disbelief.
“Brooke, I’m not discussing this with you,” she said.
“Ms. Manning, come on! Did he ask you out on a date?”
“None of your business.”
“Do you like him?”
“Brooke, please.”
“Am I gonna get A’s on all my papers in your class from now on?”
“Brooke!” She looked outraged, if a person can look outraged when she’s smiling.
I thought I’d keep goading her.
“I just figured that if you’re gonna marry my dad someday, I should get A’s in your class. Seems fair to me. I set you up.”
“Who said anything about marriage?!” she cried.
“Ms. Manning, these are progressive times, but I’m old school. I cannot allow you to live with my father in sin. You have to be married first before you live together.”
“Brooklyn Wright! This is completely inappropriate!”
I smirked but kept quiet.
“Now, if you choose to stay in here until class starts, then you have to be quiet. I’m grading papers. I don’t have time to talk about your father who happens to be taking me out this Friday night.” She didn’t look up from her work, but I saw the tiniest smile playing on her lips.
“Got it,” I replied, and thought about all the advice I needed to give my father before his big date.
***
I weighed my options. I really didn’t have options, but I pretended to. It was completely unfair, but I had to stop being so freaking selfish for at least one night out of my life. I would have had the house to myself—Ryan to myself—and the thought left me feeling desperate and empty. And then I remembered Melanie and Taylor, two girls I was positive would be at the party, and I couldn’t throw them to the wolves. I had information, and I had to act on it. The worst timing possible, but then I thought maybe this was character building. I would not sacrifice those girls to sex they didn’t want just so that I could have the sex I wanted.
“Cal’s having a party, and we’re going,” I said to Gretchen over the phone Friday afternoon.
“We are?” she asked. “Why?”