Cloud Walking (A Find You in the Dark novella) Read online

  I'm sure it had more to do with the fact that it was pretty freaking obvious that Maggie was ready to drop everyone and everything for him. Rachel and I barely registered for her anymore. And I was self-aware enough to know that I was feeling more than a little jealous.

  Not because I liked Maggie like that or anything. No, it had more to do with my selfish desire to have my girls all to myself. Hey, I never pretended to be overly mature. But at least I can own it.

  But I was trying to be nice to the guy, for Maggie's sake. I didn't foresee best buddy territory anytime soon, but I guess I could be civil.

  Rachel and Maggie were talking to Clay about the Fall Formal. Fantastic. I guess he was gate crashing that one. Maggie was looking at him with those doe eyes of hers and I wanted to snort in disgust. But I was trying to be the bigger man and told him he should come. Someone give me a damn medal, because that was very Boy Scout of me.

  Rachel gave me a smile, clearly pleased with my efforts at making peace. I smiled back. Yeah, I could be a decent guy when I wanted to be.

  After lunch, Rachel looped her arm with mine and gave me a beautiful smile. My heart flip-flopped in my chest. “That was really cool to include Clay. I'm proud of you, Danny.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek.

  I blushed bright red. Yes, I seriously blushed. I don't think that had happened since I was six.

  I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Eh, it was nothing. Just because I'm on the fence about Maggie's boy toy, doesn't mean I have to be a jerk about it, right?” I said and even I could hear how out of breath I sounded. Crazy what one little kiss could do to me. This girl had me on a chain and didn't even realize it.

  “You really are a good guy. I just wish you'd let that nice side come out to play more often,”she teased, her arm still holding onto mine as we walked down the hallway. I shrugged again, though I couldn't help but feel happy at her compliment.

  “So, this dance. Have you picked out your suit yet? I'm thinking baby blue this year,” Rachel said, her eyes glittering with excitement. The girls really got into this whole “let's dress as tacky as possible” thing for Fall Formal. I had to admit, it was pretty fun and I hated school dances with a passion.

  “Baby blue, huh? Well, I'll have to see what I can do,” I told her as we came to a stop in front of her next class. We stood there outside her classroom with her grinning up at me. This lack of animosity and open hostility felt nice.

  I brought my fingers up to pluck a piece of fuzz from her hair and let my hand linger a little bit longer than was necessary. I noticed Rachel freeze and watch my face as I slowly pulled my fingers away. Our eyes locked and we were standing toe to toe. Me looking down, her looking up. Our hands brushed against each other and her lips parted.

  I started to lean in...

  And then snapped out of it.

  What was I doing?

  Was I seriously going to kiss her in the middle of the hallway? Was I crazy?

  I took a step back and gave her a lazy smile that revealed nothing of my earlier intentions. “I'd better get going. I'll catch up with you after school,” I said, already moving down the hallway.

  I couldn't help but see the disappointment on her face, but she hid it quickly. She lifted her hand in a wave and wiggled her fingers in my direction. “Sure. Later Danny,” she called out as I got as far away as I could.

  The night of the dance was going great. Rachel looked stunning. If she was trying to go for hideous and tacky, she failed miserably. Her red sequined dress, while a little gaudy, fit her killer body like a glove. And that slit up her left leg gave me enough of an eyeful to have to employ thoughts of Granny Lowe again.

  She was gorgeous. And in a good mood. And the whole thing rocked.

  Clay was even being normal for once. I still wasn't sold on him, but tonight I was trying to reserve judgment.

  Dinner was awesome. Rachel took a ton of pictures of our group wearing those stupid plastic bibs to catch melted butter. We looked like idiots. Idiots having fun. But idiots nonetheless.

  Dinner ended and we headed to the dance. Rachel sat pressed against my side as she, Maggie and Clay sat squished in the cab of my truck. I couldn't help but notice that Rachel's hand lay on my thigh, with her pinky finger rubbing my leg in slow, purposeful circles.

  There was no way she was doing that by accident. I quickly looked down at her and she peeked up at me through her long lashes. Her mouth twitched into a smirk and I almost pulled the truck over to kiss her. Clay and Maggie be damned.

  What was this? She was flirting with me! Teasing me! And she knew exactly what she was doing. God, I had never wanted something so badly in my life. But I had sworn to myself that I wouldn't ruin our friendship.

  But with her finger tracing lazily up and down my fabric-covered skin, I forgot about that. Screw morals. They were overrated anyway. I was going to kiss that girl tonight. And I would do it so that there would never be any doubt about how I felt about her.

  I was practically bursting with the anticipation of it all. I whipped into the school parking lot, eager to get to the dance and to get on with my night. Two more seconds of smelling her skin and feeling her finger dancing up my leg and I wouldn't be responsible for my actions.

  Rachel, Clay and Maggie were tossed around a bit in my haste to get into the parking space. “Take it easy there, Danny Boy. We'd like to get there alive, you know,” Maggie quipped, jumping out of the truck as Clay slid his arm around her waist.

  Not even their subtle PDA would ruin my good mood. I grabbed Rachel's hand and dragged her toward the school. “Dude! I'm wearing heels, slow down!” Rachel laughed. I stopped, turned around and lifted her up, carrying her as though over the threshhold or something.

  “What are you doing?” she squealed as we walked up the stairs. I could hear Clay and Maggie laughing behind us. I pressed her into my chest and leaned down so that my lips were next to her ear.

  “Can't have a high heel related catastrophe, now can we?” I joked, enjoying the way my breath on her neck made her shiver. I wanted to kiss the white, creamy skin less than an inch from my mouth, but restrained myself. Once inside the school, I put her back down on her feet. She was a little wobbly and grabbed my arm for support.

  We walked into the decorated gym, our arms around each other and it felt like this was a date. Rachel leaned her head into my shoulder and I rested my chin in her hair as we waited for Clay and Maggie to join us.

  We were instantly greeted by Ray and Claire. Then Jake came up with his date, though I noticed he watched Maggie as she entered the gymnasium with Clay. Poor guy had it bad. I could empathize as my eyes wandered over to Rachel, who was laughing with a few other girls in our grade.

  “So, are they together now?” Jake asked me, nodding his head in Clay and Maggie's direction where they still lingered by the door. They weren't touching, but it was very obvious that something was going on between them.

  I looked at my buddy. Jake Fitzsimmons was a decent guy. One of my best friends outside of Rachel and Maggie. It had never been a secret that he had been crushing on Maggie since middle school. He had told me that they hooked up a few times at different parties, but I had asked him to spare me the details. He had wanted advice on how to get Maggie to go out with him. But I didn't do the whole Dear Abby thing. Plus, Maggie had never been particularly interested in a guy before.

  But it was clear she was very interested in Clayton Reed and I knew that was like a kick to Jake's gut. I clasped his shoulder in sympathy. “I don't know what they are, but I know she likes him, dude,” I said quietly, so that no one else could hear.

  Jake's smile was strained and I could tell he was lying when he said, “That's cool.” But I wasn't going to stand around and talk about Maggie's love life all night. Not when I wanted to jump start mine with a certain someone.

  Maggie joined Rachel and me as we found a table with a few of our friends. I didn't know where Clay had gone, but I wanted to get Rachel's fine ass o
n the dance floor. So I finally pulled her with me, just as a slow song came on.

  Eric Clapton's “Wonderful Tonight” played as we moved together. I couldn't help but press her up against my body and I felt the moment she relaxed and gave into me. Her arms twined up around my neck and I leaned my head against hers.

  This was perfect. This was damn near magical. I had officially grown a freaking vagina.

  My questionable chromosome aside, I really enjoyed being with Rachel like this. I felt like things were starting to all fall into place.

  Rachel pulled back a bit and looked up at me. “I'm having a lot of fun, Danny. Thanks.” She smiled and then I smiled. And we were swaying there together...smiling.

  “Me too, Rach,” I said softly, pushing the hair back from her face. She leaned into my touch for only a second. But it was enough to tell me all I needed to know. She wanted this as much as I did.

  “I meant to ask how your dad was when you saw him,” she asked me suddenly. I blinked at the change in conversation.

  “He's doing good, considering he was in town to sign all the paperwork for his and Mom's divorce. He let me know I could still come and live with him. Finish my senior year there if I wanted,” I mentioned off handily. Mostly because I wanted to see what Rachel would say. I was a manipulative son of a bitch when I wanted to be.

  And she reacted just as I had wanted her to. She gasped. “You're not going, are you?” I chuckled.

  “No way. I''m too close to graduating. I don't want the hassle when I'm almost out of here anyway,” I told her and she visibly relaxed. “Why, would you miss me?” I teased, winking at her.

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I suppose your obnoxious presence would be missed,” she said shortly, though she was smiling. I hugged her to my chest, my arms going around her.

  “Good, because I sure as hell would miss you,” I whispered as we continued to dance. Her hands came up to press against my back, her cheek right over my heart.

  And then the song was over. We pulled apart, but our hands still clung to each other. Rachel's eyes were sparkling and I thought this might be our moment.

  Then I saw her stiffen and step backwards. I frowned in confusion right before I felt a touch on my arm. I looked over my shoulder and could have growled in frustration.

  “Kylie,” I bit out sharply. I turned back to Rachel but she was already heading back to the table. Great. Just freaking great.

  I stormed off the dance floor and headed over to the punch table. Kylie was hot on my heels. I got myself something to drink and took it down in one gulp. I refused to look at my ex-girlfriend. She was screwing everything up, just like she always did.

  “Daniel. Please. I need to talk to you.” There was something about her voice that made me look down. And I saw that her mascara was smeared as though she had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and she looked like hell.

  “What's wrong?” I asked, feeling a twinge of worry at her appearance. It wasn't like Kylie to go into public without being one hundred percent perfect. Something was up.

  “Can we step outside?” she pleaded. I looked over at Rachel, who was now sitting with Maggie. Clay was still a no show and I wondered briefly what was up with him. But at least Rachel had company for a few minutes.

  “Sure,” I said, hoping I wouldn't come to regret this. Kylie looked relieved and we went out the side entrance. I followed her around to the front steps of the school and sat down. I looked over at Kylie and noticed that she was crying again. I felt bad for being annoyed that she had interrupted my moment with Rachel. Obviously something was really bothering her.

  And despite my less than amorous feelings towards her now, I had still spent a year with this girl. I wasn't made of ice after all. I put my arm around her shoulders and she buried her face in my jacket. “Hey now. Calm down and tell me what's wrong,” I said soothingly, rubbing my hand up and down her back.

  She pressed into me and cried nosily. I held her lightly, not wanting to give her the wrong idea. I waited for her to stop crying before I asked her again what was wrong. She sat back and wiped at the dripping mascara on her face.

  “My mom told me before I came here tonight that she and my dad are splitting up,” she wailed and started to sob again. Well crap. I could empathize with her break-down. I used my thumbs to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

  “It'll be alright. I know it sucks right now, but you always told me how much they fought. So this is probably the best thing for everyone,” I reasoned, watching her sniffle. Kylie's vulnerability was a rare sight. I felt bad for her, understanding completely what she was going through. And even though she wasn't my girlfriend anymore, I could be here for her as a friend.

  I put my hand in my pocket, looking for my phone so I could send a text to Rachel, letting her know what was going on. Then I realized I had left my phone in the truck. Kylie had started crying again. “I just can't go back in there! Will you stay with me? Please,” Kylie begged, clutching at my hand.

  Well damn. I couldn't very well leave her. I'd just explain to Rachel when I got back inside. She would understand. At least I hoped so.

  So I stayed with Kylie outside, talking to her, trying to get her to calm down. After awhile, when she had finally stopped crying, I asked Kylie what time it was. “Eleven,” she said, pulling her phone out of her purse.

  I jumped to my feet. “Shit, I've got to get back inside.” Christ! Who knew what Rachel was thinking. I was such a dick!

  Before I could leave, Kylie grabbed my arm. “Thank you so much, Danny. You've made me feel a lot better,” she told me sincerely. I gave her a genuine smile.

  “Good, I'm glad. And if you need anything, just let me know.” Then before I realized what was happening, Kylie had latched herself around me, her lips pressing against mine. I could feel her tongue begging for entrance and I felt a momentary weakening. This was familiar. This was habit.

  This was not what I wanted anymore.

  I peeled her arms away from my neck and held her away from me. “I'll be there as a friend if you want, Kylie. But nothing else. That part of our relationship is over,” I told her, trying to be gentle but firm.

  Kylie's eyes started to well up with tears again, but I was unswayed. All I could think about was getting back to Rachel. I needed to be with her again. It was nuts how much I missed her when we weren't together.

  And looking at this girl who I had thought I had loved for so long, I realized that my feelings for Kylie were nowhere close to what I felt for Rachel.

  “I've got to go,” I said. Kylie didn't try to stop me.

  Not that there was a point to run back inside.

  Rachel had left.

  Chapter Nine

  ~Rachel~

  God, it sucked to be right all the time. I knew Danny would crush my heart. And darned if I wasn't right. He had ripped it right out of my chest and smashed it on the floor. Fall Formal had been a complete and utter disaster. What an idiot I had been in thinking it was the chance for Daniel and me to really be together.

  I should have known he'd always yo-yo back to Kylie. He did each and every time. Why had I been surprised? We seemed to have been playing this song and dance for so long already and my part was firmly laid out.

  My aside would read, The love struck best friend stands on the sidelines, watching the happy couple go off together. Her face crumbles as she realizes she never had a chance.

  Daniel had been blowing up my phone since I had left the dance. I had gotten a ride with Ray and Claire. I hadn't even bothered to tell Danny I was leaving. Especially considering the last time I had seen him, he and Kylie were having quite the reconciliation. I had known instantly where that was heading and I didn't want to be left there, ditched and humiliated.

  Particularly after Maggie had taken off after Clay.

  And there was the other side to this big ol' mess.

  Maggie and Clay were a time bomb waiting to go off. I knew the guy had issues. I had seen first-hand how all over the
place he was. But when he had gone off at the dance because Maggie was dancing with Luke Tyler, it had seriously freaked me out.

  And the way she had taken off after him, without a thought to anything else, scared the crap out of me. I had followed her outside with every intention of using bodily restraint to stop her from making, what I was sure was a horrible mistake.

  But then I had seen Kylie and Daniel kissing out by the parking lot and that had been it. Put a fork in me, I was done.

  So I had begged Ray to give me a lift. I was done with standing there like an idiot while my friends made crappy life decisions. I had gone home and went straight to bed.

  The next morning, my mom had come into my room. “How was the dance?” she had asked me as I sat up in bed. My head was killing me and I knew the headache came from the ridiculous amount of crying from the night before.