Chasing Rainbows (14 page)

"No, you look hot," I replied reassuringly.

The uncertainty disappeared from his eyes, and his handsome face split into a grin. But he still seemed nervous.

"You got a date?" I asked, and he shot me a knowing look. It was the only time I'd ever seen him appear anything other than calm, except for the other day when my locker had been bombarded with yellow post it notes.

"You'll see," he said, sounding rather mysterious despite the silly grin he wore. So, I decided to let it go for the moment. I knew that look all too well. Brandon was like Fort Knox, and I wasn't going to get anything out of him unless he wanted to tell me.

"So, where are we going to eat?" I asked as Brandon turned the car around in the driveway.

"El Corazon," he replied smugly, and I couldn't help but squeal with excitement. It was the hottest new restaurant in town.

"No way! How did you manage that?" I asked, since the place was by reservation only. It had been open for three weeks and was almost impossible to get into.

"I've got connections," he said, wearing a huge grin.

"Hmm," I replied curiously, looking back at him. He seemed happy, and his eyes held a trace of excitement.

Along the way there, we sang to the top of our lungs. His playlist was entirely eighties. Kara was right, he was stuck on an eighties kick. A month ago, it had been grunge, and I'd seriously thought he was going to ruin Nirvana for me since I'd heard "All Apologies" a million and one times. His taste in music changed at least once a month. We were both laughing about silly memories when we pulled up to the restaurant. Brandon took one look at the overflowing parking lot and parked across the street instead.

The brick building was an old faded red that had seen too many blistering days of sunshine with leafy green potted plants sitting out front on the walkway. They were housed in deep turquoise and green ceramic bowls which only enhanced the authenticity of the Mexican themed sign hanging over the double doors of the entrance. Despite the dim lighting reflected through the large glass panes of the front windows, I could already tell the place was hopping. I was beyond excited.

"Thank you, Brandon," I said, and he glanced over at me smiling graciously.

"No problem, Addie. It's just good to see you smile." He grabbed my hand as we walked side by side across the street. A man at the door smiled politely and held the door open for us.

"Thanks," Brandon replied as his hand slipped from mine to lightly settle on my back as he ushered me through the doorway and inside. The place was so busy that we had to wait to be seated.

A flat screen TV was positioned in the far corner of the waiting area, where a baseball game was being televised. It looked like the Reds, and I had no clue as to who the other team was since baseball wasn't really my thing. Brandon spoke quietly to the hostess, and she gestured to the crowded foyer. There were no empty seats available, so we had no choice but to stand. She called out a name, and a couple I'd never seen before pushed away from the wall to follow her. Glancing around, I did see a couple of familiar faces from school.

Tin signs advertising everything from beer to salsa graced walls that were the same deep, warm golden brown of the wooden floor, and both gleamed to polished perfection. My gaze was drawn to the bar and the bartender, who was shaking two stainless steel containers in each of his hands. Wow! He was obviously great at multi-tasking.

Before I knew it, Brandon whispered near my ear, "Come on, Addie."

I glanced up, noticing the young man now talking with the hostess. Like the other waiters and waitresses, he wore a uniform consisting of black jeans and a black fitted T-shirt. Brandon couldn't seem to take his eyes off of him. The hostess smiled and even attempted to flirt, but her efforts were obviously wasted since the guy was also too busy staring at us. Well, at Brandon. When the hostess realized her efforts were in vain, she shoved back her long dark hair over her shoulder and announced rather loudly, "Mulligan, party of two! Your table is ready!"

Brandon grabbed my hand, and I followed after him as we weaved through the throng of people still waiting for a table. The waiter smiled patiently. His eyes locked on Brandon. "Is that him?" I whispered, near his shoulder and he glanced at me nodding his head.

I'd never seen him before. He didn't go to our school so I knew that he had to be older. He was as tall as Brandon and just as handsome. His hair, a rich dark brown, almost black, reminded me of wet coffee grounds. But it was the combination of his gray eyes, tanned skin, and chiseled features that held my rapt attention. "He's gorgeous," I whispered.

"I know." Brandon gave me a smug smile.

Those calm gray eyes watched us, and he noted Brandon's hand holding mine when he offered Brandon the menus. "If I didn't know better I'd be worried," he said jokingly. Then he turned, flashing me a killer grin that revealed perfect white teeth. "I'm Cal," he said to me, but before I could speak Brandon spoke up.

"This is one of my best friends. Addie. I told you about her and Kara," he explained.

"Hi, Addie. Come on, this place is wild," Cal said, and we ended up following him to an empty table in a corner by a window. "This is my favorite spot," he said to me.

Brandon pulled out my seat, and I watched as he brushed close to Cal whispering something underneath his breath before he sat down at the table across from me. Whatever he said had both of them smiling. The chemistry between the two of them was undeniable, and I felt like an interloper even in the crowded room.

"So, you're the birthday girl?" Cal asked, his eyes now studying me curiously.

"Not officially. It isn't until tomorrow," I admitted and watched as Brandon motioned him to his side and whispered something else in his ear. Cal nodded in agreement and raised his head looking at me and winked.

"But we're celebrating tonight, Addie. It's my treat," Brandon said, and I smiled back at the both of them. They made an extremely handsome couple.

"I'll get your drinks and an appetizer while you look over the menu," Cal told us before heading across the crowded room and disappearing into the back.

"He seems nice, Brandon," I said, as I studied the menu.

"He is," Brandon agreed. "I met him the week after this place opened. My dad took us all out to dinner, and there he was. We started talking. He moved out here from Colorado with his sister. He's going to college and working here part time."

"Oh," I murmured half-heartedly and forced a smile at the mention of Brandon having a normal family dinner. Unlike mine, his parents were supportive. I envied him. He was lucky.

"Here, he comes," Brandon said excitedly, and I glanced up meeting Cal's eyes.

"For the birthday girl," he announced then placed a napkin on the table in front of me and set down a tall glass filled with ice and an amber colored liquid. A layer of plump red strawberries had settled at the bottom of the glass. "House specialty, strawberry tea. Early birthday present," Cal said with an easy going grin.

I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Thank you."

He winked at me then turned his attention to Brandon. I listened as the two of them easily chatted back and forth. He'd brought him a club soda and a wedge of lime. It was Brandon's favorite. A small basket of fresh homemade tortilla chips, two dipping bowls with two different kinds of salsa sat on the table in between us. We placed our order and once again Cal disappeared into the back.

"You heard from Chance?" Brandon asked, and I frowned not wanting to answer him.

"The C word is off limits tonight," I informed him stiffly.

"Sorry, Addie. I didn't think he was a douche like his brother. Today, I saw Chase out in town with Miley."

"Are you sure it was Chase?" I asked, and immediately regretted my words. Whichever brother it was, he deserved Miley. I wished that I hadn't sounded so overly anxious or concerned. I'd find out soon enough Monday morning when both, Chase and Chance, returned to school from their suspension.

"I think so," he replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he gazed back at me with troubled eyes. "I shouldn't have mentioned it."

"It's okay, Brandon. That's what best friends do for one another." I'd rather hear the news from Brandon and be prepared for when and if I saw the two of them together.

"You're gonna be mad at me," Brandon confessed, and silence stretched between us as he waited for me to say something.

"Why?" I finally asked, since I never got mad at Brandon. He was the type of guy that, even if he did manage to piss you off, he'd have you laughing about it the next second.

"After dinner, I have to drop you off at the movies." He smiled sheepishly.

"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief. The drive-in was all we'd talked about all day at school.

"I'm gonna pick up Cal after work." He watched me closely, obviously waiting for my reaction.

I reached across the table and placed my hand over his. "It's alright, Brandon. I'm glad you've found someone special." He squeezed my hand seeming somewhat relieved by my reply.

"Every time I turn around the two of you have your hands all over each other." I jumped in my chair, and glanced over my shoulder to find Cal standing behind me watching us. Immediately, I tried to pull my hand away from Brandon's.

"He's kidding, Addie," Brandon explained with a grin, and released my hand since I was still trying to pull away.

"I'm not," Cal insisted as he sat down my plate in front of me. From the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice, I didn't know for sure if he was serious or not.

"You'll learn that you can't pay him any attention, Addie," Brandon joked.

Cal appeared hurt for about half of a second then he smiled and winked at me.

For a moment, I'd been worried. I'd actually thought I had upset him, but he'd only been joking. "You two are perfect for one another," I said, relieved, and grinned at the both of them.

Cal started laughing, and Brandon's smile stretched across his handsome face. Then, that same smile disappeared as soon as he realized I'd just insulted him. He grabbed a tortilla chip from the basket which sat between us and launched it across the table hitting me square in the chest.

Chapter twelve

B
RANDON HAD TO LET ME OUT AT THE GATE
. The jerk wad of an attendant wouldn't let him in unless he paid the full admission price for the both of us. He'd already bought our dinner having claimed it was an early birthday present. I'd offered to pay for the both of us, but Brandon wouldn't hear of it.

He was arguing with the attendant when I opened the door, hopped out of his car, walked around the front of the Camry and paid the guy my eight bucks for admission. There was a string of vehicles behind Brandon waiting their turn.

"It's okay," I said, noting his concerned expression. "Kara and Devon are already here. I'll be fine."

He'd only agreed when someone started blowing their horn and wouldn't let up. Since I refused to get back in the car, he gave in and cut across the road making a U-turn and left. I was certain to hear all about it later.

The drive-in was located on the outskirts of town just past the spillway. A ten-foot tall, off–color, washed-out metal fence which resembled a fading rainbow encased the circumference of a football-sized field. Two gravel roads ran past the admission booth leading up to the concession stand, one for entering and the other an exit. Already, the best places to park were taken.

I'd spotted Devon's truck sitting at the back of the field, a couple rows up from the concession stand that was off to the side. As I walked along the edge of the graveled road, I paid no attention to the cars passing by. The evening was warm and already fireflies were shyly beginning to make an appearance beneath the darkening purplish red sky.

A warm breeze tugged at my hair. The loose strands lazily brushed my cheek. From behind me, a car horn blared and I glanced over at the truck load of guys who yelled out catcalls as they drove past. I pretended to ignore them and quickly turned my head.

When I finally made my way to the row where Devon's truck sat parked, I cut across the grass and headed in their direction. I dodged a group of little kids who were playing tag before the movie started. Their parents sat in plastic lawn chairs while they talked to one another beside their parked cars. It wasn't even completely dark yet, but already the place was packed.

When Kara saw me, she hopped out of Devon's S-10 and ran toward me wearing a friendly smile and a pair of insanely short Daisy Dukes, showing off her long tanned legs and her new butterfly tattoo. A short sleeve pink plaid shirt was knotted at her waist displaying her bare stomach and drawing attention to her ample chest. We both wore an identical pair of boots, having bought them on sale at Shoe Show the past year.

She wrapped her arms around me. The smell of blue raspberry Slush Puppy invaded my nostrils. "You dog, you look freaking beautiful!" she exclaimed and pulled back to look down at me with a smug smile. I hated that she was a head taller than me. I reached out and tugged one of her pigtails that rested against her slim shoulder.

"Not too bad yourself, Ellie Mae," I replied.

She laughed out loud, playfully smacked my arm and grabbed my hand then pulled me along with her toward Devon's truck. He had his window rolled down and was smoking a cigarette and talking to some guy parked alongside of him in a silver Sonoma.

"That's Jake," Kara said when she noticed where my attention had wandered.

"No, Kara," I protested, suddenly realizing what she had planned.

But she smiled sweetly and ignored my plea. It was too late, and this was exactly what I didn't want. Devon and Jake watched us as we walked forward to join them.

"He's a really nice guy and hot as hell, Addie. Live a little, please," she urged with a carefree smile.

"Hey, Addie," Devon said, as Kara dragged me behind her. I was extremely self-conscious, especially since I could feel the other guy's eyes slide over me.

"Hey," I said casually, and Kara let go of my hand stepping up to the side of Devon's truck door.