Second Chance (Cruiser & Lex, Book 2) (7 page)

Dani and Simon are quiet as their eyes move from me to Cruiser. The only thing I hear is the clatter of their utensils and the voices drifting from the other diners.

Cruiser’s phone beeps for the third time. He gets to his feet. “I need to go.”

“But, Cruise—”

He makes his way toward the door.

“Please excuse me.” I rush after him. He’s in the middle of flagging down the valet. “What’s going on?” I ask.

He looks at me and then at the door of the restaurant. He looks disoriented, like someone hit him on the head with a hammer.

I reach for his hand, but he pulls away. “Go back to the table, Lex,” he says in a detached tone. “I’ll come back in a few minutes.”

“What’s
going
on?”

He rakes his hand through his hair. The valet pulls up with Rey’s car and he dashes toward it. “I need to take care of something,” he says over his shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.”

He gets into the car and speeds off. I watch as the car grows smaller and smaller, until it’s out of sight. Something brews in the pit of my stomach. It’s a mix of confusion, fear, and worry.

Where did he run off to? Does this have anything to do with Rey? And why didn’t he tell me?

Cruiser

I see him as soon as I turn the block.

He stands at the corner. Looks like a lost puppy. A lost puppy that’s about to get his ass killed. I pull up and stop the car. He sees me. My entire body sags with relief. I lean over and crank down the passenger window. “What the hell, Rey?”

He sprints to the car and jumps inside. “Drive!”

This is a shady area in town. I’ve never been here before. I step on the gas. “The hell, Rey,” I say. “What’re you doin’ here?”

He glances out the window like someone’s chasing after us with guns. “I can’t believe they ditched me.”

“Who? Nate and his jackass crew?”

He cranes his neck, trying to get a better view of the street.

“Rey?”

He sits back in his seat. Knees shake.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

His knees continue to shake.

“At least put on your damn seatbelt.”

He does. His movements are robotic. Like he’s functioning on autopilot.

“What shit are they getting you into?”

“Nothing,” he snaps.

“Then why the hell do you look like you met the Angel of Death?”

He bangs his head on the window. Mutters to himself.

“You’re scaring me, Rey.”

He continues to mutter.

I slam my hands on the steering wheel. “Your texts scared the crap out of me. What the hell happened?”

“Just drive home.”

“Like hell. You tell me what’s going on right now. Or else I’m going to drive back to that corner and drop you there.”

“Go ahead. Nate will probably be back for me, anyway.”

“Those jackasses are not your friends, Rey! Why would you—shit. Drugs? They’re getting you into
drugs
?”

“What? No!”

“Then what the fuck are you doing on this side of town?”

We reach the house and I park in the driveway. Rey unhooks his seatbelt. “It’s none of your damn business.”

“None of my damn business? Rey—”

He pushes the door open and climbs out. I yank off my seatbelt and get out, too. “Why won’t you talk to me? Hanging out with those idiots will only get you into trouble. Will make you do things you don’t want to do. Do you want to screw up your future?”

“I’m done listening to this.” He storms toward the house.

“Rey,” I call. But he doesn’t listen. Doesn’t stop. He slams the door after him.

I rest my hands on the hood of the car, leaning forward as I breathe. In and out, in and out. What the fucking hell has gotten into him? Is he doing drugs? I know he’s drinking. Know he got a fake tattoo. I run my hands through my hair. I need to stop this before he gets worse. I can’t let him go down this path. I gotta knock some sense into him before he screws his life up.

“Cruiser?”

I whirl around. Lex stands there, face creased with worry. Dani’s car pulls away from the curb. I grab the sides of my head. Rey’s going to cause me to pop an artery.

Lex comes closer and rests a hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”

I can’t…I can’t think. Can’t deal with this. I don’t know what’s going on with him, if he’s doing drugs.

“Cruiser?” she says softly.

I take her in my arms. Hold her tight. She comforts me. Her soft body, sweet smell, caring heart. She makes me want to forget about all this crap with Rey and just focus on her, on how she makes me feel and what we have together. I only want to think about good things. And the best thing that’s ever happened to me is Lex.

“Is it Rey?”

“It’s okay,” I murmur against her temple. “Everything’s okay.”

I don’t want her to worry. I got no clue what’s wrong with him, but I don’t want her to get involved in any of it.

I don’t think she wants to drop it, but she lets me hold her. I draw in her strength until I have enough energy to move. I hold her tighter. Kiss her. And only let go when I’m ready to go into my house.

He’s locked up in his room doing who the hell knows what.

He told me he’s not doing drugs. I want to believe him. But I don’t know if I do.

***

Lex and I sit on my bed with her math book opened on our thighs. She’s in the middle of explaining some crap with sine and cosine? I run my finger down her arm. She’s got a sleeveless purple tank on. It exposes her beautiful, tanned skin. Her eyes flit to me for a second before she continues to tutor.

Neither of us brings up last night. I pretend like it never happened. Don’t want to deal. Can’t deal. And Lex…maybe she’s giving me space. Maybe she wants to forget about it, too.

I move my hand a little higher. To her shoulder. I massage it.

A moan escapes her lips. “Cruiser.”

“Go on.”

She does. ‘Til I lift her hair off her neck and press my lips to her skin.

“Are you trying to seduce your tutor?” she demands.

I chuckle. “Caught in the act.”

She closes the book. “As much as I want to have fun, we need to concentrate. Your test is in two days.”

I grumble.

She goes on with her tutoring. I listen. ‘Til I get bored. I shake my leg. Stare at the ceiling. This is lame. I gently grab hold of her waist and push her down on my bed, climbing on top of her. “Cruiser.” She giggles as I nuzzle her nose.

“Why you gotta wear that perfume that makes you smell so good?”

“I’m…not wearing perfume,” she whispers between kisses.

“Your shampoo. Whatever it is. Mmm.”

“Cruiser? Yo, Cruiser!”

My door flies open. Rey walks in. I tried yelling at him some more this morning, but he acts like everything’s cool. Like it’s no big deal that those bastards ditched him in some shady area. I wish I could open his head and press “rewind” on his brain, to get him back to who he was before he left for Kelman’s.

His mouth drops when he sees us. He steps back. “Oh, excuse me.” He smirks. “Finally getting it on, huh?”

Lex straightens up. She grabs the book and reopens it.

“Shut up,” I say. He still stands at the door. Doesn’t look like he plans on budging. “Be right back,” I tell Lex. I take Rey’s arm and pull him out, shutting the door. “What?”

He shrugs.

I study him. He’s still wearing those ridiculous clothes, but he didn’t hang out with those losers today. Maybe the guys leaving him to rot lit something in him. Maybe made him realize what douches they are. Yeah, maybe. I can dream, though. Damn, I hope this is the start of him returning to his old self. If not, I’m sure as hell going to do something about it.

Now as I look at him, I see something else in his eyes. Not sure know what. Jealousy? “You cool?” I ask.

He presses his lips together. “Why shouldn’t I be?”

“What are your plans for today?”

His eyes narrow. “Why? Trying to get rid of me so that you and Lex can finally—”

“Will you shut up about that? Why you keep saying that in front of her? Doesn’t make her feel good.”

He snorts. “So now I should care how I make her feel?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shakes his head. Bumps my shoulder as he walks past me.

“Wait.” I catch his arm. “I’m going to ask you something. I want you to answer honestly. Got it?”

He shrugs.

“Does it bother you that I’m with Lex?”

He presses his lips together again.

“Rey, I’m serious.”

“And if it does? You’ll break up with her?”

I feel something in my gut. Something that pinches me from the inside and sends jolts of pain throughout my body. Rey’s assured me countless times that he’s okay with me and Lex. He was all for it a month ago, told me to go after her because he felt we belonged together. But that was after he knew he was going to L.A. Even if he doesn’t love Lex, I’m sure it hurts to see us together.

But I love her. I don’t want to lose her. I don’t want to lose Rey, either.

He smirks. “Relax, I’m kidding. I don’t care that you two are together. I don’t like her like that.”

I feel relieved. But then I see his eyes. They’re hostile. “You telling me the truth?”

He nods. A big swallow goes down his throat.

I sigh. “Why are you lying to me, Rey?”

“I’m not lying!” His eyes blaze. “I’m not jealous of Lex. I don’t want her. I just…I just…” He rubs his arm across his eyes.

I get it. Get what upsets him every time he sees me with my girl. “You want to meet someone.”

His jaw clenches.

“What about the girls in L.A.? You said a few caught your eye. None work out?”

“Obviously.”

“You’ll meet someone, Rey. You’re a good guy. Smart, ambitious, talented. You’ve got lots of interests and knowledge. Just give it some time.”

“Whatever.” He bumps my shoulder again and runs down the stairs.

I stare after him for a bit before going back to my room. Lex is lying on her stomach, legs kicking the air. Eyes intent on the stupid math book. I dive to the bed and get my arms around her, spin her around and crash down on top of her. We both laugh as I bury my face in her neck.

I’m lying on top of her, but I put my weight on my elbows so I don’t hurt her. She wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my stomach. She yanks me close to her. Makes me collapse on her. I shift over so I don’t suffocate her.

She rests her chin on my shoulder. “So much for studying.”

“Looks like I might have to hire someone more competent.”

She whacks my shoulder. “Maybe someone needs to learn to control himself.”

“Maybe someone shouldn’t be so damn irresistible.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling. She digs her nose into my shoulder. “You’re pretty irresistible yourself.”

“Why thank you, darlin’.”

We lie like this for a little bit, enjoying the feeling of being near each other. She says, “Is Rey okay?”

I don’t want to think or talk about last night. I don’t want Lex anywhere near this. Maybe the universe will give me a break and convince Rey to get his act together. Then I could forget about all of this.

“He’s lonely,” I say. Then it hits me. Could that be the reason Rey’s lost his head? But if that was the case, wouldn’t he be hooking up with girls?

“Does it bother him when he sees us together?” Lex asks.

“Dunno. He says it doesn’t, but…” I sigh. “I wish I could find him a girl. Not a random girl. A girl he can have a relationship with.” Rey hasn’t had a girlfriend other than Lex. I know he wants one real bad.

She sits up sharply. “That’s what’s bothering him?”

“Could be.”

“Maybe we can try to set him up with a girl at school.”

I roll the idea around in my head. “Know any girls?”

“Not sure. But I can look around.”

“I don’t want him to feel like we’re making him a charity case or anything.”

“Don’t worry.” She bounces on the bed. “This is so exciting. We can play matchmaker.”

I laugh and kiss her. “You’re so cute.”

The idea of finding a girl for my bro makes me excited, too. I want Rey to be happy. Want him to stop with all this crap and be his old self again.

Lex

As I walk home from Cruiser’s, there’s a bounce in my step. I feel so much better than I did last night. I was so worried about him. After Dani dropped me off, I marched right over there and was prepared to demand answers. How could he ruin such a special night for Dani? The double date meant so much to her and all she wanted was for it to be perfect. But then I saw him. How bent his shoulders were, the pain and worry in his eyes. I didn’t know what happened, but I understood in that moment that he didn’t need someone to bombard him with questions. He needed someone to comfort him.

I planned to get my answers today as I tutored him math, but then I saw how alive he was. I saw the spark in his eyes. He was in such a good mood, so I decided to let it slip and bring it up another time.

As I open the door to my house, I hear shouts coming from the kitchen. My heart falls. Mom and Dad are arguing.

They haven’t argued in weeks. Well, of course they argue because all parents argue, but not the way they did in the year following Rosie’s accident. I swallow before walking inside. Rosie’s sitting on the couch, playing a video game. I give her a quick hello before heading into the kitchen.

Mom’s at the counter with her arms crossed over her chest. She must have been in the middle of making dinner because vegetables are peeled and half-chopped. Dad’s at the fridge, holding pudding. His forehead is wrinkled.

I step in. “What’s going on?”

Mom rubs her head. “Nothing, Lex.”

I want to ask them what they’re arguing about, but it’s none of my business. With all the arguments last year, I thought my parents would get a divorce. My fear was calmed when they started going out on their romantic dates. But maybe Rosie’s accident isn’t the reason they were constantly arguing. Maybe it was something much more. Something that’s still bothering them now.

Mom pastes a smile on her face. “When’s your dance meet, Lex?”

I walk to the counter. “In a few weeks. Need help with dinner?”

“That’s okay, honey. The meet, it’s on a Saturday?”

“Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“I want to clear my schedule.”

I stare at her. Mom hasn’t been to any of my meets in over a year. Not since the accident. “You’re coming?”

“Of course I’m coming.” She strokes my hair.

I turn to Dad. “You’re coming, too?”

“Do you want me there?” he asks with a teasing smile. “I wouldn’t want to see you fall on your butt in front of hundreds of people.”

I roll my eyes and smile.

“I’ll be there, sweetie.”

“And what about Rosie? I’d love for her to come, too.”

“You’ll have to ask her,” Mom says.

I lean against the counter. “Speaking of Rosie…I know we discussed this already, but is it possible for you to consider the procedure Jamie’s going to do? I know you said you don’t believe in it, but if there’s a chance it’ll help Rosie walk—”

“Lex.” Dad steps closer to me and rests his hands on my shoulders. “We all desperately want Rosie to walk again,” he says, his voice low so Rosie won’t hear. “But it’s wishful thinking. No surgery can repair a damaged spinal cord. I know it hurts to accept it, but that’s the reality.” His eyes meet Mom’s. “We need to put everything behind us and move on. Just like you told us, Lex.”

I nod as his words sink in. I begged them a month ago to treat Rosie just as they did before the accident. But to learn there’s absolutely no hope for her makes my throat tighten.

Mom shakes her head but doesn’t say anything. She resumes chopping the vegetables.

Dad pats my cheek. “Rosie will be okay. We’ll all be okay.”

I nod again before sitting near Rosie on the living room couch. She’s not as upset as she was the past few days, but she’s pretty down. I pick up the second controller. “I bet you can’t beat me in this game.” I nod to the screen.

Rosie snorts. “I can even beat Cruiser, and he rocks at the game.”

It’s so nice to see a small smile tugging her lips again. I put my arm around her and hug her close. And because I care so much about her, I kiss her cheek.

“Ew! Gross.” She wipes it away.

“I love you, Rosie. You know that, right?”

She rolls her eyes. “I know.”

“Now let’s see if you can whoop my butt in five minutes.”

“You’re on!”