Will’s voice did go lower, but not low enough. I could tell he was fuming about something. “He’s acting like an idiot. I’m ready to kick him out myself.”
“I don’t understand,” Mr. Kyser seemed distracted. “He’s always done well in school. Is it a girl?”
“Not that I’ve seen. It’s not even a frat pack. I never see him with anyone.”
There was a brief pause. Then Mr. Kyser spoke again. “Maybe he’s not being challenged.”
“He’s failing,” Will snapped. “He doesn’t go to class. He’s always at some dive in the Quarter or at Fat Harry’s. He could at least go to Mr. B’s or Galatoire’s, somewhere with class and be a drunk.”
I winced at his words. They were talking about Jack, and as much as I hated it, worry filled my chest. Lucy had said he was alone. I didn’t want him to be in trouble.
“Your brother is
not
a drunk.” Mr. Kyser sounded pissed now. “Don’t ever say that again.”
“Why are you hesitating? Last year, you came over at the slightest hint of a problem. Why are you dragging your feet now?”
Mr. Kyser exhaled, and I leaned forward just in time to see him sit in the chair behind his desk. “I’m not dragging my feet. You’re adults. I can’t run in and fix your problems all the time. He’ll learn from his mistakes.”
“Don’t give me that,” Will sneered. “You always cushion his falls. What’s keeping you here?”
“Are you done? I’ll deal with your brother. Now I’ve got work to do.”
When Will turned, he spotted me leaning forward and listening. His eyes narrowed, and I sank back in my seat, lifting the magazine I held again.
“I thought we got rid of you,” he said, pausing at my chair.
I didn’t know what to say. Thankfully, Mr. Kyser appeared behind Will, but he was frowning, too. Now I wished I’d called before I came.
“What do you need, Anna?” Mr. Kyser said.
“I… uh… I’m here about that paper you wanted,” I said, hoping nobody questioned me further. I wasn’t sure what to say next.
“This is not a good time,” Mr. Kyser said, then he gestured to his oldest son. “Do you know Will?”
“Yes.” I looked down and clutched my bag closer to me.
“We met last fall at the house.” Will glanced at my bag with a frown. “She was hanging on Jack. What paper? Why are you here?”
His words irritated me. He made me sound like a remora. “I work for the city paper. I interviewed your dad last fall.”
“I’ll be here Tuesday,” Mr. Kyser said to me. “Come back then.”
Will’s eyes narrowed and quickly flicked from his father to me. “What’s this about?” he demanded. “I’m not stupid. You don’t talk to the paper. And since when do
you
just drop in to see my father?”
“Don’t be an ass,” Mr. Kyser said to his son. “That’s all, Anna. Will, I forgot to show you those plans.”
Will hesitated as if he were considering something, then he stepped back into the office and closed the door a little too hard. I remembered to breathe and hurried to the elevator. Mr. Kyser was giving me a chance to get away without having to ride down with his oldest son, and I was happy to take it. But I felt sick from the conversation I’d overheard. Was Jack a drunk? Lucy had said he wasn’t dating anyone, and now Will was telling his father he never went to class. I couldn’t figure it out, and I couldn’t help worrying about him.
Jack had wanted to get to Tulane and finish quickly. It had been his whole reason for breaking up with me—so he’d have no distractions. What could have changed? I drove home puzzled and wondered if I should try calling him. I shook my head. I had to let him go. It was what he wanted, and it was what we’d agreed to do. I’d have to trust his father to take care of him. Jack had always been the favorite anyway. And Lucy would tell me if things got really bad.
Chapter 10
By the night of the dance, I couldn’t help noticing the atmosphere among the senior class was changing fast. Kids I’d never paid attention to before were suddenly like old friends, and a distinct sense of camaraderie permeated the group. We were on the launch pad, and everything we did got us one step closer to graduation and to starting our lives. It was as if we were all holding our collective breath waiting to see what would happen next.
After school, I drove to Tamara’s hair salon to have my curls blown out. It was Julian’s and my first dance as a real couple, and I wanted everything to be perfect.
“So Julian again?” Tamara grinned as she pulled my hair straight with her big round brush. “I knew you’d get back to him.”
“I know. You told me so.” I flipped through a fashion magazine as she worked. “So you’re taking a break from college?”
“Girl, I can’t afford it this year.” She shook her perfectly styled dark curls. “Have you seen Montage since summer? I don’t know what happened to him, but it happened.”
“I think he’s the biggest person I’ve ever seen,” I laughed.
Her head was still shaking. “You should try feeding him. He must drink a gallon of milk a day. I might have to start charging you full price!”
My eyes flickered to hers, and I thought about my bare account. “But you’ll warn me first, right?”
She laughed at that. “Once you get a real job.” She continued straightening. “So it seems you went from one fine young man to the next.”
“I’ve always spent time with Julian,” I said not looking up. “We’ve been friends for a while.”
“Don’t act so innocent. You’re turning red just thinking about him.”
My lips pressed into a smile. “It’s just because you’re embarrassing me.”
“No need to feel embarrassed.” She pulled one of my locks into submission. “It’s only natural!”
“I do like Julian, and we are together.” I put the magazine down, thinking. “I guess we’ve been taking it slow.”
“How come?” She was nearly finished, touching my now sleek head with a clear liquid.
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Our eyes met and she smiled. “Sounds to me like you’re wasting time. You’re not getting any younger. Grab that bull by the horns if you know what I’m saying.”
I started to laugh. “I’m not sure if I do!”
“You will when it’s time.”
The white cotton dress I’d picked out to wear was the same one I’d worn last fall to the birthday party disaster. Julian had said he thought I was pretty in it, and I wondered if he’d remember. It was also short, and while I didn’t have combat boots, my knee-high black boots were in the same category.
I pulled a thin, black sweater over my shoulders and started for the stairs, but I stopped and went back, grabbing my ring off my dresser. Slipping it on, I admired it for a split second, deciding this night was going to be amazing.
Julian’s eyebrows rose as I ran down the stairs, and my stomach tightened. He was dressed in his standard dark jeans and a tee, but tonight he also had on a blazer. As always, he looked so hot.
“I didn’t have combat boots,” I said, trying not to blush, “But these’ll do, right?”
“Combat boots?” Mom frowned.
“Inside joke, Mom.”
“Well, I think you both look great, now hold still for a picture.”
“You didn’t do this last year!” I complained as she caught my arm and positioned us in front of the fireplace.
“I should’ve,” she said. “You could’ve done a comparison.”
I rolled my eyes and we took the picture. “Have fun,” she called, and we waved, heading to the car, which started without hesitation.
Julian slipped his hand over to the inside of my knee. “I really like this dress.”
Warmth traveled from his touch to every part of my body. “I remembered.”
He gave me a little pat, and my mind wandered to how soon we might be alone. I wanted his hands everywhere. “It’s going to be a good night,” he said.
We made our way through the gym chatting with friends. I saw Montage dancing with Cynthia Williams and gave him a small wave. He smiled, and I imagined Tamara trying to stock her fridge to keep up with him. Wade was on the floor with a junior I’d seen around campus, and I caught sight of Summer. I couldn’t tell who her date was—it almost looked like she was with Blake.
Rachel and Brad were together with the spots of the disco light drifting over them. Rachel was pretty as always, in a soft yellow dress and Brad was in his usual khakis and polo ensemble. A photographer was circling the room, and he stopped Julian and me under the canopy for a photo.
My forehead lined as he handed Julian the claim ticket. “Whatever happened to our picture from last year?” I asked.
He shrugged. “It’s back at my house.”
“You kept it?” I caught his arm, and his eyes flickered to mine.
“It’s in a drawer somewhere,” he said.
I thought about the picture hidden in my drawer. He pulled my hand up and kissed it, and I wondered if Julian had ever looked at our photo the way I’d looked at that picture of Jack. I wanted to imagine he did as I studied his clear blue eyes. With us it would be different.
“I like you wearing this,” he said, straightening my ring.
“I’ve been afraid to wear it all the time,” I said, lacing our fingers. “It’s so delicate. I don’t want to break it.”
He leaned in. “I know a guy who can fix it if you do.”
I smiled, thinking of all the things he could fix.
We danced a little longer then visited with friends. Rachel’s group was composed of half of the party-planning committee, which made sense considering how much time they spent together. Julian left me to chat with Blake, but I didn’t mind as I preferred listening to Rachel’s group arguing prom themes to defending myself against Summer.
When another slow song finally came on, he returned and led me out to the dance floor. His arms wrapped around my waist, and I slid my hands up to his neck. I rested my forehead against the side of Julian’s jaw and he leaned down to kiss my cheek.
“Am I coming over tonight?” he whispered in my ear.
I nodded, and we continued swaying to the music. My eyes were closed, and I thought of us together in my bed. I wondered if it was time to tell him my personal secret. I wondered what he would say. If he would freeze up and shut down the way Jack did. My bottom lip caught under my teeth. I’d also decided I wasn’t thinking about Jack anymore!
The song changed, and Julian pulled me closer. He slid back the neck of my cardigan and kissed the top of my shoulder, and in that instant, all bad thoughts vanished as a thrill raced from his lips to my toes.
“Maybe I should get you home, so you can get ready,” he said.
“Mm-hm.” I agreed. Then I realized he was suggesting we leave. My eyes blinked open. “Don’t you want to hang out with our fellow classmates a little longer?”
“I can see these guys any time.” He led me off the dance floor, and I nodded as he exchanged a wave with Blake.
We were quickly headed to Julian’s car when I saw Rachel and Brad in the parking lot ahead of us. They were surrounded by three big guys I didn’t know.
“Who’s that with Rachel and Brad?” I started to say, but the words died on my lips. I stared in horror as one of the bigger guys quickly raised his fist and slammed it into Brad’s face, sending him staggering back. Rachel screamed.
“Get help!” Julian shouted at me, pulling off his jacket and running toward the scene.
“Julian!” I tried to grab his arm, but I missed. He was at Brad’s side in an instant—just in time to catch a brutal blow to his side. I screamed as he grunted in pain and doubled over.
For a split second, I thought I might faint. White flashed in front of my eyes. Julian was tall and strong, but he was slim. And as I’d feared, he was no match for the three monsters surrounding them. Even Brad was no match for them. They were clearly football players, and with that realization, I knew who they were—the guys after Montage. I turned just as one of them grabbed Julian’s shoulder and slammed his face.
“No!” I screamed, racing to the gym with my heart in my throat. We’d just seen Blake, and I almost bounced off him as I went through the door. He saw the terror on my face, but I couldn’t catch my breath. “Parking lot… Julian… Hurry!”
He pushed past me, and I kept going, searching for Montage. I was trembling and gasping for breath when I found him. “Quick—in the parking lot… some guys have Brad and Julian!”
Montage’s dark brow furrowed, and he ran toward the exit as did Wade, who’d overheard me. Coach Wilson was following and Mr. Jones, although I knew my ancient science teacher would be little help.
I ran behind them to the parking lot in time to see Montage slamming one of the guys into the side of a parked car. A pickup was throwing dirt and rocks as it spun out in the lot. One of the other guys jumped in the passenger’s side and the last one limped and fell into the bed as the truck squealed out onto the dark street.
“They got away?” My voice was a hoarse cry. But I didn’t have time to worry about that. I saw Julian dragging himself to a sitting position. His cheek was bleeding, and he was clutching his side as he pulled himself up and leaned his head back against a car tire.
“Julian!” I ran and slid to the ground beside him unable to stop my tears. “Oh, god, Julian.”