“We go and see how it plays out.”
I climbed into the car, thinking as he walked around to the other side. “Rachel’s headed to Loyola,” he said once we were on the road. “Just like you.”
“Not yet. I’ve only applied.”
“You haven’t heard anything?”
“Nope,” I said. “I’m hoping I will soon, though. If I don’t, I guess I’ll end up staying home and going to Sterling.”
“Would that be bad?”
“I guess not. Mom thinks I’ll do fine wherever I go. I just… I applied to some really good schools, and it’d be neat if I got into one.”
His eyes were fixed on the road ahead. “One in New Orleans?”
“Not necessarily,” I said. “I just think it might be my best chance with the paper connection. And it’s not so far from home.”
The muscle in his jaw moved. “And that’s all you’re thinking about?”
Turning in my seat, I studied his profile. Our drive had become unexpectedly tense. “What do you want me to say, Julian?”
“Jack’s at Tulane.” He said it flat out, and my breath caught. I was not expecting that. “Loyola and Tulane are blocks apart. I know the score.”
“What?” I gasped. “There’s no score! I mean, yeah, that was part of my motivation to apply in the first place, but I really would like to go there.”
He nodded, but didn’t answer. My throat was tight, and I actually thought I might cry.
“You can’t make a big deal about that now.” I managed to say. “We weren’t together then.”
He glanced my way and seemed to relax, pulling me to him in a careful hug. “You’re right,” he said softly.
After a few moments of quiet driving, me hugged into his side, I felt a little better. I rocked my head back so I could see his face. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “I think it’s this rib thing. I can’t work, I can’t be with you. I don’t like being at that house alone.”
I tucked my face into his neck, hugging him again. “Do you want to skip the game?”
“And see you pout?” he laughed. “No way. Let’s go watch Wade and Montage get arrested.”
My head snapped up. “You think that’s going to happen?”
“I hope not,” he said. “But they’d better be careful. Vigilante justice is a bad idea.”
The gym was packed when we arrived, and people were spilling out into the parking lot. A group of trucks was parked on one end of the lot with a pack of football players hanging around it. Police cars were prominently situated with the officers standing out front, chatting and looking official.
Additional cops had been hired for the game, and everyone was waiting to see how the players would react to facing each other on the court. The whistles blew, and it looked like both teams were ready to fight. Out of the jump, players were pushing and reaching high and low. Whistles kept going off and Brazil Lewis, our point guard barely made it two steps before a player was in his face. Wade and Montage were standing with a line of brutes in front of the stands, and the ball was knocked out of bounds, in their direction several times.
More than one near-fight on the court prompted yellow flags to rain down like a Mardi Gras parade, and by the end of the night, the Dolphins had racked up the most fouls of any game played in the last four years. But Crystal Shores couldn’t match us for baskets and the Devils left Fairview in defeat.
The players were mollified, and post-game interviewers pulled Brad into the discussion, focusing on his parking-lot beating and the satisfaction he must feel watching his fellow athletes win. Even Julian’s mood had improved by the end of the game. He accepted Brad’s invitation to a party planned by Mr. Brennan at the Tiki club in Phoenician VI on East End Beach.
When we reached the high-rise, Brad’s father greeted us at the door. It was the first time I’d seen him since the car accident, and when we arrived, he seemed particularly interested in Julian. I could tell he’d been drinking.
“You’re a good kid jumping in to help Brad like that,” Mr. Brennan said, slapping Julian’s back. I saw Julian wince, and tried not to smile. “You got guts.”
“Brad would’ve done the same for me.” Julian replied, catching the big man’s hand and shaking it before he could cause any more discomfort.
“But Brad spends half the year taking hits like that,” Mr. Brennan continued. “You’re a good man.”
Julian nodded. “Thanks.”
We tried to pass, but Mr. Brennan held on. “I knew your Mom way back. How’s she doing these days?”
At that, Julian stopped trying to get away. “Good,” he said. “She has a business on Dolphin Island. You should stop by and say hello.”
“I might do that.” He looked at Julian for a long second, and then started to say something but stopped. Instead he looked at me. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Anna Sanders,” I said over the music that had started playing loudly.
“Anna, welcome to the Phoenician,” he said, shaking my hand. “Best friend and I built these blocks of concrete years ago. Nothing’s knocked ‘em down yet.”
“They’re amazing,” I said. It was the first time I’d been in this complex, and I was bursting with all I knew about its history. Or rather the history of the people who built it, present company included.
“Julian’s mom designed the interiors of all the Phoenicians,” he continued. “But you knew that.”
“It was in the article Anna helped write for
The
Bugle
,” Julian said.
“You write for the paper?” Mr. Brennan asked me.
“I’m just an intern, but I hope to do more this year.”
“Well, you kids have fun,” he said, finally releasing us to greet a group of adults who’d just entered behind us.
“Thanks,” I said.
We left, and Julian watched behind us for a second.
“What?” My brows pulled together. “What’s wrong?”
“He sure was interested in my mom,” he said quietly, turning back. “You don’t think he could be the guy…”
I almost laughed. “Mr. Brennan? C’mon, Julian. He’s married.”
We continued walking through the Mexican-inspired resort. I couldn’t help but remember the trip it was modeled after.
“It would explain all the sneaking around.”
I stopped, shaking my head. “No. It is
not
Mr. Brennan.”
He turned to face me, frowning. “How would you know? He said he knew my mom way back. Maybe he’s my dad.”
“He knew her because they worked together,” I said. “Your imagination is running wild. Besides, you look nothing like Brad.”
He grabbed a drink off a passing tray. I quickly checked to be sure the server hadn’t noticed. “Mom says I look like her dad,” he said, taking a sip.
“No help there.” I couldn’t believe he didn’t see how much he looked like Mr. Kyser. But I guessed if he wasn’t looking for it…
“Julian! Glad you’re here. I might need protecting.” Brad walked up with Rachel right beside him. The boys clapped hands.
“I’m off that gig,” Julian laughed. “Do your own blocking. I can barely move.”
I stepped over to Rachel and pretended not to notice Brad and Julian lifting two more drinks off passing trays. I was driving us home, it appeared.
“I’ve never been so happy about a basketball game,” I giggled.
“No joke. The fans led the cheers tonight. It was great. Everybody was into it.”
“Julian thinks it was all a stunt.” I scanned the room for familiar faces.
“Brad said the same thing,” she said, picking a fruit kebab out of a passing drink. I laughed, thinking how confused the servers were probably getting.
Just then the rest of the guys arrived, and the music grew louder. Everyone started dancing and celebrating the win.
A few hours passed, and Julian had disappeared in the crowd. I wandered through the laughing bodies looking for him and finally caught sight of him sitting in a corner with Renee Barron. My jaw clenched as I watched her hold her long brown hair back and lean in to talk to him. She was practically sitting on his lap standing up, and I was majorly pissed.
“Hey, we got separated,” Julian said, as I approached them.
“I know,” I said, trying not to overreact. “I bumped into Blake and then Montage was talking to me. I think he’s been drinking a little.”
“I think everyone has,” he said, leaning into my hair.
“I see you found Renee.” I met her very green eyes smirking at me.
“Hi, Anna,” she said, and it irritated me that she was so pretty.
“Hi,” I said. “How’s college?”
“Oh, it’s not hard.” She slid her shiny brown hair back. “I’m just working on some prereqs before I apply to nursing school.”
“You’re moving to Birmingham?” I could only hope…
“What?” she laughed. “No. Probably the University of Sterling.”
“The Baptist college?” I intentionally sounded as surprised as possible. “Will they let you in?”
“Be nice,” Julian said in my ear.
“I was just teasing,” I said, pretending to laugh.
Her eyes narrowed. “I can take a joke. Do you hear from Jack much?”
“We broke up,” I said through a tight smile.
“That’s right,” she said, as if she’d forgotten. Liar.
I turned to my date, who she clearly wanted. “Julian, I’m tired. Can we go?”
“Sure.” He was still holding my waist. “I said this was your night.”
I slipped my arms around his neck, suddenly inspired. “I know you did. You’re always so sweet to me.” Then I kissed his nose, feeling Renee’s eyes burning a hole in my back.
“Let’s jet,” he said.
I stepped over and hugged Rachel. “’Night, guys. Have fun.”
“’Night,” Rachel said.
Renee took that opening to step over and run a finger down Julian’s arm. “Get well soon,” she said like some evil succubus.
“Yeah, thanks,” he said. “Bye, guys.”
I was furious. She had a lot of nerve flirting with Julian in front of me. And asking about Jack like that. She knew we broke up. I wanted to kick her bitchy butt. My one consolation was remembering how it went down at the hay maze last year. Julian had left her to be with me.
“What was that face about?” he asked as we made our way to the door. “You look like you’re about to knife somebody.”
I tried to play it off. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Mm-hm. I’ve seen you make that face before.” He slung an arm around my neck, pulling me in so he could kiss my head. “You’re not acting this way because of Renee. I don’t care about her.”
“Well, I hope not,” I tried to pull away and keep walking. “I thought we were dating.”
“Slow down.” He caught my arm and stopped me. “We are.”
I looked up at him, and he smiled. “You are too much,” he breathed, taking my face in his hands and kissing me.
His lips pushed mine apart, and my insides warmed as my mouth filled with the flavor of strawberry daiquiri. We hadn’t made it out of the club yet, and a few of our classmates started cat-calling.
“Idiots,” I laughed, pulling his arm. “Let’s go.”
Julian waved back to the guys, most of whom were still hooting and giving thumbs up signs. As we stumbled out to his car, he draped his arm across my shoulders again. “Thanks for kicking my butt out here tonight. I was in a mood, and this was fun.”
“It’s understandable.” I reached up to thread our fingers. “You’re injured and you can’t do what you want.”
“Let’s walk down to the water.”
I nodded, following him. It wasn’t too cold, and a bright moon glowed in the sky. The waves were all tipped in silver as we walked down and sat on the sand. It was beautiful and magical-feeling.
“I used to do this all the time,” I said with a sigh. “I don’t think I’ve been down here once since school started back.”
“We’ve had a lot going on. Come here, beautiful.” Julian reached across and pulled me into his arms. He rolled us over so he was partially above me and kissed me deeply, his tongue finding mine, causing my insides to ignite.
I moved my body closer to his, reaching up to hold his cheeks. We were lying on the sand, and his hand slid down to my neck, to my shoulder, and then lower. I reached for it and laced our fingers. He kissed my hand then untangled his, reaching back to my waist for the bottom of my sweater. His hand went under the fabric and up to my bra. My heart was racing as his fingers gently explored the sensitive skin beneath.
“Julian,” I breathed, turning my face, my cloudy eyes scanning the dark beach to be sure we were alone.
“What?” he whispered, moving lower to kiss my stomach.
A little noise came from my throat. His kisses were electric, and I slid my fingers into his dark hair. “Aren’t you hurt?”
His lips were burning a path higher, and he spoke against my skin. “I’ll stop if it gets uncomfortable. Or not, heck.”
He covered my mouth with his again, and my stomach tightened. My entire body was on fire. I could feel myself giving in as his leg pushed between my thighs, moving them apart. Maybe this wasn’t the ideal location or how I’d imagined our first time going, but I wasn’t about to stop him.