Derailed (Clayton Falls #1)(12)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“This is what you call staying away?”

“If you recall, I never agreed to that plan.”

“Are you here to eat?”

“No… I grabbed lunch earlier but I thought I’d just say hello.”

“Well, hello.”

“Any plans for a night swim again?” He leaned against the counter, getting too close for my comfort.

I took a step back. “I think I got that out of my system last night.” We were really getting good at having conversations with hidden meanings.

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”

“What part of staying away don’t you get?”

“All of it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. See you later,” I waved before turning my attention to cleaning the counters.

“Oh, I’m not leaving.” He walked over to a table across from the counter and put a book down in front of him.

“I thought you weren’t eating?”

“I’m not, but I have some time to kill. I remember this being a pretty good place to hang out.” Ben used to spend half my shifts just sitting there while I worked. He said he liked to be near me, but I’m pretty sure he was making sure other guys didn’t hit on me.

“You can’t just sit here if you aren’t ordering anything.”

“Who says he can’t? It’s not like I care.” Gail suddenly joined our conversation, placing a Coke down in front of Ben.

“Don’t mind me. I’ll just read and maybe enjoy the view.”

I did my best to ignore him, but I couldn’t help glancing over every once and a while. Each time, he smiled, letting me know that he’d caught me.

Before I knew it, he was back at the counter. “Well, time to go back to work. Nice staying away from you today. See you around.” He grinned before disappearing through the door.

***

I decided to do some unpacking before going over to Kelly’s for dinner. I had brought most of my clothes with me and a lot of shoes, so it was no easy task. It felt funny to stock the shelves of my old closet again.

While hanging up some skirts, I noticed an old shoe box on the top shelf. I pulled over my desk chair and climbed up so I could reach it.

I knew exactly what was in the box. With a mix of excitement and dread, I settled onto the plush, tan carpet. Opening the lid caused an avalanche of photographs, letters, movie stubs, and little trinkets to fall into my lap. Looking at the lid of the box again, I ran my hands over the fancy script spelling out Ben’s name. I smiled thinking about how girly I used to be.

I picked up one of the folded letters, my name written in Ben’s barely legible handwriting. The letter was short, just like all the ones he used to slip in my backpack and locker back then, but they always did the trick.

I can’t wait to see you tonight, and you’re killing me with the surprise thing. I love you, my little spitfire.

Spitfire—I tried to remember when he’d started calling me that. Well, he never just called me spitfire, it was always preceded with “my.” Ben was a little possessive like that. Like how he hung around Marney’s so much. In the beginning, I’d pretended that it bothered me, but it never did. I liked how important it made me feel. I never felt safer then when I was tucked in his arms.

I pulled out a ticket stub from our high school production of the Wizard of Oz. Kelly was Dorothy, her first starring role. I’d designed and painted most of the sets, spending almost every afternoon working on them for over a month. I frowned at the worn paper. Ben stood me up that night. He’d been out getting high with his friends and forgot. I ended up watching the play with Jake of all people. I think the only thing Jake and I ever agreed on was that Ben needed to lay off the drugs.

For some reason, Jake and I never got along. He was only one year below us in school, and he was actually the same age as me. I was young for my grade. The animosity between us only got worse when Ben asked me out sophomore year. I think Jake was worried I’d take up all of Ben’s time—and he was partially right. We spent a lot of time together, but he also spent time with his band and his other friends.

Lost in the nostalgia, I hadn’t realized how late it was getting. I had about fifteen minutes to get over to Kelly’s. Changing into a strapless sundress that had caught my eye during the unpacking process, I grabbed my keys and phone before heading out the door. I skipped past my car, opting to walk the few blocks, even if it meant being a little late. I hardly ever drove in the city and had grown used to walking most places.

“Hey, you made it.” Kelly smiled as she opened the door.

“Listen, I’m sorry about last night.”

“It’s okay. Besides, we’ll be even after tonight.”

“Excuse me?”

“Gavin’s out back with Tom.” She looked away, trying to stifle a laugh.

“What? So this is some kind of set up?”

“It’s all Tom’s idea. I already told you he’s convinced the two of you are perfect for each other, and the impression you made on Gavin doesn’t help.”

“Impression?”

“I told you he can’t stop talking about you.”

I sighed. “Poor guy. That’s what happens when new girls only show up in town every five years.”

She laughed. “He was going to call and ask you out, but Tom convinced him to wait and come here instead.”

“Because Tom knew what my answer would be?”

“Exactly.”

I rolled my eyes. “Remind me again why you want to marry him?”

“Very funny. He means well.” She pursed her lips.

I laughed. “Fine, but I’ll be careful not to worry you again so he can’t guilt me into things.”

“See, you learned an important lesson.”

I laughed again lightly and finally took the time to look around.

“I love your place. You’ve really made it your own.” She’d sprinkled the otherwise traditional kitchen with green accents anywhere she could, from the seat cushions to her Kitchen Aid mixer.

Kelly beamed. “Thanks! I’ll have to give you the grand tour later, but I think the kitchen is my favorite room anyway.”

I followed her out to the deck where Tom and Gavin stood at the grill, each holding a beer.

Gavin’s face lit up when he saw me. “Hey, Molly, it’s great to see you again.”

“Hi, Gavin.”

“So, how have you been?”