Evolve (Soulmates Book 4) Read online

  That would be a normal parent’s reaction, but I knew my mother probably didn’t care. She would probably just hope for juicy details. Of course I didn’t tell Mrs. Clark that. I stood up. “I’m so sorry.”

  Andy stood up too. “Mom we were working on our project for school. Nothing happened.”

  “We will talk about this later young man.” Andy shut his mouth and I gathered my stuff up and headed for the door. I turned back; Mrs. Clark had her back to me and was facing Andy. I mouthed “I’m sorry” to Andy and he just shook his head and grinned.

  I waved “bye” and he waved back and I left.

  I drove home and walked inside to a quiet house. I walked around looking for my mother, but there was no sign of her. She had no clue that I had been out all night.

  I put my bag down and went into my room. I couldn’t believe I had fallen asleep at Andy’s house.

  I sat down at my large desk that had a mirror and I mostly used to play with my hair and put make up on. I stared into the mirror. I knew it was wrong to work on the project in Andy’s room. I knew it was even more wrong to watch a movie in his room. When he sat next me on the floor I should have objected, but the truth was I loved having him so close to me.

  He smelled so good and I felt safe with him. It was wrong. Not only did he have a girlfriend and we were friends, but he was also a known cheater and womanizer. He was exactly the type of guy I needed to stay away from, but there was no denying I was attracted to him. He was so good looking, and sexy and charming. I glared at my reflection, “Oh you are being so stupid again.”

  That was the “old Jackie”. I couldn’t let myself have a stupid crush on Andy. At least I didn’t let it go too far. I had changed. The “Old Jackie” would have tried to kiss him or at least tried to get him to kiss me, but I didn’t. I kept my distance. At least when we were awake I had.

  I smiled thinking about waking up with my head on his firm chest this morning. Who knows what would have happened if his mom wouldn’t have come in.

  That was it, from then on no more going into his room. We had to keep things one hundred percent platonic.

  I hoped Andy wasn’t in too much trouble. I sent him a couple of texts over the weekend, but he didn’t return any of them.

  On Monday morning I walked over to his locker hoping I could catch him before class. There he stood, looking so good in a pair of jeans and a Great Bend High School Football tight fitting T-Shirt. He gave me his signature grin and as I approached. “Hey.”

  “Hey Jackie. Happy Monday.”

  “Thanks. Same to ya. How was the rest of your weekend? Are you in a lot of trouble?”

  He closed his locker and leaned against it. “Uh yeah. My mom was pissed.”

  “I’m so sorry. I tried to send ya a couples messages.”

  “Sorry, my mom took my phone. And she moved the computer out of my room. I’m grounded for two weeks.”

  “Wow. She really is pissed.”

  He laughed, “Yeah, but she’ll get over it. No big deal.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything.”

  “I fell asleep in your room.”

  “You what?”

  I heard a shrill voice behind me, “Oh and now I’ve got you into trouble with your girlfriend.”

  Kourtney pushed past me and stood next to Andy, “She slept in your room? Your room? In your bed?”

  Andy just casually rolled his eyes at her, “No, not in my bed. We were studying and we fell asleep. It’s not a big deal.” He put his hand on her shoulder.

  She removed his hand, “Not a big deal? It’s a huge fucking deal Andy! Are you kidding? You have this slut over and she stays the whole night?”

  Andy looked furious, “Don’t fucking call her a slut. Jackie didn’t do anything. Nothing happened.”

  Kourtney gestured toward me, “It’s no secret that’s she’s fucked half our class and probably the class above us and now she wants you. Can’t you see it?”

  I hated my reputation. I really did, but Kourtney had no right pointing fingers. There was only one thing that held me back from saying anything and that was she was right about the last part. A part of me did want Andy even though I would never act on it.

  Andy looked at me apologetically and I smiled weakly at him, “I’m sorry Andy. I’ll talk to you later I guess.”

  “Jackie you don’t have to go.”

  “No it’s okay, I gotta get to class. Bye.”

  He waved goodbye and went back to talking to Kourtney.

  Andy

  I watched Jackie walk away and then looked back at Kourtney, “Don’t call her a slut. You don’t know what the fuck you are talking about.”

  “Why did she sleep over?”

  “I told you. We fell asleep. Nothing happened. We are friends. That’s all.”

  “I don’t believe you Andy.”

  She was really irritating me. I know she probably had a right to be pissed that another girl slept over, but she should trust me by now. Then again, I did have a reputation myself and mine was accurate. I softened, “I’m sorry Kourt. Look I promise that nothing happened. I have never and will never cheat on you. Okay?”

  “Okay.” She paused, “I believe you. Can you hang out tonight?”

  “I can’t. I’m grounded, but when I get ungrounded we will do something special okay?”

  She smiled and gave me a long, hot kiss. A kiss that should have turned me the fuck on, but it didn’t do a damn thing for me. All I could see was Jackie and her long blond, messy hair looking up at me after sleeping together all night.

  That’s just perfect.

  That week was even more boring at school than usual. Jackie pretty much avoided me after the confrontation with Kourtney and I had no cell phone or computer. I had to go straight home after school and practice and I was bored out of my mind.

  That Thursday after school I walked into my house and saw mom sitting on the couch relaxing before she had to get ready for work. “Hey mom.”

  She looked up from the TV, “Hi, Andy. How was school?”

  I sat down next to her, “Boring.”

  She laughed, “Well it’s not supposed to be boring. It’s supposed to enrich your young mind.”

  “Still mad at me?”

  “Yes.” She smiled and patted my leg, “Not as mad as I should be, but I am incredibly disappointed in your choices Andy.”

  Ouch. Nothing stings more than that. “I’m sorry, but I swear nothing happened.”

  “I believe you, but the rules are there for a reason. I don’t want Jackie getting a reputation, she’s a good girl. And she’s an attractive young woman. I don’t want things going too far.”

  I smiled. If she only knew about Jackie’s reputation and mine she would be really disappointed then, “Mom? Can I ask you for a favor?”

  Chapter 6

  Jackie

  Well my birthday was pretty uneventful, just like always. Several people wished me a happy birthday at school, but that was the extent of it. Just like every year. And just like every year my mom didn’t mention a thing.

  I went home after practice and changed into a pair of comfortable sweatpants, a ratty old t-shirt that I had owned for years, put my hair up in a ponytail, and sat on the couch flipping channels until my mom came home. She walked in and examined me on the couch.

  “Oh Jackie, I swear you could try a little.”

  I sat up straight on the couch; she hated it when I wore grubby clothes, even if I was just lounging at home. “I didn’t wear this to school or anything; I’m just tired and wanted to relax.”

  She sat next to me on the firm, uncomfortable couch. “Sweetheart you should always be prepared. You aren’t going to get a boyfriend looking like this.”

  “Thanks mom but maybe I don’t want a boyfriend right now.”

  She looked horrified at the thought, my mother made me sick sometimes. “Jackie, you are being difficult. I am going to go and order Chinese
for dinner.”

  She went into the other room and twenty minutes later there was a firm knock on the door, “I’ll get it mom.”

  She hollered back. “Okay I paid over the phone, but there is cash by the door for a tip.”

  I walked over to the door and was shocked to see Andy standing at my door. “Andy?”

  He looked amazing, dressed in nice slacks and a button up shirt. He looked freshly showered and cleanly shaved. “Hey. You busy?”

  I looked down at my god-awful attire. Great. So maybe my mom had a point. “Um no. What are you doing here?”

  “I was wondering if you could come out with me for a little bit.”

  “I uh…” My mom walked in and interrupted.

  “Jackie, what is taking so…” She noticed Andy and her tone turned annoying flirty, “Well who is this?”

  “Mom you know Andy.”

  She looked him up and down way too slowly to be appropriate, “Well wow, I haven’t seen you for years! You have really grown up.”

  Andy grinned. “Yeah it’s been a long time.”

  “So what brings you here tonight, Andy?” My mom was practically purring and I wanted to puke.

  Andy turned to me, “Well I was hoping Jackie would want to hang out with me for a little while.”

  “I’m a mess, Andy. I wasn’t planning on going anywhere tonight.”

  My mom piped up, “I tell her to always be prepared. You never know when a handsome young man is going to knock on your door.”

  Andy examined me, “I think you look great. Perfect for where I want to go.”

  We both looked at him like he was insane and he looked at me, “Or I can wait in the living room with your mom while you change.” He winked at me knowing there was no way I would leave him alone with my mom.

  “No. Is anyone else going to be there?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Just you and me.”

  My mom looked at me, giddy, “Jackie. There is no way I’m letting you turn him down, but you really should change.”

  Andy looked annoyed with my mother, “You look gorgeous as always Jackie. Really it’s a pretty private place.”

  I smiled and blushed a little at him calling me gorgeous. I wondered if he really felt that way or if he was just being sweet, “Wait aren’t you grounded?”

  “My mom made an exception.”

  “Let me get my jacket and shoes.” I grabbed them, stopping and staring into the mirror close to the door, sighed at my disheveled appearance, and headed outside.

  I turned to my mom, “I’ll be back later.”

  She smiled at me like she was finally proud. “Oh I won’t wait up. Have fun.”

  I groaned on my way out to Andy’s car. Why couldn’t she just be a normal mom and tell me to be back by eleven or ten even. It was a school night.

  Andy opened the passenger for me and I got in and fastened my seatbelt.

  He got in and started driving without saying a word.

  After a few minutes I couldn’t take the silence. “I’m sorry about my mom. I told you she was awful.”

  He just laughed, “She’s not so bad, but I definitely think I could be your next stepdad.”

  “Gross.” I couldn’t help, but to laugh though. “So where are we going? And what is this about?”

  He just smiled and kept driving. “It’s a surprise.”

  “What kind of surprise?”

  “Jackie, just hang on okay? It’s nothing big. Just a small surprise for your birthday.”

  I tried to relax, but I was excited. Andy had planned something for my birthday? I wondered the entire time he was driving. After he headed south of town I realized he was heading out toward the lake.

  We pulled up to Jake’s mom’s lake house and Andy turned the car off. I looked over at him, “Please tell me there isn’t a surprise party in there.”

  He opened his door and came over to my door and opened it, “No, it’s just us. Come on.”

  I got out cautiously and he got a large picnic basket out of the backseat and closed that door. I started heading up to the front door of the lake house and Andy stayed put, “Where are you going?”

  I turned around, “The door?”

  He shook his head, “Follow me.”

  I shrugged and followed him as he walked down to the large dock and stopped. He spread out a large quilt and sat down. I followed his lead and sat down also. It was already fairly dark, but the sun hadn’t completely set yet and the sky over the lake was beautiful. “Wow. It’s so pretty out here.”

  He smiled and started unpacking the picnic basket and had a large lantern with a light bulb in it that he turned on. I examined the contents of the picnic basket. There were two plates and forks and several containers.

  He started silently preparing plates for both of us and when he was done both plates were full of lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. I looked down and then back up at him with a smile spreading across my face, “Did you make all of this?”

  He handed me a fork, “Well, I had some help from my mom.”

  “So she really does know you are here?”

  “Yeah, I have to clean out the garage this weekend and be back by eleven, but it’s worth it.”

  I smiled. No one had ever done anything like this for me before. Who knew Andy could be so sweet? “You did all of this for me? Why?”

  “Because you are my friend, you are eighteen today and you should celebrate.”

  I took a bite of the lasagna, “Wow. That is so good! Where did your mom learn how to cook?”

  He started eating, “I think my grandma taught her.”

  I had to ask, “Does Kourtney know you are here?”

  He stiffened at the mention of her name, “No.”

  “Andy? Can I ask you something?”

  He didn’t even hesitate. “Yep.” He took a bite of garlic bread, waiting for my question.

  “I know I have asked you before, but why are you dating her?”

  Andy

  Well that was a damn good question. Something I had asked myself several times. “Honestly Jackie, I guess because it’s easy.”

  She nodded, “I figured it was a sex thing.”

  I shook my head, “No. I mean yeah, that’s easy, but everything is easy. There are no real feelings so no one is going to get hurt. If I blow her off she pouts and gets pissed, but then it’s over. My relationship with Maddy was so fucking complicated and everyone thought I was such a jackass that I just started really playing the part.”

  “You were kind of a jackass.”

  “Thanks.” I cracked a smile. “I know I was, but I felt terrible for what I did. I hated it and there was no excuse. And then I started dating Kourtney and it was just easy.”

  Jackie wiped her cute, small mouth, and nodded like she understood, but I didn’t think she actually did, “No offense, but that doesn’t sound like a real relationship.”

  “It isn’t really. I mean we fool around with each other and we label it as a relationship, but there aren’t any real feelings.”

  “You may not have feelings for her Andy, but she definitely has feelings for you.”

  “Nah, she’s just possessive. She doesn’t love me; she just likes people thinking we love each other. It’s all a big show.”

  “That’s kind of messed up.” She paused, thoughtfully. “I still think you are wrong though. I mean she was really angry when I slept over.”

  I cringed at the way Kourtney had treated Jackie, “She was just being possessive. She never should have said those things to you Jackie.”

  She finished the food on her plate and shrugged, “It’s no big deal.”

  I knew it bothered her and hated that she just shrugged it off, just like her mom never celebrating her birthday. “Jackie, it’s okay to be upset about something you know? You aren’t a robot and I wouldn’t want you to be.”

  “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before Andy. My reputation is almost as bad as Michelle’s”

  She was trying
to laugh it off by making a joke, but I couldn’t let it go. I moved a little closer. “You aren’t a slut and she never should have called you that. You’ve been with one guy and even if you had been with the entire fucking class she still wouldn’t have the right to call you a slut.”

  She smiled and said quietly, “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, but it’s true.” I reached into the picnic basket and grabbed the last part of the surprise, “You save any room?”

  She nodded, “Maybe a little.”

  “Good.” I pulled out a container with two chocolate cupcakes and opened it up. I handed her one that my mom had decorated with pink sprinkles. She just stared at it. “Wait.”

  I reached in my pocket and pulled out one candle and a lighter. I stuck the candle in her cupcake and lit it. “Okay. I’m not gonna sing, but make a wish.”

  She still just stared, “Andy. You made these?”

  “With the help of my mom, yeah. You have to have cake on your birthday.”

  She put the cupcake down and stood up quickly. Without saying anything she walked toward the car. I blew out the candle and followed behind her. I caught up to her at the start of the dock. “Jackie wait!” I gently grabbed her shoulder turning her toward me.

  My heart sank when I saw tears in her eyes, “Jackie, what’s wrong?”

  She made a large gesture with her arms, “This. All of this.”

  I stood there confused. “Okay. I’m sorry. I know you said that you don’t celebrate birthdays, but I just.” I ran my fingers through my hair, frustrated. “I don’t know. I thought it was because your mom didn’t, not because you didn’t want to. I’m sorry, I’ll take you home.”

  She wiped a tear from her cheek, “No. I’m sorry. This is the absolute sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. And you didn’t do it because you wanted something from me. You did it because you care.”

  I moved closer to her, which I knew was dangerous. “Jackie, of course I care. You matter. I hate the damage your mom has done to you. You have to know how amazing you are and stop thinking that you aren’t worth the effort.”

  Another tear fell and without thinking I reached up and wiped it from her face. Her hand covered mine and held it there. I looked into her eyes, her beautiful sad eyes. I was instantly aware of how hard my heart was beating and she just locked eyes with me. We were standing incredibly close and I wanted nothing more than to feel my lips on hers, to know exactly what it would feel like to kiss her.