Chapter Three

The rain beat against the roof, its fat, heavy drops created a steady rhythm. We were younger—maybe twelve or so. Her face had the tracks of fresh tears. My fingers clenched as I imagined hurting whoever had caused them. The room itself was a blurry dim background except for the two girls next to me. I didn’t say a word. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. There was some song playing on the radio. It sounded familiar.

“He left because I’m stupid.”

“He did not,” Anna responded. “Don’t claim this guilt, sweetie. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Yes, it does. He even said so!” she spat. Her tears came harder as her voice choked back the sobs. The pain inside of her became a tangible force. “He’s told me before that he can’t handle me. I’m too much work.”

She sucked in a deep breath, one that sounded too deep and long for such a tiny body.

“Listen to me. He left because he’s an asshole. You deserve better.”

She looked at me, her blue eyes wide and bloodshot. Her hair was a mess of twisted braids. I tugged on one and offered her a smile.

I went to stand. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes.

“It’s okay,” I said, an octave above whisper. “I’m going to get y’all drinks.”

The girl let go of my hand but stared at me as I went to the kitchen. Maybe she thought I’d leave, too? I made her some strawberry-flavored milk. Her favorite. I even added an extra scoop. She smiled when I handed the mug to her, taking it with both hands. We listened to the falling rain with that damn evasive song.

I was in front of a bright red door with black paint drips, slightly ajar, revealing a dark smoky room, the scent of grapefruit gagging me. I hated that door. Not because it was frightening. Nope, it just annoyed the fuck out of me, always interrupting my time with her like an unwelcomed commercial break. I never stepped inside. There was something ominous behind that door. If I went inside, this might be over forever or maybe I’d wake up. Truthfully, I never wanted to wake up.

So, I just stood while “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones, one of the few songs I recognized, played during the irritating intermission. I willed my mind to take me back…back to her. It wouldn’t until the very last eerie chord. It was enough to make a man hate Mick Jagger.

We were older now. I sat on the boulder, watching her. She walked along the shoreline, kicking at the waves, in an apple green bikini top and biker shorts slung down low enough to show off the peace sign belly button ring she wore. I wanted to give peace a chance.

She looked up, met my gaze, and raised me a flirty smile. “Quit fucking me with your eyes, Flynn.”

“I’d rather use another body part.” I patted the rock. “Come here.”

She crawled up the rock and lay with her back against me. The boulder just large and flat enough to support both of us comfortably. We watched the foamy waves pass by us. Three surfboards lay scattered around the sand. I nuzzled her neck, and she sank back against me. Her warm soft skin felt good.

“Are you excited?” she asked.

I kissed the dimple on her cheek. “Yes and no.”

“Why, no?”

“I’m not stoked about hanging out at some dance club. You know it’s not my thing. But I am very much looking forward to watching you dance.”

She turned toward me and arched her brow. “You’re not going to dance with me?”

“You know I don’t dance.” I tilted her chin, so I could stare at those calming blue eyes. “But there’s no way I’m letting you out there by yourself. I’ll stand next to you the whole time.”

“You have to dance. It’s my birthday, and that’s my wish.”

I sighed. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you for taking me.”

“I promised once I got my license, I’d take you anywhere you wanted to go for your birthday. “

A ringing phone cut through the melody of crashing waves. She jumped off the rock and rifled through the shorts laying on one of the surfboards. She handed me a phone. “It’s Anna.”

I slid the bar and answered.

“Hey there,” I said.

“When will you be home?” Anna asked without even saying hello.

“In a bit, but I’m going out tonight. We’re hitting the club.”

There was a heavy pause before she responded. “Okay,” she said, telling me everything was definitely not okay.

“What’s wrong?”

“Put her on speaker,” the girl said, climbing back on the rock, a frown on her beautiful mouth.

I complied.

“Hi, Anna,” she greeted.

“Hi. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you need something?” I asked Anna.

“Can you open the patio door for me before you leave?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Why?”

“I might be able to hear the concert in the park from here.”

Guilt flooded me, pouring through every vein. “Sorry, Anna Banana, I totally forgot that was today.”

My strawberry blonde beauty moved away from me. She looked down at the phone and back at me. “What concert?”

I answered before Anna could make an excuse for me. “They’re playing Swan Lake at the park. I was supposed to take her. I’m an idiot and forgot it was today.”

Anna’s voice came through the phone. “It’s okay. I’ll still hear the music from here. I don’t have to be there.”

Before I could respond, the girl did. “Let’s go to the concert instead. All of us.”

“No,” Anna said, but I could hear the distant hope in her voice. “You guys hate that kind of music. Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s growing on me,” the girl said, although I could tell she lied. Her smile was a bit crooked whenever she lied.

“You have plans, and today is your birthday. Your day.”

“I just wanted to dance with your brother.” She jabbed her thumb back in my direction. I put my arms around her and rested my head on her shoulder. “We can dance under the stars in the park. That actually sounds more romantic.”

“Hang on, Anna.”

I put the phone on mute; spots of sand stuck to the screen. Tilting her head up so we were eye level, I asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m positive.”

“I wanted to make you happy today.”

“You make me happy every day.”

“It’s your birthday—”

“Exactly why you should do what I want.”

“What about the guys? They’ll never go for this.”

She shrugged. “They can come or not. It doesn’t matter to me. But we are going no matter what.”

I kissed her forehead before unmuting the phone. “See you in fifteen, Anna.”

She kissed me as soon as I hung up.

I smacked my lips, enjoying the tart taste. “Is that cherry gloss?”

She shot me a victorious smile. I’d lost our little game again. “Raspberry.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Really? Let me verify that.” I went in for another taste.