Breathless (8 page)

She wanted to stay.

Lainey held Jon’s hand as they walked up the stairs. Peter and Mom were sitting on the porch swing, cuddled together. They broke apart as Lainey and Jon walked towards them. Lainey’s mom quickly got to her feet.

“Are you two okay? I wanted to go pick you up so you didn’t get soaked in the rain, but Peter said it was all right. You’re both drenched.”

“We’re okay.” Lainey smiled.

“Are you sure? You look awful! I was worried.”

Lainey laughed, letting the sound fill her lungs and heart. “I’m okay. It’s just a little rain. I won’t melt. I had a good day. Jon kept me company and he showed me how to remember Becca in the right way.”

Her mom wrapped her arms tight around her. Lainey laughed and kissed her mom on the cheek.

“I love you too. I’m gonna go change into some dry clothes. Any chance you could make some of your famous homemade hot chocolate to warm us up?”

“Of course. I’ll be inside in a few minutes.”

Lainey took a quick glance at Jon before slipping into the house and walking into the kitchen. She could see Rachel in the living room, curled up in a chair with a book, sound asleep. She crept into the room, and slowly pulled the book from Rachel’s hands. She stuck the worn Zac Efron bookmark between the pages. There was a blanket on the arm of the couch; Lainey grabbed it and gently laid it over her sister. She went back into the kitchen, but remembered she wanted to ask her mom about having some brownies with the hot chocolate. The door was still open a crack. Her hand froze near the doorknob as she heard her mom speaking. She was crying.

“It’s like night and day. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but Lainey is opening up again. She’s smiling and laughing. I haven’t heard her laugh like that in so long.”

“Having you here is changing her.” Peter’s voice was soft. “You’re saving our daughter. I don’t know anything about your past or where you come from, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“Thank you. Both of you. Thanks for opening your home to me and trusting me to be friends with Lainey. You have a wonderful daughter.” Jon’s voice caused goose bumps to rise on her damp arms. “I wish I could stay forever, but I can only stay if Lainey needs me.”

Not wanting to hear anymore, Lainey quickly skirted across the kitchen floor without stepping on the creaky spots and hurried up the stairs. She paused on the landing, leaning against the wall.
What did he mean he can only stay if I need him?

*~*~*

The next morning, Rachel and Jon were playing Monopoly at the kitchen table when Lainey came downstairs. She skipped over to the table and sat down. Jon gave her a wide grin.

“Who’s winning?” Lainey asked.

“Surprisingly, Jon has never played and he’s beating me.” Rachel rested her face on her hands.

“He has better money management skills?”

Rachel groaned as they both laughed at her. She did have a tendency to spend all of her money right away and have to mortgage her property until she went broke and lost. Lainey grabbed a s’more flavored pop tart and watched them play. She tried to help Rachel, but it wasn’t working.

“How did yesterday go?” Rachel kept her eyes down as she spoke, mortgaging one of her railroads.

“It was alright. Yeah, part of it was awful, but Jon helped me remember the good times with Becca and showed me how to make new memories.”

Lainey swore his cheeks turned a little red at her words.

Rachel didn’t notice his blush. “I’m glad. I was scared you’d be so unhappy, but… you seem a little better.”

How much she loved her baby sister. Lainey smiled at her. “I’m getting there. Don’t worry, Rachel.”

Jon landed on Boardwalk, eliciting a groan from Rachel, which drew them back into the game.

“What are you two gonna do tonight?” Rachel asked, forking over a few bills to Jon.

“I don’t think we have any plans. Why do you ask?” Jon scooped up the fake money.

“Well, there’s a fair in town. It’s the annual apple pie celebration and they always have a fair, with rides and funnel cake and those cheesy games that cost way too much.”

Jon glanced over at Lainey before shrugging. “I don’t think we have any plans.”

“Good! Do you want to take me? Dad says I’m too young to go alone and he left money in case you guys wanted to take me. He’s taking Mom there on a date and said I couldn’t tag along. Kate isn’t going either so –”

“Okay, we’ll take you,” Lainey interrupted. “You don’t have to beg. I like going to the fair.”

Jon rolled the dice, getting two sixes. “I’ve never been to a fair before.”

“Then you definitely have to go!” Rachel exclaimed, bumping the table and sending the pieces scattering. “Oops! I guess this means Jon wins.”

Lainey put her hands on her hips. “I guess it does.”

“No, we can say you won. You did destroy the city and effectively end the game.” Jon laughed, causing Lainey’s heart to skip a beat. “It’s always nice to win, even if you don’t always deserve it.”

*~*~*

“What on earth is that?” Jon’s voice was light and teasing as he placed his hands on his hips.

Lainey jumped, dropping the end of the rope. “Jon! You scared the crap out of me.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He took a few steps closer. “What are you doing?”

“I’m just putting up the hammock. Peter promised to hang it weeks ago, but I think he forgot.”

“You’ve got a smudge of dirt on your cheek.” Jon lifted a hand. His fingertips brushed her cheek, causing Lainey to close her eyes. She wanted to hold his hand there forever. The moment passed as his hand dropped and she snapped to attention, picking up the end of the hammock.

“Can I ask what a hammock is?” Jon said, sheepishly sticking his hands in his jeans pockets.

“You’ve never been in one?”

He shook his head. “They didn’t exactly have them where I come from.”

“Did you come from the North Pole?”

The joke was lost on him. Lainey sighed, and motioned for him to pick up the other end of the hammock tension cord. He held it loosely and shrugged. She smiled. Her hands worked deftly as she instructed him how to tie the cord so it wouldn’t slip. Jon’s hands lingered on top of hers.

“You’ve done this before, I think.” Jon’s thumb rubbed hers ever so gently.

“Yeah, once or twice. But I’m not perfect. It takes a lot of practice to tie the knots and not have them slip. You don’t want to fall out.”

He squeezed Lainey’s hands before letting go. She watched as he went around the tree and tied the other tension cord. She came over and tightened it for him.

“Climb in.” She laughed at the shocked look on his face. “Trust me, it’s safe.”

“You sure?”

Lainey didn’t answer, but held the wooden bar to stabilize it for him. Jon turned and sat down backwards, lifting his legs. He burst out laughing as it moved beneath him and he almost fell out. She motioned for him to move over a little. Jon scooted over, giving Lainey a little space to sit next to him. She pushed off with her toes. Jon grabbed her hand as it moved and he laughed again.

“You okay?” she asked, smoothing her hair from her face.

“I’ll let you know.”

Lainey looked down at their hands clasped together, letting a smile grace her cheeks. The movement felt so relaxing and the sunlight was warm on her skin. She leaned back and lay with her legs hanging over the side. Jon copied her. The clouds moved slowly above them in the pale blue sky.

“Are you running from something?” The words left her mouth before Lainey could stop them.

Jon was quiet. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m sorry.” She turned her head to face him, watching as the wind moved his hair and obscured part of his eyes. “I’m just – I mean… why else wouldn’t you go home? You must be running from something? I’m sorry I asked.” She tried to sit up, but Jon put a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s okay. I’m not mad you asked.” Jon stared up at the clouds. “I guess you’re right in some ways, but at the same time you’re wrong. I’m running, but I don’t know from what. I don’t really have a place to call home anymore. I’m running from my past and running to my future.” He ran a hand through his hair. “That probably doesn’t even make sense.”

Lainey smiled. “It does make sense. I fully understand.”

She resituated herself on the hammock so she was laying the long way and patted the space beside her. Jon lifted his long legs and moved. Lainey put her legs on top of Jon’s taking his hands in hers. He moved close enough to press his forehead to hers. She smiled, but it fell. Jon’s eyes closed as he relaxed into her arms.

“I heard you talking to my mom and Peter last night.”

“Hmm.” Jon didn’t seem upset as he continued to breathe softly.

“What did you mean you can only stay as long as I want you?”

His eyes opened and shimmered in the sunlight. “I meant I can only stay if you want me to. I don’t want to impose.”

Shaking her head, Lainey nuzzled her nose against his. “I don’t think you’re being honest with me. It was the way you said it… like you can’t stay but you don’t want to say goodbye.”

“Saying goodbye is never easy.”

Jon rolled closer to Lainey. His weight tipped the hammock and they were both tossed to the ground. Lainey let out a soft squeal as she landed on Jon, who landed flat on his back. Her lips hovered above his and her hair hung down, tickling his cheek.

Soft laughter escaped her. Lainey brushed her hair from Jon’s face. “Are you okay?”

“I haven’t been okay for a long time, but I’m getting there. You make me feel whole again and full of life, Lainey.” He lifted his hand and wrapped it around hers. Jon put his other hand behind her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. Lainey let the warmth fill her as she relaxed into him.

Jon laughed, ending the kiss. “But to answer your question, I think I have a tree root in my back, but I’m okay.”

“Sorry!” She rolled off Jon and onto her back. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, I think you saved me.”

Lainey’s brow winkled. “I saved you?”

“You saved me from myself.”

“Eww, get a room!” Rachel’s voice carried down from the open upstairs window.

“We should get inside and get ready for the fair. I would hate to miss my first fair, especially since it will be time spent with you.”

The sappy words melted on Lainey’s skin. Jon stood up first and put out a hand to gently pull her up. She kept his hand in hers as they walked into the house. Rachel bounced down the stairs to meet them.

“Lainey, can you help me with my hair? I can’t get my braid right. Pretty please?” Rachel leaned over the edge of the banister. “I’ll love you forever?”

Lainey rolled her eyes. “I’ll be right up.”

The sound of Jon’s laughter mixed with Rachel’s loud steps as she ran back upstairs. Jon excused himself to get a drink and let her get ready for the fair. Lainey skipped up the stairs and peeked into her sister’s room. It was empty. Soft humming came from across the hall. She opened her own bedroom door and saw her little sister sitting at her desk, brushing her hair.

“I like your mirror better,” was all her sister said.

Lainey put out a hand and took the brush from Rachel. She ran it through her sister’s hair, being careful not to pull or hurt her. Once finished, she created one braid over Rachel’s shoulder, adding a ribbon at the bottom.

“You’re really happy with Jon, I can tell.”

Lainey smirked. “Of course, you can tell.”

Rachel picked up a rubber band from the desk and stretched it between her fingers. Her eyes stayed on her hands as she spoke. “Maybe I won’t have to worry about you so much if Jon is watching out for you.”

Lainey’s heart skipped a beat. She knelt down and rested her head on her sister’s shoulder, smiling at their reflection in the mirror. “You shouldn’t have to worry about me. It’s not your job. I’m supposed to worry about you.”

The younger girl shrugged. “I know.”

“I’ll try not to be such a risk-taker anymore. Then you can spend your precious time planning your wedding with Ron Weasley.”

“Hey! It’s my wedding with Neville Longbottom. Didn’t you read the last book? He’s so much hotter now and Ron is taken.”

Lainey stood up and stared at Becca’s picture tucked in the corner of the glass. “Sorry, I forgot. Things change so quickly around here.”

*~*~*

Lainey adjusted her peach shorts and cream lace top, looking in the full length mirror. Even if it was only because Jon was going with her, she wanted to look pretty. Her hands deftly pulled her hair into a ponytail. She slipped the white flower clip above it. It was one of her favorites. It actually changed color in the sun and became a beautiful blue color. Lainey gave herself one more glance before grabbing her purse and heading downstairs. Jon was waiting at the bottom, dressed in a pale blue button down with khaki shorts. The sight of him made her breath catch in her throat.

“You look lovely.” Jon took her hand and guided her down the last step.

“Thank you. You look nice yourself.”

He laughed, pulling her closer to him. “I better. I spent two hours on this look.”