CONVICTION (INTERFERENCE) (3 page)

The next day I found myself day-dreaming and my eyes kept wandering across the street to the tire store, hoping to get a glimpse of him. I laughed at myself when I realized I still didn’t know his name.

“So, who is this boy?” my mother asked, shocked that I had invited an outsider to a family gathering.

“Mom, I’m not ever going to marry Parker!” I said, avoiding the question.

“You’ve said that before, Dear. Now, who’s this boy?”

“He’s a really nice guy I met Friday when I was dress shopping.”

“What’s his name?”

I had rehearsed this part, and I hoped I could say it with a straight face, and not end up having to tell her I had no idea what his name was. “Does it matter? Mom, he’s a really nice guy. You’re going to meet him before we actually go out. Okay?”

I think she could tell that I was really interested in this guy, so she finally relented, “Okay, he can come. But, we’re all going out to dinner after the play and I’d like you…both, to come with us.”

“I don’t know if…” I saw the look on her face. “Okay, fine. But, can we wait to tell Daddy until right before the play? I don’t want to have to argue with him about me bringing a date other than Parker.”

“Okay.  So, what’s this young man’s name?
How old is he? Where does he go to school?”

“Can’t you just meet him without knowing all of that?”

“I just want to know his name and…” and lucky for me, the phone rang. I raced off to answer it, getting out of telling her all about the boy I knew little about…but couldn’t wait to see…

It was finally Wednesday, and once again I raced out of my last period and practically ran to my car. Luckily, Jillian was leaving for two weeks with her family. They went to Aspen every year at this time.  Usually I missed her terribly, but this time, I was actually relieved. I knew she wouldn’t be nice to this guy, and I didn’t want to have to explain my feeling for him to her…whatever they were.

I changed my clothes a dozen times, not sure what to wear. For the first time in my life, I wanted to look good for the guy I was going out with. I knew it was because I was finally going out with someone other than Parker, someone I really wanted to date. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle introductions, but I decided I didn’t care. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself.

“Rebecca Marie, let’s go!” my father shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

“Coming!”

I bounded down the stairs two at a time with what must have been a very happy look on my face.

“Well, it’s nice to know you’ve taken such an interest in your sister’s play,” my father said when he noticed my new dress.

“What?  Oh, yeah.”

My mother glanced at me and said, “Um, Bradley, your daughter has something she’d like to tell you about tonight.”

I froze. I thought my mom would tell him and smooth things over, but she was leaving it to me.

“Well?” he asked, looking at me.

I took a deep breath and said, “Um, Daddy, I’m bringing a date to the play. Well, actually, he’s meeting us there.” I said it. I forced myself to breathe again, waiting for his reply.

“How did you know?” my dad said.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“How did you know Parker was meeting us there tonight? It was supposed to be a surprise.”

I looked at my mom and started to panic. 

“Oh, Bradley, tell me you didn’t invite Parker?”

“Why? I invited Chris, Mary and Parker, but Chris and Mary already had other plans.”

“Well, I hope Parker’s bringing a date, because he’s not the date I was talking about!” I snapped at my father.

“What are
you
talking about?”

“I invited another…boy. I’m not dating Parker, Daddy. It’s time you realized that!  I don’t like Parker.”

“You don’t know what you like!”

“Yes I do! I like…” I stopped because I still didn’t know his name.

“You like?”

“He’s meeting us there. You invited Parker, so you can
un-invite him.”

“I don’t think I like your tone, young lady.”

“I don’t like you setting me up with a guy who gives me the creeps! For the last time, I don’t like Parker, not like that!”

“Come on, let’s go!” my sister said, throwing open the front door. She’d been waiting outside, practicing her lines.

“Who is this boy you’ve invited?” my father asked, ignoring my sister.             

“You’re bringing a boy…someone other than Parker?”
my sister grinned, suddenly more interested in my date than being early to her play.

“Yes. And, he’s very nice.” I looked up at my dad and knew I was going about it all wrong. “Daddy, I really like this guy. He’s really nice. Just give him a chance, for me, please?”

He sighed, “How am I supposed to explain your…date, when I invited Parker to play that role?”

“Parker knows I’m not interested in him. Well, I’ve told him numerous times, anyway. Can you call and tell him not come
, please?”

“It’s too late for that. You’ll just have to tell him yourself…”

I looked up at him with my big blue eyes and he finally said, “Okay, I’ll call him and tell him not to come. I’ll meet you in the car.”

“Hi,” I said when I saw him standing at the front of the school, looking adorable in a jacket and tie.

I wanted to talk to him first to find out his name, but my parents were hot on my trail and I barely got the ‘hi’ out before they were standing there waiting for me to introduce them. I started to panic, but he smiled at me and said, “Hi, Rebecca. You look beautiful.” He reached out his hand to my father and said, “Hello, I’m Shane Ramsay. You must be Mr. and Mrs. Brigham. It’s nice to meet you both.”

My father slowly reached out his hand and mumbled, “Yes…of course.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Shane,” my mother smiled.

“Hi!” my sister said, running up to us.

“This is my sister, Samantha,” I said. “Sam, this is…Shane,” I grinned up at him, thrilled to finally have a name to go with the perfect smile…and face, and everything else.

“Hello, Samantha. You must be a very good actress to get the lead in Beauty and the Beast. Congratulations. I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

My sister turned to me and said, “Hmm, now I know why you spent three hours getting ready. Parker’s going to be seriously pissed!” I blushed, and she grinned and started to walk away but not before my mother scolded her. “Samantha, watch your mouth!”

So, as you can tell, I was the ‘good girl’ and my sister continually pushed the limits. She was a firecracker, and completely comfortable in any surrounding and in any situation. Nothing shocked her, nothing scared her and nothing stood in her way. She was three years my junior, and I was always in awe of her easy way with…everything. I wished I was a little bit like her, but I was always shy…scared of my own shadow. It took all my strength to stand up to my dad that night, and as I looked up at Shane, I knew he was the reason, and he was worth it. He was perfect, and he didn’t fail to impress my mother with his flawless manners. I noticed he even got a haircut for the occasion. It was still a little long, and unruly, but it suited him.

“Well, we better go inside. Your sister would never forgive us if we missed her grand entrance,” my mother said, pulling my father by the arm to take the glare off Shane.

We walked into the theater and my father’s demeanor instantly changed. As we headed toward the front where our seats were located, I understood why. Parker was standing in the aisle in front of our row of seats.

“DAD!” I snapped.

“It was too late to cancel.”

I glared at him and took Shane’s arm and led him the other way.

“Rebecca, don’t be rude. Where are you going?” my father asked.

“I’ll…
WE’LL
be right back,” I snapped again. I never snapped at my father, but tonight was the dawn of a new me; a new me…without Parker, and more importantly, a new me…with Shane.

I led him back to the lobby and said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was coming.  My father invited him…he just told us as we were leaving. I told him to call and tell him not to come, and he said he would…but…” I blathered on, knowing full well my father never even called him.

“Rebecca, it’s okay. Do you want me to leave?”

“NO! I want HIM to leave!” I was upset, and close to tears.

“It’s okay, really. I can handle it
. But, if it makes you uncomfortable, then I really don’t mind leaving. That is, as long as I still get to see you after the play.”

“Um, that’s another problem. We’re…as in, you and
me; we’re supposed to go out to dinner with my parents and sister to celebrate after the play. I didn’t know that, either. I’m sorry.”

He laughed.  “Well, that should make for a fun evening.”

I sighed. “You’re probably ready to bolt. I can’t blame you. If you want to go, I understand.”

He reached out and touched my cheek with the back of his hand. It was electrifying, and it stopped me dead in my tracks.  I was shocked by the intense emotions that swept over me with one little brush of his hand on my face. “Believe me, you’re worth it.”

He took my arm and led me back into the theater. I was so dumbstruck by the gentle touch of his hand on my face that I didn’t even complain when I realized the only two seats left were between my father and Parker. I glanced up at him, realizing for the first time that Shane was very tall, I pulled on his arm, forcing him to bend down and whispered, “I’m sorry…again.”

He smiled and scooted in, and surprisingly, sat down next to my father, leaving the space between himself and Parker for me.

I sat down and looked over at Parker’s brooding stare and finally said, “Hello, Parker. This is Shane Ramsay. Shane, Parker Hayes.”

Shane nodded at him and said, “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, so, how did you two meet?” Parker said in an almost accusatory manner.

Thankfully, the lights dimmed and the principal stepped onto the stage. I looked up at Shane, grateful that he was sitting next to me and hadn’t run out the door screaming. 

He leaned over and whispered, “I only sat here because I figured I needed to protect your father from your wrath,” he grinned.

I melted. “Oh, but who’s going to protect Parker from my wrath?” I whispered back.

“Have at it, it’ll only lessen my competition,” he smiled.

I glanced over at Parker and back to Shane, “Trust me, there is no competition!”

“SHHH!” my father warned.

I rolled my eyes and stared at the stage, feeling very awkward siting between Parker and Shane. But, I couldn’t help feel the thrill as our arms touched on the arm rest.  I wanted him to hold my hand. No, actually, I wanted him to kiss me.  As I glanced over at him
, I knew I wanted a lot more…

“Bravo, Darling!  You were superb!” My mother told my sister after the performance.

“You were great, Sam.  Really,” I smiled and hugged my little sister.

“Thanks. It was so much fun. I love being on stage!” she beamed.

“Not bad, Kid!” Parker said.

I watched my sister actually blush with Parker’s compliment. That was a first.  Parker turned toward me and said, “Rebecca, can I talk to you for a minute?”

I took a step back toward Shane and said, “Not now, Parker.”

“Okay, then I’ll pick you up after school tomorrow. I’m done with classes early.”

I needed to end this once and for all, but I knew it wasn’t the right time. “Parker, um…we have plans tomorrow.”

I looked up at Shane, praying he wouldn’t give me away.

“That’s right,” he grinned. I sighed in relief.

“What plans?” my father finally spoke up after giving me the silent treatment the entire evening.

“We’re going to see a movie tomorrow afternoon…if that’s okay with you, Mr. Brigham?”

“Well, actually…”

“Daddy!” I threatened him.

“Parker, Dear, please tell your parent’s we’ll see them Sunday night,” my mother interrupted.

I sighed and silently thanked my mother with my eyes. She had managed to
very politely exclude Parker from dinner. 

“Yes, certainly. Well, goodnight. Sam, once again, you were fantastic.”

“Thank you, Parker,” my sister gushed.

He turned to me and started to say something but changed his mind and just nodded and walked away.  

Once he was out of ear shot, my father continued his ranting, “Don’t daddy me, young lady. Since when do you make plans without discussing them with your mother and me?”

“I was going to tell you, but I haven’t had time yet. We just talked about it…a few minutes ago.”

He turned to Shane and said, “How old are you?”