Deceptive Cadence (40 page)

THIRTY-SIX

James sent me texts every hour. He didn’t dare call me if he thought Dad would be around. But, despite how much I missed him, Dad was right about one thing: I could focus on studying for my exams.

I studied hard, too, determined to do much better the second time around to prove that I could. In the end, I came out of each of my exams feeling like I’d aced them.

Melanie and Geri grew envious of my calm demeanor. They had me study with them, not only because they thought I knew everything, but to try and have some of my serenity rub off on them.

Geri decided to stay over the night after the exams finished, to relax and have a girls’ night. We covered each other in the traditional goop―face masks, nail polish, lotions―and ate pizza and ice cream while watching chick flicks.

Halfway through a bowl of ice cream, Geri said, “I haven’t seen the brat at all tonight. It’s kinda weirding me out.”

“Who? Dusty?” I asked.

She scoffed. “Um, yeah. The other brat doesn’t live here anymore.”

“He’s in his bedroom,” I responded. “His exams start this week.”

“Oh.”

“Why do you ask?” I winked.

She rolled her eyes, but blushed. “Gross, Cadence, don’t even.”

I laughed. “Hey, Dusty!”

Her blush deepened. “Don’t call him out! We’re covered in . . .” She stopped as his head popped around the corner.

“What?”

She covered her face with a towel. “Ew! Send him away!”

Dusty rushed over and sat in front of her with a wide grin. “I wanna join in.”

He picked up my jar of mask, poked his finger in, and wiped it down his cheek. “Oh! It tingles.”

Geri smacked him with a pillow, but kept the towel up over her face. “You’re such a girl.”

He grabbed her knees. “Come on, Ger, we look the same now.” He tugged the towel out of her hands.

She screeched and tried to cover her face. “Give that back! And don’t call me Ger!”

“Aw, look at you. You’re so pretty.”

She slapped his shoulder. “You’re a jerk.”

He laughed and reached to touch a patch on her face that hadn’t dried yet. I stared in amazement at his boldness, and even more amazed that Geri allowed him to do it. But then, she slapped his hand away. “Geez, you’re weird.”

Dusty laughed again and covered his face with the mask.

At six in the morning on my birthday, the doorbell rang. It woke everyone except Dad, who was already up for work. I sat up in my bed, wishing to sleep longer since I had nothing to do that day, until I heard Dad talking in a stern voice.

A few moments later, footsteps rushed through the house and my door burst open. I shrieked with surprise and pulled the sheet over myself. A body knocked me back onto my bed as a pair of lips planted themselves over mine.

I stared up in shock at James. After just over two months apart, I melted into his kiss, completely losing all sense of reason as he caressed my face.

“Hey!” Dad’s voice came from the door.

James jumped back with a wicked grin. “I missed her so much. Two months just about killed me.”

He looked into my face and leaned in again.

“Out!” Dad pointed to the hallway.

James leaped to his feet. “Okay.”

Dad glared at him as he rushed by and shut the door with a bang. I hurried to make myself decent and scurried into the shower.

When I finished and slipped on my robe, I opened the bathroom door a crack to make sure James wasn’t around. On seeing and hearing nothing, I dashed back to my room and shut the door behind me. I let out a long breath and untied my robe.

“Oh, yeah.”

I jumped and swung around. James sat in the corner. “James! Dad will kill you―”

“Your dad left for work. Keep going with that thought.”

I pulled the robe tight around me. “Get out!”

He jumped up and wrapped his arms around me. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

His fingers slipped under the robe and found the skin on my hip, making me break out in goose bumps. “Every inch of you, every part of you. Calls and texts weren’t enough. I craved your kisses, I ached to touch your hair, to see your face.”

“Who even talks like that?” I said breathlessly.

He chuckled. “I’ve got to have you, Cadence. Right now.”

His arm wrapped around my bare waist as he bent down to nibble on my neck. I moaned, feeling my own need to have him awaken, but it wasn’t right—not in my house with Dusty in the next room and Mum nearby.

I pushed him off. “James, please get out.”

He chewed on his lip as his gaze lingered over my lips. He groaned. “Ugh! Fine.”

He slipped out of my room.

I dressed and stepped out to find James and Dusty locked in an intense battle of . . . something. I stared at them—Dusty in his blue and gray school uniform and James in his black and white work uniform—just staring at each other with their arms entwined.

“Um . . . should I leave you boys alone?” I asked.

“Shh, Cadence!” Dusty replied.

I sighed and walked by them to get breakfast, then sat to watch TV. After a few minutes, Dusty roared and James cheered. Sounds of a tussle followed, which James apparently won. Dusty groaned, and appeared in search of his school shoes.

James flopped onto the sectional beside me and sighed. “It’s so good to be with you again.”

“So you’ve made very clear,” I said through a mouthful of food.

He sat up and glared at me. “You seem pretty nonchalant about it.”

I giggled at his stern face. “I’m sorry, it’s been a crazy two months for me with all my exams, and studying, and Dusty trying to pick up Geri―”

“Wait, what?” James’ eyes widened.

“Cadence!” Dusty rushed into the room. “Shut up!”

I laughed, and Mum appeared around the corner. “What was that?”

“Nothing, Mum!” Dusty grabbed her arm.

“Dusty likes Geraldine? This is interesting.” She pushed by and sat on the armchair.

Dusty groaned. “Cadence! That was our little thing! It was just supposed to be kept between you and me.”

“Oh, ah . . .” I locked eyes with him as he stared at me. “I was just kidding?”

Dusty huffed. “Fine, now everyone knows. But don’t tell Dad. I see how he is with you and Harper, and I really don’t want him on my case about girls.”

He marched out of the room.

James changed the topic. “So, I have a couple of hours before work. Let’s go do something.”

I scratched my head, thinking about all the lazing around I’d planned to do for my birthday. Then, I remembered our three-year anniversary and panicked. I’d been so distracted by my exams that I hadn’t bought him anything, or for his birthday either. The worst part was that by the look in his eyes, he’d gone all out like usual.

“James, what would you like to do today?”

He grinned. “I might have something planned before my shift at one.”

I looked across at Mum. She laughed. “You’re eighteen now, Cadence. You don’t need my permission. As long as I know where you are, I’ll be fine.”

James shot to his feet. “We’ll just be at some shops, then my place. I’m keeping it simple.”

“Okay. Be safe.”

I rushed to my room to grab my handbag, then James dragged me outside to his car. As we drove away, I asked, “So what are we going to do?”

He grinned. “Have sex.”

I slapped his shoulder. “No! Come on!”

He laughed. “No, you’ll find out.”

We stopped at the mall and, as we walked, I discreetly searched for something to buy him. I felt like the worst girlfriend in the world as he paused at jewelry stores and asked me if I liked anything. He also bought me a bunch of flowers and a teddy bear.

“To add to your vast collection.” He grinned.

I rolled my eyes.

As we passed the pet store, he stopped. “Hey, check out that puppy!” He stared inside at the puppy trying to kill a toy in its mouth. “Ha! Dogs are hilarious.”

I had an idea. I’d have to check with Tom and Sam first, but I would buy him a dog. I bought a card while he bought a giant bag of caramel popcorn, filled it out, and slipped it in my handbag for later.

Back at his house, only Tom was home. He greeted me excitedly and gave me a hug. “Long time, stranger. That morning . . . oh, man! Your dad is scary!”

I smiled. “I know. I couldn’t believe James stood up to him like that.”

“Me either. So, on that topic, when are you moving in? I cleaned the bathrooms and everything.”

My face fell. “Oh . . .”

James interjected. “I bought cake.”

While he banged around in the kitchen, I asked Tom if dogs were allowed under their rental agreement.

“Yeah,” he answered. “Why are we whispering?”

“Because it’s a surprise for James if you guys are okay with it.”

Tom grinned. “A dog, for us? That’s awesome! But it has to be less than twenty kilos.”

“Okay. How about this weekend we go to the shelter and he can pick out one you can all deal with?”

He grabbed my face. “Gah! I could just kiss you!”

“Hey! Hands off!” James glared at him with a hint of a smirk as he set the cake on the table. “Only I’m allowed to kiss her.”

We all sat around the table and James cut the small chocolate cake into three pieces. He handed Tom his, and sent him away. James tilted his glass of milk at me and said, “Happy birthday and three years.”

As he went to dig in, I whipped out the card. “I’m going to give you this right now.”

His smile widened as he plucked it from my hands. He opened it, read it once, then again slower. His eyes widened and he burst out laughing. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Is it okay?”

“Yes! Cadence, you’re the best.” He leaned over the table and kissed me. He sat back and gestured for me to eat my cake.

We ate quietly, until I felt something metallic click against my teeth. I spat it out and found a white gold ring with five Princess cut diamonds on the top. I stared at it, completely baffled, before James’ hand rested on my leg. I looked down and saw him kneeling beside me. “Cadence.”

I gasped and tossed the ring onto my plate. “No, no, no! James, no!”

His face fell. “Cadence, but―”

“I’m eighteen! I’m barely out of high school!”

“So? You love me, don’t you? I love you, and after two months apart I know now more than ever that I need you in my life. We’ll go to uni together, you’ll move in here, and everything will be great.”

“James . . .” I caressed his face. “No, not yet. I’m not ready for this. I’m still just a kid.”

“Legally, you’re an adult.”

“No, I mean I still have so much growing up to do.”

“Then do it with me. Cadence, we’ve practically grown up in each other’s arms, and there’s never been anyone but you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

I stroked his hair, marveling at the richness of its chestnut color. I loved him so much, but I couldn’t marry him. “I know, James. But just . . . not yet.”

He grabbed my hand in his hair, and gazed up at me, his eyes pleading. “Cadence, I’m not going to give up on you.”

I nodded and rubbed my eye as a tear fell. “I know, but please understand.”

He grabbed the ring and slipped it onto my right hand. “I understand. I’ve always needed to be patient for you, so I will continue to be patient.” He leaned forward and softly kissed me. “I love you so much, Cadence.”

I smiled and caressed his face. “I love you, too.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

Geri stared at my right hand on the steering wheel. “You’re crazy, you know that?” she said for about the umpteenth time. “Saying
no
? I wish some hot guy would propose to me.”

“Geri, we’ve been through this.”

“I know, I know. You don’t feel ready, blah, blah, blah.” She reached across and lifted my hand off the wheel to look at the ring. “Wow, it’s so beautiful. You better say yes
eventually
. This thing is gorgeous! And the fact that he just
knows
your ring size is like, insane, you know that? What normal guy knows his girlfriend’s ring size?”

“James is far from normal.” I pulled my hand away and rested it back on the steering wheel.

“Duh! Which is why you’re totally crazy!”

I sighed, done with this particular discussion. I’d had similar ones all week. Harper pretty much yelled my ear off, Dusty didn’t talk to me for several days, Melanie hung up on me when she called to ask if we would be sisters soon, and Geri just kept nagging me to change my mind.

Mum and Dad seemed to be the only people to support my decision. Dad, predictably, told me he was proud of me, agreed with my reasoning, and supported my decision. Mum just touched my arm, smiled, and said, softly, “You do what you feel is right, sweetheart. You’re so thoughtful that, no matter what you choose, I know it will be for the best.”

I loved Mum more than ever.

We pulled up in the parking lot at the shelter and found James, Sam, and Tom already waiting for us.

Geri jumped out and rushed to James. “Hey, James, I want to apologize for my friend’s stupidity. I want to tell you yes for her because she has no idea.”

I rushed over and pulled her away. “Geri!”

James ruffled his hair with a look of confusion in his eyes. “Ah . . . okay.” But then his gaze flashed to my right hand and he grinned. “Come on, I want my dog.”

He rested his arm around my shoulders and we all headed in. We followed James up and down the aisles, examining each dog closely. Tom and Sam said no to some of his favorites, reminding him of the size limit. Finally, he ended up tossing up between three—two puppies, and a scruffy little mongrel. He rushed up and down between their cages, trying to work out which one he liked best.

Tom took the opportunity to talk to me. “Cadence, you know you crushed him, right?”

I huffed. “Oh, here we go again.”

“Hey!” He grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. “It was a big deal to him. After he came home from work that night, he just went to his room without saying a word. You know that’s not like him.”

I stroked the hair resting over my shoulder. “I’m just not ready for that yet.”

Tom sighed and paused as James rushed by us. “Could you at least move in with us? I’m sure he’d appreciate that more than anything.”

I watched James as he squatted down in front of one of the puppies. “Maybe after Christmas and New Year’s. I should be at home when my HSC results come through.”

Tom nodded. “That sounds fair.”

James rushed back to us, his eyes alight. “I want
that
puppy.”

New Year’s was quiet. Harper and Daniel managed to score a harbor cruise, Mum and Dad were invited to a party, so just Dusty and I stayed at home. I invited Geri and James to come around, which satisfied Dusty.

The four of us talked endlessly. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have them. During New Year’s in the first timeline, I ended up home by myself; Dusty had gone to a friend’s house over staying home alone with me. It had been depressing, and I’d cried into the New Year. I’d hoped more than anything to get into UWA so I could escape and start over.

But this time, as I looked around at my three best friends who I loved more than anything, I doubted whether I wanted to leave them. I felt so happy, I didn’t know if I could move away.

James ran his fingers through my hair and I shuddered. He chuckled softly and leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “Another year with you.”

As the countdown began, Dusty shifted closer to Geri. Before I could see what happened, James turned my head, and with a quick smile, kissed me. Time froze and I pulled away with a sigh. I looked into his face and stroked his cheek.

“Cadence.”

I looked over to the door and smiled. “Hello, Angel.”

He stepped up beside me, adjusting his Father Time robe. He tilted his head toward Geri and Dusty. I turned to face them. Dusty had his hand on Geri’s neck as he leaned in, their lips barely touching.

“Did you anticipate this?”

I giggled. “At the beginning? No. But I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

He touched my shoulder. I gasped as my memories and feelings flooded over me. As images flashed through my mind, I stared at James, my internal conflict rising. I ran my fingers through his hair as a tear ran down my cheek. I loved him as much as Austin—that was clear to me as my memories came back, so how could I possibly choose one over the other?

The man sighed. “Sweet Cadence, do not be afraid to choose him. He does love you.”

I shook my head. “How can I when I know what Austin can give me? How can I possibly choose one and break the other’s heart?”

His voice grew deep. “Austin hasn’t even met you yet. You wouldn’t be breaking his heart at all.”

I chewed on my lip and forced myself to turn away from James. I looked up into the man’s dark eyes. “But
I
would know.”

The man gave me a sympathetic smile. “Come. Let us review the year and make plans for the next.”

I shook my head. “No. I’m thinking clearer than ever, but everything seems even more confusing as a result. I can’t make plans like this.”

“Very well.” He stretched out his hand for me. “Let us review and see what was done differently.”

We started with James moving out, then we saw Melanie’s pregnancy and miscarriage, followed by her growing friendship with me. I smiled as I watched her keep in close contact with me, even if she simply kept me in her line of vision. I’d become her safety blanket.

Then, in contrast, I watched Melanie slitting her wrists in the other timeline. It broke my heart, but the worst thing was when James found her laying on the floor in a pool of her own blood. He stared at her unconscious body, too wasted to respond.

Karen found them. She shoved James aside and grabbed Melanie’s wrists as she wailed, “Don’t die, Melanie!” between her sobs. Once she’d wrapped Melanie’s wrists with some shirts, she called an ambulance. Melanie spent several days in hospital on suicide watch.

James didn’t seem to notice.

Tears ran down my face. “I’m so glad that didn’t happen this time around.”

The man nodded. “Yes. Robbie’s need to try to force James back into his old ways may have caused the pregnancy, but the love Melanie felt for the child, and the friendship you and Geri gave her, along with her brother fighting to protect her, showed her that her life did mean something.”

He turned me around and I found us standing by the bus bays, watching Dusty and Geri talking. I’d missed out on these exchanges because I drove home. I moved closer as she giggled.

“When was this?” I asked.

“A few weeks after she and Cody started dating. She didn’t want to admit to herself that she liked a tenth grader, and of all people, her best friend’s brother. It was what you kids call ‘social suicide,’ especially when Cody was so interested.”

“But she dated Cody in the other timeline, too.”

He shrugged and the other timeline appeared beside us. “In this timeline, she never had a boyfriend before, and his keen interest grabbed her attention. She wanted to know what it felt like to be kissed, to have someone who showered her with attention, to feel beautiful.”

“But Geri
is
beautiful.”

“Yes, she is.” He waved his hand and we appeared back in my living room in front of Geri and Dusty. “He makes her feel that way, even though she’s hesitant to be with someone younger than her.”

“What should I do?”

He brushed my hair back and a strange electricity sent a chill down my spine. “Encourage her feelings to the surface. She shouldn’t be afraid to love.”

His hand withdrew and I realized I’d been holding my breath. I released it, and turned to see he had gone. I dashed over to James, just as time started moving again.

Five options. My offers were much better the second time around. I had three Sydney schools, one rural school, and of course, my offer from Western Australia. Now, what to do?

Talking to anyone about it would be pointless. They’d all want me to stay nearby, and try to convince me to pick a Sydney university. I knew of only one person I could talk to, if I could even call him that. “Angel?”

A moment passed before a hand rested on my shoulder. “Yes, sweet Cadence?”

I looked up at him, smiling at his familiar, calm countenance. “I . . . I need guidance.”

“With what exactly?”

“With which school to choose.”

He sat on my bed. “That’s not exactly my area of specialty.”

“But it is.” I shifted forward in my seat. “How do I choose between Austin and James?”

His face fell and sadness crept into his eyes. “I cannot advise you on that.”

I groaned. “This is insane! James doesn’t want me to go so far away, but I’m drawn to the life I had with Austin. It’s the reason I did all of this. I can’t just give it up, no matter how much I love James. I have to know if what I had with Austin was real or not, and if I can get it back.”

A smile curled at his lips. “Well, Cadence, you sound like you already know what you want to do.”

I turned back to the letters on my desk and stared at the one from Western Australia. When I turned around, he had gone.

I scrambled onto the floor and pulled out my scrapbook to look at Austin. He stared at his own offer from the university with a look of excited awe on his face. My heart fluttered. It would be about a year before we met, as we would be doing different courses, but the thought that we would be at the same university, on the same campus, sent waves of nervous energy through me. I wanted to do everything exactly how it had been the first time. I wanted to know if he could love me all over again.

I reached over, picked up my letter and filled out my acceptance.