Effortless With You (13 page)

“What? No way. She’s my protégé.”

I back away from Troy. “No really, Alex is doing great. I like learning from him.”

“See, I’m doing great. Plus, you won’t be able to manage if your attention is on Lucy.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Troy, no really,” I interject.

Troy holds out his hands for me to stop talking. “No, it’s okay, Lucy. You can hang out with me and really master this painting thing.” He looks in Alex’s direction and directs in an overly authoritative tone, “You’ve done a great job. I’ll send you all the new protégés to master the basics. Thank you for your help.”

Alex bites his lower lip. “Fine.” He stands up and brushes off his jeans. “Sorry, Lucy,” he says before he walks away.

Troy looks at me. “Sorry for what?”

“It’s an inside joke.” I don’t turn back to look at Troy. I watch Alex kick an empty bucket. I feel Troy lean in toward me, the smaller space making me uncomfortable. I stand up, turning my back away from Troy as I brush the fresh-cut grass off my butt. Somehow I’ll find a way back into Alex’s responsibility.

Troy puts his hand on my shoulder, “Great attitude, Lucy. Let’s get going. GUYS, BREAK’S OVER!” he bellows through my ear canal. His voice rattles down my spine.

As the morning wears on, I'm forced to conclude that Troy is a good guy, just not my type. He keeps making lame jokes, laughing too much at himself and over-praising me. Nothing he tries makes me remotely interested in him. The poor guy is spinning his wheels.

Luckily, I have a boyfriend. I fill most of our conversation with “Zach this, Zach that.” I really want him to know that I'm taken. But Troy is clueless. He misinterprets every polite smile I give him, leaning in closer and closer throughout the day. Eventually, I revert to purposely messing up the basics in hopes that he will send me back to Alex.

I keep looking at my watch. It is already one o’clock and Troy still hasn’t called lunch break. I notice the other guys slowing down, every so often looking in Troy’s direction. I hope Troy will notice my stomach growling but he seems too focused on my trimming technique. I start to feel a bit woozy so I take matters into my own hands. I'm not going back to the hospital.

I climb down the ladder and lean in toward him. I take a deep breath and bat my eyelashes. I know I look ridiculous. I suck at flirting. Alex lets out a distinctive laugh from the scaffolding above.

“Troy,” I say softly, “Do you think we can take a break?” I bat my eyelashes a bit more.

He looks at me with a dazed expression on his face. I can’t believe it worked. He obviously does not interact with girls that often.

“Oh, right.” He looks down at his watch and swears. “GUYS—LUNCH!”

I jump off the ladder and leave it for Troy to take down, give him something to do other than ogle me.

Alex runs over and slaps me on the back. “Thanks! I swear—Luke’s head was turning into a roast-beef sandwich. I’m starving!”

I laugh. “It’s the least I can do considering I got you demoted.”

“Yeah, well, that’s for now. I’ll figure something out. The boss will eventually notice that the productivity has crashed. Troy will be forced to give up training and go back to managing.” He pats me on the back. “I will, however, miss the entertainment. Watching you react to Troy is hilarious.”

“Ha ha. Funny.” I playfully shove him away as I catch Troy eyeing me from across the lawn. I smile at Troy only to make Alex laugh. This will be a game that will no doubt carry us through the summer. I settle myself with my PB and J, gigantic water jug, and granola bar under a shady tree. I inhale my food and lean back to close my eyes. It feels so good to not be moving.

Moments of last night filter back into my mind. I lean in toward Zach at the restaurant and we walk hand-in-jeans-pocket through the park. The tender kiss that turns into lung-crushing force. I watch myself push him away and my lower lip quivers as I follow him back through the park. How did a night that started so well end in disaster?

My eyes itch and my throat tightens.

No. This will not happen here. I close my eyes tighter, allowing one tear to fall. Only a few more hours before I’ll be home and I can call Zach and explain myself. I'm certain he’ll understand. But how will I explain?

The loud clank of a familiar motor interrupts my thoughts. I don’t even have to open my eyes.

Justin arrives.

I listen to Troy greet Justin. Their voices drop and they have a quick, hushed exchange. I open my eyelids only slightly to try to catch Justin’s mood. Justin palms a basketball as he finishes his discussion with Troy. Troy shifts in place as they speak. Justin smiles and pats him on the back before throwing the basketball at Luke, only to steal the ball back immediately. Justin doesn’t seem upset at all. Maybe I was just imagining yesterday? I watch everyone else rise from the shade to go greet Justin. The street soon becomes a basketball court, without hoops.

I sit awkwardly underneath the tree. I’d be avoiding Justin if I didn’t stand up and join them. But, if I do, I risk Justin blowing me off. I survey our equipment, trying to find something legitimate to tend to so I don’t appear rude, just busy.

My eye quickly rests on the stack of empty water bottles. Perfect.

I walk over to Justin’s truck and grab a wagon out of the bed. Justin catches my eye as I pile the empty bottles into the wagon. He takes a moment to smile at me, which results in Troy stealing the ball from him. I smile back and give a quick wave before motioning to the empty jugs of water.

Obviously I have very important work to do.

I haven’t filled the water before. I remember Troy briefing us about a water fountain in the pool area that the association welcomed us to use. I pull the wagon down the street and up the pathway to the pool. I can’t help but feel like a little girl as I haul the little red wagon around. If only I had some lemonade.

The pool complex is empty. It is a beautiful pool, shaped in a large L and surrounded with trendy loungers and umbrellas. These people live in style.

 I find the water fountain on the opposite side of the pool house. I lean against the cool brick wall, filling each container with precision. I eye the pool, imagining how refreshing it would feel to dive in. I toy with the idea when the sound of the pool gate opening removes my chance.

A familiar giggle echoes off the cement around the pool. A splash soon follows. “No, you didn’t. Come here, you!” The voice is instantly recognizable—Marissa. I have no idea why she’s here but there's no doubt that Marissa has a flirtatious agenda.

Another splash and another squeal.

I finish filling the water bottles, wanting to reveal myself to Marissa before I interrupt anything too intimate. Marissa works quickly with guys.

I'm right. Marissa has pressed her new guy into the corner, where she wraps her arms around his neck and starts kissing him. I open my mouth to clear my throat but then I notice the sandy blond hair that Marissa’s fingers are pulling through. Her hands resting on familiar biceps.

Zach!

Marissa is making out with Zach.

I don’t know what to do. I stand there witnessing their slow kiss turn into a passionate make-out moment. I want to scream at them. I want to run away and hide. But all I manage is a gasp.

It is loud enough to make them take their tongues out of one another’s mouths.

Marissa whips around, giving me, their interrupter, an annoyed expression. I watch as recognition dawns on her. She swims away from Zach and readjusts her bikini.

My eyes rest on Zach who doesn’t seem to need any time to process the situation. He nods up at me. “Hey, Lucy.” He reaches over and pulls Marissa back in front of him.

“Listen,” Marissa begins. “I was going to tell you.”

My shocked silence is replaced with livid anger.

“Bullshit.” The words spew from my mouth. Zach moves toward the stairs, slowly climbing them and walking toward me. “How long has this been going on? HOW LONG?” I shriek.

Marissa shrugs, adopting her catty face that I have seen her use on way too many victims. “About as long as you’ve been dating.” Her voice has that horrid edge, the one that allows her to step all over you … the one she used on Sally in the bathroom. She follows Zach out of the pool and ties a towel around her waist. She wraps her arms through Zach’s. “It started getting more
intense
the night at Old Minnie.” She giggles and looks up at Zach. “Remember, out by my car?” Zach nods.

“Oh. My. God.” I feel like I have been slapped across the face. “You really are a jealous witch, aren’t you?”

Zach takes a quick step toward me. “Dude, Lucy. It’s no big deal.”

I glare at him. “No big deal? Are you crazy? You cheated on me.”

Zach shakes his head. “Come on, Lucy. We barely even dated.”

“What?”

“Ok. Let’s be honest here. We were never really together.” He shuffles uncomfortably. “I mean … come on. You know what I mean?”

“No. I don’t.”

“Damn it. Come on. I sent you flowers last night. I took you to a nice dinner. I even tried to be romantic in the park.”

I nod. “Yup. I remember that. Sounds like dating to me.”

Zach shakes his head before replying in a condescending tone, “How do I make this clear?” He rolls his eyes. “Fine. Make me say it.” He takes a deep breath and I brace myself for what I know is coming. “I sent you flowers and you gave me
nothing
in return!” He pulls Marissa close to him.

Marissa pretends to gasp. “Oh Lucy, you didn’t?” She leans into Zach’s body.

Zach shrugs at me. “You won’t put out.”

My stomach revolts. Bile rushes up my throat. I swallow it as I try to find something to say. My heart races and I can’t see straight. The creaking sound of the gate saves me.

“Zach.” Justin’s voice bounces off the concrete. He suddenly is in front of me. “What are you doing here?”

“My uncle lives here. He lets me hang whenever I want.” Zach shrugs and motions toward me, “And, after last night’s disappointment, I needed some time with a real woman.” Zach grabs his bag and towel off a lounger.

 Justin takes a step toward Zach as if he is going to hit him. Without thinking, I grab Justin’s hand and pull him back.

Marissa seizes the opportunity to exit. She whisks past me, pulling Zach along with her. “Sorry it didn’t work out between you. I really tried to teach you, Lucy.” She shakes her head. “You never even went down on him. My God, I didn’t know you were that clueless.”

“Well at least she’s not a slut,” Justin interjects.

Marissa looks back at Justin. “Oh, come on, Justin. You know you’ll be thinking of me in bed tonight.”

After this? Yeah right. There’s no way Justin will want to be with her.

“You always knew this was coming, Lucy. Just accept it and move on,” Marissa says with a wave as she opens the gate and steps out with Zach. “See you around.”

Zach wraps his hand around her waist, tucking his fingers into the side loop of her bathing suit bottoms.

They walk away in slow motion.

Adrenaline pumps through my body. My hands shake violently yet my legs become noodles. Justin catches me as I crumble. He eases me to a lounger.

How can Marissa and Zach do this to me? The bile returns and this time I can’t push it back down. I turn away from Justin, throwing up all over the cement.

My boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend.

I want to laugh. Best friend?

Marissa is such a manipulative bitch. How did I not see this coming?

And Zach! I wouldn’t
put out
. I can feel his body forcing me against the ground in the park. I start to tremble, wrapping my arms around my knees. Holding myself tight.

Justin brushes my bangs out of my eyes. That caring movement sends me into an ugly cry.

I can’t process anything.

Mad. Betrayed. Used. Insignificant.

Lost.

I close my eyes and tuck my head down in between my legs. I sob.

How can this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? I dry heave.

Just minutes after Zach made out in the booth with me he was feeling up Marissa in the parking lot. My empty stomach turns and fills with betrayal. No wonder Marissa wanted to get me home. They were hooking up.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Warm pressure around my hands brings me back to reality. “You need to stop shaking,” Justin urges. My hands rest in his palms. I keep my eyes averted from him. I'm so humiliated. His fingertip rests on my chin, slowly tilting my head up so I'm forced to look at him.

“Lucy, I’m sorry this happened to you.”

My heart skips and immediately my mind whirls. I cannot stay in the pool complex like this forever. I need to collect myself. I sit up straight. “Yeah, well. I’m sorry too.”

He lifts his eyebrow while he sweeps my bangs out of my eyes. “Why would you be sorry?” His thumb rubs my wrist. My hands have stopped shaking in his. My heart pounds against my rib cage. I need to increase the distance between us before I lose my senses.