Mundahlia (The Mundahlian Era, #1) (18 page)

“This is wrong on so many levels!” I said, sitting on Sarah’s lap as we drove onto the interstate. “We’re going to get a ticket!”

“Oh hush! Now, tell Santa what you want for Christmas,” Sarah said in a deep voice.

There were muffled chuckles from all three of the passengers—besides me. “Seriously Sarah, that’s not even fun-
nee,
” we hit a bump and I jumbled my words.
Hmph!

I felt a little overdressed. Well, compared to Jett, that is. He dressed in a beige Henley with dark jeans and brown boots. And here I was in my smokey-grey dress, my hair curled, make-up done, and wearing
really
uncomfortable boots that I wanted to secretly slide off for the rest of the ride to dinner.

The restaurant was in the actual city of Austin. We passed the university—a grand cluster of buildings, half hidden in the trees—and traveled down Sixth Street, where music was booming from various nightclubs, restaurants, and cantinas. It was like a mini Las Vegas—minus the gambling and men handing out pictures of naked women on cards—with all the colorful lights lighting the long strip I’d only experienced during the day, when it looked almost the opposite of what it did now.
Now this is more like Austin!
I thought, taking in the surrounding of music, neon lit signs and the light fog of smoke that roamed through the air from the people smoking outside cantinas, enjoying their beers or other alcoholic beverages. I could see the lighted Capitol I’d toured in the distance. The massive building lit to the extremes. Almost looking exactly how it did in the sunlight.
I’d definitely want to live closer to here if I decide to come to the university in the fall.
The more and more I explored it, the more I fell in love with this city. It’s eccentric vibe. The people seemed approachable. The nightlife. It was all—marvelous. Just marvelous. A hidden world that I could easily get lost in, and be absolutely fine with not ever being found.

Sarah and Max climbed into one side of the large booth we were seated to by the hostess of the steakhouse we’d entered down the block from a bar where a drunken woman was singing karaoke off-key as her group of friends laughed and filmed her with their phones. Jett and I sat opposite them. There were peanut shells on the floor of the entire restaurant and a band was playing some country music in the back.

“Hi everyone, my name is Alvin and I’ll be y’alls server today,” a blonde waiter said, setting round coasters down in front of us. “What can I get y’all to drink?”

“I’ll have a sweet tea,” said Jett from beside me.

“Me too,” Max followed, his eyes on the menu.

“Same,” Sarah added, mimicking Max with her own menu.

The waiter looked to me. “Oh, um, I guess I’ll take a sweet tea too then.”

He disappeared into the kitchen doors that released a pleasant aroma of grilled steak. It made my mouth water, as well as the others’. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jett lick his lips, leaving a soft glossy finish to them. “Well,” he said, laying his menu down on the wooden table—decorated with laminated prints of cattle and all things Texas, “I’m having the steak, that’s for sure.”

Sarah dipped a chicken tender into the gravy and fed it to Max. In return, he offered her a piece of his steak. Evidently neither of them were ashamed of excessive Public Display of Affection, or PDA, as we ate our food once it’d arrived. It was as if they were in love for years, not days like in reality. Scratch that—
day
. Jett didn’t seem bothered, flashing short smiles of contentment in between bites. I shrugged it off and instead forked at my chicken fried chicken that was surprisingly crisp and juicy. It was weird being out with them—on a date.
Date
. The very word that made my spine tingle. It was even more bizarre to be out with Jett. I’d come to know him over the past few days, only through phone conversations before bed. But now, he was—here. And so was I. And we were on a date—in person.

“So, what do you think of the place?” Jett asked, breaking the awkwardness of chewing sounds and music.

“It’s nice, and the food is great,” I said—a hand over my mouth to block any food from shooting out as I chewed.

“All right, now we got a surprise for you all,” the singer from the back stage said over the microphone. She was a short girl in a white dress and brown cowboy boots. “For our next song, we’re gonna switch it up and play something different. Now, it’s new and all, so tell us what y’all think.”

A mid-tempo country song oozed from the speakers behind her, and she let out a perfectly harmonized tune that had me guessing wether it was from years of extensive training and practice, or just natural talent.

“Wanna dance?” Jett asked, placing his fork on his empty plate.
Damn, he ate fast.
I had barely finished with my fried okra, and was only starting on the chicken. He cleaned his hands on a napkin and held out his hand for me to take when I didn’t answer. Either way, I figured that time away from the very “in love” couple in front of us would be good.

I met my hands with his and followed him out to the small wooden dance floor. He cupped his hands at my side and I interlocked mine around his neck as though we were dancing at a prom or wedding. Something within me didn’t feel right. Swaying to the rhythm of the music, and just looking at each other. Jett had a half smile, half serious face. I imagined that my face looked foolish as I tried to find an expression to settle on.
This is awkward, please just-

“You look beautiful,” he breathed into my ear so I could hear it over the music. My cheeks grew red and hot.
Dammit!

“Thank you. You clean up nice too.” I brushed a string off of his shoulders.

“Oh yeah?” he smirked.

“Yeah.” He twirled me around and brought be back into his chest. I was now facing Sarah and Max—still sitting at the booth in each other’s arms. “So, what do you think of the lovebirds over there?” I lifted my chin to them, then looked to Jett over my shoulder for his answer.

“I’ll admit it’s a bit much.” The music stopped and he dropped his hands from my hips. “But, as long as they’re happy, right?”

“Yeah,” I agreed. Sarah
was
happy, and really that’s all that mattered.
As long as they’re happy,
I told myself. It didn’t matter how long they knew each other. A lot of people date. No one has to wait months upon months to barely even conceive the idea of being in a relationship or have a first kiss.
As long as they’re happy.

The band shifted to another song and Jett reached for my hand, twirling me around back to face him—pulling me in for another dance.

...

“Rini, I’m sorry—but I’m super full, and if you sit on me this time, I’ll probably hurl,” Sarah said, as I tried to accommodate myself onto her boney lap. We had left the restaurant and were now in the jam-packed truck getting ready to go back home. The air was even colder than before, and I just wanted to shut the door I was dangling out of before I froze to death. Over exaggeration? Maybe. I have a really low tolerance for cold weather. Even lower for hot weather. My ideal temperature for a day is in the high sixties or low seventies. Where it’s nice and sunny, but at the same time cool.

“Where am I supposed to sit?” I asked, stepping down from the truck. I missed the curb and nearly stumbled out. A set of laughs from drunk men outside a music-blasting cantina sounded.

“Watch your step, Sweetie,” one of them said while the another beside him whistled.

I fixed myself and veered to Sarah. Giving her a
what-the-hell
type of look as I tapped my foot. Sarah followed with a shrug.
Yeah, I love you too, best friend.

“Why don’t you and Sarah sit in the bed of the truck?” Jett suggested to his brother beside him. Max agreed and led Sarah to the back of the truck. He didn’t speak much tonight. Keeping quiet and only uttering faint words to Sarah. They hopped over the tailgate and sat against the back window.

“There,” Jett said to me, patting the area next to him on the vacant leather seat inside. “Now you have plenty of space,” he smiled. I climbed into the truck, feeling the cool leather seat cling to the exposed skin on my thighs and legs. He set the truck into drive and headed for the interstate—back to the boondocks.

“So,” Jett asked, adjusting in his seat. “Did you have fun?”

I was staring in the rearview mirror watching the colorful lights of the city become distant blurs. The city was a million times more gorgeous at night. “Yeah,” I sighed, admiring the fading scenery. Kind of a underdeveloped answer, but I was too nervous. I’d never
really
dated before, I always seemed to be too busy and shy, or just never really got the attention of anyone before. “Did you?” I asked. It was only customary to return the favor.

“Oh, I had a blast. Especially since it’s been a while since I’ve dated anyone.” His right hand lied set on the steering wheel and the left—dangled outside of the window.

“Really?” I asked—a sudden spark of interest igniting a burst of curiosity within me. “How long has it been?”

“A while,” his voice was reserved. “Too long ago to remember.”

“You’re only twenty-one,” I noted. “Exactly how long can ‘
too long ago’
be?”

“More than you think,” Jett side-smiled and winked—eyes still fixed on the road. I wanted to blush at the sight of his wink. Could feel the blood already rushing to my face and making it hot and flushed. For the second time tonight, he’s said something or done something that made me feel—strange. In a good way.

The radio was quiet. Only a few mumbles of singing could be heard, but I could easily recognize the familiar song pouring from the speakers on the side of the doors. “Oh, I love
Run!”
I said, referring to the tune sung by one of the kings of country music—in my opinion, George Strait.

“What do
you
know about George Strait?” he playfully scoffed. A little condescending, but whatever.

I inched closer to the radio, stopping a few inches from him and turned the volume dial up. “
More than you think
,” I winked in return.

“Ah, well played,” he laughed.

Sarah giggled from the truck bed and I turned my gaze to them snuggling in the back window. “So, is there any particular reason why your brother, Max—the shy guy behind his computer—is now all over my best friend?” I said, pointing to the couple in the back with my thumb.

Jett peered into the rearview mirror, bringing his dangling arm in to take ahold of the steering wheel. “Nope,” he laughed, and used his newly freed right hand to lower the radio to a low, yet enjoyable volume, then rested it on the backrest of the seat. I repositioned myself and tried to keep a distance from his arm that was now two inches behind me.

“It sure is cold,” I said, staring out into the road. The headlights lit only a few feet of the dark street.

“Yeah, it is.” He nodded, but there was a hidden invitation in his voice.

“What?”

“Nothin’.” I felt his arm wrap around my shoulder and pull me close to his chest. It happened in the matter of seconds. I couldn’t even,
ugh!
—
again? Really?

“Oh. I was fine,” I said, trying to break free from his arm.

He shushed me. “It’s just for the warmth, Rini.”
Why was this happening—again?!
I had to give up the struggle, it was no use under his massive arm.

We turned onto the dirt road and drove for what seemed like hours until the golden glow from Celeste house appeared. She and George were home—more than likely getting ready for bed.

Jett parked in front of the house. Max’s heavy footsteps sounded as he hopped over the railing and hit the dirt, hard. Like a boulder slamming into the ground. From the side mirror, I saw him reach for Sarah and lower her off.

Sarah sashayed her way to the truck window, spotting me under Jett’s arm. At first, she seemed puzzled, then it slowly faded into a look of
I told you so
nature. “All right Rini, I have to go home. My mom wants me to work the rest of Spring Break! Can you believe that?!—but I’ll text you later incase I get free so we can
totally
do this again.” I nodded and watched as she headed for her car—Max giving her a sweet goodnight kiss before. “Bye Jett,” she called, mid-entering her beat up ride.

“Bye, Sarah” he nodded.

I moved Jett’s hand from around me and leaned out of the window, suddenly remembering about Sarah’s belongings. “Wait! What about your clothes?”

“I packed while you were in the shower, dude. I’m three steps ahead of you going on a fourth.”

“Oh.” I waved her off as she drove away—headlights disappearing into the shadows.

Jett cleared his throat from inside the truck. “
Ahem!
”

“What?” I asked, leaning back in to face him.

He lowered his eyes and curled his lips into a smile. I followed his gaze and found my hand on the space between his legs while I was leaning out of the window. It was inches away from his-

“
Oh my God
, I am
so
sorry!” I gasped, retrieving my hand like I had just been hit. My elbow slammed against the center of the steering wheel and the horn sounded from under the hood.
Beeeep!

“It’s okay,” he smiled, laughing a little.

Our faces were close. For a second, I felt anticipation—but I didn’t know what for? I was frozen. Just gazing into his eyes. Unable to move, or think. I could see that he too was caught—unaware of what to do next. Or even, what to feel.

“I should probably get going too.” I inched to the passenger door and reached for the handle, but my hand was caught.

I turned, finding Jett’s hand around my wrist. “Don’t go,” he pleaded softly. “I want to walk you home.”

I bit my lip for a moment and contemplated.
In these shoes? Hell no!
The door flung open—ripping my grasp from the handle, and Max slid into the truck, pushing me back over to Jett.

“Guess that’s my answer,” I told him with a tense laugh.

He settled his arm back around me as we drove further down the road and turned down the eerie corner toward his family’s cabin. “And a damn good one,” he added.

Max hopped out of the truck and dashed up the porch stairs once we’d arrived. I figured he either had to go to the bathroom really bad, or just fancied running inside like he were being chased by rabid dogs. The smack from the screen door seemed to upset a small group of shadows sitting in the darkness under the porch. Jett stepped down from the truck with ease and helped me off.

I spotted Mark and Del sitting on white couches next to Ray on the porch. “Hey girl!” Del called sounding oddly cheery. “You guys need to come up here.”

From beside me, Jett sniffed the air then sighed. He lowered his shoulders—disappointed in something. Had I done something wrong? He reached for my hand, leading me up the steps to meet them at the top.

“Hey, Rini,” Del came over and hugged me, which sort of slightly scared me for the awkwardness of it. Almost like I was her best friend, and she hadn’t seen me in years. “How’ve you been?” She started swaying me in her arms. Like a super slow dance with no music. There was a sweet, strong mint-like scent on her clothes.
I’ve smelt this before.
It was the smell that burned in the back of my mind as I searched for what it was.
Right on the tip of my tongue. Camp amistad...guy in the beanie...behind the cabins....in the little glass bong....Oh!

“Are you guys smoking pot?” I asked. Ray passed something resembling a rolled up wrinkly overstuffed cigarette to Mark.

“I’m not!” Del said as though I’d accused her. “They are, but just being around them sort of gives you a
contract
high.”

“
Contact
high, babe,” Mark corrected.

“
Psh!
Whatever! Same shit.”

“Isn’t it illegal?”

Mark passed the joint back to Ray, who took a long drag, but coughed most of it out, “
Shieet
!” Ray derided, “Who the hell is gonna come all the way out here?” He took another hit and held it in for about five-seconds before releasing a thick white fog of smoke. I couldn’t even wonder what damage that was doing to his lungs. Slowly charring them dark as coal with each inhale. He looked up, squinting his eyes, and held it out to me. “You want a hit of this?”

“Me?” I said. Jett tugged my hand, making for me to take the seat beside him.

Ray huffed, “No, the other
motherfuckers
that are on this
fucking
porch!”

“
Hey!
” Jett growled “Don’t talk to her like that!”

Ray slouched back into the couch, unamused and unaffected by Jett’s warning. Instead, he shifted the joint in his hand to Jett. “Sorry bro, take a hit. Don’t act like you’ve never done it.”

Jett hesitated at first, but took it to his lips and sucked on the end. Bright embers lit at the other side and turned into ash as the paper burned farther down. “What the hell is this?” he asked Ray, letting the smoke out. A look of disgust plastered on his face. Jett reached for an unopened can of beer on the table to wash his mouth out.

“Dro and some other shit.”

“What’s that?” I asked, suddenly amused. There was more of the green leaves that looked like oregano in a plastic bag by Ray’s foot. I’d never seen marijuana in real life before, it was weird. Like seeing something uncommon in public and not knowing how to act.

“It’s the homegrown shit,” Ray said, taking the joint back almost selfishly. “And some other shit.
Good
shit.
Man!
Why’m I even talkin’ to you! You don’t know shit!” Apparently he had a fascination with the word
shit
.

Martin appeared standing by the open lighted doorway. He sniffed the air, then stared directly at Ray, shaking his head. “What the hell did I say about scaring drug dealers and stealing their drugs?”

“Hey, they shouldn’t be selling this shit anyways, Martin. Haven’t you heard? It’s illegal.” Ray smiled the way a child smiles when they know what their doing is bad, but they do it anyway. I’d imagined he was a very deviant child, and never grew out of it. Never grew up, nonetheless.

Martin’s face was unmoved. “What did I say about trying not to draw attention to yourself, let alone, the
rest
of this family?”

“Oh, come on, Martin!” Ray snorted, “What the hell are they gonna do anyways, go to the cops?” He shifted to a fake mocked voice, “Oh hi, I need to file a report on my stolen drugs!”

“That’s not funny,” Martin added. “Don’t test me boy!”

“Here,” Ray held out the joint to him as well. “Don’t act like you’ve never done it either like this
bitch
over here,” he veered towards me. Judging me with his sharp words and icy stare.
Ouch.
I hid my discomfort with a faint smile. That was me, smiling or laughing in awkward or serious situations.

“Watch your mouth asshole!” Jett warned again, “or I’ll kick your ass!”

“Do it,
puto
.”

Jett flew to his feet, ready to throw a punch.

“Boys, both of you calm the hell down and shut up!” Del stood from the couch. She pulled limp Mark up. “We’re going inside.”

Ray shrugged when Martin declined the joint, and instead took another drag himself.

“Ah, nice of you to join us, Rini,” Martin said taking Mark’s spot. He must of barely noticed me. “So I assume that your date went well?” There was a complete change of tone in his voice from serious to welcoming, as though he’d never even had the tiff with Ray just seconds before.

“Yes, sir,” I smiled. “Yes, it did.”

“Martin,” he corrected, taking the joint aggressively from Ray’s hand.

“Hey what the-” Ray was cut short.

“Get inside,” Martin demanded, with a hidden angered voice and pursed lips. The kind parents use on their children in public. The child knows that when they are alone, he or she is going to get it. “Move—
now
. Don’t make me tell you again.”

I heard the slap of the screen door before I continued speaking, “Oh, um it was really good,
Martin
.”

“That’s good.” He reached below to scoop up the bag of leaves and examined the rolled up cigarette in his hand for a moment, “I’d better go inside and have a talk with him.” Martin passed the now white, wrinkly, stub-looking joint to Jett, before entering the cabin. “Finish it and dispose of it. I will not have drugs in my home.”