Rhythm & Clues: A Young Adult Novel (31 page)
Read Rhythm & Clues: A Young Adult Novel Online
Authors: Rachel Shane
My entire body stiffens as Harry and Krystal enter the police station. He keeps one hand steady on her elbow, the other wrapped around her waist to help her hobble on crutches toward us.
I ball my fists, trying to remain tough, despite my quivering insides. I’m still not sure how I feel about this whole thing. Part of me is grateful to know the truth, but the other part of me wishes he’d found a way to be in my life all this time too.
“Isla…Moxie, I’m so sorry…” He gets out before his blubbering overwhelms him.
I take a post behind Krystal. She gives me her palm, and I squeeze it. Because I don’t feel anger toward her. She did what she thought was best, protected me from the guy who agreed to leave my life at the first dollar sign.
“I’m proud of you,” she says. “Your records’ still clean.”
“Are you coming home tonight?” Harry asks Isla. His eyes are rimmed with red and sweat beads down his bald head.
She glances at me. I shrug. She can stay with me if she wants. “I—I think so. But only if Moxie comes with us.”
My head snaps up as hot anger flashes through me. Isla pleads with her eyes.
“He paid off my medical bills, Moxie,” Krystal says.
My heart squeezes. Still, I’m about to spit out a harsh no when something surprising comes out of my mouth. “Okay.”
Gavin’s family spent most of their lives hiding from the truth, from their past. I won’t do the same. It may take a while to get to know my dad, to truly let him be part of my life, but the hardest part is taking the first step.
I give him a tight smile, taking in my crazy, messed-up family. But the thing is, though I’ve always accused them of running away from me, this is the first time I’ve ever felt at home.
That night, Isla and I sprawl out on adjacent beds in her room, mine pulled from beneath her top one. Harry hovered as we ate dinner in near-silence, Krystal included. He made every excuse to come into the den when we were watching TV. When he went upstairs for bed, I could finally breathe. Getting to know him will be harder than I thought.
Isla flips over in bed. “I need to know…”
I brace for something difficult. Something that will seize the emotions I’m trying to keep at bay.
“I’ve been waiting forever for details on your make-out session with Gavin.” She waggles her fingers toward her chest in a
gimmee
way.
So I tell her. I tell her about the kiss, and about my feelings for Gavin I’d suppressed for so long. But I don’t stop there. I tell her about Krystal and the book I found and my real thoughts on the dad situation—that I’m not sure I could ever feel part of his life.
Isla tells me things too. Things I never would have guessed. Things that make us more alike than I thought. More like sisters. She tells me how Zack Bellinger is a sloppy kisser, but probably the only guy at school who’s truly loved her. How even though she dumped him for being too clingy, she knows she can always count on him to be there for her. She finally admits that one of the main reasons she was interested in Gavin was because she hoped his musical talent would finally make Zack forget about her. “But now that I think about it. I wasn’t trying to make him forget. I was trying to make him remember.” She shrugs.
They are so getting back together.
For the first time that night, I sleep peacefully, knowing everything is in its place.
The next morning at school, Gavin heads off to meet with the music teacher while Isla, Sabrina, and I fend off a crowd of eager gossipers who heard bits and pieces of the story. Isla and Zack Bellinger gab the entire time about her death-defying adventure (she exaggerates a bit). Becca practically becomes my new best friend as I relay the litigation and interrogation part of the story to her.
We still haven’t told anyone about the sisters revelation. Isla understands I need time. And so does she.
When the first warning bell rings, I open my locker and a shoe-box rests inside, the lid decorated with yogurt tops. I laugh. The box feels lighter than the last one. I shake it, expecting to hear the contents shifting. I don’t hear anything so I lift the lid.
The box is empty except for a few words written in shiny black permanent marker on the bottom.
For a fresh start on our new adventure. This time you create the clues.
The End...
I hope you enjoyed reading about Moxie and Gavin! Please don’t forget to give this book a quick review on Amazon. Even just a two-word, “Liked it” or “Hated it” review helps so much, and I am grateful for all feedback from my readers. Please swing over to the
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Thanks to Denise Jaden for all your keen insight into my books. You were my first reader on this book, back when it didn’t resemble anything on the current pages, and the book is all the more better for it.
Thanks to all my early beta readers on this book, especially those from Critique Circle and Absolute Write. You have helped shape every word contained in these covers. Thanks to Dana Bacher for your revision suggestions that shaped the book.
Thanks to Ladies Noir, Binders, KBoards, Absolute Write, Twitter, and all the other writerly online hangouts where I found great friends and great advice.
Thanks to Haley Scully, for giving me the name Isla to use. It was perfect!
And of course I can’t forget my loving family, for your continual support. But most importantly I’d like to thank my husband Josh and my daughter Quinn for being my rocks.
Lastly, thank YOU for taking the time to read this book. I hope you enjoyed it!
Rachel Shane studied Creative Writing at Syracuse University and now works as a digital Project Manager in New York City. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, young daughter, and a basement full of books.
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Table of Contents
Stuffed Bunny: Last Friday Night
White Powder: Late Last Friday Night