Sublime Wreckage (6 page)

"That was very impressive. I couldn't have done it better myself. I didn't catch your name?"

"That's because I didn't throw it your way, Slick."

Did she really just say that to me? She's got a smart little mouth on her and I love it. She doesn't seem afraid of me at all. In fact, she seems almost annoyed. "Wow. I don't think I have ever met someone so turned off by my presence. Is it something I said?" That's when she takes a deep breath and exhales slowly making me think she really is annoyed but then she does something unexpected. Her eyes start to look over my body like she's taking every ounce of me in. I have to admit that I get a little turned on. This beautiful, sexy girl is checking me out. Then I say the stupidest thing ever. "Like what you see?" She scoffs in my face. Like literally scoffs at me. I like her even more until I hear the next words out of her mouth.

"Nothing I haven't seen before. Why are you harassing me anyway? Don't you have a bank to rob or something?"

This rubs me the wrong way and I get pissed. Then I say something stupid. "Huh. I wouldn't have pegged you as someone who judges a person based on what others say, especially given your history with Sam." I turn and head back to my truck. I don't want to see her face. I'm pretty sure that was the worst thing I could have said to her. Man, I suck. At least I finally remembered why she seemed familiar. She used to date Sam Weston. I cut his parents yard. His mom is pretty nice and invites me in for an ice tea after I finish with the yard. I remember seeing a picture above the fireplace of Sam with his arm around this amazing looking girl and thinking she was incredible and how damn lucky Sam Weston was to have her. I had heard some rumors about their break-up but nothing serious. Something about a crazy mother. Whatever that meant. I don't know if she was over protective and made them break-up or what. It doesn't really matter now because that was a couple of years ago. Sam left for college shortly after their break-up.

I also don't know why her comment got me so riled up. I think it's because I want her opinion of me to be better than what everyone else thinks. I was hoping she hadn't heard all the nasty rumors about me and if she had that at least she wouldn't believe them. I just ruined my chance with her. I'm kicking myself so hard right now. I still didn't get her name. Dammit. Why did I have to be such a prick? When I pull into the driveway I see Tommy's car. At least he can distract me tonight so I don't end up hating myself for being such an idiot.

"Hey man. How was work?" I say over my shoulder as I carry in the bags of food.

"Same old same old. Did you get some good food to munch on? I'm starving."

"Sorry, I had dinner with Joey and Mom and didn't even think to bring you something. But I did buy some frozen pizza and a couple of your favorite junk foods. I'll throw the pizza in the oven if you want to hang and watch the game with me."

"Sure. I don't have anything going on tonight. Anything new with you?"

"Not really. Just working. Joey helped me out today with some yards so he can take his girlfriend out this weekend." After putting all the food away I slide the pizza in the oven for Tommy. We don't talk much once the game starts which is fine by me. He ends up devouring the entire pizza. Tommy is a big guy. I mean I am about 6'1" but Tommy is closer to 6'5" and probably weighs a good 250 pounds. He isn't overweight by any means. He is built. It always cracks me up when people see him. They ask if he plays football or some other sport. Poor Tommy doesn't have a coordinated bone in his body. Sometimes he trips over his own feet but he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I love him like a brother.

By the time the game is over it's close to 10:00. Tommy heads off to bed. I feel restless. I straighten up around the house and decide to go for a walk. As soon as I get outside I head over to the railroad tracks. I don't know why I expect her to be waiting but she's not. So I walk around until I hear someone running. I can't believe my luck. I see her stop to catch her breath. Just as she is standing up I walk toward her. She seems pretty fearless. I still can't believe she is out running this late all alone.

"You know you really shouldn't be out this late alone. A pretty girl like you could get hurt and that would be a shame." Oh crap. I hope she doesn't think I was threatening her. It did kind of sound like it. And a little creepy too. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?

"I can take care of myself."

For some crazy reason I move a few steps closer until I'm standing right in front of her. I don't know why but I feel drawn to this girl.

"Don't say I didn't warn you when you are laying on the ground face down with my knee in your back, Slick."

"I wasn't going to test the theory. I believe you. You seem like a smart girl and I don't think you would be out here right now if you couldn't handle yourself." There is that smart mouth again. I really like this girl. Now that I am standing so close to her I get a really good look at her face. Her right cheek is red and a little swollen like someone hit her. All of a sudden I feel so much concern for her. I can't believe someone would do this to her. They must have hit her pretty damn hard to leave a mark like that. I can't help myself. Slowly I reach up and touch her face with the back of my hand as gently as I can. I feel sparks flying through my entire body from just the tiniest touch to her skin. Wow. I have never felt anything like that before. Ever. The words are out of my mouth before I can even think. "Did someone hurt you?"

"That's none of your damn business. Why are you even out here? Are you stalking me?"

Super defensive. Yep. I should have kept my mouth shut. Someone definitely hurt her. She clearly doesn't want to talk about it so I let it go. "I actually think you're stalking me. See that small house on the corner? Well, I live there. So what are
you
doing in
my
neighborhood sweetheart?"

"Ugh. Don't call me that. Like ever."

"Well, you didn't want to toss me your name earlier so what else am I supposed to call you sweetheart?" Two can play at this game. I want to keep her talking. I'm really enjoying this banter.

"It's Maggie but I suppose you already know that since you seem to know Sam."

"I actually didn't know your name. I just knew you were Sam's ex. Sorry about the comment earlier. I really don't know anything about your relationship with Sam. I don't know the guy that well. I just do some work for his family and happened to see a picture of you at his house a couple of years ago. Well it's nice to meet you Maggie." Damn, I knew I shouldn't have made that comment about Sam. It's clearly a sore subject for her. I wonder what happened between the two of them. I wonder if she loved him.

"Ummm...it's nice to meet you too, Vincent. And I'm sorry for what I said about you robbing a bank. I'm usually not so temperamental. I was kind of short with you based on rumors. So... sorry."

"I understand. Most people don't have a high opinion of me but I promise not to rob you." She finally called me by my name. So she does know who I am. I can't believe how much I liked it when she said my name. I wonder if she will say it again. Although I like it when she calls me Slick too. It feels personal. Like we know each other. She gives me a little laugh after my comment and it's amazing. It's the best sound I've heard all day.

"Well it's getting late and I have to get up early for school. I guess I will see you around, Slick."

"Uh, okay. Do you want me to run with you back to your house or give you a ride? It just seems wrong to let you run alone this late at night. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."

"It's okay, really. I do this all the time. I appreciate the offer but my mother would never let me out of the house again if she saw some strange, older guy giving me a ride home or running with me. But thanks for the offer. Later Vince."

I really didn't want her to go but she left me with no choice. She just turned around and took off. Now she has called me Slick, Vincent and Vince. I can't decide which one I like best. All I know right now is I like this girl. I like her a lot. Maggie. I like that name too. Finally a name to go with the incredible girl. There is just something about her. After standing around for what seems like hours looking like an idiot, I turn around and head back to the house. I didn't even get her number. Dammit. Why can't I think straight when she is around? Wait, I can see her tomorrow when I pick up Joey from school. That puts the biggest smile on my face. I have never wanted tomorrow to come so badly.

Maggie

I get up as soon as my alarm goes off. I'm praying that my mother isn't awake. Sometimes when she falls asleep early she gets up early. I quietly creep across the hall into the bathroom. We have a small two bedroom house with just one bathroom. It sucks. I don't hear anything so I take a fast shower, get dressed, grab my stuff and get the hell out of the house before I have to see her. I was able to put some concealer on my face to cover up the red mark. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. I think the ice really helped. Amanda is waiting for me when I close the front door behind me.

"What's up sunshine?" I skip happily down the front steps of the porch and over to Amanda.

"What's up with you? Why are you so chipper? You're usually a great big grump in the morning."

"So I can't be in a good mood? Besides, I didn't have any confrontations with momzilla so there is plenty to be happy about today. I also have work right after practice so I don't have to deal with her again tonight. Bonus!"

"I don't think that's all that's going on here. I've never seen you this cheerful this early in the morning. So spill."

"I'm telling you the truth. There's nothing else going on. I'm just happy."

"Well I'm still not buying it but if you aren't going to tell me then I will just have to share about my latest conquest. You remember the guy we had lunch with yesterday? Well, he totally asked me out for this Friday night! I'm so excited. He is the cutest guy I have ever gone out with."

Amanda continues to jabber in my ear the entire walk to school about the hot guy she will probably be sleeping with by the end of the month. I really wish she had more respect for herself. I made a mistake of giving my virginity away before I was ready. It's the biggest regret I have in my 17-years of life. I learned my lesson. That's also when I stopped trying to please my mother and started doing things for myself. It made my life with her a lot harder but I decided not to compromise who I am for another person ever again.

We part ways until lunch, at which time I'm certain we will be sitting with tweddledee and tweddledum. I head into English with my favorite teacher Mr. Brown. I take a seat in the first desk in the front row. I don't know what it is about this class or this teacher but I'm usually captivated from the time class starts to when the bell rings. Today we are discussing our favorite short stories in American Literature. Mr. Brown is reciting lines from his favorites and the class has to answer which author wrote the short story. I love this game. I usually get most of them right but I never raise my hand. I only answer to myself, never out loud. I do well on all my papers and have had Mr. Brown for the last two years so he knows I'm intelligent. Obviously or I wouldn't be in the advanced class. I just prefer to keep my thoughts private. I think that's why I will never be a professional writer. As much as I love reading other people's work, I have little to no confidence in my own. Before I know it, the bell is buzzing in my ears. Time to move onto the next class.

I am so grateful that I have study hall after calculus. It gives me the extra time I need to learn the material. Thus the name study hall. I am so funny, I crack myself up. I finally head to lunch. I'm starving. I was in such a rush to get out the door this morning I didn't have time to grab anything to eat. Once again Amanda gets a salad she probably won't even eat. I, on the other hand, grab a slice of pepperoni pizza, a cheeseburger with fries and a soda. Amanda looks over my food and shakes her head. "What? I didn't eat breakfast," I say while shoving a French fry in my mouth.

"Maggie, you can't eat like that the rest of your life. You should try a salad once in a while."

Amanda makes a beeline to the "hot guy" table, as she would call it. Great. Now I get to be completely and utterly bored the entire lunch period. The rest of the day drags so slow I think I may die of boredom. Finally it's time to head off to swim practice. I really don't know what I'm going to do once the season ends. It's something I really look forward to and it helps get me through my day.

As soon as I step outside I have to blink several times. I can't believe what I'm seeing. Vincent Moreno is standing by the bus waiting. What's he doing? Who is he waiting for? Just as I'm trying to figure this out he notices me. Then he starts walking over. All of a sudden my heart rate picks up. The palms of my hands get all sweaty. Gross. I'm actually getting nervous. What could he possibly want with me?

"Hey stranger."

OMG! OMG! I am totally freaking out. Was he really just waiting here to talk to me? I am freaking out on the inside while trying to exhibit some level of composure on the outside. "Hey yourself, Slick."

"You ran off the other night so fast I didn't get a chance to ask for your number. I'd like to give you a call sometime if that's alright?"

"Ummm...." I don't have a clue what to say. I really like this guy. I want to give him my number but I can't risk getting caught up in a relationship when I'm this close to getting the hell out of here. So I make my decision right here, right now. "I just want to be clear, I'm not looking for a boyfriend. I don't have time to date. My focus is on college. I have no desire to stay in this town one second longer than I have to. So if you think you can handle being just friends with a girl then I will give you my number. Otherwise don't waste your time or mine."

"It's not exactly what I had in mind."

"Then walk away, Slick. Because I don't have anything else to offer." I walk right past him to get on the bus but when I do our shoulders touch. It's almost like a shock of electricity. When I was a kid I would rub my feet along the carpet with my socks on to build up static electricity and then shock someone. Well, it felt like that but intensified times a million. I have never felt that kind of chemistry, not even with Sam.