Scenic Route Read online

Scott still hadn’t lived it down.

  Valentine Motors, the garage owned by the Valentine family had since added custom paint jobs to their repertoire, headhunting the guy that did the artwork as he was that good (though not the brightest bulb in the box), but apparently the Mystery Machine was something people talked about, and the town expressed interest in having it in their parades, so it was left as is.

  We all piled in, Ella in the front seat behind Scott. Jenna climbed in behind her, and Rider sat beside her, immediately biting her neck and making her squeal. I climbed into the seat behind that and Lulu picked the front seat opposite Ella. Spencer climbed in beside me, despite the fact that there were still empty seats.

  “Did I see Sharla out there?” Rider asked, over his shoulder.

  “Yeah,” Spencer said.

  “She comin’?” Rider asked.

  “Nope,” Spencer said.

  Rider craned his neck for a better look at Spencer.

  “You done with her?” Rider’s eyes bounced between Spencer and me. Suspiciously.

  “Wasn’t goin’ anywhere,” Spencer replied, but he gave Rider big eyes and thinned lips in warning and Rider’s eyes moved to me and then back to Spencer and his brows shot up as if Spencer had audacity.

  I had a feeling I was in the middle of a not-so-subtle brother-to-brother non-verbal exchange that signaled Spencer was about to move in on me, but that Rider didn’t approve. And it made me feel claustrophobic.

  “Yeah, I got his number.” Lulu’s voice got louder, distracting me, as she seemed to be finishing a conversation with Ella that I hadn’t been privy to the start of.

  Ella giggled and said something about his tongue piercing and how he’d been showing it off to Lulu all night, preening like a peacock. Jenna was laughing, too, but I couldn’t get in on their conversation because I was feeling like I was caught in some sort of Valentine brother snare. Ella and Lulu high-fived one another.

  Rider was glaring at Spencer, then, meaningfully.

  “Don’t even fuckin’ think about it,” Rider said low, under his breath.

  I aimed my eyes out the window and started chewing my bottom lip.

  I saw Spencer sneer at his brother in the reflection.

  “You wanna mind your own business?”

  I wanted to shrink into myself. Rider’s eyes were on me. I realized I’d slumped in my seat. I gave him big eyes.

  Big, save me, eyes, maybe; I don’t even know.

  “Pip!” Ella exclaimed. “Where’s Pippa?”

  I sat up straighter, peeking over the seat. “Yeah?”

  “There you are!” She climbed over her seat and then over Rider and Jenna to get in between me and Spencer and put her arms around me. The seats weren’t wide enough for three adults.

  “I thought we forgot you, you’re so quiet back here. You want naked chicken chalupas or cheesesteak?”

  “Nothing. Not hungry, Elle,” I said.

  “Tacos?”

  “Naw.”

  “Nachos supreme?”

  “Uh uh.”

  She pursed her lips at me and then her face went sad. “I love you.”

  “Right back atcha, girlfriend,” I said.

  She was way drunk. She gave me a big smack of a kiss on my cheek.

  She looked to Spencer and then back to me, and then to Jenna and raised her brows.

  Jenna raised her own in reply. Those two were now doing silent sister-like communication, which they also had down pat since they’d grown up next door to one another and had been thick as thieves since they were in kindergarten.

  Ella opened her mouth and loudly stated, “And right here, right now, I just gotta say that if anyone ever tries to fuck with you ever again, I’ll gut ‘em.”

  Oh shit. Ella was saying this pointedly. For Spencer’s benefit.

  I guess everyone was picking up on his demeanor tonight.

  “Anyone,” she emphasized loudly.

  Spencer lit a cigarette, looking pissed off and moving over into the empty seat beside us.

  “Do you have to smoke in here?” Ella chastised.

  Spencer opened the window and held his cigarette out, not responding verbally.

  The vibe was uncomfortable, but at least I had physical space from him.

  Ella winked at me. “Scoot!” she shouted toward the front of the bus.

  “Yes Ma’am?” Scott obediently answered.

  “Are we there yet?”

  “Almost.”

  “Good. I’m fucking starving. Put some music on. I wanna dance.”

  Lulu jumped up and went to the stereo, which was top of the line. Scott didn‘t mess around when he had the stereo put in.

  Suddenly, we had more Billy Idol. It was a Billy kind of night.

  Dancing with Myself was blaring and Ella and Lulu were dancing in the aisle and singing at the top of their lungs.

  “Did you know that this song is about masturbating?” Ella asked.

  “Everyone knows that,” Lulu replied.

  “I think that’s an urban legend,” Jenna put in.

  “Nope,” Ella declared. “There are a lot of songs about masturbation. Like, She Bop by Cyndi Lauper, Turning Japanese. There’s more. Google that shit.”

  “Fuck, can we not talk about this?” Spencer grumbled.

  “Why? It’s natural. Everyone does it,” Ella told him. “Everyone.”

  Spencer snickered.

  “Ella! Filter malfunction,” Jenna informed.

  “It’s true.” Ella shrugged and resumed singing and rocking while shaking her fist the way Billy Idol did in the music video.

  The Mystery Machine pulled to a stop.

  “Tacos!” Ella squealed and ran for the door, knocking Lulu sideways into one of the seats. We saw Lulu’s black and red rose Doc Martens sticking up in the air.

  Jenna pulled Lulu back up and Lulu chased after Ella. Jenna stepped off the bus.

  “Step outside, man,” Rider directed his brother.

  I saw Spencer roll his eyes. Rider got up and headed to the front of the bus. Spencer sauntered out next, looking displeased about it.

  I slumped again, pulling my fingers through my hair.

  Jenna came back in and sat with me, putting her arm around me.

  “You okay?”

  I shrugged.

  “Spence coming onto you?” she asked.

  “Not exactly, but it feels like he’s looking for an opening.”

  Jenna winced. “Too soon?”

  But, she looked hopeful. I did a slow blink. Did she want me to hook up with Rider’s brother?

  “Way too soon. I’m not ready to be with anyone,” I told her.

  “But, if you were, what would you think about being with him?”

  I looked at her in disbelief. “I can’t even think about that. After all that’s happened, it’s not even on radar.”

  “He’s hot,” Jenna said.

  “So?”

  “And he’s looking for love. I’ve heard that about him from the start. Ella and I have compared notes with what his brothers have said, what Jojo says, what we see. That guy may go through biker bunnies like they’re going out of style, but he wants a girlfriend. He’s looking for his ‘one’. He said as much one night.”

  I shook my head. “Jenna, stop. I’m not anywhere near the idea of dating again.”

  “It’d be awesome, though, right? All three of us, with the three Valentines?”

  I raised my hand for her to stop. “Go get some tacos.”

  “You’re his sunshine, Pip,” Jenna put in, dreamily. “Happy when skies are grey kinda stuff” She put her head on my shoulder. “He’s so much less of an asshole these days. It’s like he was visited by three ghosts or something.”

  I couldn’t even imagine being with anyone. “Stop it. Go. Put food in your mouth so you can stop talking nonsense.”

  “I don’t want tacos. Goin’ to get some cheesesteak,” Jenna said. “But, think about it. Maybe you feel like it’s too soon, but thin
k on it, okay?” But, then she quickly added, “Shit.”

  Shouting was happening outside the bus.

  Jenna crossed the aisle to look out a window on the other side of the bus. I followed, hearing voices get louder.

  “…don’t fuck around!” I caught the end of Rider saying that to Spencer, poking him in the chest.

  Spencer shoved Rider back and said something low and pointed at him.

  Rider straightened and folded his arms across his chest. I heard him say something I couldn’t make out, but also clearly heard it end with, “…ain’t ready, man.”

  Spencer got closer and pointed at him again, but then Scott was back inside the bus, turning the music up.

  “Turn that down,” Jenna hissed, and Scott gave her a dirty look and ignored her request. He also started up the bus, which made it even harder to eavesdrop. He was obviously using the music and the engine to try to mask their conversation.

  I flopped back into my seat.

  I did not need this drama tonight. My phone made a ding. I was afraid to even look.

  A few minutes later, Ella and Lulu were back with a giant Taco Bell bag and Rider and Spencer got in and we were back on the road, on the way to the cheesesteak place.

  Jenna bought me a cheesesteak and a drink even though I didn’t want them. Spencer didn’t buy anything, didn’t leave the bus, or say anything. He sat in the seat beside my seat, quiet for the rest of the ride, broody, looking out the window, elbow resting on the window, thumb grazing his bottom lip in thought.

  And it wasn’t sitting well. I knew they’d been talking about me. I knew Rider was being protective. And for some odd reason, I was feeling protective of Spencer. He hadn’t actually done anything. I was feeling bad for him for getting told off by his brother over whatever he was thinking about where I was concerned.

  But, it felt dangerous to feel protective, because I also didn’t want to give him any ideas.

  Jenna, Rider, and I got dropped off first. I got up and got to the aisle.

  “Night, Spence,” I said.

  He turned to look at me and there was an intensity, a focus there in those eyes. I couldn’t pry my eyes away for some reason.

  “Have a good night, Sunshine,” he finally said low, with meaning, and then as I was about to move forward, he grabbed my hand, squeezed it fast, and let it go.

  And my heart twinged. I felt the color drain from my face. I leaned over and grabbed my drink and my sandwich from the seat and then I quickly moved to catch up with Rider and Jenna, who’d already departed the bus.

  Upstairs, they were at the table, munching on their food. I put mine in the fridge, said my goodnights, and headed toward my room.

  “Pip,” Rider called out.

  I stopped and looked at him.

  He chewed his cheek a beat, looking like he was lost for words but wanted to say something to me.

  “I’m good. I’m just goin’ to bed. Thanks for tonight, guys.” I blew a kiss at them.

  Jenna gave me a tight smile. Rider gave me a nod, but he looked unsettled.

  I went to my room, relieved to not get any lectures of any sort.

  I cuddled with Dyna, who was on my bed, pulled my phone out and read a message that made my blood run cold.

  It was a text from Penny with a YouTube video link.

  All Apologies - Nirvana

  I turned it off and put it on Do Not Disturb until 8:am. I cried myself to sleep.

  ***

  I woke in the morning to the sound of my phone making a series of dings at 8:00 sharp.

  Song after song, all of them apology songs.

  ***

  I was relieved that I’d get to teach my Sunday yoga class. I hadn’t taught in weeks and at first, it seemed like my students were happy to have me back, but after a few asked questions about where I’d been, I noticed a different vibe from a few of the other girls. One of the students was someone I didn’t know well, she’d only started coming a few weeks before my last class, but I did know she worked as a traffic monitor for the same construction company Joe worked for.

  She was looking at me like she knew. He’d gotten fired the day everything happened, so I was sure he was a focal point of conversation there. He was tight with several of the guys. Word must have gotten around. Two other girls who were in the back row with her were whispering while I was trying to get the class going.

  Yoga usually did things for me, for my energy, for my sense of self. The vibe was beyond uncomfortable for me, so after class, I decided to go to the studio owner and tell her I needed to stop teaching for a while. I could tell by her reaction that she’d heard the rumors, too. She squeezed my hand and told me to come back whenever I wanted.

  Screw Joe for taking that away from me. My friends were treating me strange. I’d had a few uncomfortable exchanges from a couple clients. And now even the yoga studio was no longer a haven for me.

  Leaving the studio, I went to my parents’ place for dinner and got more weird treatment. Mom tried to overcompensate by making all my favorite foods and being extra-bubbly. Nobody else from the family was there. It was usually aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, family friends. It was just us four that day, which wasn’t unheard of, but it felt intentional. Dad was quiet and broody, and he barely looked at me. Phil’s eyes were glued to the television and he wore a scowl the whole afternoon.

  It was a long and painful day. But, there was some good news. My brother was leaving town for a few months for his job, and it was decided I’d be moving into his place until he got back. I did not hesitate to take him up on the offer. At least I would have my own space for a while.

  I braced, waiting for Phil to warn me off getting back with Joe while he was gone, but he said nothing of the sort.

  Three more texts came while I was there. I didn’t click any of the YouTube links.

  When I got back to Jenna’s apartment, there was another one.

  “God, make it stop,” I pleaded aloud.

  “Hm?” Jenna was coming out of her bedroom wearing a sports bra, boy short underwear, with thigh high socks, carrying a stack of dishes. She and Rider were having some alone time in her room, obviously. She had sex-mussed hair and had told me that he had a thing for those socks. I was cramping their style.

  “Nothing,” I said, putting the bag in my hand inside the refrigerator. “I’m thinking it’s time for me to go, though. I’m cramping your style.” I gestured to her in her underwear.

  “No, it’s okay. We’re fine.” She waved her free hand.

  “My brother’s getting transferred for a three-month or longer contract for work in Washington. I’m gonna apartment-sit for him. Give you guys some space. I leave Tuesday.”

  She made a sad face. “You don’t have to---"

  “I need some alone time, too,” I admitted.

  She put the pile of dishes down on the counter and put her arms around me.

  “I’m here for you. Whatever you need. Whether it’s here or alone time, I’m here for you. Okay?”

  I nodded.

  “And if you wanna come back ‘cuz it’s lonely over there, or you just want a sleepover, come. Okay?”

  “Okay. You’re a good friend, Jenna. The best.”

  She smiled. “You, too. So, what’s been going on today?”

  “It’s that obvious?” I asked.

  She nodded. “Did something happen with Spencer?”

  I shook my head. “No. Why would you ask that?”

  “That whole scene last night.”

  “No. Stop it with the Spencer business. He was just looking at me. Trying to get close. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “It’s like you’ve gone backwards with healing. The Penny text? Is it still that or is it something else?”

  “She keeps sending me links to sorry songs.”

  “Sorry songs?”

  “Songs with groveling.”

  “Trying to fix things for you and her brother.”

  “The songs… feel like t
hey’re from him. He’s put her up to it.”

  “Is he not in rehab? Don’t they prevent outside contact?”

  I shrugged.

  “There’s probably rules about outside contact,” she said, frowning.

  I shrugged again. The songs that were chosen felt like Joe. Not Penny. Maybe a few, I hadn’t looked at them all, but I knew him. Or, I thought I did.

  “I’m gonna have to ask her to stop. And it’s gonna break her heart, but I have to cut contact.”

  “You do,” Jenna agreed.

  “They were weird with me at the studio. I quit teaching.”

  She pouted, and her shoulders slumped. “Ah man, that sucks.”

  “I just can’t take the pity looks and the whispering.”

  “Effing bitches,” she hissed.

  “Gorgeous! Get your sexy ass in here!” Rider bellowed from their room.

  “Hold your horses!” she shouted.

  “We’ll talk later.” I waved my hand.

  She looked annoyed. Not at me, at her bedroom door.

  Rider poked his head out. He was in boxer briefs and he had sex-mussed hair, too. His face went from mischievous to surprised.

  “Oh, sorry, Pippa.”

  I waved my hand. “It’s okay.”

  “Thought you were at your parents.” He looked guilty.

  Jenna was giving him a dirty look.

  “I’m back. Sorry, Rider, didn’t mean to interrupt couple time. But, good news, I’m outta here Tuesday.”

  He waved his hand. “No. Don’t be sorry. What’s Tuesday?”

  “I’m moving into my brother’s place.”

  “I’ll let you two talk.” He disappeared back into their room.

  “Come on, sit.” Jenna went to the kitchen table.

  “No. I’m okay. Really.”

  “Let’s have a coffee and a chat. Or Sangria. I can get Andie to make her Sangria?”

  “Jenna, you’re in your underwear and your hot guy is in bed waiting for you in his underwear.”

  “I’m glad he’s wearing them. Used to be Mr. Commando, but he looks good in them.” She looked off into space. She was in a sex daze.

  He did look good in them. But, I shouldn’t be looking at her hot guy in his underwear. I wasn’t equipped for any hot guys right now.

  “Go get your Sunday night nookie. I’m fine. I brought home some roast beef and some strawberry tarts if you’re hungry. It’s in the fridge.”