Handful by C.R. Grissom
CHAPTER THREE
Kirsty
Losing a bet to Everest wasn’t my finest moment. It boils down to the loss of the cost of a meal and my dignity. Dammit. Betting challenges are a weakness of mine. Plus, who’d have thought the foot stepstool thing would work anyway.
He’s outrageously sexy and strong as a construction tower crane.
Everest asks, “Why do you want to drive with me?”
Not in a snarky way, but an honest question. I huff out a breath and fess up, “Math.”
“Math, huh? Not something more challenging like calculus?” His face creases into a grin.
I shoot him a glance. “One plus two equals three. I thought I’d ride with you in your beast of a Bronco and even up the numbers. I love the Stroppe Baja.” Pausing to reflect on my decision to ride with Everest I admit, “It’s not personal.”
“I’m flattered and flattened at the same time. That takes mad skills.”
The laugh bursts from me. “Stick around. I’ll cure any oversized ego.” I shrug. “Even yours.”
“Not many people recognize the Baja.” His gaze shifts to mine quickly and then back to the road. “Are you into Fords or cars in general?”
“American muscle cars are my favorites. I’m partial to the ’66 Chevelle SS, the sixties and early seventies are the best decades for muscle cars. My dad loves them. Got me into classics, too. The Stroppe is legendary and worth a small fortune. Did you buy this yourself?”
He snorts. “No. My dad discovered it buried in an old salvage yard. Spray-painted army green and bright yellow under the rust. The dude who ran the yard had no idea what he had. Engine was blown and both doors were missing. Dad recognized it and made a deal with the owner. Restoring it was our weekend project for four years.”
“Nice.” He still has to be loaded. “I can’t believe he turned it over to you. Your dad must love you.”
His laugh sounds bitter. “He left us once we finished the Baja. He never came back. Mom could have sold it—God knows we could have used the money—but she gave it to me. She said I spent too much time working on it to have it sold out from under me.”
My heart pinches. I can’t imagine Dad walking out on us. His mom stood up though. “It’s lousy about your dad. I’m sorry for that. Your mom makes up for the lack in your other parent.”
Everest glances over at me. “She’s the best.”
There’s so much weight to his simple declaration. It pulls at me. Geez. I need to bury the need to pull him into a hug. He wouldn’t appreciate pity in any form—or I’m projecting—pity is like poison to me. I check the impulse to touch him. Especially since I can’t decide if empathy or raging hormones motivate me.
After a couple beats of silence I remark, “I’m glad you restored it to the original colors: poppy red and Wimbledon white for the body, Acapulco blue for the roof, and satin black on the hood.”
“Yeah, it’s distinctive. What was done to the original paint job was a crime against humanity.”
“Totally, but in your favor since the salvage dude didn’t recognize what was under his nose.”
We drive into the parking lot closest to Faith’s dorm. Phoebe’s dorm too, after today. The three of us will room together next August. I’m counting the days until I move here. Loosen the ties that keep me mummified back home. Guilt instantly infuses me. Mom and Dad didn’t make me postpone college to help them with Collin. I offered. I didn’t want to leave my baby brother. Sometimes my decision weighs more heavily.
Stop. I love my family, especially Collin, I admonish myself. Families pitch in, friends do too, or I wouldn’t be riding with Everest and most of Phoebe’s belongings to help her move into the dorm. I guess I need a break. A chance to focus on my needs without worrying about playdates and potential bad influences on Collin.
I glance at Everest. One hand on the steering wheel; the other rests on his thigh. Stop staring at his hands. I gaze out the windshield instead.
This week gives me much-needed distance from the Daniel debacle. Once I get back home, I’ll have to deal with his anger again, at least on campus. Ugh.
Everest opens my door, he clears his throat after a beat, which pulls me out of my thoughts. “Thanks.” Jumping down to the ground, I crank my face upward after landing to make eye contact. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”
“Still tired?” he asks softly.
He’s a fixer. I can almost smell it on him. He went out of his way to get me caffeinated. Might be nice if I didn’t feel itchy about Everest. I roll my shoulders hoping to shake off his appeal. Like it’d be that easy. Sheesh.
“I’d offer to help you get rid of the rocks I assume are jammed between your shoulder blades. But, I’d have to put my hands around your scrawny neck for that and you have that no touching rule.” He shrugs dramatically.
My laugh spurts out. “Now who’s the smart-ass?”
Everest grins. He walks around to the back of the Baja, unlatches the spare tire carrier and swings it out of the way. He raises the liftgate window and carefully drops the tailgate down to reach for the first box.
I reach for another box. “Let me take that.”
“It’s bigger than you.”
“Is not.” I blow out a breath. “Stop trying to give me a complex. I’m a concentrated version of an adult.” I allow my gaze to crawl up his body—a huge mistake because something deep inside me clenches. Dammit. But just to be a pain I mutter, “No wasted space.”
Everest barks out a laugh. “Same goes on the complex, Lilly.”
“Lilly?”
He smirks. “Lilly the Lilliputian, a bite-sized handful.”
A smile tickles at my mouth and I firm my lips. “Amusing.” Reaching for the box, I lift it off the tailgate. “I can handle it.”
Faith and Caleb join us. “Let’s haul stuff.”
“Great.” Pushing the too-heavy box into Caleb’s hands I tell him, “Start with this.”
I avoid eye contact with Everest. I don’t want to risk catching his knowing glance. He’s right about the size of the box. Plus, it weighs a ton, too. Probably filled with textbooks.
He’s so affable it’s damn near irresistible. Even if he wasn’t tall as a redwood, built like a professional wrestler, and savage hot along with it, he’d still be compelling because of his personality. His invisible cloak of command.
He must draw women to him like bears scenting a beehive. I can’t be Pooh today or any other day. Too bad I can’t opt for a quickie to get him out of my system. Where did that thought come from? I glance at Everest. Probably something to do with almost seven feet of hard muscle. Shit.
I grab a duffel bag and sling the strap around my neck. It’s got heft, but I can probably manage to haul it to the room without embarrassing myself.
Faith hangs back, allowing the guys to get about ten yards away. “Everything okay with you?” she asks, concern in her voice.
“Yeah. You know me and cars. I couldn’t resist Everest’s ride.”
“Most women can’t,” she murmurs.
I snort, recognizing her tone. “Well sure, the man’s a walking thirst trap, but it’s not like that.”
She makes eye contact. “What’s it like then?”
I hip-check her. It’s always been our thing. A way to show we’re on the same page. “Girl, he’s the equivalent of a five-pound-tub of ice cream, and let’s say—for the sake of example—that I’m a diabetic. You want it badly, but you know it won’t be good for you.”
Faith grins. “Amen. But, in his defense he’s the best guy, Kirsty.”
“Yeah. It shows. I can’t go there. He has commitment tattooed all over him, and I can’t be distracted.” I blow out a breath. “I can’t let myself. You know this.”
Faith hip-checks me this time. “I happen to disagree. You can have a relationship with someone without it coming to a this or that scenario. Caleb hasn’t changed my focus. I still get good grades, and great sex. Plus someone who understands me.”
“Hey. Standing here,” I gripe.
Faith huffs out a breath. “You’ve been a constant throughout my life. Goes without saying, and you’re the sister of my heart.”
My lips curve. “Yeah, yeah. Same.” I admit, “I’m a little raw over Daniel and his left-field reaction to my transfer. Plus, Mom keeps breaking down and randomly crying about my move and her premonition she’s going to lose me to some guy on the grounds that I’ll stay out here after graduation.”
Faith glances at me. “Interesting. I don’t recall her kicking up a fuss about Daniel, the asshole.”
I snicker. “Nope. Never had anything to say about Daniel except good riddance when we broke up before Christmas.” I shrug. “Since when do you say ‘kicking up a fuss’?”
Faith snorts. “I channeled Granny Kay.”
We reach the double doors at the entry of her dorm. She presses her hip to the badge reader to unlock the door with her dorm keycard dangling from a clip attached to her pocket. I grab the handle to open it since her hands are full.
Everest’s voice booms in the lobby. “I go forward but never back. I go round and round but don’t get dizzy and never stop. What am I?”
Caleb offers, “A tight end?”
Everest grins. “Close, but not quite.”
Raising my voice I answer, “A clock.”
“Exactly.” He nods. “We’re wasting time here people. Let’s move.”
The five of us follow his lead. Trooping up and down from vehicles to elevators to dorm room and back again. Two cycles of hauling stuff between the six of us and we manage to get it all inside.
After Phoebe gets settled, we’ll head back to Grams’s place to put together wedding favors. Dammit. I need the dress I plan to wear since I can’t just buy a dress without having it hemmed. My compact size means off the rack—even in the petite section—generally means overall length will still pose a problem no matter which shoes I choose.
The New Year’s Eve event requires a floor-length gown. It took me forever to find a dress I could afford with the gift cards saved from my birthday last August, one that could be hemmed without destroying the lines of the gown.
It’s been a rough week in general. I had to kick Daniel to the curb ten days before Christmas over my decision to transfer to Fortis University. He acted surprised when he found my acceptance letter, which is ironic because I told him about it before I applied.
The turdgave me the most grief about Daniel. It’s obvious that my five-year-old brother found Daniel better company than I did.
Welp.Shoulda, coulda, woulda describes my relationship with Daniel. I shoulda realized he bought into the Durnin family legend about falling in forever love when it came to us. One kiss, Dad’s family legend says, and you’ll know you’ve found the one. Hogwash, as Granny Kay often argued. Granny Kay was Mom’s mother and thought the legend was pure bullshit.
I coulda done a better job explaining to Daniel that we weren’t building anything permanent—we were friends with benefits. I woulda broke it off long ago had I realized we weren’t on the same page.
I’ve never felt a clutch in my heart for any guy. Undergrad and then obtaining my master’s degree constitute my sole focus. Unlike Mom, who dropped out of college when she got pregnant with me. Guilt strikes hard in my gut, turning my stomach as it always does when I think about Mom giving up her dreams for me.
Phoebe crosses to Everest. “Thanks for helping today.” She speaks softly but I’m close enough to hear. She gives him a hug.
“Always,” Everest murmurs wrapping his arms around her.
“It didn’t occur to me until this minute it might be difficult for you—helping me take Charlene’s place in Faith’s room,” she explains while patting his shoulder. “I’m sorry. Is it weird for you to be back here?”
“Nah.” He steps out of her embrace to check the expression on her face. “Charlene is still my friend—that didn’t change after we split. I’m happy for her and chasing dreams should come first.”
Oh, hell. I completely forgot Everest and Charlene were together. She moved to the U.K. right after semester finals ten days ago. His reaction is the polar opposite of Daniel’s meltdown about my transfer to Fortis.
I glance away from Everest and Phoebe while contemplating Daniel’s blistering anger toward me. All his accusations shouted at the top of his voice. Luckily, the turd wasn’t home, he’d spent the night with my aunt Jen and uncle David. Mild-mannered Dad told Daniel to leave the house and not to come back. I planned to throw him out myself, but Dad stepped in—angrier than I’ve ever seen him—and beat me to it.
Fortis is all I’ve ever talked about since Faith transferred here. It wasn’t a secret. Daniel acted like I betrayed him. Lesson learned there. Even casual relationships aren’t worth it. I plan to study my ass off. Period. End of story.
Besides, I’ve got Kevin for any other needs—the only requirement is a USB hookup when the battery drains.
Stop thinking about Daniel, I scold myself, and shoot a glance toward Everest when his laugh booms.
“What’s most useful when it’s long and hard?” Everest asks Phoebe.
She shakes her head. “You and your riddles.”
“Anyone?” he asks the room at large.
My brain derails on the words long and hard, while an image of what Everest might look like without his clothes and primed for battle fogs my mind. Dammit.
Faith shares a look with Caleb, but she groans, “No.”
I know the answer won’t be naughty, “An education?” I offer.
His gaze fixes on mine. “Exactly.”
Shit.The temperature in the room feels like it shot up at least ten degrees. My cell chimes and I reach into my back pocket and pull it out. It’s an unknown number. “Hello?”
“This is Carly Gill with Jet Express Airlines. Is Kirsten Durnin available?”
“I’m Kirsten.” My heart starts to hammer in my chest and sweat pops along my spine. Thanks to dirty thoughts and hauling stuff, I’m burning up in the sweater I slipped on this morning back in icy Newford. A bad choice for mostly mild California winters and the immediate immersion into moving day. “Did my bag arrive?”
“Yes. We’ll hold it for you at the desk in baggage claim. We close after the last flight tonight, which lands at ten-oh-five. If you can’t make it today, we’ll reopen at seven thirty tomorrow morning.”
Relief calms my racing heart. “I’ll do my best to swing by today before you close. Thanks.” I end the call. I don’t want to pull Faith away from helping Phoebe.
Faith glances over at me. “Your bag arrived?” she confirms.
“Yes, finally.” I let out a breath. “I can use Rides to get to the airport and back later. No problem.”
Heading toward the door, I toss over my shoulder, “Bio break, be right back.”
I need a minute to myself. I’m familiar with Faith’s dorm. I’ll splash some cold water on my face and neck to cool down. It’s been a long day and it’s not remotely over.
I push through the door and head straight toward the stalls. The energy drink Everest brought me presses down on my bladder. Finished, I scoot over to the bank of sinks to wash my hands.
The outer door opens and Faith walks inside. She joins me, leaning against the counter. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” Cupping my clean hands under the water I bring my hands to my face. I feel better almost immediately. I press my wet hands to my neck. It helps. “Just tired.”
She pulls a few paper towels free from the dispenser and passes them to me. “Uh-huh. I know that face. There’s more.”
“I’m hot, too.” My voice wobbles, shocking us both. I quickly pat my face dry.
“Hey.” Faith rubs my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
I breathe in and out. “It got to me.”
“What did?”
“Everest and his absolute evenness.” I crumple the towels and toss them in the trash can. I know I’m not making sense, even to myself.
“Explain, please,” Faith asks softly.
I hunch my shoulders. “I’m sorry. Don’t pay attention to me. Listening to Everest be matter-of-fact and supportive about Charlene taking off for London got to me.”
“Because Daniel tore into you?”
“Yeah. It was ugly, Faith. Dad almost punched him, and you know Dad’s low-key.” I didn’t realize how much it still bothers me. Not our breakup, but his vicious attack that seemed to come from nowhere. “It hit me now, probably because I’m tired.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you. I don’t know Daniel, but he’s a dick of monstrous proportions.” She wraps her arms around me.
I hug her back. “Yeah, who knew? When Everest was cool about Charlene, I felt actual envy. Why couldn’t I have broken up with him instead of Daniel?”
Faith snorts. “Well, the obvious reason is that you’re not together and Everest isn’t a prick.”
I snicker. The heaviness that gripped my chest for the past few minutes relaxes. I take a step back to make eye contact. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. Everest remains calm no matter what,” Faith asserts. “I’ve seen him ticked off, but he doesn’t raise his voice. People listen. No one risks his ire. Well, except one time with the former QB, but even then it blew over. I haven’t ever witnessed him losing his shit over a girl or a breakup.”
Hmm.Maybe the pressure of being a leader keeps him calm on the surface. “Maybe he’s mastered game face. You have one—never let them see you hurt—he could be the same with a twist. Zen on the outside, lava on the inside. One fissure away from world annihilation.”
“Yeah, no.” Faith snickers. “You’ll understand the phenomenon called Everest once you get to know him better.”
I don’t think I’ve ever questioned Everest’s status as Campus King. Frankly, I’m inclined to like him anyway. Like me, he’s protective of Faith. I worried her and the only way to change that is to poke at her. “He’ll be like a movie that people tell you to see—best ever and all that—you finally plunk down the big bucks to watch it and think, what’s all the hype about?”
Faith’s grin is large and contagious. “You’re already jealous of his breakup technique and you only met him a few hours ago.”
“Truth, but I’m off my stride today. And I’m boiling like a crustacean at a clam bake. It’s affected my ability to keep calm and carry on.”
She sighs. “You must be off your game, you generally say ‘keep calm and plot revenge.’”
The laugh bubbles out of me. “See, told you I’m exhausted.” I scrub my hands down my face. “Don’t mind me. Seriously, I’m lagged by the jet, the three a.m. post-Christmas Day wake-up, and the Daniel drama leading up to the holiday. It’ll pass. Promise.”
She takes a beat to check my face. “I believe you. I’m sorry I thrust you into moving day the second you landed.”
I wave that off. “No. I like meeting everyone and hanging out. Lugging boxes isn’t a big deal. I bottomed out for a sec.”
“And then there’s Everest…” She trails off waiting for me to finish her sentence, her interest obvious.
I make a noise deep in my throat—part laugh and part groan. “He makes me thirsty, but that’s a no-go. I’m off men for now.”
“Hmm,” Faith murmurs, clearly unconvinced. “Wait here. I’ll bring you a T-shirt to borrow now. Then we’ll work in a trip to the airport. We need to get you there and back to wedding central at Grams’s place.”
“Yes, please. But don’t you want to stay and help Phoebe?”
“She’ll be okay. Mostly she’ll need to unpack her things, make her bed. That sort of thing. Phoebe will want to do that on her own.”
“Okay. If I don’t eat soon, I’m gonna perish,” I cry dramatically with an exaggerated Southern drawl to make Faith laugh.
I’m rewarded with her chuckle.
“I might have a protein bar or leftover holiday chocolate stowed in a drawer back in the room,” Faith considers. “We’ll get you something to stave off imminent starvation until we swing through the In-N-Out near the airport.”
“Yes!” I pump my fist. We don’t have the chain on the East Coast. “That works.”
*
An hour later,we arrive at Mr. Lacerna’s condo at The Row. An upscale mixed-use retail and residential district in San Jose. Caleb parked and went to his condo while Faith and I head to her dad’s place in the next building over. I love Faith’s dad. He’s like a second father to me. He wraps me in a bear hug as soon as we step into the condo. His cologne envelops me in its subtle scent—layers of bergamot, musk, and hints of citrus.
“Happy Boxing Day, Mr. Lacerna.” I hug him back.
“Did you have a good flight? Are you hungry? It’ll take me a minute to put together a plate for you.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. Thank you, though. We ate at In-N-Out.”
His left eyebrow rises independent of the right. “Hmm. Now I want a burger.”
Faith lets out a breath. “Daddy, I should have called to ask if you wanted us to bring you something. Want me to go back?”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m teasing.” He presses a kiss to each of our foreheads.
“It’s my fault, Mr. Lacerna. After we went back to the airport to get my bag, I was famished, and I forced Caleb and Faith to hit up the drive-thru.”
“That’s a fine way to treat your gift, letting her starve. There’s a reason I never got you a puppy.” He sighs.
“You never wanted anything in the house that licked its own butt,” Faith interjects.
“True.” He smiles enigmatically at his daughter. “What happened to your bag?” he directs at me.
“It didn’t make the connection.”
“You’re set now?” he asks, concern in his voice.
Full-on dad mode. He never fails to make me feel welcome. “Yes, thanks.”
He peers at his smart watch when it pings. He places his palm over the watch face to clear the reminder. “I’ve got to head into the office. I’ll see you both later.”
“Bye,” Faith and I say in unison.
I dash into her bedroom to store my backpack and suitcase. Unzipping the bag, I dig inside for a T-shirt and zip-front hoodie. That way I’ll have something warmer when the sun sets in a few hours. I stuff my ID and debit card into the front pocket of my jeans. I place the borrowed shirt in her clothes hamper.
Faith’s bedroom hasn’t changed. The walls are painted a metallic silver, and her comforter is the color of plums. Fairy lights weave through the brushed metal headboard, casting a soft glow. A picture of the two of us rests on her dresser. Another of Faith and Caleb sits on her nightstand. Two more, one with her dad and one with Beau are angled next to the one of us. She’s my sister in every way except blood.
We walk to the next building where Caleb shares a condo with his best friend, Ty. Gone now on a jaunt to Oregon with Beau, Faith explains. I’m bummed I’ll miss Beau, Faith’s other bestie.
Caleb’s condo has the same kind of setup as the Lacerna place. Granite counters with maple cabinets in the kitchen, the living room features black leather couches and gray-washed wood coffee and end tables. A large flat-screen TV fills one wall. PS5 and Wii consoles are positioned side by side in a low armoire with two doors, which are open. The game controllers left on the floor, the long cords tethering them waiting to trip you. Typical guy domain.
Faith asks, “What’s the game plan?”
“We’ll meet TJ, Phoebe, and Everest at Grams’s place. We’ll take care of putting together the wedding goodies. I can’t believe I’m saying this, much less participating in favor-mania,” Caleb mutters.
Faith’s lips twitch. “Aww, you’re a such a keeper.”
“Think of it this way, Caleb.” I tease, “You’ll be laboring side by side with your manly teammates for a good cause.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He grins. “I get bonus boyfriend points for this too, right?”
Faith shrugs. “Maybe.”
I do love watching Faith and Caleb with each other. There’s something about their relationship—the ease of it—that makes me so damn happy for her. She’s found a great group of friends.
Eight more months and I’ll be here instead of Newford. After Mom got pregnant with Collin, I’d promised my parents I’d wait until Collin was old enough for school before I moved away for college. Born during my sophomore year in high school—he happened to be my parents’ second surprise baby—me being the first to derail my mom’s life back in college.
Long ago, I made a vow to myself that I wouldn’t let anything or anyone derail my plans. When I move here, there will be distractions. An image of Everest looms large in my mind. Tall, deliciously shredded with muscle and—I have to admit—a great personality.
It’s so unfair. With his good looks, he should be an asshole, not a solid guy with a sense of humor, which only makes him more attractive. Sheesh.
My stomach dips. I force myself to stop obsessing over the offensive lineman.
Caleb’s phone rings. He slides the device out of his back pocket to answer. “Yo. What’s up?”
He laughs. “Hold up. I’m putting you on speaker so you can tell them.”
I hear Everest’s voice—deep, smooth, and authoritative. “Ladies, get your butts in gear and over here. There’s work to be done. Phoebe’s too distracted to save me from Agnes.”
I snort out a laugh at the unmistaken plea in his tone. I met Agnes for the first time earlier today and can only imagine how much she’s already objectified Everest.
“You’re a big boy,” I tease. “You can handle it.”
“Ordinarily, I’d agree. Lola and Lilly, you’ve got to help a guy out.”
I feel a little clutch in my belly when he uses that silly nickname for me.
Faith turns to stare at me. She mouths, Lilly?
I shake my head and whisper, “Later.”