Park Avenue Player(7)

I still loved her like I had when we were kids, but now I also got to see her naked. So I’d say things had changed for the better—a hell of a lot better.

Anna was busy flipping through a notebook with her back to the glass revolving door, so I tiptoed up behind her and kissed her exposed shoulder.

She slapped the book shut. “Kenny, is that you?”

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tight. “Cute. Very cute.”

She turned to face me, hooking her arms around my neck. “I brought you breakfast and wrote the short story that’s due today in English—you know, the one you completely forgot about.”

English paper? “You’re the best.”

“How’s your mom doing?”

“Better. Her white blood count has come up a little, and she got up and walked a bit last night. Her color looks better, too. She’s not as gray. But the doc said it’s going to take a while. This last round of chemo really kicked her immune system’s ass.”

Anna sighed. “Well, better is good. What can I do to help? Maybe I’ll make her some cookies after school and stop by the library to pick her up some new books before I visit tonight.”

“Actually, there is one thing you can do to help her.”

“What?”

I pressed my forehead to hers and brushed the hair back from her face. “You can cut out after fourth period with me and go to the beach.”

She laughed. “And how exactly will that help your mom?”

“Well, I’ve been stressed lately, and she can sense it. That, in turn, makes her stressed, and stress isn’t good for her already weakened immune system. So a day at the beach, looking at you in that little bikini I like so much, would help me relax, which would make Mom relax, and help her immune system.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re so full of shit.”

“No, really.” My lip twitched at the corner, but somehow I managed to contain my smirk. “Basically, my mom’s life depends on this.”

Anna leaned in the little bit separating us and kissed my lips. “I’ll cut out with you for a beach day, but only because I do think you’ve been stressed lately and could use a few hours of carefree time—not because I’m buying any of your crap.”

I flashed an eager smile. “You’re the best.”

“But you’re also going back for baseball practice after school while I go home and make Rose some cookies. After, you’re going to pick me up to take me to the hospital to visit for a few hours tonight, and on the way over we are stopping at the library and getting her some new books.”

“Deal.” I brushed my lips with hers and spoke so my words vibrated against them. “By the way, I love it when you’re all bossy.”

“Well, that’s good. You should probably get used to it.”





Chapter 4




* * *





Elodie




After leaving my meeting with Hollis, my throat was parched. That had taken a lot of energy out of me—for nothing. Well, at least I’d tried. A for effort, Elodie. F for fucking up the whole thing with your temper.

I went in search of some water and ended up in a cafeteria off the lobby of the building. There was complimentary coffee in several urns, along with a couple of vending machines. Spotting a water cooler, I went to the other side of the room.

Just as I was grabbing a paper cup, I noticed a girl sitting down, the contents of her floral Jansport backpack strewn across the table. She was bouncing her legs up and down nervously.

“Hi.” I smiled.

She placed her index finger over her mouth. “Shh.”

I looked around. Did she just shush me?

“Why are we shushing?” I took a sip of water.

“I don’t want anyone to notice me here.”

“Why are you hiding?”

“Because I ditched my after-school program today and got myself into some trouble. And I’m not ready to get yelled at.”

“Okay. Well…what did you do?”

She sighed. “After I walked out of school, I took the bus to Macy’s. I got caught stealing lipstick from the MAC counter.”

Ah. “You really shouldn’t do that. But I’m sure you already know that. Why did you feel the need to steal it? Can’t you ask someone to buy it for you?”

“It’s not the money. I had the money. Had a big pile of cash in my pocket.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t even know why I did it, okay?”

God, it’s like meeting my younger self.

“You steal for the thrill,” I said matter-of-factly.

She blinked a few times. “Yeah. I…I think so.”

I pulled up a seat next to her. “When I was your age, I did something similar—stole headbands and other hair accessories from Claire’s at the mall. Got caught, too. I also had enough money to buy everything.”

“Did you get in trouble?”

“Well, my dad had some issues of his own. I think that might have been one of the reasons I did it—acting out. But the store did call my mother. She obviously wasn’t happy.” I sighed. “How did things go down at Macy’s? And what color did you choose?” I winked.