Page 38 of Worth the Rush
“Funny face, Muncle Aldie!” Hazel squeals to her uncle.
“Ivy made a funny face at you?” he asks her.
“Yes!” she says, giggling again, then turning back to her hot chocolate as if it’s the most prized possession she’s ever owned. We turn onto a side road about fifteen minutes from downtown. This must be where we’re dropping Hazel off. I blush when Alder looks over at me. Man, I’m really going overboard for this kid. I’m generally not amake-funny-faceskind of girl.
“All of us have done it,” he tells me. His voice is full of warmth.
“Done what?” I pretend to be oblivious in asking, but he just chuckles.
“Let your hair down, princess. No one’s judging you here.” I hear his words, but I don’t think he understands that I’ve been judged my whole life. Whether I am or am not a bitch, I’ll be called one. If I’m overly friendly or smile too much, then I’m brainless. Expectations and other people’s ideals have been projected onto me since I was Hazel’s age. That doesn’t change overnight. A big, beautiful house comes into view, and Alder parks us right out front.
“Hair is down, Lover Boy. Do you need your eyes checked?” I tease, and he grins at me, that dimple in full effect before opening his door, the cold night air swirls inside the truck now.
“I see you just fine, Ivy.” Is his response before shutting his door and opening Hazel’s to retrieve her from the backseat. I’m left wondering if he’s seen a little behind the thin veil I have left with him, then I roll my eyes at myself. It’s doubtful Alder hasn’t glimpsed anything I haven’t wanted him to. Wouldn’t it be nice for someone to really see me, all the ugly parts, and still want to spend their time with me? Just because they want to because they like what they see.
“Come on, Hazey baby, let’s get you inside. It’s getting colder, and you know what?” he asks her excitedly.
“What, what?” she asks him.
“Nana made cookies and has all your stuffies for your sleepover!” he reveals, and she claps her little hands.
“Out! Out!”she commands him while he unbuckles her from her seat. I’m startled from mindlessly watching Alder be even more annoyingly endearing by a knock on my window. It makes me jump, and I turn to see Alder's mother covering her mouth, and I’m sure laughter, with her hand.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” she says, holding up both hands. I turn the handle, manually rolling down the window.
“Hi, sorry. I’m not usually this jumpy,” I tell her.
“No, no. This one’s on me, sweetie. I just wanted to come out and ask if you had plans for the holiday.” Oh. I really don’t want to tell her the truth, that my plans are to drink mimosas and be alone.
I smile at her and say, “I’m not sure yet.”
“Will you be in town?” she presses as Alder carries Hazel inside, wrapped up in a blanket.
“Buh-bye!” she calls out to me.
“Bye, Hazey!” I call back, her nickname coming out so easily.
“Well, if you are in town and have no other plans, we would love for you to spend it here with us,” she says as she taps her hands on the window frame and turns to walk back inside.
“Thank you for inviting me,” I tell her, my voice sounding just a little choked. She gives me a smile over her shoulder and waves. I don't think I’ve ever been invited over to someone’s home for a holiday. Emotion clogs my throat for the secondtime this evening. It’s…nice. To be included in someone’s plans. It’s not something I’m used to, and although the concept isn’t that difficult to wrap my head around…it is hard for me to accept it’s being extended to me.
I crank my window back up and watch as flakes start to drift around above. Taking a quick peek back at the house to make sure Alder hasn’t come back out yet, I slip out of the Bronco and admire the tree all lit up in the big window of the Holloway’s home. I turn around, looking out over the rolling hills leading to the base of the mountains and take a deep breath in. It’s cold and hurts my lungs a little. It’s not like I’ve never seen snow before but starting at age ten, I spent most of my time at the boarding school in sunny Southern California.
I chance another glance back to the house, and when I don’t see anyone again, I tentatively tip my head back and stick out my tongue. I catch a couple of the small flakes on it and start laughing. This is something I’ve seen done on TV more times than I can count. It’s so childish. I do it again, this time spinning in a circle. On my second revolution, I catch movement near the railing of the stairs and come to a stuttering stop.
“Having fun?” Alder calls from his spot on the porch, amused.
“Yeah,” I say. I’m kind of interested in hearing what he’s thinking. The way he’s looking at me is very unfamiliar. Notbad, but not something I’m used to, that’s for sure.
“You’re beautiful,” he tells me, and I feel heat creep up my neck.
“You’re charming,” I say with an eye roll.
He smiles. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Stormcloud.” I hope he can’t see my blush under the cover of the night sky.Wishful thinking.The next words out of his mouth confirm as much.
“The blush you're sporting is going to give me the wrong idea, Ivy.” His eyes sparkle like sapphires in the glow coming from the house. It’s unfair really. He’s so beautiful. And as much as I wish he could be, he’s just not for me.
“I’m not blushing,” I deny. It's a lie, but I need him to understand. “But if I was, that’s exactly what it would be, just so you know,” I say slowly, wanting him to hear me. Things may get a little confusing over the next couple of weeks. “The wrong idea,” I finish my sentence.
