Page 45 of The Curve
8
Charlotte
A crisp breeze enters through open doors leading to the runway where the Mavericks jet sits. It’s a chilly morning for August. Or maybe my world’s just colder because Atticus will be gone soon. Three days and nights in Georgia sounds like an eternity.
“Is it absolutely necessary you leave me?” I say, standing on tiptoes to kiss his nose and cheeks.
Leaning in, he whispers, “Believe me, I don’t want to.”
“Get a room!” a short stocky player calls as he passes. His teammate laughs.
“Ignore them,” Atticus says.
Lifting my chin in his hand, he gives me a tender kiss. My vow to never lose my heart to Atticus Swift flew away with the birds that night in the forest, never to be heard from again. I’ve fallen harder than I knew possible. And the feeling. I’m addicted to what just thinking of him does to me.
“When I get back we’re gonna talk,” he says kissing my hand. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”
My eyes lift to his and without another word I feel something powerful pass between us. I nod my agreement, afraid questions would make the moment pass too quickly.
“One more. Just to hold you till I get back,” he says, kissing me again.
“And another so you’ll remember I’m waiting.” I return the gift.
Then he looks into my eyes and lays his hand on my heart. “Mine,” he says.
“Yours,” I whisper.
“Let’s go, Swift. Morning, Charlotte,” Coach says walking past us and out the doors.
I met the man once and he remembered my name.
“Morning, Coach,” I say without turning from Atticus’s face.
“I’ll call you tonight.”
It takes a few moments for us to completely let go, fingertips holding on till the last second.
* * *
It’s beentwelve hours since he left, and we’ve spoken twice. I keep checking the clock because I want to be in my room, on the bed, ready for him when he calls again at nine.I sound like a teenager.I have zero control over my emotions when it comes to Atticus. But losing control has never been so satisfying.
I turn my focus to more immediate issues.
Mallory’s party. It’s been evolving over the last few weeks. What started as a simple get together with a few new friends for her fourteenth birthday has changed into a dinner, then a small house party. Now it’s morphed into a big party at the Midas mansion. And it’s not just for Mallory but also for another girl whose birthday’s the same week. Apparently, she’s a good friend of the family and Jeffrey didn’t want to exclude her.
When he asked Mallory if it would be alright, she was happy to oblige. Only I know the reason. All eyes won’t be on her, and she’ll be able to blend into the crowd. All she really cares about is being around sixteen-year-old Jeffrey. We’ve already had the conversation where I tell her not to get any ideas about dating him, and she tells me that’s not how kids are anymore. But I know how kids are. Especiallyboykids.
I’ve got my eyes on you, Mr. Jeffrey Midas.
All I’m hoping for is that she has a great time tomorrow night and knows what it feels like when other kids see her as the beautiful girl she is. When we went shopping for her dress I saw self-confidence in her eyes for the first time. When she looked in the mirror she saw what I did. It was a meaningful moment.
So, I tuck all my doubt and hesitation about the boy and the party away, and hope for Mallory that it’s everything she wants it, and him, to be.
Just as I imagined, ever since Atticus introduced Mallory to social media, she’s hooked. It’s another layer of distraction in the teenager’s world. Texting she mastered a year ago, but now she’s into all the other ways teens communicate. I’ve got to keep a close eye on this because she doesn’t realize how easy it would be to take advantage of an innocent young person. And innocence when combined with a lack of confidence can be tragic. It’s a mine field.
“What’s the latest with the party?” I say.
Her party has been our only topic of conversation lately. It’s hard not to be leery. I go between feeling positive and doubting the whole thing. I think of Atticus’s negative impression of Jeffrey then the boy’s switch to all sweetness and light. Suddenly he liked Mallory so much he’s throwing a party for her?
