The Great Pretenders

Chapter 13

Lucy’s POV

Should I be mad that I was sent away so I didn’t have to see the explosion I knew Kelly was capable of?

Probably not. I knew Kelly wouldn’t see reason until Matt talked to her. He would handle it okay, right?

“Hey,” Zoey’s voice called as I made my way to the group, sitting on the garage couch. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Matt came over to help me babysit Gretchen for a little while,” I shrugged in explanation.

“Ooooh,” Brian said suggestively “He helped you babysit….that’s an interesting term for getting it on.”

Zoey glared at him “Shut the fuck up, Brian, you don’t know what you’re talking about. As usual.”

Brian laughed as he pulled her into a headlock but instead of strangling her, he ruffled her hair gently. “You’re so naïve, little sister. Has turning 16 taught you nothing?”

“It taught me to lock my bedroom door before I go to bed,” she punched him in the stomach.

“What does that even mean?” Zacky asked his perfect eyebrows furrowed.

I laughed as Zoey looked nervous. Only Lana and I knew that Brian had drunk kissed her in her bedroom the night of her 16th birthday after she picked them up from a party that got raided.

Brian didn’t acknowledge her statement. He just picked up his guitar and began strumming.

I pulled myself off the couch and walked toward the driveway. Looking toward Matt and Kelly as they talked like a creepy stalker, trying to spy on them. Waiting for some sign that Kelly was confessing her undying love to Matt. Just the thought of it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I listened to the conversation going on around me. The deep timbre of the guys laugh. Zoey’s nagging on Brian. This was a place I’d never thought I’d ever see myself.  Ok, I’m starting to feel better...happy thoughts...happy thoughts.

Matt’s soft hair in my hands.

Matt’s soft lips against mine.

Matt’s warm chest and his strong arms holding me tight.

I could have stayed there thinking about Matt all night but then I saw Kelly lean over and kiss him. My stomach dropped. He didn’t stop her. He didn’t push her away. He just…kissed her.

I had to get out of here. But I didn’t have my damn car.

Damnit.

I did the only thing I could. I took off walking.

As I ran by him, I heard him call after me.

“Lucy, wait, what’s wrong?” he said loudly.

“Gretchen,” I lied “she’s scared. So I’m going back.”

He almost caught up to me “Wait, come back. I’ll drive you.”

I turned back, looked at him and sped up my strides. Childish I know, but I wasn’t feeling particularly adult. “NO! Really, It’s not far.”

“C’mon Lucy,” he called again but I took off running.

I still felt sick to my stomach. Matt was making out with me, Matt was making out with Kelly. Who was next? Zoey?

And more importantly, why was I so upset? Surely, I didn’t like Matt. I loved Mark. I wanted Mark back...right? Maybe…but if I was really honest with myself I’d see he was kind of a jerk.  Ok, no kind of about it, he was a jerk. And Matt, well, Matt was Matt. I felt at ease, like I could be myself around him. He could be a good friend.  I realized then that I wasn’t sure whether I wanted Mark back but I knew I’d hold up my end of the bargain to help Matt get Val back, if that’s what he really wanted.