Adrenalin

Chapter 3 - Sydney

Eheheh he's so cute. Okay now it's Sydney's turn. How will she react?
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I don’t know who this Hayden kid is, but I like him. And I don’t like many people.
     I like the light in his almond-shaped, intense eyes as he shows Riley the ropes of sailing a boat. I like his broad shoulders. I like the shade of his blonde hair – almost gold.
       But most of all, I like the smile he puts on Riley’s face.
       I’ve never seen Riley like this with anyone before. He doesn’t usually talk to anyone but me. Not even mum or Bentley. His speech has only really developed this year, but he still can’t say some sentences. And his OCD and anxiety is still pretty bad, which makes things more difficult.
        Hayden hoists Riley into the air to reach some sort of rigging or mast or something. I really have no idea about boats and I don’t wish to. The muscles in Hayden’s back contract and the sinking sun gleams off his golden skin. I’d kill for his skin tone.
             I glance down at the water and immediately regret it. My head spins and the feeling of suffocation grips my throat. I force myself to look away and focus on Riley, my only source of happiness. He looks so much like me. People often mistake him for my son. His hair is a dark brown – almost black – like mine, his eyes and mouth the exact same shape, freckles sprinkling his little button nose. My head clears and I’m able to breathe again.
            I pull out my phone and check the time. 5:46pm. I type a quick text to Bentley, telling him we’ll be home in fifteen and that he should start his homework before dinner and I’ll help him afterwards.
            “Riley! We gotta go home now, buddy.” I call to him.
            He looks over at me and his face drops. “But Syd! I don’t want to –,”
            “No ‘buts.’ It’s almost dinner time and Bentley is waiting.”
            Riley huffs but he doesn’t complain. He’s always been a good boy for me. Hayden picks him up and chucks him over his shoulder, climbing out of the boat. I inhale sharply, scared Hayden will drop him.
            Riley giggles as Hayden sets him down. “You gotta listen to your sister, little man.”
           “Hayden said we can come again next Friday and we can go out further in the water.” Riley says happily, looking up at him in admiration. Man, he really needs a father figure. I can give him most things, but he needs a dad; a male role-model other than Bentley, who probably isn’t the best role-model.
        “Did he?” I ask, trying to sound excited. I really have no interest in going for a ride on this dude’s boat. Water isn’t my thing.
            “Yeah, you’re more than welcome.” Hayden adds.
            I look from Riley’s eager face to Hayden’s hazel eyes and I don’t know why, but I agree. “Okay. Well, I guess we’ll see you next Friday.”
         “Yesss!” Riley exclaims, bumping fists with Hayden. Hayden grins at me and I can’t help smiling back. Anyone who can make my little boy this happy is all right with me.
          “I’ll walk with you to your car.” Hayden declares.
         I take Riley’s hand and we walk back down the pier. The sun has almost disappeared behind the horizon and the wind has turned icy. Riley’s little hand is freezing in mine.
           I make an effort not to look over the sides of the pier. I feel unsteady as the wind blows through my clothes and I cough, trying to rid the feeling of suffocation. Riley demands Hayden to take his other hand so we can swing him as we walk.
           A little old lady bustles past and smiles. “You have a very beautiful son.” She tells us.
           “Oh, no –,” I stammer, feeling the heat in my cheeks. I was used to people Riley was my son, but I was more embarrassed that she thought Hayden was my husband or whatever.
          “Sydney’s not my mummy! That’s my sister!” Riley laughs. He seems to find it the most amusing thing in the world.
           “Oh! My apologies!” The old lady replies.
          “It’s not a problem, ma’am, have a nice evening.” Hayden says politely and we continue to walk. He glances sideways at me but I stare fixedly ahead.
            We arrive at the car park and my baby’s still there, looking all black and pretty. A few raindrops appear on the window screen, indicating it’s starting to rain. Fuck, I just washed her yesterday. I fish the keys from my pocket and jiggle it in the lock.
             “Woah. Is this your car?” Hayden asks from behind me.
            “Mhmm,” I reply, opening the passenger door and helping Riley climb into his booster seat. I pull the straps across and click them in.
            “A 2003 twin turbo Supra?” Hayden guesses.
            I look up at him in surprise. “You know cars?”
          “Well, I own a shit-box Honda Civic but I watch some races sometimes. You race?” He asks, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
        I watch him, considering my answer. The wind whips his dirty blonde hair across his forehead. I do race, just not exactly legally. “Only once or twice.”
        “I know where all the best races are. I can hook you up if you want.”
         “Maybe another time.” I answer.
           He shrugs. “Sure.”
           We sort of size each other up in silence. I don’t know what to make of him. Usually I’m pretty good at reading people, but this guy has me stumped, which unnerves me. His face remains passive as he looks at me.
        “Um, well, nice meeting you. Thanks for today.” I say, looking away.
           “Where do you go to school, by the way? I haven’t seen you around before.” He asks curiously, tilting his head to the side, something that I found extremely cute. Don’t ask me why.
            “I don’t get out much.” I say evasively. I go to the shittest school in town. And by the way he holds himself; I’m guessing he goes to some sort of expensive private school. And I don’t know why, but I wanted him to approve of me.
            He studies me for a while. “Let me take you out.”
        Did he just ask me out? That’s never happened before. What do I say? Fuck, Sydney, answer the poor kid.
         Thankfully, Riley yells from the car, asking me if we can leave and reminding me that Bentley is at home.
            “I’m sorry, I gotta go. We’ll see you Friday.” I jump into the car, slamming the door before Hayden can reply, and peel out of the parking lot.