Touching Melody - By RaShelle Workman Page 0,48

think, knowing I can’t interrupt them. I search the crowded cafeteria looking for a place to sit. Everything is full. I don’t know anyone. The cheerleaders are sitting at the long table with a bunch of people. They keep glancing my way and whispering.

“Come on. You can sit with me.” It’s Kyle. I’ve got mixed feelings about seeing him. He heads over to another small table. Two guys are already sitting there. When they see Kyle, they grab their trays and bolt. Kyle sits and then waves me over.

As I’m sitting, he says, “Glad to see you all cleaned up.”

“Was it you?” Did you wash my face?”

He nods. “Yeah, Gina helped though.”

“And my clothes?”

“Gina’s idea too.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “I swear I didn’t look. Not even a peek.” His lips are curved up and I know he’s trying not to smile. I shouldn’t be paranoid. He took off my shirt the other night. He’s seen me. It’s just weird to think it happened without my knowledge.

He touches my hand. “So what happened?”

I knew he would ask me this, so I’m prepared. “I think it was seeing all the blood. It freaked me out.”

He nods, takes a bite of toast. Then his face gets serious. “I get the feeling there’s more going on. There’s something you aren’t telling me.”

It’s true. But I can’t tell him about his dad. What I saw. Even if I wanted to, I can’t make myself say the words. But I need to tell him something. “I-I saw my parents. When they died. I saw all the blood. They were laying in it.” Saying the words aloud makes me sick. But I’ve told him the truth. As much as I can.

He squeezes my hand. “That makes sense. I’m so sorry. About your parents and last night. I lost my temper. Stuart Morris knows exactly how to push my buttons and I let him. Usually I’m more prepared. But when I saw him mauling you, I lost it.”

I squeeze back. “He’s awful. Him and his six hundred dollar shirts can suck it for all I care.”

Kyle laughs. “Agreed.”

We eat in silence a few minutes. I haven’t had a waffle in a long time. It’s good. When I’m finished I look up. Kyle is watching me, and I wonder how long he’s been doing it.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just admiring the view.”

“Thanks,” I say, embarrassed. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

He leans back in his chair. His face is unreadable. “What did Beth and Baby have to say?”

My face bushes red hot. I can’t help it. “N-Nothing.”

Kyle crosses his arms. “That you know their names and are blushing a beautiful shade of red tells me that isn’t true.”

I look away, spinning the fork in the syrup still on my plate. There’s no way in hell I’m telling him what those girls said. I’d sooner die a horrible death than repeat it.

He rests his chest against the table. I feel it give slightly under his weight. “Your silence speaks volumes, Maddie.”

I glance at him through my lashes. His ice blue eyes stake me through the heart. He licks his bottom lip, and runs a hand through his hair. He’s beautiful. Sexy. Twin One and Twin Two said he tied them to a bed. Then what? I can’t help but think of myself tied to a bed. My legs spread apart. Naked. Nothing but the scented air touching places I’ve never touched. Am I tied so I can’t move? It seems so dirty.

My face flushes hotter.

“Talk to me,” he whispers, playing with my hand.

I want to. I want to look him in the eyes and tell him everything. But not here. “Can we go somewhere? Want to practice our duet?” My “go to” place.

He smiles. “It’s Saturday.”

“And?”

He shrugs. “Sure. Let’s go.” We stand together. Take our trays and drop them off.

I glace at the table where Gina and I sat. She isn’t there, and neither is Collin. I pull out my phone to text her, and see she’s already texted me.

You and Kinky Kyle. Nice! =) I’m spending the day with Collin. Catch you later.

Be safe.

Don’t worry, VTG.

I shake my head.

“What?” Kyle asks, glancing over my shoulder.

“Gina. She’s started calling me,” I pause and pull him down so that I can whisper in his ear, “VTG.”

He gives me a confused look.

“It stands for Virgin Tattooed Girl. She finds it hilarious that I’ve got tattoos but haven’t...” I can’t finish.

Kyle chuckles, wraps his arms around my waist.

Twin One says, “Get a room.”

I