None Other Than You Page 12

  While I was waiting for him, mom's beeper went off. She was getting called in for a surgery. So, with mom gone and Ryan finally out of the shower, the music went on and blared throughout the room.

  "I didn't mean to say it." Ryan says suddenly. I don't say a word. If he was going to get this out then he didn't need prompting from me. "We were dancing that last dance. I know you saw us kiss so I won't explain that part, but we were enjoying knowing we were going to get together. We both saw it, I know that much." He sighs and wraps his arms around himself. "I'm such an idiot, Duke." He brings his eyes up to meet mine and they look so sad that I scoot closer to him and wrap my arm around him.

  "Tell me what happened so I can try to help, Ry." I prompt. So maybe I was going to help him…

  He nods and continues. "I told her I was so happy. She asked why and I told her ''cause I've liked you forever.' She said she had too. I said 'I know' and she looked at me funny and asked me why I hadn't done anything about it before. I didn't want to sound like an idiot by telling her I had been nervous about it so I blurted it out before I even thought about how it would sound."

  "How what would sound?" I ask cautiously.

  Ryan takes a huge breath and lets it out slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I told her it was because she did things for me I knew she wouldn't have if I told her I liked her."

  My eyes grow large and I stare at my brother. "WHAT? You half-wit—"

  "Look, I tried to explain but then she went on her own rant. She said something along the lines of 'I see now, you used me because I liked you. You had me helping you all these years, knowing full well that I liked you, yet you said nothing because you liked the fact that I did anything you asked.' I tried cutting in there but she went on saying 'you know what, you're a bonified jackass and I couldn't care less if I never saw you again.'"

  Pausing, Ryan's gaze falls to the floor and I can see how much Emma's words hurt him. Looking at his face and knowing that he is in pain, makes me wonder if my brother will ever want another chance with Emma even if he is given one.

  "She told me that she'd played the fool all these years and wasn't going to do it anymore. Then she said 'and to think I believed you were my Knight in Shining Armor all these years."

  "Ryan, are you willing to try and get her back?" I ask my brother, knowing I want them to be happy still. Just because my brother made a stupid mistake doesn't mean they don't still have some kind of a chance.

  His eyes light up and he looks at me, the pain still there but hope shining in him as well. "I'll do anything to get her back, Delaney. She means everything to me and it took losing her for me to realize that. I just wanted her to like me—"

  "She already did."

  "I know and I screwed up. All I was thinking was that I didn't want to lose her and that's exactly what I did…"

  "Give me some ideas you have of getting her back then. I'll help you but you have to come up with the plan." I tell him, knowing that right now I'd do anything to help my hurting brother. Even if he had wanted to shy away from everything that happened, I'd help him no matter what.

  We aren't close siblings for nothing. We have each other's backs twenty-four seven.

  * * *

  Pulling a blanket over my brother's sleeping form, I in my wide-awake state, wander outside onto the front porch. I've only got my pajamas and my coat on so I'm really cold, but after being cooped up in my room all night with Ryan the night air is just what I need.

  It's already about two in the morning, but I know I won't be able to sleep for a while and besides, Ryan is asleep on my bed so what am I going to do?

  I stare up at the stars, my eyes tracing the outlines of constellations when the squeak of a door snaps me out of my trance. I recognize the squeak as that of Emma's front door and quickly turn my head, hoping to see Emma descending the stairs.

  I let out a small gasp of surprise as I see Teigan instead, armed with his coat and a blanket, still in his tux from the dance, walk out of Emma's house. He makes his way across the snow-powdered lawn over to my front porch and sits down, spreading the blanket over ours legs and my slippered feet.

  "What were you doing over there?" I ask, still surprised.

  He smiles softly. "Emma wanted me to stay. Said she needed to talk to someone when I told her where you were." He notices my worried expression and adds, "She knows he's your brother and you'd do better with talking to him than I."

  "So she isn't mad at me for not going after her?"

  "Nope, she's just pissed at your idiotic brother."

  Sighing, I lean against the stair above me. "I completely agree with you there."

  Teigan's gaze falls down on me. "How's Ryan holding up?"

  I shift my gaze back up towards the night sky. "Besides attempting to drown himself in the shower, he's determined to win her back."

  "And how does he plan to do that?" Teigan asks. I can hear the smirk in his voice.

  I let out a small laugh. "He has no idea. We were trying to think of some but he fell asleep on me and I've got nothing so far." I pause, looking at his face. There's stubble on his chin and his eyes look tired, though his smile doesn't show it. His eyes catch mine and we simply look at each other for a moment.

  "Right now I haven't got a clue, Ace."

  "What about Emma?" I ask after a moment of silence. "Is she holding up alright?"

  Teigan sighs and slouches on the stair making him look much more like a normal teenager than the Adonis he fancies himself to be. "There was a lot of sniffling and muffled crying after she locked herself in the bathroom when she got home. She told me what happened after she collected herself a bit. I have to say, that was pretty cruel of him." He pauses a moment once more. "He didn't really use her like that, did he?" He asks hesitantly.

  "No!" I retort much louder than necessary. "Ryan wouldn't do that. He was nervous and he didn't want to tell her that so he spouted out the first thought that came to his head. A stupid move on his behalf because if he had just said he was nervous then she wouldn't be mad at him and then they'd be happy tonight and finally together. Do you know how long this has been going on? The two of them liking each other? It's been at least four years now. Four years. The only reason Emma believes him is because it's been so long since she's liked him she'll believe anything he says and she doesn't know any better. I've tried to tell her before but—"

  "ACE!" Teigan shouts, placing his hand over my mouth to stop my rant. "Ace, I know that this could've been prevented quite easily so you don't have to explain it to me." He smiles lightly and takes his hand from my face. My heart had sped up and it wasn't because his hand startled me, but because he had gotten a lot closer to my face. I back up subtly and clear my throat. He does the same.

  Must. Break. Uncomfortable. Silence.

  "I know I'm going to help them, but it will be harder than before." I say softly.

  I can hear Teigan's grin in his words, "Are you asking for my help?"

  I groan saying, "Please don't be difficult, it's late—"

  "Actually it's early."

  "Arg! My point is, I can't do it alone." Giving him a pleading look he breaks into another small smile.

  "We'll need an alibi." When I turn my head to one side in question he adds, "You hate my guts remember? Or at least you're annoyed by me." He says when he notices I'm about to protest.

  After a moment or two I say, "Well… I have an idea that might work."

  "I'm listening, Ace."

  I have to shove all my pride to the back of my mind as I ask, "Willyoututormeinmath?"

  He chuckles, "Come again?"

  Frustrated I stand up and start pacing the front walkway. "I'm almost failing math and when you helped me the other morning you explained it and it somehow clicked. You get math and I don't. It will give us a legitimate excuse because I actually need the help and we can plot whatever we will at the same time." I wait for his reply but when none comes I breath out heavily and say, "Oh, for God's sake… Will you tutor me i
n math? Please?"

  A slow, lazy grin spreads across his face and he stands up, walking over to me. "I'll help you in both areas, Emma and Ryan and Math." I squeal happily and he holds his hand up. "On one condition…"

  "And what would that be?" I ask, nervous about the strange look in his eye.

  Slowly bringing his hand up, Teigan tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear that had been swaying in front of my eyes. My heart speeds up for the second time tonight, er, this morning, and I find myself caught in the stare of Teigan's captivating blue eyes.

  He speaks softly into my ear. "Just answer me this one question honestly. A simple yes or no will suffice." I nod and he continues just as softly whispering to me, "Did you feel anything between us, any kind of feeling, good mind you, toward me during that last dance. Even if it was a fleeting moment, I want to know if it was there."

  The question catches me off guard. I thought he was going to ask me straight out if I liked him or not. I know that I did feel something, but I can't bring myself to tell him 'yes'. What if he decides to hold it against me or if he uses the fact that I might like him against me, just like Ryan suggested he did to Emma? Except I wouldn't allow myself to be pushed around by him or anything he did to me.

  Looking up into his eyes I can't decide if he's being honest or not. He's so tired his eyes aren't as expressive as they usually are.

  "What does my answer mean? If I answer yes or no, I mean?" I ask carefully.

  Teigan places the back of his hand gently, even fondly against my cheek. His hand is warm and smells like him. "Give me your answer and I'll tell you."

  After a long pause, I give him my answer. "Yes" I whisper, not even sure if he could hear it. I see him relax visibly in front of me as a rush of air escapes his mouth.

  His eyes lock onto mine, and he smiles softly, his hand now cupping my cheek. I don't make any sign that I wish for him to move it. "You're answer means that I will stick with you, no matter what you think of me at the moment. I promise you I won't give up." He whispers, squeezing my other hand in promise.

  "Give up on what?" I ask softly, afraid of his answer.

  "Us." He answers so softly I'm not even sure he said it. Placing a kiss on my forehead, He backs away toward the porch and grabs the blanket. "Good night, Delaney Rose, sleep well."

  Chapter Twelve: Tutor Boy

  Rolling my eyes for the millionth time tonight, I try to concentrate on the numbers in front of me. Ignoring the so-called 'band' in the room is proving to be more difficult than I thought however, and I can't concentrate at all.

  "Can I please just go up to my room and come back down when I need help?" I beg my tutor. If you can't spot him in the low-lit room it's because his black hair blends in with the backdrop my brother set up. My tutor is the one behind the drum set.

  "Nope." He grins and folds his arms as his sticks clack against each other in his right hand.

  "Ugh!" I groan, glaring at the boy. "Why not? I can't concentrate down here with all of the noise you guys are making. It doesn't even sound like music! Music I could work with but this… this is not helping me understand math any better than before. In fact, I think my IQ score is lowering every new note or beat you hit."

  Ryan sniggers. "There wasn't much of a score to start with."

  "Can it, Ryan, or your whole little band here is going to hear just what you used to do during thunderstorms." I threaten. The room erupts with snickers until Ryan's glare silences them.

  "Hey, Little Princess, just do the problems. If you can figure them out during this mess then you will have no problem doing them while Mr. Hell-on-Earth himself is hovering over your shoulder." Drummer boy says, lounging back on his stool.

  Groaning I look back at the problems on the page in front of me. I know he's right. Mr. Paxton has been hovering intently over my shoulder every time we take a quiz to make sure I'm not cheating. He seems positive that my grade is improving because I'm putting the answers to every quiz on my hand or in a small piece of paper in my pocket. Either that or I've implanted some chip in my head that will automatically do the math for me.

  Heaven forbid the man have faith that I can actually do the problems on my own now that I have a tutor.

  I sneak a glare at the dark-haired boy as the band picks up again. Today, in my attempts to procrastinate actually doing my homework, I've been sneaking glances at him. He smiles broadly when he plays the drums, so I can tell he enjoys it. At times he even closes his eyes and can still find the right places to hit on the drum set to make the band actually sound together. If Jake or Ryan get off the beat, he hollers out numbers to get them back on track. To tell you the truth I'm pretty impressed he possesses that kind of leadership about him.

  As good as Darren Teigan is however, I don't think that 'The Thumbtacks' are going to become a sensation in any form of the word.

  Ryan's singing is on a far different (and much, much lower) level then his guitar skills, which are, in truth, very impressive. He's been playing since he was five, same with me and piano, violin, and voice lessons. (Add on dance since I was three and you see why I don't have time to figure out stupid math problems.)

  Jake is also in the band. Sort of. I'm guessing he just wanted to be a part of it because he's in a corner smacking a tambourine in his hand on the wrong beats with a frustrated look on his face. I think he's trying to hit on the beat… but the instrument doesn't seem to like him.

  Last in the band is Tyler. Darren handed him a bass guitar earlier and he's O.K. with the instrument, but I think he could use lessons. The guitar is obviously Teigan's, on loan, and Tyler's probably only been playing with it when he's over at his house.

  In short—They need some serious work.

  Trying to concentrate on my problems (again) I (attempt to) tune out the 'band' behind me. After another five minutes however I'm too frustrated to concentrate.

  "Urgh!" I shout over the noise. Surprisingly they all stop playing. "That's it. I can't work with noise around me and I have to go in to work in fifteen minutes." I say checking my watch. My ramble is addressed to Teigan but I know the rest of the band is listening intently.

  "Remember what I said, it will help you concentrate—"

  "If anything will help me get over knowing Paxton is over my shoulder watching me is if I know how to do the problems." I hiss the last five words loathingly at Teigan, pick up my things, and walk up to my room.

  After three minutes (and yes I timed this) Teigan knocks on my door and enters the room before I can even say 'come in'.

  "Finally." I mutter under my breath, turning around in my computer chair to face him.

  He raises an eyebrow at me and sits on my bed. "A little harsh down there wasn't it?"

  I shrug one shoulder. "The band as a whole needs some serious work." He nods in agreement. "But that isn't the only reason I walked up here—"

  "Stomped, stormed, slammed… those would all be more appropriate terms."

  "Whatever." I say, silencing him with a look. "I wanted to talk to you about…" Lowering my voice to a whisper I lean in closer to him, "about code Almond Joy."

  "Why did we name it that again?" Teigan asks, his voice also lowered to a whisper.

  "Because you were eating one at the time and neither of us is very creative. But, anyway, I have an idea." I pause, expecting him to say something.

  "And?"

  "Right. I think if we could somehow get both of them a note in homeroom telling them to go to the conference room I could get the key and we can lock them in there and make them work it out. If we give them a piece of paper with some prompts on it they might get somewhere."

  "Or they might tear each other's throats out and then we have a whole bloody mess on our hands."

  "Be serious."

  "I am, completely. Emma told me herself she really wouldn't mind wringing your brother's neck out if she got the chance." He grins slightly.

  "Well then we monitor them and if these get a little rough we intervene." Teigan li
fts an eyebrow and watches my face.

  "You're completely serious aren't you?" I nod stubbornly. Why would I joke about something as important as my best friend and my brother getting together? "Alright, well I came up with a better idea," He says, "but I don't think you'll like it." I lift an eyebrow in question as he takes a seat on my bed. For a moment I'm startled at the site, he looks like he belongs there, lounging with his arms behind him on my bed, his blue eyes looking only at me.

  "Delaney?" He asks softly. I'm shaken out of my trance by his smooth voice.

  "Yeah?" I answer, my voice betraying nothing of my thoughts a moment ago.

  "You ready to hear my idea?" I nod. "Double date."

  I stare at him blankly. "You're… kidding right?"

  "Now you think my idea is a joke? We aren't going anywhere if neither of us take these things seriously."

  "So you admit you weren't taking my idea seriously before."

  "No, I admit that I seriously thought it was a crazy idea because they would tear each other apart if they were locked in a room together for any period of time."

  "And the sight of the four of us on a double date together would be absolutely crazy as well!" I attempt to shout at him though it comes out as more of a strangled whisper as we try to keep our voices down. "I have refused any and every guy that has asked me out for the past four years and you think I'm going to go on a date with the one person who gets on my nerves every day since he's stepped into my life?"

  We sit in silence for a moment as my words sink in.

  "Wait, Teigan… I didn't mean."

  "So I get on your nerves every day huh?" His eyes are downcast, staring at his chest. I open my mouth again but he speaks first. "I thought we were going to try to be friends, Duke, not enemies."