CHAPTER 18: ASH
“A drive-in.” Snow sounded confused. “You took me to a drive-in?”
I nodded, paid Big Tim $15 for parking, and found a patch of dead grass in the very back. Cars lined the lot. Most of them sported CHS stickers on the bumper. It looked like we were the last ones here—understandable since it was 15 minutes to show time. Rolling the windows down, I flipped the engine off and turned. It was so dark I couldn’t make out her expression.
“It feels like I’m in Grease,” she said, and even though I couldn’t see it, I knew she was smiling. “I thought these things went out of business back in the 60s.”
“Most of them did,” I said. “They only open this one to visitors once a year for a very special occasion.”
“What occasion?”
I grinned. “You’ll see.”
“Is it a movie?” she asked, still curious.
“Something like that. Patience, ninja girl.”
“Is it more Bruce?”
“Better,” I said.
“Better than Bruce Lee?” Her tone told me she thought I was crazy. “Yeah, okay.”
“Well, maybe not better,” I corrected, “but I promise, it’ll be stimulating. Trust me.”
“I do,” she said then—”Stimulating, huh? Interesting word choice.”
“I’m not telling you, so you might as well just sit back and relax.”
“Fine, don’t tell me.”
“I won’t.”
“Whatever,” she huffed. I could tell she was still trying to figure it out—but she’d never guess. Not in a million years. “Was that Big Tim I saw back there?”
“Yeah,” I said, “he takes the cash. Little Tim runs the projector. Sadie should be around here somewhere, too. She’s the mastermind of this operation.”
“Really? Great, I need to talk to her.”
That sounded ominous. “About what?”
A hand slapped the hood, and we jumped. Light flooded the car.
“Hey guys.” Sadie peered through Snow’s open window, holding a flashlight, smiling like she hadn’t just scared the shit out of us. “I’m so glad you two weren’t making out or anything. That would’ve been awkward, huh?”
Awkward? I closed my eyes. Yeah, more like awesome.
“Why’re you all the way back here anyway?”
“Got here late,” I said.
“Oh.” Sadie drummed her hands on the roof. “Well, you should like this Snow. I know there’s a lot of hype, but Ash fully delivers.”
“Delivers…how?” she asked skeptically.
Sadie shrugged. “You’ll get to see everything in the video.”
“Everything,” Snow repeated.
“Yeah, I don’t want to feed that humongous ego of his, but Ash is one smooth operator. His skills, his finesse, he’s a natural. The camera loves him.”
My ninja girl looked from me back to Sadie, eyes wide. “Just what kind of movie is this?”
“You mean he didn’t tell you?”
Snow shook her head.
“God that is so like him to make it some big secret,” Sadie scoffed. “It’s the video of last year’s state championships. I had the idea two years ago when Chariot took the title. It helps boost team morale, gives me a little extra cash. What’d you think it was?”
“Nothing,” Snow said quickly.
I laughed, couldn’t help it. The relief in her voice was obvious, as was the red staining her cheeks. “Admit it, ninja girl. Your mind was in the gutter wasn’t it?”
“Hey Sadie, I want to ask you something.”
“Avoidance.” I grinned. “Nice.”
Snow ignored me. “You’re good with technology, right?”
“I’m okay,” Sadie said. “Honestly, I’m more the idea person. Big Tim and Little Tim are better with the tech stuff, but I can ask them if you want. Why?”
“I want you to check out the Strykers’ home security footage.”
I couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d asked Sadie to strip naked and do the chicken dance.
“But there are time gaps,” I said, “lapses in the video. They already told us that.”
Snow waved me off. “I want someone else to look at them. It was actually Omma’s idea.”
“Smith’s a professional hack, Snow. Even if you don’t like him, he’s the best. If Smith didn’t find anything, I doubt Sadie will.”
Sadie crossed her arms, eyes tight. “Are you challenging me, Ash Cornelius?”
“God no,” I said. Telling Sadie she couldn’t do something was never a good idea. She was nearly as competitive as me and twice as hardheaded. “I just don’t think there’s anything to find.”
“So, will you take a look?” Snow cut in. “I’d really love a second opinion.”
“Sure,” Sadie said.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. You two enjoy the show, and don’t worry.” She winked. “I’m on the case.”
Annnd now she sounded like freaking Nancy Drew. I shook my head as she walked away, taking the light with her.
“What was that about?” I asked.
It took Snow a second to respond. “I don’t know,” she said. “Something just bothers me about the whole thing. Don’t take this the wrong way, okay? But your dad isn’t extreme enough to warrant so much attention. Why him? Why now?”
“Obviously, he pissed somebody off,” I said. I’d asked myself those same questions months ago, and it was the only explanation I could come up with.
“Yeah, but people get pissed off every day and don’t do this.”
“There’ve been over a hundred threats now,” I said. “I’ve been keeping track. I figure whoever it is must be one messed up SOB. Like a mixture of obsessed and crazy.”
“And smart,” she added.
“What?”
“Think about it.”
I didn’t so much see Snow move closer as feel it. The complete darkness made me that much more aware of her.
“He waited until you and your parents were out of the house,” she said. “Even with all those threats, he’s never been caught on film. He has to be really smart to pull off something like that.”
I nodded, forgetting that she couldn’t see, distracted by her nearness.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and something doesn’t make sense.”
A shift in the air, her body heat coming closer to mine.
“Ash,” she said, “this feels personal.”
“It does,” I agreed, though I knew we weren’t talking about the same thing. The threats, my dad, they were so far away right then. I was pretty sure she didn’t notice how close we were. But I did. It was the only thing I could think about. “Did you know there are three reasons why drive-ins are better than movie theaters?”
“Huh?”
“The first reason is no waiting in line. The second is you don’t have to leave the comfort of your car.” I reached my hand up to her cheek, and she gasped. “And the third…” I trailed off.
“Yes,” she said after a beat.
“Hmm?”
“You were saying”—Snow cleared her throat—”you were about to tell me the third reason drive-ins are better.”
I lowered my voice, tracing her jaw line with my fingertips. “Isn’t it obvious?”
She swallowed then shook her head.
“Privacy,” I said, inches away from her lips, leaning in and—
The sound of car horns blared to life around us. Snow jerked back. Flashing headlights blinked on and off as the screen lit up. Dropping my head back against the headrest, I punched my own horn. The show was right on time. Dammit.
“Must be midnight,” Snow said, forcing a laugh.
“Yeah,” I said and slammed my head back again.
“I can’t wait to see you play.”
I smiled at her. “Really?”
“After what Koi’s been saying, I expect great things.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I never fail to impress.”
“We’ll see,” Snow said and turned back to the screen. It was strange. I’d watched the championship game about a hundred times before, never got tired of reliving that day. Possibly the best day of my life, definitely top five. But I couldn’t have torn my eyes away from Snow even if I’d wanted to.
Which I didn’t.
I loved watching the play of emotions on her face. Like I said, I knew the game like the back of my hand, not to mention I could hear the audio in the background. But every time Snow cheered or winced or smiled or cursed, it was like being back there, seeing everything happen for the first time. She was mesmerizing. Luckily, she didn’t take her eyes off the screen. If she had, she would’ve seen me watching her and realized what a total goner I was.
Snow didn’t even speak a word to me until halftime. At which point, she said, “You’re unbelievable.”
“Is that good unbelievable or bad unbelievable?” I asked. I wasn’t above fishing for compliments.
She rolled her eyes and faced me. “Don’t be an idiot. You’re amazing. No wonder you want to play in college. It’s your calling.”
“Thanks, ninja girl.” I smiled. “I’ve never really thought about it like that, but I guess you’re right. If I had a calling, it would be soccer.”
“And that Becks guy is…he’s…wow.”
I scoffed. “Yeah, he’s okay.”
“Okay?” Snow shook her head. “Come on, he’s more than okay.”
“I guess,” I said, which was really just me being an ass, but whatever. I’d had to live in Becks’s shadow for the past three years. He was a year older, could match me for cockiness (not an easy feat), and, much as it pained me to admit, he was damn good. But I was sick of the comparisons. Sick of coming second to the guy. Was it too much to ask for Snow at least to only look at me?
“But Ash, seriously, I think you might be a little better.”
“What?” I whipped around to face her. Never, not once—not even from my own mother—had I heard that.
She shrugged. “Becks is great and all, but you…well, you’re more invested, more passionate. You look like you work harder on the field.”
“I do?”
“Well, yeah,” she said, mystifying me even further, “he has God-given talent. And you do, too. But you work harder for it, sweat more. That kind of drive is priceless.” She shrugged. “That’s what makes you better than everyone else.”
I couldn’t speak for a second. Shit, I was surprised I wasn’t crying.
“Ash?” Snow titled her head, looking at me strangely. “You okay? You look like you’re about to cry or something?”
“I love you,” I murmured.
“I didn’t hear that. What?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “I just—”
“Hey, Stryker. Nice ride.”
Teeth clenched, I looked out my window, flipping on the interior light. Spitz was standing there, grinning like a maniac, and Becks was beside her, his arm around her waist. He shrugged when I looked to him. The gesture seemed to say, Hey man, this was all her idea. I rolled my eyes in return. As if I needed him to tell me that.
“Thanks, Spitz,” I said. “What brings you back here?”
Her voice was all innocence. “Oh, we were just on our way to the concession stand when I spotted your car and decided to come and say hi.”
“Really?” I said deadpan. “I thought the concession stand was over on the other side by the entrance.”
“You know, I think you’re right,” she said then leaned down to wave at Snow. “Hey, Snow, you enjoying the game?”
“Yeah,” she said, looking from me to Kent. “These two are really kicking ass.”
“Thanks,” Becks said. “I try.”
“It’s not easy,” I said, “but I make him look good.”
“Keep telling yourself that Stryker.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Kent. I will.”
Spitz rolled her eyes. “Jeez, you’re both masters of the soccer universe. Will you stop it already?”
Becks smiled his stupid all-the-girls-love-me smile. “Only because you asked so nicely.”
I looked over to see if Snow was affected, but she wasn’t even looking at him. She was looking at me. I grinned, and she startled, looked away.
“You guys are really great,” she said.
Spitz smiled. “Just wait until you see the second half.”
“Is it good?”
“Oh, it’s amazing.”
“Can’t wait to see it.”
Spitz nodded, still grinning, looking from me to Snow and back again. She had her arms propped on the door like she wasn’t planning to leave any time soon. It was starting to freak me out a little.
“Was there something else you needed?” I asked.
“Nope,” she said, “I’m just so happy it all worked out.”
“That what worked out?” Snow asked, but before Spitz could answer and most likely embarrass the hell out of me, Becks rolled his eyes and said, “Come on, Sal.”
“But—”
“No buts,” he said, hauling her into his side. “We should get back. Show’s about to restart. See you around, Stryker.”
“Thanks, Kent,” I said and meant it.
As they walked away, Snow’s words kept playing through my mind: That’s what makes you better. That’s what makes you better than everyone else. I couldn’t believe she’d said that. No one had ever said that.
“Snow?”
“Yeah,” she said and turned to face me.
“I’m sorry. I can’t wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“This,” I said, and pressed my lips to hers.
I kissed her like I’d wanted to for weeks. I’d dreamed about it. How my lips would slide against hers, how her breath would catch in her throat. How hot it would be and earth-shattering. And it was exactly like that.
But so much better.
God. Snow’s mouth was soft and inviting. I couldn’t get enough. I didn’t even try to keep my hands to myself. One shot up to tangle in her long black hair, the other around her back to pull her closer. The shudder that went through her body echoed my own. It was so…right. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t done this sooner.
I groaned when her hands slid into my hair. She shivered when I nipped her bottom lip. It was like a dance. Her mouth was dancing with mine. We moved together, and it was sweet. And right. And scorching. I didn’t want to leave her lips ever. Not to eat, drink. Not to breathe.
But after what felt like minutes—the best five minutes of my life—Snow pulled back.
“Did you hear that?” she asked, breathing hard.
I placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Hear what?”
“I don’t know,” she said, looking past me into the trees.
“Probably just a deer,” I said, reaching for her again.
“It didn’t sound like a deer.”
“Ah, Snow—”
But then I heard it, too. It sounded like crunching leaves, like footsteps.
I turned and squinted into the night. The trees were dense. Hard to see anything really.
“Ash, I think you should roll up your window,” she said.
“But it’s probably just—”
There it was again.
I leaned closer to the window, but Snow put a hand on my arm. Shit, it was too freaking dark. Anything could be in those woods. Freddie, Jason, Nikki Minaj, an angry grizzly. Who knew what was going to pop up?
The rustling got louder as Snow and I held our breath.
A couple of stray cats emerged, slinking side-by-side, crunching on the leaves beneath their paws like they owned the place. I laughed, shaking my head.
“Just some cats,” I said and faced Snow. Her relief was obvious. “What did you think it was, a serial killer or something?”
“No,” she said defensively.
“Don’t worry, Snow. I’ll protect you.”
“That makes me feel loads better.”
Okay, time to smooth things over. I didn’t want her pissed at me. I just wanted to kiss her again. “You know what, I—”
But I never got to finish.
A hand reached through my window and wrapped around my face, shutting me up right quick. Whatever was on the cloth in that hand immediately made me woozy. I couldn’t fight back. Even as I was dragged from the car, even as Snow jumped out after me, even as they loaded me into this totally cliche white van. The last thing I remember was Snow’s stricken face. Her eyes kept coming back to mine as she fought off four attackers. As my eyes closed, I heard a crack then a manly groan and grinned.
My ninja girl was giving ‘em hell.
Too bad I wouldn’t be conscious to see it.