Skipping Forward Read online

  It was on. A circle of people surrounded the two as they threw punches left and right at each other. Nobody tried to stop it. Instead, they cheered encouragements and most were in favor of Alec. I hated fighting and it was even worse when it involved someone I cared about. I flinched every time Rhett took a hit. Somebody had to stop it and that somebody must be me by the look of things.

  My fist clenched onto Rhett’s shirt and I pulled him backwards. He faltered a step and was hit in the face this time that sent us both to the ground. That one had been my fault.

  “Stay out of this,” Rhett growled before jumping up.

  I remained on the floor where I’d fallen to attend to Rhett. Something wet fell into my lap. I was crying in front of all these people from school. My ears and cheeks heated with embarrassment when they started laughing and pointing fingers at me. Rhett and Alec were oblivious to the shift in the crowd’s attention. They were too focused on their fists. I had to get out of here.

  A familiar aroma invaded my nostrils and I welcomed it, but it didn’t take me where I’d expected. My eyes met Alec’s and they narrowed at him.

  “About time. You were on a different planet.” Alec rolled his eyes like before. “I was asking why you haven't touched your drink. Rhett’s finished his yet I haven’t seen you take one sip.”

  What the hell was going on? Did I really just travel backwards?

  Rhett lifted me off him. “I think we’re going to bounce.”

  “You just got here? Are you serious?” Alec turned his glare on Rhett.

  “Yeah, man. Not feeling it tonight.”

  “It’s because she’s here isn’t it?” Alec accused. “You’ve never had a problem with parties before. That weird chick has you whipped.”

  Rhett’s muscles went taut and I knew a punch was imminent. My hand grabbed his bicep and I pleaded with my whole soul that he would read my mind at that moment. He must’ve because he backed away.

  “We’re outta here.” Rhett put his arm around my waist and steered me to the front door.

  “You’ll come back to the party scene one day. I’m going to laugh when you do,” Alec hollered as we exited.

  When we got into Rhett’s car, he turned toward me and his scowl morphed into a grin.“You actually traveled to the past. Told you you could time travel.”

  “I guess I did. I’m so happy you read my mind. I don’t think I could’ve mentally handled seeing the fight replay itself.”

  “I told you so. Now, tell me I’m right.”

  “Whatever. Just take me home.”

  The ride went by agonizingly slow with Rhett gloating the whole way. I was so thankful when he parked in front of my house. It was dark when we entered and I knew my parents wouldn’t be home for a while, so I pulled Rhett up to my room. Rhett kissed me hard and my legs hit the edge of the bed. We fell backwards and I giggled before his lips pressed back against mine.

  Since Rhett knew what I was thinking, he started unbuttoning his shirt. Caught in the moment, I slipped my shirt off too. His lips were back on me in a heartbeat and his warm, rough fingers trailed down to my stomach.

  “Shh, calm down,” Rhett said as he broke our passionate kiss. “Focus on me and just me to stop yourself from skipping this. We don’t have to do this if you're not ready.”

  “I’m not ready,” I breathed and just like that, he was off me.

  I noticed my shirt was still sitting on the floor, so I grabbed it and slipped it back on awkwardly. Rhett pulled his on and buttoned it back up. It was a little more comfortable when we had our clothes on, but I still felt guilty.

  “I’m sorry, Rhett, I just—”

  He cut me off. “Don’t you dare feel guilty about stopping me. That’s not the reason I’m going out with you. You’re someone that’s really awesome to be around. At first, it was just about you being like me, but it quickly became more. I love everything about you, Molly. Don’t you see that? I love you.”

  My breath caught in my throat. That was the first time those three words had been spoken aloud between us. My mouth opened and closed and probably made me look like a fish.

  I must’ve taken too long to say something because he frowned. “Don’t you feel the same way?”

  “Of course I do, Rhett. I love you too. I was just shocked to hear those words spoken out loud. I think you just proved me wrong.”

  “What do you mean?” he questioned and he sat next to me on my bed.

  “When you told me nice guys still existed, but I didn’t believe you. Well, you’re definitely one of them.”

  “How about this then, remember when we first met you asked me why I preferred you over a popular girl like Fallon?” I nodded my head and he continued. “The truth is that I knew about your ability when we bumped into each other at the movie theater, but back to my point. Fallon is a mere shadow when compared to how amazing you are.”

  Tears prickled my eyes.

  “Why are you crying? That’s a good thing.”

  “It is,” I blubbered. “I just can’t believe you're real. Gah, I’m such a loser.”

  “But you’re my loser.” He kissed my nose. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  I climbed under my covers. “Will you come rest with me for a while? I just want to relax, but still remain close to you.”

  “Of course,” he complied and moved next to me under the covers.

  I rested my head on his chest and tried to soak in as much of his warmth as possible. He kissed the top of my head and I sighed in content. This was as perfect as perfect could be and I felt my heart soar.

  We must’ve fallen asleep because we were awoken by a fuming Mom and Dad. Their faces were red and their stares were angry. I could feel their gazes trying to burn through us.

  “Rhett, I think it’s time you get out of my house. Now,” Dad ordered.

  Rhett didn’t waste any time getting up and away from the line of fire. I heard the door open and close as he exited. I couldn’t believe he left me to deal with their wrath alone.

  “Mom, Dad, it’s not what you guys think. We didn’t do anything. We were just talking.”

  Of course the story sounded better by leaving out the kissing part.

  Dad rubbed his face. “I knew this day would happen eventually. I was just hoping it would be more at a later time, but at least you two had your clothes on. I probably would’ve had a heart attack if not.”

  “I’m sorry, Dad, but you have to know he loves me. He really does and I love him back.”

  “Oh no, Ronald, it’s happened,” Mom stated as she reached for Dad’s hand.

  He gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Molly, sweetie, you two are too young to know what love is.”

  I grunted. “He believes me about the time thing.”

  Rhett said he kept his gift to himself and away from his parents, but I wanted mine to believe me for some reason. I didn’t want them to see me as a liar my whole life and I would continue throwing it at them when I could.

  “Molly, that is enough,” Dad roared. “I’m sick and tired of this ongoing battle. Give it a rest. You might as well go back to sleep because you're grounded for the rest of the weekend and the next three weeks.”

  “But—”

  He cut me off. “No buts. I’m done talking about this.”

  Dad stomped out of my room and Mom quickly followed behind him. It felt like Dad was the one throwing the fit, not me. I groaned and got comfortable again. I looked at my clock and saw that it was one in the morning. Definitely time for bed and a terrible way to start the new year.

  I texted Rhett to let him know everything was okay, but that I was ground. I couldn’t fall back asleep though and kept going over everything Rhett told me. As unbelievable as it was, I knew he was telling me the truth. I remembered that he confessed how he felt about me and got giddy all over again. Grounded or not, my mood wouldn’t be brought down and I realized it was actually a good way to start the new year.

  Chapter Ten

  For the next t
hree weeks, my time was spent going to school and then going straight home. The only time I spent with Rhett was when I was at school, so it wasn’t that often. At least now he always ate lunch with Autumn and me and cooking class quickly became my favorite one of the day.

  I hated that I hadn’t been able to talk about our gifts with him again and I missed his teachings, but that would all change tonight. I was no longer grounded and Rhett was taking me out to dinner again. This time, I wouldn’t ruin it with my time issue. I would remember to focus on the now, like he’d said on multiple occasions.

  It was already Sunday since Dad kept me grounded Friday and Saturday. I was so ready to get out of the house and waited for Rhett on the front porch. He took longer than I was expecting and I didn’t even give him a chance to open the car door for me. I hopped right in and told him to go before my dad changed his mind. He laughed in response and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

  Rhett took me to a steakhouse this time. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I hated steak. The only red meat I could somewhat tolerate was a hamburger. If we were going to be steady for a while, I’d have to tell him eventually. There was something I had to address first.

  “Rhett, I feel more nervous and awkward around you since we said ‘I love you’,” I admitted.

  “Don’t think to much on it. Those three words haven’t changed anything. We both still fell the same way as we did before those words were spoken out loud.”

  “Right.” I attempted to brush off the anxiety, but it didn’t really help.

  Like the first time, we walked hand-in-hand all the way to our table. I didn’t think I could ever get used to his warmth. His touch was always warm and it was comforting. At least I didn’t have to worry about him secretly being a vampire with hands like that.

  The waitress gave us our menus. After bringing out our waters, she took our food orders. Rhett got a steak and I chose the mahi mahi plate.

  “So, how did grounded life treat you?”

  “It sucked. I missed spending time with you.” My cheeks warmed. I needed to learn not to say the first thing on my mind.

  “Focus on me, babe. Don't get worked up or you're going to jump.” Rhett’s hand covered mine and he rested it on the table. “I would think you should feel more comfortable around me by now. We said I love you. I think that’s the hardest bump to get over in a relationship. You did that with no problem.”

  “It’s because we said those three words I’m anxious. It makes everything too real.”

  “Too real?” He stared at me blankly. “So it wasn't real before?”

  “Ugh, I’m not saying it the right way. I suck at these things.”

  He chuckled. “I like seeing you flustered. Just keep in mind that I can read your thoughts. If I ever need clarification, then all I need to do is peek into that chaotic brain of yours. At the moment, I’m seeing you don’t even like steak.”

  “It’s okay. I found something to eat. So, do you miss hanging out with the popular kids?” I changed the subject.

  “Not at all, but I’m still hanging out with Alec in my other classes. He keeps trying to talk me into joining their football team.”

  “Why don’t you? I’m sure you’d be good at it.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “It’s just not my thing.”

  We talked a few more minutes about school and classes before the waitress brought our food. I savored ever bite of my mahi mahi. It was tender and broke apart with a simple pick of a fork. The seasoning was just the right amount too. By the look on Rhett’s face, he wasn’t having the same luck. He was chewing his steak dramatically.

  “What’s wrong, babe?” I asked with raised eyebrows.

  “This steak is way too tough and chewy. It’s terribly dry, too.”

  “Want me to ask the waitress for steak sauce?”

  “I don’t even think that would help anything. I think it’s a lost cause on this one, which bums me out. I was looking forward to a good steak.”

  My phone rang and I answered it with a ‘hello’ when I saw it was my mom.

  Sobs sounded from the other end and the phone was loudly shuffled to someone else.

  “Sweatheart,” Aunt Berty used my nickname she only used when something was wrong, “you need to come to the hospital. It’s your dad and Maddox. There’s been an accident.”

  She hung up after that and I looked up at Rhett.

  “Get the car started. I’ll get the check,” he stated as he passed me the keys.

  I did as he asked and pulled the car up to the front of the restaurant just as he was walking out. We switched seats because I didn’t think I was in the right state of mind to drive. I was lucky enough to have backed out of the parking space. Uneasiness ate at my insides and I clenched my teeth to keep from vomiting the whole way to the hospital.

  ~*~

  My body shivered the entire ride to the hospital and Rhett gave me his jacket before we walked in. It was probably more from shock because I wasn’t cold at all, but that changed when we entered the hospital. I pulled the jacket tighter around me. It was freezing in here. Too cold, like it was beckoning the dead.

  I can’t think like that. They’re both going to be fine.

  The receptionist pointed Rhett and me in the right direction. I was glad he was at my side because I wasn’t really processing anything. I was just moving in a fog since this all seemed too surreal, like it was occurring in a movie instead of my life.

  The elevator ride up to the fourth floor was so slow. It felt like forever before the doors dinged open. Rhett asked about my dad and brother and they told him the room number. Mom was standing outside of it talking to a doctor. She was in hysterics and Aunt Berty was keeping her on her feet.

  “What’s going on?” I asked when we got close enough. “Where’s Dad and Maddox?”

  The doctor turned to me with a forlorn expression. “Your father has three broken ribs and was just moved to the ICU as a precaution to monitor for a new onset of internal bleeding, but he seems to be doing just fine. Your brother, I’m sorry to say, didn’t make it. He was pronounced DOA.”

  “Please tell me that doesn’t mean what I think it means,” I begged.

  My knees started to feel wobbly and Rhett snaked his arms around me to keep me upright.

  The doctor’s frown deepened. “It means he had already passed on by the time he reached the hospital. I’m so sorry. I’ll give you guys some time to process the information and you’re welcome to visit your father whenever you’re ready. Mrs. Jacobs, same goes for you.”

  Mom didn’t acknowledge him as she continued to wail. Not being able to handle the situation anymore, my knees buckled. Rhett swooped me up and we went into what used to be my dad’s room before they moved him. He sat me in the empty chair and I was frozen in place.

  I wanted to cry. I needed to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. My body was in shock. That was the only explanation. Maddox was gone. Gone and he wasn’t coming back.

  “How did this happen?” I whispered.

  Aunt Berty was the one to reply after moving Mom into the room with us. “Your dad and Maddox went to the store and they were hit by a drunk driver on the way home. The SOB walked away without a single scratch too. If only I could get my hands on him, I would ring his neck.”

  I’d never heard Aunt Berty talk like that and I noticed that she was crying too. Now, why couldn’t I? She was the modest one in the family and had never cursed, at least in she didn’t in front of me.

  Rhett kneeled in front of me and held my hands in my lap. “Are you okay, babe? You can cry if you need to. It’s okay.”

  “I want to see my dad,” I stated without hesitation.

  I needed to see that he was still alive with my own eyes. I couldn’t lose him too. I also couldn’t fully process that Maddox was dead. It was as if he would come running through the door any second and it was all just some sick joke that I’d hurt him for.

  “Okay. Okay, if that’s what you want.” R
hett ruffled his hair. “I’ll join you. Let’s go.”

  He escorted to me to the ICU area and Mom and Aunt Berty lingered behind. Dad had so many wires and tubes hooked up to him. His eyes were closed and I’d never seen him look so fragile. I stepped closer and held his hand. It was colder than usual and I tugged his blankets higher to warm him.

  It was so hard seeing him like this. My dad was the one who always held it together. He was the one who pieced us back when we were shattering. He was never the one breaking right in front of my eyes.

  “How’s Maddox?” Dad croaked, surprising me. I thought he was asleep.

  “They didn’t tell you?” I asked and hopefully didn’t have to be the one to break the news to him.

  “Tell me what? How’s Maddox, Molly?” he questioned a little more panicky this time.

  The monitors started beeping loudly and the nurses raced in to check on my dad. They bustled around and started inspecting him.

  “You two are going to have to leave,” one of them ordered.

  I couldn’t handle being there after that. I was more than ready to get home and just crawl into bed. Rhett drove me home in silence. He even carried me up to my room and helped me into the bathroom that was attached to it. It was a Jack and Jill bathroom and the other side was connected to Maddox’s room. A room that would be empty.

  Rhett sat me on the toilet and left. He returned with a set of pajamas and even a new pair of underwear. I was too broken to be embarrassed. He turned on the water in my shower and played with the knobs to get it to the right temperature.

  “You get in and wash off. A warm shower does wonders for the soul. I’ll be right outside the door if you need me,” Rhett reassured before stepping out.

  I moved slower than usual, but did as he said. A shower was probably a good idea and exactly what I needed. My body was weak as I cleaned myself off and the warm water did nothing for my tense muscles this time. My fingers fiddled with the handles to turn the water off and I stumbled out of the shower. My knees buckled for the second time that night and I fell. The shower curtain came down with me with a loud bang.