Take Me Away (Everly Place Book 1) Read online

  The two-track to the lake is bumpy and I'm flying all over the backseat. Lily and Rose are cracking up and I start to feel like Lily is doing it on purpose. My head bumps into the door window and she slows down a little.

  "Gee, thanks for taking it easy." I scowl at her and rub my forehead.

  "Sorry, Iris!"

  I spot Clay's truck in the line of parked cars the instant we pull up, and I wonder if he brought Lexi. Even though I used to have a crush on Clay, he and Lexi really are perfect for each other. She was head cheerleader and he was quarterback of the football team and wouldn't you know, they were homecoming king and queen their senior year. It was only a matter of time before they ended up together.

  Opening the door, I start to feel a little calm creep in. I'll stay for an hour and then walk home, I remind myself.

  I recognize most of the people here from Cascade High School. Many are older than me, but there are few of my classmates about. With graduation just around the corner, I suppose there’s no better time than the present to socialize. Most of the people here don't even know my name. They just know me as the quiet girl who never missed a day of school, except for the week that my mom passed away.

  The fresh air feels nice and Blake Shelton is on a speaker in the back of someone's pick-up truck. Rose has already disappeared, so I follow Lily over to the fire.

  "I'll be right back," she promises.

  Great—now I’m standing here all alone right in front of the fire while everyone else is talking amongst themselves. I stuff my hands in the pocket of my hoodie and sit down on a stump.

  "Long time, no see."

  I turn around and see Clay standing there. His bright green eyes beam into mine.

  "What happened to your head?" His thumb grazes my forehead.

  "Is it red?" I ask. "Lily's crazy driving thrashed my head on the window." I run my fingers across my wound and return them to the pouch of my hoodie, wondering how bad it looks.

  "Just a little bump. Nothing too noticeable." He takes a sip of his beer. "Are you ready for graduation?"

  "For the most part. I still have to pick up my cap and gown and work on my speech a little bit more, but I'm ready." I notice Clay’s gorgeous green eyes looking me up and down before meeting mine. I pull my eyes from his gaze and search around the party for my sisters. It's not that I don't like talking to Clay, but every time I make eye contact with him, I feel uneasy.

  "I heard you were valedictorian. That's awesome," he says, and I nod, but honestly? I wish I weren't. I'm honored and all, but the idea of speaking in front of all of my classmates terrifies me, and the idea of my teachers pressuring me about going to college exhausts me.

  Bryce walks up to give Clay a fake punch to the stomach before rubbing his fist on his dark, messy hair then loops an arm around his neck.

  "Well, well, well... if it isn't Ms. Iris Everly. I've never seen you wear anything but those stupid cottage girl dresses," he laughs.

  My face feels warm, and it isn't out of embarrassment but anger. Bryce Thomas has always been the class jerk. He seems to enjoy pointing out my clothing choices to the point of absurdity. (Winters are cold here, so obviously I wear more than dresses.) I was so glad when he graduated last year and I had hoped I would never have to see him again.

  "Very funny." I roll my eyes and walk away. Why did I even come to this stupid party, anyway, and even if Clay is no longer my friend, why can't he ever stick up for me? I don't think Clay Keller has much of a backbone.

  I spot Rose over by the music truck. She’s dancing in front of a guy who’s sitting on the tailgate, and I push through the crowd to make my way over.

  "I'm leaving," I let her know.

  "Don't go yet, Iris. The party is just getting started."

  "That's exactly why I am leaving. Tell Lily for me." I give her a half smile and walk away.

  It's dark on the trail toward home—about a fifteen-minute walk—but only a short while until the street lights come on, and I don’t mind. I spend a lot of my time walking. Sometimes I just go out and walk without a destination in mind. There are days when I wish I could get lost with a book and a pencil and shut out the entire world around me.

  Cars keep coming down the trail to go to the bonfire, so I stay to the side. I will never understand why people think this sort of thing is fun. It's loud, it's crowded, and everyone acts like immature idiots. I'm lost in my thoughts when I notice headlights behind me.

  I turn around, but am blinded by the lights and can't make out the vehicle. Instead of passing me, it just keeps getting closer and then it stops. I hear a door shut but I still can't make out the person because the lights are so bright.

  "Iris,” someone calls. I shield my eyes with a hand and when he takes a step closer, I realize it's Clay.

  "Clay? What are you doing?" He finally catches up to where I stand so I can stop staring toward the lights.

  "You shouldn't be walking out here this late." He grabs a hold of my hand and leads me towards his truck. I shake my arm a little to try and pull away. Since when does Clay care that I walk at night, or alone?

  "I always walk this late; I always have. What's the big deal?"

  "I know but there are a lot of people drinking and driving and I don't think it's safe. Get in, I'll give you a ride." He opens the door and I climb in the passenger side.

  "Including you," I inform him.

  "Nah, I've only had half a beer. I'm fine."

  I sit in silence in his truck and wonder why all of a sudden Clay Keller has taken any sort of interest in me. First, he talks to my sister about me, and then he approaches me at the party, and now he is driving me home.

  Whatever the reason, it makes me smile.

  "Here you are." We pull into my driveway and he looks over at me.

  "Thanks for the ride." I smile back, and for a moment, I get lost in his eyes.

  "I, um... I actually wanted to ask for your help with something," he says as he turns his head and runs fingers through his brown hair. Confusion sets in.

  "What could you possibly want my help with?"

  "I'm applying for an internship with the Department of Public Works and I have to write a letter of intent. I've rewritten it three times and the deadline is next week. What do you think? Can you help an old friend?" he hopes with a grin and tilt of his head.

  "Yeah, sure." I nod and hope the hint of sadness I feel doesn't show. It all makes sense now. He just wants my help.

  "Awesome, thank you. How about if I come by tomorrow afternoon?"

  "I have work tomorrow, but I can meet you at the lake after dinner. Seven-ish?"

  "Great, I'll see you then,” he agrees, and I reach for the door. "Thank you, Iris."

  Clay smiles.

  I climb out of the truck and walk inside as his headlights slowly fade into the night. Dad is sleeping on the couch with a newspaper in his hand. I take the paper away, cover him with a throw blanket, and kiss his forehead.

  I throw myself into my bed, where thoughts of the day keep repeating and I feel like a fool. Why would I ever think Clay had suddenly taken any sort of genuine personal interest in me? He just needs help with his paper. I should have known there was an ulterior motive behind him even talking to me.

  I decide to quit feeling sorry for myself and get ready for bed. After putting on my pajamas and brushing my teeth, I grab my notebook, and write a little before drifting asleep with my pencil in my hand.

  Chapter Three

  A few hours later, the morning sun is beaming through my window, which is cracked open slightly, and I can hear birds chirping outside. I pull myself out bed and go downstairs to make breakfast before church.

  Mom is heavy on my mind this morning. I'm not sure if it's because I graduate in five days or because she always made the best Sunday morning breakfast. Dad was usually hung-over from the night before, but today, it looks like Rose is the one hung-over.

  "Good morning, Sunshine." I smile at her and flip a pancake.

  "U
gh, my head." She puts big hands on the side of her face. "Why did you leave so early last night?

  "I wasn't having very much fun."

  Rose takes a seat at the table and I put a plate of pancakes in front of her before joining my sister to eat.

  Dad and Lily finally meet us at the table, where we talk about the day and my upcoming graduation ceremony. He informs us that our aunt and cousin, Becca, will be coming into town Friday. I haven't seen Becca since last summer when she came to visit for a couple weeks. We’re the same age, and she graduated last weekend. Unfortunately, we don’t have many relatives nearby; it’s a safe assumption they're the only family that will attend.

  We all get ready for church—except for Rose, who stays put to recover. Once we arrive, I slide into the pew next to Amber and look back to see if the Kellers are here yet, but I don't see them.

  After the service, I notice Clay and his family as we are walking out. Dad stops to talk to Mr. Keller and I stand there awkwardly.

  "Nice sweater," Luke laughs. What is with everyone making fun of my clothes?

  "Don't be a jerk; we're in a church." Lily steps in to roll her eyes at him. Luke has always been such a bully. Sometimes I wonder if he will ever grow up.

  Dad finishes talking, finally, and I smile at Clay. "See you tonight."

  He doesn’t respond—just stands there, looking like he didn't hear me as he swirls his finger at his temple.

  Not so different, I think, from his brother, after all.

  I can hear Luke laughing as I walk away, asking him what that was all about, and Clay tells him to shut up but acts as if he doesn't know what I’m talking about. My heart sinks into my chest and I slump down into the backseat of Lily and Rose's car.

  I replay the conversation I had with Clay last night to make sure I didn't take anything the wrong way—but he did, in fact, ask me for help with a paper tonight. Why is he so cold to me in front of everyone? Am I really that embarrassing to me around? My heart aches under the combination of anger and humiliation.

  As soon as we get home from church, I grab a quick bite to eat and prepare for work, trying my waitressing apron on over my yellow floral dress. (Sun dress, not cottage dress like Bryce was saying. Asshole.)

  "What was that all about at church? Why did you tell Clay you would see him tonight?" Lily asks, sitting on my bed while I brush my hair.

  "It was nothing, just a misunderstanding."

  "Those boys aren't being mean to you, are they?"

  "No." I offer no further explanation. As we've gotten older, it hasn't been as bad. Luke was always the instigator of the group and Clay followed him like a lost puppy. Clay's teasing was pretty innocent by comparison, but it occasionally hurt my feelings or humiliated me, like today.

  "Don't let them get to you, Iris. They are no better than we are." And she's right. They are not better than us. I'd never thought they might think they are, but now the possibility is worming through my head.

  "Damnit, you're right! They are not better than us!" I vow this loudly with anger in my voice.

  "Whoa, Iris... did you just say your first cuss word?"

  We both start laughing.

  "Can you drive me to work? I don't feel like walking," I plead, my hands steepled together like prayer.

  "Sure. Let’s go."

  On the drive, I wonder if my sister and I have finally stumbled upon the secret reason why the Kellers have treated us so differently since they've moved. It feels seemingly obvious now. Clay seems to only be my "friend" when he wants something. Just like when we were kids, and his dad would drink too much and fight with his mom; he would throw sticks at my bedroom window to wake me up, and I would go outside and lie under the stars and listen to him vent. We were only seven, but even then, it was still my comfort he was seeking. And I always gave it to him. I gave all of myself to him whenever he needed anything and all I would ever get in return was someone who treated me like I was expendable.

  As we near the diner, I ask Lily if she will take me to look for a cheap car sometime this week. With the cash Dad’s promised me (since I'm not having a graduation party), I’ve finally saved up enough to buy. I hate accepting money from him, but I really want my own vehicle.

  I decide to walk home after work. It's a nice night, and the sky looks beautiful over mountains heavy with rain clouds. I don't mind the rain; I actually welcome it. There is something about the sound of it falling to the ground and the smell of these wet dirt roads.

  Feeling like a new person, and remembering what I told myself before work, I throw my arms out and quote Amy from Little Women out loud: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."

  A car flies by honking its horn. "Get out of the road," yells a girl.

  I flip her off and run down the path to my house, laughing, wondering if I feel good or if I ought to take it down a notch.

  Walking in my house, I’m still laughing at myself. Who have I become today? I don't know, but I like her. She (I) strut into the kitchen where Rose is cooking dinner. Dad must still be at the farm.

  "Hello, my beautiful sister," I chirrup and give her a kiss on the cheek.

  She, evidently not feeling quite as go-lucky as I am, wipes her hands on her apron. "What are you all giddy about?"

  "I don't know. I just feel happy and freeeee," I croon as I spin around and twirl my dress, whatever kind it is.

  I should feel like sulking after this morning’s display of Clay's lack of brain cells, but instead I'm singing in the rain. He's shown me that I need to stop being a doormat to everyone.

  Rose eyes me as I settle down to help her with the dishes. "Have you given any more thought to Washington State?"

  “Nope. I'm not going to college—at least, not this fall. I don't even know if I was accepted."

  She stops what she’s doing and stares hard through her confusion. "What do you mean, you don't ‘know’ if you were accepted? I thought you got your letter months ago."

  "I did, I just haven't opened it yet. There’s no point. I'm not going to school."

  "With your grades, there is no way you weren’t accepted."

  I shrug and try to change the subject to something about the rain we are supposed to get.

  "Iris." She puts her hands on my shoulders and her face right in front of mine. "I know that you feel like you need to take care of him. I know you worry that he will be lonely. There is so much more out there and I know you have dreams that are bigger than Leavenworth. Dad wants you to live those dreams, and so would Mom." She hugs me tightly.

  "Mom never left and look how happy she was." I put my head on her shoulder.

  "You are not Mom, Iris. I know you want more than that." Rose stops hugging me and drops her hands back on my shoulders. "If you can look me in the eye and honestly tell me that you want to stay here and never have career or a life outside of this town, then I will let it go."

  I look directly into my sister’s eyes and I lie.

  "I can fulfill my dreams here. I don't want to leave Leavenworth," I tell her.

  We hug again, and I know she didn't buy it, but I need time to figure out what I want to do. Of course I want a career and I want to experience life outside of this town. I don't wholly know why I keep putting it off or why I am so undecided. But my dad really does need me—he doesn't have anyone else when the twins are gone. Until I know for certain that he’ll be OK without me, I have to be here.

  My future is a blank page right now; I just have to decide what to write in it.

  After dinner, the rain sheets harder. My sisters and I clean up the mess, and we decide to watch a movie. I'm in the kitchen making popcorn when I hear a knock at the door.

  "Iris, it's for you," Dad yells from the living room.

  Who would be coming to see me at eight o'clock on a Sunday night, I wonder? I walk into the living room, and Clay is standing there with a hoodie over his head and blue jeans, soaked from head-to-toe.

  "What are you doing here?" I demand,
making my way over quickly to pull him out the door and onto the porch. The rain is really coming down now.

  "You were supposed to meet me at seven o'clock at the lake. I waited for an hour but you never showed." He wipes his face with his sleeve. He sounds angry.

  "Of course I didn't show," I hiss. "You made me look like a crazy person at church today. I would think that if you still wanted to meet, you would say something like, ‘OK, Iris! I'll see you then!’" I shake my head and turn away so he can't see my face.

  "I didn't hear you," he lies as his eyes wander without connecting with mine.

  "How could you not hear me? I know you heard me. I was literally standing two feet away?"

  "I didn't feel like hearing Luke ask a bunch of questions. He's been deep into my business lately and I'm sick of his shit."

  "That makes two of us, but it doesn't excuse the fact that you basically mortified me in front of our families."

  "I'm sorry, Iris. If you allow me, I'll make it up to you."

  "What's done is done. I'll help you, but I'm onto you, Clay Keller, and next time, I'll call you out. I'm not the same little Iris that gets pushed around anymore." I try to sound serious, but deep down, I know I'm still weak. But I'm getting stronger.

  "I believe you. Someday I will make it up to you, though, you'll see." He smiles.

  A streak of lighting lights the sky, followed by a loud boom of thunder, and I jump. Clay places his hand on my arm and it directs some of that electricity through my body.

  "Well, it's too late tonight. So, I'll see you tomorrow. Noon at the lake?" I ask.

  "That sounds good," he tells me, and he starts down the steps towards his truck. "And Iris, I really am sorry about the misunderstanding."

  I give him a nod and go back in the house. When I walk in, all eyes are upon me, and I don't really feel like explaining my late-night visitor, so I just put up and hand and say, "Don't ask."

  Surprisingly, no one does, and we continue with our movie before going to bed under the last of the rain.