Carlson Melody - Stealing Bradford

“Maybe not…”

“And Rhiannon and Bradford had been together a long time.”

“Well, to be fair, they’d been friends. It had only started to get serious just recently.”

“Still, it was wrong. Taylor is selfish and evil and just plain mean.”

“I’m not saying that Taylor was right. I’m just saying that maybe we all need to ease up…move on, you know?”

“You have gone over to the dark side.” Casey scowled. “Taylor’s already got you in her back pocket, doesn’t she?”

“No, she does not.”

“Why did she go with you to get this car?”

“Because my grandmother invited her.” DJ turned back toward the house now. If Casey wanted to argue, their little joy ride was about to end.

“But you could’ve said no. You could’ve refused.”

“Have you met my grandmother?”

“You just wimped out.”

“Fine, whatever. But for your information, Taylor was actually quite helpful with getting this car. Mrs. Carter had her eye on a Cadillac.”

“Eew.”

“Exactly. Taylor pointed out that a Honda Civic was a safe choice for teen drivers. She totally convinced her that it was the best car, and my grandmother believed her.”

“Was it a big lie?” asked Casey as DJ pulled in front of Carter House.

“I don’t think so.”

“But it might’ve been. For all you know you’re driving around in a death trap.”

“I doubt that.”

“But you don’t know, and your problem is that you’re buying into her, DJ. You are starting to trust Taylor, and that scares me!” Then Casey opened the door, hopped out, and ran into the house.

DJ leaned her head against the steering wheel and wondered how she could possibly survive the entire school year with all these girls who always seemed to be at odds with each other. Then she sat back up and smiled. Well, at least she had this little getaway car. Now, that was something!

THE WEEKEND PASSED QUIETLY,uneventfully even, an interesting contrast to their first week at school. DJ thought it was because, like her, they were all tired or, as in Rhiannon’s case, emotionally worn out. On Saturday afternoon, DJ and Eliza had gone to the varsity soccer match, cheering Harry and Conner on even when it started to rain. They stayed until they were soaking wet and chilled to the bone, then they waved to the guys and headed home to get warm.

Taylor went out with Bradford on Saturday night. But DJ was probably the only one aware of this. That was something. At least Taylor didn’t announce to everyone that they were going out. DJ also knew that Taylor was late for curfew, but apparently no one else noticed. She didn’t know what time it was when Taylor finally got in, but at least she was in her bed the next morning.

On Sunday, DJ drove Rhiannon to church and sat through the service with her. But she wasn’t sure what she thought of it. Some of the things the pastor said didn’t quite make sense. But then there was a lot about being a Christian that didn’t make sense. Like Rhiannon kept reassuring her, faith was a process. She’d have to figure it out as she went. The good thing was that DJ was still praying. And she’d been trying to read her Bible too. But it vexed her to know that Taylor knew the Bible better than she did. It made absolutely no sense. Still, DJ promised herself that the time would come when she would know it better—more than that—she would learn how to live it. She doubted that Taylor would ever figure that out.

DJ was just finishing up her assigned reading for English lit when her cell phone rang. It was Conner.

“Hey, thanks for coming to the game,” he said. “Did you guys get warmed up?”

“Pretty much.”

“Harry and I were totally beat afterward. We discussed asking you girls to a movie, but we were too wiped.”

“Who won?”

“They did.”

“Sorry.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t a very fun day.”

“Hey, you haven’t even seen my new car yet,” she said suddenly.

“That’s right. Why don’t you come by and take me for a ride?”

“Okay.” She was already standing up.

“Maybe we can get a bite somewhere,” Conner suggested.

“Hammerhead’s?”

“Sounds good.” So she picked him up and took him for a little spin, and he gave her two thumbs-up on her choice of vehicles.

“It’s kind of weird, but Taylor actually helped to pick it out.”

He suddenly grabbed the dashboard and looked around the car as if he thought it was going to fall apart. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with it?” he teased. “No time bomb planted in the glove box?” He opened it, looked under the paperwork, and then closed it again.

“Yeah, yeah.” She just shook her head. “Casey was the same way. I guess I should just keep it quiet that Taylor was involved.”

“No, someone should know…in case we need to press charges against her if you are suddenly injured in a freak car wreck.”

“Whatever.”

“Sorry.” Conner got more serious. “It’s not like you’re starting to like her, are you?”

“Of course, not. I can’t stand her. But I don’t think everyone has to be so hard on her. She’s not the only one to blame. Like she’s pointed out, Bradford is a big boy. He makes his own choices. No one forced him to go with her.”

“You mean it’s not true?”

“What?”

“She didn’t put a spell on him?”

DJ reached over and punched him in the arm. “Come on.” Then she pulled up in front of the Hammerhead and turned off the car.

“Sorry. But that girl asks for it.” He shook his head. “I mean, she’s really a piece of work, don’t you think?”

“I think she’s got her issues. And I don’t like a lot of things about her.” DJ laughed. “Okay, I can’t think of one single thing that I really do like about her.”

“She is good-looking.”

DJ frowned at him. “So you noticed?”

“How does a guy not notice?”

“He gouges out his eyeballs.”

“Gross.” He opened the door. “I’m starving.”

Fortunately, they changed the subject. As they ate, they talked about the soccer match and how the refs seemed to favor the other team.

“When’s your first volleyball game?” he asked as they were finishing up. Due to the weather, they were eating inside next to a window that looked out over the docks, which looked gray and gloomy today.

“Tuesday afternoon at four. Home,” DJ answered.

“Cool. Count me in.”

“What about soccer practice?”

“I should be able to see at least the last half.”

“Since when are you so into girls’ volleyball?”

“Since my favorite girl is playing.”

“Well, prepare to be disappointed. We’re not very good.”

“You know what they say—it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the—”

“Yeah, right. Didn’t I just hear you whining about the soccer refs?”

He made a face at her as he laid enough money to cover the bill and a tip on the table. “Let’s blow this joint.”

The rain was starting to come down as they dashed outside and back into her car. “Where to?” asked DJ as she turned on the ignition.

“I should probably go home and attack my homework,” he admitted. “I got a little behind last week, telling myself that I’d make up for it this weekend.”

She nodded. “I know. I was doing some catching up myself.”

So she drove him home, thanked him for dinner, and said good night. When she got to Carter House, she noticed Bradford’s car parked in front. She hoped this wouldn’t mean trouble. But then as she ran through the rain to the front door, she noticed he was in his car. And just as she got to the porch, Taylor emerged.