Page 20 of Banking on Love

A Secret Sweetheart?I repeated to myself.

Many Festival of Love had come and gone over the years, in Cupid’s Cove, and not once had I had a Secret Sweetheart. Of course, I had always dreamed that some guy would secretly admire me from afar while I walked around clueless to his feelings. Then he would send me small gifts over the course of the Festival of Love until we’d finally meet face-to-face on the final day, at the Sweetheart’s Dance.

“Well, you going to take it or just leave me to hold it all day,” she chuckled.

“Oh. Sorry,” I blurted, grabbing the present from her. “Who’s it from?”

“Well, if I told you then they wouldn’t be your Secret Sweetheart now would they?” She smiled at me mischievously.

“No. I guess not,” I giggled. “Do I open it now? Or should I wait until later?”

“Now. Later. Up to you. I’m heading off now,” she smiled brightly as she turned and headed to the door. She looked over her shoulder back at me, “Toodles!”

I stared at the door for quite some time, waiting for Cody or Mrs. Carter to come back inside. When several minutes passed by, I realized the coast was clear and released the breath I had been holding.

Get it together, Kensi,I scolded myself.

My words were strong but they didn’t settle my nerves. My hands shook and my heart pounded as I unwrapped the gift. When I reached the center of my surprise, a huge smile broke across my face.

I now held a blue quartz, heart-shaped rock in my hands. Written on it, in pink paint, wasYou Are Beautiful.I flipped the rock over and a giggle escaped me as I stared at the bright yellow smiley face sticking its tongue out with the words:Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

My mind now raced on who my Secret Sweetheart could be. I was hopeful that it was Nick; however, we hadn’t known each other long and I doubted he would sit around painting rocks. The only other person, who showed interest in me, had just walked out of the door– Cody.

“Who sent this?” I wondered, flipping the rock over several times in my hands.

The rock was flat and smooth. It reminded me of a happier time in my life. A time when my mother and I would go down to the river. We would spend countless hours skipping rocks.

A huge smile crossed my face and tears filled my eyes as the memories washed over me.

“Love you, Mom.”

Chapter Ten

NICK

The day had definitely lived up to its name– Monday. The sun had tortured me as I slaved away beneath it. Sweat poured down my skin and I couldn’t wipe it away fast enough.

“Going to be alright, big guy?” Xavier asked, walking up to me and placing a bag of soil in the bed of the truck.

“Yeah. I’m good,” I chuckled. “Just glad this day is over.”

“I hear ya on that.” He shook his head and laughed. “Thought this day would never end.”

We both laughed but stopped when Cody walked over to us. He sneered as he leaned against the back of the truck. His eyes locked on me.

“What’s wrong, City Boy?” Cody asked, smugly.

“Knock it off, Cody,” Xavier growled at Cody.

“What?” Cody shrugged and glanced at Xavier. “Just asking a question.”

Cody was becoming a royal pain in my ass. He was pushing me to my limits. The only thing saving him from a beating was the fact my grandmother had gotten me this job and I didn’t want to embarrass her. Other than that, I’d beat his ass and not think twice.

“Cut the bullshit already,” Xavier grumbled. “Your childish bullshit is getting old.”

“Since when did you become a Goody two-shoes?” Cody huffed and stood tall. He kicked the tire of the truck. Xavier and I looked at him. He turned his back to us, held up both middle fingers in the air, and walked towards his truck. “See you around, lame dicks!”

“Asshole,” I muttered. Cody stopped walking and turned on his heel to face us. His face was etched with rage.

---