The Beats in Rift Read Free Page A

lately, even in front of Justin and me so I know it must be worse when we aren’t around to witness it. The way he looks at Mom makes my stomach coil. He has no love in his eyes for her; more like she’s dirt from his shoe. Justin doesn’t share my concern. In his eyes our Dad is God and can do no wrong. That is what has always separated us.
    “Hey, Mom. You look nice.”
    Her smile widened. “Your Dad’s taking me out.”
    “Really?” The surprise is evident in my tone but she says nothing. She kisses my cheek and then hurries out of the front door.
    Justin is at practice, and Beats has to pick her Mom up from the bar so she’s coming over later. I kick my shoes off, grab a soda, and go to shower the day off. I stay in there longer than normal, the water scalding my skin. I switch the shower off and wrap a towel around my waist, opening the door that leads to my room.
    This is where I find Beats lying on my bed with an arm flung over her face. Her chest is rising and falling in rhythm to her sighing
    “Hey.”
    She lifts her arm, mumbling a weak “Hey.”
    “What’s wrong, Beats?”
    “Yo, Jared! You home?” Justin’s voice booms.
    “Yeah, man. In my room.”
    His footsteps carry down the hall before he saunters into my room.
    “Hey, you want pizza?” he asks, turning to see Beats lying on my bed in a world of her own. He gestures towards her with a head nod. “What’s with her?”
    I shrug, tapping her leg with my foot. She sighs, sitting up with her dramatic flair. She squirms a little and a blush creeps up her cheeks when she takes in my attire. I almost forgot I’m only wearing a towel. Her eyes scan my body with curiosity. I feel the heat from her eyes burn my skin with every inch of me she absorbs.
    “What’s up?” Justin asks, breaking her concentration. He sits down next to her, slinging an arm over her shoulder.
    “Drake asked me to the dance,” she rushes out in almost a whisper.
    My stomach knots. Justin smiles up at me nervously. “And?”
    “I said yes.” She speaks softly, biting her bottom lip as she finishes.
    My head spins and the room tilts. She said yes? I want to punch something, preferably Drake’s face.
    Her eyes shift from me to Justin.
    “That’s great, babe. About time,” He tells her. I debate punching him instead. A whiny noise crawls from the back of her throat as she throws herself back on my bed, gaining a chuckle from Justin.
    “So, what’s the big deal, Beats? Spill.”
    “I’m nervous! I’ve never been out on a date before and I know what you boys are like.”
    I clear my throat. “You’re worried he might want something from you?”
    She looks up at me from behind her hand that’s now covering her eyes and nods.
    “Beats, me and Justin will break his fucking arms off if he tries that shit on you,” I tell her, already planning a way to stop this date.
    Justin nodded his head in agreement. “Drake’s not really like that though.”
    She groans, sitting back up to look him in the eye.
    “I like him. I want to kiss him but I’m nervous because I’m not experienced and I know he is.”
    The bile in the back of my throat burns as it makes its way up. Justin pats her knee, both are seemingly oblivious to my brain exploding inside my head.
    “Kissing is easy, just go with the flow,” he reassures her.
    “My first kiss sucked. The girl was all saliva and teeth,” I say.
    Her eyes grow wide and I have to dodge the incoming assault from the rolled up pair of socks Justin throws at me.
    “Way to make her feel relaxed about it, man.” The socks bounce off the wall and land back at his feet.
    “Teach me,” she murmurs.
    I’m sure my eyes are the size of saucers right now. Who is this new girl taken over the body of our timid, never been kissed, never been on a date and was happy about that Beats?
    Justin’s cough and choking brings my attention to him. “Teach you?”
    “Yes, show me how. Let me practice.”
    “Fine I’ll teach you,” I