Bewilder (The Kaleidoscope Album Book 2) Read online

  "I bet I could help you figure it out. I'm an Engineering major, you know," Gracia said.

  "That sounds promising," Domino said, her back straightening. "But I'm already in very good hands."

  Sabrina's eyes narrowed. What was Domino going on about?

  "Oh?" Gracia said, her face revealing a range of expressions from rejection to intrigue.

  "Yeah, Sabrina Meloy is my organizer," Domino said.

  "Ah, our most prolific customer," Gracia said, her voice hardening ever-so-slightly.

  Domino seemed completely oblivious to Gracia's change in mood, but Sabrina wanted to punch the air in celebration.

  "Anyway, that explains my jeans issue. I'm going to need to figure that part out. I bet if I could fit thirty pairs of jeans in this thing, she'd let me keep them," Domino said.

  Sabrina took this as her cue. "I bet she wouldn't," she said, stepping out from behind the end-cap and casually walking over.

  Domino rolled her eyes with all the subtlety of a stage whisper. "Slow your roll," she said. "Want to see what Gracia and I have come up with for the closet? I know you said to just focus on the shoes, but then I got excited.”

  Sabrina sighed, feeling apprehensive about what type of disaster she was about to see. What had that been about revolving doors earlier? "Sure," she said.

  Gracia turned so that all three of them could see the tablet in her hands. "And here's Dom's grand design," she said.

  Sabrina's hackles raised slightly at Gracia's use of Domino's nickname. They were on nickname terms?

  She took a cleansing breath and looked down at the screen. It was a relatively simple design with way too much vertical space. The type of design that would make sense if Domino wore dresses, but she didn't. There were also way too many drawers that could get jam-packed with whatever Domino shoved inside of them. Sabrina preferred clear drawers with labels, instead.

  "Wow, it's great," she lied, looking up at Domino, who looked casual and non-committed to the entire event. "There are just a few things I'd adjust."

  "Okay," Domino said. "Like what?"

  "Here, let me show you," Sabrina said, reaching for the tablet in Gracia's hands. This wasn't her first rodeo. Gracia let the tablet go after a small struggle.

  Sabrina made her adjustments, explaining what and why she was doing things as she cut the vertical space in half with by using double hanging rods to increase capacity. She also lengthened the shelving to allow for more folded clothes, like sweaters and jeans. Then, all that was left to do was cut the drawers down to a manageable amount.

  Domino smirked, staring down at the screen. "Well, I guess that's why you're the professional," she said.

  Gracia looked visibly irritated and took the tablet back from Sabrina. "Alright, not exactly what I would have done," she murmured.

  Sabrina shrugged, turning to Domino. "We have enough to get started," she said.

  "But what about my closet?" Domino asked, looking between the two women.

  "They have to order in the pieces and then I'll pick them up," Sabrina explained. "Today, we're going full on in the pantry." She grinned, holding herself back from clapping excitedly.

  Domino raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Whatever you say, boss," she said, smiling.

  Sabrina sat on the kitchen floor, organizing the labels she had made on her Cricut the night before. Her back ached and she was surrounded by non-perishable items, but at least the pantry was filled with more than just ramen.

  She hummed along with the soothing classical music coming out of her bluetooth speaker, labeling bins and bulk item containers. Cereal, brown sugar, an alarming amount of raisins...

  She heard a strange sound, and turned to find Domino stomping through the great room in her open wetsuit. She had given Domino the last few hours off to relax after the morning in The Organizer Store.

  Judging by Domino's dry hair and suit, she was on her way out, not in.

  "What's with the bee in your bonnet?" Sabrina asked, trying not to stare at Domino's open wetsuit, revealing her bikini top and toned stomach.

  "Nothing," Domino growled. Then, she paused, staring down at Sabrina's speaker. "What are you listening to?"

  "Oh, um, this one is Schumann," Sabrina answered, knowing the composer by heart.

  "Oh, I don't think I've heard of him," Domino said with a shrug.

  "Her, actually," Sabrina corrected, straightening out the "snacks" label she was putting on a bin. "Clara Schumann."

  Domino stared down at the speaker. "It sounds familiar, though," she said, putting her hands on her hips.

  "Well, she was married to another famous composer, and the secret lover of yet another," Sabrina said. "Although historians disagree on whether she actually acted on the affair with Brahms. Their letters are super romantic, though." She smoothed out the bubbles of the label.

  "Wow, a woman in high demand," Domino said, a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  Sabrina smirked. "Anyway, what's got you so upset?" She asked.

  "Nothing," Domino said. She shifted her weight between her feet. "I mean, it's not nothing. It's just the nothing that's upset me."

  Sabrina squinted, trying to understand. Was it something about her? She looked around the kitchen, her eyes widening. Granted, the kitchen was a bit of a mess with the pantry items splayed all over the counters and all of the bins sitting on the floor with her, but it would be cleaned up soon.

  "No, it's not this," Domino said, gesturing vaguely to the room. "It's... writing."

  Sabrina nodded. "Oh, that makes sense," she said. "You seemed to be writing the other day I was here."

  "I was, and I thought I had it back, but," Domino said, raking a hand through her hair. "I guess I don't."

  "I have a question," Sabrina said, her chest squeezing as she watched Domino's disappointment in herself.

  "Uh, okay," Domino said, fidgeting with the long zipper pull of her suit.

  "Why are you called The Shrikes?" Sabrina asked, trying to keep her expression neutral.

  Domino's brow furrowed in confusion. "Well, a shrike is a bird who impales its prey, like lizards or mice, typically on barbed wire. Billie and I were fascinated with them as kids. They're just so badass." Her expression grew much more excited as she went on.

  Sabrina cringed. "Oh, wow, that's intense," she said. "I always thought that you just misspelled strike. Or maybe like autocorrect?"

  Domino laughed, rolling her eyes.

  "My point is, why aren't you called Domino and the Shrikes?" Sabrina said.

  Domino blinked, staring down at her. "Because I'm not the lead?"

  "But you're also not called Billie and the Shrikes," Sabrina said, tilting her head.

  Domino pressed her lips together in thought. "We never even considered that, I guess," she said. "We're a band, not one person's backup band."

  "But only you write the songs?" Sabrina asked, trying to understand Domino's frustration.

  "Kind of," Domino said. "I wrote most of the last album with Billie, but this album seems to be more of a solo adventure so far. Not for lack of Billie trying. I just can't seem to write much right now."

  Sabrina nodded. "That's a lot of pressure to put on yourself," she said.

  Domino didn't respond, but Sabrina could see her jaw clench.

  "So, then, I suppose I'm just wondering why all of the writing has come down to you?" Sabrina asked, trying to phrase her question gently.

  Domino sighed. "Well, Billie's off writing and recording with Vero. And when she and I are together, I just can't seem to write anything," she explained.

  "Look, I know I'm the new kid on the block, and I'm not exactly positive how things work in your band," Sabrina began. "But from what I know of Zoey, she'd be psyched to be included on the writing process. Maybe Meghan would, too."

  Domino furrowed her brow. "We just haven't done that before," she said slowly.

  "Have you ever tried?" Sabrina asked, leaning back to rest her weight on her palms
to give her back a break from sitting on the ground.

  "I..." Domino raked a hand through her hair again. "Well, I guess not." She looked confused, staring out the window. "Did Zoey say something to you?"

  Sabrina shook her head. She wasn't extremely close with Zoey, and she was more of a mutual friend than an actual friend, but she had been over to Zoey's place once or twice and had listened to the woman play keyboard for a few people. Sabrina remembered distinctly that it was an original piece, too, that Zoey had joked would never see the light of day.

  Domino leaned on the counter. "I don't know why I never thought to invite them to write with us. Now I feel like an asshole," she murmured, and Sabrina had the thought that she was talking more to herself than Sabrina.

  "I don't think you should feel like an asshole," Sabrina said, watching Domino's darkened expression. "That's not why I brought it up. I just don't like seeing you so upset. Whenever I'm in a creative rut, I ask someone else for their opinion. And in your case, Zoey and Meghan are pretty big stakeholders. They could be your George and Ringo if you let them. Well, maybe not Ringo, but definitely George.”

  Domino nodded, staring off into space.

  The air was heavy with tension between them, but not the good or fun kind. Domino was upset, and she was the type of person who lightened or darkened a room depending on their mood. "Why don't you go surfing and clear your head?" She suggested, trying not to sound like a know-it-all.

  Domino's eyes refocused, as if she had come back to earth. "Wanna come?"

  "I don't... that's not... I'm not like, a beach person," Sabrina admitted.

  "Oh come on, I went to The Organizer Store with you. Indulge me," Domino said with a grin. "Besides, you'll get to meet Meg." She checked her watch and her eyes widened.

  Sabrina looked around at her mess. "I've got a lot of work to do," she said.

  "The pasta sauce isn't going anywhere," Domino said, stepping up to her and holding out a hand. "You don't have to surf or anything, but the fresh air will do you some good, I think."

  Sabrina stared at Domino's hand. "So, just sitting on the beach, then?" It felt irresponsible to leave her work, but technically, she’d just be getting to know the client a bit better.

  Domino's smile turned mischievous. "Sure, if that's what you think will be fun."

  “I’ll go on one condition,” Sabrina said. “Can I put the pictures on Instagram?”

  Domino laughed. “Sure, why not? I can even take a few of you surfing.”

  “Deal,” Sabrina said, envisioning the blog post now. She paused, Domino’s words sinking in. “Wait, surfing?”

  Chapter Seven

  Domino

  "Okay, now we're going to do it just like how we practiced. You're going to paddle as hard as you can," Domino said, watching Sabrina's wide-eyed expression.

  Sabrina sat on a board between Domino and Meg, staring down at the water. She occasionally tried to pull her legs out of the water, tipping from side to side on her board. "And you're positive we're not about to be eaten by sharks?" She asked, her back stiff and straight. "I heard they think surfers look like seals."

  Meg laughed. "No, we're not going to be eaten by sharks," she said good-naturedly. "Don't you ever watch Shark Week? Sharks are super nice. They only kill people on accident."

  Sabrina audibly gulped. "Like when they think we're seals?"

  Domino tried to smile good-naturedly. "I won't let a shark attack you," she said with a hand over her heart.

  She watched Sabrina with curiosity, how her long dark hair curled as it dried from the paddle out. Dom had requested a spare wetsuit and bikini from Meg, since she and Sabrina were similar in size, and had let Sabrina borrow one of her longboards.

  It had taken ages to convince Sabrina to even get on the board on the sand, practicing how to move her arms in a paddle, then popping up.

  Yet Domino had felt the most carefree she had in awhile.

  Meg had given her a few curious and knowing looks, of course, but Meg was much more subtle than Zoey, who would have loudly asked if Domino had boned Sabrina yet. Full of class, that Zoey McCarren.

  A wave rocked Sabrina's board, and Domino could see that she was gripping it with white knuckles.

  The three o'clock sun was lower in the sky, creating long shadows over the water of the surfers around them. They were lucky that the water on the north side of the pier wasn't as crowded. The south side had much better waves, but to get Sabrina started, she had taken the calmer, quieter side.

  The water was cool, even through Domino's wetsuit, and the noise of the people on the beach and pier was minimal. It had been a foggy morning on the water, but now the sun shone, breaking apart across the ripples in the water.

  The sound of the crashing waves was her favorite. The gentle roar, the build and fall, the lap on the shore. It made her feel at peace with the world. Nothing could go wrong when that was the soundtrack.

  Domino watched Sabrina watch the water, trying not to stare at how the wetsuit curved over her breasts or hugged her hips. She was definitely not staring at how round her ass looked on the board in front of her.

  She had the strange realization that she felt the same peace around Sabrina. Sabrina had made her life so hectic –– she had never saved anyone from a bar before, much less taken a girl home that wasn't trying to sleep with her...

  Sabrina always caught her off-guard, but she liked it. She liked that constant surprise.

  "I'll take this one," Meg said, glancing behind her at the swell and rise of a wave forming behind them.

  Though Domino and Meg weren't ones to "claim" waves when it was just the two of them –– surfer bro culture had made them inherently aware of the things they disliked assholes doing around them –– she had the thought that Meg was letting Sabrina know to watch her.

  Domino hooked a foot around Sabrina's leg, keeping the pair of them together as their boards drifted in the water. Sabrina jumped at the touch, but then laughed once she realized it was Domino's foot and not a shark.

  Domino had seen a few sharks while she was surfing, but none of them had ever bothered her. In fact, she considered it an honor that they'd even come close to her, given how awful humans were to sea creatures in general.

  "Okay, now watch how Meg paddles, gets just over the crest of the wave, and then pushes up using her arms, sliding her legs under her, anchoring her weight onto her feet as she drops in. It's just one smooth motion. She lets the wave guide her movements," Domino explained, watching Meg flawlessly drop into a wave and ride it toward the shore.

  "Oh, yeah, how hard can that be?" Sabrina asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She shivered, watching Meg fall off her board.

  Meg surfaced a moment later.

  "Are you warm enough?" Domino asked.

  Sabrina laughed, shaking her head. "Not one bit."

  "You know what might really warm you up?" Domino asked, her voice dropped lower as her eyes flicked to Sabrina's lips, watching the woman lick them. Domino imagined they tasted salty and warm. Her stomach clenched with the idea.

  Sabrina arched an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"

  "Trying to catch this next wave," Domino said with a smirk. She leaned forward. "Come on, I'll paddle with you, and then you can catch it."

  Sabrina looked as though she might burst into tears for a moment before her expression hardened with determination. She nodded. "I'll... try it."

  "Atta girl. Come on, paddle paddle," Domino commanded.

  Sabrina paddled frantically, and Domino held back from cracking up as she watched Sabrina flail around. She was making progress, though, and that's what mattered.

  "Okay, almost there, wait for it," Domino called to her, glancing over her shoulder. She felt the wave begin to swell under her. "Now, push up."

  Sabrina did as Domino said, using her arms to push herself up while sliding to her knees, then balancing her weight into her hips as she moved her legs under her.

  For one glorious moment, Sab
rina was standing, her arms outstretched. The sun illuminated her, silhouetting her with a brilliant light glowing behind her. She looked like an angel, mythical and fantastic.

  Domino whooped, throwing up her hands in celebration.

  Sabrina toppled almost immediately, falling in a way that made a terrible smacking noise on her board. Though she wasn't that close to her, Domino heard Sabrina gasp loudly, then slip under the water.

  Meg appeared, looking concerned. "Ouch, that sounded terrible," she said, and they both stared at the water, waiting for Sabrina to surface.

  Domino saw the leash that tied Sabrina to her board float to the surface. Her instincts kicked in immediately. She untied her own leash, tossing it in Meg's direction. Then, she dove underwater.

  The saltwater burned her eyes as she looked around for Sabrina. The light illuminated the wave above them, jockeying her around as she twisted and turned, unable to spot her.

  Panic coursed through her veins, and then a hand circled her arm. She twisted in the water, seeing Sabrina giving her a strange look. Domino reached for her, wrapping an arm around her, and then they both kicked the last few feet back up to the surface.

  Domino gasped for breath once she broke the surface, still holding on tightly to Sabrina.

  "Are you okay?" She said immediately, pushing Sabrina's wet hair back from her face.

  "Yeah, are you?" Sabrina asked, her eyes wide with worry.

  "I thought you weren't coming back up," Domino said quickly, still holding Sabrina tightly to her. She couldn't bear the thought of letting her go after the panic that had struck her so immediately.

  "I think I came up as soon as you went in. I was right behind you," Sabrina explained, wrapping an arm around Domino's neck as they tread water.

  A wave crashed over them and they ducked beneath it, holding onto one another as the wave swirled their bodies around, pushing and pulling them as they tried to surface again.

  "I was so worried," Domino confessed as they broke the surface again, staring into Sabrina's eyes. She was so close that Domino could feel the warmth of her body through her wetsuit. Domino put a hand to her cheek. "You're sure you're okay?"