Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not interested in him. He knows it, but I told him today I wouldn’t mind getting to know him. He appears to be a nice guy.”

  “I think if you get to know him, you could grow to like him.” Doug was actually giving me advice. “Open your eyes and let others in. The guy you’re looking for may be right next to you but you can’t see him because you’re always looking in the wrong direction.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Phil. Same to you,” I laughed and waved him off.

  After I changed, we brought the twins with us to the dunk tank and as expected, they could not stop laughing when they saw a still reluctant Nick plopping into the pool every time someone hit the bullseye with the ball. Soon, both kids wanted to take turns pushing the bullseye with their hands. They always required a little help, but they loved it.

  “Jake, Emily. Can you hold the twins? Laney and I are going into the dunk tank. You can let both kids push us in.” Josh and I gave the twins back to their parents and we carefully climbed onto the ledge-like seat.

  “You think this seat will hold the both of us?” I asked nervously.

  “I guess we’ll find out soon enough. In any case, we’ll end up wet, and the twins will end up happy.”

  After several failed attempts at throwing the ball to the bullseye, Nick brought both kids over, and the three of them dunked us into the tank. The twins loved it, and Ellie kept calling out, “Mo!” We went up several more times and did as she asked. Emily calling for cake-time was our saving grace. I was feeling awfully gross after being dunked in water that had been sitting there since this morning, with many visitors before me.

  “That was fun. Thank you for helping, Josh.”

  “For you, sweet Laney, anything,” he said with a wink, and went to grab us a towel.

  For the twins, who had not taken a nap today because they were so excited about all that was going on in their backyard, they were done! They both lost it and Jake and Emily took them inside for the night.

  “Mom,” I said while giving her a kiss. “Another fantastic party. It’s not too late to do this for a living. You may allow Dad to retire with your income.”

  “You were a good sport getting in that dunk tank.”

  “Didn’t you see how much the twins enjoyed it?”

  Doug came and spoiled my fun again with his statement, “I think every man who isn’t related to you enjoyed seeing you bob up and down in that tank. Must you wear swimming suits that can’t hold all your body parts?”

  “Shut up, Doug. I wore my rash guard, and I’m still waiting for those long board shorts someone promised to buy for me.”

  “I can’t believe that even at age twenty-four and twenty-two, you two still fight like you’re twelve and ten. Some things will never change, huh Babs?”

  “But Dad, Doug’s always complaining about what I wear. What guy even notices what his sister is wearing?”

  “Sweetheart, he only does it because he cares. Why don’t you go shower and put something on that shows a little less legs?” Dad’s chagrin was apparent.

  “Oh, all right.” I answered with my own chagrin.

  The party was slowly dying down with the stars of the circus close to being fast asleep. Walking out of the tent, I noticed Donovan in a serious conversation with none other than his girlfriend, Kate. I did a wide circle around them. After Hawaii, I didn’t want to be a part of their argument in any shape or form, not that they even noticed me.

  The party wore me out almost as much as it did the twins. I stopped back at Emily’s to make sure she didn’t need my help, refused a dinner invite from Josh, and then from Max and Jane—who were going out with Josh, Garret, Nick and Doug. I told them I was turning in for the night and I walked back home to find Donovan sitting in the kitchen, having a beer with my dad.

  “Hey,” Donovan called out. “You want a beer?”

  “No. That’ll put me straight to sleep. As it is, I’m halfway there. What brings you here?”

  “I invited him in to have a drink with me. Your brother went out, your mom’s asleep already, and I found that this young man had no place to be. So I thought I’d see if he wanted to catch a game and do what men do.”

  “Are you drunk, already? You sound like you’ve had one too many beers, Dad.”

  “De, honey. What time is it?”

  “Only 7:00pm. Why?”

  “Shit! I’ve got to get some shut eye. I’ve got an early meeting with the board of directors, tomorrow.” He dumped the rest of his beer in the sink and turned to Donovan. “Stick around, Son, and keep De company for a while. Sorry to skip out on you. Beer and basketball another night?”

  “Sure, Chief.”

  “That was so bizarre! Did you ask him to leave so you could harass me again?”

  All that got me was a disgruntled look. “No, I didn’t ask your father to leave, and yes, he did invite me in.”

  “I thought you were leaving with your girlfriend? Why are you still here, and where’s Kate?”

  Donovan laughed like he was a patient in the looney bin. “That was a smooth move, walking all the way around the tent to try and avoid us. I don’t think more than the entire tent noticed what you were doing in that bathing suit of yours.”

  Damn! I was trying so hard to be inconspicuous. Obviously I failed, and failed badly!

  “If you’re done with your beer, I’d be happy to walk you out. I sure am tired,” I emphasized those last words.

  “Why do I feel so lost when I’m around you?” What on earth did that mean? “Usually, I’m this self-assured guy who’s been known to be suave around women and say outrageously flirtatious comments. Around you, I get tongue-tied, I say the stupidest things that end up hurting your feelings, and yet I don’t want to be away from you. Why is that, Delaney Reid?”

  Now I was tongue-tied. “I’m unsure, Mr. Taylor. But what I am sure of is that you’re involved with another woman. A woman who was not happy when she mistakenly thought I was getting between you two, and a woman who will not be happy to know that her man is sitting in my kitchen hanging out with a girl who is not his woman. As you pointed out this morning, I don’t know anything about men and relationships, but I do know that I’m worth a lot more than being someone’s curiosity. Mr. Taylor, your life is too complicated. A friend of mine once lamented that her boyfriend wanted to ‘have his cake and eat the whole damn bakery, too.’ That’s you, and I will not be a part of that. When I finally have a relationship, I’ll be with someone whose eyes, mind, heart, and body are wholly with me.”

  April 20, 2013 Golf

  Nolan, from Hawaii, called last night and asked if I’d like to join him in a round of golf today. He explained that part of his job was to go around the world and play on different golf courses. Once the shock of his awesome job description wore off, I accepted his fun offer.

  “Baby!” Dad sounded a little stressed.

  “Hold on a moment, Nolan.”

  “Sure,” he answered.

  “What’s up, Daddy?”

  “Two out of four of our guys are out with a stomach bug. They think they got food poisoning. Can you fill in, Baby? I really need you and one more person or we have to forfeit.”

  “Daddy, I just made plans.”

  “Baby, this is the annual golf tournament at the club.” Dad pleaded. “I can’t forfeit, and I don’t know if there’s enough time to find two more players. Everyone’s already paired up into foursomes.”

  I felt bad for my father, but I wasn’t keen on playing with him and his friends. Competitive was an understatement for what was to come tomorrow at the golf tourney.

  “Laney?” Nolan called out.

  “Yes?”

  “How about if we play with your father tomorrow, and I can take you golfing on Sunday, instead?”

  “Are you sure? You’d be willing to do that? This gets really competitive and sometimes kinda ugly.”

  Nolan laughed. “Yeah, I’m s
ure. Are all these guys your father’s age?”

  “It’ll probably be two-thirds my dad’s age and one-third young married guys.”

  “Any women?”

  “Very few to possibly none.”

  “Tell your dad I’d like to play.”

  “All right...I’ll send you all the info via text. See you bright and early.”

  Dad could care less about Nolan until I told him what his job was and why he was here, and next thing I knew, my father was whooping for joy. Even before he left my room, he started group messaging all his friends telling them to watch out because his team was going to kick everyone’s ass. I shook my head and smiled. It didn’t take much to make my father happy.

  Today was an absolutely perfect day to golf! I took out my favorite golf outfit and drove to the club with a very happy Henry Reid.

  “We’re going to kick everyone’s ass, aren’t we, Baby? We’re going to take first place this year!”

  “Let’s not count our golf balls before they’re in the hole, Daddy. We have 18-holes to play before claiming any prize.”

  “I can feel the weight of the trophy in my hands.” My father was literally pretending to carry a trophy over his head, and declaring himself the champion.

  Nolan was already at the course when Daddy and I got there, and he was chatting with our golf pro. Daddy was ecstatic to meet Nolan, and even more ecstatic that Nolan and our golf pro, Rick, were friends.

  “You get any tips from Rick?”

  “Of course, Dr. Reid. I asked him all the pertinent questions. The three of us can sweep! Your daughter and I will help you earn that first place trophy.”

  Dad’s lips were about to split because he had such a huge smile. He was just about to answer Nolan but got distracted by his buddy passing by. Dad went over to brag about his situation.

  “Your dad is great. He must have been fun to be around growing up.”

  “You think he’s fun, you should see my mother.”

  “Delaney.”

  That voice...that unmistakable, undeniable voice. “Good morning.” I smiled.

  “Nolan.” He greeted him coolly. “What brings you to the mainland?”

  “My job brought me to Southern California this weekend to golf.”

  Donovan handed me a cup of coffee to hold and said, “I thought you weren’t playing today.”

  “I wasn’t but Dad’s two partners got food poisoning, so here I am.”

  “Here you are...together?” Donovan looked at me then at Nolan.

  “Yeah.” I didn’t know how to explain this situation without going into a long-winded one.

  Nolan helped me out. “I asked Laney to golf with me this weekend and we ended up here.”

  “I see,” he added casually.

  “Are you playing with your father?”

  “No. He and Ma are on a cruise somewhere in the Mediterranean. I’m golfing for the firm. They sponsored several teams in this tournament.” I nodded my head in acknowledgement. “Why aren’t you drinking your coffee? It’s getting cold.”

  Oh! “It’s for me? I thought you wanted me to hold it for you.” Donovan gave me another one of his classic are you stupid or something? looks—which made me giggle. “Well...since you had no idea I was going to be here, what would make me think you brought this cup of coffee for me?”

  “I saw you through the window from the restaurant and ordered you a cup. Are you complaining because I got you a cup of coffee?” He sounded incredulous.

  “No...no...thank you. I guess I can always count on two things when I’m on a golf course with you—a perfect cup of coffee and your loss to me at the end of 18-holes.” I cackled and carefully “ran” away with a piping hot cup of coffee before Donovan took my drink away from me for jabbing at his Hawaiian loss.

  A stupid cup of coffee that burned my tongue because it was so damn hot gave me a new burst of energy this morning. Of course it wasn’t the coffee, but the purchaser of the caffeine that jolted my system to happiness. He actually remembered how I liked my coffee and brought it out for me. That gave me way too much happiness. I was a serious loser!

  “Hello, Laney.” Damn! There was that sultry voice and there went that happiness.

  “Hello, Kate. What brings you out to the golf course?”

  “I’m here to play with the firm.”

  “Oh, how nice.” The way my voice went puberty-high, outed me as a liar. “Do you golf?”

  Kate gave a confident smile with her silky-smooth voice. “I’ve been known to play a little golf.” She obviously believed she rocked on the golf course. I’d show her a thing or two. Shit, I was going to make her eat her slimy-ass words that had all the men staring at her in her couture golf outfit. Who the hell wore Fendi golf apparel? Who the hell knew Fendi made golf apparel? Who the hell wore Fendi but middle-aged women?

  It took me longer than even I thought it would to calm myself down. After Hawaii, this woman pissed me off. However, I was here with my father, I was here to spend a day with a friend, and I was here to kick-ass!

  “See you back at the club house after we win.” Kate actually had the gall to call out to us as she and Donovan rode away on their cart. Donovan had a stupid grin to add to that catty remark.

  “Daddy, we’re going to destroy them! We’re going to destroy everyone!”

  “That’s the spirit!” My father was pumped!

  And destroy we did. In all fairness, Kate wasn’t bad. But she’d pissed me off enough to get me on a lucky streak. We were the team right behind Donovan and Kate’s team, and we nipped at their heels the whole day with our fast playing.

  “You’re seriously kicking our ass, Little Girl. What’s got you on such a hot streak?”

  I shrugged my shoulders and sunk my last putt. Donovan had waited around at the 18th hole for our group to see our scorecard. Once Dad showed it to him, he shook his head in misery and conceded a loss.

  “I guess I can’t beat you out here. Damn! And I thought I was the best one out here.”

  “You are one of the best ones out there. But today, I was better.” Donovan looked haggard and low in spirit. He definitely wasn’t the Donovan who brought me a cup of coffee. “What’s the matter?”

  “It’s been a long day,” was all he’d say. “You staying for dinner?”

  “I don’t think so. I don’t know. Nolan wanted to go grab a bite to eat, but I’m unsure Daddy will let us leave.”

  “You and Nolan dating?” Donovan’s voice kinda went high-pitch with that question.

  I shook my head no in answer. “He’s just here to play golf. We were supposed to go play elsewhere today but since Daddy needed two more people on his team; we decided to join him instead. We’ll go play at his ‘work’ course, tomorrow.”

  “You seeing him again?”

  I nodded my head yes this time. “We’re just friends, and he enjoys golf even more than you or I.”

  Donovan didn’t have a response and his questions went silent. His moods swung on a pendulum and I was afraid to bring up the subject of Kate—as curious as I was about their status. They did not portray the happy couple today.

  “I’m going in. Stick around for dinner.” He walked off to the dining room and left me to wonder why he was in such a bad mood.

  Our foursome stayed out and watched the rest of the players come in from their rounds, and we let my father and his partner go up to the podium to accept their first place trophy. After all the awards were done, Nolan apologetically went back to his hotel as he wasn’t feeling well, and I went inside the dining area, excited to possibly sit with Donovan at dinner.

  I walked in to Donovan and Jane enjoying themselves at a table for two, drinking. They were laughing and having the time of their lives. Deciding I didn’t need to sit and watch their intimate camaraderie, I chose to go home and enjoy a quiet evening with my mother.

  April 21, 2013 A Long, but Fun Day

  This entire weekend was
a draining one, and I was glad to have nothing going on today. Nolan still wasn’t feeling well, so he decided to head back home early and thus canceled our golf outing. My family got up late and all decided to skip breakfast, but meet up for lunch and a movie.

  “Emily, our family is going out for lunch and a movie. You and Jake want to join us?”

  “I’d love to, but the kids are still cranky from their party. We’re going to have a very low-key day today.”

  “How about lunch? You can bring the kids, can’t you?”

  “I’ll talk to Jake, but most likely we will stay home.”

  “OK, you let me know. We can always bring something back for you.”

  “Thanks, Laney.”

  We went to our favorite sandwich shop down the street from us. We actually decided to take a leisurely walk to lunch, even though it was rare for anyone in Southern California to walk anywhere. My dad was still on a natural high from winning the golf tournament. He was still all smiles.

  “Lunch is on me today,” he announced.

  “Hon, lunch was going to be your treat whether or not you liked it, or knew it.” Mom answered and we all laughed. “It’s a once in a blue moon kind of day when we are all in the house with nothing to do.”

  As we walked in to the tiny sandwich shop, Donovan was on his way out.

  “Hey, Son. You picking up lunch?”

  “Hello Reid family,” he answered and kissed Mom on the cheek. I didn’t know why but I expected the same treatment. It almost seemed as if he wavered between giving me a kiss...or not. “Yes. I picked up a sandwich and I’m heading to the office. I’ve played too much this weekend.”

  “Come join us. Work can wait. I’ll talk to your boss if he gets mad. I happen to be on excellent terms with him.” Dad had on his signature grin.

  “Yeah? You’ll pay my missed hourly wages, too?” Donovan asked with a smirk.

  “What do you do with all the money you make? You have neither woman nor child. Where’s all your money going?”

  Donovan showed us his beautiful grin. “Well, this month has been harder on the wallet thanks to a certain someone, but you’re right, Chief. I have neither woman nor child, so I guess I can ease up on the billing. What are you all up to today?”