by Cee, DW
“You and Nolan dating?” Damn. This was not news I wanted to hear right now.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief when she answered no. “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?”
She answered yes. “We’re just friends, and he enjoys golf even more than you or I.”
“I’m going in. Stick around for dinner.” I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone after being harassed all day by Kate. When Delaney came in after the awards ceremony, I would sit and relax with her.
“You look like shit.” My buddy called out, stepping in pace with me.
“Your face looked even uglier when Allison called out your name on the eighth hole. That was smooth the way you jumped into your cart and sped to the ninth hole to avoid her embrace.” We laughed.
“What the hell is she doing here? Thank God Emi wasn’t here.”
“Allison is married to some old geyser at the club and knowing your wife, she would’ve laughed at you and pushed you into her arms so we could watch you squirm.”
“What a nightmare to have your past come back to haunt you.” Jake was shaking his head, unhappy with his past.
“Talk about nightmares,” I looked over in Kate’s direction. “She won’t take out her claws stifling my neck, no matter what I tell her.”
“Ten years is hard to erase.”
“No kidding. I didn’t realize how hard it would be. You going in for dinner?”
“Nope. Going home to the little woman and kids. I miss them.”
“Why don’t you have them join us? Your family is occupying several tables.”
“Emi says the kids are still cranky from their party yesterday. It was too much stimulation.”
“Tell her to bring the kids out. Delaney and I will take care of them.”
“You and Delaney, huh?”
“Yeah, the two of us,” I answered with a sheepish smile.
“You know she’s my favorite cousin. I care for her as if she were my own sister. Don’t break her heart, or you’ll have a lot of Reids who’ll want to break that neck Kate has a loose hold on,” Jake answered with a cursory laugh. “See you later. I want to go home to my wife, crawl in bed, and make sweet love to her.”
“Asshole.” I accused in jest as we parted ways.
“Hey.” Jane grunted when we bumped into one another.
“I see your disposition is about as sunny as mine.” I sat us down at a two-top rather than with the Reid family once I saw Max with another girl. “What’s the matter, my vixen? Trouble in the Garden of Eden?”
“I think I’ve decided to become a nun,” Jane had her head in her hands.
“Lead the way because I think I’m going to become a monk.” I tilted my head toward Kate.
“What’s she doing here? Is she your iCloud again?”
“Perhaps she’s here to stake a claim just like your friend over there.” I tilted my head the other way toward the girl sitting next to Max at the Reid table.
“I think I need a drink. What do you want? First round on the Reid tab.” Obviously, something had gone wrong for Jane today. She felt as shitty as I did.
“A shot. We’ll both start with a shot of tequila, then move on to the stronger stuff. Can you hold your liquor, Vixen?”
“I can.”
“All righty then...let’s start!”
We downed exactly three shots of tequila before making a move. The only food in our stomach was a small ramekin of nuts. Jane stared at the pathetic situation going on a few tables away from us while I stared at the door hoping for Kate to leave and for Delaney to enter.
“I thought she wasn’t playing this year.” Jane broke our silence and tilted her head toward Delaney. She walked in with her father, looking worn out but jubilant.
“She wasn’t, but your Uncle Henry’s team almost folded with two players coming down with food poisoning. On a side note, let me say, I think your uncle poisoned his teammates, himself. Of course, Delaney had to step in at the eleventh hour, and she brought a ringer with her.”
“Who’s the ringer?”
I did our lame head tilting toward the guy walking behind Delaney.
“What’s he doing here? Doesn’t Nolan live in Hawaii?”
“Part of his cush gig at the resort is to travel and experience other resort golf courses. What kind of lame-ass company offers those kinds of incentives?” It was nothing personal against him. I was just pissed he partnered with her.
Jane laughed, and ordered another round of shots. “You’re just jealous you can’t work for that kind of lame-ass company. Instead you work sixty-plus hours a week making people like my grandfather, rich. You’re the lame ass!”
“I am!” I agreed. “Oh, I didn’t tell you who else is here.”
“Who?”
My neck was going to get a kink the way I was tilting it from side to side.
“No freakin’ way!!! Am I drunk already, or is that my old roommate, Allison?”
“And Jake’s old play thing, too, let’s not forget. Jake almost had a heart attack when she called out his name and started running towards him on the golf course.” Jane and I died laughing when I described the way her brother ran for his golf cart and gunned it to the next hole.
“He’s such an idiot,” she exclaimed. “Like Allison was going to declare her undying love for him or something in the middle of a tournament. It’s idiotic and scary at the same time! Jake with his present and past, Max with his present and past, and you with your present and...that’s right, Kate is present and past. This is one big scary family we’ve got going on here.”
“So tell me, Vixen, who is that homey Midwest-looking girl that Max is with, and why are you so pissed off tonight?”
“She’s his high school ex who’s living in his parents’ home, invading my apartment hunting time with my boyfriend, and trying to weasel her way into our lives every which way she can.” So that was who she was and why she had such an inappropriate gaze on Max. “Why are you drinking with me, when you have Sea-foam goddess at your disposal?”
“I’m so damned confused with life. I don’t know what I want, I don’t know what I’m doing, and worst of all, I don’t know why I keep thinking the way I do.”
“That was the most convoluted way of not answering a question. Spill it, Donovan! What is it that you want?”
“You...Kate...” Delaney.
“Don’t be an idiot. You don’t want either one of us. You’re such a freakin’ liar.”
“You’re right, Jane. I don’t want Kate, that’s for sure. I must be drunk already. I don’t know why Kate’s name was included in there.”
“And you’ve no interest in me either.”
“You may be right there as well. My interest always lies in the extremes it seems.”
“Another superfluous way of giving a non-answer.”
Our banter continued until Max came and broke up our fun. After the two of them had a quick verbal brawl, Jane and I drank in silence, and then we both caught a ride home with her dad and the chief.
I had a splitting headache when I woke up this morning, and more work than time was left of this Sunday. When I was able to pull myself out of bed and start the day, most of the morning had passed by. I stopped to grab a sandwich on the way to the office. I’d goofed off since Friday, which meant I’d be piled under mounds of work this week.
“Hey, Son. You picking up lunch?” The chief and his family were heading in as I was heading out.
“Hello Reid family,” I announced and kissed Aunt Babs on the cheek. I wanted to do the same for Delaney, but after whispering a greeting, she looked down at her shoes and ignored me.
Everyone but Delaney encouraged me to stay and have lunch with them. I would’ve stayed regardless but no
w I needed to stay and figure out what had gone wrong again between us. Last we spoke, Delaney had her hand on my arm and was worried about my well-being. She was entirely stand-offish in every sense of those words as she stood behind her family, as far as possible from me.
After lunch, Aunt Babs convinced me to work in their backyard instead of going in to the office. I agreed, and rode home with Aunt Babs while the rest of her family walked.
“This car is beautiful, Donovan. Have I seen it before?”
“I’m sure you have. My other car is at the club since I caught a ride home last night with the chief because I drank too much.”
“I see. Delaney tells me you two went to a baseball game after the twins’ party?”
“We did. And unless I’m mistaken, we had a great time.”
“You two have always enjoyed each other’s company—even when she was little; she loved hanging out with you.”
“The feeling’s mutual. Your daughter is beautiful, bright, and funny. Who wouldn’t have a good time with her?”
“Do you really believe she’s beautiful, bright, and funny?” I was a little confused as to what Aunt Babs was getting at.
“She’s that and more.” I confessed.
“Do you think you could stop her from leaving me for a year, again?”
“And how would I do that?”
“I was hoping she’d find a man whom she loved and who loved her enough to convince her to stay. She’s such a sweet girl and she’s so full of love. I just don’t understand why any good man can’t see what a catch she is.” What could I say to this? “Do you know anyone who might be worthy of dating our Laney?”
“I don’t know, Aunt Babs. I’ll think about it.”
“You’ll do that for me?”
Aunt Babs was sincere in all she said, but there was definitely an underlying meaning to our conversation only she understood. I didn’t know if I wanted to ask what that meaning was.
Opening up my briefcase, I laid out all the work that needed to be done but couldn’t start anything. Delaney hadn’t arrived, though the chief and Doug got home soon after we did. I checked my email and played around with my phone waiting for her.
When I heard the front door open, I called out, “Finally, you’re home.” Like an idiot, I furiously gestured for her to join me in the back yard. “Everything good?” She gave me her silent yes, which was not the best thing to do to someone who had been wondering since lunch what the hell he’d done wrong. “What’s the matter? What’s with the silent treatment? I hate it when you girls do that. Rachel and Becky used to do that kind of shit all the time just to drive me crazy.”
“Here.” She handed me a thick envelope. “This is your earnings from the golf pool yesterday. Dad says you’re the big winner. That’s a lot of cash to add to your depleted pile for this month. I’m sure buying gifts for Kate is not an easy undertaking.” Was that why she was upset? She thought my earlier statement about being hit in the wallet was about Kate? This girl had no idea how much money I’d spent because of her since Hawaii. Without a doubt, I’d buy the same things for her all over again.
“Thanks. Why do you have this?”
“Dad asked me to give it to you yesterday, but I couldn’t approach you, so I kept it and figured I’d give it to Jake.”
“Why couldn’t you approach me yesterday?” She wouldn’t answer me. “Shit, Delaney. Finish the conversation.” Tell me what the hell is wrong!
“You and my cousin looked to be in such a deep and personal conversation I thought it was best not to bother you.”
“Is that what you’re pissed about?” She was upset about Jane? Was she jealous of Jane? Did this girl find herself having riotous emotions about me as I did about her?
“I’m not pissed about anything. I just don’t have much to say to you.” I chuckled to myself. This childish jealousy bit was cute.
“You women all drive me insane! Grab a bathing suit. Let’s go for a drive!” She did not like my tone of voice. “Sorry. If you’ll get a suit on, there’s some place I’d like to take you. I haven’t taken anyone there, yet, and I’d really love for you to see it.” That did the trick. Finally, she smiled and walked upstairs.
“I see you got her smiling again.”
“Damn, Chief. Why are women so difficult?”
“Son, if I knew the answer to that, I’d write a book and retire to my private island somewhere. She’s my daughter, but she can be a stubborn pain in my ass at times. You have to be careful not to get sucked into those innocent eyes that make you think she’ll follow you like a groupie. If she doesn’t like what you have to say, or what you’ve done to her, she’ll tell you to go to hell—of course she won’t tell her daddy to go to hell...but you get my meaning.”
Was I standing here listening to the chief giving me relationship advice, even though I wasn’t in a relationship with his daughter?
“I’m going to take her somewhere fun and we might be a little late.” I told Delaney’s parents.
“I thought you had work to do.” The chief reminded me.
“And I thought you were on ‘excellent terms’ with my boss? What good are you if you can’t cover for me?”
The chief slapped my back and said, “Take good care of my baby. She’s as precious as they come,” and joined Aunt Babs in the kitchen while I greeted Delaney bouncing down the steps in a blue tunic.
“Ready?”
She nodded yes, and we were off for a fun day. I was thrilled to show her the house I purchased. Since she loved the water, I knew she’d love this beach house.
We arrived and Delaney looked but didn’t ask. Once I opened the door she finally asked, “Where are we?”
“My new home,” I answered casually and watched her wide-eyed expression.
“What do you mean your new home?”
“I mean I just purchased this beach house a couple of weeks ago, and it’s actually my first time here since I bought it.”
We toured all thousand square feet of the house.
“This is your first time coming here?”
“Yes. The deal went through while we were in Hawaii. And I haven’t had a chance to come here till today.”
“It’s really nice here—perfect for a young married couple. You and your wife will have a great time here together.”
Her statement made both of us pause and gaze at one another. We knew if and when we got married to other people, our friendship would be over. There would be no more baseball games and beach outings. Neither of us was happy with that possibility.
“Have you ever been kitesurfing / kiteboarding?” I took her to the locker on the beach and took out our gear for the day.
She told me she hadn’t, but I knew she’d catch on to this sport immediately. For someone who’d never tried kitesurfing, she looked like a pro. Our instructor gave us an hour-long lesson, and eventually came along with us for the ride. It was thrilling to be in the water with Delaney. The sport was enough fun where I only took a few peeks at her perfect bikini body.
“You were fantastic!” The spontaneous hug initiated by her, was a hell of a lot more thrilling than kiteboarding.
“Thank you, Donovan. You were fantastic, too. That was so much fun!”
We put our equipment away, and after a quick rinse in the public “showers,” I grabbed her wrist and walked to the restaurant with her. After much internal debate, I decided linking our fingers wasn’t appropriate so I stuck to her wrist.
We sat to a glass of pinot and beer, listening to the waves and the band, and slurping down oysters and soup. It was perfect.
“You know what’s the best way to eat oysters?”
“What, Little Girl?”
“Hama Hama oysters with a slab of uni, a dollop of caviar, a sprig of cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon—now that’s the best way to eat an oyster.” She smiled, and reached for another oyster to embellish with garnishes.
I could see myself e
ating oysters and cracking jokes with this girl the rest of my life. It might be time to listen to Jake and to open myself to the possibility of a relationship with this beauty. I was never happier than when I was with her.
We talked about her knight in shining armor during dinner, and we made plans to watch a movie with her family after dinner. Before we got in the car to head to the movies, I gave her a sweatshirt to put over her thin tunic dress, and I checked out her appearance. Her tangled hair was filled with sand, her face was sun burnt, the bottom of her legs and feet still had sand stuck on them, and sleep was written all over her face, but she was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I had to force myself to breathe.
“I’m ready to leave,” she spoke softly and pulled me along.
“Should I put up the top?” I thought she might be cold.
“Naw. It’s gorgeous out. Why drive a convertible if you’re going to keep the top on?”
“My sentiment exactly, Ms. Reid.”
The top had to go up because Delaney fell asleep immediately. Her cheeks were red from the sun and I couldn’t help but reach out and stroke them with my finger. Her skin was as soft as I’d imagined. Until we got to the movie theater, I held her fingers and stroked the top of her hand. She unintentionally returned my affection and held my hand tight, sighing in contentment.
The ninety-minute drive in traffic was too quick. I would’ve driven to New York and back if we could stay frozen in this position. “Princess, we’re here.” Waking Delaney up was difficult because that meant I had to let go of her hand. I hated losing our contact, so I placed my arm around her shoulder and had her lean into me as we walked into the theater. “I’ve had more fun with you today than I’ve had on any date in a very long time.” I confessed before we sat next to Jake and Emily.
“You two looked happy walking into the theater.” Jake whispered over the two ladies who had fallen asleep as soon as the lights went down and commercials began. “Was I right?” Though those three words should have been a mystery, I knew what he meant.
Taking Delaney’s hand in mine again, I answered, “Yeah. You were right. This feels like heaven.”