Rearview Mirror

by B L Clark

  “Yeah, sure,” he said unconvincingly.

  “Same goes for you, Jill,” Nicole threatened.

  “Right,” Jill said with a smile as she leaned out of the room. “They’re fine. They were just making out,” she yelled down to the others.

  “I’m going to stay up here now. You all have a great night,” Amber said, mortified.

  “Oh, no. If we have to go down, you have to go down.” Zach walked over and took Amber’s hand.

  “You will pay, Woods. You will pay,” Amber said, glaring as she let Zach drag her past Jill, who was giggling uncontrollably.

  “I’m the sheriff. I don’t think I will pay,” she said smugly.

  “You will. Trust me, you will,” Nicole promised as she followed Zach and Amber downstairs, Jill bringing up the rear.

  “Hello.” Erik and Heather smirked as Amber and the others entered the room.

  “Hello.” Amber turned a couple of shades darker as she moved to sit on the couch. Zach and Nicole sat on either side of her. Jill went into the kitchen, got the food, and brought it out on a tray.

  “Heather, can you grab the drinks?” Jill asked.

  “Sure.” Heather went into the kitchen and came back with the drinks.

  “Thanks for picking up the food, Heather,” Nicole said.

  “No problem.”

  “So, Amber, Zach was telling me earlier about how you two met,” Heather said with a smile.

  “Oh, he did?” Amber giggled.

  “I’ve apologized for ten years, will you let it go?” Zach said.

  “Oh, come on, it was cute,” Heather said.

  “I wanna hear this,” Nicole said.

  “I want to hear Amber’s side,” Heather said.

  “I hadn’t been in New York that long when I started to go visit the galleries. They were usually empty, and it got me out of the place where I was staying and wouldn’t allow me to dwell on my injuries. One day, I was looking at a painting, and Zach came over and asked if I liked the artist. I told him the painting was a fake. I asked him how I could know if I liked the artist if they ripped off someone else and couldn’t take the time to do something original. He laughed and told me he knew the painting was a fake and that he was the one who painted it. I remember thinking he was quite obnoxious and pompous thinking that he had painted it or that it would impress me to know that he had ripped off another painter. Then he explained that they had permission. I felt a bit guilty for judging him so quickly, and I told him it was a good replica. Again, he laughed at me, which annoyed the hell out of me, and then he said it couldn’t have been too good if I could tell that it was a fake almost immediately. So, I showed him where his flaws were. It was a few simple brushstrokes that he had done completely wrong.”

  “I wouldn’t say completely wrong. You’re just too anal about that stuff,” Zach joked.

  “You wish!”

  “Amber, you know he was coming over to hit on you, don’t you?” Heather asked.

  “Yeah, he asked me out just before the curator came over to offer me a job. And then he asked me out after she left and as we got to know each other for the next couple of weeks.”

  “Yeah, and then she finally told me that she already had a true love and she missed her like crazy.” Zach looked at Nicole. “When I asked why she left, she said it had to do with the car accident she was in, and we left it at that.”

  “I didn’t completely lie,” Amber said.

  “No, you neglected to tell me that the car was your father,” Zach said flatly.

  “True.” Amber looked down.

  “Amber, I don’t blame you. You didn’t know me then. You could have told me over the years.” Zach set his and Amber’s plates on the table in front of them and then wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t understand or you would just pity me,” she whispered.

  “Honey, there’s nothing you could tell me that I wouldn’t understand,” he said. “You’re my best friend and my sanity most days, so there’s no room for pity.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but thank you,” Amber said as she hugged Zach.

  “Don’t be sorry, just know that I’m always here for you no matter what you have to tell me or need.”

  “Amber, can I keep him?” Jill asked.

  “No, he’s mine. You can have Erik.” Amber giggled, holding on to Zach.

  “Yeah, Zach seems like the bigger win,” Jill said, smiling at Erik.

  “Gee, thanks,” Erik said.

  “Sorry, but when was the last time you said something that sweet and meant it?”

  “Way to make me look bad, man,” Erik said to Zach, who laughed.

  “I go home tomorrow, man. You’ll be the sole stud in this group then,” Zach said.

  “I like how you think. I feel better now.”

  “Amber, I have a question, and I’m not asking to upset you or anything, but…” Jill started.

  “Just ask,” Amber said.

  “Well, the injuries that you sustained that night. They would have required medical attention, and there’s no way it would have gone unreported. Every hospital and clinic is required to report something of that caliber.”

  “I did get medical attention that night. Dr. Conlan lived two farms down. I made it to his house, and he helped me. He’d helped me in the past.”

  “Wait, you mean Kaleb Conlan?” Erik asked.

  “Yeah, he had his office on the farm grounds there, and he was able to do X-rays and stitch me up. He gave me some antibiotics. I didn’t want to stay there too long in case they came looking for me. His wife drove me out of town so I could catch a train and get the hell out of here.”

  “He’s the one that called the ambulance for your mom,” Erik said.

  “He must have gone over there after they dropped me off. I know if he had gone before, he would have told me she was hurt, and I never would have left.”

  “They moved away not long after that,” Jill said.

  “What do you say we clean up and watch a movie?” Heather suggested, noticing how quiet and uncomfortable Nicole was getting.

  “That sounds good,” Nicole said, not making eye contact with anyone.

  Nicole grabbed one of the trays and put the empty containers on it and then she headed into the kitchen. Amber followed her, waving at the others to stay.

  “You okay?”

  “Me? Yeah, I’m fine.” Nicole avoided looking at Amber.

  “Sweetie, this is me. Ten years apart or not, I know you well enough to know you aren’t okay or fine.”

  “You could have died. At least with you living elsewhere, I knew you were around, somewhere. Had you died, I don’t know how I would have gone on,” Nicole said, a tear rolling down her face as Amber pulled her into a hug.

  “Oh, sweetie. I didn’t die, and I’m here with you now,” Amber said in a hushed voice.

  They held each other for a couple of minutes and then after composing themselves, they joined the others. Heather had already put in Wreck-It Ralph by the time Nicole and Amber got back.

  They sat on the couch; Amber curled up against Nicole, who put her arm around Amber. As the movie continued, Amber dozed off. After the movie ended, they decided to just let her sleep, and Nicole would bring her by the hotel in the morning so they could all have breakfast together before Zach left.

  Chapter Nine

  Blindsided

  “Hi…um…Sidney.” Sidney was sitting at the bar nursing a gin and tonic when she heard a voice from behind.

  “L-Lori,” Sidney choked.

  “I thought that was you. Are you here with anyone? Or meeting someone?” Lori looked around as she took the empty seat next to Sidney.

  “No, I just needed to get out and have a drink to wind down after work.”

  “Do you mind if I join you for a moment? I have a couple of questions, and I’m hoping you can answer them.”

  “I’ll answer what I can.�
�� Sidney nodded uncomfortably as Lori moved her seat closer.

  “Great.” Lori got the bartender’s attention and ordered them each another drink.

  “So, what do you want to know?”

  “Well, let’s start by you telling me what you know about Zach. That man is just way too hot for his own good.”

  “I’ll take your word on that.” Sidney laughed uncomfortably.

  “Oh, that’s right, I forgot. You probably have the hots for that blonde he was with.”

  “Amber? Oh, yes! She’s much too hot for her own good, as well.”

  “You know she isn’t a real blonde, right? Sorry, I digress. So, tell me what you know about them.”

  “I know she isn’t, but those eyes will entrance you. As for what I know about them…not much honestly,” Sidney said. “Amber lived here a long time ago. They were all really close before she left, and this is the first time she’s been back in years.”

  “Interesting. I’ve known all of them for a long time, and I don’t recall them ever mentioning her. Do you know how long she and Zach have been together?”

  “No, I only know they’ve known each other a long time, though. Sorry, I don’t know much else. The only other thing I know is that Amber and Nicole used to be really close.”

  “Hmm, I’m going to have to do some checking on them. Is he really leaving tomorrow or was that just a line?”

  “I overheard them say that Zach goes back to wherever they’re from tomorrow and Amber the following day.”

  “Well, poop! Why can’t it be the other way around?” Lori laughed.

  “I’m perfectly okay with that order. I get another day to drool over the blond bombshell.” Sidney laughed, as well, feeling some of the alcohol in the drinks.

  “How about you take her, and I’ll take him and we’ll both be happy!”

  “Deal,” Sidney said and ordered another round of drinks.

  Sitting nearby was a light brown-haired man with a scruffy beard who was listening in on their conversation. So, that was Amber in the park with Sheriff Woods. I may need to find a way to pay my little sister a warm visit and remind her what family is all about, Jeffrey Knight thought.

  Nicole closed the door behind her friends, then returned and stood in the doorway of the living room watching Amber, the love of her life, sleeping on the couch. She couldn’t believe she was here, in her house. She had spent years dreaming of this, and now it was just the two of them.

  “Hey, sleeping beauty,” Nicole whispered in Amber’s ear as she knelt next to the couch.

  “Hmm.” Amber’s eyes slowly fluttered open.

  “There are those beautiful eyes I love so much,” Nicole said, causing Amber to blush.

  “Where is everyone?” Amber asked, looking around the empty room.

  “They left a few minutes ago. You fell asleep during the movie, and they couldn’t bring themselves to wake you.”

  “I see, but you could?” Amber teased while trying to stifle a yawn.

  “Only because it means I get to take you up to my bed.” Nicole instantly turned red as what she said registered in her mind. “That sounded better and less presumptuous in my head.”

  “It didn’t sound too bad coming out of your mouth, either,” Amber said, flirting with Nicole and then leaning forward and placing a kiss on Nicole’s now speechless lips.

  “What do you say we move upstairs, get comfortable, and maybe try this kissing thing again?”

  “Yes, please,” Amber said as they got up and headed upstairs. Nicole followed behind, making sure everything was locked up tight and shutting off the lights.

  “I put your bag in my bedroom if you want to get ready for bed,” Nicole said, suddenly very nervous.

  “Thanks,” Amber said, nervous, as well. She watched as Nicole went into the bathroom quickly.

  What the hell is wrong with you, Brooks? It isn’t like you haven’t seen her naked or slept with her before. She’s still Amber. Yeah, her body is different, but definitely not in a bad way, but so is yours. Stop being a chicken-shit! She was flirting with you.

  Amber changed into a pair of short boxers and a thin midriff T-shirt. She was folding her clothes and placing them in her bag when Nicole came back into the room.

  “Oh, wow, you are…um…wow.” Nicole stared at Amber with hungry eyes.

  “Thanks.” Amber smiled seductively as she grabbed her toiletries and went into the bathroom.

  Oh, hell, I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off her looking like that, Nicole thought.

  She still finds me attractive. That’s a bonus, Amber thought. She hasn’t changed in the past ten years. Well, she has gotten more beautiful, but that isn’t a bad thing. I wonder if her skin still tastes as good.

  Nicole changed into an old T-shirt and her underwear, then pulled the covers back and crawled into bed while waiting for Amber to return. When Amber came back, she put her toiletries on top of her bag and slowly, nervously crawled into bed next to Nicole.

  “Hi,” Amber said softly.

  “Hey there, beautiful. You come here often?” Nicole said. “Okay, again, sounded way better in my head.”

  They both laughed, and some of the tension and nerves subsided.

  “I’m not sure what’s worse, the cheesy pickup line or what you were implying since we are in bed together.”

  “All of them…” Nicole buried her face in a pillow.

  Amber removed the pillow and softly kissed Nicole. They slid down, so they were lying on their sides facing each other and continued to kiss. At times, they would deepen the kiss, other times, it was soft and sensual. Amber ran her hand down Nicole’s side, and when she felt the shirt and only Nicole’s underwear, her mind went to a naughty place. She used all her self-control to not cross any boundaries at this time. She steeled her mind back to enjoying the kissing.

  Nicole felt Amber’s hand on the bare skin of her upper thigh, and she could feel the internal conflict Amber was having. Nicole could tell they were having the same debate in their heads.

  Do we take this further or stop here until we’ve discussed where this is going in the future, Nicole thought.

  They kissed for an hour before exhaustion overtook them, and they found themselves spooning. Amber held Nicole close.

  Amber woke the next morning pinned by Nicole lying half on top of her. It felt so good to have Nicole there that Amber couldn’t bring herself to adjust for fear that Nicole would move and she would lose contact. Amber wrapped her arms around the sleeping woman and carefully pulled her more on top and held her as close as she could. After a while, Nicole woke and saw blue eyes watching her.

  “Good morning.” Nicole started to move off Amber, but Amber stopped her movement.

  “Good morning,” Amber said, leaning up and stealing a kiss.

  “I like waking up like this.”

  “Mmm, me too!”

  “Have you been awake long?” Nicole said.

  “Just about ten minutes.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  “Because you were looking mighty sexy laying there on top of me, and well, it just felt so nice feeling your body on top of mine,” Amber said, blushing.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone next to me in bed. I spent part of the night hoping I wouldn’t cross a line and make you want to leave,” Nicole admitted.

  “I had the same fear,” Amber said.

  “You don’t have to answer this, but have there been others, or is there someone special?”

  “No others and only you for the someone special.”

  “Same here. Well, I mean you. That would be rather egotistical of me to say that I’m someone special to myself. I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous. I think it might have to do with your incredibly sexy body being below me. I can feel the heat emanating from you, and it just turns me on so much. Please kiss me so I stop babbling and making a fo—” Nicole babbled until Amber pressed their lips together and slid her tongue into h
er mouth to further help. Amber remembered when Nicole told her years ago that whenever their tongues touched her mind would go blank. She was banking on that still being the case.

  “Mmm, Nicole,” Amber whispered.

  “I love how you say my name,” Nicole said, sucking on Amber’s lower lip.

  “We better stop. I don’t know that I’m ready mentally for this to go much further, although my body seems to think that it’s more than ready.”

  “I agree,” Nicole said as Amber allowed her to move off her this time. “We should get ready to meet the others for breakfast. You can have the shower first. You don’t need to worry about saving hot water for me. After that session, I need a very cold shower.”

  “It looks like your water heater gets a break—I need a cold shower, too.” Amber laughed.

  The women showered, got dressed, and headed over to the hotel to meet up with the others. They were so lost in each other that they didn’t see the old blue sedan following them.

  When Nicole and Amber arrived at the hotel, Zach was talking with Heather and Erik in the lobby.

  “Good morning, ladies,” Zach said as he went to hug the two women.

  “Good morning.” Nicole returned the hug, then moved toward Heather.

  “Great morning,” Amber said softly.

  Just as they were pulling apart, a slender man with dirty clothes walked into the lobby.

  “So, my little sister returns home.” He sneered as he walked toward Amber, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her away from the group. As he did that, Amber noticed the gun Jeffrey was holding.

  “J-Jeffrey,” Amber said, trying to keep her body in front of him and between everyone else behind her.

  “Did you honestly think you could just stroll in here and not have me find out? Nobody moves, or you and my little sister here will pay,” Jeffrey said as he motioned with his gun for the group to get together. Everyone moved closer as Amber was still caught in Jeffrey’s grasp. Zach went to move in front of her, and she painfully moved and pushed him back.