Love on Leave

by Leah McDonnell

  My chair slams on the balcony floor. “So it was you I heard! It just wasn’t screams of pleasure!”

  “Don’t you know you’re not supposed to have sex on the beach? It’s literally the worst place imaginable!” Lana says, finally able to form words through the laughter.

  Ashley was in the shower when Jenn told her story, so we got the pleasure of re-telling it. Laughing even harder the second time around.

  “Dang, Jenn! You have the worst luck when it comes to crabs at the beach!” Ash teases, reminding us of her Spring Break debacle.

  After finally catching our composure, all three of them begin primping for the male visitors, who are due any minute. A cloud of perfume floats across our ransacked room. The idea of being stuck here in hook up heaven makes my skin crawl.

  Ash slides on a pair of white jean shorts and pulls a t-shirt over her black bikini.

  I lean in to read the front of it. “Who’s the Dave Matthews Band?”

  “Duh! Only the most awesome band on the planet.”

  I shrug. “Never heard of em’.”

  She flips open a half-eaten pizza box. “I didn’t see you when I got in last night. Did you sleep on the balcony?”

  “Yep! Between Jenn’s snoring and Lana and Artie yip yapping all night, it’s the only place I could get some actual peace and quiet.”

  Lana grabs her heart. “He was so sweet, y’all! We stayed up talking until sunrise.” Her hand flies to her mouth. “Oh, Kate! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean…”

  Physical pain explodes through me, but I’d rather cut a limb off than let it show. “Pfff! Don’t be sorry! I’m fine,” I lie, waving her apology off.

  I’m not in the mood for the added company, so I grab a fresh beer and walk out on the balcony when the guys knock. The room growing louder and louder as they file in.

  I wish I could slap on a happy smile and join them, but I can’t seem to muster up the energy. I roll my eyes as Davis’s boisterous voice carries over everyone. For some reason, I think he gets genuine pleasure from this whole Max thing.

  They’re talking about me like I’m deaf. “She’s outside. She keeps saying she’s fine, but I know it's bullshit.”

  I shake my head. Lana knows me far too well, I mumble to myself.

  “I’ll go talk to her,” Davis says.

  Oh please don’t! I think as the balcony door flies open. I stare out at the ocean, not acknowledging him.

  “How’s it going, Skeeter?”

  “Fine, until you got here, Lurch.”

  He laughs and steals the chair I’m using to prop my feet on.

  “You girls moved up a few stars on the hotel choice.”

  “Lana refused to stay anywhere else after she found a roach in her suitcase,” I say flatly, still not looking over.

  “Can’t say I blame her,” he chuckles.

  I take a swig of beer. Already over the stupid small talk. “I’m ok, Davis. You don’t have to babysit me.”

  “Oh yeah. You certainly seem it.”

  I roll my eyes, annoyed. Refusing to comment.

  “Look! I get you think I’m the Tin Man and believe women fall at my feet…”

  “…And you go through them like Tic Tacs? Yes. It’s exactly what I think!” I say it harsher than I intend. He doesn’t say anything and I can tell I’ve hit a nerve.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude.” I say, dropping the attitude. “I’m pissed off and been drinking.”

  “I could tell you had fallen for him.”

  “It was stupid, I know. I actually thought there was something there.” I say it to him, but speaking more to myself. I look him straight in the face for the first time. “I mean, am I wrong? Did I completely misread our time together?”

  I can tell there’s something he wants to say but is holding it back.

  “What?” I stare. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  He shifts in his seat. “I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this...”

  “Tell me what?” I demand.

  The side of his mouth curls as he hesitates. “It might have been Drew… but I’m pretty positive Max is the one who had the Platoon Sergeant run y’all off.”

  Speechless, my hand covers my jaw dropped mouth. Memories of Lana and me darting across the front lawn as they all watched, flash in my head.

  “But why do it? He knew we were about to leave on our own? Why would he go to the trouble?

  “I honestly have no idea, Kate.”

  “Well, if he was trying to humiliate us, it sure as hell worked!” I say as anger begins to boil.

  “Look! I only told you because I thought you should know he isn’t the saint you think he is.”

  My jaw clenches. “He most certainly is not.”

  I unglue my body from the patio chair and make my way back into the room.

  I don’t want to spoil Lana’s time, so it’s best to keep this news to myself for now. I need to rally enough words to get out of the room without her suspecting something is wrong.

  She looks up from the bed as I pass. “Where ya going?”

  “James is down at the beach. I’m going to go hang with him for a bit.” I force a smile while grabbing my ID and cash.

  “Ok, Love!” she says, buying it.

  Ashley jumps up from the other bed. “I’ll go with you!”

  Fuck!

  James and Ashley are good friends, so it will look suspicious if I tell her not to come. “Sure. Grab your id, just in case.”

  When we’re finally in the breezeway, I explain what’s going on. “If you don’t want to go, you better turn back now.”

  “Where are you wanting to go?”

  I look out at the city below and give an evil grin. “I feel like getting into a little bit of trouble.”

  It’s late. I have no idea how late. I’m not only drunk...I’m one of those loud, obnoxious, stumbling, drunk girls I hate. Ashley and I are at Spinnaker’s nightclub and I’ve somehow managed to win a hot body competition.

  I slide off my barstool and give a pageant wave. “I would like to say a special thank you to whoever invented the padded bathing suit top.” I give a big, beauty queen smile as I finish my pretend acceptance speech.

  Ash glances at her watch. “Kate, I’m glad you’re having a good time. But don’t you think it’s about time we head back.”

  I ignore her. “Isn’t my crown and sash beautiful?” I mumble to the guys who’ve taken up residence the table next to us.

  “It’s almost as hot as you are,” one says, walking over and putting his arm around my neck.

  “We really need to get out of here,” she pleads.

  “But I was just getting to know my new friends here,” I stammer.

  She gives them a cringy smile and grabs my arm. “You’ve had way too much to drink tonight. I’ve got to get you home.”

  I snatch my arm away. “Don’t be such a buzzkill, Mom!”

  She doesn’t respond. Her lips tighten as she glowers at me. Her long auburn hair hits me in the face as she turns to walk away. The room begins to spin; my brain officially mush. I lay my head on the hard, sticky table.

  I’m not sure how much time has passed when I feel myself being lifted. I squint enough to see I’m on upside-down on a shoulder, caveman style.

  “Heyyyy! You made me drop my beautiful crown!” I yell, having no clue who has me.

  “I’ve got your crown, Kate.”

  I lift my head to see who’s following us. “Lanaaaaa! My best friend in the whole world!” I’m able to make her out even upside-down.

  We make our way through the club. “I don’t know who you are, but you’ve got a great ass!” Getting an up-close and personal view.

  “I can walk ya know!” I yell as we make it out the door.

  “You wouldn’t know it by the way you were passed out on the table,” the mystery carrier says.

  I know the voice but my beer fog isn’t letting it compute. They’re all talking as the car pulls up.<
br />
  He sets me in the passenger seat. “Oh, great. It’s you.” Disappointment and nausea churning in my belly.

  “What? Were you hoping it was Max?” Davis snarks sarcastically.

  “Why are you here? Don’t you have some sluts you should be screwing in some seedy motel somewhere?” I mutter.

  “I know you’re not my biggest fan, but I know what I said upset you. So when Ashley called and told us where you were. I had to come.”

  I give Ashley the evil eye and point. “Traitor!”

  We slowly make it out of the parking lot and back on the Strip, but traffic is a nightmare. The hotel is in sight, but the lanes aren’t budging.

  Sweat beads on my forehead. “What’s taking so long, Lana?” I whine.

  “There must have been a wreck or something because this is worse than usual.”

  I try to get, “I’m not feeling so good” out when I feel it come. I tear at the handle and hurdle from the car.

  Stumbling to the side of the road before a day’s worth of beer, six shots, a hot body contest, and one upside-down carry-out, catches up with me.

  “We’ve got a pukin’ rally, here!” spews from the car behind us. I shoot him the bird between retches.

  Davis jumps out. “Don’t make me come back there, asshole!”

  His nose scrunches. “Feel any better?”

  I get out, “a little” just before round two begins. He grabs my hair to hold it back and oddly enough…I appreciate it.

  I finally feel more myself, but traffic still isn’t moving. The thought of sitting in the car for the next hour isn’t on my list of things to do tonight.

  “Hey guys, I’m going to walk back, ok? I’m sure I’m going to get sick again and would rather not do it on the side of the road.”

  Ashley jumps from the backseat. “I’ll go with you, Kate.” Volunteering for more babysitting duties.

  “Two drunk girls do not need to be walking the Strip alone,” Davis says. “Hang with your friends, Ash. I’ll take her back.”

  It’s pointless to debate, so I start walking. Not giving a damn who follows.

  “I don’t need a babysitter. I’m fine by myself,” I say as Davis jogs up behind me.

  “And miss another chance of watching you barf your guts up? Not in a million.”

  I roll my eyes and keep walking.

  “Honestly, I was worried about you.”

  My eyes grow suspicious, but I manage to get out a quick, “thank you” with some shred of sincerity.

  “Besides…Jenn wouldn’t stop getting in my face and her breath smells like a cat shit in her mouth.”

  “And there’s the Davis we all know and love.”

  “I’m kidding. I’m kidding!” he chuckles as I get several steps in front of him.

  “You know you don’t have to play the tough act with me, Kate. I know you’re upset and you have every right to be.”

  I kick a crushed beer can across the road. “I’m not upset.”

  “You’re a terrible liar.”

  “It was a one-time, crazy weekend; with plans to maybe do it again. I didn’t ask for anything else from him. I have no right to be upset. He loves her. They have a history.

  He’s a smart enough guy to not let some girl he met at the beach stand in the way of a potential future.” I search his face, hoping to convince myself as much as him.

  “For what it’s worth, I think he really did like you.”

  “Then why have us ran out of there? I keep replaying that morning over and over in my head and it doesn’t make sense. We were leaving an hour later.”

  He shrugs. “I wish I had an answer,”

  I stop dead in my tracks. “Unless…”

  “Unless, what?”

  “Oh my God! That’s it!” I smack my forehead. “I’ve figured it out.” Talking more to myself.

  A group of girls scream out and it causes him to look away. They ask him if he needs a ride. They flirt back and forth, but I’m too in my head to wait on him.

  He catches up. “Well, are you going to clue me in?”

  “Jody must have been coming up there. He must have seen her on his way to PT and given him some indication she was going to meet him afterward.”

  “I didn’t see her, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

  “That has to be it! There’s no other explanation on why he couldn’t wait. He knew all hell would break loose if Jody saw me in his room.”

  “Sounds plausible for sure.”

  “It was still a dirty ass thing to do, regardless of the reason why. More like something straight out of the Davis playbook.”

  He grabs his heart. “Ouch, Kate! Harsh!”

  “I know. I’m sorry. Well, sort of sorry,” I tease, but with some truth to it.

  I’m in desperate need of food as we make our way back to the hotel. I ask Davis if he would grab me a bottled water and a few snacks from the lobby vending machine, while I call the elevator.

  A drunk guy with fraternity letters on his shirt, walks up and waits for alongside me.

  “Heyyyy, I know youuuu,” he slurs and points.

  “Uh, sorry. I think you have the wrong person.”

  “No, I saw you. Earlier. You’re that girl. The one from the contest.”

  “Ah… Yes. Not one of my prouder moments now that I’m sobering up.”

  He steps forward, his stale beer breath inches from my face. “You definitely deserved to win.”

  Uncomfortable, I take a couple of steps back. Not responding to his comment.

  He stumbles towards me again. “What room are you staying in?” he asks, tugging at the sash I’m still wearing.

  I’m pinned. “Please, don’t touch me!”

  Chips, cookies, and soda scatter across the lobby. “Get the hell away from her, asshole! Before I spill your blood all over this pearly white floor!” Davis yells, pushing him away.

  The drunk bows his chest. “Damn. We were only talking, dude! You don’t have to be a douche!”

  “Come on, Davis! He’s not worth it. Let’s go!” I plead for him to get in the elevator, trying desperately to end this.

  He does as asked, but as the doors begin to close he gets in one last dig. “You better hope I don’t see you again, Dickless!”

  The drunk yells, “Fuck you, Asshole!” But thankfully, the doors have closed.

  “Oh no, that son of a bitch didn’t!” Davis says through gritted teeth, punching the lobby button. “I’m going to rip him to pieces!”

  “Let it go, Davis.” I grab his forearm, hoping to calm him. “You getting in a fight and ending up in jail won’t go over too well with the Army.”

  He huffs, knowing I’m right. His attention turning to me. “You, ok?”

  “I’m fine. Thanks for stepping in.”

  It’s a quiet ride until the door slides open to our floor.

  “Thank you for walking me back. I guess I needed a babysitter after all.”

  After changing clothes, popping three ibuprofen, and getting some food on my stomach, I’m slowly feeling more myself. I make my pallet on the balcony and relish in the peace and quiet. Davis sits on a patio chair as I settle into my makeshift bed.

  He leans on the back two legs and chuckles. “I still can’t believe you’re sleeping out here.”

  “Well, it’s either out here or in there with Ms. Cat Shit Mouth.”

  “Ah-ha! Enough said!”

  “You don’t have to sit up here with me. I’m sure you’re ready to get back out there.”

  “Nah, I’m done for the night. I’d rather chill with you until Artie gets back, if it’s ok?”

  I bury my head in the lumpy pillow and yawn. “I’m ok with it. But I can’t promise I won’t pass out on ya.”

  We don’t speak for a while as we both revel in the sound of the ocean.

  A warm breeze sweeps across the cool concrete. “So you’re from Chicago, right?” I ask, breaking the silence.

  “Yep! But it’s been ages since I’ve b
een home.”

  “How come?”

  “I haven’t needed to. My parents and sister have driven down a few times, and we met in Nashville for Christmas last year. So it’s been over two years.”

  “No long lost love you need to go back and see?”

  “Hell no!” he says quickly. “I’m too much of an asshole to keep a girl around long enough to travel thirteen hours for.”

  “Well, you’re a good-looking guy. Maybe if you drop the whole cocky asshole thing, you’d find one that’s worth the drive.”

  “Most girls get on my nerves. I mean, it's fine for a quick flirt in a bar, but when I try to have an actual conversation, they’re all so damn silly. I can’t help but be an asshole. Besides, you’re one to talk. From what I hear, that ex of yours is a real piece of work.”

  “Touché, Davis. Touché.”

  He laughs.

  “You’re right though. He’s a tried-and-true douchebag,” I admit. “But we run in the same circle, so he’s always around. It got better after I left for college, but he always manages a way to rear his ugly head any time I’m home. Thankfully, I haven’t seen him since Memorial Day. He found out we’re still hanging with you guys. So I think he’s a little intimidated.”

  “He should be. What he did was a bitch move.”

  “Yes, it was. And if I’m being completely honest, I think that’s why I was so attracted to Max. He was the polar opposite of Wayne and I appreciated that about him.”

  The hotel room door creaks opens and voices grow. “Sounds like the Cavalry has arrived.”

  “I have some Tic Tacs in my purse if you want to casually pass some out as Jenn walks by.”

  “Oh look who’s a comedian now,” he says as the group makes their way onto the balcony.

  After some late-night chit-chat and giving Jenn and Davis hell over the crab incident, we call an end to my night of heartbreak rebellion. I lay alone, looking up at the stars. Hoping to convince myself to end this ridiculous notion of me and Max ever being more. I fall asleep trying to not focus on the disappointing outcome, but instead, grateful for the time we had.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The next morning, with a stiff back and an enormous hangover, I’m stirred from my makeshift bedroom by the voice of my annoying little brother.