by Claire Woods
People start dancing.
A few woman pretend to swoon. Hell, maybe they actually do.
It’s a street party at ten a.m.
But the best part is when I reach the part where Jennifer Grey runs into Swayze’s arms. My girl runs to me, uses her foot to vault up the open passenger door, stands in the frame her hands gripping the roof as we kiss.
“Now that’s a love story!” Someone whistles as clapping erupts around us.
“You are such a goof.”
“You love it,” I answer.
“I do.”
“By the way…you left your laptop up. When I went to get it this morning…I couldn’t help but see all the royal wedding stuff on your Pinterest board.”
“Snoop.”
“Yup. But I’m your prince charming baby.”
“Are you going to give me the fairy tale?”
“Planning on it.”
We kiss on the top of my car, with the crowd around us. It’s almost like being on top of a carriage, right?
“I need to go. See you later, goofball.”
“Later babe.”
With the stupidest grin on my face, I watch her walk to the café. This time the crowd parts, everyone lets my princess pass.
An hour later the first ping hits my phone.
I made myself a Google alert, so I’ll know when anything with my name hits the Internet. There it is. My new headlines:
“From Dirty Player to Singing Prince. How Gabe Parker wooed his lady love.”
“If the NFL doesn’t work out; sign GABE PARKER up for American Idol. That boy has some pipes!”
“GABE PARKER is a showstopper on and off the field. Who knew UVA’s Star wide receiver has a voice of solid gold?”
Getting a screenshot of the headlines, I text them all to Callie.
Me: See? I am good.
Callie: It’s a sing-off tonight. My Uncle Steve has a karaoke machine. He’ s good.
Me: I can’t wait. Are you challenging me?
Callie: Yes.
Me: It’s on. Winner takes all.
Callie: All of what?
Me: All of each other.
Callie: if there were an eye-rolling emoji I’d be sending it right now.
Laughing, I slip my phone in my gym bag, ready to lift hard today. She makes me feel so damn good. Now, I just need the rest of my life to straighten out.
***
“Are you nervous?”
“No, why? Should I be?”
“Babe. You’re bringing this stud home to meet your family.”
“Not all of them—only the cool ones. Besides, Gina already loves you.”
“What can I say? The Anderson women find me irresistible.”
“We do.” I stand on my tippy toes tugging him down for a quick kiss. We had to drive to Steve’s place. He lives on the bay side of Sea Spray nestled behind a nature preserve on two acres of marshes and inlets. It is peaceful out here with nothing but crickets, swaying sea grass, and music already floating from the back patio.
We walk in hand in hand with matching goofy grins. Uncle Steve sizes Gabe up in two seconds. He must’ve passed the test since he hands him a beer and a playlist. “No thanks. I’ll take a water, though.”
“Training hard?”
“Something like that.”
“Not hard enough, if our little C, over here can give you the slip and steal your ride.”
“You heard about that, huh.”
“Laughed my ass off for days.”
“I did, too. She has spunk… I have to admit it’s partly why I fell for her.”
“Partly?”
Gabe grins, staring back at Steve hard. Some secret man-to-man communication passes between them. Finally, Uncle Steve nods his head, “Come on. I made Portobello mushroom sirloin burgers with Swiss cheese. Food first then we sing.”
“I might have to marry into this family.”
“I’m available!” Gina laughs, hooking her arm through Gabe’s, introducing him to the crowd of cousins and friends on the way to the food table.
“Gabe Parker, huh? You caught a really big fish, Callie.”
“Oh, I didn’t catch him. He caught me.”
Steve throws back his head hooting out, “She’s a live one, Parker. You better hold on.”
“Oh, I intend to,” he replies from across the patio. The way he looks at me is still the same. Even though we’ve become lovers—he still looks at me the way he did on the beach by Comber’s—possessively, hungrily, like I’m the world he wants to conquer.
It’s enthralling, being wanted by a man so virile and smart as him. But he’s so much more than just a smart jock. He’s funny, charismatic, caring, a total dork at times, but I love him. Love him for being all those things combined simply into a man who looks at me miraculously seeing things—I don’t even see in myself.
Jackie
CRASH! MY HANDS PICK UP whatever objects are near throwing them left and right.
Two years.
For two years—I starved myself, only eating lettuce and drinking water. I can’t remember the last time I had real carbs.
All that. And he never told me he loved me.
I can’t believe he said it to that… that… that—cow!
I can’t stop myself from looking at the video on YOUTUBE again. Gabe’s through his sunroof singing to her. “FUCK!” I scream, throwing my hairbrush so hard it cracks the mirror. Shards of broken glass fall all over my vanity, coating my Mac makeup brushes.
The video of him proclaiming his love to that washed up piece of seaweed already has over one million views.
He’s blowing up Instagram and twitter too.
It should’ve been me. I should’ve been his princess.
Instead, I wasted two years sweating my toned ass off in hot yoga classes, enduring hunger pains, racking up credit card debt—dressing myself like a WAG for a pro player, and it was all for nothing.
I practiced my smile making sure it seemed sweet. I even lied—told Gabe I as a virgin, purposely making sure I was just ending my period the first time we had sex so that he would believe it.
Maybe that’s why we lasted two years. I know Gabe had a hard time dumping a girl he thought saved herself for him. Gabe always was too noble for his own good. I thought I’d be able to hang onto him long enough to get his ring on my finger and his brat in my belly. Not that I ever really wanted kids. But his kids would be moneymakers for life. I’d hire nanny’s—he’d be on the road traveling so what would he know about it? I already had a plan to claim post-partum depression and get out of even holding the thing.
Slamming the lid of my laptop down, I walk to the window of the apartment I rent just off campus.
That cow isn’t stealing my happy ending.
She’s not riding off in the new Maserati I’m sure he’ll buy with his first pro paycheck, no. Uh-uh. If I can’t have Gabe’s genetically superior babies, she’s not either.
I just need to find their castle and crumble it to the ground.
Picking up my cell, I call the PI the law firm I’m interning at uses for their divorce cases. He’s slimy, always giving me the creeps. But as long as I flirt with him and pretend I don’t notice him smacking his lips as his eyes check out my MasterCard paid C-cups…he gives me information. For free. I just need a little bit more before he starts wanting to charge me on my back or knees. Hell, I might even do it—if it means ruining Gabe forever.
“Jackie?”
“Did you find where he’s living in Sea Spray?”
“Yeah, but it’ll cost you.”
“I figured it would.”
My head spins as I lower the phone, contemplating a way to make Gabe and that girl pay. Stepping around my trashed room, I throw some clothes in a weekend bag. It looks like I’ll be spending a few days by the shore.
Callie
JUNE TURNED TO JULY in frenzied minutes of waiting tables and slow seconds spent in Gabe’s arms as he took me to the stars. The amount
of media frenzy slowly died down, but a few stragglers remain, hoping to get another money shot of Gabe. I’ve practically moved in with him. Well, okay, I have moved in with him. I’ve spent every night for the past month in his bed and woken up every morning to him making love to me hard and slow.
I’ll never get enough.
He’s turned me into a nymphomaniac.
Sometimes he comes to the marina, pulling me into a supply locker, turning me around and taking me hard and fast.
I like it both ways.
I’m proud to say the town folk have my back. My family goes back generations here, and they’ve circled the wagons around us. My uncle loves Gabe. They hit it off like I knew they would. They even text and call one another—daily. I’m almost jealous. But it warms my heart that two of the men I love most in the world are becoming friends.
Our life is almost perfect.
We drive to campus together. When I’m in class, he lifts weights, and when he’s in class, I study in the library.
At night we cook together, laugh together, study and make out under the stars.
Somehow, we went from a first date to a couple living together as if we’re married.
Despite, how insanely happy we are, we both have black clouds offshore ready to storm at any second.
Gabe’s waiting a final hearing with the Board and NCAA to see if he’s clear to start pre-season next month. Banger’s father, Rick Higgins is no joke. He had them sweating under their collars when he countersued everyone. The school—the NCAA—Jackie and a few newspapers that published complete crap. Gabe’s image is turning around, especially since his musical debut outside the café last month.
He even drove with me up to UVA to volunteer for field day at Charlie’s camp. He was so good with all the kids. They loved him. I took him to meet my mom and dad when we were there.
Mom embraced him like a long-lost son. Dad was not as easily won over. But I guess that’s to be expected when he was the only man in my life for twenty years.
I’m hoping Gabe will know soon if he’s able to play. UVA is shitting themselves, bending over backwards to explain why Gabe was even suspected of cheating in the first place—especially when Jackie caved and admitted she never actually saw Gabe take any illegal drugs… and he passed every academic and drug test they threw at him.
Jackie cried in front of the camera claiming all the attention made her have a miscarriage. Gabe admitted, he thinks he was only with her for so long because he was still reeling from losing his mom.
But Rick’s not letting it go. He’s demanding a court-ordered release of her medical records to prove she’s a liar. It will help Gabe’s case if they can prove she lied about it all—and her credibility as a witness in the University’s probe will be destroyed.
My feet dangle over the side of the dock. Most of the slips are empty. Every Fourth of July we typically sell out. It’s peaceful in mid-morning. It’s just me the birds and the sound of the tide slapping against the rocks.
“Callie.”
I don’t turn around feeling awkward around him.
“How are you?”
“Fine,” I reply without even glancing in his direction.
He sits down next to me despite my best attempts to be unfriendly.
“I’m here if you need to talk.”
“Talk about what?”
“Look—I know I screwed up. We were both young—I was being pulled in so many different directions. Anyway,” he sighs rubbing the back of his neck, “I know what it’s like. My family is always in the press.”
“I know. I’ve seen you over the years.”
He looks at me, wanting to say something but holds back. “It’s true then? You’re with Gabe Parker?”
“She is.”
We both turn our heads as Gabe stands on the upper pier behind us. He’s not happy. The sculpted lines of his face are furrowed, eyes narrowed as he gazes down on Elliott sitting close to me.
I stand, jogging up the steps to him, put my arms around him and lay my head on his shoulder. I feel his lips graze the top of my head as Elliott mutters from below. “I guess you are.” He hops on board the Sheena Easton and unties the lines. Seconds later the boat leaves the channel for open water.
“What’s his story?”
“That’s Elliot. He—we, kind of dated a few years back.”
“Oh? Is he the one—”
“Yes,” I answer cutting him off. I don’t want to go there. Never again. I just want the man who sings me to sleep every night and wakes me with his hands and mouth.
“How was the exam?”
“Aced it as usual.”
“Of course, you did.” I grin as we walk inside. The first summer session is over. Gabe and I both have a break for the Fourth of July. We’re meeting Dad half-way between here and UVA because the traffic is insane. He’s dropping off Charlie for the week, and I’m so excited. I’ve missed him so much and can’t wait to take him mini-golfing and to the beach.
“I’m going to miss sleeping next to you.” I confide holding him close as the office door bangs shut behind us.
“What are you talking about, babe? I’m coming to your place for sleepovers. I’m not leaving my woman and her baby brother alone in a house all night.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“Maybe. But I won’t. I can’t sleep without you now.”
My insides turn to mush. “Fine. But he can’t even catch you coming in and out of my room. And no sex with him in the house—sometimes he has night terrors.”
“Night terrors?”
“Yeah, it’s awful. It’s a bad dream that he can’t wake up from. The doctor says waking him only makes it worse.”
“Poor guy. We’re going to make this visit extra fun.”
“We?”
“Yup. You’re stuck with me, babe. I always wanted a little brother. Besides, I make kick-ass sandcastles.”
“I’m sure you do.” I wrap my arm around his waist as we walk up the dock to his car.
Callie
HUGGING MY KNEES TO MY CHEST, my eyes turned towards the horizon, I can’t imagine a more perfect day. Gabe packed a picnic lunch, drove Charlie and me south to a state beach park where no one bothered us.
We had a blast playing in the waves with my little brother.
“Cawwlie?”
“What’s up buddy?”
“Is Mama gonna die?”
His question takes me by surprise since he seemed happy all day. But I guess we all carry our scars deep where no one can see them.
“No.”
“You promise?”
Gabe meets my eyes over the top of Charlie’s sandy brown head, “Yes. Of course, she is.” I turn my head away before he sees the tears of uncertainty welling in my eyes.
“Are we ready to go? Pirates Cove is calling…”
“Yes!” And for the time being—his question is dropped. But I know it won’t be long until it’s answered.
***
“He’s quiet. He must be asleep.”
Gabe turns his head quickly, his eyes softening as he glances at Charlie in his booster seat. “He is.”
“We should just go home then. We’ll save mini golf for tomorrow morning before we bring him back.”
“Want to order in?”
I link our hands together where his rests on my thigh. “I’m tired, too. That sounds great.”
He lifts my hand to his lips for a kiss and I settle back in the seat, drifting off as he drives us home.
“Callie.”
His voice rouses me from a deep sleep—the kind so deep you don’t dream but wake confused and disorientated.
My eyes blink open. It’s dusk. I’m in his car… in my driveway. Something’s not right… but I can’t process what it is. Gabe’s looking at me like my world is about to fall apart. The anguish in his eyes makes every hair on my body stand on end.
Then looking past, him, my eyes fall on my Dad’s truck parked by the curb.
; My body processes faster than my sluggish brain. Hands frantically unfastening the seatbelt trying to get inside.
“Wait.” His strong hands brace my shoulders. “Charlie’s inside. Don’t… your Mom doesn’t want him upset.”
“Let me go.”
His hands fall as he steps back. Sprinting across the small lawn, I fly up the steps, throwing the door open. She’s in my spot. Sitting on the sea wall watching the waves like we’ve done a million times.
Charlie’s asleep in the hammock and my dad… he’s sitting with a beer in his hand looking as lost as I feel.
This can’t be happening.
It’s like I’m watching the ending to a movie when you wished the director filmed an alternate one. One in which everyone gets their happy ending.
But I’m not sure if that’s meant to be this time.
I feel Gabe standing at my back, his arm comes out to hold me, but I step forward brushing him away.
On heavy feet and with a heavier heart, I move forward against the tide. I don’t say a word as I sit next to her on the wall, staring straight ahead.
“I used to believe if I stared hard enough—I could see the future in the waves.” She turns placing her pale hand on mine. The ends of the scarf she wears around her head rustles in the wind.
“It’s time. I’m going home. I needed it to be here. Where I can feel the sun on my face and the wind on my back.”
“No. No!” I sob, “Do something!” I scream at my father. “Make her get the surgery.”
“It’s not his fault. It’s no one’s fault,” she whispers.
“I’m not accepting this. How… how can you leave us? Without a fight?”
“I’m tired. I’ve been fighting, Callie. But I don’t think I’m winning this round.”
“I-I can’t accept that. Please, keep trying!” A knife cuts through the center of my chest, tearing my heart and soul apart. The keening sound coming from me unrecognizable as belonging to any human.
“Babe.”
Gabe tries to pull me back against his chest, but I jump off the wall, racing towards the water—wishing I could keep running for her as much as me, that fate won’t catch up with us.