by Kinney Scott
Something was off. “Hey Mark, I want you to meet my brother, Ben. He recently moved to Portland. Ben this is Mark.” Natalie, hung on her brother, his arm comfortably slung at her hip.
He could see the family resemblance now. Both fair in hair and complexion, Ben got the tall gene. “Nice to meet you, Nate’s told me a bit about you. Didn’t you live in North Carolina? That is some of the best surfing on the east coast. I spent six months out there, great experience.”
Ben sized up Mark as they met, but it was not his nature to judge. He tried to keep an open mind. “I lived in Charlotte. Didn’t make it to the beach much, first school and then work. I’m hoping this move will allow me to free up more time.”
“I get that,” Mark shared, “After I finished school I spent time doing the corporate thing. As often as I could manage, I surfed, when I could get away. I got lucky when I wrote a surfing app. That gives me enough money to live the way I want. It works for now,” Mark shared. He could tell that the girls and Ben were like most people he met, and assumed he was just a nomadic surf bum.
“I thought you worked in construction?” Natalie said, recalling a past conversation.
“I did during college. It gave me just enough skill to build my house, with some help from my buddy who is an electrician.”
“Nate, what did you bring us in that basket?” Kels asked, climbing onto the tailgate. “I’m starved.”
Ben stepped into the bed of the truck, opened the basket, as they all took a spot sitting on the edge.
“This is great, thank you for making lunch,” Mark said as he tore open a bag of chips. “Before Nate moved to Driftwood, I scraped by on poptarts and hot dogs. Cooking is not my thing.”
“You are my most consistent customer. Honestly I worry if I took a day off you might not eat.” She smiled.
“There’s fast food in town, I wouldn’t die too quickly. My midnight runs to taco bell are still pretty frequent.”
“No way am I opening at midnight to make sure you are fed,” Natalie laughed.
“Just leave your door open! Let me raid your well stocked refrigerator.” When she shook her head firmly no, he added, “I installed the smallest possible frig in my home. That could be part of my problem.” Mark finished off a second sandwich before asking Kels if she wanted to head back out.
“Why not? Give me a few minutes to digest. Isn’t there some rule about waiting thirty minutes before getting back in the water?”
“Take all the time you need. My day is yours.” Mark slid down in the bed of the truck to lean back against the cab. He pulled Kels into the V of his thighs, her back to his front. Kelsey settled in, refusing to pretend as if this strong connection with Mark didn’t exist?
Last night she and Mark had enjoyed each other in every way possible. While she knew he was a weekend fling, she would never brush him off to appease Ben. Mark understood plans didn’t need to be laid out in stone.
Ben tamped down a surge of jealousy. Kelsey was smart, hot, and tempting as hell, but probably not his type.
After watching the way his dad treated his mom he learned what behavior to avoid. Bennett Journey approached marriage in the same manner as he approached business, control and conquer. When his father could not find a willing adversary, he settled for a string of gorgeous, short-term girlfriends, interested only in his bank account.
Ben worried that he may not know what a good relationship looked like. He knew he craved something stable. He would never treat any woman the way his father had.
Natalie cleaned up the remnants of lunch. “Looks like we killed that!” She loved it when the food she made was enjoyed and completely devoured. “Ben why don’t we walk down the beach? I want to show you the tide pools. Fill me in on Portland, your new job, and your new place.” She jumped onto the sand, with Ben right behind. They ambled down the beach, picking up shells, tossing rocks into the surf and waging sword fights with long sticks.
As he watched them wander off together, Mark noted, “Ben and Nate look like ten year old kids playing at the beach. I wish I got along with my brother that well.”
Kelsey snuggled into Marks muscular chest, savoring the heat from his body, “They only just reconnected. When their parents split, their dad got Ben and left for the east coast. Natalie ended up in Arizona with her Mom. They are picking up where they left off.”
Mark nuzzled Kelsey’s neck. “You taste like a mermaid. Can you stay at my place again tonight?”
“I think I may have to. Either there, or my car. Ben probably plans to crash at Nate’s.”
“Then this arrangement will meet both our needs.” He said with a wicked, sexy smile.”
“Mark, you can tuck me in tonight.”
“Kels, you have no idea how much I want to tuck into you.” She leaned her head back as he cradled her neck on his shoulder. “Give me some sugar, mermaid.” Mark said leaning to plunder her lips.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Seth spent the bulk of Saturday at Mosquito Brewing, preparing for the Boise trip. With Natalie gone and too much free time, he found himself spending extra hours with his cousin. “Wade, I’ve loaded the t-shirts, pint glasses and other merchandise on the first truck. Are you ready to help me left the tents and tables?”
“I’ll be right there. It will take both of us to load in the sections of the mobile bar.” After several summer festivals, Wade could almost load the gear in his sleep. Finally, his promotional work was paying off.
At first, these trips lost money. Now connected sales in bars and stores were clearly picking up near these high profile events. Expansion began to look inevitable, but his timing had to be perfect. The cost of larger tanks, refrigeration and fermenters could bury him. “Last box and we are done for the day. Seth, why won’t you let me pay you?”
“I’m waiting for the perfect moment, to call in a favor,” he laughed as he carried another box into the truck.
“At this rate I’ll owe you a kidney. How about I buy us dinner, maybe we can shoot some pool.”
“You’re on.” Seth leaped down out of the truck before Wade lowered the large rolling door.
Mosquito Creek Brewing, still located at Ben’s home, was about thirty miles north of Ashwood, tucked into the foothills of Mt. Adams. While winding down the curved roads towards town, Wade knew he needed to warn Seth. “I’ve got to tell you something. I saw Chelsea in town yesterday. She asked about you. Don’t be surprised if she is parked on a seat at the bar.”
Seth winced at the news. “Chels paid me a visit this morning. We came to an understanding.”
“And that was?”
“She wanted to pick up our ex-with benefits arrangement. I’m done with it.”
“About time. No offense Seth, but Chelsea only looks out for herself.”
Seth finally acknowledged that obvious truth, “It’s no secret that she liked to get laid. I’m not even sure she was faithful to me when we were married.”
Wade shook his head. “When you were married, as far as I know, she didn’t step out on you. After you two split, she made it clear that I was welcome in her bed, or the back seat of her car. Let me be clear, I never went there, not with your ex, that’s a line I would never cross.”
“Certainly other guys here in Ashwood did.”
“Maybe…probably. Sorry, but I thought you should know.”
“That’s fine. I suppose Chelsea and I both got something out of our marriage while it lasted. I’m a man with a vice or two.” Seth admitted.
“Who isn’t?” Wade agreed with a knowing shrug.
“True, but Natalie’s different. I am willing to wait for her, change for her if she needs me to. There has to be a way to make it work. I just need to find a way to get there.”
“What you two have, it’s rare. She looks at you and lights up. Patience young Jedi.”
“Really, going there?” Seth groaned.
Hey, it’s the only line in a movie I can ever remember,” both cousins laughed as they pulled into the Northside Gril
l parking lot.
Just as they predicted, Chelsea sat at the bar with a local seated on the stool next to her, his fingers tucked into her back pocket. Seth and Wade just chuckled.
“Looks like there is in open pool table.” Seth said as his eyes scanned the bar.
“Awesome. I’ll meet you there with a couple of beers. Is my IPA ok?”
“Wouldn’t drink anything else.”
As the bar filled, Seth and Wade ordered a pizza. They were thinking of grabbing a couple more beers when Kent showed up at their table. “Mind if I bring over a pitcher and bum a slice?” Kent pulled up a chair and set down the pitcher of beer.
“Great trade. Thanks Kent. How’s it going?” Wade asked.
“You know, Ashwood it’s always dull this time of year. Hey, have you noticed all the women are leaving town. Too many bros. First the twins, followed by Natalie and now Kels is gone for the weekend.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. It really sucks.” Seth moaned.
“By the way, Seth, Chelsea showed up at the shop looking for you. Kent tipped his head in Chelsea’s direction. “Could it be she’s trying to put on a performance?”
On the dance floor, Chelsea ground against the man from the bar. His broad hands planted squarely across her ass. Her eyes flicked in Seth’s direction, but met up with Wade’s disgusted look instead.
Wade leaned over and asked his typically jealous cousin, “last time she performed this bump and grind you were wasted. Are you going to be tempted to take action and beat the crap out of this guy?”
“Nope. Not tempted.”
***
Natalie called up from the kitchen in her home while Ben sat on the roof deck, bundled in a sweatshirt. “Do you want anything to drink Ben?”
“Sure, I could go for another beer. Thanks sis.”
Natalie emerged, beer in one hand, a warm blanket in the other. “Do you think I should invest in one of those outdoor heaters? I love to be outside, and here at the coast it’s usually pretty mild. I do hate being cold.”
“Would you have room to store it when you make a move?” he asked.
“I thinks so. There is a storage compartment for bulky things, but it will fill up fast if I’m not careful.”
“How do you like the home, this lifestyle of living?”
“So far I’ve been busy; I haven’t had time to think about it. Faye runs a nice community. She has the perfect balance of freedom and respect for everyone here.”
Natalie took a sip of her cocoa. “I do miss Ashwood. Obviously I miss Seth most of all, but Ashwood began to feel more like home than Seattle ever did. In Ashwood I felt grounded.”
Ben watched his sister carefully. “Did you and Seth ever talk about your future?”
“At the time my goals centered round this home and moving on. I think we were both too nervous to bring up an alternative plan. I could not assume that Seth was looking for something long term. Maybe Seth was afraid I would tire of Ashwood, just like his ex-wife did.”
In the low light, spilling from the windows of her home Natalie appeared fragile, “I’ve got to ask, and you don’t have to answer. Do you love Seth?”
With no hesitation she answered, “of course I do.”
“And you miss Ashwood?”
“More than I thought I could.”
“One more question. If you and Seth didn’t work out long term, would Ashwood still be home to you?”
Natalie took a drink from her now cool mug of cocoa, lost in thought for a moment. “Yes, I can see myself in Ashwood, building a life there regardless of Seth’s desire to be with me or not.”
Ben leaned back in his chair. The moon peeked out from behind a passing cloud. In the inky-darkness, white surf, just visible from the roof deck, appeared like an apparition. “Well then, Natalie, when do you want me to help you move back?”
She laughed, at his obvious reading of her unspoken intentions. “Good question. Do you think we could get this house parked on the lake next weekend?”
His smile reflected hers, “No problem.”
“Can we keep this between us? I need to make some plans.”
“It’s our secret.”
Pinky swear?” She reached out, just as they had done as children, so many years ago.
He linked his little finger in hers. “Pinky swear.”
***
Late the next morning Kelsey and Mark finally showed up, long after the trickle of Sunday morning coffee lovers had moved on. “How was your morning rush? Do you have anything left for two hungry nomads?” Kelsey asked, peeking in the still open service window.
“Sure what would you like? Come on in and pour yourself a cup of coffee. I’ve got muffins and donuts and some ham and cheese filled croissants from the local bakery.” She pulled out the baked goods and spread them on the counter. The delicious assortment made choosing just one difficult.
“Ham and cheese for me. But I can get it.” Kels heated her breakfast in the microwave after pouring herself a cup of black coffee.
“Hey Kels, I’d love it if you could heat up something sweet for me, maybe with frosting?” Mark asked as he sat on the long built in couch across from Ben. He pulled out his phone, checking surf conditions in several locations across the planet.
“Is a cinnamon roll good?”
“Perfect, thanks, babe,” Kelsey heated the pastry roll and brought it to him.
“Is that your surfing app?” Ben asked, not necessarily interested, but attempting to make an effort not to hate this guy.
“Yeah, I’ve been keeping an eye on conditions in Tofino, Canada. I will probably move on up the coast before heading to San Diego later this winter,” Mark shared, never taking his eyes from the screen of his phone.
Natalie studied Kels, surprised when her best friend seemed unaffected by Mark’s news.
Kelsey just bit off a large bite of her croissant. “This is great. Salty cheesy goodness, thank you for feeding us! Hey, Ben. Are you hanging around for a while today? There are caves up the coast Mark and I plan to check out. What do you say Natalie, would you both be game to come along?”
Ben wondered what the hell Kels was up to. Maybe this road trip with Mark was some sort of passive aggressive payback. His sister had looked forward to spending the weekend with her best friend.
He hesitated, measuring Nate’s reaction. Would she go along and risk feeling like a third wheel? If she planned to join in, he felt the need to go along, even though he needed to return to Portland and wrap up extra work before Monday morning.
Natalie ignored the sting of rejection from her best friend, “That does sound fun, but I think I’ll pass. If you have time after you get back maybe we can hang out for a while Kels.”
“Yeah sure, Nate. How about you Ben?”
“I think I’m going to hit the road, and head back to Portland.”
Kelsey flopped down next to Mark. He flung an arm easily across her shoulder. After a leisurely breakfast, Kels and Mark left in her car, with no particular itinerary or specific hour when they planned to return.
Natalie cleaned up the remaining breakfast dishes, as her brother stuffed his clothes back in his duffle. Wandering out to his car, she let her frustration free. “Kelsey has changed, Ben. This is not like her! When she spent the summer in Seattle, she did everything she could to help her aunt Elsa. I can’t believe someone who put her aunt’s needs first can also be so self-absorbed. Mark seems like a nice, but I don’t understand how she could blow off our weekend and disappear with someone she will never see again. Honestly, I’m a little ticked off.” She flopped in frustration onto her couch.
Ben sat for a moment, “I can understand that. Maybe you two will have a chance to catch up later tonight.”
Her eyes looked watery. Ben worried that Kelsey might not be the stable friend his sister needed when she moved. “I know you want to move back to Ashwood, but it might be a good idea if you spent a day or two to be sure.” He hugged his sister, and she took a deep breath, than
kful Ben was back in her life. “Give me a call and let me know what you decide. If you are committed about your return, I’ll be here Friday night, and we can go from there.”
“Ben, I’m so glad you are back. Until you returned, a portion of my soul felt disconnected. Now with you here, I’ve found the missing piece. I love you Ben.”
“Love you too, Natalie. Whatever you choose to do, I’m here for you.”
On the way back to Portland Ben listened to satellite radio, blasting the music loud enough to block the thoughts that invaded his mind. Why couldn’t he stop thinking about Kelsey? Maybe it was all bad timing.
As the miles clicked by Ben resolved to focus his efforts. If he had to predict the future, Seth would soon be taking up a great deal of his sister’s time. Building a life for himself in Portland would become his first priority. Go out with the crowd at work, find a gym, and make time to volunteer at a shelter or food bank. Diving into his new community would reset his mind.
***
Long after dark, Kelsey knocked on Nate’s door. “Hey Natalie, can I crash here tonight? It’s too late to head back to Ashwood.”
Natalie stood in her doorway, looking a little frustrated in her sweats and one of Seth’s old t-shirts. “Sure Kelsey. Come inside. Where’s Mark?”
“He got a text from friends who are headed up to Canada, and plans to take off at first light tomorrow morning. Right now, he’s prepping to move his house. I’d be in his way.”
Kelsey grabbed a beer, and flopped to Natalie’s couch. “I’m glad Mark and I met. I hope our paths cross again.”
“Did he say anything about getting together in the future?”
“No, I mean I have his number, and he has mine. In comparison to Mark, I’m just a homebody. I do envy his freedom. Hell, I envy your freedom too. When did you get so brave Nate? God, I wish I possessed your independent courage.”
“Courage, I wouldn’t go that far Kels. Life gave me the opportunity to open a new door, I just chose a key.” Natalie shrugged.
“I’m tired of choosing the predictable. It’s becoming a dull habit.”