by Morgan Rayne
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for a Lindsay Pierce.”
“I’m Lindsay.”
“Delivery, I just need you to sign here.” He placed the vase on her desk and pointed to a line on his clip board. She was sure he had to be mistaken; these beautiful flowers couldn’t possibly be for her. But sure enough, her name was printed next to the line for her signature.
She signed her name and gave the board back in a daze. The delivery boy accepted the board and handed her the vase.
“Enjoy!”
“I will. Thank you.” Having no idea who the flowers could be from, Lindsay sat the vase on her desk and searched for a card. She found one nestled in the middle of the bouquet and she quickly opened it. The few words written on the card left her stunned.
Have a Happy Birthday, Red!
There was no signature, but then again she didn’t need there to be. Only one person called her Red. But how did Kyle know it was her birthday and why would Kyle send her flowers?
All the possible, and very unlikely, reasons were running through Lindsay’s head when Stella came out of her office.
“I heard the door open a minute ago. Did we have…?” Stella’s words fell off as her gaze landed on the flowers. “Damn! Those are gorgeous. Are they for you?”
“Yes.” Lindsay didn’t want to say much more than that. Stella would have a million questions and they would be questions Lindsay couldn’t answer herself.
“Who sent them?” She thought about lying, but knew Stella would probably find out eventually, so she played dumb instead.
“The card isn’t signed.” Stella stuck out her hand and Lindsay reluctantly handed it over. Stella glanced quickly at the card, and started to give it back to Lindsay only to jerk it back, and hold it two inches from her face.
“It doesn’t need to be signed. You know exactly who sent these.” Lindsay tried to shrug it off.
“I’m assuming they are from Kyle because of the whole ‘Red’ thing. I don’t know how he knew it was my birthday though.” If there was one thing Stella was terrible at it was lying. So when she started shifting from foot to foot and not making eye contact, Lindsay became suspicious.
“Who knows?” Stella took a few steps toward her office. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.” Lindsay was not letting her get away that easily, so she grabbed Stella’s arm and stopped her attempt at retreat.
“Stella”
“Yes?” She pretended to examine her finger nails as Lindsay stared at her.
“How did Kyle know it was my birthday?”
“I don’t know.” Lindsay gave her her most stern look, and Stella sighed. “Okay, I may have told him a few days ago. He was over and saw your present and asked whose birthday it was, so I told him.”
Lindsay let go of Stella and tried to wrap her brain around the situation. Just because he knew it was her birthday didn’t explain why he sent the flowers.
“Do you know why he sent them?” Again Stella found her nails rather interesting, and Lindsay was losing her patience. Her annoyance must have been clear because Stella sighed and finally answered.
“I promised not to say.”
“Why would the reason he sent me flowers on my birthday be a secret?” Stella pleaded with her eyes for Lindsay not to make her break her promise to Kyle. “Ugh, this is stupid. I can’t even enjoy them because now I want to know why.”
“It’s not every day someone sends you flowers. The why is not important right now, so stop analyzing it and just enjoy them.”
“Easy for you to say, you know the why. But I guess I have no other choice, so I’ll just sit here and be confused all day.” Lindsay moved the placed the flowers on the shelf behind her desk and harrumphed into her chair.
“That’s the attitude to have.” Stella said sarcastically.
Lindsay stuck her tongue out, and Stella walked back to her office laughing. Lindsay would text Kyle later and thank him, and hopefully be brave enough to ask him about the secret behind this whole situation.
****
The day had been relatively slow, and Lindsay had never been happier to see her lunch hour arrive. “I’m headed out for lunch. Do you need anything while I’m out?”
Stella glanced up from her laptop and waved her off. “No, I’m good. Take extra time if you need it. We don’t have anything until two.”
“It shouldn’t take that long, but I’ll call if I’m going to later than usual.” Lindsay said goodbye, and could barely contain her excitement as she headed to her car. The lunch time traffic crowded the streets, as Lindsay navigated her way to the main post office on this side of town.
A short while later, Lindsay arrived at the large stone building and searched for a parking spot. She found one a few minutes later, and after putting change in the meter, Lindsay went inside.
She stepped into the air conditioned building and headed straight for the P.O. Boxes. Box 142 was located midway down a long hall, and as Lindsay walked toward it she searched her key ring for the key she needed.
Her head was down, and just as she found the right key, Lindsay ran into the back of someone else. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. Are you okay?”
It was then that Lindsay got a clear view of the person she bumped into. He turned around and the shiver that shot down her spine was not a good one. Something about this man that made all of Lindsay’s warning bells go off.
“It’s not a problem. I should have watched my back better.” The smile he gave her reminded Lindsay of how a snake would smile at you before attacking if it could.
She apologized again, and after stepping around the man, walked faster to her P.O. Box. Lindsay peered over her shoulder and could no longer see the creepy man and felt relieved. The whole encounter left her with an uneasy feeling, so Lindsay quickly slipped the key into the slot and opened it; noticing a slight tremble of her hand as she reached inside.
A brightly colored envelope sat in the small box and Lindsay couldn’t remove it fast enough. Checking the box for any other mail and seeing none, Lindsay closed it and started the short walk back to her car; looking over her shoulder as she went.
Once she was inside the car, Lindsay locked the door and ripped open the envelope. The front of the card read “Happy Birthday with a picture of a silly monkey.” The picture made Lindsay laugh, but what she wanted to see was the letter she knew was waiting for her on the inside.
A folded up piece of white paper fell into Lindsay’s lap just as she was opening the card. She carefully unfolded it and began reading.
Happy Birthday, Lindsay! Nothing could make me happier than to celebrate your 28th birthday with you, but seeing as that can’t happen, I hope you go out and celebrate anyway. I miss you with each day that passes and can only look forward to hearing from you soon. As always, I have said nothing to anyone about your location or new life and will continue to keep my big mouth shut. You know that’s difficult for me ;) Life here is the same as always. Same people, same gossip. Sadly, there have been no sightings or updates on Mitch’s location, but you know I will let you know the minute I hear anything. I hope you are living your life, Lindsay. Have fun and meet someone new. Life’s too short to be alone. Now I know you’re telling me to mind my own business in that pretty little head of yours, but please try. I love and miss you. Talk to you again next year.
Love, Jessie.
Lindsay sat there for several minutes squeezing the letter to her chest. She missed Jessie so much that at times she thought about flying down to Texas to see her, but the reality of why she couldn’t always found a way back in. There was no way she would jeopardize her new life. Not after she had worked so hard to get to this point.
The interior of the car started to get too warm, effectively breaking Lindsay from her melancholy. It was the beginning of May, but the temperatures were already in the eighties and had turned her car into an oven.
Reading the letter one more
time, Lindsay slipped it back in the card and put both items in her purse. She started the car and cranked up the air conditioning. Lindsay looked both ways before merging with the now diminished traffic flow.
Trying to bask in the joy of her annual letter from Jessie, without thinking about her strange encounter inside the post office, Lindsay headed to her favorite sandwich shop for some lunch.
Today was turning out to be a great birthday, and tonight it would be even better.
****
Chapter 5
“Are you going to tell me what we are doing tonight?”
“I told you, it’s a surprise.” Stella typed on her phone a few times and put it back in her pocket. “Vicki just texted me and said she’ll be here in an hour.” Lindsay and Stella left the studio an hour ago, and after going to her own apartment to change, Stella came over to Lindsay’s.
“I can’t get dressed to go out if I don’t even know where we are going. At least tell me if it’s casual or dressy.” Lindsay knew she was asking the wrong person, but she didn’t want to wear the wrong thing.
“A cute top and jeans will work just fine. Now stop trying to trick me into telling you and go get ready.” Stella nudged Lindsay toward her bedroom and Lindsay began walking in that direction.
She didn’t have much time, but Lindsay wanted to take a quick shower to wash the work day away. When she was finished, Lindsay went into her walk in closet to find an outfit. With the way the heat was today, she definitely wanted something lightweight and airy.
Lindsay found an emerald green halter top tucked away at the back of the closet and thought it would be perfect for tonight. Grabbing her favorite pair of jeans and knee high boots, Lindsay got dressed and went back to the bathroom to dry her hair. She lightly applied make up and after a final mirror check, she was ready to go.
The small black purse she used for going out was hanging on the back of her bedroom door, so she grabbed it on the way out. Stella was sitting on the couch watching TV when Lindsay walked into the living room.
“You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks. Have you heard from Vicki yet?” Lindsay was transferring all the items she would need from her big purse to the smaller one as Stella answered.
“Yep, she’ll be here in two minutes. Do you need more time or are you ready?
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Stella’s phone chimed just as she stood up from the couch. She read something on the screen and slipped it back in her pocket again.
“Vicki’s downstairs. Let’s do this, Birthday Girl!” The two women locked their arms together and went down to meet Vicki in the parking lot. The passenger window on Victoria’s bright yellow Camaro rolled down as they approached.
“You both look great. Get in and let’s go have some fun.” They both laughed as Lindsay climbed in the back seat and Stella in the front. Lindsay was practically bouncing with excitement. She had no idea what they were doing tonight, but she decided to take Jessie’s advice and live a little.
****
Vicki pulled the Camaro into the small parking area behind Maxwell’s twenty minutes later. “They are having a blue’s band here tonight that is supposed to be amazing. We figured some food, pool and good music sounded like fun. How’s that sound to you?”
“That sounds perfect. I was afraid you were going to take me to some male strip club or something.” Lindsay laughed with relief, but Stella and Vicki got naughty twinkles in their eyes.
“You just gave me a great idea.” Vicki pretended to reach for the keys, but Lindsay was already opening the door and exiting the car as quickly as possible. The two women got out too, unable to stop giggling as all three of them headed for the door.
“I’ll be sure to book a flight to see Chippendale’s in Vegas for your birthday next year.” Lindsay wouldn’t put it past Vicki to do just that.
They made their way into Maxwell’s and found an open pool table at the back of the bar. It was nine o’clock on a Friday night and it was completely packed. They set their purses down on a small round table in the corner as a waitress approached carrying a serving tray.
“Hi, ladies, what would you like to drink this evening?” Lindsay ordered a beer, and Stella and Vicki did the same.
“Do you want water too like usual?” They came to Maxwell’s often enough that most of the waitress’s knew them and their orders. Vicki told her yes as Lindsay went to the wall to grab a pool stick.
“What game do you want to play?” The reason they all loved coming to Maxwell’s was to play pool and enjoy the laid back atmosphere it provided.
“It’s your birthday. It’s whatever you want, all night.”
“You guys are too much. It’s just another day.” Lindsay had never liked being the center of attention. She would much rather someone else shine than herself.
“It is not. We are here to celebrate you and all your wonderfulness. Now shut up and rack em.” Stella reached for a pool cue as well.
Lindsay grabbed the rack and arranged the balls for a game of nine-ball. Half way through the game, the waitress came back to take their dinner orders. The girls decided to share a large pizza and she said she would bring it out as soon as it was ready.
Getting back to the game, Lindsay leaned over to try a combo shot on the five and nine. She examined it from all angles before finally striking the cue ball gently. They all watched as the five struck the nine, and sent it rolling into the side pocket.
“Woooo, I couldn’t do that again if I tried.” Stella and Vicki laughed as Lindsay started doing a little victory dance. Her attempt at the running man was almost as bad as the cabbage patch she was doing right now, but she was having so much fun she didn’t care.
“That may be the sexiest moves I’ve ever seen.” The deep huskiness with which those words were said made Lindsay stop mid arm row; she would know that voice anywhere. Lindsay pivoted slowly to the right and could now see where he was.
Kyle was standing with his shoulder propped against the pillar next to their table. His thumbs were loosely hung in his pockets as he had his eyes trained on her and only her.
“W-what are you doing here?” Damn it. Why did he always turn her into a stuttering moron? Lindsay cleared her throat and tried again. “Sorry, I mean, Hi. How are you?”
“I’m better now that I’ve seen you!” He winked at her and she sure enough, she blushed. Kyle pushed away from the pillar and walked closer to where Lindsay was standing.
“Poor Alex was having withdrawals from Stella, and I didn’t feel like hearing him whine the rest of the night. I hope you don’t mind that we kind of crashed your girl’s night.” It was only then that she noticed Alex sitting in the chair next to Vicki, with Stella now on his lap; although right now, Alex looked more outraged than love sick.
“What, I did no such…” Kyle raised an eyebrow at Alex, and Lindsay watched as Alex completely changed what he was saying. “Yeah, I couldn’t stand to be away from Stella any longer.”
“Puke, you two make me sick sometimes.” Stella and Alex ignored Vicki as they went back to snuggling in the chair.
Something weird was going on, but Lindsay couldn’t put her finger on it. She decided for tonight though, she didn’t care. She was having fun, and having the boys here wasn’t any different from any other night.
“It seems you lost your opponent. Care if I take her place?” Kyle was already chalking up a pool cue before Lindsay could even answer.
“You sure you can handle me?” Shocking Kyle as much as herself, Lindsay slapped a hand over her mouth and sighed; she hadn’t meant for it to sound like a come on. She decided that not talking was probably safer than talking, so Lindsay silently walked around the table getting the balls out of the pockets.
When she reached the corner where he was leaning, Kyle made no attempt to move. Instead he just smiled as Lindsay carefully reached into the pocket behind him to get the balls.
The table was all set for a new game and Lindsay could no longer stay silent. �
��Do you want to break?”
Kyle shook his head no, but didn’t say anything. She found the cue ball off to the side and positioned it slightly off center to the left. Lining up her shot, Lindsay drew back only to have her arm brush against a hard jean covered leg.
She looked up and Kyle was now standing right next to her. The skin on her arm felt like it was on fire from where it had touched him, and Lindsay wanted to forfeit the game. But her reasons would be too obvious at this point.
So she gave his leg a tap with the stick and he got the hint and stepped back a bit. Lindsay once again lined up her shot, but just as she drew back again, Kyle leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Yeah Red, I can handle you.”
The feel of Kyle’s warm breath against her ear jolted Lindsay forward. Her stick made contact with the cue ball, and it went sailing into the corner pocket.
“Damn it.” She thought she mumbled it under her breath, but Kyle’s muffled laughter told her otherwise. Lindsay stood up from her hunched over position and narrowed her eyes at him. He stared back with undisguised amusement and tried to play innocent.
“What? Does that mean I win?” Lindsay growled and headed to the table to get a drink of her beer. As the now warm beer passed over Lindsay’s tongue, she could hear Kyle call out behind her
“How about two out of three?” Cocky bastard; he did that on purpose and now wanted her to play some more of this cat and mouse game they had going on. Lindsay was about to tell him where he could shove it, when Stella and Vicki joined the conversation.
“Come on, Lindsay. Kick his ass.” Great, now she couldn’t say no. Praying for all of her self-control, Lindsay picked up the pool stick and went back to the table.
“Fine, two out of three, but no cheating this time.”
Kyle’s eyes were alight with mock innocence. “I didn’t cheat. You scratched all by yourself.” Rolling her eyes, Lindsay waited while Kyle racked the balls this time. When he was finished, Kyle grabbed the cue ball and prepared to break since he won the last game.