The Do Over

by A. L. Zaun

  Pulling back gently, he leaned his forehead against mine. My eyes were closed. I couldn't open them. The rush I felt was unreal and new. I couldn't explain it, and I didn't want to. I was torn between giving into it and running away as fast as I could. My experience with men had left me jaded. Since I'd been unlucky in love, I was sure that there had to be something wrong with Liam Lucas.

  As he caressed my face with his thumbs, my fears seemed to fade away. I'd promised myself not to let another man break my heart. It was a promise I intended on keeping, but I wanted this, whatever this was.

  He kissed my forehead and then sat back. When I looked up at him, he smiled down at me. He tucked my hair behind my ears and softly touched my face with the back of his hand. He didn't take his eyes off of me. He leaned back a little further and pulled out his cell phone.

  "I'm going to call you, and I want to get to know everything there is to know about you."

  I took his phone and entered my number.

  When he called it, I pulled out my phone as it started to ring.

  "Good. I didn't call Domino's."

  "Don't make me regret giving it to you," I playfully warned.

  He put his phone back in his pocket, leaned in closely, and said one word that was full of promise and hope. "Never."

  Beaming, I couldn't help but believe him. Looking down at my phone, I noticed a few missed calls and text messages. "Oh...my friends are looking for me." As always, their timing was horrible.

  "What are the chances I can convince you to stay a little longer? I want to show you something."

  When he placed his hands on my arms, I looked at him suspiciously.

  He laughed. "I'm not sure I want to know what you're thinking. Well, maybe I do. For tonight, I promise you that I'll get you home safely. You can trust me."

  "Give me a second." I started punching away on my phone.

  Dani: Hey, girls. All is well. Go ahead without me. Fill you in later. ;)

  Macy: Tell me you're gonna have sex.

  Candace: Are you sure you're okay? We can wait.

  Dani: Go. No sex. I'm great. Better than great! He's taking me home. MY home.

  Macy: Give me a teaser.

  Dani: Ahhh, okay. The guy can kiss! Wow!

  Macy: You owe me details!

  Candace: Have fun! Yeah, I want details!

  Dani: Good night. Ahhh, he's so hot!

  "So, what are you telling your friends?" he asked me, grinning.

  "Nothing. I'm just telling them that you're going to give me a ride home," I said innocently.

  "Do you always light up like that when you're texting your friends? If you do, I'd love to just sit here and watch you do it all night long."

  "Are you teasing me?" I asked, biting my lower lip.

  He winked. "Just a little."

  I looked up into Liam's beautiful eyes. "So, what are you going to show me?"

  I watched when Liam pushed back from the bar and made his way up the stairs to the VIP lounge. He sat down and started talking to her. She got up and then came down the stairs with him. The motherfucker had his hand on her back. The dance floor was crowded, so I couldn't see anything else. I looked around and spotted her friends. I knew they wouldn't take off without her.

  I had fucked up with her. She'd been right about so many things. I ran my hands through my hair. I regretted the way I'd treated her. I missed our life. Why did I let her get away? I would do whatever it took to get her back. I love her. Maybe I always did.

  "You're ignoring me," Lise bitched. "I know how I can get your attention."

  Sliding her hand inside my jacket, she started trailing her hands up and down my chest. Her other hand untucked my shirt and then slid up my back. She knew what she was doing. She was working on my attention, and my dick was responding.

  I saw Candace and Macy making their way out of the club. I didn't see Daniela with them. Where is she? I started looking around for her.

  "You like challenging me, don't you?" Lise asked as she started to move her hand south.

  I gave her a sideways glance.

  "Pay attention to me and stop looking around. I hate when you do that," she whined.

  "Cut the needy shit. It's a fucking turn-off." I shrugged her away from me. "Get your shit. We're leaving. Meet me at the valet." I wasn't in the mood for her high-maintenance bullshit.

  As I walked through the door, I saw Daniela standing alone by the valet. This is good.

  Jogging over to her, I was about to call out her name, but it came out as a whisper instead. "Daniela…"

  I watched as she turned around in slow motion. I couldn't breathe. I came to a stop, staying a safe distance away. Her eyes brightened as she smiled. Then, I stared as he kissed her before she got into his car.

  Fuck!

  I deserved that. Running my hands through my hair, I got pissed off at myself and that motherfucker. Not to worry, I was going to make it up to her.

  I swear I'm going to make this right.

  I drove her down to my favorite spot on the beach that was off the beaten path. I always loved coming here. Some waves were crashing into the jetty while others were rolling on to the sand. The combination of the rhythmic sounds was soothing.

  I almost changed my mind and went somewhere else. I didn't bring girls here, especially not one I'd just met. This was my sanctuary. I wanted to blame the fact that I hadn't slept in almost twenty-four hours, and I'd had a couple beers, but I knew it wasn't that. There was something about her that made me want to show her all my treasures. Why is that? I didn't know, but I wanted to find out.

  As I parked the car, turning it off, I said, "Give me a second."

  I got out, went to the trunk, and pulled out a beach towel. I opened her door, and as soon as she stepped out, I laced our hands together and led her down to the sand.

  She eyed me suspiciously. "So, we left one beach to come to another beach? You seem prepared."

  "This isn't just any beach. This is my favorite beach. When the waves are just right, I come out here with my buddies, and we surf. Other times, I just like coming here. It's peaceful."

  She held on to my shoulder for balance as she slipped off her shoes.

  "You surf? Get out of here. No way." She raised an eyebrow in surprise.

  "Why do you doubt me? My dad taught me how to surf. If you want, I'll teach you."

  "What else did your dad teach you?" she asked with a soft smile.

  There was something in her tone that was so sweet, and it made me miss my dad.

  "Hey, what just happened? You got weird on me. Did I say something wrong?" she asked.

  "Nah. It's just that my dad passed away when I was sixteen. I don't know. I just miss him." Finding the spot I loved, I stretched out the towel on the sand. Standing near her, I dragged her closer into me. "I like you." I leaned in and kissed her. I really did like her.

  She dropped her shoes and wrapped her arms around my back. "I'm sorry about your dad. And I might like you just a little bit." She pinched her fingers together.

  She kept glancing away, and I thought it was just the cutest thing ever.

  "Just a little? You're going to make me work hard, aren't you?" I asked.

  She nodded her head with an impish grin. "Yep, that's the plan."

  "You have a plan, do you?"

  "It's just a preliminary one. I haven't had much time to think of the various things you'll need to do to earn the right to grace my presence."

  "Bring it on, baby." I sat down and invited her to sit next to me.

  She laid her head on my shoulder. "I really am sorry about your dad. That must have been so hard on you."

  "It was." I nudged her on the shoulder. "Hey, don't you want to talk about something fun?"

  It had been a long time since I'd talked about this. I didn't really have a need to discuss it. Those close to me knew about it, and the others didn't need to know.

  "Maybe, but I like the idea of getting to know you, and not in the typical what'
s-your-favorite-color and do-you-prefer-a-hamburger-or-hot-dog ways." She nudged me back playfully. "But I get it. It's personal."

  I couldn't believe I was about to do this. Lying back, I stared at the stars. "He was my hero. When I was a little kid, I followed him everywhere he went. I copied whatever he did. He taught me everything I know about being a man. He instilled a love for the ocean in me. We went fishing and surfing, and I was his first mate. By the time I was five, he put a basketball in my hand and showed me how to dribble and shoot. We loved the game. He was a respected firefighter, a loving husband, and the best dad a kid could ever have. So, fast forwarding to my junior year in high school, I was the starting point guard on my high school basketball team. It was a big game, and he never made it." Rubbing my face, I tried to get the images flooding my memory out of my head.

  Her hands came over my mine as she gently pulled them off of my face. "Hey," she whispered, "you don't have to do this." She placed a tender kiss on my lips. "Thank you."

  I didn't know what had come over me, but I wanted to tell her more. Leaning up on my side, my fingers drew circles on her arm as I stared at my invisible design. "I didn't handle things well. I was angry, and I got in a lot of fights. My mom had enough grief, so my coach stepped in and kicked my ass into gear. He was constantly telling me that I needed to get it together and take care of my mom instead of hurting her by acting out. It was a lot to deal with. One minute, I was a kid without a care in the world except for playing basketball and making the winning shot. Then, the next minute, I was the man of the house, looking after my mom and brother. So, every time I got in a fight, coach had me spend practice at the free throw line. I wasn't allowed to play until I made a hundred shots."

  She tilted her head. "Free throws as punishment?"

  She looked beautiful under the moonlight, and for a moment, I forgot what we were talking about.

  "It was more a life lesson than anything else. I had to block out the distractions and control whatever I was feeling to focus on the goal."

  "So, was it effective?"

  "Let's just say that I can make a free throw with my eyes closed." I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into me. "I've been talking about myself all night. Who are you, Dani Ruiz?"

  "Hmmm, that's why you have my phone number. You're going to call me and learn everything there is to know about me. Until then, I'll remain a mystery while you tell me more about yourself."

  Her eyes were getting heavy, and I realized that she must be tired.

  "Do you think you can make it until the sun rises? Or do you want me to take you home now?"

  "Let's watch the sun chase the darkness of the night away," she said poetically.

  As the tide rolled back and the seagulls flocked for their breakfast in the cool morning, she was in my arms, nestled warm, with her head pressed against my chest as we witnessed a new day. It was unknowingly a new dawn for both of us. I never knew I could feel this way again.

  I kissed the top of her head. With my heart beating underneath hers, our breathing synchronized. When I first saw her eyes looking up at me, she was an unexpected surprise. Now, with her in my arms, I knew she was a gift, and I had no intentions of letting her go.

  I was buried under my pillows doing everything in my power to block out the light that was shining through my blinds. The sheets draped over me created a nice cocoon of comforting warmth.

  Thoughts of those blue eyes looking at me, in me, through me flooded my mind. I felt the softness of his gentle touch caressing my skin. With his hands running through my hair, his warmth pressed against me was sensitizing my body. His kisses—tender, deep, and passionate—aroused me. I moaned. I wanted to feel him closer. He couldn't get close enough. I was panting, longing for him.

  "Liam," I whispered. "Please, Liam," I begged.

  Suddenly, a jackhammer was pounding outside, or so I thought. It sounded close. There were more noises. They were very loud. I couldn't make them out. My head was throbbing. I needed it to stop. I was disoriented. I rolled over, my arm falling off of my bed.

  A bright light caused a sharp pain to course through my head. Awaking, I reached over, patting the mattress, to find that my pillows were the only things in my bed besides me. I sat up abruptly, causing my head to spin and pulsate in pain. I was shocked as I looked around through heavily lidded eyes. I needed to get my balance. I was confused.

  "Oh. My. God. How much of last night was real? How much was a…dream?"

  With my head hanging, I let out a deep sigh. Ouch, that hurt. I rolled out of bed and slowly made my way around my room. Trying to silence the pounding noise and ease the pain, I ran my hands through my hair. I looked down to see that I was wearing a T-shirt. The dress I'd worn last night was folded on my dresser. I had no idea how that happened. As I walked by my dresser, I hit my knee against it. That's gonna leave a bruise.

  Feeling my way through my home, I headed into the kitchen and then balanced myself against the counter. I needed water and a double dose of Advil. I faintly heard my name being called. I tried to locate where the sound was coming from. Glancing slowly toward my window, I found a couple of women banging on it. I recognized them. They looked just like my best friends, except they were louder than usual. I stared for a moment or two until I realized that I should open the door.

  "Oh, honey, this is why we need a key," Candace crooned as she came over and held me. Her voice and touch were comforting. "We've been trying to call you for hours. We even sent you several text messages," she said, concerned. "When you didn't respond, we came right over."

  I had no idea what time it was. She mentioned calling me for hours. How long have I been asleep?

  "After you gave us the green light last night or this morning, however you look at it, we went home. We came over to make sure you were okay." She paused briefly as she gently brushed my knotted hair behind my ears, smiling compassionately. "So, do you want to give us the details?"

  I knew that was the real reason they were here. They weren't concerned for my safety and well-being. They wanted the scoop, but I was still trying to figure out how she could look so perfect after a night of partying. I swore that one day I would figure out her secret.

  At that moment, I couldn't remember why I hadn't given them a key to my home. I was positive that when I became lucid again, my reasoning would be very wise.

  My brain finally processed her question. A goofy grin came across my face as I thought of my evening with Liam. My only concern was that I couldn't remember exactly how much of it was real and how much of it was a dream.

  "Okay, I see we're in swoon hangover right now." Macy pulled out a tall bottle of water and a hangover remedy her cousin's grandmother, Concha, from Cuba swore by. We referred to it as Abuela Concha's potion. We had no idea what was in it. It worked, so we'd never asked. It was better that way.

  Macy poured the concoction into one glass and handed it to me along with the water to use as a chaser. It was disgusting, but I knew it would work.

  As the potion was traveling its way through my body, I slowly began to feel more like myself. They led me to the couch where I carefully sat down with my legs under me as I clutched a pillow. Macy sat next to me with a dirty little grin on her face, like she was the keeper of some secret.

  "Dani, we're dying here. The guy is out-of-this-world gorgeous. Please tell me you're not a virgin anymore," Macy begged.

  I took a deep breath and sat back. I began telling them everything, at least what I remembered everything to be. The thought of us watching the sunrise warmed me as a smile from deep within covered my face. Then, out of nowhere, I had a sobering thought. What if it's all too good to be true? Maybe I was romanticizing everything. Maybe after reading so many books, I wanted Liam to be my romantic hero. What if, in reality, he isn't that into me? I couldn't risk getting carried away.

  As I was in the middle of my freak out, Macy got up and headed toward my bedroom. I wondered if she was going to be a sweetheart and make my bed for me.
I doubted it, but it was a nice thought. A few minutes later, I watched as she walked toward me with my phone in her hands. Now, I remembered why they didn't have a key to my home. They had no boundaries.

  "What are you doing with my phone?" I asked, aggravated.

  "Oh, nothing. I'm just reading your text messages," she replied casually, like she was stating the obvious.

  I rolled my eyes. "Has it ever occurred to you that someone might consider that an invasion of privacy?"

  "Um, not really," she mumbled as she continued to scroll through my messages.

  I slowly shook my head in disbelief. I didn't know why I bothered asking these types of questions.

  She giggled, raising her eyebrows at me. "So, missy, care to amend your story a little bit?"

  I had no idea what she was talking about. The last lucid memory I had before the pounding began was watching the sunrise with Liam. At least, I thought that was it. Everything between the sunrise to the pounding was a blur.

  "Give me that," I insisted, reaching for my phone.

  Macy pulled it against her body, teasing me with it. Abuela Concha's potion had worked as expected. I had the newfound ability to get up and chase Macy around my living room.

  "Give me my phone," I pleaded with Macy as she continued to tease me. "I'm going to get you back for this."

  Finally, Candace spoke up, using her calm and assertive Cesar Millan voice. "Macy…"

  We froze in place.

  "Hand Dani her phone."

  Being an obedient pack follower, Macy handed the phone to me. I looked down to read the text on display.