We showed Brooklyn around the school for a few more minutes before heading back toward the field. A big voice comes booming from behind us.“What the fuck? Has hell frozen over? That can’t be Hudson and Baker!”Jeff and I look at each other smirking before turning around.
“What the hell Toad? I thought you fell into a hole somewhere? What the hell are you up to man?”Tony Adamowski, aka Toad, is a 6’5”300 pound beast and one of mine and Jeff’s good friends from school. He and one other of our close friends are the only ones that actually knew how much I liked Hayden in school and a little of the shit that when down when we were all juniors. He married his high school sweetheart, Jill Mabe, the summer after we graduated. He joined his father’s construction business before taking it over five years ago after his dad got sick. Jeff and I shake hands with Toad in turn but that’s not good enough for him. He picked each of us up and pounded on our backs like we were rag dolls. The guy really is a beast but one helluvaa great guy. He was friendly with everyone but furiously loyal to his close friends. He’s had our backs in quite a few fights.
“Nah, there’s not a hole big enough for me. Who’s this? This your girl, Hudson?”I laughed.
“No, this is Brooklyn, Hayden’s best friend.”Toad started to extend his hand to Brooklyn but froze and stared wide eyed at me when he heard Hayden’s name. I stood smiling back at him nodding my head like a fool.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brooklyn.”Toad managed to close his mouth long enough to greet Brooklyn. He then turns to me.“No shit! You finally found her?”
“Yep, she and Brooklyn are professors at Rockstein University. We started seeing each other in the spring and live together now over in Lambs Crossing.”
Brooklyn throws her hands on her hips and cocks an eyebrow at me.“So what did you do, go around asking people if they’d seen Hayden like some creep-ostalker?”
“Damn, I like this girl, she nails your ass just like Deni did.”
“Awe,”Brooklyn’s nodding.“It all makes sense now. You just called her Deni. I’m guessing you’ve been around for a long time since she didn’t go by that in high school.”She said to Toad softening her stance a bit as she turned back to him.
“Yeah, I’ve been friends with them since grade school.”
“Toad’s actually only one of the two others who knows anything about what happened back then. Jeff and I ran into him about five years ago.”I turn my attention back to Toad.“How’s your dad?”
Toad’s head bobs up and down.“Good. He’s doing much better thanks to you two.”
“Shit we didn’t do anything.”Jeff said.
“The hell you didn’t.”Toad looks affronted.“If you two hadn’t kept pushing for consults after that 2x4 smacked him in the head no one would have caught the cancer as early as they did. Its 'cause of you I still have my dad.”
“We were just doing our job, man. I’m glad it was caught.”I slap him on the arm.“Where’s Jill? She finally get tired of your ugly ass?”
Toad started laughing.“Nah, she couldn’t get rid of me if she wanted. She’s doing the alumni thing with the band tonight. So where’s Deni and that pretty wife of yours, Jeff?”
“Toad, don’t you be hitting on my wife again.”Jeff warned Toad good-naturedly.“Amy and Hayden are cheering tonight, as well.”
“Well I guess we better be gettin down to the field then.”Toad said.
We bullshit as we head to the field. As we walked up Hayden’s face lit up as she saw Toad and came running over.
“Toad!”she yelled launching herself into his arms just like she always did. He picked her up and spun her around kissing her on the cheek before setting her down.
“Hey, now, why don’t I get receptions like that?”I asked poking Hayden in the side.
“Oh I’m sorry, Gav. Don’t be jealous.”She leaned up and kissed me. Just as she does Jeff and Brooklyn yelled about being in public and to knock it off. Damn they act like we can’t control ourselves. Shit, we get caught on the roof once this summer and you’d think we do that all the time. I mean damn, it was dark and we had a blanket over us.
Toad decided to sit with us during the game. After it was over we all decided to head over to Parker’s. Parker’s is a sports bar and grill. They have sand volleyball courts, corn hole, live bands or a DJ on the weekends. We used to go hang out there when we were younger. They didn’t have an age restriction so it was pretty much the hang out for everyone back then. We got lucky and grabbed the last low top table big enough for the seven of us.
We order a bunch of food and drinks and sat around bullshitting about the old days. Toad gave us a bunch of shit about being pussy whipped and I dished it right back. The girls went to dance a few times. One of the times they headed to the dance floor Toad leaned over and asked me how I finally found Hayden. After telling him about running into her, kissing her and then having to fight for a while to get her to even talk to me he sat back and started laughing.
“Yup, that sounds like our Deni.”He asked if I’ve ever heard from Kat. Jeff and I filled him in on that situation too, but warned him not to bring her up in front of Hayden. Frankly, I think that is one of the reasons she was worried about coming back here this weekend.
When the girls returned from dancing I grabbed Hayden’s hand dragging her into my lap. Jeff does the same to Amy while Brooklyn and Jill sat in their chairs. They looked like they were deep in a discussion and having a great time. Amy and Hayden were leaned over talking to the other girls when I heard Jeff mutter,“Shit.”Looking over at him he motions with his head toward the door. Great, Lucas, one of Hayden’s high school boyfriends and his cronies just walked in. He always was a douche bag in high school. Judging by the way he’s acting he hasn’t changed much, well except the gnarly beer gut he and his lackeys are sporting. I squeeze the hand I have on Hayden’s hip to get her attention. She smiles and leans back against me.
“What’s up, Gav?”
I place my lips by her ear.“Lucas and his cronies just walked in.”I call them cronies for two reasons. First, they follow and do whatever Lucas tells them to. Second, I can’t remember their names, not that they are worth remembering. Hayden instantly tensed up.“You ok or do you want to get out of here?”I ask her.
“No, I’m good just stay with me, ok? He always liked to start drama.”
“Absolutely, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”I kiss her temple. She leaned into my kiss before sitting up and returning to her conversation with Amy. I love when she leans into me as I do that. Jeff gave Amy and Toad a heads up, also.
We continued our conversation as the Lucas/lackeys show headed to sit at the bar. If they noticed her they didn’t care, which is what I’d prefer. Jeff, Toad and I kept a close watch on them as we continued our night. About 45 minutes later we weren’t so lucky. One of the cronies looks over and clearly recognizes Hayden. I was afraid he had. Toad got my attention 10 minutes ago making sure I knew one of them kept looking our directions so I’ve been keeping my eye on him. The crony elbowed Lucas and pointed over to us. Shit, I really didn’t want to deal with bullshit tonight.
Lucas grabbed his beer and headed our direction with his buddy. I leaned up and whispered to let Hayden know. She instantly stiffened but didn’t look up. I didn’t have to give Toad or Jeff a heads up because like me they never broke eye contact.
“Well, look who stumbled back into Ambersville. Hayden, what’s going on?”Lucas sneered at Hayden.
Hayden leaned back against my chest before answering as the rest of us continued to stare down the freak show.“Well, Lucas, stumbling isn’t what I did. Though, you’re doing a good job of it yourself.”
Lucas scowls at her for a minute before pointing at Jeff and me.“You’re those two losers that followed her around all the time. What were your names?”
“It’s Jeff and Gavin. You know what their names ARE, Lucas. Stop being an ass.”Hayden huffs out before either of us can stress the present tense.
“It’s fine baby,
let this ignorant fool play his game.”I say to Hayden patting her hip where my hand has been the whole time.
“Baby?”Lucas snorts out a laugh.“You’re with this fool? What are you like a used car salesman or something?”Lucas arrogantly asked me.
I couldn’t help it I busted out laughing.“What is it you do Lucas? I bet you achieved a really stellar career.”I say, mockingly.
Lucas stood a little bit taller and so did his crony.“We are security for Ambersville Mall.”They turn and high-five each other. Seriously, they actually high-fived each other? So just to be a dick I tilted my bottle of beer toward Jeff and he returned the gesture with a clink. Smirking at Lucas, I took a long pull off my beer before tipping toward him.
“You got us there gentlemen. That isa stellar job. Sorry, no, we aren’t used car salesmen.”I stop long enough to take another healthy pull off my beer. By this point everyone but Jeff has their head pointed down trying their damnedest not to bust up laughing, but doing a very poor job as their shoulders are shaking. Jeff is staring up at Lucas and his buddy with a shit eating grin on his face. So I continue.“No gentlemen we are not used car salesmen. Jeff and I actually head up one of the teams in the ER at University Hospital. We’re just doctors.”I shrug as if becoming a doctor is no big deal. Jeff and I clink are bottles again before taking another drink. Lucas just stands there with his mouth hanging open as the rest of our table openly laughs.
Scowling at us,“So what does that make you Hayden? His trophy?”The disdain is evident as he is clearly getting pissed.
“Fuck you, Lucas! She and I…”Hayden pointed at Brooklyn,“…are professors at Rockstein University. You know, that means were teachers at a big college.”She’s speaking slow and stupid to him now as if he’s incapable of understanding. Damn my girl is starting to get pissed and the red hair is fired up.
“Awe, Hayden don’t be like that. We use to be tight.”Lucas leaned on Brooklyn’s chair spilling some of his beer on her.
“Hey Asswipe, get the fuck off my chair! You’re spilling beer on me.”Brooklyn jumped up and squared off with him causing Jeff, Toad and I to jump to our feet.
“Awe, honey relax it was just an accident.”Lucas slurs trying to brush the beer off her boob. I started to lug for him but she beat me to it. Brooklyn didn’t bother to yell at him or even slap him. Nope, she grabbed him by the balls, got right in his face and said,“If your greasy, drunk ass ever touches me again you won’t have to worry about the guys I’m with. I’ll straight cut your dick off. We understand each other?”Clearly by the look on his face she was squeezing pretty tightly.
“Got it.”Lucas squeals.
We all busted up laughing as he limped off. Each girl high-fived her..
Lucas and his cronies continued to evil eye us but we ignored it for the most part, though, we did keep an eye on him. I couldn’t the douche in high school and I like him even less now. As long as he stays away we won’t have a problem.
Toad reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone.“No shit! You guys will never believe who the hell is on his way up here!”The girls looked at each other confused when Jeff and I started laughing.
“No effin way. He’s not home is he? I thought he re-upped a few years ago?”Jeff asked Toad.
“He did but he’s stationed back here.”
“Who the hell are you talking about?”Hayden busted in.
I laughed and told her to just wait and see. At the same time the door to the bar flew open and in walked a well-built 6’2”guy with dark hair. I hear Hayden squeal and jump up and run for the door. She launched herself at him and wrapped him in a tight hug. He caught her mid leap. I’d beat his ass if he wasn’t such an old friend of both of ours. He walks over to us still holding on to her.
“I couldn’t believe it when Toad texted me, so I had to come down and see it for myself.”He’s still holding Hayden up with one arm around her back. He leaned his head back to look at her.“Deni, you’re really with this assclown.”Caleb said as he stopped in front of me.
She started giggling as she released herself from him. I stood and man-hugged the asshole.
“Well, he did search for me for 10 years so if that’s not love I don’t know what is.”She said as she wrapped her arms around my waist looking up at me. Her eyes are lit up with a look she saves only for me.
“Sounds more like a creepy stalker if you ask me.”
“Fuck off.”I shoved him.
“Well looks like the band of misfits and our little goodie-goodie are back together.”Toad said coming to man-hug Caleb along with Jeff.
“Fuck off Toad. I wasn’t a goodie-goodie.”Hayden said with her hands on her hips. The guys and I looked at each other and bust up laughing. She gave us the one finger salute and introduced Brooklyn.
“Caleb this is my best friend, Brooklyn. Brooklyn this is one of the guys that used to make my life hell along with these three other miscreants.”Brooklyn and Caleb shook hands.
Caleb grabbed Hayden’s hand pulling her, making her lean across the table to kiss her cheek.“Awe, Deni you loved us and you know it.”Caleb said as he took the seat Hayden vacated for my lap next to Toad and Brooklyn. Caleb will forever be the ladies’ man. Can’t hate him, though. He’s a good guy.
“Hey watch kissing my girl. I didn’t beat your ass when you picked her up.”I warned him playing around.
“Hey I can’t help the ladies fling themselves at me and not you.”He replied snagging a beer from the bucket on the table and shrugs.“It happens all the time.”
We continued our banter back and forth for the rest of the night. Spending time catching each other up on our lives and what’s happened in the last 15 years since we last saw each other. Tonight was just a grown up version of old times. Damn it feels good to be back around these guys. Caleb has a four year old daughter. The situation with the mother sounds like a real pain in the ass but he seems happy to be a dad. The girls went out to dance a little more as we got closer to the end of the night. We all kept a good eye on Lucas making sure he stayed away from the girls. We decide to go out for one last dance before we head out.
As soon as we hit the floor“Life After You”by Daughtry starts playing. This song sums up Hayden and me well. Wrapping my girl in my arms and pressing my lips next to her ear I sing the lyrics to her so only she can hear me. Her body melted into mine. She is mine. She’s always been mine. She will always be mine. I pull back just enough to look into her eyes.“There really is no life after you.”I tell her before I kiss her lips. She mouths‘I love you, Gavin.’Which I mouth right back,‘I love you too, Deni.’I kiss her temple and leave my lips there as we finish dancing to the song. I’d marry this girl tomorrow if she would, but since she’s finally just acknowledge we live together, I seriously don’t think she’s ready for that. Baby steps with Hayden.
When the song is over the girls decide they are heading to the bathroom before we head out for the night. It’s one in the morning and the bar is getting ready to close in an hour.
Toad, Jill and Caleb decide to stay with us at the cabin we rented, even though they all still live around here. There’s plenty of room. Frankly, I don’t think any of us were ready for the night to end. Instead, we decided to make a weekend out of it. With the smile Hayden is sporting, she couldn’t be more pleased. I definitely agree. It’s great getting to spend time with old friends.
Chapter 21
Hayden
I didn’t realize how much I’d cut myself off from my friends when everything went south between Gavin and me. I really do miss these guys. It's been 15 years since I last hung out with Toad and Caleb. After everything, I couldn’t bring myself to hang out with them again. I was heartbroken. I only kept in limited contact with Jeff because I was just as close to him as I was Gavin. The couple of times I did hang out with Toad and Caleb they tried to talk to me about what happened, telling me to just give it time and everything would work out. They would tell me about Gavin and how he changed after that weekend. I wa
sn’t interested in talking about or hearing about Gavin. It hurt way too much. I didn’t understand what happened nor could I deal with the heartache that came with dealing with the situation. It was easier to shut it all off. I asked Jeff the first time we spoke after everything not to bring up Gavin and he respected my request. This was the only reason I could talk to him once in a while. We kind of pretended Gavin didn’t exist when we talked.
Now, 15 years later, I realized how much I missed out on in their lives. These four guys were the only friends I really cared about in high school. They protected me many times in school. They even made a not so nice ex-boyfriend leave me alone. They wouldn’t tell me what they did but a few days later when he showed up to school he had some pretty nasty looking cuts and bruises. From that day on he turned and went the other direction in the halls when he saw me. My guys weren’t big, at least not like they are now, when we were in school. They were tall yes but not big and built like now.
I’ve missed out on seeing Toad and Jill get married. Seeing them start a family. I didn’t know Caleb joined the military or when he had a little girl. She sounds like a real spit-fire. He said she is as sweet as sugar but don’t let her see an injustice because all that sugar turns to vinegar. I missed getting to share in the biggest moments in my friend’s lives. I’m sad for this but at the same time things in life happen for a reason. If Gavin and I had actually gotten together in high school we may not be where we are today. The one thing I do know is I’m grateful for the experiences and life’s lessons I’ve gained through the years.
Its late morning and Brooklyn and I are sitting on the deck off the back of the cabin. Hot cups of coffee in hand and fleece blankets cocoon us in Adirondack chairs as we look over the trees and their changing leafs. Brooklyn and I came out here to get away from everyone and talk for a few minutes. Sitting on one of our balconies is something she and I regularly do together Saturday mornings. It gives us time to catch up on what’s happened the previous week. After last night we seriously need this time.
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