by S. L. Scott
He already knows me too well though. “You don’t have to worry about us. It’s only you, always, okay, baby?” Sliding his hands into my hair, he kisses me with reverence. Our lips part and he whispers into my ear, “Although I love hearing those words from you, I’d rather you say them because you want to instead of feeling like you have to.”
I tilt my head against his mouth, his lips to my forehead, keeping my eyes closed. “I love you, Evan.” A small smile crosses my face and I savor his full embrace.
He holds me so tight that I feel his crushing love. I’ve still not heard him say those three magical words, but I definitely feel his love and that’s the most important thing to me anyway. After a sweet kiss on the top of my head, he says, “I’ll pick you up at six. You want to order a pizza and watch a movie at my place tonight?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
“Good. I’ll see you tonight.”
I start walking backwards toward the restaurant and blow him a kiss, which he catches with his hand in the air and presses against his heart.
29
Mallory
Noah doesn’t visit me at work today, although I half expected him to. Our friendship has an ease about it, and I look forward to catching up during these times. We don’t talk about Evan, for good reason, though he is fully aware that we are a couple. He has the surfing competition soon, and I realize he’s probably out preparing.
Johnny comes in at two. He’s always good company, and I can see why Sunny likes him so much. We have down time to talk while the place is empty.
“I’ve been hearing how crazy your life has become. I think Mallory Wray has thrown this sleepy island a curve ball.” He stops wiping down a table and looks at me as I restock the beer cans. “What are you going to do come August?”
“I’m not sure. Well, that’s not completely true. I’m going back to Colorado. I have to. I can’t afford to transfer and I have scholarships there.”
“I understand. Your life is there, but how’s Evan doing with that?”
“We’ve struggled with it. He thinks he’s alone in wanting to be together long term. He’s not. I’ve been considering all the options, but there aren’t any for me. Change would have to be on his part and I don’t ever want to guilt someone into changing their whole life for me.”
“What if he wants to?” Johnny asks, sitting on the barstool in front of me. “Have you thought that maybe he might want to go? He only has that part time job and doesn’t seem to have any other obligations.”
“He has his friends—”
“You’re his girlfriend now.”
“He has free rent at his family’s house—”
“He can shack up with you.”
“I don’t think so,” I say, nodding. “We are definitely not ready for that.”
“Take the plunge, Mallory. What do have to lose? If he wants to pack up and follow you to school, let him.”
“You sure are full of advice for everyone else. What about you? What’s going on in your love life these days?” I ask, wanting to change the subject and simply because I’m curious about the secrecy regarding his love life.
He stands up and acts busy all of the sudden, so I walk around the bar and help him adjust chairs that don’t need adjusting. When we’re done, I put my hands on my hips. “What gives, Secret Secreton?”
“Nothing, Nosey Noserton.”
“Mmmhmmmm, sure, nothing at all,” I say, taunting him. I hop on top of the table he’s currently rearranging. “C’mon, spill it. I won’t tell anyone.”
He shakes the table and I take the hint and hop off. Sitting on a chair instead, I place my elbows on the table and rest my chin in the palm of my hand, feeling impatient waiting for him to confide in me.
“You promise not to tell anyone?”
“Promise. My lips are sealed,” I say, turning an imaginary key to my lips and tossing it over my shoulder.
“Especially, not Sunny. Promise me you won’t tell Sunny.”
“I won’t tell Sunny. Will you get it out all right already? I think I’ve aged a year just sitting here waiting for you to tell me.”
“Fine,” Johnny says, grabbing a chair and turning it backwards. He sits down leaning his arms on the top of the chair. His expression goes from light to sad. “I’m in love with,” he says with a sigh, “Sunny.”
Sitting straight up at his confession, my mouth drops open from shock.
Words fly from his mouth to justify what he just said. “I know I shouldn’t, but I do. We just grew so close over the last couple of months. I knew she liked Zach, but it seemed likely it was one sided. Now, all of the sudden, they’re inseparable and it seems I’ve lost my chance.”
I rub his forearm gently. My voice is calm, but sad for him. “Oh, Johnny, I’m sorry. You’re really in love with Sunny?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to be. How do I stop?”
I smile at his hopeful thinking. “I don’t think our hearts work like that.”
Resting his chin on his hand, he looks down. “Do you think I should wait for her?”
When I look into his eyes, the words quickly follow. “No, I don’t. She’s in love and Zach is madly in love with her. I may be a poor judge of what works in my own relationships, but anyone can see that they work. I’m sorry. I know that must hurt, but you shouldn’t waste any more time pining over something that will never be. I know she cares about you as one of her closest friends and if you want to maintain that, then you need to let her be with Zach.” He sits up, pondering my words as I keep talking. “This island has a lot of beautiful women. Any of them would be lucky to have you in their life.”
He stands up, and I do too. I sit on a barstool, letting him man the bar instead. I can tell he needs the distraction. Johnny leans across the counter, and says, “You should go home. It’s dead here today.”
A twinge of excitement shoots through my body at the prospect of seeing more of Evan. Then I remember he’s working today. Maybe I should stop by. Would he like that or hate that? I decide I’m doing it. He stops into my work all the time. I know he’ll be happy to see me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”
“It’s cool. Go enjoy your day.”
“Thanks. You’re going to meet the girl you’re supposed to be with,” I say, hoping he can find comfort in my words.
“I like your faith.”
I wish I could help, but we both know he’s going to have to work through this on his own. He also knows what he’s up against now if he decides to pursue her. “I’m going to text Sunny and see if she can pick me up.” My eyes flash to his when I mention Sunny. I hope she’s not a sore subject for him. He sends me a reassuring smile, so I text her then ask, “Hey, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. It feels good to finally get it out. Maybe I can start to move on.”
I walk around the bar and hug him. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here for you.”
“I know and thanks. I appreciate that.”
When I break the embrace, he stops me and he says, “Hey, Mallory, I’m really happy things are working out for you. I think I misjudged Ashford because of all the bad stuff I’d heard, but he seems to be a decent guy. I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I misjudged him too. He is a good guy and thank you.”
Ten minutes later, Sunny pulls her VW into the parking lot and Zach drives in right after. She tosses me the keys as she runs over to Zach’s car and gets in. “Hey, take care of the bus and we’ll see you later at Evan’s for the barbeque.”
I catch the keys then freeze. “Wait! What? What barbeque at Evan’s?”
But they’re already gone. I get into bus and start the engine, but feel numb to the thought that dinner might include his mother. I speed all the way to the hotel where Evan works, choosing to park in the distant employee lot, so I don’t get him in trouble. I jog down to the beach area, stopping about thirty yards away when I see him with a client near the surf shack. It’s a wo
man—a very shapely, beautiful woman. Beautiful enough for me to be able to tell she’s attractive even from this distance. I walk to a nearby bench and sit down. All of the previous excitement to surprise him at work has been sucked out of me as I watch him ‘working.’
The woman is flirting. I can see it in her body language—the way she leans toward him when talking, the way she rests her hand on his shoulder to laugh at a shared joke, and the way she lays down on the surfboard attempting to do a pop-up which looks more like a sexual come on.
My stomach turns. This is what he gets everyday at his work, heck, this is what he gets everyday of his life. He wears charisma and charm as a second skin. They both come naturally to him and he wins everyone over when he meets them, including me. Who am I kidding? Especially me.
The woman’s hand slides from his shoulder up his neck and into the back of his hair. I stand up ready to march over there and smack her overly affectionate hands from my man, but I see him duck out from under her blatant pass. He takes two steps away from her with his hands in front of him like he’s telling her to back off. His body is firm, tense, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Sitting back down and feeling totally ooey-gooey over his respect for me, I smile.
He loves me. Not knowing I’m here, his actions clearly stated that he’s in love and he’s in love with me. My sweet surfer boy, oh how I love you, too.
The woman seems mad as she grabs her bag from the sand. Evan tries to talk with her, but she’s not hearing it. Rejected! Yeah, that’s right lady, you were rejected! So move along now. I inwardly cackle.
Evan watches her walk away. He looks frustrated until he spies me, squinting then smiling. I start walking towards him, but he hurries over.
“Hey there,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss.
“Hey there, yourself. A little girl trouble?”
He looks over my shoulder at the hotel, and says, “You could say that. So, what brings you to this part of the island? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“It was dead, so I got sent home. I wanted to surprise you, but I got a little surprise myself.”
His smile turns into a smirk. I don’t have to lecture him or say hooking up with her would have been bad. He knows all that and proved where he stands emotionally, and that’s right by my side.
Taking my hand, he asks, “C’mon, she was my last client. You want to hang out while I close up?”
“Sure, I can help.”
“Nah, it’ll only take five minutes. I just want the company.”
“In that case, can I tell you I love you or is that too distracting?”
He stops and turns back to me with a board tucked under his arm. “You can tell me anytime you want, baby.”
I rest my hands on his chest; his skin is hot from the sun. “I love you, Evan.” I’m not saying it because I need him to say it back. I’m saying it because I feel it deep inside and I’m content with that.
He props the board against the shack and pulls me against his sweaty, fan-fucking-tastic smelling chest and kisses me on the top of my head. In his arms, I feel his love and this feels good, satisfying. His body tells me everything I ever need to hear, everything he can’t say … or isn’t ready to say.
Backing up, he smiles and wags his finger at me. “You are a distraction. Let me get this stuff packed up and we can go. I’ll let you distract me in private when we leave.”
I lean against the counter and watch as he moves in and out of the shack with gear and surfboards. He’s strong and his muscles defined, making the task look easy. A few minutes later, he takes my hand and we walk to the parking lot. We talk about our day as he walks me to the VW first, unlocking the door, and starting the engine for me. When he hops out, I see him gnawing on his bottom lip. I’ve never seen him look so worried before.
Ahhh, the barbeque …
“What’s wrong?” I ask, knowing what’s coming.
He takes my hands in his and looks down, focusing all his attention on my fingers. Waiting an uncomfortable amount of time, he’s starting to worry me, but then he says, “My mom invited you over for dinner tonight.”
“Just me?” I gulp, hoping he doesn’t hear it.
“No, Kate and Murphy, and Zach and Sunny. All of us.”
I absorb his cryptic non-detailed answer. “She invited me specifically or she told you to invite your friends?”
He looks up at a cloud that suddenly hangs high above our heads contrasting against the blue of the sky.
“Friends.”
“So she doesn’t know you’re inviting me? And, she doesn’t know that we are dating? And, let me guess, she isn’t expecting me tonight?”
“You’re looking at it all negative. She asked me and Kate to invite our friends over. I want you to meet her tonight. I want to introduce—”
“Meet your mom officially? Because, technically, I’ve met your mom and she told me to leave.”
“I want her to meet my girlfriend, not for her benefit, but for us. I’m not hiding you. She needs to know you and to know what you mean to me. I’ve told her about you,” he says, brushing a few flyaways from my face.
I drop his hands and rub my eyes, searching for clarity behind my closed lids. “Fine.” I look back at him, and say, “Fine, I’ll go for you.”
Hugging me, he says, “Thank you, Mallory. And don’t worry about a thing. I’m there for you, just you.”
30
Mallory
I push my skirt down in a sad attempt to straighten the wrinkles for the third time since I’ve exited the car. Why did I agree to this again? I try to think back to when I stopped listening to my intuition. Oh, that’s right—the moment I met Evan. I giggle, but then my stomach flips again. “I feel sick.” Grabbing a hold of Evan’s arm, I stop him.
He turns back to me, and says, “Baby, if you don’t feel comfortable, we’ll leave. It’s that simple. We’re a team, remember? You and me.” He leans over and kisses me on the neck, which weakens my knees. His sweet, innocent kiss turns wet with more suction as he attempts to distract both of us from what has to be an awaiting disaster.
I push him off of me. “Do not give me a hickey right now,” I whisper in a stern tone. His mother would really love if I showed up with a fresh hickey courtesy of her horny son.
He chuckles and takes my hand, not bothering to comment. I think he’s learned when it’s best to acquiesce. And on that note, we continue down the path, passing the wall that now holds one of the best memories of my life. The thought lightens my mood in time for us to round the corner and see the gang already gathered. My eyes scan the area and I exhale a breath of relief when I don’t see his mom outside. I relax and we continue over to the other side of the pool where a large wooden table has Kate, Murphy, Zach, and Sunny sitting, enjoying cocktails.
“Hey there, guys,” Kate greets us, getting up to hug me. “Mallory, how are you doing?” Her tone is concerned while she searches my eyes for some hidden truth.
“I’m good … kind of. Okay, I feel like I might puke.”
Evan squeezes my hand as Kate wraps her arms around me, bringing me into her again. She whispers, “We’re here for you. She’s decent once you get to know her.”
“Ahh, it’s getting to that point that worries me,” I reply, reaching for Sunny’s drink.
Sunny slaps my hand. “Go get your own, Mal. They’re right inside on the bar.”
“I’ll get you a drink,” Evan offers.
My nerves kick in again at the thought of encountering his mother on my own, but feel I should probably be brave and try to do this to show Evan I’m making an effort. I also want to make an effort for my own sake. Trying not to think about the first time I met his mom, I answer, “Thanks, but I need to use the restroom anyway. I’ll get the drinks.”
When I start walking, the party suddenly goes silent. I look back over my shoulder and five pairs of eyes watch me head for the door. “The show is over people. Carry on talking amongst yourselves.” I roll my eyes right
before I enter the kitchen.
“Hi, you must be Mallory,” A welcoming woman says, making her way around the marble counter to shake my hand.
“Yes,” I nod, not knowing who this is.
“I’m Gail—”
“Ms. Chart, I’d like you to keep the formalities of the house with our guests, whether they’re welcome or not,” Evan’s mother says, curt in her tone. She walks toward me from a large sitting room that is impeccable and too formal in décor, considering we’re in Hawaii.
My stomach flips inside out and I’m rendered speechless. She walks straight up to me, and says, “You’re Evan’s friend from the other night?”
I nod, completely incapable of using my voice. From out of nowhere, Kate is behind me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Mother, this is Evan’s girlfriend, Mallory.”
“Oh,” she responds, placing her hand on her chest as if in shock.
Finally, remembering how to speak, I say, “I’m Mallory.” Gulp. “Wray. It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Ashford.”
She tilts her head as if critiquing my every move. I watch her, waiting for her to say something else, anything else. I’m on guard, but know I need her approval and don’t want to be disrespectful.
Kate walks around me, filling the awkward silence. “Would you like a Mai Tai, Mallory? Evan wants a beer. I’ll get the drinks and you can use the bathroom.”
“Uh, yeah, that sounds good. Thank you.” She’ll never know how much I appreciate the chance to escape this uncomfortable situation.
“Ms. Chart will show you the way. Kate, may I speak with you for a moment,” Mrs. Ashford calmly directs.
Ms. Chart waves me over to follow. “Right this way, Mallory.” As soon as we turn the corner and enter a long corridor, she says, “It’s the third door down on the right.”
I look at her a second, taking in her rounded features and kindness, and I smile. “Thank you.”
Her smile is filled with warmth and makes me feel like we’re already family.