by Tepe, Mandie
She looked startled. “Already?”
He reached over and dipped a finger in the icing pan for a taste. “Mmm.”
She glanced around the kitchen. “We have food. I’m sure we can find something here for lunch.”
“I have to go out for ice and charcoal . . . and the keg. I think I’ll find all of that at the liquor store so it shouldn’t take long. Let me just pick up sandwiches or something. It’ll be easier.”
“Oh, okay . . . if you don’t mind.”
“How does Quizno’s sound. There’s one right by the store.”
“Sure. I’ll just take a grilled chicken salad—without the bleu cheese.”
Trace kissed her to distract her from dipping his finger in the pan of chocolate frosting again. “Your wish is my command.”
She flicked her dishtowel at him as he walked away. “I saw that!”
“Have a heart,” he said as he slid the back door open. “You were finished with it anyway.”
“I know. I can save the pan for you to lick after lunch.”
“Well, if you really want to,” he teased as he slid the door closed.
After lunch they finished setting up for the party. Sonny and Charley were in and out delivering seating, food, and more ice. By six o’clock they had a fire roaring in the pit, burgers on the grill with hotdogs waiting. The food was set out buffet style on the kitchen bar and the beer, soda and wine coolers were icing in large tubs beside the deck.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Their parents were the first to arrive. It must have been a mom-thing, coming early to see if Meg and Trace needed help. Shortly after they arrived there was a steady stream of guests. Sonny had set up a sound system on the deck and had hours of music programmed to play. About thirty minutes into the party Meg stood just outside the back door and looked around. Everyone seemed to be mingling and she hadn’t had to coerce anyone to eat. There were plenty of people filling plates, with a bottleneck forming at the food bar in the dining area. She didn’t worry too much about that. People would work their way outside once their plates were filled to make room for others.
Everyone had dressed for the cool October ocean air in sweatshirts and jeans. There was a warm zone around the fire pit and JoJo and Trish had brought over an outdoor heater for the deck so the secondary seating area would be comfortable as well. Meg made her way down the deck steps to do her own mingling. As she walked past several groups of people she caught bits and pieces of conversation.
She overheard a couple of SDDI students complimenting Trace on his house. “Man, if I lived here I’d be swimming out there everyday. Don’t you love being able to just walk out your back door and jumping right in?”
Sonny, who was standing in the group snorted. “Yeah, Trace, you probably swim out there everyday.”
Trace laughed, “After BUD/S, you kind of never want to get in the ocean again, to tell you the truth.”
Meg walked on past toward the fire as the kids started asking questions about the infamous SEAL training. Was it really as rough as they had all heard it was? She found a seat on one of the logs next to Declan and some his friends. “Hey, guys!”
They pulled her right into their conversation and pretty soon a couple of Trace’s teammates walked over to ask them if they wanted to play some tag football. They all jumped at the chance and Meg moved on to mingle with some of the SEAL wives. Val was full of questions about the show and Meg and Tobi were happy to answer them.
“That Salsa was really hot!” Val exclaimed. “When Javier and I were first dating we used to go to this really cool Salsa club to dance, but no once danced like you did last night with that Sergei kid.”
“Well, ballroom Salsa is a lot different than street Salsa. Both are a lot of fun, though.” Meg smiled at her. “I’m having a hard time imagining Javier at a dance club.”
“Well, I couldn’t get him in one now if he could see me inside through the window and I were on fire,” Val joked. “I guess when we were ‘courting’ it was easier to get him to humor me. Gotta love ‘im anyway!”
Pretty soon the topic shifted to how Val’s pregnancy was progressing and then on to kids. Meg glanced around and noticed a few of the SDDI kids had found a spot apart from the football game and were dancing—nothing fancy or showy at all. Just for fun.
She went in search of her parents to make sure they were doing okay in this crowd. She found her dad and Michael holding court at the grill, of course. JoJo and Titus were there, shooting the breeze with them. She had a feeling she knew just where to find Sheila and Claire. Sure enough, they were in the kitchen refilling the already half-full chip and dip trays and tidying up the kitchen.
“What’re you two doing in here? You’re supposed to be out there having fun . . . you’re guests at this party,” Meg teased.
“We are having fun. We get to visit with more people in here. Everyone comes through the food line eventually.” Sheila snapped a chip clip on the tortilla bag and set it aside.
“I guess that’s true.” Meg started picking up discarded paper plates and stuffed them into a trash bag in the corner of the kitchen.
Claire asked, “Meg, we didn’t know what you wanted to do with the crab shells. We started putting them in a separate trash bag and set it out by the garbage cans. We were afraid of stinking up the house if we left them in here.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. I never thought of that. Thanks!”
Sheila was wiping down the countertop next to the sink. “It’s such a shame Monte and ‘Tiana weren’t able to stay over for the party. I didn’t get a chance to catch up with Monte. It was nice to see her at dinner last night, though.”
“Yeah,” Meg said. “I owe them big-time. It was so nice of them to come in and help me out. They had other obligations to get back to, though.”
The three of them tidied up a little while longer and chatted. Her mom and Claire seemed content enough in the kitchen, so Meg decided not to argue with them about coming out to join the party. And they were right. In the short time she was in there with them, a half dozen or so guests wandered in, visited for a few minutes, then wandered back out.
Pretty soon Marcy popped her head in the sliding door. “There you are, Meg. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure.” She moved toward the door and followed Marcy down the steps to the beach where they found a couple of empty camp chairs. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to thank you again for the great job you did on the show and in the workshops. And this party . . . it’s so nice of you to do this. I don’t know when you had the time to plan. I’m sure it was a big expense too.”
“Well, Trace gets the credit for most of the planning and execution. And we split the cost, because it turned out to be combination party for us and for his friends.” Meg glanced at her sheepishly, “I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course! This is great. I just wanted to say that we sure didn’t expect a party, but it was a nice thing for you to do. I might be able to come up with a little contribution to help out with the expenses. It wouldn’t be much, but we could do something.”
“No . . . I wanted to do this. I appreciate the offer, but this was my idea and our plans. Don’t give it another thought.”
“Okay . . .” Marcy patted her hand. “Thanks again.”
Meg looked around at all the guests for a moment and shook her head. “I can’t believe it’s almost over. I have no clue where I go from here.”
Marcy looked at her in concern. “I can’t believe it either. I hope you’ll stay in touch and let us know where you end up. What you end up doing. Will you?”
“Sure. I appreciate your support these past few weeks.” She sighed, “I guess all that’s left next week is to tie up loose ends and do those few Q&A sessions we have planned. You’ll let me know if there is anything else you want from me while I’m still here next week.”
“Yes. I can’t think of anything now, but I’m
sure I can come up with something,” Marcy laughed.
Estelle wandered over to ask Marcy a work-related question, so Meg excused herself. Charley was pouring beer from the keg and Meg stopped to talk to him.
“Hi, Meg. Want a beer?” he asked as he offered her his cup, the tips of his red hair glowing in the firelight.
“No thanks. I’m not much of a beer drinker. Are you having fun?”
“Yeah. Those kids are tougher football players than I thought they’d be. Gave us a run for our money.” He shook his head.
Meg laughed and jumped as she felt a muscular arm snake around her waist from behind. “Trace, I hope that’s you.”
She felt him kiss the side of her neck as Charley announced, affronted, “Of course it’s McKenna. If it wasn’t I’d’ve already had him pinned to the ground.”
Trace laughed, “I’m glad we have a full moon and lots of torches lit then, so you were able to recognize me without your NVGs.” He snorted, “It probably would have taken you and at least two other guys to take me down anyway.”
“Really . . .” Charley drawled.
Before Meg knew what was up, Trace had gently moved her to the side as he and Charley went after each other. A couple of the other guys came over to watch them over the deck railing and call out advice and encouragement. She wasn’t much for rough housing so she just shook her head and moved on.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
A while later, most everyone had had their fill of food, but was still enjoying the party. The number of dancers had doubled. Even a few of Trace’s friends’ wives and girlfriends had lured them out to dance. After watching the kids for a while, the women decided it wouldn’t be too intimidating and after a couple of beers their guys’ defenses were down too. Stevie Ray Vaughan was just starting to sing about his Pride and Joy when Trace found Meg and asked her to dance.
“Wow! I didn’t even have to beg this time,” she laughed.
He led her to the makeshift sandy “dance floor” and they kicked their flip-flops off beside a pile of other shoes. He twirled her out then up hard against him as she laughed delightedly. He held her tightly against him, her hand in his other hand, and off they went. She could hear his friends hooting and hollering in surprise, which caught the attention of the other dancers and most of the other guests. All activity stopped as they watched Meg and Trace tear up the “dance floor.” When the song ended Trace looked around in chagrin as he and Meg went to find their shoes.
“Don’t look now, but you’re secret’s out,” Meg teased.
“What secret is that?”
“That dancing is in your DNA and all it takes is a couple of beers to break it loose.”
Claire came trotting up to them and Meg thought she saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. “Trace! I haven’t seen you dance in years.”
Trace looked at her sternly. “That’s because you haven’t been around to torture me into it.” Then he laughed and hugged her. “Of course I can dance, Mom. I had to inherit something from you, didn’t I?”
“When I look at you, Trace, I see so much of your dad. He’d be so proud of you. But I have to admit, I’m glad there’s a little bit of me in there down deep somewhere.”
Charley, Sonny and Titus crowded around them, clapping Trace on the back. Sonny laughed, “Just want to warn you, McKenna, the team’s taking a vote on your new nickname. The smart money’s on Twinkle Toes. My personal favorite is Jazz Hands, though.”
Just as Trace opened his mouth to respond there was a commotion up on the deck. He cursed under his breath and started toward the steps, the guys falling in behind him. “Sean . . . what are you doing here?”
Meg hadn’t been able see over the larger men standing around her and when she heard Trace say Sean’s name she stiffened. She felt someone come up beside her and take hold of her arm. It was Tobi.
“Well . . . looks like my party invitation got lost in the mail,” Sean slurred.
Meg started toward the deck hoping to head off the scene that was sure to come. Tobi stayed right with her.
“Come on, Sean, let’s go inside,” Trace said as he reached for Sean’s arm.
“No, no, no . . . the party’s out here . . .” he trailed off as he noticed his dad and Claire hurrying over toward them. “Wow. And here’s Mom and Dad too. Looks like the whole family made it.”
Meg reached the group just as Claire and Michael did. Behind her Anthony glanced at JoJo and they both started steering the crowd back down to the beach, silently agreeing to try to distract everyone from the drama unfolding on the deck. Most everyone from the SDDI knew the circumstances of Sean’s leaving, to some degree or other. Though all of Trace’s teammates knew Sean was no longer Meg’s partner, only his closest friends knew all the details.
Sheila and Doug stepped up behind Meg as she said, “Hey, Sean. What’s going on?”
He sneered at her. “What’s going on? You came out smelling like a rose and I got the shaft. That’s what’s going on.”
“That’s it!” Trace grabbed his arm and threw the sliding door open, pushing Sean inside ahead of him. Their parents and Meg, with her parents, followed. She looked back at Tobi and whispered, “I’ll be okay.” Tobi went back down to the beach to join the others.
As they all stepped into the house they noticed Steffy standing in the living room. “Great!” Trace muttered. “Steffy . . . why the hell did you bring him here?” He knew Sean was too drunk to have gotten there on his own.
She looked down her nose at him. “He just wanted to talk to Meg. She hasn’t been taking his calls.” She glared over at Meg.
Meg glared right back. “I didn’t take his calls because I didn’t have anything to say to him. We’re not partners anymore.”
“I know,” Steffy said smugly. “We’re partners now.”
Claire stepped up to Steffy. “I guess you’re Steffy. I’m Claire Morgan, Sean’s mother.”
Steffy started to look a little uncomfortable. It was clear she hadn’t expected this. She looked over at Sean.
Sean started toward Meg. “Meg, I need to talk to you.”
“Why? I won’t let you try to make me feel bad about the way things turned out. None of it would have happened if you hadn’t made the choices you made.”
His head dropped. “I know. I’m sorry!”
Steffy’s back went up. “Sean! Don’t apologize to her! What are you doing?”
Claire glared at her. “You stay out of it. We all know you started this.”
She started to say something, but then realized she’d better be careful what she said to Sean’s mother. He probably wouldn’t stand for her disrespecting his mom. She closed her mouth.
Sean looked at his parents, then Meg. “I just wanted to know what Meg’s plans were. Maybe she could keep Steffy and me in the loop. Throw us some information or contacts.” He swayed a little and then dropped to the couch.
Meg went over and sat down on the coffee table in front of him, looking into his eyes. “Sean, I have no idea what my plans are. I have nothing lined up. I don’t even have any feelers out yet. Even if I did, I don’t know that I could help you.”
Sean just stared into her eyes and nodded.
“I won’t go around trashing you, though, Sean. That’s all I can promise you. I won’t, however, talk up Steffy to anyone. You may have my support, but she never will. I don’t have a good impression of her and I won’t pretend I do,” she said firmly.
Steffy started sputtering, “How dare you! You don’t even know me. Who do you think you are?”
Meg just stood up and looked around the room ignoring her. “We have guests out there. I’m going out to check on them.” She turned and left the house.
Trace started to hoist Sean off the sofa and Michael said, “Sean, why don’t you come back and stay with us tonight? We have a suite and there’s plenty of room.”
“I don’t know, Dad,” Sean started.
Michael took
him by the arms and stared into his eyes. “I really need to talk to you, Sean. You haven’t returned our calls and I need to spend some time with you. Just you . . . alone.” He glanced over at Steffy who started sputtering again.
“Yeah, okay.” Sean was starting to look even more defeated than he had earlier.
Michael looked over at Steffy. “I’m sure you can get yourself home. We’ll take Sean with us.”
Claire hugged Trace and Sheila and asked them to say their goodbyes to Meg. As they were leading Sean out the front door, Steffy followed close behind, arguing the whole way that if they weren’t going to let Sean go home with her they should at least let her go with them to the hotel. They didn’t even let on that they heard her.
Trace shut the door behind them and turned around to look at Sheila and Doug. No one knew what to say. They just shook their heads and headed out the back door to check on Meg and the party guests. He noticed Meg standing off to the side with Marcy, Tobi and Anthony. He knew she was getting more sympathy than she wanted. The rest of the guests seemed more subdued than they had before, most of them sitting around the fire pit. He jogged down the steps hoping he could get the party started again.
Things perked up a little when the guests saw Meg smiling and trying to act like everything was just peachy keen. Her parents and Trace noticed the smile wasn’t quite reaching her eyes, but played along anyway. It wasn’t too long, however, before people started to leave. An hour later all the guests were gone except for Sheila, Doug and Sonny. Meg was trying to shoo them out the door, though, telling them they had helped out enough. She and Trace could handle the clean up.
“We’ll just worry about getting the leftover food put away. We can clean up the rest tomorrow.” She smiled reassuringly. “We’ll be fine. Won’t we, Trace?”
“Yeah. The food won’t take long to put away.” He kissed Sheila on the cheek. “Thanks for everything.” Sheila patted his cheek and Doug shook his hand, then they left through the front door.