Chasing the Wild Sparks

by Alexander, Ren

  “Thanks for the mental picture. I needed that.”

  “Are you being facetious?”

  “Yeah. About thinking of you naked. Because I absolutely hate thinking of you naked. It’s a total buzz kill, Becks. I spent my entire lunch ogling your naked body because it makes me totally sick. I went home and had to jump on the Internet and find pictures of other women since you do nothing for me.” Do I hang around all smart mouths?

  “Okay, smartass,” I mutter and smile. “I’ll let you go eat.”

  “I’d rather talk to you when you’re sitting there naked.”

  “I’m not. I have a silk nightgown on.”

  “Which one? The black one I got you for Christmas?”

  “Yes.”

  “Becks, why do you do that to me? Now I’m so grossed out I can’t even eat!” he mockingly whines.

  I smile. “Bite me, Wilder.”

  “Oh, I would if I could. I’d be over in a heartbeat, but I have to take care of a couple things here after I eat.”

  “You’re not going to tell me what you’re going to be doing?”

  “Nope.”

  “I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow then.”

  “Yeah. I love you, baby.”

  “I love you more.”

  “I love you most.” So sweet! “And to answer your question you asked a couple hours ago now, yes. I will go to the wedding with you if I’m not working. I would love to be your date, Becks.”

  “Really, Finn? Are you serious?” I’m completely blown away right now.

  He falters, but says, “Yes. And if I can’t go, you should ask Rod to be your date. He’ll be there anyway. He’ll ensure you have someone to dance with.”

  “I’d rather dance with you.”

  “I’d love to dance with you, too. I just can’t do the shit you and Rodwell do.”

  I laugh and shake my head. “Finn Wilder, you are one awesome son of a bitch.” I hug my knees and look over at the pictures of us, missing his smiling face.

  “Am I now?” He laughs and then inhales. “Prove it.” That’s my line!

  “Oh, I will. Just you wait, baby.”

  He laughs. “I’ll email you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Same here.”

  After we hang up, I go back into the bathroom and take off my black nail polish, smiling because I have the best boyfriend in the whole world.

  By Tuesday night, I’m tempted to go over to Finn’s apartment just so I can give him a goodbye kiss, but then I wouldn’t want to leave. Does that really matter, though? Should I surprise him? Maybe I’d better not do that twice in the same week. I’d probably be pushing my luck.

  Picking up my phone, I hit the speed dial for Finn’s number and he answers on the third ring. Sounding somewhat distracted he greets, “Hey, Becks.”

  “Hey. What are you doing?”

  He pauses to say something to someone. “Um, I’m over at Ricky’s. Why?”

  “Oh. I was just wondering if you wanted a sleepover buddy tonight.”

  “What? You want to stay with me tonight? Why?” Why? He wants me to stay with him any other night of the week. Hell, he wants me to live with him.

  “I miss you. I thought I’d stay with you before you have to go to Philadelphia.”

  He blows out a sigh into the phone. “Uh, well, I do, but I’m staying over at Ricky’s tonight.” He sounds like he’s being less than truthful. Why? What’s he hiding from me?

  “You are? On a work night? Are you drinking tonight or something?”

  “No. I’m not. We’ve both had a couple, but we’re sober. Tesco begged me to stay the night.” He laughs and I hear murmuring in the background. The noises become even more muffled and I suspect Finn is covering the phone.

  He then says, “We were shooting some pool when you called, so now we’re taking a break.”

  Disappointed, I say, “Oh. I thought maybe you wanted me to stay with you.”

  I hear him take a deep breath and mumble something. “Becks, I want you to, but I can’t tonight.” He lowers his voice. “Ricky’s going with us tomorrow and I told him I’d stay here with him. I’m sorry, baby.”

  “Will Ricky be staying at your mom’s, too?”

  “Uh, yeah. Actually, he might. He hasn’t decided if he wants me to put the rental car in both of our names and he’ll bring it back with him Friday, or if he wants to tag along to Dover.” I hope not. I’ll never get Finn alone if Ricky’s with him all weekend.

  “He said if he does stay, he’ll bring along some movies we can all watch. I have no idea what crap my mom has.” He chuckles. “I’ll bring Rocky.” I roll my eyes. Now I might not even get a kiss from my boyfriend the whole time we’re there. “My mom mentioned that Jack will be out of town this weekend for work.” Jack is an architect and Finn’s stepdad. I like him. I’ve only been around him twice, but he always tries to make me laugh. “Chrissie and Simone will be there.”

  “Are you sharing a bed with Ricky?”

  “Hell no! He snores.” He laughs and I hear Ricky talking somewhere near Finn. “You’ll be sleeping in my old bed with me, if that’s okay with you?” Stupidest question ever.

  I tease, “I’ll have to think about it and let you know. In the meantime, tell Ricky to move over.”

  He laughs and mutters, “Fuck. Like that’s happening. Get back to me on what you want to do. I’ll be waiting ever so patiently for your decision.”

  I giggle and sigh. “I will. It’s tempting, but I had plans to share a bed with a cop, since he’ll probably have his handcuffs.”

  “What the hell?” Finn loudly laughs. “You’re going to get it now, sweetheart. I’ll make sure you pay for that.”

  “What are you going to do to me, Finn Wilder?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Another secret?”

  He clears his throat and says, “Possibly, but I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.”

  I laugh. “You think you’re so cute.”

  “There’s that word again. I’m not cute.”

  “Always.”

  “Never.” I hear him laugh, his voice faint, as if he moved the phone from his mouth.

  “Well, I just wanted to tell you to have a safe trip tomorrow and I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too. So much. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Call me as soon as you get there, Finn. I want to know that you made it there without any problems.”

  “I will. Have a good day at work tomorrow. I love you to the stars, Becks.”

  “I love you beyond. Have fun in Philadelphia, Rocky.” I giggle.

  “Just you wait, baby. I’m going to run those steps for you and do a victory cheer at the top.”

  “Are you going to wear really sexy shorts and a tank top?” Now I’m thinking of him with less clothes.

  “I will, just for you.”

  “I can’t wait for that. Get Ricky to play ‘Eye of the Tiger’ when you do the climb.”

  He laughs. “Yeah, I will.”

  “Get it on video, too. I want to see that on The Wild Side.”

  He chuckles. “Are you daring me, Becks?”

  I grin. “I am, baby.”

  “You know I can’t resist a challenge, especially when it comes from you.”

  “Really? Hmm. Finn Wilder, I dare you…” to marry me, “to run the steps and do that victory dance to ‘Eye of the Tiger.’”

  “You got it. Challenge accepted, baby. I will have Milo film me doing it then. I’ll get a permit if I have to. I’ve been waiting for you to dare me,” he says with a touch of sarcasm. I have been daring you for three years, Wilder.

  “So, that means that you’ll actually tell everyone my name and that I was the one who challenged you to run up the 50-some steps?”

  “There are 72, Becks. I’ll also start from down the street, so it’s more challenging than just a run up the steps, not like Rocky, but I think it’ll be enough. Then, when I get to the top, I’ll do some sort of dance, humiliati
ng myself, just for you.” He laughs. “And, yep. You’ll be next week’s Wild Side dare.”

  “Game on, Wilder.”

  This ought to be good.

  Wednesday morning I’m so antsy for Friday that I can’t even concentrate.

  It’s also the day I notice that Rod has been avoiding me.

  Yesterday, he managed to stay in his office all day. He only visited me once to deliver a wrongly delivered piece of mail and then he left. What the hell is his problem? I only hit him as a joke. Then again, it’s Rod. Maybe I did hurt him. Shit.

  I pick up my desk phone and call his extension. “This is Greg.”

  “And you know who this is because my extension comes across your caller ID, Rod. What is going on with you?”

  “Nothing. I’m just working.”

  “Do you want to grab some lunch together? Morgan has a lunch meeting today with a client, so it’ll be just you and me. I’ll treat. I owe you.”

  “You also owe me a beer and some physical therapy for my arm.”

  “Rod, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to punch you so hard. I feel really bad about doing that.”

  “You should. I’m pressing assault charges, so I’m having Finn’s BFF coming over to arrest you in five minutes. I’m also suing. I’ll take you to Judge Judy. I know a couple lawyers.”

  I smile. “That would be small claims court, Rod.”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “Never mind.” And you work for a lawyer. “I don’t think Ricky’s coming over since he’s on his way to Philadelphia right now.”

  “He said he’ll stop over here before he leaves, just so he can put you in cuffs.”

  “Yes, but his BFF might not like it since Finn would be with him.”

  “Why? Are they conjoined twins? I bet Wilder would love to see you in handcuffs. I bet that’s one of his fantasies.” I smile thinking of my joke to Finn last night about Ricky’s handcuffs.

  “Come on. Let’s go to lunch.”

  “Give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you in the lot. We're brown bagging it, though. I don’t want to sit in a restaurant.”

  “Okay…” I stop by the kitchen to grab my lunch bag and I contemplate what is going on with Rod as I walk to the elevator.

  When I reach my car, I still haven’t figured it out. Is he really that mad about me punching him? Or is he mad because we made fun of him in those shorts? I didn’t mean to hurt his arm or his feelings. Why did I have to be such a bitch to him?

  Setting my lunch bag on the trunk of my car, I walk over to the edge of the curb behind my car and watch the parking lot next door. I cross my arms as I watch people milling in and out of the building, parking cars, leaving the lot, talking on the sidewalk…just normal workday happenings.

  Suddenly, an arm slinks across my shoulders and a head leans on top of mine. I angle my head to see Rod’s smooth jawline. “What’s going on, Greg? What’s wrong?”

  “Let’s talk over lunch. I don’t want to do it here.” Rod pulls me over to my car and I unlock it. I put some music on to fill the awkward silence between us, but in a way, it makes it even tenser.

  “Where do you want to go?” I ask, trying to find a safe question.” I add, “And please. No Hollywood Cemetery, Rod, or any cemetery for that matter.”

  “Why not? Jefferson Davis has a bench near his grave.” I look over as I stop to wait for traffic to clear and give him a sour look. He throws his hands up. “It’s a nice place to hang out!”

  “A cemetery?”

  “Yeah. People usually leave you alone there.”

  “Especially you. The last time you and I went there for lunch, you cussed so much that you almost scared two old ladies into their graves.”

  He scowls. “You and the two old ladies were the only ones who were listening to me. Nobody else cared.”

  “No cemetery.”

  He huffs, “Fine. Let’s head down to Byrd.”

  I barely have my black Toyota parked at the boathouse before Rod jumps out. I grab my bag and follow him over to a bench along Boat Lake. It’s also referred to as Fountain Lake because there is a big, lighted fountain in the middle of it. It’s really pretty lit up at night.

  Rod slumps onto the black metal bench and drops his lunch bag on the ground. I take a seat beside him and stare at his face; a cold feeling of dread saturates my blood. Leaning forward, he puts his elbow on his thigh and his forehead in his hand. There is something very wrong with Rod. He’s never like this. I glance at the ground and then up to his face, hesitant to hear what is wrong because I know it’s my fault.

  “Greg, what’s wrong? Tell me now.”

  “I don’t know if I want to talk about it now, Hadley.” Oh, no.

  “Why?” I look out at the water and swallow hard. I’m such a shitty friend. I hurt Rod and now he won’t even talk to me about it. Why in the hell did I ever think I deserved a friend like him? Val’s right. He is a gem and I was so mean to him. “I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I honestly didn’t mean to hit you that hard. I also shouldn’t have laughed at you at the gym. I’m such a bitch and a horrible, horrible friend. I don’t deserve you as a friend. I’m so, so very, very sorry, Greg. I won’t even call you Rod anymore. Whatever you want. I’ll do.”

  He looks over his hand at me. “Whoa, there, Hadders.” His eyes fly up and down my face. “Anything?”

  I nod. “Of course. I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

  He shifts and sits against the bench, his arms propped on the back with his legs stretched out. He crooks his finger at me and suddenly smirks. “Come on, then.” He nods down at his lap. “Hop on.”

  My eyes widen in disbelief. “Rod, are you seriously kidding right now? You’re so pissed off about something and now you’re making sex jokes.”

  He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. “Who says it’s a joke?”

  I tilt away from him. “Shut up. I’m leaving.”

  He relaxes and sits forward again. “I’m teasing you. Sorry. I shouldn’t even kid like that after Wilder apologized to me. He’s trusting me with you.”

  I want to know what is going on with Rod, so I dismissively mutter, “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  He shakes his head at the water, clasping his hands together at his knees. “It’s nothing you did, Hadders. Lighten up. I can take a joke.” He looks over at me, squinting from the sun. “Shit, I give you a hard time about everything. I deserve payback.”

  “I didn’t make you mad or hurt your feelings?”

  He looks out to the water. “Fuck no. I’m used to you and Morgan playing around with me. I’d miss it if you guys didn’t.”

  “I don’t understand then. What is it?”

  He licks his lips and I see his eyes roam over the water in front of us. “It’s Eden. She was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia again. She’s coming down with it more and more.” He bows his head. “Her doctor told my mom Monday night that E is down to six months if she even makes it through this bout. Maybe a year, if she’s lucky, which I’m doubting since she’s sentenced to die anyway,” Rod states bitterly. He bites his lip and blinks quickly a few times. He whispers, “I’m going to go see her for Easter, but I won’t have that long with her. I’m afraid it’ll be her last.”

  I put my hand on his arm. “Greg, I’m so sorry.”

  He absently plays with his Pac-Man tie. “I’m going to lose my only full sister, one of my best friends. I love my other sisters, but Eden is different. She’s special to me. She’s all my sister. We have the same blood, unlike my other step and half-sisters. We have a bond. She always looked out for me, her obnoxious little brother, making sure I did my homework, tied my shoes, got on the right school bus, had enough money for lunch at school…” He sniffs and sighs. “She is the best big sister. And I was always trying to do my part: checking to see if she was taking her meds, if she was having trouble breathing, if she needed her inhalers, or if her oxygen tank had a kink in the hose.” Rod closes his eyes and sucks in a big breath. “What
will I do? We’ve always been so close, through my parents’ divorce, especially. I don’t want to go through life alone. I’m alone enough as it is.”

  I’ve never heard Rod so emotional about anything before. He’s Mr. Joke-a-Minute. He came close when we went out for dinner Saturday, but not like this. I sit in quiet shock as I take all of this in.

  “Greg, you aren’t alone. You’ll always have Eden with you. Always. I don’t know if it really helps, but you also have Morgan and me. Don’t say that you’re alone. Far from it. I wish there were something I could do. I feel so helpless seeing you so…helpless. I know you love your sister. You always will. Nothing will ever change that. All you can do is be there for her. Be the best little brother ever…like you always have been.”

  He looks down at the ground and takes a shaky breath. I scoot over so that I’m up against him, putting my arm around him and my head on his shoulder. I close my eyes as I feel his body shake and I fiercely fight my own sobs to stay strong for him. For my friend.

  CHAPTER 22

  Rod and I take our time walking in the parking lot back to our office building. I bump his arm with mine and he looks down. His eyes aren’t as puffy as they were earlier. “Morgan asked me to be her maid of honor.”

  “Really? Never saw that coming,” he deadpans.

  “I didn’t. I thought maybe just a bridesmaid. She does have Tonya.”

  He snorts. “You mean the chick who thinks wearing tight, leather pants is sexy when you’re at least 150 pounds over a FedEx truck’s freight limit? Those pants make her look like a penniless, male prostitute’s last condom, if you catch my drift.”

  “What. The. Hell?” I gasp.

  He rolls his eyes. “Do I really have to explain that one to you?”

  “Yes and no.” I laugh. Rod opens his mouth to enlighten me and I squeal, “No!”

  “I didn’t know I actually would have to draw you a picture.”

  “I don’t want that either.”

  We pass between cars on our way to the front entrance and he asks, “So, when are they swapping the vows?”

  “Soon. She wants to do it at a beach.”

  “How fitting for Tonya. After the ceremony, she could just set sail.”