Last Heartbeat

by T. R. Lykins

  You would think this girl would run out the door, but no. She is a vixen. She tells me that she wants to see how I ride the waves then turns and heads out the door without looking back. I may have growled when she said that. Now I have to take a few seconds to calm down before I can follow her. I have to run to the elevator to catch up with her, but at least I am calmer than before.

  She is smiling when I get on the elevator, and this is going to be the longest ride down ever. I can smell her sweet scent because we are so close to each other. We stop, and Jack gets on the elevator. Jack can tell by my grin that I must be thinking of things, I shouldn’t. I ask him how he is doing right when we get to the bottom floor. He tells me that he is doing fine as he steps off. Then he smiles a wicked smile and says that I’m doing better than him.

  I laugh at that old man as we get off the elevator. I pull Alexia into my arms and kiss her right in the lobby. I don’t care who sees us. I had to kiss her right then. I put her hand in mine to lead her out to the beach before I hit the elevator button to take us back up to the condo.

  Finally getting outside, I take her over to our cabana so we can leave our stuff. No one bothers things here because of security. Plus this area is private for the owners. I lay out the towels on the chairs and pull my shirt off. I glance at Alexia and I see that she is blushing. I straighten up and I might have flexed a few stomach muscles and arms. She thinks that I’m not noticing her looking at me through her sunglasses; her blushing gives her away. I have to put on a really big show for her. It really is her fault for making me growl before we came down to the beach. I have to tease her like she does me.

  Okay I better get in the water to clear my nasty mind of Alexia. She does deserve better than that. I really don’t want to leave her up here at the cabana. That seems to far away. I suggest taking a chair down next to the water and she agrees. Now she will be closer to me. I grab a chair in one hand and my surfboard in the other. I have to hit those waves fast and get some space between us, but not to much space. I like that Alexia will be close by me.

  Once she is in the chair watching me, I hit the water. Surfing always clears my head and relaxes me. I have been coming out here and hitting the waves since I was little. It keeps me fit now. When I was little, it took me a while to learn to get up on the board. I was on a boogie board one day when I first saw some guys surfing. I knew that day that I had to learn to surf. My brother was much faster at learning than I was, but now I can do it as well as anyone around.

  I stay out for a little bit and I can still see Alexia in her chair watching me, which I like. One last wave and then I am going to see if she will try it. As I am riding the wave in, I noticed Megan and some friends are out on the beach, and I’m glad she hasn’t noticed us yet. I hurry to get to Alexia because I know Megan will start if she sees us together.

  I set the board down beside Alexia and ask her if she wants to ride some waves. She seems a bit scared to try. I let her know that she can ride the board on her tummy and then she finally says she will try it. I take her out and hold the board as still as I can so she can get up on it. Finally she does and she rides a really big wave, but she doesn’t even know she is on a big one. I get a little scared for her. I follow her as fast as I can in the ocean water.

  Oh no! She is going to go under. As she starts to go under, I get close to her and grab her up in my arms. I think she is scared, but when I see the smile on her face. I am happy and relieved. I ask if she wants to go again. She says no quickly and that makes me happy. That was such a great ride for her that I don’t push her to do it again.

  I get her back to her chair and she sits down fast. Maybe that wave was too rough for a beginner. She looks happy but a little tired. I worry about why that wore her out. I remembered that my first time out made me tired, so I don’t ask her about it. I tell her that I am going out for a few more times and she tells me to take my time. Really I wanted to make sure Megan is gone. I ride a few more times and noticed that Megan has left. I am glad for that. Now I can spend the rest of the day with Alexia.

  I get back to the beach and ask Alexia if she is ready to make a sandcastle. She nods her head and I tell her that I saw some buckets at the cabana. I go get them and luckily I find shovels too. I know that these buckets and shovels have been at our cabana for a long time because my brother and I use to use them. I make it back and hand her the shovel.

  She surprises me again by saying that she always used her hands as a shovel. My brother did that when he was little too. We get started on our castle and it is looking really good by the time we are done. She goes to find some shells to put on it and I remember what she said when she was little that she would think about finding her Prince Charming. I tell her that I hope she can find her Prince Charming some day. I hope that I’m the one she is looking for.

  She looks up at me with those big blue eyes and tells me that she already found him. Yes, my heart grew again, and if it keeps this up, it won’t fit into my chest soon. She even asks me to share her castle with her. I tell her that I will, only if she says yes to share our other castle with me. I really thought she would turn me down, but then she surprisingly agrees. I pull her close and kiss her right beside our sandcastle. I had to make it official with an amazing kiss from my princess.

  We are really getting into our kiss when I hear that squeaky voice interrupt us. Megan is standing beside us, and she looks like she was mad. For what reason, I have no idea. Who knows with Megan?

  “Get a room Phillip.” Megan is standing right behind us with her arms crossed and smirking at us, “You know, Phillip, I could give you a lot more than she can. Looks like your going to mess up and miss your chance with me. I will give you one last chance but if you say no, I won’t give you another chance”

  I look at Alexia and then back to Megan. “I’m sorry Megan. I already have my princess. I don’t need you and I won’t ask you to ever be with me. Alexia is my girlfriend and we are going to be together for a long time. Please leave us alone so we can spend the rest of our day together.”

  “I see you really don’t know what you’re missing out on. Before you make your mind finally up, I can give you a taste first.” Megan just stands there looking at me and she even licks her lips. I can feel Alexia tense up, and I hug her close so she won’t leave me. Megan is very strange and annoying.

  “Megan, leave now. I don’t want a taste of anything you have. Nor do I want anything else from you. I have already told you no and I would advise you to leave now.” I start to get angry with her because she is trying to mess up what I have with Alexia. I won’t let that happen.

  “Fine! I will leave and you will regret this.” Megan storms off and I couldn’t be happier.

  I turn to see if Alexia is all right and I tell her that I am sorry for that. I didn’t want Megan to mess up our date. I kiss Alexia on the lips and smile at her. Alexia tells me that Megan hasn’t messed it up even though Megan can be dramatic. I agree with Alexia about that, and I can add to that by saying Megan is wacko. I let Alexia know that she is the only one for me.

  Alexia tells me she is hungry so we gather our things up so we can go eat. While we do this, I look around for Megan. She said that I would be sorry for turning her down. I have to make sure she doesn’t do anything to mess this up for Alexia and me. I want this relationship to last, and I don’t want any girl’s drama messing up our good thing we have going. Now that Alexia has said yes to moving in with me. I look forward to spending each day with her. My tummy growls and I pick up our pace so we can eat. Got to feed my princess so she doesn’t starve on my watch.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Alexia

  The rest of the weekend flew by and we spent it talking. Yes kissing too. Maybe some hand roaming, but that is all. We keep saying we need to get to know one another before we take the next step and I need to tell him my secret before that happens also.

  I haven’t officially moved in yet because we don’t leave to condo until Monday to go to
class. It was hard to leave Phillip’s arms on Monday. They make feel special and I was still afraid if I left that somehow he would find out about my secret. I know this weekend would have been the perfect time to tell him, but every time I thought about doing it, something made me change my mind.

  So now, on this Monday, I have to leave him early, because I don’t have many clothes with me. As soon as I pulled out of the parking lot of the condo, my phone rings. I look at the number and smile. I bet you thought it was Phillip, but really, it is only my mom.

  “Hello. Mom.”

  “Hi, baby girl. How was your weekend?”

  “My weekend was perfect, Mom. I spent the whole weekend with my boyfriend, Phillip.” That must have made her drop the phone. There was a thumping sound that wasn’t from my mom. Yes, I tell her everything. She has been by my side for so long, and she deserves my honesty.

  “Alexia, did you forget to tell me something? Like when did you get a boyfriend? You barely have been in school and you didn’t mention a guy to me the last time we talked. Wait a minute, is this the reason for conversation the last time we spoke, when you wanted to know about Dad and me?”

  “Yes, Mom, it is about our last conversation. I fell for this boy so quickly it scared me and I didn’t know what to do. He feels the same way as I do. It still scares me. When he asked me to be his girlfriend, I couldn’t say no to him. He treats me like a princess and even calls me that.”

  “This is a big step for you Alexia and if you’re happy then I will be. You have always known what you wanted and your judgment has been incredible. I hope you don’t rush this relationship and take everything slow. I’m glad he treats you good. The only thing is that you make sure he knows about your past so he can be prepared if something happens to you. Have you told him yet?”

  “No Mom, I haven’t told him. We have something in common though. He has had a liver transplant. I am sure he will be able to except me with my borrowed heart. I have been waiting for the right time to tell him. He is also from Cleveland. He has asked me to travel with him when it is time to come home. You will like him Mom, and I can’t wait until break so you can meet him. Maybe we can come for Labor Day weekend.”

  “Alexia, you have spent the whole weekend with him. What kept you from telling him? He told you that he has a liver transplant. That would have been the perfect time to tell him about yours.”

  “I know Mom. I met him on the plane coming here and he told me about it then before I really knew him. I didn’t feel comfortable to tell him then, so I kept it to myself. Now I can’t get it out and I am afraid of how he will act once I do. By the way, he has asked me to move in with him at his condo and if I do, it will save you and Dad money. I need to tell him first though. You won’t mind if I do move in with him?” I don’t tell her that I already told him yes. This is a first for me. Why am I all of a sudden keeping things from Mom and Phillip? I must be a coward. This relationship thing is so new to me.

  “Well you are full of surprises today Alexia. You know you can’t get pregnant with the medicine you’re taking, right? You need to talk to your doctors about birth control when you come home. Please use protection if you do have sex, okay? I wouldn’t mind about you moving in with him, but you have let dad and me meet him, and tell him your past first. If you don’t that will make this relationship fall apart and you don’t want to start out with secrets this big in the way. He is from Cleveland and his name is Phillip? What is his last name?”

  “I will tell him today. I know I can’t get pregnant and we aren’t having sex. Phillip’s last name is Ryan. Do you know any Ryans in Cleveland?”

  Mom is quiet for a minute, and this is so unlike her. “Yes Alexia, I do. When did he have his transplant and where did he get his liver donated from?” They way she asks me this sounds off a bit.

  “He got it when he was seventeen about five years ago I guess, because he is twenty two. He took off a year from college. He was in a car wreck with his brother, when a drunk driver hit them. His brother died but had signed his driver’s license to be a donor and Phillip ended up with his brother’s liver. Phillip said he had a hard time accepting it although he was a perfect match. Oh, I just thought of something. We must have had our surgeries about the same time. Now that is a coincidence, don’t you think Mom.”

  “Yes dear. Do me a favor and talk to him about this tonight okay. Don’t wait another minute. As soon as you tell him, let him know about the time frame of both of your transplants. I want you to be happy, and don’t keep this from him. It might hurt him or you down the road. Promise me that you will do this today?” she pleads with me.

  “Okay, Mom. if you think it is that important, then I promise to do it today. I have made it back to my dorm and I need to get ready for class. By the way, we aren’t doing anything that will get me pregnant so don’t worry. I love you and talk to you later.”

  “I love you too Alexia. Please tell him today. I will call back tomorrow to check on you. Bye.” Mom hangs up.

  I felt like she was keeping something from me, and calling me back so soon seems a bit strange too. Now I will wonder what it is. I open the door to my dorm room and see Kristen getting ready to go to class.

  She smiles at me. “I can see that the date was a good one. So good it happened to last all weekend. Tell me if Phillip is as good as his reputation says he is?”

  “It was a really awesome date that did last all weekend. I still don’t know if he is as good as his reputation says. We spent the weekend together and that is all for now.” I smile at her.

  “Now you have to give me more details than that. I know you can’t hang out with a guy all weekend and not have sex.”

  “I promise we didn’t have sex. We kissed and made out a bit, but that is it. We are waiting until we get to know each other better. I can tell you one thing though. I am now Phillip’s girlfriend and he has asked me to move in with him. I don’t know if I should leave you. I know this relationship is happening fast and it is scary. I love being with him.”

  “You better leave me and move in with that hunk of man. If I were in your shoes I would have moved this weekend. Tell him yes, but you have to keep in touch with me. Now that you have a boyfriend, you better not forget me.”

  “He told me you could come over anytime you wanted to. I am sure his friends will be over. Do really think this isn’t happening too fast? It is scary. My mom told me her and Dad knew as soon as they met. Who does this at this age and time? Isn’t that something that would have happened years ago and not now?”

  “If you’re both on the same page about really liking each other this quick and not even having sex it means you are special to him. No guy would keep you all weekend and not try not to have sex unless he likes you a lot. Have you already told your mom about this? Just asking because you mentioned her.”

  “Yes, she called me on the way here and I told her everything. I don’t keep secrets from my mom. She told me I was good at making my decisions, only I needed to tell him about my past and told me to do that before moving with him. Even made me to promise to tell him today. I thought that was a bit weird, making me promise.”

  “What is it about your past that she wants you to tell him? Do you happen to have a shady past Alexia?” She grins up at me.

  I tell her everything about my transplant and I even tell her about Phillip’s because we have so much in common. I happen to tell her when and where we both are from. When I get done, she just sits there looking at me.

  “Oh no. You think he will be mad at me and break up with me because I didn’t tell him sooner?”

  “No. I think he will figure out what I just did.” She sort of looks pale when she says this.

  “What did you figure out?” I am worried now by the look on her face. She is looking at me with sympathy and I am scared of what she is going to say.

  “Think about what you just told me, Alexia and focus on the time frame. Your mom knows people named Ryan from where you live and you both had
surgery about the same time. What if you and Phillip had your surgeries on the same day?”

  Is she saying what I think she is saying? Does this mean I may have Phillip’s brother’s heart? That can’t be possible, can it? Is this why I kept this from him unknowingly? Does my mom know whose heart that I have? I thought the doctors aren’t supposed to let tell you who the donor is. Everything happened so fast that day when I got my surgery. The doctors had said I wouldn’t make it until the morning. Then I got a heart at the last minute. I was even on my last heartbeat.

  I have all these things running through my mind and I am wondering what I am supposed to think about all of this. I look up at Kristen, “Do you think that it is possible that I have Phillip’s brother’s heart? What do you think he will say about that, if he finds this out? He has had a hard time getting over losing his brother. What if what I am feeling for Phillip has something to that? I am so confused right now, and I don’t think I can go to class.” I sit down on the bed and put my hands over my heart because it is hurting.

  “Calm down, Alexia. All those questions are something you will be able to answer soon, I’m sure. Don’t stress over it. You can’t be having feelings for Phillip because of a heart. That can’t be possible, can it? What did the doctors say about this kind if thing?

  “Well they keep saying that once it is accepted in your body that it becomes yours. It is keeping my body alive, but it had a hard time accepting my body. I had to stay in the hospital a long time. Phillip said the same thing about his liver. Maybe his brother knew something we didn’t. Maybe we shouldn’t have gotten his organs and maybe he isn’t at rest because he we have them.”