In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1)

by Sydney Ledger

  “Shut up, Joe. She’s a Trini, too.” Kai stated dreamily as he puffed on the joint.

  “What is it with you and Jake? Ya’ll love off on de Caribbean gyal dem.” Joey teased in a faux-Caribbean accent.

  “Ah, fuck you.” Kai laughed and reclined into the sectional, taking yet another pull.

  “Yo, my brother – it’s a roll on, not a hold on. Could you pass back that shit?” Joey stretched his arm out to Kai, taking the joint from him. “So…you ready for organised crime?” Joey asked raising his eyebrows playfully.

  “Man, as long as it gets that psychotic bitch out of our lives permanently – I’m down!”

  “Yeah, Kin and I go way back, man. Something ain’t right with her. She’s jealous and possessive. And when she got the power of the drug world at her finger tips, she became a nuisance.”

  Kai pushed himself off the sofa and walked out to the backyard. Scrolling through Instagram, looking at the pictures of him and me at Mimi’s party. Jake’s face then popped up as his phone rang. He answered it.

  Joey had an arm spread across the backrest of his sofa as he flicked through the TV stations. Feeling unimpressed, he tossed the remote to the side and passed his hand over his bald head. He then craned his neck at Kai who came running to him. “What’s wrong with you?” Joey asked.

  “Get your things ready, we’re heading to Trinidad tonight.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Jake just called, he and Kin are going Trinidad… tonight, and he booked our tickets.”

  “Won’t Kin make us?”

  “I said the same thing, but he insisted we just lay low and let him handle the rest.”

  “What is he up to?” Joey shook his head. “And the plan?”

  “We’ll be back early Sunday morning to put things in place.” Kai assured him.

  “Alright…let’s do it then.”

  After I took a shower, changed into my nightwear and towel dried my hair, I walked out into the living room. Sal was lying on the three-seater sofa with her feet propped on top of Adrien. They looked up at me. “Where’s Heath?” I asked them and their eyes darted towards the corridor. “Backyard I think.” Sal responded. “By the way, it have food there.”

  “What you cook?” I asked heading toward the corridor.

  “Curry.” She shouted out to me as I walked through the corridor. I walked into the small kitchen. A 20 inch four-burner stove stood in one corner, near the empty sink. I walked up to the sink and got a glass from the wares rack. I then made my way over to the fridge and poured myself some cold water. I drank it down, washed my glass and headed out to the backyard.

  It was dark out, the stars filled up the sky and the outdoor light illuminated the yard. Heath was on the chair swing, moving to and fro as he looked out over the landscape. He craned his neck back at me as I approached him.

  “Hey.” He smiled.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, sensing something was wrong.

  “No, I’m fine, I really am. Just happy.” He shrugged and extended his arm out to me. I slid next to him and he wrapped his arm around me, kissing on my forehead as he did.

  “You sure?” I looked up at him and he looked down with a faint smile.

  “Positive.”

  We sat there in silence. Rocking to and fro as a cool calm wind blew, the sound of chirping crickets and the neighbours laughing and talking. It was peaceful. The night was beautiful and my mind started drifting onto the memories I had suppressed – that of Jake. The guilt consuming me as Heath embraced me. I don’t deserve your love.

  “Heath.” I broke the beautiful silence.

  “Pieces?”

  “What made you love me?” I asked. Wanting to know. Wanting to ease my insecurities. Wanting to feel something beyond my heartache over lost love. I wanted to gain something new that would destroy the lingering ‘Jake’ feelings. He looked down at me as if trying to understand the question.

  “What would made you ask a thing like that?” He asked having finally found the words.

  “I’d like to know really. It’s just…I’ve loved you for so long and you never got any inclination of those feelings before Jake, so I’d really like to know what changed.”

  “It’s not that I had no inclination of it. I loved you in my own way. I don’t know how to explain it, but seeing you with Cavanaugh…it’s like a light bulb went off. The smoke screen cleared and I was jealous and insanely overprotective.”

  “Why though?” I asked in a whisper. “I mean…like… why me?”

  “I realise you have a tendency to sell yourself short.” He looked at me apprehensively. He just said the same thing Jake had told me once. Do I really sell myself short? I have never really noticed. I pursed my lips and looked up at him with doe eyes. He exhaled and then stared off into the distance. “Honestly,” he began, slipping his fingers into mine, “the way you make me feel…the ease and comfort. I could talk to you about anything and I know I would always get your honest opinion. I respect that so much. The beauty in your honesty. Your humour – God life would be dull without you.” He faced me. “The way you don’t hold back on the mean things you want to say – the sass I love.” He smiled and I broke out into a giggle, tears slowly pooling in my eyes. “The way your face lights up when you talk about your passions. The way you are so determined and yet sometimes so clueless about how awesome you are. The way you stare off into the distance when you’re possibly talking to yourself, overanalysing situations as usual.” He bent his head, silently laughing.

  “Shut up.” I shoved him playfully. We then locked gazes, our smiles fading.

  “You’re beautiful.” He paused. “And I could go on and on all night long about all the beautiful little things that make me love you and it still wouldn’t do any justice. I love you, Reese. Because you’re you and it’s simple as that.”

  I was in total shock. I had no words. Not like I could find the right ones. I’ve never heard him talk like this before – not about anyone. My heart doubled and the tears spilled. I hate that I betrayed him, and I hate that I had feelings for Jake because this – this was real. What Heath and I had was amazing. A bond. A friendship. A love. True love. It wasn’t shallow or sexualized, it was genuine. A friendship that blossomed. I had it, yet, I didn’t know how to appreciate it. I hated myself for even entertaining Jake in my mind.

  “I love you, too, Heath.” I responded, having finally found the words. And with that, silence ensued and we embraced each other, staring off into the night sky. Just enjoying the beautiful silence of each other’s company.

  Jake held onto Kin’s hand as they wheeled their small trolley through the crowded arrival hall at the Piarco International Airport. Kin pulled off her sunglasses off her eyes and scanned the sea of people greeting their loved ones. She then spotted the thick, short woman with caramel skin and long curly hair. “Charmaine!” Kin called out to her.

  “Kin.” The woman replied in her Trini accent as she waved to her.

  Kin’s face lit up and she ran towards her, arms wide open. “Cham, girl it’s been long.” She said as she hugged her.

  “Wah’ going on girl. Long-time no see fuh true. I miss ya.”

  “Miss ya too, gyal.” Jake strolled up to them leisurely with hooded eyes. “Oh, you remember Jake, right?”

  “Yes of course. You found him then, that’s good.” Charmaine smiled at him. “Well I glad yuh make it. Lewwe go one time before traffic start to back up.”

  Kai was leaning against a column under the canopy outside of the airport just as Jake passed with Kin and Charmaine. He ducked his head to the side in attempts to hide from Kin as they made their way to the parking lot. Jake spotted him and gave him a small reassuring nod as he passed. When Jake and Kin were out of sight, Joey came through the automatic entrance doors, attempting to light the cigarette in his mouth as he strolled up to Kai. The lights from the ceiling glistening on his bald head.

  “Was that Jake and Kin I just saw?” Joey asked l
etting out a puff of smoke.

  “Yep, let’s move.” Kai replied taking his sunglasses and beanie off of his head, his copper brown hair falling into his face.

  I woke up the next day, the sun bright on my face and Heath’s arm resting limply on me. His head hanging off the sides of the bed and his feet hanging across the other side. OMG! Dude was the worst to sleep with. I lifted his arm and squeezed out from under it. I cracked my neck, gently massaging out the kinks. Despite the discomfort, I felt invigorated. OMG! Is that bhaigan choka I smell? The delicious scent of roasted eggplant with burnt garlic and onions. Ahh! Oh how I missed my local foodies.

  I looked over at Heath’s splayed body as he tossed and turned and smiled. I then walked out into the living room and headed down the corridor. I entered the kitchen to see Salimah swelling sada roti on the baking stone and a bowl of Bhaigan Choka in the centre of the dining table. “Aye Reese.”

  “Wow, I must be in the twilight zone.” I wiped my eyes clean.

  “What you mean?” She asked as she placed a cooked roti on a small kitchen towel.

  “Because you’ve become domesticated. It’s unreal.” I laughed.

  “Oh shut ya ass, Reese.” She giggled. “Where’s ya boy?”

  “Asleep. He never sleeps late. He must really like it here.” I smirked. “I coming back.” I said and headed to the bathroom.

  I splashed water on my face and looked up at my reflection on the smudged mirror that stood over the sink. I then brushed my teeth. After I cleaned up myself, I walked back to my bedroom. Heath was up, yawning and stretching away. He turned to me when I entered the room.

  “What time is it?” He asked pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “Like 10a.m.” I responded.

  “Whoa. Time zones huh.” Awe transformed his face.

  “It messes you up. When I first moved to Dillcaster, I was up all freaking night despite the fact that I had orientation the next day.”

  “You poor thing.” He quipped and returned with a half-smile.

  “Breakfast is ready when you are.” I added before leaving him to sort himself out.

  He watched as my back turned and disappeared. He balled up his fists and placed them to his sides as he remained seated at the edge of the bed, looking down at the sprawling luggage. The corners of his mouth quirked up.

  After Heath freshened up himself, he joined us at the table. “What is that?” He asked, taking a seat beside us. “Smells delicious.”

  “Specialty we like to call Bhaigan choka and sada roti.” I exaggerated.

  As we ate, we engaged in different topics, talking about it all – even skimming through details of the whole Jake debacle. Salimah was completely shocked that I was with a teacher, let alone seeing anyone – she only spoke to me for a couple minutes for my birthday, but beyond that, we hadn’t communicated much since the school year began. Heath and Adrien volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes while Salimah and I went into my room to have a complete and thorough catch-up.

  I yanked the curtains apart, and opened my windows, allowing the cool breeze to enter my room. Salimah sat on the edge of my bed with her foot tucked under her butt as I sat on my window seat, hugging the cylindrical throw pillow.

  “Why didn’t you tell me about Mr. Cavanaugh sooner?” Salimah broke the silence between us.

  “I was totally warped up in it all, to be honest.” I replied as I stared out of my window. The loud incessant buzzing of the neighbour’s brush cutter as he cut his lawn allowed us the privacy to talk. “He pursued me and…”

  “What happened?” She interjected. I faced her.

  “Girl, I really don’t know. On my birthday he told me he loved me, then the next day he took my car, told me he’d be back, and when he was…he just broke up with me. Claiming his ex is back.”

  “Wait! You have a car?” Her face contorted in confusion.

  “That’s the thing – he bought me the car. A brand new 2015 BMW!”

  “What?” Her eyes rounded in disbelief. “So…er. I don’t get it.” Her shoulders slumped.

  “Neither do I. He insisted I keep the car as well, so really it’s just… it makes no damn sense.”

  “I just can’t believe this. And my God isn’t he like superbly hot!”

  “I know right.” I scowled. “I really don’t know what happened to him. Sometimes I see him, when I look into his eyes, and then he just turns cold. I don’t know if it’s wishful thinking or not…”

  “And how are you feeling?”

  “I really don’t know. I feel so broken and lost sometimes, but then Heath…” I broke into a smile.

  “He is a sweetheart.” She responded favourably. “I really like him. What happened to the Reese who couldn’t shut up about him? You finally have him and you’re not even as excited as you were last year when he would just look in your direction.”

  “I know.” I frowned. “That’s the messed up part. Last night, he told me the most beautiful thing – ever. I love him so much, but in the same breath, I’m hurting.” I clutched the pillow in my arms even tighter.

  “Don’t let this thing with Mr. Cavanaugh destroy something potentially beautiful.”

  She was so right! And I couldn’t agree more. I just wished my heart would listen to my head. Let go! Enjoy this new chapter in life. Stop dwelling on the ‘shoulda coulda woulda’, it only adds to the depression and robs us of the now.

  We spent our day being lazy, hanging out in the community savannah, watching a game of cricket – a sport that Heath loved. I found out it rather mind-numbing but it was something he could relate to being Australian and all. And it also allowed him and Adrien to bond more as Adrien loved the sport too.

  After our day at the savannah, we went home to get ready to head out. Heath couldn’t come all the way to Trinidad and not enjoy the spoils of the nightlife which – first order of business – meant heading to Ariapita Avenue. The Avenue – as we s lovingly called it – was located in the capital city; Port-of-Spain. It was one of the liveliest places in the entire country. Nonstop partying – all night long. An entire strip of road dedicated to dancing, grub and alcohol. What was there not to love?

  Sal and I sat in the backseat of the car, chatting away as Adrien pulled onto Ariapita Avenue. Heath was sitting in the front seat, gaping at it all. The loads of cars that lined the roadside or parked on all the once empty lots and roadsides.

  Sal and I were dressed similarly in a sexy strapless dress and strappy heels. I had a choker around my neck, and my hair in a high bun.

  We cruised down the road in the flowing traffic, looking for a place to park. Something that’s always almost near to impossible. Doubles men, Gyro men and more lined the streets selling their highly anticipated street foods. Loud music blasted from all different directions, from each club, bar or lounge – Soca, Dancehall, EDM and rap. A swirling mix of bass and vocals. The air was vibrant and people stumbled here and there looking for the best place to party with the most ‘vibes’. Car horns. Lights. People toting their alcohol around with them or eating from the street vendors. Boys on carriage bicycles riding people to their destinations.

  Trinidad was beautiful and the way we came together to have fun or ‘lime’, made me appreciate my country even more. Watching the admiration on Heath’s face just filled me with so much pride. “What do you think?” I leaned forward, sticking my head between him and Adrien.

  “It’s everything you said it would be, and we haven’t even begun to party yet.”

  “Exactly! I could only imagine your reaction to Tobago!” I smiled. “Sal, look like Coco Lounge pumping.” I said pointing at the long line of people on the pavement leading up to Coco Lounge, one of the nightclubs. I could hear Like Ah Boss by Machel Montano playing loudly.

  “Alyuh go ahead na, I’ll find a park.” Adrien suggested.

  “Okay, babe.” Sal replied. “Come on, let’s go.” She continued and opened the door. We then all got out of the car, leaving Adrien to find
a parking spot. We crossed the road and joined the line to enter Coco Lounge. “Will he be okay?” Heath asked, standing behind me.

  “Yeah, of course.” I replied, looking back at him. I then slipped my fingers in his.

  “Reese.” Salimah whispered. And I leaned in closer to her. “Look what that girl wearing.” She stifled a grin and I did the same as we eyed a girl ahead of us wearing on a pair of super-short shorts. All of her ass was outside, and a horrible red weave was sitting on top of her head. It looked rabid, like it would attack you if you got too close. I just shook my head and ignored the urge to judge the copious amounts of fashion fails of my fellow patrons.

  We finally got in and entered the deck area. It was crowded, some people were seated on the lounge chairs while others surrounded their tables or were dancing away to the hype beat of the Soca music. Lights flickered about and waitresses passed around with trays of Jell-O shots, offering everyone.

  We then went inside the club itself and it was just as packed as outside. I could hardly see anything except when the strobe lights would flicker around, illuminating the outlines of shadowy bodies on the dancefloor. We pushed through to the bar, my fingers intertwined with Heath’s so that I wouldn’t lose him.

  We ordered three bottles of Raspberry Cîroc and fruit punch to start the night. We were given a bucket of ice and four wine glasses as well. We got our drinks and squeezed our way back through the crowd, and back outside on the deck. We got a table and placed our drinks on top of it.

  Adrien finally found us and we cracked open the first bottle of Cîroc, filled up our glasses and put them up. “I missed you guys so much and it’s an absolute dream come true to finally have us all together, having fun. To friendship and family.” I toasted and we all clinked glasses and began to drink, occasionally swiping a few Jell-O shots from the waitress.

  I began to dance on Heath – Trini style. And so did Sal and Adrien. We were on our third bottle of Cîroc when I decided that I needed water. I was tired and a bit sweaty from all the gyrating.

  I walked up to the bar outside on the deck that was near the entrance and sat on a stool, waiting for the bartender to take notice of me. When he did, I ordered my drink and waited, occasionally glancing back at the people entering the club as Fall in Love by Popcaan started playing.