by Gerri Hill
Jordan wasn’t surprised by the question. She was curious though as to why Annie was asking it.
As if reading her mind, Annie added, “Because you don’t have a gay vibe.”
Jordan laughed. “And you know these vibes how?”
Annie smiled. “I watch Ellen.”
“Ah. Of course. Well, maybe it’s because you’ve seen me in nothing but business suits and dress clothes,” she said. “Maybe now that I’ve got a wardrobe full of shorts and jeans, I’ll butch out a little bit for you.”
Annie reached for her water bottle. “So? When did you know?”
Jordan shrugged. “Subconsciously, I guess I always knew. In reality, it was my junior year in high school. There was a sleepover, a slumber party type thing. After the first football game of the year, Friday night, we all went out for pizza. There were six of us. Then we went over to Beth’s house for the weekend. They had a pool and it was still warm. We played games, gossiped, made a mess of her mother’s kitchen at breakfast. And at night, we lit candles and laid in a circle, playing a vague game of Truth or Dare.”
“Someone asked you?”
“No. Nothing like that. But I was next to Sherry. Sherry Bozart. And I looked into her eyes and felt something that I’d never felt before.”
Annie leaned closer. “Sherry Bozart? The name doesn’t ring a bell. Who did she marry?”
“No clue,” she said. “But after that night, things started to make sense to me. It all came crashing down and I panicked.”
“You didn’t tell anyone?”
“Not a soul. And speaking of Ellen, it was the same year she came out on her show and everybody was talking about it. I was terrified I would say the wrong thing and my friends would find out.”
“Did you date guys?”
“Sure. Had a boyfriend at the time. Like I said, it all made sense to me then. I broke up with him the next weekend.”
“Were you sleeping together?”
Jordan laughed. “No. Doing everything but that.” She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Gross.”
Annie laughed too, but to Jordan’s relief didn’t ask any other questions. Jordan, however, had one for her.
“Are you ever going to tell me who the father is?”
Annie met her gaze. “I suppose I’m going to have to someday, yes.”
“It isn’t Derrick, is it?”
“God, no.” Annie looked startled that she would even suggest that. “I didn’t want to have sex with him when we were married. Why would I sleep with him now?”
Of course, that statement brought all sorts of questions to mind, but Annie pointed at the grill and Jordan turned, seeing smoke seeping out.
“I suppose it’s time to rescue those,” she said as she got up.
“I’ll get the potatoes,” Annie offered. “Or did you want to eat inside?”
“I prefer out here, if it’s okay with you.”
“Fine with me.”
Conversation over dinner drifted to less personal things, and they ended the evening with a quick walk down to the pier.
“I’ve got to do something with this,” Jordan said. “A lot of boards need to be replaced.”
“Have you walked to the end?”
“Yes and it’s a miracle it didn’t collapse on me,” she said. “I want to take the Jet Skis out for a spin too. My father said that Matt had them serviced in March so they should be good to go.” She glanced at Annie. “Do you ride?”
Annie shook her head. “The only time I’ve been on one was at Matt’s party last year. Brandon took me out and proceeded to dump me in the water after one spin. He was quite proud of himself.”
“I’ll take you out if you want,” she said. “It’s been years since I’ve been on one. I’m sure my speed will be more grandmother than teenager.”
“Thanks. That would be fun.”
Chapter Thirteen
Annie looked up from the computer when she heard someone clear her throat. She was shocked to see Suzanne staring at her. She’d been avoiding her for the last two weeks. She plastered a smile on her face now.
“Hey, stranger,” she said.
“What? You start working full time and you don’t have time for me anymore?”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve had a lot going on.”
“Well, how about I steal you away for lunch? Britney is with her grandmother today so I’m free.”
Annie wasn’t sure if she was prepared to face Suzanne yet, but she could think of no excuse to decline the offer.
“Sounds good,” she said. “Give me a couple of minutes. I was about to place an order.”
“Okay. I’ll go rummage through your new T-shirts. Come find me.”
Annie nodded and glanced at the screen, trying to remember what she was about to add to the order. Oh, yeah…flip-flops. Jordan’s idea.
“Hey, you.”
She smiled as Jordan sauntered into the office. She looked so much different now than when she’d first come to the store. The dress pants and business suits were replaced with shorts and Fat Larry T-shirts. She hadn’t yet taken to wearing flip-flops, but the water sandals fit in quite nicely.
“Hey. You’re early. Good.”
“Good?”
“Suzanne is here. Wants to go to lunch,” she said.
“Oh.” Jordan raised her eyebrows. “You going to tell her?”
Annie took a deep breath. “I suppose.” She finished the order and closed the laptop. “And don’t forget, I have my first doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”
Jordan nodded. “You sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
“Don’t you think one of us should be here at the store? Besides, it’s in Corpus.”
“What about your mother?”
Annie shook her head. “She’s still kinda not speaking to me.”
“Well, she’ll come around. Give her time.”
“I know.” Annie stood and walked around the desk, pausing to wrap her fingers around Jordan’s arm and squeeze it lightly. “Thank you. See you later.”
“Have fun.”
Annie met her gaze and smiled. “If only.”
She found Suzanne where she said she’d be and like most customers, Suzanne simply tossed the T-shirt she’d been looking at back on top of the others. Annie had to resist the urge to fold it up neatly again.
“Where to?”
“Mexican food,” Suzanne said. “Let’s go across the street to Pepe’s.”
Pepe’s was crowded, as usual, but they were able to snag a table for two on the side patio. They had a view of the marina, but the June day was warm. Annie adjusted the colorful umbrella to shade them.
“So how’s the new boss?” Suzanne asked as she added salt to the basket of warm chips that were placed between them.
“Jordan? She’s great. Completely different personality than Matt, that’s for sure.”
Suzanne broke a chip in half before dunking it into the salsa. “How so?”
“Oh, she’s more serious, more mature. Organized. Neat. Matt just did things on a whim. She doesn’t have his playfulness, though. At least, not that she’s shown.”
“So you’ve been busy? I tried calling a couple of times.”
“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back.” Annie bit her lip, hesitating. “I kinda…well, I have some news.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. First of all, I moved out from my parents’ house last week.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No. And I…I moved in with Jordan. To Matt’s old place on the bay.”
Suzanne’s eyes widened slightly. “Why?”
“Well, my mother…she didn’t take the news about me being pregnant very well.”
Suzanne spit out the water she’d just taken a sip of. “What? Pregnant?”
Annie nodded. “It appears that way, yes.”
Suzanne’s hand touched her chest and for a few seconds she appeared speechless. Then she leaned closer, her voice a
whisper. “Who’s the father?”
“Matt.”
“Oh, my God,” she nearly shrieked. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I was.” She reached across the table and squeezed Suzanne’s hand. “I haven’t told anyone yet. About Matt, I mean. I know I have to, but the time hasn’t been right.”
“You haven’t told his sister?”
“No. I don’t want to just blurt it out.”
Suzanne shook her head several times. “You realize Derrick is going to flip out, don’t you? I mean…flip out.”
“I know. And when he finds out it was Matt, he’s going to be doubly pissed. They were friends. He’ll look at it as betrayal, even though we’ve been divorced four years.” She pointed her finger at Suzanne. “And that’s why I’m threatening you within an inch of your life,” she said. “Because if you tell Derrick, I will hunt you down.”
“I won’t be the one to tell Derrick. I don’t need that drama,” Suzanne said with a wave of her hand.
“Promise?”
“Of course. But I am…well, I’m simply blown away.” A smile lit her face. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant. This is so exciting!”
“Exciting? No, it’s not. I’m not sure I really believe it.” She pushed the chips aside. “I’m not through with college yet. I’m basically homeless. The father is…is deceased. My mother is not speaking to me. My father told me he was disappointed in me. So, no, it’s not exciting in the least.”
Suzanne waved her protest away. “Your mother is only worried about what the people at her church are going to say. Maybe now she’ll quit badgering you to go to church with her.”
Annie smiled. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”
“So who’s your doctor? This is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait.”
Annie should have known Suzanne would be happy for her. When they’d first gotten married and both Macy and Suzanne were pregnant, they had practically begged Annie to do the same. She’d told them she wasn’t ready and they’d eventually let it drop. Truth was, she wasn’t ready now either. She tried to let Suzanne’s enthusiasm wash over her and it did.
A little.
“So what are you going to eat? Want to share nachos or something?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been starving lately. I want, like, enchiladas or something. Beans, rice, the works.”
“Don’t go overboard,” Suzanne warned. “That weight will just creep up on you.”
“I don’t care,” she said. And at that moment, while perusing the enchilada platters on the menu, her potential weight gain was the least of her worries.
After their orders were taken and Suzanne’s salsa bowl was refilled, she scooted her chair closer to Annie.
“So do you have a plan?”
Annie frowned. “A plan?”
“You know, after the baby is born. School, work. A place to live.”
“Are you trying to depress me?” she asked.
“No, of course not. I’m just wondering what you’re going to do.”
“Well, I’m going to finish college, do my student teaching next spring, then start full time the next fall. That’s still the plan. As far as where I’m going to live, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
Suzanne broke another chip in half before dipping it in the salsa. “Look, don’t take this the wrong way,” she said, “but have you considered Derrick?”
“Oh, God, not you too?”
“I’m just saying, he’s still crazy about you. He would—”
“Suzanne, there’s a reason we divorced, you know.” She took a sip of water, staring at Suzanne. “Are you happy being married, Suzanne?”
Suzanne appeared startled by the question. “Why would you think I’m not happy?”
Annie shrugged. “I’m just…I’m wondering why you’re happy and I never was. I mean, I don’t know what went wrong with Derrick.” She shook her head. “Well, I do know. I shouldn’t have ever married him in the first place. I just…I got carried away with it all, I think.”
“With what?”
“With all of us,” she said. “He and Aaron and Chuck. You, me and Macy. Everything just piled on top of each other. They were best friends, we were best friends. His parents and my parents were friends. I got caught up in it all and I couldn’t get out.” She took another drink of her water, wondering where she was going with this. These thoughts were private, thoughts she’d not shared with anyone before. “I think I knew before we even got married that it wasn’t the real thing for me, yet I went through with it,” she admitted. “And after six months, I was certain that it wasn’t for me. But no matter how unhappy I was, I pretended that I wasn’t. Because I was caught up in the whole group thing. And I put up with it for six years. Six years.”
“Oh, Annie. I could tell you weren’t happy. I thought maybe if you had a kid—”
“Now that was the smartest thing I did…not getting pregnant. I’d still be married to him then, I’m sure. And I’d be miserable.”
“So were you ever in love with him?”
“In love?” Annie shook her head. “No. No, I don’t think so. Not that deep, crazy kind of love. He was just the guy I dated all through high school, the guy everyone assumed I would marry. Before I could even contemplate what was happening, I was standing in front of the preacher saying ‘I do,’ and then it was too late.” She sighed. “I guess I’m telling you all of this so you won’t have this hope that Derrick and I will get back together. Because it’s not going to happen. Ever.”
Suzanne nodded. “Okay. I won’t bring it up again. I’m sorry. I thought it might be an option.”
“It’s not.”
Chapter Fourteen
Jordan waited until Brandon had finished with his customer, then waved him back. The smile that was almost always on his face faltered a bit.
“You wanted to see me, boss?”
Jordan led him into the office. She had stopped asking him to call her “Jordan” instead of “boss.” It had made no difference. He still called her “boss.” She assumed it was because of her dress—the business suits. She’d hoped that once she started dressing like them, in shorts, that he would loosen up, but no.
She motioned to the visitor’s chair. “Sit down,” she said.
“Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong?”
She stared at him. “I don’t know. Did you?”
The color left his face. “I don’t think so,” he said.
She smiled, trying to get him to relax. “Then why do you look guilty?”
“Because this is like being called back to the principal’s office. You never ask any of us to come back here.”
She leaned her elbows on the desk. “Why are you here?”
He frowned. “What?”
“Here. At Fat Larry’s. Annie tells me you have your degree.”
“Yes.”
“So?”
He shrugged. “I’ve worked here since high school,” he said.
“Right. And now you have your degree. In fact, you got it in December.”
“You don’t like me working here?” he asked hesitantly.
“I love you working here. You’re a natural with the customers. You’re friendly. And you flirt just enough with the ladies but don’t ever cross the line. At least, not that I’ve seen.”
He actually blushed, and it made him look even more handsome, she noted.
“I guess I don’t understand your line of questioning,” he said.
“What are your goals, Brandon?”
He nodded. “Oh, I see. Is this like a…‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ kind of a thing?”
“Exactly.”
He smiled and brushed his blond hair off his tanned face. “I’m just…you know, hanging out. Enjoying myself. I’m into sailboarding,” he said. “So working here, the hours are flexible, I can still hit the water whenever I want.”
“You have your degree. You work part-time. Your g
oal is…sailboarding?”
“Look, money is not that big a deal,” he said. “I have a roommate. My Jeep is paid for.” He glanced over his shoulder as if making sure they were still alone. “I have money,” he said quietly. “My uncle…well, he paid for my college. Paid for my Jeep. He and my father were the only children and he never married. And I don’t have any siblings.” He paused. “He’s kinda rich.”
“And he gives you money?”
“Yeah. I’m on his payroll.”
“Unbelievable,” she murmured.
“Yeah. It’s sweet.”
“So if you’ve got it so sweet, why do you work here?”
“I love it here. Like I said, it’s flexible. And I’ve got to do something productive with my life. I can’t sailboard all day long.” He paused. “Besides, I started working here in high school. This is like home to me.”
She leaned back in her chair. “So if I offered you more money, that’s not really an incentive to you, seeing as you’ve got another job that you don’t actually have to work at.”
“I’m always open for more money,” he said with a smile. “What do you have in mind?”
She wondered if this was a good idea, but hell, she liked the guy. And she thought she could trust him. So, she gave voice to what she’d been contemplating for the last couple of weeks.
“Right now, Annie and I take turns closing the store. And I understand that before, Matt would always close.”
“Yes. And?”
“And I want to train you to close. If it works out, I’ll give you a raise.” She shrugged. “I was going to offer you more hours too, but that might cut into your sailboarding,” she said with a smile.
“Like close on my own?”
“Yes. Like be in charge of clearing out the cash register, reconciling the receipts, that sort of thing. Obviously, locking up and setting the alarm when you leave.”
“Cool.”
“Cool? You interested?”
“Sure. And I could take a few more hours too, boss.”
“Great. We’ll start training today.”
Chapter Fifteen
Annie walked into the house, her hands loaded with three grocery bags, but Jordan was nowhere to be seen.