Today in particular, she had been sitting on a bench in front of the waterfront close to the B&B for what seemed like hours. People casually strolled by, but she was too caught up in her own thoughts to really pay them any attention, she just stared off at the glistening water as if in a trance.
“Marissa? Hey, Marissa?” someone asked, tapping her on the shoulder.
She jerked her head to the side to find Daniel staring down at her, looking confused.
“Daniel? Hey, what's going on?”
“I called your name a few times. Didn’t you hear me?”
“I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”
“I guess so. Is that why you're here?” he asked, nodding his head toward the water.
“How did you know?” she asked confused.
“Ah well, I just know you. This was always your thinking spot. Can I sit? Maybe it’ll help me too.”
“Please do,” she said, sliding over to give him space, but it wasn't nearly enough because as he was settling in his shoulder brushed against hers and remained there causing her heart to pound uncontrollably.
“So what's going on? Why so deep in thought?” he asked.
Marissa thought about it for a minute, but decided not to mention anything, not yet. “Just stuff. Mostly remembering the good ole days. This place holds a lot of memories. It's hard not to get lost in the past.”
“Yeah, I guess you're right.”
She forced a smile and felt nostalgic sitting there in that spot with him, almost like they were teenagers again.
“How about you, what are you doing out here?” she asked him after a pause.
Daniel bent over and rested his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands together. “Ah, you know, Katie.” He turned to look at her. “Marissa, you can be honest with me, right?”
She swallowed hard. “Of course.”
“Why didn't she come home with you girls? What the hell is she doing up there?”
“I don't know what she's doing. All I know is she wanted to stay.” It wasn't technically a lie. “Have you talked to her?”
“Yeah, once. She called the day she was supposed to come home and said she was going to be staying there. That she was confused and needed to figure some things out. I don’t even know exactly where she is to go find her so we can talk. She won’t even answer her phone.”
She put her hand on his back and rubbed it softly, she could feel the muscles under his t-shirt and it felt electrifying. “Do you want to go get something to eat with me?”
He turned to look at her and smiled sadly. “Yeah, I'd like that.”
They walked a little ways up the road to the Marina restaurant and sat in a booth in the very back of the main dining room. There weren't a lot of people there at that time of day and with the lights dim it would appear like an intimate setting, but to them, they were just two old friends catching up.
By the time they were done with their meals, it was dark outside and even though it was still hot and humid out, the temperature was a few degrees cooler.
“Would you like to walk some?” Daniel asked her.
“I'd love to,” she said eagerly.
They both had a few too many alcoholic beverages during dinner so they were both giddy like a couple of teenagers.
“God, I love this spot,” Marissa said, stopping in front of the waterfront. She leaned over and rested her elbows on the wooden railing and stared out at the sparkling moon lit water.
“Why is that? This was always your spot for as long as I can remember, so much so that every time I come here I can’t help but to think of you. But I could never figure out why you liked it so much. Sure it's pretty and peaceful, but what is it to you?”
She looked up at him, his silhouette framed by the moon light. “I don't know really. It has always felt magical here. Like no matter how bad I was feeling or how alone I felt, all I had to do was come here and all would be better again, even if for a little while. The sound of the river rippling against the rocks below and the feel of the river breeze would wrap me in a cocoon and make me feel at peace.”
“That's pretty deep,” he said laughing.
She stood up in front of him. “Close your eyes.”
“What?”
“Close your eyes.”
He looked at her, confused.
“Just do it, you big baby.” When he closed his eyes she leaned in close to his ear and breathed in his clean smell of Irish Spring soap and whispered softly, “Clear your mind.” She waited a second. “Is it clear?” she asked softly and he nodded his head “yes”. “Good, now focus on the water. Listen to it as it softly beats itself against the rocks on the shore line. Do you hear it?”
He shook his head “yes” again.
“Good, now hear the breeze as it blows over the river and rustles the leaves on the pear tree behind us. Now feel that breeze. Feel it wash all around you.” She ran a finger down the side of his arm. His face slackened, obviously liking the feel of her touch.
He slowly opened his eyes and stared at her. In that instant they were sixteen years old again, young and in love, and nothing else mattered. He bent down and pressed his lips to hers and she didn't stop him. She had dreamed of that moment for so long.
He slowly pulled back and ran the back of his hand down the side of her cheek. “I'm not sorry I did that. It's something I've wanted to do for a while.”
“Me too,” Marissa said breathless.
He took a step back and smiled wide then lifted his leg and began to untie his shoes, then took off his shirt, and right when he was unzipping his pants Marissa finally spoke up, “What on Earth are you doing?”
“It seems like a nice night for a swim.” He pulled down his pants and boxers, exposing himself to her, then jumped over the railing and into the water until all that she could see of him was his head.
She ran up to the side of the railing and stared at him, shocked. “Daniel!”
“Come on, I dare ya,” he called out, taunting her.
Never in her life had she backed down from a dare and she wasn’t about to start now, so she looked around to make sure no one was watching and quickly stripped out of her clothes. Daniel watched her as her body glowed in the moonlight, looking as if he was remembering the time they did this very thing when they were younger and what happened after.
Unlike him, she climbed over the side of the railing; throwing one leg over at a time, and then eased herself into the water allowing him to take in the sight of her and savor every minute, hoping it made him miss her, or at the very least, want her.
“That's a girl,” he said, and he sounded slightly disappointed as her body slipped beneath the water. He splashed her with water to break the tension once she was close.
She feigned shock and splashed him back turning them back into teenagers.
“Okay, okay, I give,” she said, holding up both hands and slowly swam the distance that separated them and just when she was in reaching distance she leapt up and jumped on him and dunked his head under the water. He came back up quickly and before she could get away he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back to him. Smiling and breathing heavily he crushed his lips against hers again. She wrapped her arms around his neck wanting him even closer; her chest pressed hard against him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed him like a boa constrictor, afraid if she let him go, even just a little bit, it would break whatever it was they were doing.
“It's my chance again,” she whispered into his mouth.
“What?” he asked pulling away from her confused.
“Before I left New York, Katie and I talked, about everything. She reminded me of what I had told her the day I gave her my blessing to date you. She told me to remind you of that and to tell you that it is my chance again.”
“She told you to say that?” He dropped his arms from around her and forced her legs off his waist before he backed away from her. “You knew she wasn't coming back all this time and you didn't tell me. You
lied straight to my face. Who does that?”
“Daniel, please, I didn't mean to lie to you. I just didn't think it was my place to tell you.”
“Is she ever coming back?”
Marissa shook her head “no”.
He filled the space between them again and grabbed her by both arms. “What did she say?”
She was shocked by the sudden outburst and tears began to pool in her eyes. “She said she was living a lie, that the life she had here was meant for me not her, and you know what? She was right. It was supposed to be you and me!”
“I can't believe this,” he said, pushing away from her again.
“Daniel, please stop. Talk to me,” she yelled after him.
“I can't deal right now, Marissa,” he said over his shoulder and climbed back over the railing, grabbed his clothes, and disappeared into the shadows.
Fourteen
A month had gone by and Marissa still hadn't seen Daniel since the night on the waterfront. During that time, her job had started and she even found an old two bedroom house to rent in New Bern's downtown historic district. It was quaint and romantic, just her type, with a mixture of antique wood and iron fixtures. Katie had come back home briefly only once since they had all gone to New York together, sans Eduardo, but she didn't stay long. Just long enough to settle affairs and pack some of her stuff. The group of girls hung out at Marissa’s house before she left, but it still felt unreal.
Marissa, Becca and Jess had kept in touch like they promised and even still did their weekend get-togethers.
Tonight they were meeting at a seafood restaurant in New Bern at seven o’clock for dinner, and planned to walk to the night club beside it afterwards. Marissa hadn’t been to the club yet, and after the exhausting week she had she was looking forward to the release.
By the time they were done eating and catching up on their week, it was rounding nine o’clock. They left their cars at the restaurant and walked to the club. Apparently nine o’clock was still fairly early for a club, but they didn't care. They got their pick of a table, got drinks easily and it was still quiet enough to hear each other speak.
“So did Katie say when she was coming back yet?” Becca asked.
Jess shook her head. “No, they have been busy at the restaurant. She promised to visit again soon, though.”
“I guess she really is staying there,” Becca said solemnly.
“Yep, Mattie even got accepted at NYU and is now living with them.”
“Wow, I wonder how Daniel is doing,” Marissa said concerned.
“I don't know,” Jess said. “I saw him at the grocery store the other day. He put on a brave face, but refused to talk about Katie. I guess it's understandable.”
“Poor guy,” Becca said, looking down in her glass.
“Yeah, poor guy,” Marissa said, draining the last of her cocktail. “I'm going to get another, do any of you want anything while I'm up there?”
Both girls shook their heads “no”.
Marissa placed her order with the bartender and stood there looking around as she patiently waited.
“Marissa?”
Marissa turned around at the sound of her name and had to do a double take. When she saw the man staring at her from a nearby table, she froze and her heart fell out of her chest.
“It really is you,” the man said, standing up and walking toward her.
Still frozen, she continued to stare at him. He looked almost the exact same, although somewhat old for their age. His dark hair was buzzed close to the scalp and his five o’clock shadow was three days overdue. He was so close now that she could smell the rich cologne that he bathed himself in before going out, which was the complete opposite of Daniel’s fresh scent. Once upon a time she’d thought he was gorgeous, and he probably still was, but her view had changed through the years.
“Well, aren't you going to speak?” he asked staring at her as if expecting a hug or something.
“Hello, Randy. How are you?” she whispered through the dry grit in her throat.
“I'm good. Just cutting loose with a few of my buddies. How about you? Are you living around here again?”
Marissa swallowed hard and took a few deep breathes to calm her nerves. She hadn't seen Randy since she ran away twenty years ago and this exact moment was one she feared the most about coming back. “Yeah, I moved back almost two months ago.”
“Where have you been all this time?”
“I moved to Pennsylvania.”
“Ahh…the last time I saw you was graduation. I always wondered what happened to you.”
“I had to go,” she said simply.
“Without a good-bye? I thought we had a good thing going.”
Good was the last thing it was, she thought to herself, but said, “It was time.”
“Well the County wasn't the same without you. I'm glad you're back.”
His words put her a little at ease. I guess he has changed, she thought to herself. She relaxed some and even smiled. “I actually live here in town. I work at the hospital; the drive is much better than from the County.”
“Cool, what do you do at the hospital?”
“I’m a doctor,” she said proudly.
“Wow, a doctor. That’s impressive. Have a drink with an old friend and catch up?”
Marissa looked back at the table where her friends were, then back at him. “Maybe some other time. My friends are waiting for me, but it was great to see you.”
She turned to leave, but he grabbed her by the arm and held her in place. She stopped and looked down at his hand then back at his face, noticing the glassy there but not really there, look in his eyes. “Why are you leaving so soon? You too good to talk to me now? I just want to have a drink with you. Especially since you just up and left me without an explanation. I think I deserve a little time now.”
“Ouch, Randy, it's too tight,” she whined.
“How about you remove your hand from her arm or I will remove your arm from your body.”
They both turned to see Daniel standing a few feet away from them, his eyes blurry and red. Randy let go of her arm and held both hands up. “I was just talking to her.”
“Yeah well, she doesn't want to talk to you.”
Randy stood up straight, looking Daniel in the face. “What's it to you who she talks to? Last time I heard you were married to someone who isn't Marissa. Your loss, by the way.”
Daniel took another step toward Randy, closing the distance, and Marissa quickly jumped in between them. “Daniel, stop it. It's fine. I promise.” He looked down at her, his gaze hazy. She turned to look at Randy. “Thank you for the drink offer, but my friends really are waiting for me. It was good catching up with you, but I do not owe you anything.” She gave him a quick, drop dead sort of smile smile and turned back toward Daniel, her lake luster smile fading, “Come on, I'll take you back to your table. Just lead the way.” Once he was seated at his table, Marissa went back to her own.
“What was that all about?” Becca asked.
“I'm not really sure,” she said, looking back at Daniel.
“Are you okay?” Becca asked, reaching out and putting a hand on Marissa's shoulder.
Marissa turned to look at Randy and shook her head. “Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. It was a long time ago and I’m a different person now. I guess people really can’t change, to some extent anyway. My change is all that really matters though. I can’t be afraid of him forever.” She turned back and looked between Becca and Jess. “Come on, let's go dance. I came here to have a good time, and dammit that's what I'm going to do.” Marissa grabbed both of their hands and dragged them out on the dance floor. They danced and laughed and had a great time. That was until Marissa turned around to find Randy dancing within inches from her. She smiled nervously then turned back around to face Becca and Jess, but just as she did she felt a hand go around her waist. Choosing to ignore him she decided to leave the dance floor to put some space in-between them and co
mpose herself. She made her way through the crowd and escaped into the ladies bathroom. She put both hands on each side of the sink and stared at her reflection in the mirror? She was no longer that naive girl who let Randy do whatever he felt like to her. She was stronger, older, and she didn't have to take it from him or anyone else. A part of her felt silly for thinking that he had changed, even just a little bit. She should have known better. She took a few deep breathes, feeling much more confident than she did going in there. She stood up straight and turned to leave, but just as she was about to open the door, it swung open and Randy stumbled in. He reached his hand out and grabbed her arm pulling her close to him.
“Randy, what the hell?” she yelled in shock.
“What, you're too good for me now?”
“You're drunk.”
“So. You never minded before. You may think you’re too good now, but you’re not.” He grabbed the back of her head and snatched a fist full of hair and brought her mere inches from his face. His breath smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. “You may have left, but you're still the same screwed up little girl you always were.”
“I am not,” she seethed.
He laughed in her face, his hot breath slamming into her again. “Yeah, you are. People don't change. Come on, baby, I remember how you used to wrap those long legs around me.” He pulled her head even closer and crushed his lips to hers. She clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to taste his rank breath. “You know you missed me.”
“Randy, please.”
“Yeah, baby, beg me like you want me,” he said, his voice getting heavy with an intense ache for her.
She shook her head from side to side, but he didn't care. With one hand in her hair and the other still on her arm he pushed her back into a stall and slammed her against the metallic wall.
Hometown Girls: Reunion (Hometown Girls Series Book 2) Page 9