by MJ Carnal
Mia was sitting in the living room reading when Lily came back inside. Noticing her sister’s face, she put her book down. “Is it Steve thirty? Seems to be the same time every night. You get that look on your face like mom and dad just told you Santa wasn’t real.”
Lily huffed and crumpled onto the loveseat. “I need to get over him. I’m dying a slow death.”
“Lil, the dude lived with you and didn’t fall helplessly in love with you. He’s either blind or gay. It’s his loss. I miss my fierce sister that didn’t put up with anyone’s bullshit. Any chance she’ll be moving back in with me too?”
“I’m sorry.” Lil rubbed her hands down her face. “I need to get out and meet some new people. You free Friday?”
“My shift ends at six. I’m yours after that.”
“It’s a date.”
Lily watched her sister walk toward her bedroom. She was so proud of her. There wasn’t much of an age difference between them and they had been best of friends for as long as she could remember. Mia had chosen a career in marine biology and had started working with the dolphins at the aquarium close to a year ago. She hadn’t ever looked back or regretted one single second of her life. Lily knew she had been like that once upon a time. It was time to find that girl again and bring her home.
Steve threw his softball gear on the floor in the foyer. He couldn’t wait to talk to Lily. It was late where she was but this couldn’t wait. He stumbled over his glove before making his way down the hall. He cursed himself for forgetting his phone when he left the house. He collapsed onto the bed and hit the button that would bring his beautiful girl a little closer, even if just for a few minutes.
Her voice was quiet when she answered. “Hello?”
“Lil, I have the most amazing news.” Steve laughed. His voice was full of excitement. “I’m going to be trying out for the USAA coed national softball team this weekend. Moretti and I have tried to get them to take a look at us for two years.”
“That’s great. I’m proud of you. You’re good. They’d be stupid not to take you.” Lil smiled hearing his voice. “I’ll send good vibes your way.”
“I wish you could be here. I hate doing the important stuff without you.” Steve sighed. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.” Lil’s voice cracked. “What else is new? How’s the gang?”
Steve chuckled. “Jena and Caleb finally set a date for the wedding. It will be right before you start at UGA but I would love it if you would come home for that. I think J is going to ask you to be in it but I’d love it if you came as my date.”
“Of course I will.” Tears filled Lily’s eyes. It wasn’t the first time she regretted the move. Pushing those thoughts into the back of her mind, she asked about Sophie and Mark. She smiled listening to Steve talk about his friends. They truly were like family and she missed every one of them.
“Kevin’s up to no good, as usual.” Steve laughed. “He’s bragging to all the men at the gym about how he’s going to get Andi knocked up. Caleb cringes every time. I seriously think he enjoys torturing him. And it gets worse the more Caleb responds.”
Lily couldn’t help but snort. She laughed so hard picturing Caleb and Kevin in their battle of wits. “I wish I could see that. Poor Caleb.”
“And the babies are so big. Mario is all over the place. Mark even has him swimming. Little Kev is walking and destroying everything at Ryan and Layla’s. Molly and Rich will be home for Caleb’s wedding. They’re trying for baby number two so Mark and Soph won’t be far behind them.” Steve sighed. “When the hell did we all get old enough to have kids?”
“Speak for yourself. I’m way too young.”
“Whatever.” Steve smiled. “I’ll let you get back to sleep. I just wanted to share my news with you. You free to video chat this weekend?”
“I’m free anytime. I look forward to it.”
When Steve hung up the phone, he ran his hands through his hair. Her voice was always sad. Her laughs were always forced. He needed to get out to see her. He made a mental note to check on flights for July. If there was any way at all that she wasn’t happy, he would beg her to come back. He missed her. He missed how good his apartment smelled with her in it. He missed how everything was better with her by his side.
Steve crawled into bed and prayed for sleep. He hadn’t been doing much of that lately either.
Chapter 18
“Get the lead out Wainwright.” Mark looked at his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes.
“Seriously, dude, nobody cares what your hair looks like for a tryout.” Kevin chuckled as Steve gave him the finger.
“I’m being lectured by the geniuses that decided to ride their motorcycles to Biola. Any worries about the cliffs up that way? Christ, has anyone seen my black baseball hat? I can’t find it anywhere.” Steve slipped his Red Sox cap on his head and grabbed his baseball gear.
“What cliffs?” Andi looked at Kevin. “I’m already nervous. Where are we going?”
“Ride with me. Leave these two daredevils to fend for themselves on those curvy roads.” Steve took Andi’s hand and Kevin growled.
“Hands off Wainwright. Let’s go, doll.” Kevin led Andi out to the bike and handed her the helmet. “You’re always safe with me. I’d never let anything happen to you. The roads are narrow but the view is incredible.”
“Where’s your gear, Moretti?” Steve threw his bag into his trunk.
“Soph’s meeting us up there. She had to drop Marco off at Ryan’s.” Mark started his bike and gave Steve the thumb’s up.
Steve was nervous. He had played baseball in high school and college. He’d joined a coed softball league almost right after graduation and had spent years traveling with them on weekends. He always enjoyed the huge tournaments that lasted all weekend. His friends all thought he was crazy. But not Moretti. Mark got it. He’d been the baseball stud his whole life. He hadn’t gotten the opportunity to play in the league since his career in the marines had taken him so far from home. Their love of the game had kept them close all these years and was their common bond. Steve couldn’t imagine a better person to be trying out with. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Moretti was a pitcher. And as a catcher, Steve knew there wasn’t another person in the world he would rather play with.
Before starting his car, he looked at his cell phone. Was it pathetic that Lily was his wallpaper? He sighed. He’d called her and left her a message when he had woken up this morning. Today was the day she was heading to campus to see her new office and then spending the day with Mia at the aquarium. He missed her more than he ever thought he would.
The way I feel you with me, even if you are on the other side of the world.
He smiled and then started his car. The trip would take about an hour and that left them plenty of time to warm up and size up the competition. Two years ago, he’d met the manager of the team at a grand opening for a sports bar downtown. They’d remained friends and Steve had been on his radar for the team ever since. Steve had dreamed about making the national team since college graduation. Today was the day he would make his dream a reality. He hoped that his travels would take him anywhere near the east coast, closer to the person that consumed his every thought.
He rolled his windows down to feel the warm summer sun. The smell of salt water from the ocean had always calmed him. The surf was rolling this morning in the wake of last night’s storm. He took a deep breath. He had lived in LA his whole life and the beach was something he never took for granted. It had been a source of comfort through all his sadness growing up. As an adult, it was where he went to think, to blow off steam and to feel whole when life got difficult.
He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw his best friends following behind. He was blessed. His relationship with Mark had always been his most important. Moretti had been his one constant when he lost Damien. He had grown to be like a brother to him and he would do anything for him. His relationship with Kevin had taken time. Merck was loud and outspoken
, quick to crack a joke and make light of everything. He had gone through women at a fast rate and Steve had judged him without knowing him. He had fallen for Andi, who had become a rock in his life during his darkest days. Steve had prayed that Andi knew what she was doing when she gave Kevin her heart. The smart mouth with an answer for everything had gotten on Steve’s nerves then. But here he was, a constant in his life, making him laugh and sharing in his sadness losing Lily.
Squealing tires snapped his head forward. His body tensed as he white knuckled the steering wheel. His foot slammed the brake pedal to the floor. Life was in slow motion. A silver car careened toward him. He swerved left and prayed his friends behind him could react fast enough. Gravel flew as he hit the shoulder and his wheels spun out of control.
Kevin laid his bike down and skidded toward the bluff, following Steve’s car. Mark swerved to the right, clipping the edge of his bike on the bumper of the out of control car. He tucked his body as he hit the pavement, braced for impact. Déjà vu but this time with a helmet and Mark was determined to hit the ground running to help his friends.
Steve struggled to breathe as he saw the bluff disappearing under his car. He was going over the edge and he was helpless to stop it. Crushing metal screamed in his ears as his friends destroyed their motorcycles. Please God keep them safe. Tears fell down his face as he realized his car had stopped. Muffled voices yelled for him but he couldn’t open his eyes. He was frozen in place, afraid the smallest movement would send him over the edge.
“Steve!” Andi screamed as she ran to the back of the car. Her stomach dropped when she saw the entire front portion of the car over the edge. If he moved, it could all be over. She couldn’t get to him. “Steve!”
“Andi, go check on Kevin. He’s still down.” Mark pushed her away from the car as her panic spiked. She limped and noticed the stabbing pain in her ankle. Mark didn’t dare touch the car. Steve’s windows were open. He needed to know he was ok. “Wainwright, talk to me.”
“I can’t move or I’m over.” Steve’s voice was quiet.
“Don’t move. We’ll get help.” Mark ran to the other side of the car, looking for anything he could do to help get Steve out.
“How bad is it?”
Mark took a deep breath. “Your back tire is hooked on a big rock. That moves, we’re in trouble. Just don’t move.”
“Please tell me everyone is ok.” Steve’s voice cracked in fear. “Merck?”
Mark looked over at Kevin. He was sitting up and talking to Andi. A large gash covered a good portion of his arm. Mark knew he was on blood thinners and the risk of heavy bleeding was far too great. Andi took off her jacket and held it to his arm but Kevin knocked it away and stood. He limped toward Mark, waving Andi off.
“I’ve got one car hanging over the ridge, driver is conscious. One with a large laceration on his arm, losing a good amount of blood. Patient is on blood thinner after a heart attack. One other motorcyclist has a laceration on his leg. I’m unable to see how severe from here.” Andi calmly talked to the 911 operator. Her training as a doctor couldn’t help Steve’s situation but it could prepare the first responders for what to expect. “Second vehicle is stopped and I can see movement in the car. Driver looks to be a teenager. I’ve got a possible fracture in my right ankle. We’ll need two rigs and send the fire department. We need to get the vehicle off the cliff. Please hurry.” She covered her eyes as she hung up. This couldn’t be happening.
“Moretti, get away from the car.” Steve yelled. “If I go over, I don’t want you coming with me. Get back.”
“Calm down. I’m not touching the car. I’m trying to figure out how to get you out.”
“You can’t.” Steve gently laid his head back against the head rest. His voice was calm. “It’s ok.”
“No the fuck it isn’t.” Kevin reached for the back door but Mark stopped him. “We gotta do something, Moretti. We can’t just stand here and watch this.”
“Merck, you have two jobs right now. That’s to stop your bleeding and go help your wife. Please, go. I’ll figure something out.” Mark nodded his head, emotions spilling down his face.
“Moretti?” Steve cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We’ll get you out.”
“No.” Steve sighed. “Thank you for being my friend. You’re my best friend. I love you.”
“Stop talking!” Mark yelled. He was not giving up.
“Lily’s my biggest regret. I love her so much, man. I let her walk away from me without fighting for her. Please tell her I love her. Please.”
“You tell her when you get out of there.” Mark threw his hands up at Andi. Where the hell was their help?
“We both know that’s not gonna happen.” As Steve reached for his phone, his car tilted. The moan of the metal against the gravel made everyone freeze.
The way you changed my life.
“Stop fucking moving!” Mark was losing his patience. They were going to have to do something. “Get that punk out of his car and over here, NOW!”
Kevin walked toward the other car and pulled a very unwilling and devastated teenager from the driver’s seat. “Pull it together. We’ve got to get him out of his car and we need your help.”
“Ok.” The teen’s voice cracked as he followed Kevin toward the edge. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Stop talking and help.” Mark scratched his head. “We’re going to have to pull the car back. I don’t know what else to do. If he keeps moving, he’s gone.”
“Moretti, don’t be stupid. Let me go. You’ve got Sophie and Mario. Kevin’s got Andi. Let me go. It’s ok.” Steve’s voice was steady and he prayed his friends would back away from the edge.
Silence stretched the next few minutes into hours. Steve prayed. He didn’t know what was left to do but pray. He thanked God for all his blessings, his friends, his job, his Lily. He asked for healing for all the people he loved. He smiled as he thanked God for not leaving him alone at this very minute. A sense of calm took over his body. He looked out over the ocean, the waves cresting before they tumbled to the sand. The sun was bright and made the top of the water shine. He took a deep breath and he was filled with peace.
If help was on its way, Steve couldn’t hear it. All he could hear was the sound of his heartbeat, the waves hitting the shore and the birds serenading him in his final moments.
“I love you, Lily.” He whispered as he felt the car tip forward a few inches more. “I hope that somehow you know that.”
Steve felt the car tilt to the left. He could hear the slide of gravel as his tires dragged forward. He knew Andi was crying and he wished that he could reach out to her. Kevin’s yells were muffled as Steve took one last deep breath.
“It’s ok. Just let me go.”
Chapter 19
“I cannot just fucking stand here.” Kevin reached for the back bumper.
“Don’t touch him.” Andi cried. Her emotions had taken over. Gone was the calm doctor that he had seen work miracles. In her place, stood the woman who was watching her friend slip away.
“He’s dead if we don’t.” Mark put his hand on her shoulder. “Help us or back up.”
The crunch of tires over rock grabbed their attention. An aged red pickup with a tiny old man waved at them to stop. He backed the truck up toward the cliff, taking extra care to center his tailgate to Steve’s bumper. Jumping from the truck, he pulled the chains out of the bed and attached them to Steve’s tire. He worked as if they weighed nothing and he was the strongest man on earth. He attached the other end to the truck’s hitch.
Pointing at Mark, he spoke. “Son, I want you to stand over on the side. If we can pull his car back even a foot, I want you to yank the door open and pull him out. Work quickly. Talk to him. Be calm. Get him to take his seatbelt off.”
“Yes, sir.” Mark jogged to the driver’s side, his adrenaline pumping hard.
He then pointed at Kevin. “Son, I need you to sit down. You’re whit
e as a sheet and that’s a lot of blood you’re standing in. Sit, now. The ambulance is on the way.”
Kevin nodded, feeling lightheaded. He took several steps back and collapsed onto the dirt. Andi pulled off her shirt and wrapped it tightly around his arm. Kevin’s clammy skin alerted her to a bigger problem but she stayed calm while she tried to stop the bleeding.
The old man returned to his truck, putting it in gear and moving as slowly as the truck would allow. He wasn’t sure if fast or slow was best. This was a long shot. After hearing of the accident on his police radio, he knew he had to help. The weight of the car made him press his foot down harder on the gas. They just needed a few feet. He hoped the man in the baseball jersey would stay calm long enough to pull the driver out.
“Listen to me, Wainwright.” Mark’s voice was stern. “Undo the seatbelt. Unlock your door. And brace yourself.”
“Don’t do something stupid, Moretti.” Steve sat frozen against the seat.
“Undo the damn seatbelt.” Mark was ready to launch himself at the door. What was taking this old man so long?
Steve’s movements were slow but Mark heard the click of the seatbelt. The door lock popped and Mark took a deep breath. He still couldn’t reach him.
“Kid, get over here.” Mark put his arm around the terrified teen. “I need your help. When I say so, I want you to yank open that door. I’m gonna reach in and pull him out. Do you think you can do that?”
The teen nodded and focused on the door handle. The truck lurched forward and Steve’s Stingray groaned in protest. The crunching medal was music to Mark’s ears. The car moved back several inches before the truck lurched forward once more.
Everything moved in slow motion. Mark motioned for the door and once it was opened halfway, he pulled Steve with every ounce of strength he had. He felt his shoulder pop but didn’t flinch. He wouldn’t breathe again until Steve was safe.
Steve felt the whoosh of air as the driver’s side door was almost ripped from the car. Strong hands grabbed at him, pulling him awkwardly from the car. His hip crashed to the ground as Mark rolled them both away from the car. His breath was knocked out of him as they came to a stop, Mark wedged below him clutching at his shoulder.